Podcasts about Big Bend

When local river guide-turned small-town investigative reporter Sam Karas discovers that the Trump administration has been quietly waiving environmental regulations to expedite the building of a new border wall, she knows that they'll be coming for the Big Bend soon. This remote corner of West Texas is widely beloved for its rugged beauty, dark skies, and unique wildlife, and now, locals are coming together across party lines to protect the way of life they know and love along the Rio Grande.  Thin Green Line Chandra Brown, river guide and writing coach, led a 5 day retreat canoeing the Rio Grande. On their final night, Mother Nature erupted. Support comes from Kuat Racks  Oboz  Darn Tough  Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Ka'Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Supreme Court cases on birthright citizenship, gun rights, transgender women and girls in sports… Where do we stand? Constitutional law professor Seth Chandler of the University of Houston Law Center joins us with what cases to watch for and where the high court appears to be leaning as the nine justices wrap up the current […] The post Big Bend border wall plans upend vital park changes appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Big Bend Borderlands Ministry: Water Conservation, Rancher Collaboration & Creation Care in Marfa Traveling between Alpine and Marfa, Texas, Bishop Michael Hunn of the Diocese of the Rio Grande rides with the Reverend Mike Wallens, who serves Borderlands Ministry and five Big Bend congregations, as they head to Mexico to meet the mayor of Ojinaga and visit two shelters the ministry has supported for years. They discuss environmental work in the Big Bend focused on drought and grasslands, including collaboration with Sul Ross State University's Borderlands Research Institute and interim head Billy Tarrant, who convenes water conservation efforts, encourages measuring ranch water levels to assess aquifers, and promotes land practices that slow runoff, reduce flooding, and recharge groundwater to sustain streams and bird migration habitat. Wallens also describes a Creation Care grant-funded tree-planting project in Marfa's low-income housing, with trees provided and planted with help from an Apache group and maintained by church members and residents. 00:00 Road to Marfa 00:31 Bishop on the Borderlands 01:18 Water and Grasslands 02:28 Ranchers and Aquifers 03:14 Wildlife and Migration 04:13 Restoring Water Flow 05:19 Tree Planting in Marfa 06:25 Closing Reflections

Texas First Outdoors tips, tricks and news to be in the know. And knowing is half the battle! Stock media provided by Artmuns / Source

Chris and Heather talk with Museum of the Big Bend Director Emily Wilkinson about an upcoming traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute. "Spark! Places of Innovation" comes to Alpine July 3-August 8 through a partnership with the Smithsonian and the Texas Historical Commission. A busy schedule of companion events are being planned throughout the entire Texas Mountain Trail Region. Full event information will be coming soon to museumofthebigbend.com.

He wants to ban Islam in Texas and now he’s the GOP pick for a seat on one of Texas’ most powerful commissions. Who is Bo French? A closer look at why, after this week, a race for a seat on the Texas railroad commission suddenly carries more weight than it might seem at first […] The post Where things stand with Big Bend border wall plans appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Lone Ranger - Big Bend Construction CampBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/harold-s-old-time-radio--4206392/support.

Jaime Hunt sits down with Eden Bloss, Chief Marketing Officer at UNC Asheville, to explore how faculty thought leadership can strengthen institutional brand, reputation, and visibility. Together, they discuss why faculty experts are one of higher education's most powerful storytelling assets, especially when their research and expertise connect to timely conversations in the media, on LinkedIn, and across digital channels. Guest Name: Eden Bloss, Chief Marketing Officer, UNC Asheville Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eden-bloss-46a796ba/  Guest Bio: Eden brings more than two decades of experience in strategic marketing communications to UNC Asheville in both corporate and agency settings, as well as a depth of experience in higher education within the UNC System. As Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications at UNC Greensboro, she led a team of communications professionals – editorial writers, social media managers, multimedia specialists, in addition to a group of cross-functional communicators across the university's schools and programs. With expertise in crisis communication, brand and image development, media relations, website development, strategic and celebrity partnerships, brand ambassadors and community and government relations, Eden has a proven track record for developing collaborative relationships, creating a positive and productive team culture with a commitment to delivering results that exceed expectations. She is on the Board of Directors for PublicEd Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) charitable organization that focuses on increasing residents' knowledge of public education in North Carolina, a CASE Awards Circle of Excellence Judge, Women in Leadership and PRSSA mentor. An avid runner, she has completed multiple marathons, including Boston and Marine Corps, and enjoys hiking across national parks – Big Bend, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are recent favorites. She is married with two adult children. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Let us know what's on your mind?We compare what changes when you camp and backpack across very different environments, from stormy Texas trails to the dry, exposed high desert of New Mexico. Along the way we swap hard-earned stories about mud, heat, water, gear failures, and the judgment call that matters most: when to turn back. • weather as the biggest driver of risk on trail • how Texas rain turns trails into mud and injury hazards • desert access problems, including dirt roads and flash floods • water planning in Big Bend and the Southwest, including carrying heavy loads • Isle Royale recap, from heat waves and mosquitoes to a tent-destroying storm • lessons from soaked gear, dead phones, and backup shelter planning • sun exposure and shade scarcity, plus simple gear that helps • decision points for bailing safely, including medical and heat issues If you have any kind of comments, questions, whatever, please let us know and we will try to answer those best that we can.Support the show

The BreakdownIn this engaging interview, Skyler McCarthy from the bands 719 and Silence Becoming shares his journey in music, the creative process behind his projects, and his passion for outdoor adventures. Discover insights into metalcore production, the importance of collaboration, and how to support local music scenes.You ever have a backstage moment where you totally miss who you're talking to? I did — turned out I was chatting with a drummer of a famous band, and I didn't even know! Drop a

The Washington Roundtable is joined by Representative Jason Crow, of Colorado, an Army Ranger veteran, member of the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, and one of the so-called Seditious Six, members of Congress whom Donald Trump threatened to have arrested for recording a video which reminded servicemembers that they are not required to follow illegal orders. Crow is also co-leading the Democratic Party's effort to recruit and train a new generation of congressional candidates, placing him at the center of an urgent dilemma: how can the Party translate growing anxiety over the economy and the war in Iran into a coherent, winning message? His answer, in part, is to go “hyper-local,” build coalitions, and ignore the noise. “I tell these folks that you're basically running your campaign like you're running for mayor of your district,” Crow says. “Ignore Fox News, ignore the cable news networks, ignore the algorithms. You can't control that, anyhow.”See the Washington Roundtable live at 92NY on June 4th.This week's reading: “When Trump's Away,” by Antonia Hitchens “What the Gerrymandering Wars Mean for the Midterms—and 2028,” by Isaac Chotiner “Will Donald Trump be Allowed to Destroy His Records?,” by Ruth Marcus “The Looming Disaster of the Border Wall in Big Bend, Texas,” by Rachel Monroe The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine's writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Chris talks with Jody and Castine McIntyre about their efforts in support of Alpine's music industry. They are building a business to provide services for Big Bend region venues and musicians, currently including booking and sound for the Granada Theatre, Alcove Social and Cow Dog.www.FarWestTalentTx.com

Original Air Date: May 14, 1941Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto) Writer:• Fran Striker Producer:• George W. Trendle Director:• Charles D. Livingston Music:• Ben Bonnell For more great shows check out our site: https://www.otrwesterns.comExit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny...

Original Air Date: May 14, 1941Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto) Writer:• Fran Striker Producer:• George W. Trendle Director:• Charles D. Livingston Music:• Ben Bonnell For more great shows check out our site: https://www.otrwesterns.comExit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny...

Matt and Michael return from two very different deserts. Vegas and Big Bend. One all lights and noise, the other all silence and heat. Matt shares what it meant to scatter his father's ashes in West Texas. Michael talks about the solitude of crowds. And somewhere around the forty minute mark, the conversation turns into something else entirely. What is AI actually for? What gets lost when we outsource struggle? Why do we need to be broken to become whole? And what happens to a culture that forgets the purpose of things? They land on teleology, the study of purpose itself. A knife only makes sense if you know it's meant to cut. So what are we meant for? And what happens when we stop asking? Cheers y'all

Why a Border Wall in Big Bend Could Harm Wildlife, Ranchers, and Tourism Traveling to Terlingua and Lajitas, Texas, Bishop Michael Hunn speaks with Mike Wallens about proposed border wall expansion in the Big Bend near Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Wallens argues a physical wall is unnecessary and impractical because the Rio Grande's winding course would force construction inside the U.S., cutting ranchers and farmers off from water access, blocking wildlife movement, and potentially undermining tourism and river guiding by restricting access to the river and emergency routes. They discuss migrant rescues and deaths in the rugged canyons, and contend the wall offers little operational benefit in remote areas where response-time delays are meaningless. Instead, they point to existing technology—sensors, cameras, drones, and solar-powered rescue beacons—as the effective “wall,” noting broad local opposition that has united residents across political divides. 00:00 Road Trip Setup 01:24 Why a Wall Fails Here 02:37 Humanitarian Reality 03:51 Ranching Wildlife Tourism Costs 04:26 Community Unites Against It 05:42 Security Logic in Remote Terrain 07:57 Tech and Rescue Alternatives 09:15 CBP Agents and Final Verdict

Chris and Heather talk about the array of events coming up in Alpine for Summer 2026!One big highlight is "Spark! Places of Innovation" a Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibit coming to the Museum of Big Bend from July 3-August 8. The exhibit is part of the Museum on Main Street program with the Texas Historical Commission.There will be companion activities to the Spark! exhibit throughout Alpine and the Texas Mountain Trail Region.

Episode Summary Jack Humphrey and the Rewilding Earth podcast sit down with the Center for Biological Diversity's National Public Lands Advocate Laiken Jordahl to discuss the current administration's plan to extend border wall construction to Big Bend National Park and the West Texas borderlands. This is an immediate, gargantuan threat to one of America's most […] Read full article: Episode 173: Laiken Jordahl on the Battle for Big Bend

Clif Holland shares a father-and-son motorcycle adventure that took an unexpected turn shortly after arriving at Big Bend National Park. After a 700-mile ride to reach the start of their backcountry route, the decision to explore before staging their gear set the tone for what followed. Riding a heavily loaded BMW R1200GS on remote backroads, Clif quickly found himself facing the challenges of sand, weight distribution, and the limited margin for error on big adventure bikes, which led to DEEP TROUBLE. We talk about backcountry riding and the importance of preparation, training, and testing your setup before tackling routes like the BDR.

Even in this ugly era of political divisiveness under “King Donald,” some things remain bigger than partisan politics.For example, travel deep into Southwest Texas to the Mexican border, and you'll witness two powerful forces of political harmony in Big Bend National Park. First is the true majesty of nature – 1,200 square miles of high desert beauty, spectacular canyons, the Chisos Mounains' “sky islands,” black bears and jaguars, ancient artifacts of native peoples, etc.But you could also experience the marvelous rebellious spirit of today's Big Bend people who are battling the White House's ideological extremists. At issue is “The Wall,” the xenophobic piece of nastiness pushed by Stephen Miller, the Trump government's tyrannical, anti-immigrant chief. Build a multi-billion-dollar, 30-foot-high steel wall atop the Rio Grande's fragile, thousand-foot high cliffs, Miller maniacally commanded!Hello – such a monstrous wall would destroy the cliffs, devastate the economic, cultural, and other essential cross-border relationships that Big Bend communities rely on – and do nothing to stop desperate refugees. So, in a grassroots, non-partisan rebellion against such ideological bullstuff, a majority coalition of ranchers, environmentalists, local sheriffs, native Americans, and just folks have momentarily stalled the scheme. As a longtime Republican resident puts it: “Those advocating for this insane project should… acknowledge their nonsensical, aesthetically, and environmentally quixotic conduct, so their names may be indelibly placed on that border wall and remembered forever in infamy.”This is Jim Hightower saying… Trump is expected to push ahead, but the feisty grassroots champions are not intimidated. “We will be civil,” says one leader, “but we don't have to be polite.” Stay connected to them at nobigbendwall.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

This week's public lands news briefing covers:1. Recent Big Bend border wall lawsuits with Laiken Jordahl (Center for Biological Diversity)2. The proposed FY2027 Department of the Interior budget and its impacts on BLM lands with Chris Hill (Conservation Lands Foundation)3. The Senate's passage of H.J. Res. 140, overturning Boundary Waters mining protectionsResources & Links:Senate roll call vote for H.J. Res. 140: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00084.htmCall the U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121Center for Biological Diversity: https://biologicaldiversity.orgConservation Lands Foundation: https://www.conservationlands.orgSubscribe to the Outdoor Minimalist newsletter: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com

In this episode: the BLM's plan to ban dispersed camping on nearly 14,000 acres near Zion National Park—shifting use to designated areas and two proposed campgrounds, a resolution that could overturn a 20-year ban on copper-nickel mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters watershed,  a Texas man sentenced to five days in jail for stepping off boardwalks onto Yellowstone's thermal features, a settlement to keep the pride flag flying at Stonewall National Monument, tightened South Rim water restrictions at Grand Canyon due to pipeline breaks, Big Bend's Chisos Basin closure being put on hold, and Yosemite's historic Ahwahnee dining room moving to a required prix-fixe menu starting at $95. 00:00 Public Lands News Roundup 00:29 Zion Dispersed Camping Ban 02:37 Boundary Waters Mining Fight 04:29 Yellowstone Boardwalk Jail 05:34 Stonewall Pride Flag Returns 07:08 Grand Canyon Water Restrictions 08:14 Big Bend Closure Delayed 09:04 Yosemite Dining Goes Prix Fixe 10:52 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Today's EM Morning Brief covers Super Typhoon Sinlaku's devastating impact on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, where winds up to 185 mph knocked out power and water and displaced more than a thousand residents. A multi-day severe weather outbreak has produced confirmed tornadoes across six states, including an EF-3 near Union Center, Wisconsin, and an EF-2 in Ottawa, Kansas. Florida's extreme drought—the worst since 2012—has fueled more than 1,600 wildfires and 100,000 acres burned in the first 100 days of 2026, with multiple counties declaring local emergencies. CISA continues its active advisory cadence with new KEV additions and the ongoing Cisco SD-WAN emergency directive. FEMA housing inspectors begin property evaluations in Washington state under the newly approved disaster declaration. The national wildfire picture remains above average at 231 percent of the ten-year norm, with Red Flag Warnings active across the Southern Plains. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast.Key Takeaways• Super Typhoon Sinlaku: Winds up to 185 mph devastated Saipan and Tinian; power and water out for potentially weeks; 1,000+ residents sheltered; presidential emergency declarations active for both Guam and CNMI.• Multi-Day Tornado Outbreak: Confirmed tornadoes across Kansas (EF-2), Wisconsin (EF-3), Oklahoma (EF-1), Iowa, Minnesota, and Arkansas from April 13–15; three injured in Ottawa, KS; continued severe threat through April 16.• Florida Drought Emergency: Nearly 80% of the state is in extreme drought—the worst since 2012; over 100,000 acres burned from 1,600+ wildfires in 2026; multiple county burn bans and local emergency declarations.• Southeast Drought and Fire Risk: Georgia reports D4 Exceptional Drought in Seminole County; North Carolina's statewide burn ban enters its third week with 554 fires; Virginia is under critical fire weather warnings.• CISA KEV and Emergency Directive: Nine new Known Exploited Vulnerabilities added April 13–14, including Fortinet and Adobe flaws; Cisco SD-WAN Emergency Directive 26-03 hunt-and-hardening phase continues.• FEMA Disaster Recovery: Housing inspectors begin evaluating properties in Washington state (DR-4906, $182.3M in damage); Montana disaster declaration for December storms; Guam and CNMI emergency declarations are active.• National Wildfire Posture: Preparedness Level 2; 23 uncontained large fires; 1.72 million acres burned YTD (231% of 10-year average); Red Flag Warnings active across Southern Plains.• Nevada Earthquake: M5.7 near Silver Springs on April 13; 43 aftershocks; 17% chance of a larger aftershock within the week; no significant damage reported.• New Jersey Boil Water Advisory: System-wide advisory in South Brunswick Township following water main break on April 15; remains in effect until DEP testing clears the supply.SourcesDHS / NTAS• DHS NTAS Bulletin — Heightened threat environment amid Israel-Iran conflict• DHS National Terrorism Advisory System overviewCISA• CISA adds two KEVs to catalog (April 14, 2026)• CISA adds seven KEVs to catalog (April 13, 2026)• CISA Emergency Directive 26-03 — Cisco SD-WAN• CISA Supplemental Direction ED 26-03 — Hunt and hardening guidanceNIFC / Wildfire• NIFC Incident Management Situation Report (April 15, 2026)• NIFC National Fire News• InciWeb — Active wildfire incidentsNOAA / NWS / SPC• SPC Day 1 Convective Outlook (April 16, 2026)• NWS Kansas City — Hazardous weather outlook and flood warnings• NWS — Ottawa, Kansas tornado summary (April 13, 2026)• NWS Twin Cities — April 13, 2026 hail and tornado summary• NWS La Crosse — April 14, 2026 severe thunderstormsFEMA• FEMA — Washington major disaster declaration (DR-4906)• FEMA — Montana major disaster declaration• FEMA — Guam emergency declaration• FEMA — CNMI emergency declaration• FEMA — Housing inspectors begin evaluating WA properties (April 15)USGS• USGS — Significant Earthquakes 2026• M5.7 earthquake near Silver Springs, NV (April 13, 2026)State Dept / Travel• State Dept — Middle East travel advisory (updated April 10, 2026)• State Dept — Worldwide CautionCDC• CDC HAN 00527 — Medetomidine in the illicit fentanyl supply (April 2, 2026)Arkansas• 5News — Severe storms and tornado warnings in River ValleyFlorida• Tampa Bay Times — Florida wildfires shattering records amid drought• Fox Weather — Florida fire danger spikes as extreme drought reaches 25-year high• WCTV — Burn bans issued across Big Bend, South Georgia (April 15)• Hernando County — Burn ban effective April 14, 2026Georgia• WCTV — Burn bans across Big Bend and South Georgia• WSB-TV — Barrow County burn ban (April 15)• WALB — Decatur County burn ban (April 15)Iowa• KCRG — Tornado and hail damage across eastern Iowa (April 14)• AccuWeather — Tornadoes and grapefruit-size hail in Iowa and WisconsinKansas• NWS Topeka — EF-2 tornado in Ottawa, April 13• The Watchers — NWS confirms EF-2 tornado injured 3 in Ottawa• KWCH — Kansas governor declares disaster emergencyMinnesota• NWS Twin Cities — April 13 hail and tornado summary• Fox 9 — 3 possible tornadoes in southern MinnesotaMissouri• GovOneStop — Missouri flood warning, Big Creek at Blairstown• KSHB — Flooding affects roads in Johnson County, MissouriMontana• FEMA — Montana major disaster declaration (April 11, 2026)• Daily Inter Lake — Lincoln County disaster declarationNebraska• InciWeb — Morrill Fire information• 1011 Now — Nebraska wildfire operations wind down with full containmentNevada• ABC News — Magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Nevada• MyNews4 — M5.7 earthquake near Silver Springs, Lyon CountyNew Jersey• Patch — South Brunswick boil water advisory after water main break (April 15)North Carolina• NC Dept. of Agriculture — Statewide burn ban continues (April 14)• WECT — 554 wildfires scorch 2,200 acres under burn banOklahoma• NewsOn6 — Storm damage in Tulsa and Muskogee• Fox23 — NWS confirms EF-1 tornado in Tulsa Hills (April 15)• NewsOn6 — Hilldale cancels classes after Muskogee tornadoSouth Carolina• SC Public Radio — Red Flag Fire Alert as drought intensifiesTexas• Texas A&M Forest Service — Current wildfire status• TDEM — Governor Abbott activates emergency resources (April 10)Virginia• WSLS — Virginia wildfire risk grows amid April drought and early heatWashington• FEMA — Housing inspectors begin evaluating WA properties (April 15)• KNKX — FEMA approves disaster funding for WA after December floodsWisconsin• WMTV — EF-3 tornado confirmed near Union Center, multiple homes damaged• We Are Green Bay — Multiple tornadoes confirmed in WisconsinGuam / CNMI• NPR — Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounds remote U.S. islands• PBS NewsHour — Super Typhoon Sinlaku with ferocious winds• FEMA — Guam emergency declaration• FEMA — CNMI emergency declaration• World Central Kitchen — Response to Super Typhoon Sinlaku This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Bob Krumenaker, a seasoned conservationist (over 41 years with the NPS) and former superintendent of Big Bend National Park, discusses the ecological, cultural, and political stakes involved with the proposed border wall construction in the remote, environmentally rich area of Big Bend National Park. Learn about why Big Bend is a sanctuary worth protecting and how local communities and conservation advocates are turning the tide against intrusive border infrastructure.In this episode:Bob shares his extensive career in the National Park Service and his deep connection to desert ecosystems.The unique geological and biological highlights that make Big Bend nationally significant.How border security policies threaten biodiversity, night skies, water resources, and local communities.The current status of border wall proposals and the bipartisan opposition rallying to preserve Big Bend's wild character.The legal and political efforts underway, including wilderness designation, to secure long-term protection.Practical ways for the public to get involved and support conservation efforts in their areas.Lessons from Big Bend about community cooperation and environmental advocacy.Resources & Links:Keep Big Bend WildBig Bend National Park Official SiteWilderness Act of 1964Border Wall Map & UpdatesNote: This interview sheds light on critical environmental and political issues facing public lands today. Your voice and involvement matter—learn more and take action through the links provided.

The waters of the Rio Grande form the entire 1,254-mile border between the state of Texas and Mexico. Some portions of that border are open, with no physical barrier and monitored primarily by surveillance. Other sections have a full wall, with others are slated for new construction. One long stretch through Big Bend is defined by deep, rugged canyons that seem to function as a natural barrier. And it is here that survey crews are working toward the possibility of building a wall. This region is known for the Rio Grande flowing through national and state parks, Wild and Scenic canyons, and vast wildlife areas all consistently remote, powerful river country. Supporting that riverscape is a long-standing river outfitting community. A wall could cut off access to the river for outfitters, for do-it-yourself boaters and potentially disrupt the local economy built around it. River runners, ranchers, residents, and five border-county sheriffs are speaking out about the wall, standing against a wall and for the wild canyon country they call home. In this episode, we talk with Tara Shackelford, an outfitter, and Judge Greg Henington, a former outfitter and current county judge, to understand their connection to the river.   GUESTTara ShackelfordHidden Dagger Adventures@hiddendaggeradventuresFB Hidden Dagger Adventures Judge Greg Henington2020 Texas Highways article featuring Greg Henington   SPONSORSAmerican Rivers@americanriversFB American Rivers Valley Nissan@valley_nissan   RESOURCESRio GrandeBig Bend regionBig Bend National ParkBig Bend Ranch State ParkBlack Gap Wildlife Management AreaLower Canyons Wild & Scenic Rio GrandeCañón de Santa Elena Flora and Fauna Protection AreaOcampo Flora and Fauna Protection AreaMaderas del Carmen The film:  "The Border & the Wall" from Fin & Fur FilmsUS Customs & Border Protection, Texas border wall map GROUPS WORKING ON TOPICNo Big Bend Border WallNational Parks Conservation Association   REGIONAL MEDIABig Bend SentinelMarfa Public Radio PREVIOUS RIVER RADIUS EPISODESThe US Mexico Border, the Rio Grande, a Floating FencePart 1 Tijuana River, Binational FlowPart 2 Tijuana River, Source of the PollutionPart 3 Tijuana River, Solutions   THE RIVER RADIUSWebsiteRunoff signup (episode newsletter)InstagramFacebookApple PodcastSpotifyLink Tree

Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:A crowd of over 2,000 protestors - and speakers of a surprisingly bipartisan range - took part in a Saturday demonstration against purported plans by the Trump administration to build border walls through Big Bend National Park and other sensitive parts of the region: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/05/texas-capitol-protest-big-bend-border-wall...Assurances that the Trump administration is not planning a physical wall have not been enough to assuage worries: https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/03/texas-border-wall-big-bend-national-park-ranch-state-park/Trump's FEMA head is a longtime Texas misinformation peddler who claimed recently on a podcast to have "teleported" into a Georgia Waffle House restaurant: https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-fema-teleporting-22186446.phpGovernor Greg Abbott has taken heat - but offered no retraction or apology - for sharing a fake AI image of the rescue of downed American fighter pilots in Iran on Easter Sunday: https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-gov-abbott-blasted-sharing-ai-generated-22190447.phpProgress Texas is the media partner of the Texas Nature and Clean Energy Summit, hosted by Environment Texas, at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on Tuesday April 7! RSVP to join us: ⁠⁠https://environmentamerica.org/texas/center/events/texas-nature-and-clean-energy-summit/⁠⁠We're excited to see YOU in Dallas for our 16th anniversary celebration on Tuesday June 16! Make your reservation now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://act.progresstexas.org/a/anniversary2026⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Progress Texas is expanding into both broadcast radio - including a new partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KPFT-FM in Houston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - and into Spanish language media! Make a tax-deductible contribution to our radio initiative ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and to our Spanish expansion ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://progresstexas.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

 This episode's guests:Johan Eklöf, Author of Darkness Manifesto.Chetna Misra, Lightbahn.Leo Smith, ReduceLP.comBill's News Picks:  SMITH, LEO F v. MULLINS, RAHEEM L Et Al, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch.  The border wall is closing in on Big Bend, sparking opposition by locals, Martha Psowski, Inside Climate News.  New planning rules threaten Kaikōura's dark sky status – council, 1 News.  ‘The normal should be darkness': why one Belgian national park is turning off ‘pointless' streetlights, Phoebe Weston, The Guardian.  Blue light filters don't work, Patrick Mineault, Neuroai.science. Send Feedback Text to the Show!Support the showA hearty thank you to all of our paid supporters out there. You make this show possible.For only the cost of one coffee each month you can help us to continue to grow. That's $3 a month. If you like what we're doing, if you think this adds value in any way, why not say thank you by becoming a supporter!Why Support Light Pollution News?Receive quarterly invite to join as live audience member for recordings with special Q&A session post recording with guests.Receive all of the news for that month via a special Supporter monthly mailer.Satisfaction that your support helps further critical discourse on this topic.About Light Pollution News:Ever wonder why migrating birds crash into buildings? Or why you can't sleep at night? What about where you can still see the Milky Way? Light Pollution News explores how our 24/7 lit world affects everything from wildlife and human health to our understanding of the stars, travel, and the future of our cities. Host Bill McGeeney brings on rotating guests to help dig into the latest research, policy activity, and real-world solutions - from how irresponsible lighting degrades our health to the best dark sky destinations for your next trip. Whether you're a birder, conservationist, astrophotographer, or just someone who misses sleeping in darkness, this is the show that connects the dots between your disappear...

In Big Bend, Texas, residents across party lines are voicing strong opposition to the Trump administration's plans for a new border wall, arguing it would disrupt communities and threaten a beloved region along the Rio Grande. USA TODAY National News Reporter Lauren Villagran traveled to Big Bend and joins The Excerpt to share their concerns.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we turn our attention to Big Bend—one of the most remote and ecologically significant regions in Texas—amid renewed national debate over plans to build a border wall through Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and surrounding areas. The episode addresses the longstanding local opposition to the wall, the potential impacts on the natural landscape, and what the proposal could mean for communities and businesses in West Texas.Bob is joined by Brewster County Judge Greg Henington, Tara Shackelford of Hidden Dagger Adventures, and Sam Stavanoha, owner of the French Company Grocer and organizer of nobigbendwall.org. Together, they provide insight into the local response, the risks faced by residents and entrepreneurs, and the complicated political landscape influencing the debate.They discuss:• Why locals say Big Bend's natural barriers render a wall unnecessary• The environmental, economic, and cultural consequences of wall construction in the region• The role of technology as an alternative to physical barriers along the border• Grassroots efforts and local government resolutions opposing the wall• How potential changes could affect tourism, private landowners, and daily life in West TexasIf you are interested in participating in either of the protests happening on Saturday, April 4, visit www.savebigbendatx.org for the Austin protest and nobigbendwall.org for the Big Bend protest.For San Antonio and Texas listeners, this episode provides a close look at the intersection of national policy, local experience, and the fragile ecology of a cornerstone Texas landscape.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #160. How a Polluted Lake Became a Wildlife Haven in San Antonio – Discover the remarkable rebirth of Mitchell Lake as Cory Ames and Erin Magerl reveal how a former sewage dump is now a vital wildlife sanctuary. This episode connects conservation on the borderlands to urban ecological renewal in San Antonio, showing what's possible when communities rally to protect natural treasures.-- --CONNECT

In this episode, host Chris Clarke engages in an enlightening conversation with Laiken Jordahl from the Center for Biological Diversity. Focusing on the contentious issue of border wall construction, Jordahl sheds light on the potential threats posed by the Department of Homeland Security's proposed developments near Big Bend National Park in Texas. This discussion is not just a critique of environmental degradation but also highlights the unique coalition of local residents opposing these plans, emphasizing the union of diverse communities in protecting the Rio Grande's ecological integrity. Jordahl articulates the environmental and social impact of the wall, touching on topics like endangered species, cultural connections, and community resilience. With references to biodiversity in the region, the conversation also delves into the critical role local communities play in safeguarding public lands. From agave blooms to wildlife threats and the interruption of the natural landscape, the dialogue underscores an urgent call to action. Through poignant anecdotes and insightful commentary, this episode captures the essence of grassroots activism and cross-border unity in the face of federal infrastructure challenges. Note for AI skeptics: the episode artwork was created with Photoshop and a human brain. Key Takeaways: Local communities in Big Bend are uniting against proposed border wall construction, citing environmental, cultural, and economic concerns. The coalition opposing the wall includes diverse stakeholders, from conservative ranchers to progressive environmentalists, all valuing the region's unique ecological and cultural landscape. Proposed border wall construction risks significant ecological damage, including threats to endangered species and water access within the Rio Grande. The episode explores the cross-border cultural and environmental exchanges that define the Big Bend region’s identity, threatened by potential development. Activist efforts and community resilience offer a hopeful prospect for halting destructive infrastructure projects along the U.S.-Mexico border. Notable Quotes: "They don't want to see their mountains dynamited and their native plants bulldozed and destroyed." - Laiken Jordahl "All of the local sheriffs, including a number of very conservative Republicans who run and campaign on border security issues, oppose this wall." - Laiken Jordahl "The Rio Grande, it's really a river in recovery. And we have an opportunity to restore this river and allow for the recovery of so many native species." - Laiken Jordahl "Once you see the grandeur, the remoteness, the rugged beauty of this region, there's no way you're not going to fight like hell to protect it." - Laiken Jordahl "These are not professional organizers. These are not paid NGO actors. These are people fighting for their livelihoods." - Laiken Jordahl Resources: No Big Bend Wall on Instagram Follow Laiken Jordahl on social media for updates on border issues: Twitter, Instagram. Center For Biological Doiversity press release: Congress Urged to Block Border Wall Construction Through Texas’ Big Bend Parks Listen to the full episode of "90 Miles from Needles" for an in-depth discussion on the environmental and social dimensions of border wall construction, and stay tuned for more insightful conversations on desert protection and advocacy.Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As data centers expand across the state, so does the need for energy. More power plants are popping up with Texas at the center of the AI data center boom.The federal government gives its first briefing on a new border wall planned in the Big Bend region.He helped U.S. troops during the war in Afghanistan […] The post How Texas plans to power its AI data center boom appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A secretive project to build a long water barrier in the Rio Grande is revealed as letters go out to landowners to build a Big Bend border wall. We'll hear what locals are thinking. Look up to the sky: It’s a boom, it’s a flash… and a crash through a roof north of Houston. A […] The post Meteor over Texas leaves debris, questions appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

During this week's public lands news briefing on the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we have two feature stories for you. What we cover this week:1. Oak Flat, a sacred indigenous site and popular rock climbing destination in central Arizona, was transferred to a multinational mining company featuring Jason Keith from the Access Fund.2. Southern Texas is battling to protect Big Bend National Park and the surrounding landscapes from the proposed border wall, featuring Bob Krumenaker, a core member of Keep Big Bend Wild and former superintendent of Big Bend National Park. And no, this is not all that's happened with public lands this week. So, as always, make sure you're subscribed to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com for more in-depth public lands and outdoor industry sustainability news. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist⁠⁠⁠Listener Survey: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠------------Episode ResourcesSave Oak Flat: https://www.accessfund.org/action-alerts/save-oak-flatKeep Big Bend Wild: https://keepbigbendwild.org/No Big Bend Wall: https://nobigbendwall.org/CPB Smart Wall Map: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/smart-wall-mapNPCA: https://act.npca.org/page/94625/action/1?ea.tracking.id=ActionCenter

This week in national park news: The National Park Service reports 323 million recreation visits in 2025 (down 2.7% from 2024), Mount Rushmore will host fireworks for the U.S. 250th anniversary amid ongoing regional wildfire concerns. A new CBP map no longer shows a primary border wall through Big Bend, instead labeling the area as detection technology, while Big Bend's Chisos Basin will close starting May 1 for up to two years for lodge replacement and water infrastructure work. Lawmakers introduce the Save Our Sequoias Act to fund reforestation, monitoring, and forest management after major tree losses, and Indiana will add all-terrain track chairs to every state park at no cost. 00:00 Big Changes Ahead 00:34 2025 Park Visitation Report 02:19 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Return 04:08 Big Bend Border Wall Update 05:41 Chisos Basin Two-Year Closure 07:03 Save Our Sequoias Act 08:47 Indiana Parks Accessibility Upgrade 09:46 Wrap Up And Thanks

A group of girls are guided to safety by an unknown force, strange objects in the sky, a pair of ghosts, and more.Stories in this episode:- Saved By a Ghost, by Sarungasie22- Gerald's Thermostat, by Alex- Weird Encounters in Big Bend, by exloringtheworld- Footsteps in the Hall, by Renata- Weird Object in the Sky, by Other-Flamingo-3503- Something Was in the Field, JimSubmissions: stories@oddtrails.comPrefer an ad-free experience? Support the show on Patreon for $5 a month and enjoy higher quality audio. We appreciate you.For a limited time Hollow Socks is having a Buy 2, Get 2 Free Sale. Head to Hollowsocks.com today to check it out. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. You can support our show and tell them we sent you.  #HollowSockspod Connect with us on Instagram and the Odd Trails Discord.Find more Cryptic County shows at CrypticCountyPodcasts.com.

One of the best places to ride in Texas is Big Bend. It's an expansive area in the southwestern U.S. that features mountains, deserts and canyons carved by the Rio Grande River. Big Bend National Park serves as the centerpiece, stretching for 1,250 square miles. A recent visit revealed the area's rugged beauty and timeless appeal. Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Little DMT weekend recap from the Big Bend of Texas and some C-Lo Scramble talk with Sweatshop Ind.Good Times MotorcycleDMTDanger Dan's Talk ShopMCshopTsLowbrow CustomsKnives Made By Nick Permalink

Texas lawmakers did not get through a ban on THC sales this past legislative session, but new rules restricting them are about to go into effect.There’s been some confusing back and forth from the Trump administration on what exactly a border wall might look like in Big Bend.Another Texas university is making changes to race […] The post Texas ban on smokable cannabis products looms appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Artie Ahier developed a fascination with all things polar after reading Endurance at age 13. The harrowing story of Shackleton's Antarctic misadventure so gripped young Artie that he spent his whole life dreaming of one day experiencing that desolate, people-less land. Raised in his family's restaurant in a small New Brunswick town on Canada's Restigouche River, Artie always found happiness in nature on the water. His family didn't travel much, so his original seed of exploring the big world was sown in his best friend's living room reading National Geographic. By a series of happy accidents, Artie made his way into the hospitality business and married a chef. Their life  became one big, glorious adventure. Together, they skippered motor yachts through Florida and the Caribbean, ran hotels and a luxury guest Ranch in the remote Big Bend of Texas and opened an award-winning restaurant on Vancouver Island, where Artie has lived since 2000. Their restaurant, SoBo (Sophisticated Bohemian) was named a Zagat top 100 restaurant in Canada in 2007. For Artie, the theme was always the same, take great care of the guests and show them what natural treasures abound ... whether serving "grassroots gourmet" cuisine or leading bird, bat and nature walks. Artie's life took a hard turn when he woke up at 50 and realized he just wasn't happy. His marriage had run its course and the restaurant business had burned him out. "I have a love of isolation in nature. The ocean and coastline of the world is my mistress," he mused. This pull toward nature and the water brought him back to skippering boats on whale, bear and bird watching tours in British Columbia, as he said goodbye to his marriage and the restaurant world. Then a phone call took him back to his childhood dream - an opportunity to guide nature tours and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) expeditions in Antarctica. Artie didn't think twice. In 2017, just past fifty, he made his fantasy reality and joined the expedition leadership with renowned expedition cruise company Quark. Artie has been guiding in the pristine waters of the Arctic and Antarctica ever since. He spent over 200 days in the Arctic this past year, reveling as he shares his passion for the outdoors with others, helping them (including your host Stu and his family) better understand his favorite mystical frozen wilderness landscape. Artie is ecstatic to now live a life surrounded by nature on an almost daily basis. When not chasing birds he can be found on his SUP, listening to music and enjoying great food and wine, but not generally at the same time.Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us!We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com

Soup’s on at Arch Eats central, and George and Cheryl have a crock full of recommendations for where to get a delicious bowl. From the quintessential French onion to their favorite chili, the co-hosts dish on the best soups St. Louis has to offer, as well as which establishments are guaranteed to always have something delicious simmering in a stockpot. Whether the volatile weather has you craving something warm and soothing, a lighter lunch, or a cure for whatever ails you this time of year, their picks are sure to make your mealtime more delicious. Watch Arch Eats on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by STAGES St. Louis. STAGES is celebrating 40 years of Broadway-quality musical theatre right here in St. Louis. Join STAGES for a milestone season featuring the hilarious 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the return of the high-rolling charm, Guys and Dolls, and the powerful, heartwarming hit Come From Away. Get tickets. New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing! Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts. Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing podcasts@stlmag.com. Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag). Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com. Mentioned in this episode: Lazy River Grill, 631 Big Bend, Manchester, 636-207-1689 3Gerards Pizza South Grand Soup Crawl (February) Civil Life Brewing Co. (Soup Sundays), 3714 Holt, Tower Grove South, no listed phone Stellar Hog (brisket chili), 5623 Leona, Holly Hills, 314-481-8448 Colleen’s Cafe (Denver green chili), 7337 Forsyth, University City, 314-727-8427 DouDou Cafe (pho), 6318 Clayton, Richmond Heights, 314-952-2255 Fork & Stix (khao soi), 549 Rosedale, Skinker-DeBaliviere, 314-863-5572 Stew’s Food & Liquor (khao soi), 1862 S. 10th, Soulard, no listed phone Chiang Mai (khao soi), 8158 Big Bend, Webster Groves, 314-961-8889 Nudo House (Hebrew Hammer), Creve Coeur and Delmar Loop Union Loafers (chicken & rice), 1629 Tower Grove, Botanical Heights, 314-833-6111 Blueberry Hill (chicken noodle), 6504 Delmar, The Delmar Loop, 314-727-4444 Russell’s on Macklind (chicken noodle), 5400 Murdoch, Southampton, 314-553-9994 Brasserie by Niche (French onion), 4580 Laclede, Central West End, 314-454-0600 Truffles (French onion), 9202 Clayton, Ladue, 314-567-9100 Shay’s Creole Smokehouse (gumbo), 912 S. Main, St. Charles, 314-852-2803 Sister Cities Cajun (seafood gumbo), 3550 S. Broadway, Marine Villa, 314-405-0447 The Gin Room (osh), 3200 S. Grand, Tower Grove East, 314-771-3411 Lona’s Lil Eats (Hill Tribe Soup), 2199 California, Fox Park, 314-925-8938 Robin Restaurant (whitefish chowder), 7268 Manchester, Maplewood, no listed phone Levels Nigerian Cuisine (pepper & goat, egusi), 1405 Washington, Downtown West, 314-571-9990 Peel Wood Fired Pizza (smoked tomato bisque, wild mushroom), Multiple locations Straub’s (selection), Multiple locations Companion Cafe (selection), 9781 Clayton, Ladue, 314-218-2280 Bike Stop Cafe (soup flight), 701 S. Riverside, St. Charles, 636-724-9900 You may also enjoy: The best soups in St. Louis Must-try parish fish fries in St. Louis Restaurants where you can get your fish fry fix in St. Louis More episodes of Arch Eats Shop Arch Eats merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: TX23's Rep.Tony Gonzales gives it up but he sure doesn't sound very repentant to me in his official statement. That makes Brandon Herrera the TX23 GOP nominee. This adds to other races that move Texas' GOP congressional delegation more conservative.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.If you missed it, go listen on this Alamo Day: Rick Range: What really happened to David Crockett at the Alamo? – Pratt on Texas 12/18/2025Paxton's offer on national Voter I.D. hands Trump a much bigger lever over Senate leadership and he's already using it. Could this gift to Trump play in his senate race endorsement decision?Oil and gas rig count rises in Texas but not elsewhere.Sheets is promising to do something that is as unethical as he claims Sid Miller would do: Sheets promise to fire “every one of the cancerous people that were pro-Sid” in the Texas Dept. of Agriculture. That statement goes well beyond the traditional few at the top that normally change.Trump administration signals change in course on Big Bend border wall. Appeasing the rich and influential at our expense?Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com

Chris talks with Alpine Mayor Catherine Eaves about:A resolution recently passed by the Alpine City Council opposing the proposed border wall in the Big Bend region,Alpine's commitment to protecting the Big Bend's Dark Skies, including the upcoming deadline to begin enforcement of the City's night sky friendly lighting ordinance, andThe City's pending purchase of an iconic downtown property using Hotel Tax funds as an annex to the Alpine Visitor Center.

Trump says no negotiations with Iran and demands unconditional surrender. Big Bend is in the crosshairs of conservation and border security. And data centers are pressured to use renewable energy.

This week in national park news: Mount Rainier National Park has officially dropped its timed entry reservation system for 2026 — joining Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier in abandoning the pandemic-era crowd management experiment. Meanwhile, one of Yellowstone's most unusual geothermal features — Echinus Geyser — has suddenly begun erupting again after years of dormancy. We also cover: • A fatal incident near the Kīlauea caldera in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park • A controversial proposal to build new border barriers through Big Bend National Park • One of the best wildflower blooms in Death Valley since 2016 • A strange act of vandalism at Big Sur's famous Calla Lily Valley • Possible campground closures in Washington state parks • And the opening of a brand-new Texas state park for the first time in 24 years 00:00 Intro 00:46 Mount Rainier Drops Timed Entry 02:01 Hawaii Volcano Fatal Incident 02:57 Yellowstone Geyser Returns 04:47 Big Bend Border Wall Proposal 06:58 Death Valley Wildflower Bloom 08:14 Big Sur Flower Vandalism 09:46 Washington Campground Cuts 10:58 Texas Opens New State Park 12:05 Wrap Up

In this episode of The Other Side of Campus, hosts Jen Moon and Katie Dawson speak with Charles Di Piazza from the UT School of Architecture about his Rural Architecture Studio course. Charles takes students to Terlingua, near Big Bend National Park, where they work alongside local partners to explore sustainable design rooted in place.From earthen construction and compressed earth blocks to the design of potential teacher housing for the local school district, the studio invites students to connect ideas with material practice. Along the way, they learn how environmental constraints, traditional building knowledge, and community collaboration can shape better architecture.Professor Di Piazza describes the project as an “experiment in reciprocity,” where knowledge flows in both directions between the university and rural Texas communities. The result is a powerful model for experiential learning, sustainable design, and meaningful engagement beyond campus.The Fall 2025 class description...Earthen Grounds: Graduate Studio in West TexasIn partnership with Bob Estrin, Director of the School of Constructive Arts (SCA) in Alpine, Charles Di Piazza leads this new graduate design studio, building on the work in Marathon, Texas. Earthen Grounds brings Di Piazza's interest in vernacular architecture, massive construction, and courtyard housing and combines it with Estrin's focus on regenerative design and hands-on building practices.The studio asks students to envision new models of sustainable housing and walkable communities for dryland environments. Beginning with the study of precedents spanning nearly 9,000 years, students will explore the fundamental relationships between people, climate, space, and place before applying their research to a site in the Chihuahuan Desert near SCA. The class includes a trip to Big Bend to participate in an earthen construction workshop on the SCA campus.The studio's research and proposals aim to generate ideas for affordable housing in the Big Bend region and beyond. This work is supported by a grant from the Still Water Foundation, whose generosity makes this collaboration possible.CreditsHosts: Jen Moon & Katie DawsonMusic by various artists: "Arizona Moon" by Blue Dot Sessions, "Lyanetha" by John Bartmann, "Help Me" by Eme HacheTheme track: "Soul Sync" by KetsaExecutive Producer: Michelle Daniel

On Friday, President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to immediately cease their use of the artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic's technology after it declined to allow the Pentagon unrestricted access to its models. Later in the day, Defense Secretary Hegseth directed the Pentagon to designate Anthropic as a “supply chain risk to national security,” which he said would bar contractors, suppliers, or partners doing business with the U.S. military from conducting commercial activity with Anthropic. Shortly after, OpenAI announced it had agreed to let the Pentagon use its AI models within classified systems. Ad-free podcasts are here!To listen to this podcast ad-free, and to enjoy our subscriber only premium content, go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!A special report.We know that all eyes are on Iran right now, but we also wanted to highlight a special report from West Texas we broke over the weekend. Last week, the Trump administration waived a series of environmental laws and regulations to begin awarding contracts for border wall construction in Texas's Big Bend region, where Tangle Executive Editor Isaac Saul owns land. Isaac wrote about what he's hearing from residents, the reason he's opposed to a wall, and why he hopes Trump abandons the plan. This is a special report, available for free to all readers. You can read it here. You can read today's podcast⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠, our “Under the Radar” story ⁠here and today's “Have a nice day” story ⁠here⁠.You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Take the survey: What do you think of the military partnering with AI services? Let us know.Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by: Isaac Saul and audio edited and mixed by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Lindsey Knuth, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday's show: We have the latest news on voter turnout during primary election day.Also this hour: Houston didn't make the headlines like Minneapolis or Los Angeles for aggressive immigration enforcement this past year, but it felt the impact. More than one in seven Houston-area residents personally know someone who was detained and potentially deported in 2025. We discuss new surveys from Rice University's Kinder Institute on how Houstonians' attitudes toward immigration enforcement are shifting.Then, retired astronaut Butch Wilmore joins us to talk about his career, including the nine months he spent on the ISS when his mission was originally only supposed to last eight days.Then, we discuss why the Trump administration wants to extend the Texas border wall through Big Bend National Park.And we learn about a Texas Tech University archaeology team's recent discovery of a long-lost Spanish mission site, which sheds new light on missionary life in Texas during the 1700s.Watch

Big Bend National Park lately has drawn a lot of national attention, and not in a good way. Recently the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announced that it wanted to build some sort of border wall along all or part of the 118 miles of border the national park shares with Mexico. Is that a good idea? Will it adversely impact the park? Can it even be done? To discuss those and other questions, our guest today is Bob Krumenaker, whose long Park Service career included a stint as Big Bend's superintendent. Bob also is chair of the Keep Big Bend Wild organization that is pushing to see a large portion of the park designated as official wilderness. 

During this week's public lands news briefing on the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we have three feature stories for you. And no, this is not all that's happened with public lands this week. So, as always, make sure you're subscribed to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com for more in-depth public lands and outdoor industry sustainability news. What We Cover:1. Plans for a border wall through the Big Bend region of West Texas are moving forward with special guest Wes Siler2. Steve Pearce's confirmation hearing to become the director of the BLM before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee happened on Wednesday, February 25th with commentary from Aaron Weiss (Western Priorities) 3. Department of the Interior announced it is moving forward with Public Land Order No. 7966, reopening roughly 2.1 million acres of federal land in Alaska's Dalton Utility Corridor to mining claims and other developmentFederal Register: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=e34e2bf5-a7f2-f011-8407-001dd803d7d3&_gl=1*1rsn16j*_ga*Njg5MjAxOTc5LjE3NzEwMDkwMTQ.*_ga_GQKKTMMT8V*czE3NzE2MjQ5NDIkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzE2MjUwNDQkajYwJGwwJGgwInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist⁠⁠⁠Listener Survey: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Notes