Mike Landess Connects

What's the real story behind the badge in Smith County? Join us, as we delve into the pressing issues of crime and law enforcement with the three-time elected Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. With nearly four decades of experience, Sheriff Smith unravels the complex realities on the ground, especially the worrying growth of fentanyl trafficking and the strategies being developed to counterac...

The Edom Art Festival  began as a small gathering that temporarily moved to the Tyler Museum of Art, then returned to Edom and now transforms the town's population from 349 to nearly 20,000 every year. The dynamic force behind the Edom Art Festival is Beth Brown, who started as an exhibitor and later became director. A true testament to passion and perseverance, Beth shares the festival'...

Take flight into the fascinating world of birding with Jessica Coleman, an 18-year veteran at UT Tyler, distinguished teaching professor, and avid bird enthusiast. Coleman shares stirring tales of her birding adventures that began as a university undergraduate and have continued to be a major joy in her life. She'll introduce her favorite birds from the vibrant Cerulean warbler to mighty hawk...

Imagine navigating a world brimming with ever-changing viruses. It's the world we live in, but it's the world that Dr. Michelle Crumb, interim chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health at UT Tyler , has been studying for decades. She analyzes the current viral landscape, including the surprising early start of RSV last year, the unexpected rise in its cases, an...

The vision behind the UT Tyler School of Health Professions will be implemented under the leadership of Dr. Theresa Byrd, the inaugural dean of the school. Byrd discusses her journey in pioneering this initiative, the challenges, and the triumphs that have marked her tenure. Discover the intricacies of leading four academic departments, the strategic reasoning behind offering classes both in-perso...

How does a health system navigate unexpected challenges like the pandemic? Donald Baker, the regional president of UT Health East Texas , offers a first-hand account of how he led his team through those uncharted waters. He reflects on the resilience and teamwork of the UT Health East Texas staff, the community, and other healthcare organizations in East Texas. Baker provides a unique perspective...

They are critical subjects, often shrouded in silence - mental health and suicide. Dr. Terry Britt, assistant professor of communication at UT Tyler, is working to address the alarming increase in suicide rates. Britt discusses the steps UT Tyler is taking to prioritize student mental health, and the importance of simply "being there" for someone in their darkest hour, which can potentia...

It may be one of the best-kept secrets in East Texas: NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility. Dr. Krist Swimberghe, dean of UT Tyler's Soules College of Business , sheds light on the critical role this government facility plays and the groundbreaking research they conduct. Learn how they prepare high-altitude balloons for global launches from Sweden to the icy terrains of Antarctica...

What happens when the familiar tranquility of a college campus is shattered by the terror of an active shooter? Consider this unsettling possibility and learn about some of the measures being taken to counter this potential threat from Chief Mike Medders of the UT Tyler Police Department. Take a glimpse into the realities of campus safety and preparedness as Chief Medders pulls back the curtain on...

Why do pharmaceuticals companies hold a monopoly on drug development and distribution? What would happen if this process was funded instead by taxpayers instead? Those are the questions Dr. George P. Smith, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, asks in his latest research entitled, "RNA Vaccines for COVID-19: Scientific Achievement, Economic Failure,"  Dr. Smith critically examines the existing m...

The history of Tyler is a tale of transformation and planning, drawing inspiration from insightful leaders like former Mayor Barbara Bass. The CPA and retired executive currently serves as chair of The UT Tyler Development Board. She explains how strategic planning and community involvement have led to the exponential growth of Tyler. Bass offers an insider's perspective on the city's gr...

What if the most dangerous place for your child is their own bedroom? In a revealing conversation, Becky Cunio, executive director of For The Silent , sheds some light on the grim realities of human trafficking and exploitation. Armed with more than 15 years of field experience, Cunio not only explains the local implications of these issues, but also dispels common misconceptions, emphasizing the...

What's the real story behind those PATH signs dotting the East Texas lanscape in early September around Tyler? How are organizations are working to alleviate poverty and homelessness in your community?  Andrea Wilson, executive director of People Attempting to Help (PATH), shares the story of how her organization is working to make a difference.  From the heartwarming success stories of their...

To commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States 22 years ago today, many public schools were named after individuals whose lives were lost that day.  Dr. Brian C. Jack,  was aboard the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. He had previously attended Tyler ISD schools and went on to a 20-year career working on the US military's budgets. When the new elementary school was built i...

Curious about the future of higher education in the era of artificial intelligence and rapid technology advancements? Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP, the president of UT Tyler provides his quarterly update on our fast-growing university and explains how it's contending with a rapidly changing educational landscape. He highlights the advent of AI in education and research, and the need for institut...

Patrick Willis is a UT Tyler graduate who's been a driving force behind East Texas charities, businesses, and even politicians for more than 25 years. He's created transformative training programs and now serves as the executive director of the Byers Family Foundation. From his formative years as an undecided college student to his current influential role in philanthropy, Willis’s journ...

The Tyler Film Festival is back in person! Peyton Wideman -  City of Tyler Public Information Officer and a member of the festival's planning committee  - details the festival's origins, the categories it features, and its exciting schedule. She also unveils the intricacies of the festival's judging process, and introduces the festival director, acclaimed filmmakers, and other judge...

Many American cities are faced with both rising crime rates and increasing demands to cut funding for law enforcement agencies.  Dr. David Scott is a former full-time law enforcement officer who now serves as an assistant professor of criminal justice at UT Tyler .  He offers a candid assessment of the impact these competing interests have on communities and the opportunities they present for newc...

The East Texas Crisis Center ( ETCC ) has a new executive director,  Nichole Masters-Henry. She's taking over for the previous leader, who served for 30 years. Masters-Henry is bringing her passion and two-decades of experience from the non-profit sector to her new mission. She shares her journey from Fort Worth to Tyler, and her commitment to women's empowerment through her signature wo...

Have you ever considered the possibility that media technologies aren't just add-ons to our lives, but catalysts for ecological shifts in our culture? Dr. Dennis Cali is a professor from the UT Tyler Communication Department, who is globally recognized for his expertise in media ecology. That field that explores the transformative relationship between humans and media technologies. Dr. Cali b...

More than 770 new state laws will take effect in Texas on September 1.  Dr. Ken Wink, political science professor at UT Tyler, will discuss the wave of new s laws . Topics range from curbing street racing to enforcing school safety, and even addressing hair-based racial discrimination in workplaces. Wink will  explore the potential implications of what some are calling sweeping legislative changes...

Facing the many unknowns of the ongoing COVID-19 saga is part of the mission for George Roberts, the CEO of the Northeast Texas Public Health District, or NET Health . He shares his unique perspective on the current situation, especially as it related to East Texas, taking a deep-dive into the current rise of COVID-19 hospital admissions, the emergence of the perplexing EG.5 variant of Omicron, an...

 Dr. Amy Schwartz is one of the driving forces behind the change and growth at the University of Texas at Tyler's Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy . Schwartz shares an insider's view into the world of pharmacy education as the college's current dean and a teaching professor. She's bracing the team for change, and working to rekindle their spirits after the loss of the f...

 The University of Texas at Tyler held its 2023 Faculty Staff Convocation recently. UT Tyler President, Dr. Kirk Calhoun, provided attendees with an update on some of the institution's many achievements over the past year. Student Senate President Chloe Dix encouraged faculty and staff by explaining that her positive undergraduate experience at UT Tyler led her not only to want to return to t...

The City of Tyler wants its employees to be well-compensated and equipped with the resources they need to serve their community effectively. That's from Tyler City Manager, Ed Broussard , who explains just how Tyler is making this reality with its 'future ready' budget for 2014 . The proposed budget aims to correct salary discrepancies, remain competitive in the market, and provide...