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LIVINGSTON (AP) — Robert Roberson was calm and hopeful as he pondered his mortality and whether he could again avoid becoming the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.

With days to go before his scheduled Oct. 16 execution, Roberson maintained his innocence in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in the east Texas city of Palestine. He is set to die by lethal injection nearly a year to the day after a group of Texas lawmakers, who say he is innocent, secured an extraordinary last-minute court reprieve as Roberson waited outside the death chamber in Huntsville.

Roberson said he was placing his hopes for another execution stay in the hands of his lawyers, his supporters and God. Continue reading Roberson hopeful as he faces another execution date

TYLER — The City of Tyler Municipal Court and Smith County Courts are teaming up to offer a Warrant Solution Program starting Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 17. According to a news release, during the Warrant Solution Program, defendants with a warrant who voluntarily appear in the Tyler Municipal Court will receive a $50 reduction on each outstanding case.

To get started, defendants must first contact the Purdue Brandon Law Firm at (866) 870-8565 for guidance on the appropriate court. The law firm manages case collections for both the Tyler Municipal Court and the Smith County Courts.

Anyone who voluntarily appears in person at the Tyler Municipal Court may participate in the program and request a payment plan. Defendants who are unable to pay the authorized monthly installment will be allowed the opportunity to see a judge to explain their circumstances.

To learn more about Tyler Municipal Court’s Warrant Solution Program or to determine eligibility, contact the Perdue Brandon Law Firm at 1-866-870-8565 or click here.

SMITH COUNTY — Farm to Market Road 346 in Smith County will remain closed through Tuesday as construction crews mill and inlay the road, according to TxDOT.

Tyler maintenance crews are working on multiple areas of FM 346 this week including rehabbing from Cumberland Road to 0.45 miles north of FM 346.

Crews will begin mill and inlay work on FM 346 moving east from Farm to Market Road 756 to County Road 2142. Crews will also tackle ditch and drainage issues in the county.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A man was pronounced dead while under custody at the Van Zandt County Jail last month, according to our news partner KETK. Jason Lane Lopez, 53, was arrested on Sept. 2 and charged with public intoxication after he was found on N. 4th Street in Wills Point, according to a Texas Attorney General’s Office report into his death. Prior to his arrest, Lopez was acting combative and assistance was required from a Van Zandt County Deputy to take him into custody.

Following his arrest, Lopez was transported to the Van Zandt County Jail and continued to resist officers by attempting to get loose of their grasp and thrashing his body before officers placed him on the ground so he could be placed in a restraint chair. Continue reading Man dies in Van Zandt Jail while in custody

TYLER – On Saturday, supporters gathered at the Texas State Capitol, asking lawmakers to stop the execution of Robert Roberson, who was convicted of murder in 2003 for killing his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. According to our news partner KETK, one Texas lawmaker is also calling for action to stop Roberson’s scheduled execution on Oct. 16.

“This man must have a new trial, justice demands it,” State Rep. Brian Harrison of Waxahachie said.

Harrison made a motion to issue a legislative subpoena in October of 2024 that led to a stay of Roberson’s first scheduled execution. Now, he’s saying this case should be seen in court again.
He said wrong statements and misinformation have also clouded the facts of the case. Continue reading Texas lawmaker calls for new trial in Roberson case

LUFKIN – Three people were flown to a hospital on Monday morning following a head-on collision in Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK and the Lufkin Police Department, the crash occurred at around 8:30 a.m. in the 4000 block of Southwood Drive. The vehicles involved in the crash include a Buick, driven by a woman who was accompanied by a teenager and a child; the second vehicle, a Ford truck, was driven by a man.

The identity of the victims has not been released at this time. The department is currently investigating the crash and will release more information when the investigation is complete.

SMITH COUNTY, Texas – Crews are responding to a major crash on Highway 69 heading towards Tyler. Our news partners at KETK report that Smith County Emergency Services District 2 are on the scene of a crash near the community of New Hope. The crash involved an 18-wheeler and a Kia Soul. Traffic is moving but authorities are urging drivers to stay aware.

AUSTIN — A Jacksonville, Texas resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery® scratch ticket game 500X. The ticket was purchased at Kim’s #47, located at 10750 FM 346 W., in Flint. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. This was the 10th of 15 top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. 500X offers more than $229 million in total prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.36, including break-even prizes.

LONGVIEW – Our news partners at KETK report a senior at Longview’s Trinity School of Texas (TST) has been named a NASA Texas High School Aerospace Scholar. Emilio M. was nominated for the prestigious program by TST and State Representative Jay Dean, and he was selected from over 800 high school juniors across the state to participate in this NASA engagement activity. Continue reading Trinity School of Texas senior named NASA Scholar

EAST TEXAS — The last day to register to vote in Texas is Monday, marking a crucial deadline for residents to ensure their participation in the upcoming November election.

Eligible to register to vote if:

• United States citizen
• Resident of the county where your application is submitted
• At least 17 years and 10 months old on the date of your voter registration application is submitted and your 18 years old on Election Day
• Not a convicted felon (You may be eligible if you have completed your sentence, probation and parole)
• Not declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law

Continue reading Texas voter registration ends Monday

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Shelter is operating with limited staff and is asking community members to call to make an appointment to adopt one of the available dogs, according to our news partner KETK.

“The Smith County Fire Marshal and Smith County Animal Shelter staff are working hard to take care of the 65 animals, despite being short staffed and continuing to respond to emergency dog calls,” the county said “Thank you for your dedication and service.”

The shelter said on Friday that there are 19 dogs available for adoption, including several puppies. Community members can make an appointment by calling the shelter at 903-266-4303.

SMITH COUNTY – On November 18, 2020, two Smith County Deputies were working drug interdiction at the Greyhound Bus Station located at 16243 US Hwy 271 North at Interstate 20. While checking the bus, they located a “suspicious blue backpack” at the back of the bus, and no one would claim it. Subsequently, the Deputies located over $4,000 in cash and approximately 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine within the unclaimed blue bag. Continue reading Drug offender sentenced in federal court

PALESTINE — Our news partners at KETK report that two years after the case went cold, two Texas people have been arrested in connection with human trafficking of their own family members.

In October 2023, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division was notified by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services of several complaints of sexual misconduct and possible prostitution in the Cleveland area of San Jacinto County.

The case went cold until September 2025, when the county reopened the investigation and identified two suspects, Glyn Banning and Jeremy Waltrapp, who are suspected of engaging in human trafficking. Law enforcement obtained statements from victims and witnesses that confirmed the allegations, county officials said. Continue reading Palestine woman accused of trafficking family members