The electric SUV space is growing fast with a variety of options from brands you know and love and those that are new to every automotive space. From that space, the 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S feels different in a way that matters. Instead of overwhelming you with tech just to prove a point, Jeep knows its EV audience. They are dedicated to functional luxury, reliable performance and relatively seamless tech. With the Wagoneer S, Jeep delivered a vehicle focused on making the new technology feel intuitive, elevated, and actually fun to live with.

Most features inside are designed to support your day-to-day life while still feeling modern, luxurious, and future-forward. The mid-range battery delivered around 300 miles of range on a full charge, and the interior lives up to its heritage and feels like a Cherokee with dressed up in its Sunday finest.

Here are five of the features in the Wagoneer S that I enjoyed and helped it stand out from the pack.

A Digital Cockpit and Front Cabin That Feels Clean and Intentional

The moment you step inside the Jeep Wagoneer S, you realize that you are inside a good one. The digital cockpit sets the tone. Screens are expansive but thoughtfully laid out, creating a sense of clarity rather than clutter. Driving information, navigation, and media are easy to see and customize, which means your eyes stay where they should—on the road.

What I appreciate most is how natural it feels. The elevated feel of the interior shines with premium materials accented by an intuitive technology integration. This isn’t tech for the sake of tech. It’s designed to support confidence behind the wheel without demanding constant attention.

A Touchscreen Experience That’s Actually Easy to Use

The central touchscreen is responsive, quick, and refreshingly intuitive. No weird scrolling through endless screens to find the features that you use regularly. Wireless smartphone integration connects seamlessly while menus are simple to navigate, and controls respond instantly. There’s no lag, no unnecessary complexity—just smart design linked with the award-winning U-Connect System that respects your time and adds an extra layer of support.

A gorgeously clear camera makes parking and getting out of tight spaces a breeze. (Teia Collier)

This is the kind of system you can plug in and use immediately, whether you’re heading to a meeting or setting up navigation for an impromptu road trip.

Ambient Lighting That Changes the Mood

Ambient lighting is one of those features you don’t realize how much you love until you experience it and then wonder how did you not realize how fantastic of a gift that it is. In the Wagoneer S, it adds a calm, refined atmosphere—especially during nighttime drives. The cabin already feels relaxed, modern, and quietly luxurious with premium textures, cool contrasts and the signature cool imprint of Jeep echoes throughout.

Customizable ambient lighting adds a smooth touch of beauty to your daily drive experience. (Teia Collier)

It’s subtle, but it completely elevates how the interior feels, turning everyday drives into something more intentional and enjoyable.

Comfort Tech That Works in the Background

Smart details elevate the space.

Customizable drive modes make for a versatile drive experience.

The Wagoneer S rides on a nearly silent electric platform that delivers 500HP and an impressive 524lb-ft of torque in the tested Limited trim. The refined and modern SUV is packed with smart comfort and driver-assistance features that do their job quietly and effectively.

Charging is simple. (Teia Collier)

Digital climate controls, advanced safety systems, and the smooth nature of the electric powertrain all work together to create a calm driving experience. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is organized intuitively and serves as an access point for smartphone projection and information while there are additional screens for passenger entertainment and climate control.

Designed for Real Life in a Digital and Physical World

One of the Jeep brand's strengths is clearly thought design features that take into account how people actually live. USB ports are right where you expect them. Cupholders are where they need to be. Drive features are not hidden within complicated screens. Real knobs are still in use, and charging options are easy and accessible. Screens are integrated in a way that feels cohesive instead of overwhelming and confusing. Cargo spaces are generous and fully functional. The design overall is smart and ready for the stuff of real living.

A petite frunk is a smart use of the new available space in the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S. (Credit: Teia Collier)

Rear cargo space that makes sense and still leaves from for the rear seat to stay up and intact. (Teia Collier)

Whether I was doing the multi-school drop off lap, planning a road-trip, carrying for an elder generation or running daily errands, the Wagoneer S adapted effortlessly. I loved that it's tech that fit into my lifestyle instead of forcing me to adjust and adapt to it.

Final Thoughts

Elevated details bring the whole package together. (Teia Collier)

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S blends a smart combination of Jeep heritage and the innate luxury of an electric vehicle. It proves that advanced technology doesn’t have to feel cold or complicated, but rather functionally sound and premium without being stuffy or pretentious. It can be warm, intuitive, and beautifully designed with the added edge AWD performance. This is an electric SUV built for people who appreciate innovation but still want comfort, clarity of purpose and ease.

For more information on the 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, visit here.

2024 Jeep® Wagoneer S Launch Edition

To get a recommendation to a trusted dealer, let us know here.

Vernon Poche and the Ghosts of New Orleans

by Paul Siefkin

Narrated by Hamilton Clancy

Audiobook Review

The resilience and rich history of New Orleans are revealed through the exciting post-Katrina adventures of two spunky young residents.

Vernon Poche and the Ghosts of New Orleans is a unique and exciting story of two middle-grade explorers in the aftermath of Katrina. Both Vernon and Alisha are lifelong residents of the city and are facing relocation as the adults in their lives look elsewhere for their futures, believing New Orleans is incapable of recovering from the damage of the epic hurricane. Strangers before a chance meeting in the French Quarter, Vernon and Alisha join forces to hunt for rumored treasure with the help and hints of the city's more permanent and ghostly residents. 

The stories of both children are anguishing as they mourn their separate circumstances. Vernon's mother died from cancer some time before the storm, and he frequently visits her gravesite in town. He doesn't want to abandon her and her final resting place by moving with his father to another state. Alisha, who was visiting her grandparents outside the city when the storm struck, was separated from her mother when she was evacuated to Houston during the devastation. Her mother was about to realize her dream of being the featured chef at one of the city's iconic restaurants when the storm hit. 

Life takes an unexpected turn when Vernon meets the mysterious Marie Laveau and her companion, the unusual stray dog, Tonti, while visiting his mother's grave, while his father works downtown to restore necessary services. Following Marie's cryptic instructions and against his father's wishes and the warnings of the National Guardsmen patrolling the area,  Vernon bikes his way around town with Tonti in a box on his handlebars, where he meets the ghosts of some of New Orleans most notable former residents and, eventually, Alisha, who is scoping out the damage and hoping to talk to the restaurant owner to secure her mother's job. The ghostly residents share the rich and varied history of their unique city with the kids and encourage them to discover New Orleans' true treasures as the clock ticks down to Vernon's father's final departure for their new home out of state. 

The story is easy to follow and addictive to listen to. It was easy to get wrapped up in Vernon and Alisha's stories and want to know what was going to happen next. The author's portrayal of their adventures is enhanced by their personal struggles and worries, creating relatable characters for young readers or listeners. At times, the attitudes regarding the Confederate history of the area felt a little heavy-handed, such as when Alisha shuns Vernon for having had an ancestor who fought on that side during the war. However, this creates an excellent opportunity for parents and children to discuss the past and present realities. 

The audiobook edition is narrated by Hamilton Clancy, who gives each character a unique voice. He captured the differences in age, gender, and nationality so well that I often completely forgot this was one person performing them all. It was just as easy to believe I was listening to a famous gospel singer as it was to an 18^th-century pirate. While the narration's pace was adjustable, the default setting made it easy to understand and provided ample opportunities to pause as needed, without having to adjust the stopping point later. 

While, as a parent, I have reservations about a book that features children disobeying their parents, it does offer an opportunity to discuss this aspect of the story with my own. However, the disobedience advances the plot, and even Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys were known for taking similar liberties. Still, the dangerous chances Vernon embraces should be addressed. Other than that, the story is unique, mysterious, and ultimately happy. 

I recommend the audiobook edition of VERNON POCHE AND THE GHOSTS OF NEW ORLEANS to upper elementary and middle-grade-age listeners.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through AudiobookReviewer.com. 

On December 2^nd, more than 100 women gathered at a local Dallas country club to play mahjong while raising funds for Breakthrough T1D’s North Texas chapter. With a special visit from Santa Claus, the guests took photos with him amidst the festive decorations. They sipped beverages, enjoyed lunch and played three rounds of mahjong with special prizes for the winners.

Event co-chairs Leigh Burns and Lane Olson welcomed friends and attendees for this creative fundraiser. Burns welcomed everyone, and Olson told of her son who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Local Breakthrough T1D volunteer Adrian Traylor shared how her husband and two stepdaughters have type 1 diabetes and urged everyone to donate funds and purchase a raffle ticket. High school ambassador Donna Chen, who has type 1 diabetes, talked about how she deals with this condition while trying to be a normal student.  

Amy Camp, Breakthrough T1D Territory Director, added, “Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects nearly 1.5 million people in the United States, including over 200,000 children. And those numbers continue to grow. With your generosity, we can keep this momentum going and bring us to the day when Type 1 diabetes is a thing of the past.”

This lively event supported research, advocacy and programs that improve the lives of those affected by type 1 diabetes.

Special thanks to sponsors Leigh Burns, Penny Tower Cook, Rachel Finkbohner, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International.

About Breakthrough T1D: Founded in 1970 as the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) and renamed the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in 2001, the organization rebranded in 2024 as Breakthrough T1D to reflect a bold commitment to improving the lives of both children and adults living with type 1 diabetes. As the leading global organization driving T1D research, advocacy and community engagement, Breakthrough T1D accelerates progress toward cures and better treatments while making everyday life easier for everyone affected. The North Texas and Oklahoma Territory comprises the Dallas, Fort Worth and Oklahoma Chapters that host major fundraising events across the region, including the annual luncheon in Dallas, galas in Dallas, Fort Worth, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City as well as local walks in The Colony, Durant, Tulsa, Fort Worth, and Oklahoma City. Visit breakthrought1d.org/northtexasoklahoma, email northtexasoklahoma@BreakthroughT1D.org, or call 214-373-9808.

 (photo credit: Lisa Means) 

This holiday season, North Texas is invited to experience one of China’s most treasured living art forms as Tianyu Lights Festival illuminates Grand Prairie. Master lantern artisans from Zigong, Sichuan Province—renowned as the “Lantern Capital of the World”—have arrived to present a stunning collection of handcrafted lanterns, transforming the festival grounds at Texas Trust CU Theatre into a glowing world of Chinese mythology, folklore, and cultural tradition.

With a history spanning more than 1,000 years, Chinese lantern-making is far more than decoration—it is a rich storytelling art form rooted in symbolism, philosophy, and communal celebration. Tianyu Lights Festival represents the highest expression of this tradition, blending sculpture, painting, engineering, and narrative design into an immersive cultural experience.

Unlike modern light installations, every lantern featured at Tianyu Lights Festival is entirely handmade. Artisans construct steel frameworks by hand, wrap each form in silk, and meticulously paint every detail. Dragons symbolize power and prosperity, lotus flowers represent purity, and pandas reflect harmony with nature—each lantern carries cultural meaning passed down through generations.

“A lantern is never just a shape,” says Huiyuan Liu, Event Manager at Tianyu Lights Festival. “Each design tells a story deeply connected to Chinese culture. This is not simply a light show—it is living heritage.”

The artisans behind Tianyu Lights Festival are not assembling prefabricated displays; they are living bearers of an ancient tradition, trained through the centuries-old master-apprentice system known as Shi Fu–Tu Di.

“The work of our artisans is a performance in itself,” Liu explains. “They hand-shape the steel, stretch the silk, paint every detail, and adapt designs on-site. Just as importantly, they teach—sharing the meaning and techniques behind the art so its cultural essence is truly understood.”

Visitors are not simply viewing illuminated sculptures—they are witnessing a live cultural presentation, where craftsmanship, creativity, and storytelling converge.

In 2008, the Zigong Lantern Festival was officially designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, recognizing its irreplaceable cultural value. While themes have evolved to reflect modern influences and global audiences, the core techniques remain unchanged, allowing artisans to use ancient methods to tell new stories.

Tianyu Lights Festival exemplifies this balance of tradition and innovation, preserving authenticity while engaging visitors of all ages.

The presence of Zigong artisans in Grand Prairie offers a rare opportunity for the community to experience a culturally unique art form that fosters cross-cultural appreciation and understanding. Every beam of light reflects centuries of knowledge, patience, and artistry.

Texas A&M University College of Dentistry’s tips for a teeth-friendly holiday season

Celebrating the holidays can be both fun and safe for your oral health if you think ahead. Dr. Stephen McDonald, clinical associate professor in comprehensive dentistry at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, and Dr. Partha Mukherji, clinical assistant professor in comprehensive dentistry at the dental college, offer tips to keep your mouth healthy.

The holidays are full of family gatherings, parties and other opportunities to eat indulgent foods. However, those holiday treats can wreak havoc in your mouth.

Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas offers tips to help you survive the holiday season with your healthy smile intact, even if you eat a little treat here and there.

Don’t graze on sugary snacks, said Dr. Stephen McDonald, clinical associate professor in comprehensive dentistry. Indulge, rinse with water and be done with it, at least for a while.

“The amount of sugary foods and candy consumed during the holidays isn’t great for your waistline or your blood glucose level, but it probably isn’t the most important factor in regard to your dental health,” McDonald said. “The amount of time that your teeth are exposed to the acid produced by the sugar-ingesting bacteria is the key factor when it comes to cavities or tooth decay.”

Seek snacks low in sugar, such as pears, which stimulate saliva production. Other teeth-friendly foods include unsalted nuts, carrots and avocados.

Keep to a routine

Whether traveling, attending parties or shopping, don’t put off brushing and flossing. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Floss at least once daily.

“While the ingredients in brands vary, all toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help remove food debris and stains on teeth,” McDonald said. “Look for the ADA Seal when purchasing toothpaste.”

If you are on the go, pack travel-size toothpaste, floss and mouthwash to remove food particles and plaque.

Eat cheese

Pair cheese when choosing cavity-causing foods for in-between-meals snacking. Chewing cheese increases saliva flow and helps clear cavity-causing bacteria and sugar. An Academy of General Dentistry study found that eating cheese kept pH levels elevated for up to 30 minutes.

When the mouth is exposed to low pH for prolonged periods, cavity-causing bacteria can thrive, said Dr. Partha Mukherji, clinical assistant professor in comprehensive dentistry. The range for a healthy mouth is 6.2 to 7.6, slightly acidic to neutral.

Drink water, rather than soda

Drinking water before meals makes you feel fuller and less likely to overeat. If you replace sugary drinks with water, you also wash away food particles, encourage saliva production and reduce the chances of decay.

Keep these tips on your checklist, and you will enjoy all the holiday festivities and enter 2026 with a healthy mouth.