UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, multiple traffic signals are without power throughout the city including several on Broadway Avenue. The traffic operations department has deployed generators however some intersections will remain without power. According to an Oncor representative, a transformer fell at a substation at the intersection of Grande Boulevard and Broadway Avenue.
“Drivers should treat a ‘dark’ traffic signal as a four-way stop—each vehicle comes to a complete stop and takes its turn to proceed through the intersection,” city officials said.
Oncor said power should be restored at around 1:30 p.m. and about 6,300 customers have been affected.
TYLER — A reminder from our news partner KETK, Texans have until April 3 to register to vote for the upcoming May elections. Early voting begins April 22 and runs through April 29 while Election Day is May 3.
How to check if you’re registered to vote: Residents are encouraged to contact their county voter registrar since voting in Texas is county-based and Texan residents can go to Am I registered? to see if they’re eligible to vote. Residents who have recently changed their name can update their registration status here.
How to register to vote: To register to vote in Texas, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and a resident of the county in which they plan to vote. They must also not be convicted of any felonies, unless their rights have been restored.
Voters can register by completing a voter registration form online through the Texas Secretary of State’s website or by obtaining a form from their local county voter registrar’s office. Once completed, the form must be mailed to the registrar’s office. Continue reading How to register for May elections in Texas
HAYS COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety, working with federal agencies on a joint investigation into a Venezuelan gang, arrested more than 40 people and seized drugs after serving a search warrant on an undisclosed Hays County residence, the state agency and the FBI announced Wednesday.
A DPS and FBI news release said the warrant was executed after FBI agents “developed intelligence” earlier this week about a gathering of individuals tied to Tren de Aragua, a gang that started in Venezuelan prisons and has become a target of state and federal officials. DPS did not elaborate on how the dozens of detained people may be linked to the gang.
President Donald Trump’s administration has targeted the criminal organization as part of its broader vow to deport millions of immigrants. But relatives of Venezuelans who have been detained and deported elsewhere in the country say they are not gang members.
It was not clear what potential crimes authorities believe the individuals had committed to be taken into custody. State and federal prosecutors plan to review evidence obtained during the execution of the search warrant to determine potential criminal charges, according to DPS and the FBI.
DPS, the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, which participated in the operation, did not immediately return requests for comment Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear where the dozens of people taken into custody are being held.
The San Antonio Police Department helped with an investigation leading up to the operation, but not with the execution of the search warrant, a department spokesperson said, declining to comment further because it is “part of a larger ongoing case.” The DPS release said several local, state and local law enforcement agencies have been investigating members and associates of the gang for more than a year.
This is a developing story.
Article originally published by The Texas Tribune. To read the originally published article, click here.
(NEW YORK) -- More cities and counties across the U.S. are moving to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Utah became the first state in the country to do so.
The Miami-Dade County commissioners voted 8-2 on Tuesday to stop adding fluoride to the public water supply.
Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, who sponsored the legislation, referred to fluoride as a "neurotoxin" and that studies show it "should not be in the water."
Florida surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo has previously recommended removing fluoride from public water supplies, citing potential harms, according to local ABC News affiliate WPLG.
In a statement last year, Ladapo claimed that "more research is necessary to address safety and efficacy concerns regarding community water fluoridation."
Opponents, including Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava, argue fluoride is safe and essential for dental health.
"Miami-Dade County has been adding fluoride to the water for 60 years. It has been constantly verified, scientifically and medically, that it is safe. We know that it provides protection for dental care and prevents cavities. We use a very, very low level, well within the guidelines," she said before the meeting, according to WPLG.
The measure also calls for the mayor "to create and implement a countywide public service campaign focused on dental hygiene and alternate sources of fluoride available in dental health products."
The county has 30 days to halt fluoride use. It's unclear whether or not the mayor will veto the legislation.
Local reports indicate that a town in Virginia has also voted unanimously to bar adding fluoride to its town water supply.
Meanwhile, an Ohio state representative has also proposed a bill prohibiting adding fluoride to public water systems.
Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water sources such as lakes and rivers, and is even naturally present in some foods and beverages, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
It is added to some dental products, such as toothpaste, to help prevent cavities.
High-quality studies show fluoride prevents cavities and repairs damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride makes tooth enamel stronger and rebuilds weakened tooth enamel, the ADA says.
Fluoride also replaces minerals lost from teeth due to acid breakdown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, influential skeptics, such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have long raised doubts about the benefits of fluoride.
In an interview with NPR in November 2024, Kennedy doubled down on his promise of persuading local governments to remove fluoride from their water supplies.
He has claimed that fluoride in drinking water affects children's neurological development and that other countries that have removed fluoride from their water supplies have not seen an increase in cavities.
A large review paper published in January 2025 suggested a link between fluoride and lower IQ in children, but much of the underlying data was pulled from other countries, where fluoride exposure is far higher than levels used in drinking water in the U.S.
Some health professionals have also expressed concerns about excessive fluoride intake and potential toxicity.
Many doctors and dental associations, however, argue that fluoride in water is still a crucial, low-risk/high-reward public health tool, especially for children and adults who may not be able to practice regular dental hygiene.
The association calls community water fluoridation "the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay."
"Studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing dental decay by at least 25% in children and adults, even in the era of widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste," the ADA states on its website. "So, by simply drinking fluoridated water, you are doing something good for your oral health."
ABC News' Sony Salzman and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
HOUSTON – The Houston Chronicle reports that Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee announced on Monday that he will file a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott if he fails to set an election date for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. Menefee called the governor out during a press conference, urging the governor to set the special election for June to fill the congressional seat left vacated after the late Houston mayor and Congressman Sylvester Turner’s death. Per Texas law, Abbott has the sole authority to call a special election. He has done this in the past, most recently when the seat was left vacant after the death of late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee last July. “The governor knows this, and in fact, in the four instances where a seat has become vacant since he’s become governor, he’s gotten to it straight away, sometimes in 16 days, sometimes in 18 days, and once in four days,” Menefee said. “He knows how important it is that people have representation in Congress.”
DALLAS – WFAA reports that one of the biggest healthcare providers in North Texas is no longer in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas’ network, officials said. Contracts between Southwestern Health Resources – which includes Texas Health Resources and UT Southwestern – and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas expired April 1, according to a statement from the insurance company. North Texas-based Southwestern Health Resources has 31 hospitals, more than 7,000 providers and 650 outpatient facilities and clinics. Blue Cross Blue Shield officials in a statement said the company has “worked closely with SWHR to negotiate new contracts,” but an agreement to “protect the interests of our members and customers” hasn’t been reached yet.
Southwestern Health Resources officials in a statement said Blue Cross Blue Shield “remained unwilling to accept Southwestern Health Resources’ requests for equitable reimbursement to cover the rising costs of providing quality care.” “Our goal is to minimize any disruption to patient care and help guide patients affected by this transition to in-network providers,” the statement said. Starting Tuesday, April 1, Southwestern Health Resources hospitals, doctors and facilities were no longer in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. The impacted Blue Cross plans include: ParPlan, Blue Choice PPO, Blue Essentials, Blue Advantage HMO, Medicaid, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO), and Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO). Patients with MyBlue Health coverage will remain in-network for Southwestern doctors and hospitals, according to Blue Cross.
AUSTIN – The Houston Chronicle reports tat food stamp recipients could soon be barred from using their benefits to buy chips, sodas and other types of junk food under a bill that passed the Texas Senate. “This bill isn’t about limiting personal choice,” State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston said. “But taxpayer dollars should not subsidize unhealthy eating habits that contribute to preventable health conditions and place additional strain on Texas’ health care system.” Middleton said the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is supposed to provide nutritious food that is essential to the health and well-being of Americans. Yet, he said about 20% of SNAP benefits are being spent on things like cookies, candy, chips and soda.
“They don’t just lack nutritional value, they are bad for you,” Middleton said during a debate over the bill late Monday. The bill passed 22-8 in the Texas Senate on Monday night and now goes to the Texas House. If it passes without any changes there, it would go to Gov. Greg Abbott who can let it become law. State Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, said he supports the goal but worries Middleton’s bill will put more burdens on retailers that accept SNAP benefits and potentially lead to more dropping out of the program. Miles said while everyone may want to have healthy food, there are people in urban and rural areas who don’t have access to the type Middleton wants them to eat. He said food deserts that already exist in poor urban areas could grow because of Senate Bill 379. “There are some unintended consequences to this bill that we may not be thinking of,” said Miles, who voted against the measure. “Something to eat is better than nothing to eat.” State Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, voted in favor of the bill but also pushed back, saying if the Legislature is really concerned about Texans getting proper nutrition, it should double the value of food stamps for things like fresh produce so benefits could buy more of the health products and give retailers incentive to stock more of it.
HOUSTON – The Houston Chronicle reports that for years, Texas politicians have fretted: What will it take for companies to build more natural gas power plants for the state’s strained power grid? As it turns out, for a growing number of developers, even the Texas government handing out taxpayer-backed loans is not sufficient. Four companies have pulled their projects from consideration from the $5 billion Texas Energy Fund, citing various financial and logistical challenges. Another project was denied loans last fall after one company listed on the application accused the other sponsoring company of fraud. In total, nearly a third of new project capacity advanced to the fund’s due diligence review process has left the program.
State lawmakers created the Texas Energy Fund in 2023 and set aside the bulk of the money to give companies low-interest loans towards building new gas-fired generation for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas power grid. The fund was advertised to voters, who approved the program as a constitutional amendment, as a way to bolster the grid after the February 2021 winter freeze caused statewide outages and killed hundreds. Then, last year, ERCOT forecasted an unprecedented increase in electricity demand in the near future as the state’s population and economy grow. Policymakers became even more adamant that Texas needs much more gas-fired power generation for use when wind or solar power isn’t available, even though natural gas is a fossil fuel contributing to climate change. At first, the Texas Energy Fund seemed popular. So many companies applied for loans that state lawmakers — at the urging of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — are considering appropriating another $5 billion to the program in the ongoing legislative session, so that it totals $10 billion.
UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
Traffic Alert: Tyler traffic signals down, drive accordingly – The City of Tyler informs KTBB that because of a power outage, multiple traffic signals are without power, including many along Broadway. The Traffic Operations Department is sending out generators, but, some intersections may be without power. Continue reading Tyler traffic signals down, drive accordingly
UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
TYLER – The City of Tyler informs KTBB that because of a power outage, multiple traffic signals are without power, including many along Broadway. The Traffic Operations Department is sending out generators, but, some intersections may be without power. Travelers should regard any “dark” traffic signal as a four-way stop. With each vehicle stopping completely before proceeding through the intersection. Oncor expects power to be restored as soon as possible.
GLADEWATER – The Gladewater Police Department is seeking information after residents reported gunshots and damage to their properties on Tuesday night.
According to our news partner, KETK, around 10:50 p.m. officers responded to a report of gunfire in the 200 block of W. Gay Avenue and spoke with residents who heard gunshots and found damage to their homes.
Officials said there was no reported injuries but they found multiple shell casing on the walkway near the intersection of W. Gay Avenue and Canfield Street and “apparent bullet holes” in a fence running parallel to the walkway.
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(NEW YORK) -- Deliveries of Elon Musk's Tesla vehicles dropped about 13% compared to a year ago, according to a new release from the company. The decline comes amid criticism of Musk and increased competition.
On Wednesday, Tesla reported it produced over 362,000 vehicles and delivered over 336,000 in the first quarter of 2025. That performance marked a decline compared to the same period one year ago, when Tesla produced over 433,000 vehicles and delivered about 387,000.
Tesla stock fell nearly 3% in early trading on Wednesday following the news of the decline in deliveries. But the stock reversed those losses after reports that President Donald Trump told advisers that Musk may leave his White House role.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Tesla shares were up about 5%.
The company has faced fierce backlash -- including violence and vandalism against its cars and dealerships-- as Musk, the company's CEO, works in Washington alongside Donald Trump to slash the federal government.
Dan Ives, a managing director of equity research at the investment firm Wedbush, a longtime Tesla bull, slammed the report and sharply criticized the company in a note to clients on Wednesday.
"We are not going to look at these numbers with rose colored glasses," Ives said. "They were a disaster on every metric."
"The time has come for Musk," Ives added." It's a fork in the road moment."
In its release today, Tesla made no mention of its CEO but did say that a "changeover of Model Y lines across all four of our factories led to the loss of several weeks of production in Q1." But, it said "the ramp of the New Model Y continues to go well."
"Thank you to all our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and supporters who helped us achieve these results," the release said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a special event was held at Moore Middle School in Tyler on Tuesday to warn kids about the danger of using tobacco products.
The event was held on Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action to celebrated the recent Healthy Bodies Tobacco Prevention $1,500 grant the school received from the National PTA. The grant will go towards enhancing the school’s outdoor courtyard space including adding a pickleball court, storage space, and healthy recreational opportunities.
“We want our students to understand the risks of tobacco use and empower them to make decisions that support their well-being,” Ballard said. “This grant allows us to provide positive, enriching activities that keep our students engaged and active.” Continue reading Tyler middle school warns against tobacco use
LUBBOCK — The Texas House gave initial approval Tuesday to a set of bills aimed at mitigating wildfire risks and improving the state’s response to emergencies.
The bills, filed by Ken King, R-Canadian, cover separate issues. However, both were filed in response to the devastating wildfires last year that engulfed the Texas Panhandle. More than 1 million acres burned, 15,000 head of cattle and three people died.
House Bill 13 would create the Texas Interoperability Council, which would be tasked with creating and coordinating the implementation of a statewide plan for the use of emergency communication. The council would set up a network that connects all first responders and state agencies. They would also administer a grant program to help local governments purchase the equipment and construct the infrastructure needed to connect to that system.
The Interoperability Council is one of the recommendations from the report by the House Investigative Committee, which King led last April. The initial cost is expected to be about $500 million.
“My goal is to ensure every first responder that puts their life on the line to battle these fires and other disasters have the tools to communicate effectively with those around them,” King said.
King’s second bill, House Bill 143, addresses one of the common causes for wildfires in the Texas Panhandle: unmaintained electrical lines for oilfield equipment. The House committee that investigated the wildfires last year concluded that unmaintained lines started at least two of the fires. This includes the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which became the largest fire in Texas history and ignited after a decayed power pole snapped and landed in dry grass, according to the report.
King’s bill would require the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry, and the Public Utility Commission to notify electric utilities when the RRC identifies electrical hazards during inspection. The Panhandle lawmaker said the agencies developed a Memorandum of Understanding — a non-binding agreement — that allows them to work together.
State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo, spoke in favor of the bill. Both lawmakers live in the Panhandle, where state data shows power lines have caused roughly 60% of wildfires since 2006.
“I’m thankful to the Texas House that we realize how important it is that we pass legislation that affects and protects rural areas from wildfires,” Fairly said.
The House will take up the bills one more time before passing them to the Senate for consideration.
The Legislature is also considering House Bill 2063 to create a database of firefighting equipment that is readily-available, and Senate Bill 34. That is a sweeping priority bill by state Sen. Kevin Sparks, R-Midland, that also includes increased funding for rural volunteer fire departments.
Article originally published by The Texas Tribune. To read the originally published article, click here.
UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
