Author Archives: Tom Michael
Robert Irwin Brings ‘Big’ To Texas With Permanent Art Installation
The 87-year-old conceptual artist unveils a large-scale installation of his work in Marfa, Texas, this week. He’s spent his career creating site-specific art that often treats light as its subject.
Young, large, and in fast orbit: Texas Astronomers find New Exoplanet
This week Texas astronomers announced their discovery of a giant new exoplanet, which orbits close to its star. It’s a young planet: only 11 million years old. And it’s a large planet: 5 times the size of the Earth. What’s … Continue reading
Iconic Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson Dies in Alpine at age 80
Joaquin Jackson died on Wednesday (June 15) at age 80 at his home in Alpine. His career as a Texas Ranger was legendary. His exploits were recounted in the 2005 book, One Ranger. He appeared on Marfa Public Radio in 2008 … Continue reading
The West Texas Wisdom of Rooster & Butch
The second season of West Texas Investors Club launches Tuesday (June 7) on CNBC, hosted by Rooster McConaughey and Butch Gilliam. Similar to the TV program Shark Tank, Rooster & Butch listen to a group of entrepreneurs each episode and then decide to … Continue reading
Texas Man Falls to his Death in Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park in Far West Texas is known for its remote and rugged terrain, with a geology found nowhere else in the state. It attracts hikers and bird-watchers to its mountain trails, as well as rafters and canoeists … Continue reading
The Coyote Fire Continues in the Guadalupes
There’s a wildfire in the highest terrain in Texas. It was ignited by a lightning strike on Saturday near Coyote Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. That’s in Far West Texas near the border with New Mexico, south of Carlsbad … Continue reading
Wildfire in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Update Tuesday (May 10) at 4 PM: The Coyote Fire is now at 8,205 acres and is 30% contained. Over the past several days in Far West Texas, with dry and windy conditions, volunteer fire departments have been dealing with a … Continue reading
Feds Grant Permission for Trans-Pecos Pipeline to Cross Rio Grande
On Thursday (May 5), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a permit allowing the Trans-Pecos Pipeline to cross underneath the Rio Grande. The permit was issued after a lengthy environmental review. This gives the pipeline operators, Energy Transfer, a key approval to ultimately export natural … Continue reading
Texas Photographer Traces Route of Georgia O’Keefe in New Mexico
Texas photographer Walter Nelson has published a new book about the New Mexican landscape where artist Georgia O’Keefe painted. Nelson points to a map of New Mexico as he traces the route of artist O’Keefe, who made her name in … Continue reading
Your Public Radio Station Just Won 8 Regional Murrow Awards
For the second year in the row, Marfa Public Radio (along with West Texas Public Radio) is the most awarded small-market station in the nation during the regional Murrow Awards for excellence in journalism in 2015. According to the Radio Television … Continue reading