It was a leap of faith. At 25, Mordecai Gonzalez-Rodriguez left a stable job at Goodwill, where he spent his days helping others build resumes, apply for jobs and navigate career changes. His future was comfortable, but he wanted something different. He had been considering a career in the skilled trades, even though he had little mechanical experience and no formal technical training. Then he saw a flyer advertising a free workforce training program through Texas State Technical College’s The WorkSITE.

In a world of self-assembled bookshelves, disposable coffee tables and next-day furniture delivery, a growing number of people are choosing a different path: investing in handcrafted furniture. For consumers weary of replacing sagging sofas and wobbly dining sets that rarely survives a move, heirloom-quality craftsmanship offers an appealing alternative. While custom furniture often carries a higher price tag, advocates say the investment pays dividends in durability, beauty and longevity....

On a weeknight in Waco, the pop of a pickleball bounces off a paddle, the low thump of a basketball echoes and a burst of laughter rings out from somewhere near the sideline. One person sets down their drink while someone else arrives for a game where they don’t yet know they’ll stay for longer than expected. And after the friendly competition ends, hugs and high fives are given as plans are made to do it again soon.

As Oklahoma cities invest in dog parks and pet-friendly spaces, residents are finding new ways to build community alongside their four-legged companions.Tails are wagging across Oklahoma as dog parks are becoming an increasingly important part of community design, offering safe, social spaces for both pets and their owners. From Oklahoma City to Tulsa and beyond, cities are investing in new and upgraded dog-friendly amenities, as more residents view pets as part of the family and seek outdoor ga...

Tucked behind the gates of Tulsa’s coveted Trees addition, this storied estate on Columbia Circle stands as one of the city’s finest examples of timeless architecture and enduring craftsmanship. Designed in 1940 by celebrated architect John Duncan Forsyth for the prominent Howard Whitehill family, the stone-and-frame residence remains a landmark of elegance more than eight decades later. “With its stone construction and slate roof, this home really is over the top stunning,” says Peter Walter...

A true showstopper, this Disney-inspired home, recently featured on the Tulsa Parade of Homes tour, is more than a residence, it’s an experience. Spanning more than 11,000 square feet, the custom build blends high-end luxury with immersive, storybook design where nearly every space has its own personality. “The owner told me from the start of the project that because she is a multifaceted person, she wanted to build a home that reflects all those layers of her personality,” says Tulsa homebui...

In Tulsa’s coveted Forest Hills neighborhood, homebuilder Gant Hinkle has created a striking contemporary residence that blends bold design with deeply personal intention.Built in just under a year, the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home stands apart from traditional Tulsa architecture, offering a fresh, modern perspective rooted in craftsmanship and lifestyle. While his first personal build leaned toward broad market appeal, this home wa...

Tucked into one of Midtown Tulsa’s most desirable neighborhoods, this strikingly modern home is as much about its surroundings as it is its architecture. Perched within a dramatically terraced, tree-filled lot that slopes toward a creek, the residence was designed to feel both expansive and connected to nature. The project began as a teardown. After early consultations, architect Richard Winn, builder David Trebilcock and the homeowners determined the exi...

It feels as if no matter who you are, you can find your community in Waco — that little corner of our city that is your respite, your haven. Maybe it’s the family-friendly spaces like that welcome young readers to a weekly story time or the recently discovered special little picnic spot along the river. Or it’s the people that make an impact — the professors, the leaders, the voices we hear on the radio. Perhaps, even, it’s the little escapes we find like a cocktail class or an art fair. Evey year, we gather all these little spaces to share with you, our readers. It’s a glimpse into the diversity of Waco. From different professions, various walks of life, differing stages of life, our team and contributors bring just a handful of the reasons why we love Waco.

In a life shaped by cross-country moves, demanding jobs and a growing family, Shamira Chaney is calm, centered and optimistic. Chaney and her husband, former NFL linebacker and Baylor University linebacker coach Jamar Chaney, have four beautiful children — Rhaelyn, 12; Eli, 10; Leo, 5; and Teo, 3. Three of them are on the autism spectrum — a reality that has not only shaped her perspective, but inspired her to share her journey and how she’s learned to create stability, purpose and joy in the midst of constant change.

As student mental health needs continue to rise, school districts across Oklahoma are building more comprehensive systems to support students — recognizing that academic success depends on far more than what happens in the classroom. At Tulsa Public Schools, that work has been years in the making. The district has developed a layered approach that combines social-emotional learning, on-campus support and extensive community partnerships. “We sort of built that foundation of resiliency and...

For generations, libraries have been quiet cornerstones of their communities, places where shelves of books hold the promise of discovery. But in an era defined by an overhaul of digital infrastructure, libraries are being challenged to redefine their role.  Rather than fading away, many are evolving in creative ways, blending tradition with technology to remain essential gathering places for learning, connection and curiosity. From major urban systems to small-town branches, libraries are pr...

Like the long-awaited winds that allowed the Greek fleet to sail for Troy, a local playwright’s career-spanning work of theater will blow, sweep and surge onto the stage this month in a rare world premiere at McLennan Community College (MCC). “The Song of Iphigenia,” written by 20-year MCC English professor Nick Webb, is the culmination of a five-year writing process and a love of Greek tragedy that began during his college years in the late 1980s and ‘90s. Adapted from “The Oresteia,” a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies by Aeschylus, the play confronts ethical dilemmas and societal change, reflecting challenges that remain strikingly relevant today.

A cornerstone of 1980s suburban life, the mall was once a place for teenagers to hang out, parents to browse and where culture took shape under fluorescent lights. But these sprawling retail hubs now sit at the crossroads of nostalgia and necessity, and are being reimagined not only as places to shop, but also as places to gather and connect.

In an age of communities where neighbors often remain strangers, seasoned homebuilder Steve Sorrells is quietly reviving a lost art: the front porch. Designed not just as an architectural detail but as an invitation, Sorrells believes homes with porches on the street side — where conversations linger, children ride bikes until dusk and people know each others’ names, not just house numbers — bring back a sense of belonging that once defined American neighborhoods.

With youth behavioral health challenges — anxiety, depression, trauma and ADHD — on the rise, Waco ISD is working to give its students access to professionals who can help them address issues before they get in the way of education and success. “When there’s anxiety, there’s emotional dysregulation — and those two pieces combined are really challenging for students,” Waco ISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa King-Knowles said. “They are challenging for adults, but when children don’t necessarily have fully developed coping skills, it can be even more challenging. When you don’t feel safe, you’re not going to learn because you don’t have a sense of security to take those risks that learning requires.”

It was a typical Wednesday morning for local veterinarian Ray Emerson, 85. Shortly after arriving at the clinic at 7:45 a.m., he stepped into an exam room and helped a family make the difficult decision to euthanize their very sick 13-year-old chocolate Lab named Luke. With a steady hand, he put his 60 years of experience to work with as much heart and compassion as someone just beginning their career — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have never planned on retirement,” Emerson said. “I have people all the time saying, ‘Well, why don’t you retire and just enjoy life?’ I tell them I am enjoying life.”

Caring for both body and mind becomes a powerful way to stay steady, strong and independent as people age. Five areas of focus: mind, mobility, medications, multi-complexity and what matters most – help healthcare providers deliver holistic, patient-centered care, addressing the unique needs of older adults by looking beyond individual diseases to their overall well-being, according to Kathy Thompson, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Reynolds Section of Geriatric Medicine at the...

When each day starts within any Oklahoma public school this year, the only ringing that will be heard is the school bell, thanks to Senate Bill 139, which passed before the start of the 2025-26 school year. From the first bell at the start of the day until the dismissal bell, personal electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets and smart glasses – are prohibited. It’s a step lawmakers and school administrators are taking to keep students on track in th...

The holiday season is a time when homes feel warmer, families gather closer, and traditions take center stage. Some traditions are rooted in generations-old customs, passed down like treasured heirlooms. Others are newer rituals—born from changing times or the simple desire to create moments that matter. Two Waco families — the Bauers and the Youngs — share how their family traditions bind them to their history, their faith, their community and to each other.