Features – The Patriot Talon

Ollie’s Skate Shop Rocks on as Hub for Music Scene

May 26, 2026 Danny Mogle

By NORAH DE LEON/Contributor LONGVIEW — During the week, Ollie’s Skate Shop in downtown Longview caters to customers looking for decks, wheels, apparel, and protective gear. But when the weekend arrives, the shop transforms into something [Read More…]

Baseball Team Pulls Off Miracle Night with Special Guests

May 26, 2026 Danny Mogle

By BROCK BEARDEN/Contributor A crowd filled Irwin Field April 17 as UT Tyler hosted Miracle League Night, bringing together athletes, families and the local community for more than just baseball. “It was a fun night [Read More…]

Q&A with Gina Hinojosa and James Talarico

February 25, 2026 Mateus Ferreira

Story by MATEUS FERREIRA/Head Writer Photos by KARLEIGH YANCY/ Editor in Chief Talon Student Media interviewed candidate for governor, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, and candidate for Texas Senate, Rep. James Talarico. Here is how they [Read More…]

LIGHTS, CAMERA, COMMUNITY: How One Man Went Looking for Friends and Found a Place to Belong

December 11, 2025 The Patriot Talon

By KARLEIGH YANCY/Editor-in-Chief On March 10, 2025. Trevor Hicks had lived in Tyler for one year and one week. Besides his girlfriend, Molly Barlow, Trevor had no friends here. Trevor wanted to change that. So, on [Read More…]

ROLLING THE DICE: With Game Play, You Can Vanquish a War Lord, Make a Friend at Same Time

December 9, 2025 The Patriot Talon

By JIM RASBERRY/Staff Writer Editor’s Note: Jim Rasberry is an avid D&D player. You enter the lord’s chamber of Waterdeep, a massive room of painted stone that once was the seat of the great city’s [Read More…]

Mother Nature Provides Calm Refuge for Neighbors

November 8, 2025 The Patriot Talon

Multimedia journalist ORION BAKER talks with residents in one neighborhood about the get from spending time outdoors. Click the link below. ob – audio story

Caldwell Zoo Scares up Fun With Halloween Festivities

October 26, 2025 The Patriot Talon

Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo adds decorations, special event to celebrate the Halloween season. Audio story by LEIGH MEYERS

¡Arriba! The Rose City Fiesta

October 23, 2025 The Patriot Talon

By VICTORIA OLIVARES/Staff Writer The community of Tyler came together during Hispanic Heritage month to celebrate the Rose City Fiesta. The fiesta took place on Oct. 11 at Bergfeld Park. Hosted by the Tyler Hispanic [Read More…]

Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” Lifted the Curtain, but Was Her Writing Left Off Stage?

October 9, 2025 The Patriot Talon

By EVAN FERNANDEZ/Staff Writer Taylor Swift just released her highly anticipated 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which officially dropped at 12:01 a.m. EDT Oct. 3. The record features 12 tracks and runs for [Read More…]

Hughes Plant Farm Holds Fall Festival

October 9, 2025 The Patriot Talon

By ELLIE VALLERY/Copy Editor On Saturday, Oct. 4, Hughes Plant Farm held a fall festival that sprouted with autumn hues, live music and Tyler charm. Hughes Plant Farm is a family-owned and operated farm in [Read More…]