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NACOGDOCHES (KETK) — More students have enrolled for summer classes at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) this year than in the past, continuing a growing trend and marking one of the largest summer enrollment gains in recent institution history.

According to SFA, the summer 2026 semester headcount is currently up 6% from last year with semester credit hours increasing 7%, even while enrollment remains open.

“Students are increasingly choosing SFA because they recognize the value of a degree that combines academic quality, personalized support and strong career outcomes,” SFA President Neal Weaver, Ph.D., said. “These preliminary summer numbers build on the momentum we experienced throughout the past academic year and reflect the confidence students and families have in the direction of this university.”

The increased credit hours, SFA said, plays an important role in state funding as they show student engagement. An increase reflects student demand and the institution’s efforts to create flexible degree completion pathways, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Engagement Kent Willis said.

“Summer enrollment provides students with an opportunity to stay on track, accelerate their progress toward graduation and take advantage of flexible course options,” Willis said. “We’re seeing strong participation from continuing students and transfer students who are using the summer term to move forward academically.”

Classes begin July 6 and with registration still open, students can enroll in a variety of summer courses to help lighten class loads during other semesters.

“I was able to knock out two core classes online while working part time,” junior and kinesiology major Billy Stewart said. “It’s helping me graduate on time and save money.”

SHERMAN – An illegal alien, living in Dallas, has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Juan Lopez-Carmona, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 15, 2026.

According to information presented in court, in 2021, federal law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for moving large amounts of illegal narcotics from Mexico into the United States for redistribution. On October 4, 2022, while federal agents attempted to execute a search warrant at a Dallas residence, Lopez-Carmona, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, began firing on them from inside the house before fleeing on foot. Lopez-Carmona and another individual were quickly detained and a search of the residence revealed over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine, four firearms, and other drug trafficking supplies. The investigation resulted in multiple seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, firearms, and large amounts of U.S. currency.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

NACOGDOCHES – After attempting to escape from police, resisting arrest, and injuring an officer during a struggle, a man from Nacogdoches was taken into custody on Saturday night. Around 9:05 p.m., officers tried to pull over Jakelin Greer, 37, who was riding a bicycle close to the 1300 block of Meisenheimer Street, according to Nacogdoches Police Sgt. Brent Ayres. Before crashing and continuing to run on foot, Greer is said to have fled on the bicycle. According to the police, Greer resisted their attempts to arrest him, leading to a struggle in which one officer was hurt. After receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, the officer was discharged. Greer was discovered in possession of several controlled substances, including marijuana and other suspected drugs, according to investigators. Greer was accused of assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, evading arrest, possessing marijuana, and possessing a controlled substance. An investigation is ongoing.

SABINE COUNTY (KETK) – Former Sabine County Sheriff Thomas Raymond Philips was buried in Beaumont on Saturday, after he died at the age of 81 earlier this month.

Philips was born in Beaumont but moved to the Toledo Bend Lake area with his wife in 1977. They operated a mom-and-pop store there before he started his career with the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office in 1989.

Before he was elected as sheriff in Jan. 1997, Philips served with the sheriff’s office as a dispatcher, jailer, chief jailer, deputy sheriff and with K-9 Chico as the county’s first K-9 officer.
Former Sabine County Sheriff Thomas Raymond Philips. Photo courtesy of the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office.

Philips served as sheriff of Sabine County from Jan. 1997 and Dec. 2000. Philips continued working for another 16 years until he retired as a court security officer at the Jack Brooks Federal Building in Beaumont in 2016.

He passed away at 81-years-old at the Parkview on Hollybrook senior community in Longview on June 4. Current Sabine County Sheriff George Griffith and many other law enforcement members helped escort Philips’ coffin to Forest Lawn Cemetery on Saturday.

CROCKETT – Four people were shot and two people were hit by a vehicle after violence erupted at a large event in Crockett on Saturday night, according to Crockett police and our news partner, KETK.

Police said officers responded to reports of gunshots fired in the area of the 1100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at around 10:20 p.m. on Saturday.

Crockett Police Department officers, Houston County Sheriff’s Office deputies, EMS units and troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety all responded to the scene of a “large event” where Crockett PD said a “significant” number of people and vehicles were gathered when gunshots rang out.

Officials learned that at least four people were shot at the scene and that at least two other people had been hit by a vehicle. All six people have been taken to a hospital for treatment.

Crockett PD is currently investigating, and they believe any suspects have fled the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Caleb Newsome at 936-544-2862 or by email at [email protected].

MIDLAND (AP) – A man who opened fire in the West Texas city of Midland in an attack Friday morning that left one person dead and 10 injured had shot at a police officer just days earlier during a chase, authorities said.

The suspect, 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, already was being sought by authorities when he began firing at police and bystanders in Midland on Friday before barricading himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic, where he was eventually found dead, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Police have provided limited details about how the shooting unfolded. Police arrived in the area after receiving reports of an active shooter, and Mata Villarreal started firing at officers, said Midland Police Chief Greg Snow. Several officers were pinned down behind their patrol cars and had to be rescued by an armored vehicle, Snow said, but no officers were shot.

Police then got everyone out of the area. “We moved to deny more targets for this active shooter,” Snow said.

A few hours after the shooting began, authorities used robot and drone footage from inside the building to confirm the shooter was dead, Midland Mayor Lori Blong. Police did not say how he died.

A spokesperson for the city identified a man killed in the shooting as Ed Scott, a father and husband who worked in solid waste for Midland. He also did a lot of work with local and regional softball organizations, according to the city.

Friends mourning his death described him in social media posts as a softball umpire and volleyball official who was known for his kindness and jokes.

Mata Villarreal, of nearby Odessa, was wanted for attempted capital murder of a peace officer after firing multiple times at a Midland police officer on Wednesday, the state’s public safety agency said.

The officer, who wasn’t injured, fired back after initially trying to pull over Mata Villarreal, who drove away, investigators said. His vehicle was found empty a short distance away, they said. Police have not said why the officer tried to stop Mata Villarreal.

Friday’s standoff happened about a half-mile (1 kilometer) from where the shots were fired at the police officer Wednesday.

Police have not said why Mata Villarreal began shooting on Friday or provided any details about the victims, including who they were, how they were shot or the conditions of those still hospitalized.

Midland Memorial Hospital said four people who were brought there underwent surgery and that five had been treated and released.

Calls to numbers listed for some relatives of Mata Villarreal in Texas went unanswered Friday or appeared to be lines that had been disconnected.

Mata Villarreal had several previous encounters with law enforcement, including some arrests, records show.

He was convicted on a 2009 charge of unlawfully carrying a firearm in San Angelo, according to Texas criminal history records.

He was charged in 2003 and 2004 for unlawfully carrying a weapon and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon, but both cases appear to have been dismissed as part of a plea. He also pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge in 2008 that was later dismissed.

As police responded to Friday’s shooting, dozens of squad cars and law enforcement vehicles descended along what’s normally a busy roadway lined with hotels and auto businesses a few miles west of Midland’s downtown.

Andrea Mendias said she heard what sounded like a small explosion at the closed veterinary clinic next to the auto body shop where she works and saw a number of heavily armed police officers rush into the parking lot. Some appeared to go inside the building.

Mendias said she earlier heard what sounded like at least 40 gunshots.

Video from Mendias showed officers pouring out of the back of an armored police vehicle and police deploying robots into the area.

The city with about 140,000 residents sits in the heart of the state’s oil and gas region and was near the site of a deadly shooting rampage in 2019.

In that shooting, a gunman who had been fired from his oil services job killed seven people and wounded two dozen others while firing at random as he drove around the Odessa and Midland areas. The two cities are more than 300 miles (482 kilometers) west of Dallas.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced on Saturday the launch of a free online course to expand the number of certified New World Screwworm (NWS) inspectors across Texas. This course will allow more Texans to inspect their animals and certify the documentation required to safely move them, which is critical to ensuring cattle and livestock commerce continues uninterrupted, the governor said.

The first-of-its-kind program is developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in partnership with USDA-APHIS, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Abbott said.

“The State of Texas will use every tool to protect our cattle industry and wildlife while we eradicate this pest,” said Abbott. “The AgriLife and TAHC moved quickly to launch this training. Now more people, including private industry, will be able to inspect and certify animals for movement. Through this program, Texas will protect our ranchers, ensure the security of our food supply, and keep business strong.”

“Stopping the spread of NWS will not be possible without our inspectors knowing what to look for, that’s why today’s announcement is critical to keep our cattle industry on track,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We encourage everyone who is able to help us identify and report suspected cases to help eradicate this pest as fast as possible. Grateful for Governor Abbott, TAHC, TPWD, and AgriLife for being amazing partners in this fight!”

The course is an online, modular program delivered through the AgriLife Learn platform. It includes narrated modules, demonstration videos, and knowledge checks covering NWS biology and life cycle, surveillance and reporting, species-specific inspection and treatment protocols, roles of state and federal agencies, and movement permitting requirements.

Those meeting TAHC eligibility standards who pass the final exam may apply to become a TAHC Certified NWS Inspector, authorized to issue official NWS Treatment/Movement Certificates for lawful movement of livestock out of infested zones.

Phase one immediately opens eligibility to the following groups, in addition to existing authorized personnel, including thousands of Texas veterinarians:

Licensed veterinarians (not already in the Authorized Personnel Program)
Veterinary technicians
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents and Disaster Assessment and Recovery agents
Texas Department of Agriculture inspectors
Texas Department of State Health Services Meat Safety inspectors
Texas Racing Commission inspectors
Animal control officers
Livestock deputies
Designated personnel from temporary livestock aggregation points
Additional groups may be added in future phases as the program evolves. The course is also available to any Texan for educational purposes.

Livestock owners, managers, veterinarians, government personnel, and allied industry professionals are encouraged to enroll. To access this free online course, register an account, add course to your cart, and check out.

Important facts about New World Screwworm:
NWS is caused by the larvae of a parasitic fly that lay eggs in open wounds. The larvae feed on living tissue of warm-blooded animals.
NWS is not a contagious disease. It does not spread directly from animal to animal.
NWS is not a food safety issue. Screwworms do not infest meat or other food products. The food supply remains safe.

Report suspected cases immediately:
Livestock or pets: Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242
Wildlife: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-389-4505
For more information, go to screwworm.gov
The course directly supports the state’s aggressive NWS response. Under Governor Abbott’s leadership, Texas has deployed sterile insect technique releases, established quarantines in infested zones, and committed all available state resources to protect the livestock industry while maintaining business continuity.

HOPKINS COUNTY (KETK) – The SPCA of Texas rescued eight adult dogs and three puppies from a residence near Sulphur Springs on Wednesday.

Local law enforcement responded to a 911 call on Monday from a person who said he couldn’t separate dogs that were fighting inside his home, according to the SPCA of Texas. Responding officials found many dogs inside the man’s home home, which had “extensive accumulations” of urine, feces and debris.

The 911-caller had a medical emergency and had to be transported to a local hospital to be treated. The SPCA said the responding law enforcement at the home then found a dead dog, prompting them to contact the SPCA of Texas’ Animal Cruelty Investigations unit for help. Two investigators from the unit responded to the home on Tuesday and found several dogs fighting inside.

“Cases involving large numbers of dogs often present unique welfare and safety concerns, particularly when animals are living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions,” SPCA of Texas’ ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns CAWA said. “As stress levels increase and dogs are forced into close proximity with one another, competition for essential resources and limited opportunities to avoid conflict can increase the likelihood of fights and injuries. We appreciate the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response and assistance in this case. These dogs are now receiving comprehensive veterinary and forensic evaluations while our investigation continues.”

The 11 dogs and puppies were then taken into custody by the investigators, who then transported them to the SPCA of Texas’ Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center. Several other dogs were also seen on the property and investigators are currently working on recovering them.

HOUSTON (THE TEXAS TRIBUNE) — Republican Party of Texas Vice Chair D’rinda Randall became the party’s new leader Friday after defeating her former running mate, incumbent Chair Abraham George, shaking up the top of the state’s majority party ahead of the fall midterm elections.

Randall, who first became involved in GOP politics nearly two decades ago, campaigned on her accomplishments as the party’s second-in-command during the last two years, touting financial wins like the return of certain convention corporate sponsors and her support for grassroots members, pointing to volunteer training she led.

George conceded in a social media post shortly before Friday’s general session at the convention began, after delegates overwhelmingly backed Randall in an initial round of votes among each Senate district caucus.

“While this race has come to an end, our mission continues,” he said. “Now is the time to come together, unite behind our Republican nominees, support the entire Republican ticket in November, advance our legislative priorities in the next session, and continue standing firmly for the conservative principles outlined in our platform.”

George’s tenure came to an end after a memorable two-year run that saw the party claim long-sought legislative victories in Austin, including private school vouchers and a variety of socially conservative new laws. That productivity, driven by a hard-right turn in the Texas House, reduced the infighting that has plagued the Texas GOP in recent years. Attorney General Ken Paxton led a long list of elected officials and activists lining up behind George, while Randall touted a much narrower stable of backers.

Yet as the convention kicked off in earnest Thursday, the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston remained sparsely populated, with many of the over 7,000 registered delegates appearing to skip the event despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s incentive program for county parties to fill their allotted delegate seats. The convention also fell just before FIFA World Cup games kicked off in Houston, driving up the cost of lodging in a city that was hundreds of miles from many would-be delegates’ home towns.

Amid the grassroots apathy, George also faced criticism earlier this week from a member of the State Republican Executive Committee, the party’s governing board, who claimed the party was taking a $651,000 loss to run the convention. In a response, George said the deficit was closer to $100,000 and would end up in the black “when you factor in the registrations that will be paid over the next couple of days.” But that did not appear to allay concerns about the state of the party’s finances heading into the fall midterms.

Randall’s victory arrives at a crucial juncture for the party, as it tries to write its next chapter and unite voters behind Paxton, the Senate nominee who defeated incumbent John Cornyn after a bruising primary that has left behind scars within the GOP.

Trey Trainor, a longtime GOP operative who was tapped to lead the convention’s platform committee, which drafts the party’s planks, said George’s ousting stemmed from financial woes and a struggle to engage members.

“Look, I think everybody’s incredibly nervous about what happened during the primaries,” Trainor said. “They see that the Democrat Party is incredibly engaged. I think the low turnout that you see here shows some apathy of Republican voters, and they really look to the party leadership to create that enthusiasm and drive people to the polls.”

The removal of George, the Texas GOP’s first Indian American chair, also arrived at a time when the party is experiencing a wave of anti-Indian sentiment, particularly in George’s backyard of North Texas. Much of the same faction that has targeted Muslims for what they see as the proliferation of Sharia law is also raising alarm about the state’s fast-growing Indian community, urging a halt to legal immigration to combat alleged H-1B visa exploitation and labor competition.

George regularly draws racist replies to his social media posts, even when pushing for conservative priorities such as abolishing the H-1B visa program; yet, delegates at the convention did not indicate that topic surfaced in deliberations about the chair election.

The mix of headwinds facing George created the opening for Randall and her running mate, David Covey, a hard-right activist who previously served on the state party’s governing board and unsuccessfully ran against former House Speaker Dade Phelan of Beaumont in 2024. Covey also previously ran for party chair in 2021, finishing as the runner-up to George’s predecessor, Matt Rinaldi.

Some of Randall’s supporters also charged that the incumbent chair has been too welcoming to establishment Republicans, after he warmed up to Phelan’s successor, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, following initial reservations over his election aided by Democrats. That line of criticism laid bare the challenge faced by party chairs, who must balance the delegates’ appetite for a grassroots fighter while also raising money from the party’s establishment ranks.

Burrows was set to address the convention — the first sitting speaker ever to do so — Friday afternoon.

In a statement, Burrows congratulated Randall and Covey and said he looked forward to “working together to strengthen our party and advance the conservative principles Texans value.”

LUFKIN – Water service will be shut off Saturday night at 11:45 PM to allow crews to repair a water?main located outside the Loop on Frank Street. The outage is expected to last approximately four hours, according to Joshua Gentry from The City of Lufkin.

This shutdown will affect customers and businesses in the area from Southside Bank to the Loop, including: McDonald’s, Whataburger, Green Briar Apartments, Castle Pines Nursing Home, and other nearby homes and businesses.

City crews will be on-site throughout the repair and will restore service as soon as work is complete.