John Mark Dempsey

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban advocates limiting student-loan debt to $10,000 as a way of bolstering the economy.  Business consultant Randy Pennington, CEO of Pennington Group in Dallas and an East Texas State University/A&M-Commerce alumnus, discusses Cuban's recommendation.

Dr. Velvete Womack, wellness coordinator of the Fire and Ice spa in Commerce, discusses wellness concepts for starting the new year.  Also, Velvete previews the Wellness University scheduled for Saturday, January 17 at the Northeast Texas Children's Museum in Commerce.

Hunt County Historical Commission chairman Carol Taylor reviews the events of local history 100 years ago, and is now starting a review of the year 1915.  With one more look back at 1914, Carol relates the story of the construction of Commerce's railroad roundhouse.  The Historical Commission begins its new year with a meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, January 22.

Derek Price with Hunt County Public Art discusses two new projects, a new mural in downtown Greenville by Pamela Edwards and a sculpture in Commerce City Park by David Zvanut.  See YouTube videos on the Greenville project and the Commerce project by clicking the links.

Texas A&M University-Commerce assistant professor of counseling Dr. Linda Ball says "little things" add up in the long-term success of marriages and relationships.

Commerce general practitioner Dr. Rick Selvaggi discusses new guidelines on the pneumonia vaccine.  And the television commercials tell us to ask our physician about the shingles vaccine -- so we ask Dr. Rick about it.

Hunt County Historical Commission chairman Carol Taylor has spent the year looking back at 1914, 100 years ago, and shares her reflections.  One of the events of 1914 was the Christmas Truce during World War I, when British and German troops spontaneously laid down their arms and enjoyed each others' company for the day.  A British food store chain, Sainsbury's, has produced a commercial commemorating the event.

The Texas Education Agency has issued "report cards" on all Texas schools.  Commerce ISD assistant superintendent Charlie Alderman discusses the report cards, which show the Commerce schools all met standards with several distinctions.

Texas A&M University-Commerce professor of economics Dr. Dale Funderburk says the dramatic fall in the price of oil is the big economic story of 2014, and will continue to be a major story in 2015.  And Dr. Funderburk says the cyberwar apparently unleashed by North Korea on Sony has huge implications for the world economy.

Texas A&M University-Commerce Archivist Emeritus Dr. Jim Conrad discusses a book by Matt White, "Prairie Time: A Blackland Portrait."  Dr. Conrad will be a regular guest on the Blacklands Cafe to focus on the work of local and regional authors.

Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager Paul Voss says the chamber and the city have received the three new, electronic LED message boards that will be placed around the city as a means of keeping citizens informed about local events.  And the Chamber website and the Chamber office in downtown Commerce are now featuring many fascinating historical photos of the city and its people.

The Executive Director of the Hunt County United Way, Frances Dalbey, says Hunt County Shared Ministries, or FISH, has seen a 60 percent increase demand for food assistance compared to last year.  Another United Way agency that can benefit from Christmas generosity is Little Libraries, which brings books to children who otherwise might not enjoy them.

Commerce Mayor Dr. John Ballotti says the current campaign of demolishing substandard houses will be organized in regions, corresponding to the city's regular curbside pickup schedule for debris.  And the mayor says a state/federal program will fund the construction of three new houses in Commerce.

Cooper Review editor Cindy Roller reports that the Cooper ISD board recently received a favorable report on state testing of Cooper High School students.  Also, a new pictorial history of Cooper and Delta County, "Between the Sulphurs," is now available.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville describes the Park Street horse-drawn wagon rides which take place evenings this weekend and next weekend, and other Christmas-themed events, including the final performance of "The Messiah" directed by long-time Greenville choir director and former mayor Charles Sivley, at the United Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve.