Tara Holley

Tara Holley's first on-air experience was at age 3 on a jingle in Temple, Texas. Radio has been a part of her life ever since. She received a BA in Theatre and Communication in 2004 from McMurry University. Her professional journey includes theatre, Neilsen media research, advertising and marketing, creative writing and scripting, and more. However, radio has always been her first professional love. Tara writes about all things East Texas -- including fantastic food, Texas legends and lore, and lifestyle topics. She loves conversation, comedy, coffee, animals, philosophy, and the arts. Her basic life philosophy can be summed up in the words of the great Bill and Ted: “Be Excellent to Each Other.” Tara received the Mayor's ROSE (Recognition of Service and Excellence) Award in 2021 and the President's Club Award for Townsquare Media Tyler in 2021 for Contributor of the Year. She served on the Heart of Tyler Board of Directors from 2017-2022, was a 2-year Chair for the Downtown Tyler Film Festival, and served on the Tyler Civic Theatre Board for several years, as well. She is currently on the Tyler Music Friendly Advisory Board.'

Why is This the #1 Most Banned Book in Texas?

In my opinion, books that are overtly sexual in nature don't have a place in elementary schools--or even perhaps in middle schools, for that matter. But here's part of the controversy: different people have different ideas about what 'overtly sexual' means.

Why Does Slicing Through Wrapping Paper Make Us Feel Good?

Next time you feel a little crazy for finding that random moment when those scissors glide-cut through that bright green, snowman-covered paper, just enjoy the moment.

You Won’t Believe the #1 Texas City Gen Xers are Moving to. (It’s Not Austin)

Well, we already know quite well by now that we're seeing a ton of new folks headed to Texas. At this point, that's likely understood by most. But it's still rather interesting to learn which of Texas cities, in particular, are attracting the most people--and what demographic of people, as well. No, it's not Austin or Dallas, Texas. Nope, it's not Houston, Texas, either.

WARNING: Police are Aware People are Shoplifting a Lot at This Texas Store

A recent post on the Kilgore, Texas Police Department Facebook page states that the Kilgore Police have been "inundated with shoplifting at Walmart over the last 7 days."

Report Says Texans Have a Pretty Short Life Expectancy. But Why?

If you live in Texas, you can expect to have a shorter life than if you lived elsewhere in America.

Finally, Whataburger is Getting into the iced Coffee Game in Texas!

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've popped by the Whataburger closest to my house south of Tyler, Texas for a potato, egg, and cheese taquito and wished they had some kind of iced coffee option.

Texas Woman Tells Off Man Who Wouldn’t Leave Her Alone at the Gym

"Don't come near me!" When exchanges escalated into following her around the gym and even yelling at her from across the gym, her patience ran out.

This is the HOT Black Friday Item Texas People Will Be Shopping For

So, is the data showing the hottest item is some new hot-off-the-press video game or some other tech item? Actually, no.

Here are the 10 Vehicles that are Stolen Most Often in Texas

statistically, there are some vehicles that are more likely to be stolen than others. And what's even more interesting? It's not even the newest cars necessarily that thieves target the most.

Walmart Employees Deserve Way More Respect, Says Tyler, TX Woman

If we get THAT mad, we'd be better off trying to call one of the Waltons up in Arkansas and yell at them. However, yelling at 18-year-old Aaron isn't going to do anything except make a hard-working local employee's life harder.

Video: Gun Pulled During a Fist Fight at a Texas Buc-ee’s

And of course, we understand when tempers flare, fights can happen anywhere. Unfortunately, this particular altercation which you'll watch below eventually led to one of the men pulling out a gun and aiming it at his 'opponent.'

Who the Heck is This New Buc-ee’s Rival Moving into Texas?

Casey's General Store, now simply known as 'Casey's' since a 2020 re-branding move, is an Iowa-based convenience store chain that has announced plans to bring 22 stores to the North Texas area--which to most of us sounds like the Dallas, Texas area.