I’m an East Texas native and proud of it! I was born and raised in Longview, but spent plenty of time in Tyler. Both of my parents are from Tyler, so I had all my relatives there! I have been so blessed to be surrounded by family all my life! I feel fortunate to have a career I dearly love! Not a lot of people can say that. But believe it or not, radio was not my first choice as a career! I knew from age 4 that I would be an actress on the Broadway stage! I did pursue acting with a move to Dallas, Texas for many years. While in Dallas, God opened a door to radio, and I‘ve been “smitten” ever since! I still enjoy acting and being apart of the civic theatre though.I live in Tyler with my husband and beautiful daughter, along with our cats, Phineas, Meadow and Benjamin!My 15 minutes of fame would have to be when I was an “extra” in the movie Born on The Fourth of July, starring Tom Cruise! I actually made it on the big screen!Something people don’t know about me; I’m scared of clowns and I was the Texas “Honey Bee Queen” in the early 80’s! No really!
Amy Austin
![Texas Student Suspended for Not Standing for Pledge of Allegiance [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/156/files/2014/05/168950300.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Texas Student Suspended for Not Standing for Pledge of Allegiance [POLL]
A Houston student refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and has now been given two days of in-school suspension. As you can imagine, this has started up a lot of debate about the teen's First Amendment rights.

Happy Earth Day, Y’all!
Today we celebrate Earth! Founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth Day is now a globally celebrated holiday that is sometimes extended into Earth Week, a full seven days of events focused on green awareness.

Billy Joel Suprises Elementary School at Tribute Concert
The "Piano Man" Billy Joel, surprised a Long Island elementary school, by showing up to watch the young students perform a tribute concert. Can you imagine looking in the audience and seeing Billy Joel?
![Longview Pays Ted Nugent $16,000 to Not Peform at Fourth of July Festival [POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/156/files/2014/03/84680525.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Longview Pays Ted Nugent $16,000 to Not Peform at Fourth of July Festival [POLL]
Longview has paid rocker Ted Nugent $16,000 to not perform at Longview's Fourth of July festival. According to reports a spokesperson for the festival felt that Ted Nugent was not right for the event.
![Atheists Want the ‘Miracle Cross’ Removed from 9-11 Memorial [VIDEO + POLL]](http://townsquare.media/site/156/files/2014/03/cross.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Atheists Want the ‘Miracle Cross’ Removed from 9-11 Memorial [VIDEO + POLL]
First of all, I must start out by saying that this story is very personal to me. I was in New York City on top of the World Trade Center observation deck two weeks to the day before the horrific 9-11 tragedy.

Tyler Area Builders ‘Home and Product Show’ is This Weekend
It's time for the Tyler Area Builders Association "Home Product Show.' The show gets under way this weekend at Harvey Convention Center. East Texas looks forward to this event every year, especially if you're looking to build or remodel your home.

‘Cheer Fest’ Benefit for Lindale Firefighter Joe Yeakley is Feb. 22
Lindale firefighter Joe Yeakley was severely injured fighting a house fire last month. Lindale and all of East Texas continues to pray for Joe's recovery and for his family. One way that East Texas can help with Joe's medical bills is attend a "Cheer Fest" for Joe and his family.
![The Infamous Bernie Tiede Is Back In The Panola County Jail [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/156/files/2014/01/Bernie-Tiede.jpg?w=980&q=75)
The Infamous Bernie Tiede Is Back In The Panola County Jail [VIDEO]
Most of us remember the infamous Bernie Tiede of Carthage. There was even a 2011 movie made about his life, "Bernie," that starred Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey and even locals from Carthage.

No, It’s Not Alvin the Chipmunk, It’s the Chicago Cubs’ New Mascot ‘Clark’
My father-in-law was a huge Chicago Cubs fan. So, when I learned that the Cubs have chosen a mascot for the first time in the organizations history, I was excited. The Chicago Cubs now have a furry "bear" wearing a baseball cap as their mascot. Is it just me, or does it look more like a chipmunk?
![Liberty Hall in Tyler Presents ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ + ‘The Polar Express’ This Week [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/156/files/2013/12/the-polar-express-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Liberty Hall in Tyler Presents ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ + ‘The Polar Express’ This Week [VIDEO]
This week be sure to catch the classic holiday movies “It’s A Wonderful Life" and "The Polar Express" at Tyler's amazing Liberty Hall in downtown. Movie lovers everywhere include these films as part of their holiday traditions! It doesn't matter how many times you've seen these movies, it never gets old.

East Texas Volunteer Participates in 2013 Salvation Army World Record Bell Ringing Contest
'Tis the season to hear those ringing bells of the Salvation Army Red Kettles across East Texas. When you hear those bells, put what you can in the kettle to help those in East Texas who are less fortunate this holiday!

Texas Workforce Commission + Workforce Solutions of East Texas Holding a Veterans Job Fair
The Texas Workforce Commission + Workforce Solutions East Texas are partners for the statewide 'Hiring Red, White & You" job fair. This event has grown by leaps and bounds that they had to move the job fair to Harvey Convention Center.