Today is
Monday June 08, 2026
TYLER — The NET Health Board of Directors has considered the substantial increase of COVID-19 cases that has occurred locally since July 1, 2021, which is due in large part to the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant and has contributed to the stress being experienced by area hospitals treating the sick in our community, COVID-related and otherwise. The percentage of East Texans aged 12 years and higher who are fully vaccinated are generally 40% or less, with some counties only around 33%. Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – President Joe Biden is lambasting the Supreme Court’s decision not to block a new Texas law banning most abortions in the state. The law was spearheaded by state Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola (pictured). Biden said Thursday he is directing federal agencies to do what they can to “insulate women and providers” from the impact. Hours earlier, in the middle of the night, a deeply divided high court allowed the law to remain in force in the nation’s biggest abortion curb since the court legalized the operation nationwide a half-century ago. The court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal from abortion providers and others. The Texas law prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually around six weeks and before most women know they’re pregnant.
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) – Authorities at Grand Canyon National Park say they are scaling back the search for a Texas man who has been missing for nearly three months. Park officials say 49-year-old Charles Lyon of Tyler was last seen at a hotel in Tusayan on June 10. They say Lyon abandoned his vehicle on the canyon’s South Rim along Desert View Drive near Lipan Point on or around June 11 and was believed to be traveling alone. Beginning on June 11, crews searched extensively by ground and helicopter in the vicinity of Lipan Point and along Desert View Drive but there was no sign of Lyon. Park officials say the search will continue in a limited and continuous mode.
TYLER — Wednesday, lots of new laws went into effect in the state. One law that had lots of people on both sides of the issue was permit less carry. Representative Matt Schaefer, of Tyler, authored the bill. He said, “Second Amendment rights have been restored for millions of of law abiding Texans.” The law will allow Texans ages 21 and older to carry handguns without training or a license as long as they are not legally prevented from doing so. SMU Political Science Professor Matt Wilson says it remains to be seen if this law will have an effect on violence and gun sales. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two Cherokee County employees were arrested for allegedly tampering with a government document to gain power of attorney, according to Sheriff Brent Dickson with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Peggy Cornelius and Suijuan Chen are being charged with tampering with a government document and also giving a false statement to peace officers. The issue did not involve city business, said Dickson. Cornelius and Chen turned themselves in on Friday and were arrested then. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The Chapel Hill ISD board of trustees approved a temporary mask mandate on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, masks will be required during indoor classes and activities starting on Aug. 31. Students will be given a mask, if they do not have one. Longview ISD also previously issued a temporary mask mandate. Some East Texas schools have recently closed their doors due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
EAST TEXAS — Volunteers across Texas begin efforts to help with disaster relief in Louisiana and Mississippi. John Hall with Texas Baptist Men says volunteers headed down Monday for what he’s calling an extensive deployment. The American Red Cross is helping out, too. Volunteers from the north Texas chapter are already in Louisiana distributing cots, blankets, comfort kits and meals to people in hard-hit areas. Over the next few days, more response vehicles and volunteers are expected to be sent out from Abilene, Corsicana and Tyler. Texas is also sending power crews to help.
TYLER — Commemorative bricks from Harvey Convention Center are now available for purchase at the Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr. Each brick is $50 and can be paid with check or money order. The demolition ceremony of Harvey Convention Center took place on Aug. 2 in anticipation of the new conference center. The new Rose Complex Master Plan will feature 60,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, a large outdoor space for events and a 3.5 acre greenspace. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — University of Texas System Chancellor James B. Milliken and other education and business leaders were invited to the White House Wednesday to meet with President Biden and members of his cabinet and national security team to discuss how the government, education and private sectors can work together to improve the nation’s cybersecurity, that’s according to a news release from the school. At the meeting, Milliken announced UT institutions will expand existing and develop new short-term credentials in cyber-related fields to diversify and strengthen America’s cybersecurity workforce. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Booster vaccines are now being offered to East Texas residents who have weakened immune systems by NET Health in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, people can get a Pfizer or Moderna shot at the NET Health Immunization Clinic located at 815 North Broadway Avenue, next to the Tyler Municipal Court. The location is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended so officials can allow people to social distance. Walk-ins are still available. For appointments, click here. The CDC has announced that only those who are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised may receive a third dose of the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will be in Tyler Tuesday afternoon to tour the Genesis World Group Headquarters. According to our news partner KETK, a press release from his office states that the tour will begin around 12:30 p.m. and he will take questions from the press an hour later. According to their website, Genesis “develops, tests, and supports industry-leading software for mission critical and business critical two-way communications networks.†After the tour, Cruz is scheduled to go down to Diboll where he will take place in a closed roundtable discussion with East Texas leaders near Whispering Pines Park. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler ISD approved a one-time incentive to give $500 to eligible district employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD said the funding will be provided with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER funds. The incentive was approved at the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees School Board Meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. Carthage ISD was another school district that announced they will be offering a $500 incentive. The U.S. Congress provided financial support for districts and schools though the ESSER Fund to address to ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — An investigation is underway following a fatal vehicle/pedestrian accident in Van Zandt County. It happened around 10:45 Friday night on SH-64 approximately three miles southeast of Canton. According to DPS Troopers, the driver of a 2021 Buick Encore was traveling west on SH-64 and struck a pedestrian on the roadway. The pedestrian, identified as Devin M. Hill, 30, of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was not seriously injured.
SMITH COUNTY — Department of Public Safety Troopers are investigating a fatal head-on collision Sunday afternoon on Spur 364 just west of Tyler in Smith County. 48-year-old Holly Lewis, of Brownsboro, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 17 year-old female passenger in Lewis’ vehicle was transported to UT Health East Texas in critical condition. 19-year-old Jeffery Harmon, of Tyler, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The preliminary report indicated Lewis crossed into the eastbound lane and struck Harmon’s vehicle.
LONGVIEW — Longview police arrested a man after they found a person lying on the floor with several gunshot wounds on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police arrested 20-year-old Willie Brasher III of Longview. Brasher was taken to the Gregg County Jail and booked on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. At 1:15 a.m. Longview PD were dispatched to the Loop apartment complex located at 2801 Bill Owens Pkwy after a shooting. Read the rest of this entry »