Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
TRINITY COUNTY, Texas (KETK)— The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation after gallon barrels of chemicals and paint were illegally dumped into a local creek.
According to the sheriff’s office, 55-gallon barrels containing chemicals, paint and unknown substances were dumped from a white rental truck into a creek near the Port Adventure subdivision, less than half a mile from Lake Livingston.
“Dumping chemicals into our waterways can harm wildlife, contaminate drinking water, and create long-term environmental damage that affects this county for years to come,” Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said.
A cleanup effort to remove the chemicals from the water has begun and crews from Lone Star Hazmat are currently on the scene. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who witnessed the products being dumped to contact authorities at 936-642-1424 so they can build a strong case against potential suspects.
“If we allow this kind of behavior, we are inviting more of it,” Wallace said. “A dirty environment attracts more crime, more dumping, and more people who have no respect for this county.”
TYLER — The WAGES Act, introduced by Representative Nathaniel Moran (R), Texas, looks to give manual labor companies more support in apprenticeship programs through a tax credit. According to our news partner KETK, Moran is making waves in East Texas blue-collar industries through his new Workforce, Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support (WAGES) Act. He’s making the pitch this week to companies in the Pineywoods and if passed, the new law would allow companies with a registered apprenticeship program to pay apprentices and mentors while covering program expenses.
WAGES would help the next generation of workers at Trane Technologies get adapted to their work environment before taking on the job.
“It says we want to give you an employment tax credit up to $5,000 per apprentice per quarter against those taxes you’re paying every quarter,” Moran said. Read the rest of this entry »
SAN AUGUSTINE, Texas (KETK)– An East Texas man was sentenced to 99 years in prison on Thursday after committing murder with a crossbow in 2022.
Lorenza White was arrested in December 2022 after deputies from the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an unresponsive and bloodied man lying in the front yard of a house on FM 711.
Once on the scene, deputies found the victim dead from injuries he sustained after being shot by a crossbow in the back. White was later arrested in Lufkin after he was seen driving in the victim’s truck, which had been reported stolen.
After being placed under arrest, White admitted to officials that he had shot the victim with a crossbow and then stole his truck. White was later charged with murder, aggravated robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
On Thursday, White was sentenced to 99 years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of murder.
TYLER – Voters from across East Texas passed 9 out of 11 proposed school bonds on Saturday, investing over $309 million in total to help expand facilities for students, repair campuses and more.
Our news partner KETK has put together a list of school bond proposals that were voted on from areas across East Texas on May 2. You may view that list here.
TYLER — A runoff has been called for the Tyler mayoral race after neither of the four candidates running received enough votes on Saturday to fill the position. According to our news partner KETK, John Nix leads with 32% of the votes, while Stuart Hene trails with 26%. Candidates James Wynee and Shirley McKellar will not appear on the runoff ballot after not receiving enough votes on Saturday to qualify.
The runoff for the mayoral race has been scheduled for Saturday, June 13.
As Nix and Hene look to keep voters engaged leading up to the runoff, Nix said he will continue campaigning and interacting with voters over the next few weeks.
“We’re super excited that our vote total is coming out on top tonight,” Nix said. “We knocked on over 10,000 doors and we’re going to continue to go strong. We’re just excited to be able to continue the conversation with the voters into the runoff.”
Meanwhile, Hene said he will work to sustain the support he received from voters on Saturday while continuing to preach his campaign message of positivity.
“It’s the same positive message that we’ve been running, and I hope to continue to reach out across the city to gain the support that we have with the voters who turned out today,” Hene said. “While hopefully attracting new voters with the same positive message of continuing that momentum that we have going in our city, we have been the second-best place to live in the state of Texas.”
AUSTIN (AP) – Two makers of the widely used abortion pill mifepristone asked the Supreme Court on Saturday to block an appellate court ruling that cut off mail-order access to the drug just a day earlier, in what was the biggest jolt to abortion policy in the U.S. since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Danco Laboratories asked the high court for an emergency pause on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision, saying the appellate ruling “injects immediate confusion and upheaval into highly time-sensitive medical decisions.” GenBioPro, which makes a generic version of mifepristone, made a similar request.
The New Orleans-based appeals court’s unanimous ruling Friday marked a substantial victory for abortion opponents seeking to stem the flow of abortion pills prescribed online, which they view as subverting state bans on the procedure. It requires that mifepristone be distributed only in person and at clinics, overruling regulations set by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
“We’re now going to see, I think in a way we haven’t before, what the nation will look like when abortion bans are actually in effect,” said Mary Ziegler, an expert on abortion law and a professor at University of California at Davis School of Law.
Here’s what to know:
Impact extends beyond states with abortion bans
Frustrated with a lack of federal action against medicated abortions, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill sued the FDA last year, saying its rules allowing mifepristone to be dispensed through the mail undermined the state’s ban on abortions at all stages of pregnancy.
Friday’s ruling is in effect while the case works its way through the courts. It affects patients in all states, even those without abortion restrictions.
“This is a huge access issue for patients that haven’t got providers close by, or providers close by who are willing to prescribe,” said Josh Thorburn, owner of Eddie’s Pharmacy in Los Angeles.
There is little precedent for a federal court overruling the scientific regulations of the FDA, and it remains to be seen how the decision could impact abortion access long-term.
Murrill, a Republican, celebrated the ruling as a “victory for life” while other anti-abortion advocates cheered the reversal of rules finalized under President Joe Biden that ended a longstanding requirement that the pills be obtained at an in-person doctor’s visit.
Representatives for the FDA and the U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mifepristone long considered safe and effective
Mifepristone was approved in 2000 as a safe and effective way to end early pregnancies. It is typically used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol, which is not affected by the ruling but is less effective on its own.
Surveys have found that the majority of abortions in the U.S. are administered using pills and that about one in four abortions nationally are prescribed via telehealth. Providers have suggested that its availability through telehealth is a reason why the number of abortions in the U.S. has not fallen since Roe was overturned in 2022.
As a result, abortion pills and those who prescribe them out of state have become key targets of abortion opponents.
Some Democratic-led states have adopted laws that aim to protect providers who prescribe via telehealth and mail the pills to states with bans. Those so-called shield laws are being tested through civil and criminal cases in Louisiana and Texas.
One telehealth provider in a state with a shield law, Dr. Angel Foster, was working with legal experts to understand how the ruling would impact her organization, The Massachusetts Medication Abortion Project.
“We will do everything in our power to continue providing care to people in all 50 states,” she said.
Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, said providers are “in limbo” as they await further court decisions but can pivot to using just misoprostol for abortion care.
“It’s got a chilling effect on providers across the country, and it’s going to have a chilling effect on patients, who are already having a hard time navigating the law state by state, and what they can get and how they can get care,” she said.
Abortion policy could come into play in the midterms
The case could again make abortion a key issue in the midterm elections as Democrats aim to take back control of the House and Republicans fight to hold on to a narrow majority.
“This is going to be a pretty significant change in terms of how people experience abortion access, probably as significant as anything we’ve seen since Roe was overturned,” Ziegler said. “So another big question mark is going to be the extent to which voters feel that before they go to the polls.”
Recent electoral results suggest that voters seeking to maintain abortion access have the political momentum. Since Roe was overturned, abortion has been on the ballot directly in 17 states. Voters have sided with the abortion-rights side in 14 of those questions.
Abortion-rights supporter Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, said the ruling is “deeply out of step with both the public and fact-based science.”
Ziegler said the case also “sort of puts the president in the position of having to get off the sidelines on this issue in a way we haven’t seen before.”
Trump received criticism after the ruling from some anti-abortion advocates who expressed frustration that he did not take action himself to block distribution of the pill.
The FDA under Trump approved another generic version of mifepristone last year, which peeved some allies of the Republican president.
“It’s shameful that the Trump administration’s inaction has forced pro-life states to take their battle to the federal courts,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who also applauded the appellate ruling.
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This story has been updated to correct the name of drugmaker GenBioPro and the timing of Louisiana’s lawsuit against the FDA.
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Associated Press writers Jamie Stengle in Dallas and Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed.
MARSHALL – A disturbance on the campus of Wiley University led to the arrest of two women. The Marshall Police Department said it was called to the university campus on April 26 regarding a reported disturbance. Working in coordination with Wiley University Security, MPD learned that Marietta Denise Taylor, 50, allegedly made threatening statements in the presence of university security personnel that were directed toward the university.
According to our news partner KETK, it was through their investigation that it was determined there was probable cause to arrest Taylor for making the terroristic threat, a third-degree felony. She was arrested without incident and booked into the Harrison County Jail. On Friday, May 1, Jayla Unique Jackson, 24, was arrested for criminal trespass in connection with the same incident.
“The Marshall Police Department takes all threats of violence seriously and will continue working closely with its law enforcement and community partners to ensure the safety and security of
the public,” MPD said in a statement.
The department asks that anyone with information about this incident to call 903-935-4575.
TYLER – As the May 2 elections approach, several East Texas School districts are asking their residents to pass school bond proposals to help expand facilities for students, repair campuses and more. Our news partner KETK has put together the following list of school bond proposals that will appear on May ballots across East Texas:
ALBA-GOLDEN
Alba-Golden ISD is calling for a $20.6 million bond proposal to fund the following:
Career & Technology Education (CTE) Facility
Agricultural Mechanics & Metal Tech workshop (3,500 SF)
Construction Tech workshop (3,500 SF) Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – The City of Lindale honored retiring police chief Dan Somes on Friday after he spent more than 20 years serving with the Lindale Police Department. According to our news partner KETK, Somes was part of Lindale PD for 27 years and lead the department as Chief of Police for the past 20 years. He started his career with the city of Seven Points Police Department before joining Lindale’s police force. He was able to radio out his last call at an retirement celebration held at Picker’s Pavilion on Friday. During the event Somes was presented with a shadow box containing a Lindale PD badge and patches.
Part of the new blood Somes referred to is Brent Chambers, who started his tenure as Lindale PD’s new chief of police in March.
TYLER – Smith County Animal Control and Shelter has announced it’s looking to coordinate with local animal shelters to better help local animals following a recent controversy. Pawsitive Place Rescue and Nicholas Pet Haven took to social media recently to criticize how the Smith County shelter reportedly euthanized a dozen dogs without notifying any of the nearby shelters so they could take the animals and spare them from death. Following these posts, the Smith County Animal Shelter detailed several recent policy changes they’ve made to their euthanasia protocols at a meeting of the Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday.
Pawsitive Place Rescue and Nicholas Pet Haven said they spoke with Smith County Judge Neal Franklin on Wednesday and that he heard their complaints. They explained that even after these recent policy changes, they’d like to see the county, community and state support efforts to foster, spay and neuter pets to prevent shelters from filling up in the first place.
“The real solution is mandatory spay and neuter,” Nicholas Pet Haven said. “The county and city both have the ability to put this into action yet they refuse to do so. Hopefully, this can be done at the state level. If not, the problem remains. If you are a dog owner and let your dog have one liter after another, then you are the problem.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW —Several members of the Longview Fire Department were honored by Governor Abbott recently for their heroic efforts. The incident occurred during the morning of Feb. 28 after a hot air balloon carrying two people crashed into a 920-foot cell tower. Once on the scene, firefighters began using multiple rope systems to safely remove both people from the balloon and bring them back to the ground.
The firefighters who helped safely remove both people from the balloon were honored by Abbott at the department’s annual banquet last Saturday.
“We were deeply honored to welcome Governor Abbott and his team, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Longview and every one of our incredible sponsors,” the Longview Fire Department said. “Your support and generosity transformed this evening into a night to remember for all our members and their families.”
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – AAA Texas said the statewide average gas price spiked by 25 cents since last week amid continued uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz.
“Drivers had been seeing some minor relief at the pump, but that trend has quickly reversed as crude oil prices climb and uncertainty continues around the Strait of Hormuz,” AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster said. “Because crude oil is the main driver of gasoline prices, continued volatility in the global oil market could keep upward pressure on pump prices in the days ahead.”
Oil prices surged above $100 this week, prompting Texas’s average regular unleaded gas price to reach $3.85 per gallon, well below the nationwide average of $4.30 per gallon.
According to AAA Texas, fuel prices haven’t been this high since 2022, as the world continues to wait and see whether the Strait of Hormuz will reopen.
FRANKSTON — A Frankston ISD parent has filed a federal lawsuit accusing a high school basketball coach and teacher of sexual harassment and retaliation, alleging her son’s playing time and grades were impacted after she rejected the coach’s advances. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, names head basketball coach and economics teacher Vance Dallas and Frankston ISD as defendants, according to our news partner KETK.
According to the complaint, the student’s mother alleges Dallas made repeated unwanted sexual advances toward her during the school year and tied her son’s athletic opportunities to her compliance. The lawsuit claims that in December, Dallas asked her to share an adjoining hotel room during an out-of-town basketball tournament, allegedly implying her son would receive more playing time if she agreed.
In another instance, the complaint alleges Dallas asked her in November 2025 to model a basketball uniform “wearing only the uniform,” again tying the request to a potential starting position for her son. Read the rest of this entry »
SEVEN POINTS – Mold and water damage have compromised police evidence left for months inside an abandoned former city hall building, once used by the Seven Points Police Department. One case is already in jeopardy — and more could follow.
According to our news partner KETK, the City of Seven Points received an email from the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office on April 22 requesting evidence for an active criminal case. But when staff searched their new evidence storage container, the requested evidence was nowhere to be found.
Back in March 2025, the City of Seven Points City Hall and police station building at 428. E Cedar Creek Parkway was significantly damaged in a storm. The roof was ripped off from the police station side of the building during the storm, taking out a electricity pole in the process and leaving the structure without power.
According to the City of Seven Points, power could not be restored to the former city hall building, prompting the mayor and police chief to coordinate a relocation plan. Mayor Keith Betts was responsible for moving the city’s administrative offices and records, while former Police Chief Raymond Wennerstrom was tasked with overseeing the police department’s move, including the transfer of its evidence room. Read the rest of this entry »
HOUSTON COUNTY — A trial date has been set for an East Texas man accused of killing his ex?wife, whose disappearance from Latexo in 2000 has remained unsolved.
KETK News spoke with Dina Shoemake’s daughter, who attended Thursday’s hearing and confirmed that a pretrial date has been set for Sept. 21. She said the judge expressed confidence in the case’s progress and scheduled the trial for Jan. 19, 2027.
The date carries deep significance for the family — Jan. 19, 2000, was the last day Dina was seen— and now marks a meaningful step toward closing a long and painful chapter.
In January 2000, Dina reportedly went to the home of her ex-husband, Curtis Allen Shoemake, to visit her two children. Curtis claims that Dina then left with an unknown person in a dark green extended?cab Chevy pickup from the 1990s.
Though there were no new details in Dina’s disappearance, a Houston County grand jury indicted Curtis in 2018 on a first-degree murder charge, which read that Curtis had “intentionally or knowingly caused the death of an individual, Dina Shoemake, by an unknown manner and means.”
In 2019, an anonymous letter was sent to the sheriff’s office claiming to reveal the location of Dina’s remains, but investigators found nothing.
The case has since been delayed for eight years, leaving family members agitated with the justice system as the pretrial date has been pushed back several times.
“I’m hoping that he gets convicted of murder and finally decides to tell me where my mother’s remains are, because that’s our biggest goal: to bring her home where she belongs,” Kimberly Sanders told KETK News in 2024.
Sanders said that although investigators are still finalizing a few remaining details, the case has been continued to a Sept. 21 pretrial hearing, when both sides are expected to be fully prepared. The judge has set the trial date for Jan. 19, 2027.