LONGVIEW — One person has been arrested following a shooting at a residence on Club Drive on Wednesday morning. According to the Longview Police Department, officers responded to a shooting in the 100 block of Club Drive near E Cotton St at around 7 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located a person who had been shot; the victim was later transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Melvin Colbert, 59, was arrested during the police department’s investigation as the shooter. Colbert was booked into the Gregg County Jail and charged with aggravated assault-family violence causing serious bodily injury and unlawful possession of a firearm by felon.
TYLER – An investigation is underway following an alleged incident during an athletic practice that involved a Tyler ISD staff member and student, the district confirmed on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, in a statement issued by Tyler ISD, the district is aware of the allegations and have initiated a thorough investigation.
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is searching for a woman who they believe participated in what is being classified as a riot last month. According to our news partner KETK, the department has obtained a riot participation warrant for the arrest of Rasheen Daleese Porter, who allegedly participated in a large-scale disturbance following a block party on Sanford Street.
According to the department, the initial block party took place on March 29 and was attended by nearly 300 people. Following the arrest of four people and the discovery of firearms on the scene, police later classified the party as a riot.
Since the riot, an additional 13 people have been placed under arrest and the investigation currently remains open.
Anyone with information regarding Porter’s whereabouts is asked to contact the department at 903-935-575 or Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969 to submit an anonymous tip.
TYLER – The Metro Planning Organization (MPO) of Tyler held an open house on Tuesday, answering any questions citizens may have on several upcoming transportation projects, according to our news partner KETK.
The open house served as an opportunity for the MPO to hear back from the community as well, taking in any feedback about their projects. One project discussed was the $17 million grant UT Tyler received to make pedestrian-friendly improvements.
Organizers said it’s important that taxpayers understand how tax dollars are spent, and the open house worked as a way to get information to the public.
“This is where everybody’s tax dollars are being spent in the area,” MPO Director Michael Howell said. “That’s what the MPOs’ plans are for is to let anybody from the public know how their federal transit, and transportation tax dollars are being spent.”
LUFKIN (KETK) — Lufkin police are seeking suspects after a confrontation over loud music and parking spiraled into gunfire, damaging vehicles and blowing out apartment windows.
The Lufkin Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls on Tuesday at around 9:45 p.m. where they found residents in the area of the 200 block of Finley Street. The group reportedly told officers that an argument began over a parking space and loud music that escalated to gunfire.
Witnesses told the police department that suspects drove to the apartment and began shooting.
A man was detained but not arrested as he was suspected of being involved; other suspects had left before officers arrived.
“Bullet holes were found on the outside of the residence where one of the individuals in the argument is believed to live as well as bullet holes appearing to come from inside the residence,” the Lufkin Police Department said. “Numerous shell casings were found in the roadway and the grass.”
Windows of two vehicles and the window of an apartment had been shot. An AR-15 was identified as the weapon used in the altercation and has since been taken into evidence alongside other weapons found in one of the homes.
The Lufkin Police Department said no injuries were reported and the search for others involved is ongoing.
SMITH COUNTY— A multiple-vehicle crash on I-20 near U.S. Highway 110 left one person dead and two injured on Tuesday, officials said. According to Lindale Assistant Fire Chief Troy Pritchard, the crash occurred around 12:20 a.m. and involved at least three vehicles. At this time, the details of what led up to the crash have not been released
Maybe for your smartphone needs, less is more? Get David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Dumb Phone. You can download Dumb Phone in the Apple Store.
AUSTIN — A Jacksonville resident has claimed a winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery. The winner bought the ticket at Champs Food Mart in Jacksonville. The person with winning ticket elected to remain anonymous. For selling the prize winning ticket, the retailer may be eligible for a $10,000 bonus under the Texas Lottery’s Retailer Bonus Program.
Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District across from Wigwam Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) -- With a busy travel season approaching, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that additional measles cases in the U.S. can be expected over the next few months.
The agency sent the alert to state and local health departments, reminding them to report measles cases to the CDC within 24 hours and to have measles cases reported in hospitals and to public health authorities.
The CDC has encouraged public health departments to conduct contact tracing for exposed individuals as well as perform outreach to under-vaccinated communities.
"With continued measles transmission in areas across North America and expected increases in international and domestic travel and large events during spring and summer, additional measles cases are anticipated in the coming months,” the alert reads.
Parents should ensure they and their loved ones are protected against measles before traveling, the CDC says. This includes getting vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before leaving.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is typically given in two doses, the first at 12 to 15 months old and the second between ages four and six. One dose is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective against measles, according to the CDC.
Those traveling to or living in an outbreak area may be eligible for an earlier vaccine between 6 and 11 months old, the CDC says. This additional shot would be followed by the typical two doses for a total of three doses.
After returning home from travel from an area with measles, travelers should look out for measles symptoms for three weeks and contact their doctor if they experience symptoms or think they may have been exposed, the CDC advises.
The alert comes as cases continue to be recorded across the U.S. So far this year, there have been 1,782 cases nationwide, according to CDC data.
Cases have been reported in 36 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
About 92% of cases are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, CDC data shows.
Meanwhile, 4% of cases are among those who have received just one dose of the MMR vaccine and 4% of cases are among those who received the recommended two doses, according to the CDC.
Last year, the U.S. recorded 2,288 measles cases, which is the highest number of national cases in 33 years, according to the CDC.
More than a year ago, health officials confirmed that cases of measles were cropping up in a small town in western Texas. It's unclear if those cases are linked to those reported in other states; if so, it would mean the U.S. has seen a year of continuous transmission.
If it's determined that the U.S. has experienced 12 months of continuous measles transmission, it could lead to a loss of the country's elimination status that was earned in 2000. Measles would once again be considered endemic or constantly circulating.
Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump's nominee for Chair of the Federal Reserve, testifies during his Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing, April 21, 2026 in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) -- A Senate committee on Wednesday voted to advance Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh, clearing a key hurdle in his path to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell before his term ends next month. Warsh's nomination will move to a confirmation vote on the floor of the upper chamber.
The Senate Banking Committee voted 13-11 to approve the nomination on a party-line vote, with Republicans supporting the nomination and Democrats opposing it.
The vote comes days after the Department of Justice moved to drop its criminal probe into Powell. Before that, Warsh had faced a bipartisan stonewall in the Senate Banking Committee over the probe.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who previously vowed to oppose Warsh's nomination on account of the investigation, said he would flip his vote after the investigation was set aside. Tillis voted to approve the nomination on Wednesday.
The probe into Powell focuses on alleged false testimony to Congress about an office renovation. Powell, who was appointed by Trump in 2017, has rebuked the investigation as a politically motivated effort to influence interest-rate policy.
Powell's term as Fed chair ends on May 15, but he said last month he would stay in the position until Warsh is confirmed.
Warsh, a former Fed official, is currently a fellow at a conservative think tank called the Hoover Institution, which is based at Stanford University.
At testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last week, Democrats sharply criticized Warsh, saying the independence of the Fed would be at risk if Warsh were to take policy cues from Trump.
In his opening remarks, Warsh voiced support for the independence of the Fed in its role setting interest rates. He used the term "monetary policy" to describe the central bank's task of adjusting benchmark borrowing costs.
"Monetary policy independence is essential. Monetary policymakers must act in the nation's interest," Warsh said.
Still, Warsh defended the right of public officials, including presidents, to voice their views on interest-rate policy, saying such comments do not infringe on Fed independence.
"Central bankers must be strong enough to listen to a diversity of views from all corners," Warsh said.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the top Democrat on the committee, responded directly to Warsh's defense of a president's right to criticize the Fed, saying the federal investigation of Powell amounts to a pressure campaign that extends beyond public criticism of Fed policies.
"You said it’s perfectly fine for elected officials to state their views on interest rates. But that’s not what Donald Trump is doing," Warren said, addressing Warsh.
Republicans, including Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, praised Warsh, saying the Fed nominee would focus central bank policy on economic stewardship. During the tenure of President Joe Biden, Scott claimed, the Fed shifted some of its attention to the implications of issues like climate change.
"An independent Federal Reserve is essential to achieving its mission. That independence must be protected," Scott said.
During his term as a Fed governor in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Warsh gained a reputation as an interest-rate “hawk,” meaning he generally preferred higher interest rates as a means of ensuring low and stable inflation.
In recent months, however, Warsh has voiced support for lower interest rates, rebuking the Fed’s concern about inflation risk posed by a flurry of new tariffs issued last year.
The Senate committee vote came hours before the Fed is set to announce its latest decision on the level of interest rates. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady.
MINERAL WELLS (AP) — Thunderstorms tore through parts of Texas on Tuesday, sending at least two people to the hospital as powerful winds ripped roofs off homes, flattened buildings and tossed debris through the air.
Multiple homes and businesses were damaged and families were displaced in Mineral Wells, a small city about 45 miles west of Fort Worth. Two people were taken to the hospital and others with minor injuries were treated at the scene, according to Ryan Dunn, the city’s fire chief. There were no immediate reports of fatalities or people missing.
Dunn warned people to stay out of an industrial area where there’s “major damage and major hazards that are all across the roads.”
The wild weather came just days after a tornado-producing thunderstorm left at least two people dead in northern Texas and displaced at least 20 families.
Tuesday’s thunderstorms, including at least one unconfirmed tornado, were caused by large storm cells that were drifting southeast from north-central Texas, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with National Weather Service.
The storms continued Tuesday night as they moved across Texas and into Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the National Weather Service. The storms could produce hail larger than 2 inches, damaging winds and some tornadoes, according to the agency.
In Mineral Wells, where the streets were left littered with fallen trees and other debris, the mayor declared a local state of disaster. The city also instituted a 10 p.m. curfew that will be lifted around daylight as authorities continue to assess the damage, said Tim Denison, the city’s police chief.
He said the curfew was to “make sure that we keep people out of the areas and also try to help these victims out, and keep their personal belongings safe.”
Officials directed anyone who needed help to the local high school, where the Red Cross was setting up.
Ventamatic, a fans and ventilation manufacturer in Mineral Wells, said its facilities would be closed Wednesday “due to severe damage and ongoing safety hazards — including downed power lines.” The company announced on its website that all of its employees had been evacuated before the storms and everyone was safe.
WOOD COUNTY — A grand jury indicted a Sulphur Springs teenager in March for allegedly shooting into a crowd at a Wood County property in November 2025. According to an arrest affidavit from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, 19-year-old Drake White was arrested following an investigation of a mass shooting on Nov. 25, 2025.
Sheriff’s office deputies arrived at a residence off of N. State Highway 37 in Wood County following reports of a shooting. Witnesses told deputies that a fight over money and a gun began between the shooter, who they identified as White, and another individual.
TYLER — Businesses and community members in the Downtown Tyler area are speaking out on how the city’s improvement project is affecting day-to-day operations. A project aimed at revitalizing downtown is now creating real challenges for some business owners in the heart of Tyler, according to our news partner KETK.
J. Witcher, general manager at Rick’s on the Square, says it’s been a months-long uphill battle getting customers through the door. “I would say the main complaint is parking; they just don’t know where to go,” Witcher said. “People just are faced with a variety of choices in Tyler; coming downtown right now poses different challenges.”
Witcher supports a better downtown, but right now, the cost is hitting hard as the restaurants and bars that have been open for more than 30 years are feeling the strain. Continue reading Concerns over improvement project
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference following the Federal Open Markets Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve on December 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) -- The Federal Reserve on Wednesday will issue its latest announcement on interest rates as gasoline prices in the U.S. reach their highest level in four years. The move marks what may be the central bank's final decision on borrowing costs under the leadership of Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
The policy announcement is set to arrive at an uneasy moment for the central bank. The Iran war set off a rapid acceleration of price increases, posing a challenge for policymakers bedeviled by elevated inflation and sluggish hiring.
Investors overwhelmingly expect the Fed to leave rates unchanged on Wednesday, according to the CME FedWatch Tool, a measure of market sentiment.
A standoff between the White House and Congress, meanwhile, has cast doubt over succession plans for Powell as his term comes to a close next month.
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Fed, Kevin Warsh, has faced a bipartisan stonewall in the Senate Banking Committee over a federal criminal investigation into Powell.
The Department of Justice moved to drop the probe last week, paving the way for Warsh to advance in a committee vote. If his nomination advances, Warsh would face a confirmation vote on the Senate floor.
The investigation into Powell focuses on alleged false testimony to Congress about an office renovation. Powell, who was appointed by Trump in 2017, has rebuked the probe as a politically motivated effort to influence interest-rate policy.
Powell's term as Fed chair ends on May 15, but he said last month he would stay in the position until Warsh is confirmed.
Even after his successor is confirmed, Powell could remain on the Fed's 12-member policymaking board until 2028, retaining a role in the central bank's interest-rate policy. Powell has not indicated whether he intends to remain on the board.
Elevated price increases have coincided with a slowdown of economic growth, threatening to intensify an economic double-whammy known as "stagflation," which poses difficulty for the Fed.
If the Fed opts to lower borrowing costs, it could spur growth but risk higher inflation. On the other hand, the choice to raise interest rates may slow price increases but raises the likelihood of a cooldown in economic performance.
The Fed held interest rates steady last month at its first meeting since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran drove up gasoline prices and risked a wider bout of inflation.
The central bank's move marked the second consecutive time it has opted to maintain interest rates at current levels since the outset of 2026. Before that, the Fed cut interest rates a quarter-point three straight times.
Warsh, a former Fed official, is currently a fellow at a conservative think tank called the Hoover Institution, which is based at Stanford University.
During his term as a Fed governor in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Warsh gained a reputation as an interest-rate “hawk,” meaning he generally preferred higher interest rates as a means of ensuring low and stable inflation.
In recent months, however, Warsh has voiced support for lower interest rates, rebuking the Fed’s concern about inflation risk posed by a flurry of new tariffs issued last year.
Markets peg a roughly 80% chance of interest rates holding steady for the remainder of this year, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
MARSHALL — Police arrested a man on Tuesday after a morning shooting left another person with multiple, non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall Police received a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Oak Street on Tuesday at 7:42 a.m., where law enforcement found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical aid was provided to the victim, who identified the suspect as Kornelius Bell of Marshall. The victim was then taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the Marshall Police Department said.
Bell was found at a residence in the 300 block of Cedar Street, where he was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon. The firearm believed to have been used in the incident was recovered at the residence.
Though an arrest has been made, the Marshall Police Department continues to follow up on leads with additional charges expected. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the police department at 903-935-4575.