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TYLER – UPDATE: Today is the set deadline for an agreement to be reached between CHRISTUS Health and BlueCross BlueShield.

According to a released statement from CHRISTUS Health, despite months of negotiations, BlueCross BlueShield of Texas(BCBSTX) has so far been unwilling to seriously consider CHRISTUS Health’s requests for equitable reimbursement rates to cover the rising costs of providing quality health care.

The statement says that BlueCross BlueShield’s similar aggressive negotiation tactics recently used with other health systems also raise concerns about their commitment to reach a fair contract.

CHRISTUS said in the statement, “We continue to make good-faith efforts to negotiate fair insurance rates to ensure all who might need us have access to the largest, highest-quality health care system in the communities we serve.”

CHRISTUS Health also said that they remain dedicated to reaching an agreement that is in the best interest of their employers, physicians, care centers and most importantly, their patients – and hope that the same is true for BCBSTX.

More information about the agreement, or lack thereof, will be released as details become available. Continue reading CHRISTUS Health continues negotiations with BlueCross BlueShield

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Emergency Services District 2 responded to the scene of a boat crash on the Sabine River that left one person injured on Saturday according to our news partner KETK.

According to the district, a man was injured when one boat crashed into another boat on the Sabine River at around 10:30 a.m. near FM 14 in Lindale. The man was then flown by helicopter to be treated at a local hospital for a head injury he got in the crash.

Smith County Emergency Services District 2 told KETK that both boats made it back to boat ramp. Officials said Texas Game Wardens will be investigating the boat crash.

TYLER – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed East Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes’ Life of the Mother bill into law on Friday to clarify Texas’ ban on abortion for doctors.

According to our news partner KETK, Senate Bill 31, also known as the Life of the Mother Act, clears up language from the abortion ban law that Texas passed in 2022. According to Hughes, the bill is designed to make sure that women having medical emergencies can get an abortion. The bill includes a number of edits and clarifications to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and the Texas Health and Safety Code. One change is to the definition of the term “life-threatening” which now includes conditions which may not be actively injuring a patient.

“This bill is to look at our pro-life laws and make the language even clearer, so there’s no question, no excuse when a mom presents with a medical emergency, she gets treated,” State Hughes said in March.

“For the purposes of Subsection (b)(2),”life-threatening” means capable of causing death or potentially fatal. A life-threatening physical condition is not necessarily one actively injuring the patient,” the text of Senate Bill 31 states. Continue reading Gov. Abbott signs Hughes’ Life of the Mother abortion bill

TYLER – Beginning Monday, June 23, the eastbound right lane of I-20, at Grand Saline Creek (east of mile marker 531), will be closed for repairs to a sinkhole near the bridge slab. Work is expected to occur primarily during daylight hours; however, a nighttime closure may be necessary early in the week.

The lane closure is anticipated to remain in place through Friday, June 27. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use caution in the work zone.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran has given his backing to the United States’ attack on three Iranian nuclear sites announced by President Donald Trump on Saturday.

Moran tweeted, “Peace through strength in action. This was a necessary step to protect America and its ally Israel from the clear and present danger presented by Iran and its advanced nuclear program. This is the kind of leadership the moment demands.”

Moran’s tweet came after President Trump posted on the social media that the United States’ planes had bombed Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

District 8 Representative Cody Harris of Palestine reposted a statement supporting the attack and President Trump from Speaker of The Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows. Continue reading East Texas representatives react to Iranian strikes

SHELBY COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that officials identified the body of a man who drowned on Wednesday after his kayak flipped over at Lake Timpson.

The body of Gregory Parker, 43, of Timpson was found by dive teams at 9:41 Friday morning after two days of searching, according to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Hanson. Parker and his friend were on kayaks at Lake Timpson when Parker’s kayak suddenly flipped over and he never resurfaced. Parker’s friend told officials that he heard a yell behind him and when he turned around Parker was below the water. According to Hanson, Parker’s friend called 911 near the area where Parker went under and the dive teams found the body almost exactly where a GPS tracked the call’s signal.

Multiple dive teams and law enforcement agencies helped recover Parker’s body including the DeSoto Parish Fire District 1 dive team and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office officials along with San Augustine and Hudson Fire Departments. Authorities do not suspect foul play and Parker’s body was sent to Dallas for an autopsy.

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a Florida man was arrested by Smith County officials on Friday after he refused to pull over while taking up both lanes on I-20.

At 1:47 p.m. a citizen reported that a gray 18-wheeler was straddling both lanes while driving eastbound on I-20 and was not allowing other drivers to pass. Officials identified the driver of the 18-wheeler as Cecil Devon Brown, 43, of Pensacola, Florida who recently quit his job at a transport company. The transport company told Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials that Brown did not have permission to drive the 18-wheeler and they believe he was fleeing to Florida.

As Brown continued to head east on I-20 near Highway 69, a constable with Smith County Precinct 5 attempted to get Brown to pull over by flashing his police lights, but Brown would not follow directions from law enforcement. Christian said officials believe that Brown was not trying to run from law enforcement because he never exceeded 70 miles per hour during the pursuit, they believe he just did not want to stop. Continue reading Florida man arrested in 18-wheeler pursuit on I-20

HENDERSON COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, after 32 years with Henderson County, Judge Wade McKinney announced on Friday that he will not seek reelection for the next term.

McKinney said he started working for the county in 1994 as a road hand who filled potholes and just wanted to chase cows. Since then he served 20 years as the county commissioner and as the county judge since 2019. McKinney is proud of what the county has accomplished during his time and he wants the public to know that his work as a public servant is ongoing.

“This is not about slowing down or saying goodbye,” McKinney said. “It is about shifting focus. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and working on my land, getting back to some of the things I have always loved. I also want to help others navigate the challenges of local government with the knowledge and experience I have gained these last 32 years. The work is never really finished.”

McKinney thanked the public for trusting him with the honor of serving Henderson County and said that no matter what, he will still be a road hand at heart.

HUDSON – The City of Hudson in Angelina County has dissolved its police department, citing factors like leadership turnover, personnel matters and budget constraints, according to our news partner KETK.

“The decision was not made lightly and many factors went into this outcome, the most important factor, however, was ensuring that the citizens of the City of Hudson receive access to the best quality law enforcement and emergency services possible,” Hudson city officials said.

The city council voted to dissolve the police department in a special meeting on Tuesday. The decision came after city council members gave the department a 90-day grace period to find new leaders, strengthen their internal procedures and make sure their budget was used efficiently. Continue reading City votes to dissolve police department

MABANK – A construction worker has died after a trench collapse incident occurred on Wednesday morning in Mabank, according to our news partner KETK. At around 10:30 a.m., Mabank Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of North State Highway 198 after reports of a construction site accident.

When rescue crews arrived, removed a worker from the ditch, and performed life-saving measures. The worker, identified as Abraham Gomez Cruz, 38 of Hutchins, was taken to a local hospital where he died shortly after.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and coworkers of Mr. Gomez during this incredibly difficult time,” the police department said.

The investigation remains ongoing by occupational safety officials to determine the cause of the collapse.

ARP – Nearly 20 members of the Arp ISD teaching staff will have a little extra cash in their pockets after being approved to receive the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA).

The TIA strives to recognize and retain promising teachers by creating incentivize programs for teachers who work in high-needs schools. Following the 2022-2023 school year, Arp ISD submitted applications for their educators to be entered into the TIA.

After the end of this school year, it was revealed that 17 members of the Arp teaching staff had been approved to join the TIA for their excellent work in the classroom. The teachers selected earned designations at one of three levels, including recognized, exemplary, and masters based on their classroom performance, student growth and rigorous evaluations.

“I am thrilled for these 17 teachers,” added Arp ISD Assistant Superintendent Stephanie Schminkey. “An incredible recognition for their hard work, dedication, and impact on students in the classroom.” Continue reading Arp teachers recognized for excellence

TYLER — CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler held a memorial service on Thursday to honor four medics that lost their lives in the line of duty in 1988 and 1989. According to our news partner KETK, the National EMS Memorial Service (NEMSMS) travels across the U.S. every year to honor emergency medical services personnel that died while in the line of duty. This year, NEMSMS planned to make a total of 29 stops in 19 states and one of those stops was at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

A ‘Tree of Life’ memorial was held to honor three CHRSITUS ‘Flight for Life’ crew members who died in an air medical accident on Feb. 13, 1989 and another medic who died in 1988. The ‘Tree of Life’ is a memorial board that displays an image of an oak tree with the names, agencies and dates of loss of every honoree engraved on the leaves. Continue reading Four medics memorialized at Tyler hospital

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK and the Lufkin Police Department, the juvenile who was shot Tuesday evening in Lufkin died early Thursday morning at a Houston hospital.

26-year-old Julious Griffin was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday evening, and murder charges are now pending.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin man is behind bars after a shooting on Tuesday night on Percy Simond Street left one person injured. According to the police department, around 7 p.m. officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Percy Simond Street. When they arrived, 26-year-old Julious Griffin admitted to the officers that he shot the juvenile in the leg, but claimed self-defense.

Griffin has been booked in to the Angelina County Jail on the following charges: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and Deadly conduct.

The person that was injured was taken to a local hospital, but then later flown to an out-of-town facility. Their condition and identity have not been released as of this writing.