Tim McMurray, Texas A&M-Commerce Athletic Director, discusses the football program 's need to find a home game for Saturday, Oct. 2 after the scheduled opponent, Azusa Pacific, decided to drop football. He says an NAIA opponent might be found to fill the date.

Grammy-Award winning Commerce musician and music producer Brad Davis discusses his recent recording of the "Star-Spangled Banner," in the tradition of Jimi Hendrix' legendary version of the National Anthem. Brad, who represents Alvarez and Gretsch guitars, performed the "Banner" out of respect and also as a demonstration of his unique guitar techniques. With new management, Brad expects to have a busier performances schedule in 2021.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says "Soul," an animated feature from Pixar, is entertaining for all ages and carries a life-affirming message. Jamie Foxx provided the voice for the lead character, a middle-school teacher who longs to be a professional jazz musician. Alice also has high praise for "Promising Young Woman," a high-quality thriller.

Carol Taylor , chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission , recently wrote a blog essay looking back at Greenville and Hunt County at Christmas, 1920, 100 years ago, as described in the Greenville Evening Banner. Children gazing in shop windows at wondrous toys was one of the major activities, as portrayed in "A Christmas Story."

Tim McMurray, Texas A&M-Commerce athletic director, discusses the challenge of scheduling and playing basketball games as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Games will be played with only athletic department staff and family present before at least January 16.

Commerce ISD Superintendent Charlie Alderman says the school board has agreed to begin a study of possibly building a new Commerce Middle School. The board will determine whether the school district's financial position will allow a bond issue, among other factors. The existing middle school building was built as Commerce High School and opened in 1968. Also, the superintendent says the Commerce schools will not reopen until Tuesday, January 12, which he hopes will allow enough time following

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, reviews the work of Commerce author Brian Dowsley, who has added two new novels to his "Gallactice Pathfinder" series, "Vegeance" and "Tears of Ethan." Sharon also discusses the work of Houston author Dr. Roger Leslie, including "My First Last Year," in which he writes about living as if it was the last year of his life.

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says the City Council has approved a notice of intent to issue Certificates of Obligation and other actions to prepare for up to $3.5 million in street improvements and rehabilitation of the city's water and wastewater plant. The mayor says the projects are possible because the city has retired other debt and is a very good financial position.

Lori Cope, the director of CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Hunt County, says the organization that supports children in foster care is concerned that the moratorium on evicting renters from their homes ends December 31, and that it will put more children into situations that may send them into foster care.

Steve Killian, the superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park , says the park will hold its annual " Winter Wonderland" Christmas lights celebration on Friday and Saturday night (December 18-29) at the Doctors Creek unit of the park. The park will be filled with campers and they will decorate their cabins and trailers with holiday lights.