Jen Austin

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.

Today Is Officially The Most Depressing Day Of The Year

They're calling it "Blue Monday," and it's the most depressing day of the year. The good news is, the winter blahs are peaking and it can only get better from here.

Kick The Habit and Become a Millionaire

Texans who smoke will spend over a million dollars in a lifetime on the habit. Non-smokers are richer than they thought!

Texas Police Are Warning Speeders With Cardboard Cutouts

This is catching on everywhere, and we'll be seeing more of it in 2019. Fake police officers like "Constable Scarecrow," that are cardboard cutouts made to look like real officers with radar guns.

East Texas Has Several of the Most Dangerous Jobs in the World

If we're inside an office all day, odds are that we're going to be safe and not have to worry too much about getting injured (or worse). But some of our neighbors in Texas are risking their lives by going to work at dangerous jobs every day, and it's not just the just the obvious ones that pose the biggest risks.

What You Should Know About This Month’s Super Blood Wolf Moon

Texas is supposed to have a pretty good view in ten days of the phenomenon known as the super blood wolf moon. Several astronomical events are coming together at one time to make this a rare and pretty incredible sight to see, so don't miss it!

Snow Chances Are Slim in Texas This Winter

We've got at least another month of the coldest winter weather in East Texas, and then we'll be out of the woods and it will start warming up. And what about snowfall?

East Texas Pastor Gets Malaria on a Mission Trip

The pastor of a church on Van Highway in Tyler went on a recent mission trip to Africa and came back with a fever, chills, and body aches severe enough to land him in the hospital for four days. But he says he would do it all over again.

Make This Dip And Have a Prosperous 2019

Black-eyed peas are a good luck food that many people eat on New Year's Day, and if you make this dip you can keep the string of luck going for a week or more. With the help of Fritos, which makes it an even bigger win.

Lucky New Year’s Day Foods Besides Black-Eyed Peas

It's not just Black-eyed Peas that are supposed to bring us good luck if we eat them on New Year's Day. If you love to grill, throw a pork butt on the smoker too! What else should we eat to have a fantastic 2019? We've got the secrets.

It’s Possible to Make Wine In Your Instant Pot

It may take longer than an instant, but it is possible to make wine in your Instant Pot. If you've got some grape juice in the pantry and the weekend to experiment, this could be the biggest conversation piece at your New Year's Eve party.

A Surprising Number Of People Forget to Spend Gift Cards

If you got a gift card for Christmas, don't forget to spend it! You'd be surprised how many gift cards go unused, and that just leaves free money on the table. Oh, and guess which gender is best at gift-card spending.

Giving Produces a Bigger High Than Receiving

If you give someone a really great gift this week, you'll still be feeling the high five days from now, according to a new study. And the buzz from receiving wears off a lot more quickly.