On the Line

The Gazette's Mallory Wyatt spoke with Lloyd Jackson, the recently hired superintendent of Texarkana Arkansas School District. Jackson talked about his background, his educational philosophy and his plans for the district.

On the Line's new local history series begins May 10, 2024.

Dr. Laura Sikes, assistant professor of history and director of the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, will join Karl to discuss the story of our city and region.

Gazette reporter Mallory Wyatt joined Karl to talk with Scott Dikkers, a comedy writer and comedy writing teacher best know as a co-founder and longtime editor of the satirical newspaper The Onion.

He was in town to speak at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where the interview took place.

Scott talked about his background and career, as well as his perspective on comedy in a time when daily life can be all too serious, whether there's anything out of bounds to joke about, how to be funnier and a lot more.

LINKS

scottdikkers.com

How to Write Funny website - Scott's resources for aspiring comedy writers

How to Write Funny podcast

Thanks to the movie “The Legend of Boggy Creek,” the Fouke Monster is one of the most famous creatures ever to strike a chord in popular culture.

That’s why the annual Fouke Monster Festival remains a tradition in Southwest Arkansas. This year, it’s April 26 and 27.

The festival wouldn’t be the same without Lyle Blackburn, the researcher and documentary filmmaker who literally wrote the books — plural — on the monster.

Lyle joined Karl from his home in Fort Worth to provide a little Fouke Monster 101 and talk about the sasquatch phenomenon in general.

LINKS

Lyle Blackburn's website

2024 Fouke Monster Festival

Students can visit our planetary neighborhood this month — without even leaving the Perot Theatre.

“Janet’s Planet: A Tour of the Solar System” is a show with a purpose, to encourage children to engage with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) subjects.

Longtime science educator Janet Ivey-Duensing, the show’s creator and host, knows how to make the process a blast.

She and Karl also talked about how to prepare for the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse and what to expect when it happens.

The show is just one part of the Janet’s Planet brand, which also includes online programming, a podcast and summer camps. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Ivey-Duensing has won multiple awards and honors for her work, most recently the American Astronomical Society’s Sally Ride Excellence in Education Award.

Now on the sideline of the Republican presidential primary race, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson told Karl he will continue supporting his former opponent Nikki Haley in hopes that this year's GOP National Convention will nominate someone other than Donald Trump.

Hutchinson expressed his views on the primary and the former president, as well as several other issues such as Arkansas' recently enacted LEARNS education reform law, conflicts between federal and state government border security efforts, and coming economic development in Arkansas, including lithium production.

UPDATE Feb. 2, 2024: We were saddened to learn of Chad McCrary's death on Jan. 4. In Chad's memory, here is our December 2021 interview with him, one of the most inspirational we have recorded.

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When a motocross accident left Bowie County, Texas, native Chad McCrary without the use of his legs, his first reaction was despair.

For this week's episode, host Karl Richter spoke with Chad about how he overcame that adversity to become a professional bodybuilder, motivational speaker and author.

He recently fulfilled a longtime dream when he competed in the Mr. Olympia contest, the world's premier bodybuilding event.

LINKS

Chad McCrary's website

Chad McCrary on Facebook

Sharda James joined Karl to talk with University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana instructor Hollis Thompson, who wrote and will direct a live Batman audio drama as a charity fundraiser.

Hollis talked about the project, why he loves comics, the connections between superheroes and Biblical heroes, and a lot more.

He is the artistic director of the Biblical Drama Institute in the Texarkana area and an English faculty member at UAHT, where he teaches composition and literature. His main interests include Biblical literature, medieval literature, and superheroes.

Hollis’ writing has been published in scholarly journals, and he is also an award-winning playwright. He is currently working on an academic book about the intersection of Biblical studies and superhero culture.

LINK: The MultiVerse FunRaiser

Between high gas prices, global supply chain problems and a new headline about electric vehicles practically every day, many people are thinking about what they drive.

It's the perfect time to check in with Bill Owney, who writes the Gazette's weekly “Test Drive” car review column.

In July 2022, Bill and Karl talked about the current car market, the future of EVs, how to cut your fuel bill, the new vehicles he loves and a lot more.

Texas High School’s Tiger Theatre Company is working hard on its latest production, but cast members say they have not forgotten to have fun along the way.

Karl talked with junior Lilian Nielsen, senior Tyler Unger and senior Mary Frances Warren about the troupe’s current project, “Chicago: High School Edition.”

Performances of the musical are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, through Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at 7 p.m. each day, with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee, at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center, 3941 Summerhill Road. For tickets, visit ttcths.booktix.com.