Hi! I grew up in a one-stoplight town in rural Nebraska and my whole family still lives there with three churches, a bar, and a courthouse. I left because I like lots of people and taller buildings, and I don't like cold weather. On those rare days in Texas when it gets snowy and icy, you'll find me inside Googling beach vacations. I don't plan to leave Texas now that I've been here for most of my adult life because the barbecue and fajitas are just way too addictive. I've worked in radio from the moment I graduated from college at the University of Nebraska, and besides getting the hang out with cool people like you every day, I love sports, great restaurants, self improvement, and meeting new people. I love all movies starring Melissa McCarthy or Julia Roberts, and all TV shows with home improvements or food in them. You'll probably hear me talk about my three daughters on the air, along with the challenges of being a single mom. I'm on several of the dating apps, because trying to meet someone in person these days is way too creepy.
Jen Austin
With Weird Ice Cream Flavors, Texas Wins
Would you ever eat dill pickle-flavored ice cream?
Help us decide who wins this friendly little ice cream competition between Texas and the rest of mankind. The East Coast is coming up with some doozies of new flavors, and we're thinking Blue Bell might still rule over all.
In Texas You Can Get a Bill for Going Backward Through a Toll Booth
Those toll booths around Texas will take a picture of your license plate and send you a bill in the mail, and apparently, they'll do it even if your vehicle is headed through backward while it's being towed. Can you get a toll bill even if there's no one in the vehicle? Yep.
College Grads Make Good Money Quickly With These Degrees
First of all, congrats to all of you at SFA and Angelina College who are about to graduate. We know how much work went into getting that degree, and we'll be high fiving you on May 12th when you get your diplomas. If you're getting a degree in one of these areas, you can make big bucks right away.
Komen Race for the Cure Helps All of Us
My parents have been married for over forty years, and I can't imagine either one of them without the other. They're both still in good health, but because of family history my mom will always be at high risk for breast cancer. That's one of the reasons why I'm such a huge fan of the Komen Race for the Cure.
Dragon’s Breath Balls Don’t Live Up to the Hype
It's a love-hate relationship with those little liquid nitrogen-soaked cereal balls that make you look like you have dragon's breath when you eat them. Kids love 'em and many parents, well...not so much! Because they're expensive.
A New Tick Could Invade East Texas This Spring
So far it's just on the East Coast, but an exotic new tick species could pop up in Texas this year and there are some things we need to know to protect ourselves and our pets.
East Texas Needs This ‘Race for Underachievers’
Leave it to Texas to think of really creative new ways to get us up off the couch and into a race for charity. One Hill Country town is getting attention for it's .5k race, and that point before the 5 is no accident. At about a third of a mile, just about anyone can conquer this thing!
Texas Fajita Thief Gets 50 Years in Prison
If it's nine years in the making the story deserves a follow up, especially if it involves our beloved Texas fajitas. The man found guilty of stealing 1.2 million dollars worth of fajitas is getting 50 years behind bars, where fajitas probably won't be on the menu all that often.
Texas School Apologizes for Slavery Question
An 8th grade class was asked to list the negatives and positives of slavery, and that question has earned the teacher an unexpected leave of absence and an apology from the school district.
East Texas Grocery Store Gets an ‘F’ Grade for Wasting too Much Food
Ever wondered what grocery stores do with all of the produce and bakery items they don't sell? Sometimes it's donated or recycled, and sometimes it just plain goes to waste. East Texas stores have been graded on accountability, prevention, and recycling, and one of them gets an F.
Texas Driver Gets Busted for Having a Cardboard License Plate
Ya gotta give this Texan credit for taking the time to write down his license plate numbers nice and big with a Sharpie and put them on a piece of cardboard and fasten that to his Honda. But it didn't fly with police.
No Texans Have Gotten Sick Yet in Romaine Lettuce Recall
Pre-chopped romaine lettuce is part of a huge recall right now over fears about E.coli, and some people have had to be hospitalized and a few even have kidney failure. But no Texans fallen ill yet after eating it.
The package in your fridge will list one specific growing area that's the big concern.