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
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.
Cowboys and Texans Get Seven Prime-Time NFL Appearances
The most popular teams end up in the prime TV slots during the NFL season, and after years of dominance by the Cowboys, the Texans are starting to catch up. Between the two teams, fans will get seven prime-time games this fall.
A Former Texas Trooper is Heading to Jail for Taking Bribes
A state trooper was sentenced this week to more than a year in prison for taking money from trucking companies in exchange for favorable inspections.
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.
Texas Teams Aren’t MLB’s Most Valuable
The Rangers and Astros don't crack the Top Ten on the Forbes' list of Major League Baseball's most valuable franchises, but that doesn't seem to bother Texans one bit. In fact, we kinda rebel against the richest teams, don't we?
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 c…
The package in your fridge will list one specific growing area that's the big c…
Can You Get in Trouble for Picking a Bluebonnet?
My kids asked me yesterday if they would get thrown into jail for plucking a bluebonnet, so I decided to do my duty as a parent and research that pressing question. Is it illegal to pick bluebonnet in Texas?
Texas Teams Advance to the Finals in a National Rocket Competition
Do you know what it takes to build a rocket? East Texas has some smart kids, and their creativity is paying off. After a regional rocket competition, several Texas teams are moving on to the national finals next month in Washington DC.
Scarborough Renaissance Festival is Open Near Dallas
The Houston Renaissance Festival takes place every fall, and Scarborough Faire is the North Texas option for the spring. That's open now, and it's the place to go if you're craving one of those sausage-wrapped Scotch Eggs to go with a little jousting.
East Texas Gusher Days are Coming to Gladewater
It's festival season in East Texas, and it's high time we enter some chili cook-offs, check out some car shows, ride some carnival rides, and eat some food on a stick. If we hop in the car on any given weekend, it's likely we can roll into festival somewhere, and Gladewater has a good…
Texas Has One of the Toughest Toll Roads in the Nation
If you don't pay the tolls you owe in Texas, you could be in big trouble. But there's ones state that's tougher on those who don't pay up, and in that state you can be convicted of a felony for having outstanding tolls. Toll roads have had it! And here's what you need to …