Lane Luckie

International broadcaster exchange brings German journalist to KLTV/KTRE newsroom

An international exchange program is bringing another journalist from Germany to work side-by-side with the largest news organization in East Texas, KLTV and KTRE. Andreas Mitzkus will spend the next week shadowing and learning from producers, anchors, reporters, photographers, digital content producers, and news managers in the KLTV and KTRE newsroom. Mitzkus is a producer…

WATCH: Fall colors in bloom at America’s largest rose garden

Click here to take a tour of the eye-popping colorful blooms at the Tyler Rose Garden.

Retired NASA astronaut reflects on two Shuttle missions, future of human spaceflight

Two visits to low Earth orbit have forever changed the outlook on life for former NASA astronaut Byron Lichtenberg. Even though he’s now retired form the space agency’s astronaut corps, he’s still using those experiences to inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals. As a professor at LeTourneau University, he’s currently working with students to…

Frenchie’s Italian Cuisine: A slice of American space program history

As the more than one million visitors pass through the gates of Space Center Houston at NASA’s Johnson Space Center each year, few are aware they’re missing out on an essential stop that’s not on the tour. Three-quarters of a mile away, in a nondescript strip mall in Clear Lake City, Texas, the story of…

How to make the most out of a journalism fellowship

For journalists, a fellowship can provide unmatched mid-career professional development and opportunities for meaningful personal growth. Having completed fellowships with the RIAS Berlin Commission and the East-West Center, I was recently invited to share my own experiences in a panel discussion at RTDNA/SPJ’s annual ‘Excellence in Journalism’ conference. These international reporting experiences required a significant…

WATCH: Exotic butterflies take flight at the Cockrell Butterfly Center

Click here to watch exotic butterflies fly free throughout the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Couple rescued in boating accident reunited with ‘angel’ four decades later

A boating accident on Lake Palestine in Smith County nearly ended in tragedy for two families. Now, almost 40 years later, they’re finally learning the story of the man who rescued them and saved eight lives. Decades ago, Becky and Rodney Owens, their kids, and family friends were enjoying an afternoon of boating while visiting…

Legendary NASA flight director Gene Kranz discusses Apollo 11, courage under fire

Hundreds of thousands of men and women made contributions to the success of the Apollo moon missions, but Friday night a crowded room listened to every word spoken by someone who never left Earth. Gene Kranz served as flight director during Apollo 11, leading operations inside Mission Control. He delivered a keynote to a theater…

WATCH: Apollo 11 moon mission 50th anniversary coverage

Click here to watch my reports from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA opens $5M Apollo mission control room restoration for public tours

As the country marks 50 years since the history-making Apollo 11 moon landing, visitors to Space Center Houston are getting an inside look at the landmark that helped make the ‘giant leap’ possible. Three weeks ago, NASA and Space Center Houston unveiled a $5 million dollar renovation of Mission Operations Control Room 2, which was…

WATCH: The Buffalo River, one of America’s most scenic waterways

Click here to watch highlights from my kayaking trek in northern Arkansas.

WATCH: An exciting afternoon on Lower Mountain Fork River

Rain or shine, the Lower Mountain Fork River near Broken Bow, Oklahoma is an exciting adventure in a gorgeous setting. Click to watch.

WATCH: Great Texas Balloon Race attracts top pilots from around the U.S.

The annual Great Texas Balloon Race and its nighttime balloon glows draw crowds of thousands of people from across East Texas and beyond. Click here to watch highlights.

An uncommon opportunity to cultivate emerging leaders

Over the years, I’ve witnessed the meaningful outcomes that can be achieved by an organization adopting the social change model of leadership development. One of the best examples continues to come from my involvement while serving on the faculty of an emerging leaders institute held at the University of South Carolina. Pi Kapp College for…

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…

WATCH: Amazing marine life at Dallas World Aquarium

Click here for a fascinating look at marine life at the Dallas World Aquarium.

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…

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,…

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…

WATCH: Bloomin’ on the Bricks in Louisiana’s oldest town

Click here to take a tour of the Spring flowers blooming in Natchitoches!

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…

Shiplappin’ and sweets in Waco, Texas

Waco, Texas may be known as the birthplace of Dr. Pepper and the home of Baylor University, but it’s quickly becoming a destination for fans of ‘Fixer Upper.’ HGTV’s Chip and Joanna Gaines’ put their hometown in the spotlight, transforming homes on their hit TV show. They’re also a driving force behind the revitalization of…

Give ’em a hand! Hospital art collection draws tourists

A collection of bronze hands in an atrium at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas attracts curious looks from more than just hospital patients and their families — it’s become a true tourist attraction. The art display in the lobby of George W. Truett Memorial Hospital features casts of the hands from more than 100…

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…

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…

Climbing through a boulder field is worth the view from Arkansas’ Pinnacle Mountain

Leave your Carabiners, harnesses, and belay devices at home, because climbing a mountain is possible for beginners in Central Arkansas. Reaching the summit of Pinnacle Mountain, located northwest of Little Rock, is challenging to the say the least. But little more than sturdy shoes, appropriate clothing, and perhaps a bottle of water is needed to…

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…

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…

NSU J-Day, an opportunity to reconnect with my “why”

I’m always honored to be invited to speak at my alma mater, Northwestern State University. Their annual J-Day is connects future journalists with communications professionals to discuss trends in the industry, news philosophy, and career advice. High school students from around Louisiana and Texas are also participating in journalism competitions, listening to keynote lectures, and…