Enthusiasm at the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis is running high with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope back on line with world-class instrumentation and a new mission – probing the universe for the composition and effects of Dark Energy. The project is called HETDEX, Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment. The astronomer in charge, Professor Gary Hill of UT Austin, describes the project and its exciting possibilities on West Texas Talk. Hosted by Pete Szilagyi for KRTS

The annual Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering happened over the weekend. The two-day event is held every year in Alpine, and we were there recording it.

So tonight we’re gonna bring you a few of the songs and poems performed over those two nights.

You'll hear from Dale Burson, Randy Rieman, Yvonne Hollenbeck, and Doris Daley. You can find more information about the annual event here.

Hosted by Travis Lux for KRTS

Last week we brought you an interview with Carolina Quiroga-Stultz, a storyteller, teacher and artist who was performing at Estamos Aqui- the Hispanic Storytelling Festival in Midland.

Tonight on West Texas Talk Jackson Wisdorf was joined via phone with Jasmine Cardenas another great performer from Estamos Aqui.

Along with storytelling Jasmine is also a professional and credited actress in film and theater. Hosted by Jackson WIsdorf for KRTS

On this West Texas Talk, Jackson Wisdorf sits down with Carolina Quiroga-Stultz a Storyteller, teacher and artist living in San Antonio, Texas.

She’s in Midland to perform for Estamos Aqui - The Hispanic Storytelling Festival - in partnership with the Midland County Public Libraries, Midland Storytelling Festival, and the Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland.

Along with storytelling a the festival Carolina is hosting a bilingual workshop to explore how to develop other voices, sound effects and effective ways to read and tell entertaining tales to kids or students. Hosted by Jackson Wisdorf for KRTS

For this West Texas Talk, Diana Nguyen speaks to Jermaine Packer, an organizer of the event "Unapologetically Black: A Celebration of Black Art and Culture." The event takes place from Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 26th at the Palmer Activity Center in Midland.

More information here. Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

Last week -- in the spirit of Valentine’s day, Marfa Public Radio/West Texas Public Radio held a live storytelling event in Marfa, Texas called Be Mine.

Friends, neighbors, and strangers gathered to listen to eight people tell stories of love -- love gone right and love gone wrong. 

Tonight on West Texas Talk, we’re bringing you the audio from that event. You'll hear stories from:

Joel Nelson

Lonn and Dedie Taylor

Allison Scott

Jessie Browning

Margaret Leon

Armando Vasquez

Michael Camacho

Michael Stevens

We're hoping to do more storytelling events in the future, so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled!

Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

Last Friday February 17th, Texas District 81 Republican Representative Brooks Landgraf of Odessa and District 76 Democratic Representative Cesar Blanco of El Paso met on the Odessa College campus in Odessa for a conversation event put on by the Texas Tribune.

The two discussed a myriad of topics currently passing around the ongoing Texas Legislative Session - topics from Border Security and Public Education to the restructuring of the Texas’ Child Protective Services and of course the state budget.

On this West Texas Talk, Jackson Wisdorf sits with Representative Landgraf after the event to chat about topics happening both locally and at the Legislative Session.  Hosted by Jackson WIsdorf for KRTS

On this edition of West Texas Talk Jackson Wisdorf talks with well-known zydeco musician Geno Delafose about his musical roots playing with his father John Delafose, the new direction zydeco music is taking, and you'll hear a few tracks from Geno's latest Grammy-nominated album Le Creole Cowboy. Hosted by Jackson Wisdorf for KRTS

On this episode of West Texas Talk, Elise Pepple sits down with Little Joe Hernandez before he takes the stage at Valentine's in Valentine. Little Joe says he didn't always want to tell his story, but the reason he changed his mind. Here, he talks about how he got started, what his success means, meeting fans on cruise ships, and family.

Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

On this episode of West Texas talk, in celebration of Valentine's Day and in anticipation of our storytelling event, we're bringing you three voices from the community talking about love. Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS