Four people riding a trolley, one person taking notes, another taking photos, one speaking into a mic, and one holding the mic. The trolley is marked “Next Gen Radio” “St. Louis”

NEXT GEN RADIO IS A FIVE-DAY, AUDIO FOCUSED DIGITAL MEDIA PROJECT

OUR THEME FOR THIS PROJECT: MOMENTS OF TRUTH

An African American woman in black medical scrubs sits in a blue chair in front of an empty audience in a spotlight.

HOW IMPROV REIGNITED THIS NURSE’S PASSION

by PRISCILLA FOREMAN

After a decade in nursing, Tandiwe Kone needed an outlet from the daily stresses of work. She discovered that outlet on the improv stage, where she grew her identity and reignited her passion for nursing.

A spread of multiple photographs of Willie Nelson performing, people kayaking and more local photographs taken in San Marcos.

CAPTURING SAN MARCOS: HOW PHOTOGRAPHY HELPED HIM HEAL

by FELICITY GUAJARDO

Christopher Cardoza’s journey to San Marcos brought him back to the camera, his passion and purpose. After battling alcohol and substance abuse while working in Hollywood, he found a world of artistic possibility in San Marcos. Each photo he captures reflects his love for the community and anchors him in sobriety.

A woman speaks to coworkers in a bakery while she holds a baking sheet full of dough

PANPAN BAKERY MIXES HERITAGE, INNOVATION, AND COMMUNITY

by MICAELLI MAGDAY

After spending her teen years building a business, Laura Molinar opened a Mexican-Japanese fusion bakery at 20 years old. PanPan Bakery and Cafe now attracts both local and national attention after going viral on social media. From her milk bread conchas to horchata matchas, Molinar hopes to host an open and accepting environment for her diverse group of customers.

A close-up photo of hands holding crocheted ice skates slightly out of focus with the camera focused on items on a table: A book called “Buoy” with an illustration of a wave on the cover and a curly yellow fabric tape measure.

‘I HAVE BEFRIENDED GRIEF’: A DAUGHTER FINDS CLARITY AND DIRECTION

by MELISSA NGUYEN

Children’s book author Phuong Palafox honors her late mother’s life through storytelling as a way to process her grief, ensuring the memories of our loved ones live on even after they’re gone.

A man faces the mirror as he puts makeup on.

A DRAG QUEEN’S UNLIKELY JOURNEY TO FINDING HER TRUE SELF

by SOFIA SIERRA

Performing on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, drag queen La Dede Camacho is a beacon of light for the LGTBQ+ community on the Borderland. Before he was known as La Dede Camacho, Moroni DeAnda’s journey of finding himself in his youth, now allows him to radiate confidence towards himself and others.

WHY THIS PROUD TEXAN WANTS THE STATE TO EMBRACE LAB-GROWN MEAT

by JESSICA SHURAN YU

Longtime vegan and Austinite, Katie Kam is developing lab-grown barbecue brisket to create a more resilient food source as the agriculture industry faces environmental challenges. Some Texas lawmakers have taken a stance against the product, but Kam won’t let that stop her.