Welcome, friends.

I have been serving the people of Henderson County, Texas, since 1993. Along the way, I was named the North and East Texas Press Association Journalist of the Year four times.

A lot has changed since my first byline, and I no longer work in a newsroom, but newspaper ink still runs in my blood.

I created this site so I can write about local events and sports. I mainly concentrate on what's happening in Athens and countywide topics.

Why this format?

I have created multiple successful sites on Facebook over the years, but news on social media has become noisy and combative. I wanted a more personal platform.

The blog and email format allows you, the reader, to decide how you want to engage with a particular story. You can respond to me directly, share with your friends, or post publicly. ... Or you can just read and never worry about what somebody else has to say.

I’ve chosen Substack because it combines web, email, and podcasting in a unique way that works well for creators and readers.

I hope to see you in your inbox soon,

Michael V. Hannigan

Disclosure

I work for the City of Athens as a public information officer and in tourism. I also work with Henderson County government agencies like Commissioners Court, the Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office. Some emails will include information from these clients.