For centuries, the Sallier Oak has symbolized survival in southwest Louisiana

In Southwest Louisiana, the names Audrey, Rita, Laura, and Delta are notorious — the powerful Hurricanes that wrought devastation and erased livelihoods for so many. But there’s one name associated with resilience in the face of Mother Nature’s fury: Sallier. The stately Sallier Oak, an enormous live oak tree named after one of Lake Charles’…

Preserving a piece of cultural history

What a great honor to have my photo of the 1803 Pacale-Roque House in Natchitoches, Louisiana featured in the Winter issue of 64 Parishes Magazine! The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities put together a nice feature on the restoration and relocation of this architectural and cultural treasure. Built by a man of color who purchased…

International exchange program brings German journalist to KLTV newsroom

A correspondent for a German TV network is learning about local journalism from the largest news organization in East Texas. Tom Garus of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), an affiliate of the internationally respected ARD network, just completed a week embedded in the KLTV newsroom in Tyler. Based in Berlin, he serves as reporter and moderator for…

East Texas delegation visits Ukrainian refugee center in Poland

Members of a delegation from the City of Tyler and the Tyler Sister Cities organization visited a Ukrainian refugee resource center set up in Tyler’s sister city of Jelenia Góra, Poland on Wednesday. Much of the food and supplies handed out here were purchased with private donations from East Texas effort that collected more than…

Poland relationship among oldest, most active of Tyler’s sister city partnerships

The City of Tyler’s partnership with Jelenia Góra in southwestern Poland is among the most active of its six current international sister city relationships. As one of the oldest cities in Poland, Jelenia Góra’s 900-year history includes nearly three decades of collaborations with East Texas. Jelenia Góra, Poland ‘Twinning’ ceremonies to formalize the sister city…

City of Tyler sending delegation to sister city in Poland

A delegation from the City of Tyler and other community groups will make a diplomatic mission to its sister city, Jelenia Góra, Poland, this week to strengthen ties between the two communities. Representatives of the City of Tyler include Fire Chief David Coble, City Engineer Darin Jennings, Tyler Sister Cities Organization board member Mickey Slimp,…

Business is booming again on Florida’s Space Coast

As NASA prepares to return humans to the surface of the Moon, tests for the space agency’s Artemis I mission aren’t the only activities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. LUNAR LAUNCH On June 20, the space agency completed a critical dress-rehearsal of a launch for its new Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket and…

NASA conducts critical dress rehearsal for new moon rocket

NASA is taking a big step toward returning humans to the surface of Moon. Monday, the space agency conducted a “wet test” dress rehearsal for its new SLS, or Space Launch System, moon rocket and Orion spacecraft. This was expected to be a final test before the launch of the Artemis I demonstration mission later…

Lane Luckie named to NSU Greek Hall of Fame

As part of its Greek Life Centennial celebration, Northwestern State University recognized 100 distinguished individuals for their notable contributions to fraternity and sorority life at the university over the last century. Lane Luckie, a 2008 graduate and an alumnus of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, was among the graduates honored through…

Tyler partnering with Polish sister city to offer assistance to Ukrainian refugees

The Polish sister city of Tyler, Texas has become a receiving point for hundreds of Ukrainian citizens fleeing their home country after the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Jelenia Góra, a city of more than 78 thousand residents in southwestern Poland, has mobilized its municipal government to provide humanitarian services in response to…

Donna McCollum: 44 Years as the Voice for Deep East Texas

In our industry, a tenure this long is uncommon. But that’s Donna — truly exceptional — both as a journalist and as a person. Retirement is a bittersweet moment for a beloved collegiate. KTRE and KLTV veteran reporter Donna McCollum is retiring after an amazing career of 44 years telling the stories of Deep East…

Napa Valley, California: America’s Wine Country

California’s Wine Country has become a destination for wine lovers and foodies alike. Napa Valley and Sonoma County are home to hundreds of wineries, with most offering tours of their vineyards, tasting rooms, wine cellars and caves, as well as production facilities. The region has become a hospitality destination, catering to those seeking a world-class…