King Charles III to address Congress on April 28, leaders say

King Charles III speaks on March 27, 2026 in Oxford, England. (Kate Green/Getty Images)

(LONDON) -- King Charles III will address a joint meeting of Congress on April 28 as part of his upcoming state visit to the U.S., according to a joint statement issued by Congressional leaders on Tuesday.

The address, the statement said, "celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence and the enduring special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."

The statement was issued by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“This year, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of its independence. As we celebrate this historic milestone and recommit ourselves to the principles upon which our nation was founded, we also recognize that the American experiment endures in no small part because of the British tradition from which it sprang," the statement said.

"We believe an address to Congress will provide a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history," it added.

Johnson posted about the invitation on X, noting the U.S. and U.K. "share one of the most consequential partnerships in history."

President Donald Trump said that the state visit will take place from April 27 until April 30.

Preparations for the visit come at a tense moment between the Trump administration and NATO, of which Britain is a member, over the reluctance of allies in the intergovernmental military alliance to join the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. On Wednesday, Trump said in an interview that he is considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO.

In a press conference on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. is fully committed to NATO and that he isn't going to change his position on the war.

"I have to act in our national interests," Starmer told reporters. "This is not our war," he continued, noting "a good deal of pressure on me to change my position in relation to joining the war. I'm not going to change my position on the war."

In 2023, Congress passed legislation requiring any presidential decision to leave NATO to have two-thirds approval in the Senate or be authorized through an act of Congress.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Local holiday calender

Local holiday calenderTyler – City offices will observe the following schedule on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday.  

City Hall  
City Hall offices will be closed Friday, April 3.  
 
Tyler Water Utilities  
The Water Business Office will be closed on Friday, April 3. 
The kiosk at the drive-through offers 24/7 access for utility customers with its ability to accept checks, money orders, credit/debit cards and cash payments. Those choosing to pay with cash should be aware that no change will be given.  
  Continue reading Local holiday calender

DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases amid review of Noem-era contracts

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it scrutinizes all contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to a senior Homeland Security official.

The development comes just days after the new Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, was sworn in last week to lead a department that was steeped in controversy during Noem’s tenure but also central to President Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. News of the pause was first reported by NBC News.

The official also said that warehouse purchases that were already made are also being scrutinized.

When asked about reports of the pause, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that “as with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals.”

The Department also noted that Mullin said during his confirmation hearing that he wanted to “work with community leaders” and “be good partners.”

Mullin inherited a $38.3 billion plan to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds by acquiring eight large-scale detention centers, capable of housing 7,000 to 10,000 detainees each, and 16 smaller regional processing centers.

The plan was hatched during Noem’ s tenure but immediately ran into intense opposition around the country by residents and communities opposed to such large Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in their neighborhoods.

Many objected on moral grounds to ICE’s presence in their neighborhoods, while others questioned whether the facilities would be a drain on local resources, such as sewer and water systems.

So far, 11 warehouses have been purchased in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah, with the federal government spending a combined $1.074 billion.

But lawsuits are pending in three of the states. Meanwhile, the capacity of at least one warehouse has been scaled back. Plans initially called for a warehouse in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise to be used as a 1,500-bed processing site, but Homeland Security now plans to cap occupied beds at 542, Surprise Mayor Kevin Sarter said during a news conference on Monday.

In many cases, mayors, county commissioners, governors and members of Congress learned about ICE’s ambitions only after the agency bought or leased space for detainees, leading to shock and frustration even in areas that have backed Trump.

The warehouse plan ran into challenges from the start. Eight deals were scuttled in places like Kansas City, Missouri, when owners decided not to sell.

Pressed on the lack of information during his confirmation hearing, Mullin acknowledged there had been issues.

“We’ve got to protect the homeland and we’re going to do that,” Mullin said. “But obviously we want to work with community leaders.”

Mullin, who took over and expanded his family’s plumbing business before representing Oklahoma in the U.S House and Senate, said that “one thing I do know is construction.”

He noted that most municipalities don’t have the capacity in their infrastructure for waste and water.

“So, it’s important that we’re talking to the communities and if we’re having additional needs, we can work with the cities,” he said at his confirmation hearing earlier this month.

___

Hollingsworth reported from Kansas City, Missouri.

Student arrested after weapon found

Student arrested after weapon foundHENDERSON — A Henderson ISD student was arrested on Monday after a possible weapon was found in their vehicle. According to the district, during a routine check of the Henderson High School parking lot, a staff member discovered what appeared to be a weapon inside a student’s vehicle.

The Henderson Police Department was contacted after the vehicle was found, and following an investigation, a student was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Henderson ISD officials said they do not believe there was an active threat to students or staff.

Former detention officer arrested

Former detention officer arrestedVAN ZANDT COUNTY – A former Van Zandt County detention officer was placed under arrest after it was discovered he was communicating with an inmate over the phone. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, on March 16 it was discovered that Damion Smith was in possession of a cell phone while on duty and was using the phone to communicate with a female inmate, which is a violation of both departmental policy and state law.

It was later discovered that Smith had initially been untruthful with investigators and had later recanted those statements before he was terminated from his position.

Following the investigation, Smith was taken into custody from his home on Tuesday and was charged with contraband in a correctional facility and a false report to a peace officer.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated by our employees. When an employee criminally violates the law, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office will take appropriate action,” Sheriff Bridger said.

One dead in Highway 149 crash

One dead in Highway 149 crashGREGG COUNTY — A two-vehicle crash on State Highway 149 in Gregg County left one person dead and another injured on Monday afternoon. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety and our news partner KETK, a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Braxton Meshell was traveling southbound near the 9900 block of Highway 149 while a second vehicle was traveling northbound. Meshell was approaching another vehicle that was slowing down to make a left turn when he took a “faulty evasive action” and steered into the oncoming lane and collided with the second vehicle.

The Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash and located the two vehicles, one of which was on fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames and began extricating the occupant using the “jaws of life.”

The fire department did not specify which vehicle was on fire. Meshell was pronounced dead at the scene and the other driver was taken to a Tyler hospital with injuries, DPS said. The crash is still under investigation.

Officials seek leads on shooting

Officials seek leads on shootingRUSK COUNTY — An investigation is underway after a gunfire incident left Rusk County homes and vehicles damaged on Monday night. According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, they received a deadly conduct call at 802 Cross Park at approximately 10:27 p.m. on Monday. The complainant told deputies that unknown individuals shot at his vehicle and home.

The deputies discovered that the gunfire damaged a total of two homes and two vehicles, leaving about 30 shell casings at the scene.

Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said they are actively working on leads related to the case. He asks the public for any information on the case or those involved to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-657-3581.

Officer protection enhanced with $100K grant

Officer protection enhanced with 0K grantLONGVIEW — The City of Longview has been awarded a grant worth over $100,000 to help ensure officer safety. The grant was provided to the department from the governor’s office and was approved by the Longview City Council last week during their most recent meeting.

According to our news partner KETK, the grant funding will be used to purchase bullet-resistant glass to install in patrol vehicles to better protect officers and officials. The grant was approved after a patrol vehicle was shot by a suspect during an incident in May 2025 while officers were inside the car.

“This is another important step in helping protect our officers and the community we serve every day,” Longview PIO LaDarian Brown said. “We are grateful for the continued support of our community and the partners who believe in investing in public safety in Longview.”

Arkansas electric co-op to begin natural-gas generation facility construction in East Texas

MORRIS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — An out-of-state corporation recently broke ground in Naples as the start of a large-scale natural gas-based generation facility that encompasses over 100 acres of Morris County.

The Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) is set to begin construction of its 850-megawatt facility in the summer as a two-turbine plant, with full operation expected by 2029.

According to the corporation, it evaluated potential sites in Arkansas before selecting the Morris County location. The AECC’s President and CEO Vernon Hasten said Morris County’s proximity to natural gas pipelines and transmission is its “primary factor” in location selection.

“The facility in Morris County, Texas, is crucial to maintaining reliable energy resources,” Hasten said. “AECC continues to develop proven, readily dispatchable power generation technologies to provide our members with reliable, affordable electricity.”

The facility is part of the AECC’s plan to address the company’s wholesale generation needs.

The plant’s location within the Southwest Power Pool regional transmission organization’s footprint accordingly supports reliability, according to the AECC.

“This new state-of-the-art asset will be one of the lowest-emitting and most efficient simple cycle natural gas generation stations in AECC’s fleet,” the AECC said.

The AECC provides services to more than 1 million members, including those in upper East Texas counties such as Bowie County.

Miller Grove ISD Superintendent announces upcoming resignation

HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas (KETK)– Miller Grove ISD Superintendent Dr. Linda Rankin announced on Tuesday that she will be resigning from her position at the end of the current school year.

During her time at Miller Grove, Rankin has helped the district improve its finances, increasing its fund balance from $2.07 million to $3.01 million, and securing a $1.2 million grant to acquire three air-conditioned buses, according to the board of trustees.

Under her leadership, Rankin oversaw the construction of an additional agriculture classroom and the installation of a new greenhouse facility while also prioritizing campus safety by strengthening security protocols and training initiatives.

Rankin said she will remain fully committed to supporting the district’s students, staff and community over the final few months of her tenure. Rankin also said she will work closely with the board of trustees to ensure a successful transition for the next superintendent.

“Serving the Miller Grove ISD community has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Rankin said. “Our students have always been at the heart of every decision I’ve made. They mean so much to me, and it has been a privilege to watch them grow, achieve, and succeed. I will always cherish the time I’ve spent with them and will continue to be one of their biggest supporters in all they do.”

Rankin’s final day with the district will be July 1.

New district clerk sworn in

New district clerk sworn inSMITH COUNTY – Smith County welcomed Gaye Boynton as district clerk on Monday as she was sworn in by the 241st District Judge Debby Gunter. Boynton was appointed to the position by the Smith County Council of District Judges after former district clerk Penny Clarkston resigned from the office on March 24. In her resignation letter, Clarkston cited personal family reasons.

Boynton was set to begin serving as district clerk on Jan. 1, 2027, following her win in the March primary election against Clarkston. The new district clerk brings more than 40 years of legal experience, having previously worked as a certified paralegal.

Mother sentenced in dead newborn case

Mother sentenced in dead newborn caseSMITH COUNTY – A mother has been sentenced to 10 months in jail, one year after deputies found her newborn dead in a bathtub. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted by a hospital emergency room in March 2025 after a woman reported she had delivered a placenta at home earlier that day.

But, when the woman, 27-year-old Esmeralda Duran Rodriguez, arrived at the hospital, staff noted she did not have a baby with her. Deputies then went to her home to investigate, where they met with Rodriguez’s brother, who allowed them to search for the baby. They found the placenta on a bed along with a severed umbilical cord, according to a sheriff’s office press release. Continue reading Mother sentenced in dead newborn case

Salvation Army fundraiser April 10

TYLER- The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary is having a benefit style show and luncheon Friday, April 10, at the Holiday Inn in Tyler. Funds from this event will go toward the auxiliary’s new ID program.

KTBB spoke with Auxiliary President Cynthia Scott about the ID program. She said, “This is something we are excited about. It provides for people who are homeless and are struggling, to find job and so forth with their ID. And we take that for granted. Because we have one and its easy for us to obtain. But, when your homeless, that’s very difficult. So, our new ID program will help put them with a liaison who will help them get a drivers license, get their birth certificate. This way, they can apply for jobs, apply for housing. So, we are really happy that the funds we are raising in our style show April 10th will go to this new program that we just implemented.”

Some tickets are still available. You can get them here.