I’ll never forget what happened 20 years ago. I’ll never forget the pain that washed over my home state of Louisiana, the nearly 1,400 lives lost, or the healing and restoration that lingers two decades later. I’ll never forget laying eyes on the devastation in New Orleans for the very first time. A place of…
Category: People and Profiles
Meet Christian worship music artist Reese Germany
A rising voice in the Christian worship music scene, Reese Germany’s songs bring encouragement to those who are hurting. Her lyrics and songs give life to powerful testimony about finding hope through suffering. “I feel like my life is a song,” Reese said. “I feel like God has written a story that only he could…
East Texas athlete defies cancer diagnosis to play college softball
Softball has become a type of therapy for 18-year-old Addison Babbs. The freshman from Nacogdoches County is finishing her first semester at Angelina College and earned a spot on the Lady Roadrunners softball team. Until recently, very few of her teammates knew about an inoperable tumor deep inside the right half of her brain. Competitive…
Artist Robert Puschautz creates sacred art to elevate minds toward eternity
An East Texas artist is looking to his faith to bring beauty to the world. From his studio in downtown Tyler, Robert Puschautz is training aspiring artists to produce sacred art that inspires others. “There’s a need for new imagery, a need for beautiful art to occupy people’s hearts and minds,” Puschautz said. The Stabat…
Andy Eaker’s journey from childhood coma to hospital chaplain
Nearly 30 years ago, Andy Eaker miraculously bounced back from a serious childhood brain injury. Today, the Longview native is using that experience to encourage and empathize with patients as a hospital chaplain. In June 1996, Andy Eaker was one of the first examples of extraordinary faith profiled in KLTV’s ‘Power of Prayer’ series. That…
Fmr. East Texas nurse, 103, recalls treating soldiers wounded on front lines of D-Day
At 103, memories of serving during one of modern history’s defining moments are still a source of pride for Lucille Wright, who now lives along the shores of Toledo Bend Reservoir in rural Sabine County. She served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during World War II from June 1943 to February 1946, achieving the…
Honoring the legacy of KLTV’s first newsman
95 years ago today, legendary KLTV 7 personality “Kip” Kippenbrock was born in Austin, Texas. He passed away in 2010, but is still beloved in East Texas. I am astonished by the impact he made during his tenure at KLTV. When I talk to long-time viewers around East Texas, they are all too eager to…
For Hollywood star Sean Astin, mental health advocacy is personal
Really impressed by actor Sean Astin! Got to spend some time with him Friday while serving as master of ceremonies for Mosaic Counseling Centers of East Texas’ ‘Peace of Mind’ Luncheon. From the adventurous Mikey Walsh in ‘The Goonies’ to the determined Rudy and the steadfast Samwise Gamgee in the epic ‘Lord of the Rings’…
East Texas pastor guided spiritual healing after America’s first mass shooting in a church
As gun violence in America has many churches taking a closer look at security plans, one East Texas pastor has a unique perspective on the matter. Brother Norman Crisp’s congregation at First Baptist Church in Daingerfield knows tragedy firsthand. On June 22, 1980, a gunman opened fire there, ultimately killing 5 people and wounding 10…
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…
Trailblazing NASA astronaut Eileen Collins visits ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum
In 2003, the town of Hemphill, in Deep East Texas, was thrust into the spotlight after the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy. After rising to the occasion and responding with hospitality, heroism, and humility, the people of this community adopted the motto, “Their Mission Became Our Mission.” One of the most visible actions taken to preserve…
Remembering General Erbon Wise, an extraordinary life of service
I was so very sad to hear of the passing of General Erbon Wise this week, just two days shy of his 100th birthday. I always looked forward to visiting with him every Fall in Natchitoches during our NSU Alumni Association/Foundation board luncheon. My college career was possible, in large part due to his generosity,…
German lawmaker calls lockdowns, communication ’secrets to success’ in pandemic response
As Texas enters the next phase of re-opening its economy, a German lawmaker is sharing insight into his country’s strategy for emerging from lockdown, while managing the spread of COVID-19.
Network anchor Tom Brokaw shares lessons learned from Berlin Wall
Legendary NBC news anchor and former ‘Nightly News’ managing editor Tom Brokaw returned to Germany for the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was the only American broadcaster on-air when East Germans began to stream across the border on November 9, 1989. On November 7, 2019 he spoke with a small…
Fmr. Ambassador reflects on George HW Bush’s role in German reunification
As the world marks 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, a former diplomat is reflecting on his tenure as the first U.S. ambassador to Germany following reunification. Robert M. Kimmitt held the post from 1991 to 1993, though his ties to Europe predate his birth. Like 20 percent of Americans, Kimmitt traces…
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…
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…
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…
Good Samaritan couple survives roadside crash
After a violent roadside crash, an East Texas couple is dedicating their lives to restoring others’ relationships with God. Late on May 19, Jerry and Sheri Beeson pulled off Interstate 20 at the Farm-to-Market Road 31 overpass west of Marshall. They were trying to help a man who had wrecked his Jeep Grand Cherokee earlier…
Celebrating a trailblazer among women in broadcasting
Many broadcasters spend their careers moving from city to city, hopping among newsrooms until they find the perfect fit. Very few people can say they’ve worked in any industry for nearly 50 years, let alone spending 44 years in one company. Veteran journalist Joan Hallmark is celebrating an extraordinary tenure with the KLTV and KTRE…
A pioneer of spaceflight, Ellen Ochoa set to retire from NASA
After a 30-year career with NASA, Dr. Ellen Ochoa is retiring as director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston at the end of May. On Thursday, May 17, I had the great privilege of attending the retirement celebration for the administrator, engineer, and astronaut. Listening to former crew mates, NASA colleagues, and family friends…
Legendary political consultant, journalist, professor heading into retirement
What a great privilege to spend an evening celebrating my former professor, Raymond Strother. The famed political consultant, author and journalist is retiring as the Erbon & Marie Wise Endowed Chair in Journalism at Northwestern State University. The university held a retirement reception for Strother on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the NSU Alumni Center….
Commander’s widow shares journey of faith on 15th anniversary of Shuttle Columbia tragedy
This month marks 15 years since the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over East Texas. The widow of the Columbia’s commander is sharing how that tragedy turned into a test of faith for her family. While enduring the loss of a spouse wasn’t easy, Evelyn Husband-Thompson says she has been able to find healing comfort…
Bibiana Steinhaus debuts as first female referee in Germany’s premier soccer association
A 38-year-old former police officer has made history as the first woman to officiate a soccer match in any of Europe’s top soccer leagues. On Sunday, September 10, Bibiana Steinhaus oversaw the first Bundesliga match refereed by a female. According to a Bundesliga news release, she handed out a single yellow card in the 1-1 draw…
Fmr. Texas senator addresses N. Korea threats in first month as NATO ambassador
Kay Bailey Hutchison, the former U.S. Senator from Texas, is stepping into a new role on the international stage as tensions continue to escalate between the U.S. and North Korea. Hutchison was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, on August 15, and has spent much of her first…
Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry uses ministry to reach others battling addiction
After a very public fall from grace, a Major League Baseball legend, has dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel and sharing a message of redemption. Darryl Strawberry became one of the biggest stars in baseball in the 1980s and 1990s, until his career was derailed by drugs. Drafted by the New York Mets, Strawberry…
Sewing Hope: The extraordinary woman called the ‘Mother Theresa of Africa’
Wednesday, I had the opportunity to spend time with an extraordinary woman who has changed the lives of thousands of young girls, who otherwise would remain on the fringes of society. Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe is gaining worldwide attention for her humanitarian work to rescue children from a notorious rebel army in Africa. She’s helping mend…
Film profiling folk artist Clementine Hunter premieres in Natchitoches
Clementine Hunter never learned to read or write, but the images she taught herself to paint on canvas, cardboard, window shades or anything she could find, so vividly captured life on Cane River in the early 20th century. On October 15, 2016, the short documentary, ‘Clementine Hunter’s World,’ premiered in Natchitoches, Louisiana to thunderous applause…
WATCH: Pre-launch interview with NASA astronaut Kate Rubins
Click here to watch my interview with NASA astronaut Kate Rubins before the launch of Expedition 48/49 to the International Space Station.
‘Virus hunter’ astronaut shares details of science mission to Space Station
In July, a self-proclaimed ‘virus hunter’ astronaut will launch aboard a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station, embarking on a four month, science-intensive assignment to the orbiting laboratory. NASA’s Kate Rubins is counting down the days until the scheduled July 6 launch of Expedition 48/49, which will be the first spaceflight for the molecular…
Remembering a pioneer in East Texas television history
This week, we learned of the passing of KLTV’s first chief engineer, Hudson Collins, who lived a long life of 94 years. While I never had the opportunity to meet him, I’m fascinated by many of the details of his pioneering career. An engineer is an important position in any television station, but he holds…
In memory of longtime NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb
It’s been a tough week for many at my alma mater, Northwestern State University, with the passing of former president Randall J. Webb. While he had been retired for almost a year — you’d never know. His devotion to the success of NSU never waned. You’d see him on campus, at alumni events in Shreveport, and doing…
Pastor’s spiritual walk leads him from orphanage to Capitol Hill
As a coach, pastor, and foster parent, Reverend Jerome R. Milton has touched the lives of hundreds of East Texans. On December 12, 2012, his devotion to spreading the word of God earned him an invitation to lead the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer as guest chaplain. After an introduction by East Texas congressman…
Major relics of history’s youngest saint in history visit Tyler cathedral
Thousands of East Texans journeyed to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler this week to venerate the youngest saint ever canonized. The major remains of Maria Goretti left Italy for a first-time tour of the United States. For the faithful, it was an opportunity to reflect on the life and sacrifice of the…
Lane Luckie 