Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that Lee-Autrey Jodeci “Jody” Morgan, 33 of Tyler, has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison on Monday for the 2023 murder of his brother. Morgan was arrested for murder on July 15, 2023, after his brother, Jaraine Johnson, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the backyard of a home. The district attorney’s office said a 9mm handgun found in Morgan’s truck was matched to bullet casings recovered from the crime scene where Johnson was killed. Two court-appointed mental health experts examined Morgan, and testified that he was competent to stand trial even though he suffers from paranoid personality disorder and schizophrenia. 241st District Court Judge Debby Gunter accepted Morgan’s guilty plea on Monday. He’ll be eligible for parole in 15 years.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas – Syntedrick Latroy Fuller was arrested by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for reportedly evading arrest and having multiple drugs in his possession. Fuller tried to escape on foot after the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville and Bullard Police officers came to his home in Jacksonville to carry out a warrant. After a short chase on foot, 141 grams of ecstasy, 2.8 grams of meth and a firearm were found in his home.
WOOD COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Shane Albrightson will spend two years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-State Jail Division for injury to a child. Albrightson was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday, and previously had two misdemeanor assault cases in Wood County from 2022 that were still pending at the time of trial.
On Sept. 14, 2023, a father and two children went to the Winnsboro Police Department to file a police report. The father told officers that Albrightson, the mother’s boyfriend, had “put hands on” the oldest child. Both children, ages seven and 11, described to police a household of violence, depicting multiple altercations involving Albrightson and their mother.
LONGVIEW – A Longview residential fire is now being investigated as a possible case of arson. According to our news partner KETK, and the Longview Fire Department (LFD), reported structure fire occurred at 500 Dell Street on Wednesday morning. One occupant sustained minor injuries during the fire and was taken to a local hospital. It’s estimated the fire caused $120,000 in damage and three occupants have been displaced. On Thursday, LFD announced they’re investigating the fire as a possible case of arson.
LIVINGSTON – Palestine native and longtime death row inmate Robert Roberson has been granted a stay by a Texas court Thursday morning. The length of the stay is not yet known. The Dallas Morning News presents this stay not only as an opportunity to present new evidence, but to further look into allegations of judicial bias and misconduct during Roberson’s capital murder trial in Anderson County. Roberson has maintained his innocence for more than 22 years on death row and two previous execution dates as he and his attorneys say new evidence proves Nikki died of accidental and natural causes, including severe, undiagnosed pneumonia and a fall from bed. It is not yet know if the state will attempt to appeal the stay. Roberson, 58, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection Oct. 16 in Huntsville for his 2003 murder conviction.
SMITH COUNTY – It’s been an eventful week for the Smith County Animal Shelter. Over the weekend, the Smith County Animal Shelter posted on Facebook that the shelter is ‘operating with a limited staff’. Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was also named acting supervisor. Now, Commissioner John Moore tells our news partner KETK, the shelter is presently reaching maximum capacity. The overflow is due to 44 malnourished dogs that were rescued from a residence in Troup and taken to the shelter.
CANTON – An investigation is underway after a student reportedly made a threat against Edgewood and Canton ISD. Tuesday afternoon, both districts said that they are aware of the threat and are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment. The threat is also being investigated by law enforcement. In a statement, Canton ISD said “[…] both districts are working closely together, in full cooperation with law enforcement, to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.” Due to the nature of the incident both districts stated that no further information will be given until further notice.
GLADEWATER – A woman has been pronounced dead in an officer-involved shooting near Gladewater. The woman reportedly attempted to evade law enforcement on Monday night and rammed her vehicle into a patrol car. Authorities attempted to detain the 43-year-old woman at a restaurant located near the 1100 block of East Broadway. The victim has been identified as Amanda Allen.
While Allen attempted to flee, she rammed her vehicle into a Gregg County patrol car. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office later said this was the moment a sheriff’s deputy fired his weapon in defense of the other officers and deputies. The sheriff’s deputy who shot Allen was placed on administrative leave as part of the sheriff’s office’s policy.
The case has since been turned over to the Texas Rangers for an investigation.
TYLER – Carlton Hotel owners, NORF Companies, were given approval from the U.S. National Park Service to go through with the full removal of their parking garage. Our news partners at KETK report that the garage currently stands with only its southern wall demolished, which was prompted after multiple incidents. In late July, bricks falling from the wall prompted street closures and surveys from inspectors. The southern wall was demolished Aug. 15, allowing the reopening of the streets surrounding the building. NORF says it’s too early to announce a specific timeline.
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.
TYLER – Lisa Renee Schuyler was arrested on Wednesday evening after a witness reported to the Tyler Police Department that he saw a woman leave two dogs in a hot vehicle for at least an hour. According to our news partner KETK, two white Labrador retrievers were spotted in a grey Ford on Skidmore Lane. Police documentation said neither had water. A nearby witness told police that he saw Schuyler leave the Ford an hour before the officers arrived. Animal control later arrived on the scene and checked the temperature inside the vehicle, which read 90.1 degrees. Schuyler was arrested on two counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals: failure to provide, and is currently being held at the Smith County Jail.
WINNSBORO, Texas – The Winnsboro High School teacher who was suspended after she was reported for striking a student in the back of the head has since resigned. Our news partner KETK reports that Aaron Nation, Interim Winnsboro ISD Superintendent, announced Friday morning that the teacher resigned after she was suspended last week. The district said they reported the alleged incident to law enforcement, the Department of Family and Protective Services, the State Board for Educator Certification and the Texas Education Agency.
SPRING HILL, Texas – Four ballot items highlight Spring Hill ISD’s latest bond proposal for the November election. SHISD has not passed a bond since 2008. The main highlights include bus replacements, Jr. high improvements, and athletic facilities. The bond was announced via district social media, and official bond website. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON – Officials and our news partners at KETK have confirmed at least five cases of tuberculosis at the Bradshaw State Jail in Henderson. These cases occurring between June 23rd and September 24th. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) says they’re aware of these cases and is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to manage them. Officials with UT Health stepped in and took preventative measure to stop further spreading.
SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that Smith County authorities are looking for Johnny Shane Wells. He’s accused of stealing more than $3,000 from an elderly person after he failed to complete an asphalt project for them. The victim reportedly paid Wells $1,700 for a project, and only a small portion of asphalt was poured. He then received an additional $1,400 from the victim to complete the job, but never returned. Authorities say Wells might be driving a red Ram pickup truck or a black newer-model Chevy pickup truck. The 34-year-old is described as Five feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Wells has a criminal history for several felony offenses out of multiple states.