Lane Luckie

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.

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…

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…

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…

My Instagram Top 10: Natural wonders of western Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge is spectacular canyon where the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade mountains in western Oregon. Click here to see my favorite photos.

WATCH: Fall colors arrive in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge

Click here to admire the Fall colors in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge.

WATCH: Haystack Rock disappears in Oregon’s Pacific coast fog

Click here to watch Oregon’s iconic Haystack Rock disappear in the coastal fog.

WATCH: A look around the National WWII Memorial

Click here to take a tour of the memorial dedicated to the Americans who served during World War II.

WATCH: Navigating Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and Central District

Click here to see how rainy night turns Hong Kong’s urban jungle into a serene setting.

WATCH: Cleanup begins after Hong Kong battered by typhoon

Click the video below to watch my report on the cleanup efforts after Typhoon Mangkhut targeted Hong Kong.

WATCH: Cameras captures typhoon’s wind, rain amid high rises

Click here to watch Typhoon Mangkhut’s powerful wind and rain battering Hong Kong.

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…

WATCH: Hong Kong island’s steep, winding city streets

The drivers of taxis, ride-sharing services, and private for-hire cars make driving the sometimes steep, winding, and congested roads of Hong Kong seem like a breeze. Click here to watch.

WATCH: Views from atop Victoria Peak in Hong Kong

Click here to enjoy the view from Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak, the island’s most popular destination.

WATCH: China’s Belt and Road Initiative driving infrastructure development in Greater Bay Area

One of the most significant manufacturing hubs in the world, the Pearl River Delta region of south China is seeing a boom in development. Click here to watch.

Ceramics Museum showcases evolution of international manufacturing in China’s Pearl River Delta

Forty years after the start of China’s reform and opening up to the world, Dongguan, located along the Pearl River Delta, has emerged as one of the country’s most important manufacturing centers. The country’s tenth largest city is home to more than 30 thousand businesses, including many with a focus in the manufacturing of electric…

China banking on neutron source facility in strategic emphasis on technology, manufacturing

China’s ambitions in technology leadership could rely heavily on the success of projects the newly-opened China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), the first neutron source facility in a developing country. Only six such research facilities exist, including others in the U.S., Japan, U.K., Switzerland, and Sweden. The 1,000-acre government-funded complex is located in Dongguan City, the…

WATCH: Beautiful sunrise over Dongguan, China

Click here to watch a colorful sunrise over one most important manufacturing hubs in China.