Wine-making family weathers seasons of change by relying on prayer

Kiepersol Estates Winery is marking 20 years in East Texas. Their journey from South Africa has become a testament to the power of prayer. The homegrown business has weathered everything from weather extremes to the loss of its founder. But there’s now a sense of peace at the vineyards in Bullard, according to proprietor Marnelle…

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Passing along some words of wisdom to Northwestern State University’s senior class

As president of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association, I recently had the distinct honor of helping present class rings to the graduating seniors. Before joining university president Dr. Chris Maggio in the presentation, I was asked to share some reflections as they prepare to receive their baccalaureate degrees. Congratulations on making it to this…

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Walk on the wild side at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo

Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas recently welcomed two new African elephants to its family of more than 3,400 animals from around the world. The 85-acre park first opened to visitors in 1953 and has grown considerably in the decades since. Open seven days a week, the zoo is an ideal destination for families, school groups,…

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Lane Luckie elected president of NSU Alumni Association board

Lane Luckie is bringing more than a decade of experience to his new role as president of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association board of directors. In this volunteer capacity, the 2008 graduate will lead a 32-person board in working to promote the advancement of academic excellence by developing coalitions among alumni, students, friends and…

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German journalist embedded in KLTV newsroom as part of international exchange

As the main anchor of Germany’s international broadcaster, Sarah Kelly is the face of Deutsche Welle’s coverage of the world’s biggest stories. Over the last decade, her personal and professional travels have taken her from the World Economic Forum to the G-20 summit, though, a three-week whirlwind tour of the U.S., including a week in…

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A legend among giants: Remembering Kenny Boles

It’s now been a year since KLTV & KTRE lost our longtime news director, Kenny Boles, who was called home unexpectedly in 2018 after a short battle with cancer. His impact in the lives and careers of so many of my colleagues keeps Kenny in the forefront of what we do each day. A plaque…

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East Texas students to make radio call to NASA astronauts aboard space station

This month students from Huntington High School will have a rare opportunity to chat directly with the crew of the International Space Station. Seven students who have obtained their Amateur Radio or “ham” licenses from the Federal Communications Commission will participate in the event with astronauts in space. After submitting a proposal to Amateur Radio…

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Ducks, geese make winter home in Southwest Louisiana’s marshland

Hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese spend their winters in the pristine marshes and prairies of Southwest Louisiana. Located at the confluence of two of the four major North American flyways, the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is a 180-mile journey through one of America’s ‘Last Great Wildernesses,’ according to the Lake Charles Convention…

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Honored again with a 2018 Lone Star EMMY award

We are so honored to have been recognized with a Regional Emmy® award from the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Outstanding achievement in Morning/Daytime Newscast – Smaller Markets (61+). I truly get to work with some of the best people I know. We wanted to dedicate this…

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Most powerful typhoon in 60 years lashes S. China

As Typhoon Mangkhut moved ashore in mainland China, nightfall provided a stark look at the storm’s deadly impact in Hong Kong. By Sunday night, government officials had announced at least two people on the island were killed as the powerful cyclone passed about 60 miles to the southwest of the city and its more than…

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Canton Tower stands tall as China’s modern architectural, engineering feat

As one of China’s three most populous cities, Guangzhou is a significant manufacturing and transportation hub, as well as a popular tourist destination. The city’s attractions draw more than 100 million visitors each year, many flocking to the Canton Tower. At 1,969 feet tall, it’s the tallest tower in China and third tallest in the…

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Despite crowds, Beijing’s subway system is calm, clean, efficient

As the world’s third most-populous city, getting around in Beijing takes some planning. For example, the city’s 21 million residents are only allowed to drive their vehicles in designated sections of the city. In an effort to curb pollution, a system is also in place to regulate which days certain drivers can hit the road….

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Best-preserved section of Great Wall of China located outside Beijing

One of the oldest and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China is located about two hours outside Beijing. Construction began at Mutianyu in the sixth century BC and much of it was rebuilt in the mid-1500s. Leaders from each of China’s six kingdoms built sections of the wall, totaling more than 15 thousand…

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Tyler closer to formalizing sister city relationship in China

A city in southwest China is closer to being named the sixth official sister city of Tyler. The Tyler Sister Cities program is exploring a new partnership with Qujing, a city of more than six million residents located in southwestern China, located about 700 miles west of Hong Kong. Earlier this year, the Tyler City…

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