On this episode of West Texas Talk, Dr. Robert Brescia discusses how UTPB's John Ben Shepperd Leadership Institute is training the next generation of leaders. The institute recently launched the Crisis Leadership and Learning Center, which allows students to participate in computer simulations of real-life crises, such as 9/11, Benghazi and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Prior to working in education, Brescia was in the military and worked under President's Reagan and Clinton. Hosted by Bayla Metzger for KRTS

On this episode of West Texas Talk, we sit down with Orlando Riddick, the new superintendent of the Midland Independent School District. Orlando shared his thoughts on managing the district's relationship with the business community, improving education outcomes and how to mitigate the effects of Texas' so-called Robin Hood plan. Hosted by Caroline Halter for KRTS

Betty Alex first came to the Big Bend on a road trip in 1969. She says on that drive, "I got out of the car and looked south from Persimmon Gap at the Chisos Mountains in the distance... I said, 'That's it. That's where I want to be.' And it took me eleven years to get back. But I did." She ended up working at Big Bend National Park for over three decades and has lived in Terlingua for several years. In this episode, Alex talks about her life and experiences in the Big Bend.

Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

On this segment of West Texas Talk, Lorne Matalon speaks with two leading energy scientists, Dr Todd Davidson and Dr Joshua Rhodes, both based at the University of Texas at Austin's Energy Institute. The interdisciplinary institute is comprised of scholars and researchers who focus on the economics and technology of energy.

Rhodes was a lead investigator on a seminal report, The Full Cost of Electricity (FCe--), an initiative that as the the report's summary states, "to quantify the full-system cost of electric power generation and delivery from the power plant to the wall socket," and in so doing, impart substantive data that industry decision-makers, urban planners and politicians ... Hosted by Lorne Matalon for KRTS

Judd Foundation’s Co-president, Rainer Judd, and director of the Borderlands Research Institute, Dr. Louis Harveson, discuss land stewardship in West Texas. Dr. Harveson will speak at the foundation's upcoming "Ranch Day" on Sunday, September 10 at Casa Perez. Casa Perez is one of three Judd Ranch homes – located south of Marfa off of Ranch Road 2810.

Rainer Judd talks about the importance of Big Bend landscape to her late father. The Foundation's mission "maintains and preserves Donald Judd’s permanently installed living and working spaces, libraries, and archives in New York and Marfa, Texas," which also extends to the artist's former ranch land. The foundation sold the sprawl... Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

Glen Aaron is a former attorney turned writer who organizes the Permian Basin Writers' Workshop. His most recent work is The Curse of Sacerdozio, a judiciary tale loosely inspired by former Justice Antonin Scalia's death at Cibolo Creek.

In this episode, Aaron talks about the workshop, his writing, and colorful personal history.

The workshop will take place from September 15-17. More information can be found here. Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

On tonight's episode of West Texas Talk, we revisit our summer parks series, where we stopped by the state and national parks in our area. Our first stop on our West Texas tour takes us into the Permian Basin, where we head to Monahans Sandhills State Park. After that, we'll dive into the spring-fed waters of Balmorhea State Park, then visit the nearby Davis Mountains State Park. Rounding up our summer tour is a stop to Big Bend National Park, where officials from both sides of the border are learning to deal with a decades-old problem: trespassing livestock.

Hosted by Carlos Morales for KRTS

On this edition of West Texas Talk, a conversation with Brooklyn-based band, JD Samson and MEN.

The group recently performed in Marfa as a part of the opening reception of Tierra. Sangre. Oro at Ballroom Marfa.

The band's music speaks of "issues such as wartime economies, sexual compromise, and the demand for liberties through lyrical content and an inventive, high-energy stage show," according to Samson.

Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

We'd like to share the results of our July listener survey with you- our first ever! Listen to our West Texas Talk with General Manager Elise Pepple, Development Director Laurel Coniglio, Independent Producer Sally Beauvais, Rambling Boy Lonn Taylor, and listener Ekta Escovar.

We'll be making some programming changes starting October 1 based on your feedback, so thank you! If you didn't get a chance to participate in the survey but would like to give us feedback, email [email protected].

Here's highlights and some data from the Marfa Public Radio Survey.

 

Highlights and Critical listener feedback from KRTS:

"Your programming far surpasses other public... Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

Photographer John Slaughter discusses his newest work, Marfa and the Mystique of Far West Texas. Slaughter explains how the book can provide some visual perspective in revealing Marfa's special qualities that can be difficult to understand. The photographs in the work include high desert landscapes, art installations, performers, local residents, indigenous flora, and iconic local landmarks.

John Slaughter has been a professional and exhibiting photographer for over forty years. He currently divides his time between Grand Coteau, Louisiana, and Marfa, Texas – two entirely contrasting environments on nearly the same latitude. You can find more of his work here. Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS