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Tyler, TX – For the 22nd year in a row, Tyler ISD has earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) from the Association of School Business Officials International.

The recognition honors the district’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024. The COE is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, reflecting a tradition of accuracy, transparency, and accountability. “Tyler ISD is honored to be recognized for excellence in financial reporting for the 22nd year,” said Tyler ISD Chief Financial Officer Kasey Russell. “We are especially proud to have received the award without any comments or recommendations.”

The district credits this continued achievement to a shared commitment among its leadership, staff, and community to uphold the highest standards in financial stewardship.

CAMP COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a huge step was taken against the Grand Saline Creek Reservoir on Thursday as a local water planning group unanimously voted against the project. Canton residents pushback against Grand Saline Creek Reservoir For residents, it was a big win on Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburg. After a nearly 4-hour meeting, the Region D Water Planning Group representatives voted down the proposed Grand Saline Creek Reservoir as an alternative water source for the city of Canton. The board will also send a letter of opposition to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Continue reading Planning group votes against controversial reservoir

TYLER — Chapel Hill Independent School District and The University of Texas at Tyler announced two new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements for Chapel Hill educators to advance their careers through high-quality graduate programs at a reduced tuition rate. According to a news release, the first agreement offers an Accelerated Master’s in Educational Leadership with principal certification, designed to be completed in just three terms through 100% online coursework.

The program provides hands-on learning, curriculum evaluation skills, and strategic planning expertise, preparing educators for leadership roles. Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD and UT Tyler partner to expand degree opportunities

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are investigating after an elementary school student was grazed by a vehicle on Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Longview ISD released a statement saying a student at Clarence W. Bailey Elementary was involved in an accident near campus. The child was taken to a local hospital out of an abundance of caution, but is expected to be okay. The mother reported to the district that the child is ‘doing well and is eager to return to school.’

The Longview Police Department identified the driver as Susana Granado, who was arrested for failure to stop at the scene of a collision causing bodily injury. She was booked into the Gregg County Jail and has since bonded out. Continue reading Arrest in student hit and run

HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a Henderson County woman, who was one of five people arrested earlier this year after a drug bust, has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison. According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, Tiffany Nicole Williams was arrested on Feb. 27 after four grams of methamphetamine and a large amount of cash were found in her bedroom. Following this arrest, Williams was charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

Her February arrest came while she was out on bond from an earlier arrest. Williams was previously arrested in November 2024 in connection with a civil complaint.

According to authorities, on Nov.13, 2024, members of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office arrived at home after receiving a complaint that Williams was parked outside of a house. Once deputies arrived on the scene, they observed Williams in the driver’s seat of a car parked outside the home. Continue reading Henderson County woman sentenced to 15 years for meth

TYLER – During the Tyler City Council meeting on Wednesday morning, the City Manager presented the proposed $219.3 million budget, highlighting improvements to public safety, streets, water utilities and more. After months of collaboration and planning, the annual budget was proposed during the City Council meeting, where City Manager Edward Broussard covered every aspect of the plan and how it would benefit the community.

Public Safety

“Public safety remains our largest and most important investment,” Broussard said.

Police department: For the fourth year, the budget will fund the AXON taser and body camera replacement program. This keeps the technology current, replaces damaged equipment without large cash outlays and maintains the “high level of accountability and safety our community expects.” Continue reading Tyler’s budget focuses on public safety, water utilities

TYLER – East Texas state lawmakers are ready to go back to work, while Democratic Party leaders are saying they want a fair session. The breaking point of this special session came during Republicans’ attempt at passing a redistricting map that would create more Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to our news partner KETK.

“It’s time for the Democrats to get back and do their jobs and represent their districts and have a debate and a discussion where that’s supposed to happen,” State Rep. Cole Hefner, a Republican of Lindale, said.

Hefner said committee meetings are still happening and bills are passing out of the calendar committee, but now they want to bring those items to the floor.

“We have four or five flood relief, flood-related bills to do with the Kerrville floods, the central Texas floods, and those are top of the list priorities,” Hefner said. “Of course, the redistricting is going to be important for the direction of our nation, and so there’s a lot of business to be done here.” Continue reading ETX Reps express disappointment with quorum breakers

TYLER – Tyler ISD got their official TEA ratings today and the news is very good. For example, Moore Middle School jumped from a B (89) to an A (90). They also saw an increase at five other campuses. Click here to see the full chart.

LONGVIEW — Our news partners at KETK report that a motorcyclist is dead following a crash on Monday in Longview. The Longview Police Department said officers responded to a call after an SUV and motorcycle crash occurred on Monday at around 6:01 p.m. in the 3700 block of West Loop 281. The investigation revealed that the motorcyclist ran a red light that caused the crash. The biker was then taken to a local hospital, where the driver later died. Officials have not identified the driver of the motorcycle at this time.

GILMER — After years of leading the way in Gilmer, City Manager Greg Hutson is stepping down, according to our news partner KETK. “I woke up one morning and I said, it’s time, “Gilmer City Manager Greg Hutson said. Hutson has served as city manager for Gilmer for almost nine years, and before that, worked for the city of Sampson Park.

“I have accomplished what I needed to accomplish, what I wanted to accomplish in Gilmer,” Hutson said. “The accomplishments we’ve made as it relates to the airport, the projects in process now at the parks, the maintenance of the tanks.” Continue reading Long-time city manager steps down

TYLER — An SUV  crashed into Piada at The Village at Cumberland Park in Tyler on Tuesday afternoon. Tyler police and UT Health EMS responded to the scene. According to our news partner KETK, no injuries were reported. No word on the cause of the crash. Additional details were not available.

BULLARD – As Wednesday, Aug. 13, County Road 172 is now closed to through traffic as part of the FM 2493 widening project. According to TxDOT, the closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately one month.

Detour routes have been marked with signs, along with electronic message boards to assist drivers in navigating around the closure. Bullard ISD bus routes are not expected to be affected by this closure.

MARION COUNTY — Marion County is now under a burn ban after Governor Greg Abbott signed a disaster declaration on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, County Judge Leward J. LaFleur said the ban was issued out of of caution after Governor Abbott said 191 counties were under an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage due to increased fire weather conditions that began on Sunday. This means. all outdoor burning is now prohibited in the county unless the restriction ends earlier based on a determination made by the Texas Forest Service or the court. The order also mentions that any outdoor grill be above the ground, or enclosed. Fire rings, ground fires and open grills are prohibited. Anyone caught violating the order can receive a Class C misdemeanor or a $500 fine.