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TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that insurance rates are rising in Texas and experts said inflation, supply chain issues, lack of labor and cost repairs are contributing factors. The rise in insurance is hurting Texans’ wallets, especially this summer. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, in 2012 the average auto insurance rate increased by 4.6% but in 2023 Texans saw an increase by a staggering 25.5%.

“Insurance rates in Texas are 67% higher than the national average,” Mechele Mills, CEO of the BBB Serving Central East Texas, said. “Since last year, homeowners in our state have seen an increase of about 16% to 22% and car owners 26%.”

Director of communications of the Insurance Council of Texas said destructive weather is also a large factor to higher prices.
Federal appeals court says some employers can exclude HIV prep from insurance coverage

“If we look at Texas as a market, we have so many hazards and perils that we deal with when it comes to hail, wind, tornados hurricanes flooding,” Johnson said.

Johnson also recommends people to do their homework and compare different options available.

JEFFERSON – Our news colleagues at KETK report the Jefferson Police Department is looking for a missing man that was reportedly last seen on Thursday morning. Authorities said they are searching for 41-year-old Donovan Byrd, and anyone with information on his location is asked to call police at 903-665-2432.

TYLER — A bomb threat was called into a Brookshire’s grocery store in Bullard on Monday, marking the third in the span of a week in East Texas and reports of more across the state. According to our news partner KETK, the Bullard Police Department said the threat was “the same report received by numerous area Brookshire’s stores.”

Bullard PD said they conducted a search of the store and found no devices. Managers then decided to reopen the store to the public. The police department also said federal agencies are conducting an investigation regarding the influx of bomb threats made against the local grocery chain.

A spokesperson from the FBI Dallas Field Office told KETK News that they are aware of the threats and are also investigating. “We will continue to work closely with local, state and other federal agencies on these incidents,” the FBI spokesperson said. Continue reading FBI investigates multiple Brookshire’s bomb threats

GREGG COUNTY – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is looking to bring a teenage girl home safely after she was last seen on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office is seeking information on 17-year-old Halo Faith Bumstead’s whereabouts after being reported missing. Bumstead is described as 5 foot 7 inches, biracial, has ear and tongue piercings. She was reportedly wearing light blue shorts, white shirt with dark blue pinstripes. Officials said she was last seen near 100 Home Place Circle near Gladewater.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-236-8400 or local law enforcement and refer to the case #C24-08991.

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD announced on Monday that they are mourning the loss of an elementary student who would have started first grade next year, that according to our news partner KETK. A release from the district said, “It is with profound sadness that our staff and students mourn the recent passing of Stevee Hale. Stevee was an exceptional student and our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to her family during this incredibly difficult time.”

The school district said that Board President Russell Brown, who knew Hale personally, led trustees in a moment of silence at a recent school board meeting to honor and remember her.

Brown also read a statement where one of her teachers said “to know her was to completely adore her, and she left this world with a little more sparkle than it had before she got here.”

Tyler — The Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships, has selected Bethany Moody, Principal of Kissam Intermediate, as one of 30 principals from traditional and charter school districts across Texas to attend a weeklong summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts.

The Raising School Leaders program is designed to inspire, challenge and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond. Following the Harvard institute, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders, work together to create change at the campus and district levels, and receive continuous support and professional development.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas announced Monday  the launch of virtual nursing across its hospital network. Partnered with care.ai, the UT Health East Texas virtual nursing program is the first in the region. According to a news release, virtual nursing empowers care teams to work more efficiently and drive improved clinical outcomes.

Enabled by video communication with credentialed registered nurses (virtual nurses) and in-room smart sensors, the platform allows virtual nurses, who are employed by UT Health East Texas, to manage a wide variety of patient care tasks that do not require physical proximity, such as routine monitoring or providing education and discharge instructions. This enables bedside nurses to focus more time and attention on crucial hands-on care that only they can provide. Together, virtual and bedside nurses optimize admissions, rounding, discharge and other workflows, which aims to improve patient experience, staff retention and job satisfaction for the bedside caregiver. Continue reading UT Health launches virtual nursing

TYLER — The rash of bomb threats against Brookshire’s Grocery Stores continued this weekend. The Brookeshire’s in Bridgeport was evacuated shortly after noon on Sunday following a bomb threat, the latest in a number of similar threats made at the chain’s stores across the state. The Denton County Fire Department’s Bomb Squad searched the building and found nothing. The grocery store reopened later that afternoon.

Bridgeport Police say the threat came through the Brookshire’s corporate office, like the other recent threats. Other Brookshire’s stores receiving threats over the weekend included Brownwood, Azle and Aledo. Two Tyler Brookshire’s locations were evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is holding a Summer Feeding Program Fun Day for children on Tuesday, June 25 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Glass Recreation Center at 501 W. 32nd street, in Tyler. Activities include face painting, games, a petting zoo, Tyler fire and police department, and free Kona Ice.

“It’s so important to make sure children do not go hungry in the summer just because school is out,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Here in East Texas, 1 in 4 children are food insecure so it’s up to our community to make sure we fill that meal gap when the school year ends and kids lose access to free and reduced-price meals they depend on.” Continue reading East Texas Food Bank holds Summer Feeding Program Fun Day

TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested on Wednesday after reportedly assaulting and taking a weapon from an officer. According to our news partner KETK, an affidavit revealed a detective with the Tyler Police Department clocked a vehicle traveling 60 mph in a 40 mph zone in the 300 E Southeast Loop 323 area. The detective pulled over the driver, 20-year-old Cordrell Smith Radway, where he reportedly ran from the officer “while still being detained and not free to leave.”

After a short chase, the detective caught up to Radway and “ended up on the ground” where Radway reportedly actively resisted arrest and repeatedly tried to stand up. The affidavit said the detective then used his pepper spray. Continue reading Man reportedly bites officer, takes weapon during traffic stop

UPDATE: A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened for Smith County on Saturday, June 22 at the R.B. Hubbard Center (The Hub) at 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler.

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, the center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Staff from the Small Business Administration, Lone Star Legal and Crisis Response Ministries will also be at the center along with FEMA to help residents, according to Smith County officials.

“We are here, we are your one-stop shop to come out and see how we might be able to assist you, we are trying to meet the survivor where they are in their situation,” said Nikki Gaskins Campbell, FEMA media relations specialist.

“If you’re uninsured or underinsured, please still reach out to us because you could be leaving money on the table and this is grant money from FEMA that does not have to be repaid,” said Campbell. Continue reading Smith County FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opens in Tyler

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department said that one man has died and another was injured during a shooting at the corner of Thompson Street and Myrtle Street on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, their 911 Communications Center started getting calls about the shooting shortly after midnight on Sunday morning. When officers arrived they found one man dead and another man who had to be airlifted out to a local hospital.

The Northeast Texas Regional SWAT team was called out to the first scene but then responded to a second scene where the suspect reportedly was. The suspect exited the second location after negotiations and was reportedly taken to the Kilgore Police Department. Kilgore PD said their investigation is ongoing.

TYLER – With summer here, it is the time of year where one little spark could potentially cause a devastating wildfire. According to our news partner KETK, experts at the Texas A&M Forest Service, say, although East Texas has experienced an excessive amount of spring rainfall, a stretch of hot and dry temperatures can call for a fire risk.

“We can go into elevated fire risk,” Sean Dugan, with the Texas A&M Forest Service, said.

Officials explained even with the saturated grounds, East Texans need to be mindful while burning. July and August are historically when the state sees the most fires.
Continue reading Hot, dry temperatures, equal wildfire risk

KILGORE – Authorities in Kilgore said that one man has died and another was injured during a shooting early Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore Police received several 911 calls shortly after midnight in regards to a shooting. When officers arrived the corner of Thompson and Myrtle Streets, they found one man dead and wounded. She was taken to a local hospital.

The Northeast Texas Regional SWAT team was called to the location where the shooting suspect reportedly was. After some negotiations, the suspect was taken to the Kilgore Police Department.

At this time, the names of the shooting victim have not been released. The suspects name has not been released either. Kilgore PD said they are continuing the investigation into the shooting.

CANTON — FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Centers in Van Zandt county June 21 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds April 26-June 5. The center is located at Canton Intermediate School on Highway 243 West. It will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov.

Residents affected by storm damage can visit the DRC and meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
Continue reading Disaster Recovery Center is open in Canton