KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Ambetter Insurance may no longer be accepted by UT Health East if an agreement is not reached between the two companies by November. According to UT Health and our news partner KETK, UT has been working with Ambetter to reach a new agreement that would ensure that their members continue to have in-network access to their facilities. If a new deal is not reached by Nov. 1, UT Health East Texas facilities will be out-of-network for Ambetter customers.

Additionally, if an agreement is not reached by the start of the new year, UT Health physicians and providers will also be out-of-network for Ambetter customers starting on Jan. 7, 2026. However, UT Health does state that those under Ambetter can still access emergency services at in-network rates. Continue reading UT Health East Texas and Ambetter Insurance face network dispute

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Office in Troup said they are receiving calls from concerned citizens about a scam text. According to a social media post on the county’s Facebook page, the fraudulent text appears to be from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and claims the person has an outstanding ticket. The text reportedly threatens that if the person does not click a link to pay a fine, their vehicle registration and driving privileges will be suspended. The victims are calling the JP 3 Office, which offers auto-registration services.

Officials remind the public that neither Smith County nor the State of Texas’ DMV would ever text anyone about a ticket or demand payment. Do not click on any link, and immediately delete the text. If you ever question whether a text, call or email is legitimate, it’s probably is not. Always call the department or organization it appears to be coming from directly.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Emergency Services District 2 recently purchased land to relocate several fire stations in order to reduce fire response times. Our news partner KETK spoke with Eric Greaser, Chief of Operations for Smith County Emergency Services District 2 (ESD2), on Tuesday about the new land the district has purchased to relocate fire stations near Dixie, Noonday, and Winona.

“These stations that were located here from the volunteer fire departments oftentimes were on donated land or the best that they could do at the time,” Greaser said. “It didn’t necessarily address access on major roadways or where the call volumes have evolved to. So this is a more strategic plan for acquiring these properties and making sure that we can have great access to those calls and reduce response times.” Continue reading Smith County ESD2 buys land to relocate fire stations

LONGVIEW – State Representative Jay Dean of Longview has announced a $10 million grant for the East Texas Regional Airport, secured with the help of Governor Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows. According to our news partner KETK, the grant, awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will be used to make state-of-the-art upgrades to the airport, enhancing the services provided to customers from Gregg County and across East Texas.

Dean expressed gratitude for the funding, thanking Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt and the Gregg County Commissioners Court for their efforts in securing the grant. He specifically praised Judge Stoudt for being “warrior” throughout the process of upgrading the airport.

To learn more about the airport’s services, visit the East Texas Regional Airport online or in person at 269 Terminal Circle in Longview.

SMITH COUNTY — A student who made a threatening post on social media has been arrested, according to Whitehouse ISD, and our news partner KETK. The district said they were notified by law enforcement on Tuesday that the student who made the threat is in police custody and will face legal consequences. Due to the threat, the district said that students may see an increase in officers on and around campus over the next week as a precaution.

Parents and students who hear of any further threats have been advised to report them directly to school staff or local law enforcement.

“WISD and our law enforcement partners take every report seriously, and the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority,” Whitehouse ISD said.

SMITH COUNTY – A 33-year-old man was arrested on Monday after reportedly being caught stealing from a Smith County golf course. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Kovarik was apprehended at a Lindale RV park for the Friday morning burglary at Garden Valley Golf Course. Smith County Sheriff’s Office said video surveillance from Friday captured Kovarik stealing several items from an outbuilding at the golf course.

Kovarik has a history of committing thefts in Smith County. He was listed by authorities as a suspect in an unrelated case from August. Kovarik been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and burglary of a building. He is in the Smith County Jail. His bond has been set at $125,000.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners considered deducting the time Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips spent in jail from her salary on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Phillips makes nearly $96,000 a year. Commissioners took no action on Tuesday, so Phillips pay will not be deducted. Instead they took a vote asking the Texas State Legislature for clarification.

In a public comment at the commissioner’s court on Tuesday, Phillips asked “why would you start a new precedent with my case?”

Phillips, was found guilty last year for interfering with public duties after a 2023 traffic stop involving her son. Continue reading Smith County Commissioners ask for clarity in County Clerk salary

MARSHALL – The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the case of a woman who died on Sunday while in the custody of the Harrison County Jail.

According to our news partner KETK and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Alicia Stuebenbrach died after being transported to a hospital in Marshall. The cause of her death is currently unknown after she was pronounced dead at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday.

The Texas Rangers are investigating Stuebenbrach’s death in accordance with state law, which requires that an outside agency must investigate an in-custody death. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

A press conference regarding the case will be held at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office starting at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is asking East Texans for their input on local trolley service and high-speed rail along the Interstate 20 corridor.

The Tyler Rail and Regional Transit Study is entering it’s final stages and so the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is asking local residents to respond to a survey that will help them decide how rail service could be deployed in the area. Consultants are currently examining a limited trolley service on existing rail lines in the short-term future and they’re also looking at possible connections to high-speed rail service proposed for along Interstate 20.

“There is a proposed high speed rail line that would connect Dallas-Fort Worth with Atlanta Georgia,” Tyler MPO director Michael Howell said. “If this high speed rail line were to go in that would potentially give somebody the ability to get on a train in Tyler and go all the way to Dallas.” Continue reading Tyler officials seeking input on I-20 high-speed rail

HAWKINS – The City of Hawkins was unable to approve an annual budget on Monday night, as they met in a packed room filled with anxious residents.

The meeting followed the release of all Hawkins Police Department officers earlier this year and served as a way to review two proposed 2025-2026 annual budgets which reduce funding for the police and fire departments. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkins residents said in the meeting they don’t want to be left without local law enforcement and asked council members to postpone the vote and hold a community budget workshop.

“They have a police department that’s nonexistent that was budgeted for $89,000 and it’s nonexistent,” Hawkins fire chief Ty Musick said. “There’s there’s really no need to cut our budget at such a drastic mark.” Continue reading Hawkins City Council fails to pass annual budget

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioner’s Court is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK, to consider whether they should deduct County Clerk Karen Phillips’ salary during her recent jail sentence. Karen Phillips, 67 of Smith County, was found guilty of interfering with public duties on May 9, 2024 but later relinquished her sentence of a year’s probation and was sentenced to 30 days in Smith County Jail.

Phillips was booked into the Smith County Jail on Aug. 29 and was later released after nine days in jail on Sept. 6, according to Smith County Jail records. She was originally arrested for interfering with public duties after a March 2023 traffic stop which also led to the arrest of her son.

Smith County commissioners will vote on Tuesday on whether or not Phillips will be paid for those days she was in jail. Phillips responded to the commissioners’ potential vote by filling a public information request with the county. Continue reading Smith County considering deducting pay for County Clerk

TYLER – A portion of U.S. Highway 69 in Smith County will be renamed Veterans Memorial Highway to honor and serve as a lasting tribute to those who served in the United States Armed Forces, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

A press conference will be held on Sept. 19 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee to formally announce the designation of the Veterans Memorial Highway. The press conference will be held at First Christian Church starting at 12 p.m. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend the press conference and participate in the dedicated photo opportunity following the event.

“This highway designation is a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our Veterans,” co-chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee Jackie Clay-Robertson said. “We are honored to see this vision become reality with the help of our local and state leaders.”

TYLER – Stewart Funeral Home in Tyler has a way for you to pay your respects to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot to death Wednesday, Sept 10. Stewart will have a register for you to sign, from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. daily, until Friday, Sept 26. A spokesperson for Stewart Funeral Home told KTBB, that letters to the Charlie Kirk family can be dropped off as well. The register and the letters will be sent to Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization. The memorial service for Charlie Kirk will be Sunday, Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate an East Texas water supply company after more than $100,000 is suspected to have been embezzled, according to a report from our news partner KETK. The Upshur County District Attorney’s Office said this is not the first time they’ve heard of these complaints.

Union Grove Water Supply Corporation is reportedly missing more than $100,000, which the board believes may have been embezzled by an office employee. In 2013, they prosecuted and recovered more than $40,000 in restitution back to the water department. In 2023, $8,000 was stolen from a different employee and the person was prosecuted and the money was given back to the department. Continue reading East Texas water company investigated for embezzlement