Features & News

: Justin Smith, an employee at SK Arms, handles an IWI Tavor rifle on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, at the store. The number of background checks conducted by gun stores has been increasing monthly for more than three months according to FBI statistics.

: Charles Robertson, a floor hand with Trinidad Drilling, jokes with a coworker while moving casing on a rack near Trinidad Drilling Rig 433 on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Midland County. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

: The Texas flag flies in front of a full moon August 20, 2013. August’s full moon, which rose on Tuesday can be correctly identified as a “Blue Moon,” because it is the third full moon in a season with four. Most of the seasons have only three Blue Moons.

: A fox peeks out of an alley separating the Navigator Oil and Minerals and the RK Petroleum buildings located on Main Street near downtown Midland the night of Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015.

: A Greater Roadrunner carries lunch in the form of a white-footed mouse across the back nine of Midland Country Club during the final day of the Midland Women’s City Golf Tournament on Thursday, July 16, 2015.

: Festival attendees cheer while Wade Bowen performs during the Crudefest music festival in Midland, Saturday, May 16, 2015.

: Lee High’s Andrew Floyd reacts after being named homecoming king during halftime of the homecoming football game against Odessa High on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at Grande Communications Stadium.

: Midland Classical Academy tutor Clete Seyle stands as the graduating class of 2015 is recognized during commencement Saturday, May 9, 2015 at MCA.

: Lightning strikes east of downtown Midland after thunderstorms swept across the area late July 30, 2014.

: Richard Fields, gunner aboard a B-24 during World War II, pauses to collect his thoughts while speaking about friends who were killed in action at a press conference Oct. 10, 2013 in the hospitality room of the Marriott Courtyard hotel in Midland.

: (STANDALONE ART TO RUN WITH WEATHER BRIEF) The Washington Park Aquatic Center opened its doors for the summer season on May 31, 2014.

: Srikar Chamarthi, representing Fasken Elementary, competes in the Midland Reporter-Telegram’s 29th Annual Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, in the Allison Fine Arts Building on the campus of Midland College.

: Jerry Cox stands with his collection of Mopar vehicles at his home garage, May 14, 2013. From left, 1972 Dodge Demon, 1958 Dodge D100 pickup, 2008 Dodge Viper ACR.

: Former first lady Laura Bush peeks around the curtain before the start of the JBS Public Leadership Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series where she was the guest speaker, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, at the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center.

: Zachary Sims, dressed as “Grey Dawg,” rests during during the first quarter of the Southern Illinois University vs Western Kentucky men’s basketball game, December 7, 2011 at the SIU Arena. Sims, a senior studying tourism administration at SIU, says that being a mascot is a very big secret. “I remember faces really well,” said Sims, “so I’ll know most of the people I take photos with and I’ll see them on campus, they have no idea.” For a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a mascot, see the multimedia presentation “Part of a team” at jamesdurbinmedia.com/multimedia.

: America’s Junior Miss scholarship contestants look on as Tennessee’s Junior Miss Katharine Kolp downs a raw oyster at Wintzell’s Oyster House in downtown Mobile, Al., June 22, 2009. An award was given to the scholarship pageant contestant who could eat the most oysters in one sitting.

: Donnell Allen, a sales associate at JCPenny, attempts to hand out coupon packets while being rushed by a crowd of Black Friday shoppers shortly after the doors opened at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, at Midland Park Mall. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram