Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s deep partisan divisions extend to trust in the vote tallies for this year’s election, as a new poll finds that Republicans are much more skeptical than Democrats that ballots will be counted accurately.
Voters generally show more distrust toward nationwide voting results compared to the tallies done by their own local election offices, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
About half of Republican registered voters have “a great deal†or “quite a bit†of trust that the vote will be accurately counted by their local election officials and around 4 in 10 say the same about the vote count in their state, but only around one-quarter have at least “quite a bit†of trust in the nationwide count.
Republicans voters’ overall level of trust in all three, however, is lower than it is among Democratic voters. Roughly three-quarters of Democrats say they have at least “quite a bit†of confidence that votes will be counted accurately nationwide, in their state or by their local election officials.
This year’s election marks the first presidential race since former President Donald Trump began a campaign of lies about a stolen 2020 election — a narrative that has undermined public confidence in election results among a wide swath of conservative voters, despite no evidence of widespread fraud.
Election experts have warned that Trump may be laying the groundwork to once again challenge the election if he loses.
David Farrington, a 78-year-old conservative in Fort Worth, Texas, said he distrusts mail-in ballots and ballot drop boxes, both common targets for claims of voter fraud and election conspiracies attempting to sow distrust in election results.
“It’s not the vote count that I’m worried about,” Farrington said. “I have every faith in all the precincts and their ability to count the ballots that are there. But the ballots — we don’t know if they’re legitimate or not.â€
Conversely, Ruth Edwards, a 28-year-old kindergarten teacher in Tampa, Florida, said she has “never seen evidence that elections are rigged.â€
“It’s just people who are upset about their candidate losing who are now claiming it’s rigged with no evidence,†said Edwards, a Democrat. “It’s ridiculous.â€
Voters overall are more likely to believe that votes in the 2024 presidential election will be counted accurately by their local election officials or in their state than nationwide, according to the poll. About 6 in 10 voters have “a great deal†or “quite a bit†of confidence that votes in the 2024 presidential election will be counted accurately by their local election officials or in their state, while about half say this about votes counted nationwide.
About one-quarter in each case have “a moderate amount†of confidence. About 3 in 10 say they have “only a little†or no confidence in the nationwide count, while fewer say that about the tally in their state or by local officials.
Drew Inman, a 31-year-old Republican working in law enforcement in New Jersey, said he is skeptical that votes will be counted accurately at all levels, but especially in counties outside his own.
“I definitely trust my vote to be counted at a local level more than I trust the national vote count,” he said. “… When you go national, there’s a lot more people involved and that can create corruption.â€
While ballots can include races for federal offices such as president or Congress, the U.S. does not run national elections as other countries do. All elections are run by the states and administered by local election offices in thousands of townships, cities and counties.
Election officials have recognized that many skeptical voters tend to point to other jurisdictions with false claims of fraud. Some groups have tried to counter this perception by emphasizing that elections in every state are run at the local level.
“What is difficult is when we have national elections, oftentimes people will maybe throw election professionals under the bus from another state, and that is not helpful,†said Tammy Patrick, a former election official now with the National Association of Election Officials.
Older voters have more faith in the vote count at all levels than younger voters, including the count conducted by local election officials. About half of 18- to 29-year-old voters have at least “quite a bit†of confidence that votes will be counted accurately in their state or by their local election officials, compared to around 7 in 10 voters ages 60 and older.
The gap is smaller for the nationwide vote count, though: About 4 in 10 18- to 29-year-old voters have at least “quite a bit†of confidence, compared to about half of voters ages 60 and older.
Bill Sanchez, a 29-year-old criminal defense attorney in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, said older voters have been watching and participating in the election process for longer, giving them more time to build trust.
“Younger voters have less experience voting and have spent a lot of their lives surrounded by this kind of misinformation that we’re seeing more and more of,†Sanchez said. “… It just sets the base for younger voters to be more distrustful.â€
About 6 in 10 Republicans say people voting who are not eligible is a major problem in U.S. elections, compared to 2 in 10 Democrats. Democrats and Republicans differ most sharply over whether mail ballots that are returned via the U.S. Postal Service or a drop box will be counted accurately. About 6 in 10 Democrats are “extremely†or “very confident†that mail ballots that are returned by these methods will be counted accurately, compared to around 1 in 10 Republicans.
Democrats, meanwhile, are much more concerned about voter suppression than Republicans. About half of Democrats say voter suppression is a major problem, compared to about one-third of Republicans
And about 4 in 10 voters are concerned about other countries tampering with U.S. voting systems or election results, which is down slightly from when the question was last asked in February 2020. This is something that independent voters are at least slightly more likely to be worried about than Democrats or Republicans.
Sanchez, the attorney from Pennsylvania, said he is more concerned about voter suppression than widespread fraud or ballots being miscounted and called for the expansion of early voting and mail ballots to “make voting as accessible as possible.†He also worries about the potential that false claims of voter fraud could incite violence and unrest, and said he hopes election officials’ attempts to inform voters ahead of the election will help.
“There’s a lot of misinformation and disinformation about election security from bad faith actors who are trying to build distrust and take advantage of the fact that people don’t always understand everything about the process,” Sanchez said. “And when we don’t understand things, we end up fearing it.”
SMITH COUNTY — A third person has been charged in connection to the March “cartel-related†kidnapping of a Tyler man. According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Markeith Jeffrey, owner of Mile High Eatery in the Tyler Pounds Airport, is accused of taking part in the kidnapping and was taken into custody on Thursday.
In March, Smith County officials said a man was found safe in the DFW area after being kidnapped from his Tyler driveway. According to an affidavit, his captors, identified as Julio Cesar Cordova and Walybert Eron Cordova-Rascon, demanded $10,000 from the family to return the victim. At the time, the Smith County Sheriff said the kidnapping was “cartel-related.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — In response to a troubling increase in threats made against schools across the country and in East Texas, Tyler ISD is reaching out to parents and guardians for their support in fostering a safe school environment. “Making a threat against a school, whether real or fake, is a crime with very serious legal consequences,†stated Acting Tyler ISD Police Chief Destry Walsworth. “These threats not only cause fear among students, staff, and families, but they also divert vital resources away from education and safety efforts.â€
While many of these incidents turn out to be hoaxes, the repercussions can be significant. Law enforcement is often required to allocate substantial time and resources to investigate these threats, which detracts from their essential mission of keeping our community safe. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Doses of Narcan, the lifesaving nasal spray used to reverse overdoses and effects of fentanyl poisoning, are now available for students and staff of the University of Texas at Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, University officials said they are launching the initiative to make Narcan available on a regular basis in observance of the first Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month.
“Fentanyl is the No. 1 killer of Americans ages 18-45. Fentanyl-related deaths in Texas increased over 600% from 2019 to 2023, taking the lives of more than 7,000 innocent Texans in just 4 years,†the Office of Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said. “This crisis affects the lives of everyone, tearing away friends and family members from their loved ones.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler approved a $4,429,876 Capital Improvement Project on Wednesday to address drainage and erosion. According to our news partner KETK, the city says the project will focus on improving drainage on Keaton Avenue which they say “has been a focus for several years due to erosion and flooding residents have experienced.†The contract with Reynolds and Kay was approved on Wednesday.
“The project will focus on a drainage area that collects storm water from approximately 248 acres near Pollard Park and extends towards Donnybrook Avenue and East Southeast Loop 323. Storm water is precipitation that does not seep into the ground but runs off into our storm drain systems, where it eventually flows into our streams and lakes,†the City of Tyler said.
The project is being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
GREGG COUNTY — The East Texas Food Bank in Longview got a $50,000 donation Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Atmos Energy provided $2 million to food banks for Hunger Action Month in September, with East Texas getting a part of the goods. The ETFB said the money will go a long way by providing 250,000 meals to people in five local counties.
“Hunger takes a community to really solve,†ETFB Chief Development Officer Tim Butler said. “One in six East Texans are food insecure. That includes one in four children. So it’s more than just the East Texas Food Bank trying to solve it themselves; partners like Atmos Energy really are the ones that are going to help turn the tide and solve this problem going forward.â€
ETFB’s Longview Resource Center served 6,600 families with more than 1.1 million meals last year. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: SMITH COUNTY – Our KETK news partner reports that the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter has given an update on the 55 dogs seized in an alleged dogfighting ring.
On Sept. 9, Kerry Jones and Michael Jones were arrested after a call came in of wounded dogs found near a residence on CR 4136. During an investigation of the property, officials reported finding the 55 dogs, some in bad conditions.
The two cats and all 17 bully dogs have already been picked up by rescues. However, Rivera found that 11 of the dogs she evaluated were “not safe candidates for going into home environments.†These dogs were reportedly trained to fight, making them unsafe to be around other dogs and people, and are described as having a mentality to fight.
These 11 dogs will have to euthanized and Smith County officials reported that two of the dogs have already bitten staff members and tried to go after other dogs.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER –Â After a yearlong inventory of service lines, the City of Tyler found water lines that contain lead. Replacements will take years, but they say that water is still safe to drink. According to our news partner KETK, out of 40,000 service lines, 142 were identified as lead and 3,843 are galvanized steel. However, TWU said it will take until at least 2037 for all city-owned lead service lines to be replaced. Even with the long wait, homeowners will then be responsible for their own portion.
“Everybody’s water is perfectly safe to drink right now and it has been all where doing is moving toward just making sure and mitigating that risk that all of the lead will be gone in the future,†City of Tyler Director of Utilities Kate Dietz said.
By Nov. 15, city officials said residents will be notified if their homes are affected. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — With the 91st Texas Rose Festival Parade scheduled for Saturday, Tyler Police announced which roads will be closed that morning. According to our news partner KETK, beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Front Street will be closed from Palace to Lyons, and Glenwood Boulevard will be closed from W. Erwin to Houston.
After the parade begins at 9 a.m., nobody will be allowed to drive on or cross Front Street to park. Handicap parking will be at Mike Carter Field, and VIP parking will be in the WT Brookshires parking lot. Both areas can only be accessed via Houston Street.
HOUSTON (AP) — A Palestine man this week could become the first person executed in the U.S. for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
Robert Roberson, 57, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday for the 2002 killing of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. Roberson has long proclaimed his innocence. His lawyers as well as a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers, medical experts and others don’t deny that head and other injuries from child abuse are real. But they argue his conviction was based on faulty and now outdated scientific evidence and say new evidence has shown Curtis died from complications related to severe pneumonia.
But prosecutors maintain Roberson’s new evidence does not disprove their case that Curtis died from injuries inflicted by her father. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Since issuing a burn ban on October 8, Smith County officials have been called out to about 50 calls for illegal burning. “Due to the burn ban being in place for about a week and the information being highly promoted, we are transitioning to issuing citations rather than giving warnings,†Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said.
As of Tuesday, October 15, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was at an average of 727. The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential. For the next several days, there is very little chance of rain and low humidity, increasing the fire danger even more.
“The Fire Marshal’s Office would like to thank Smith County residents for understanding the potential fire danger conditions and choosing not to burn during this burn ban,†he said.
The Commissioners Court issued an “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning†on Tuesday, October 8. It is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve, and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler said that street repairs on East Dawson Street will block the west entrance of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital’s Dawson parking garage this week. According to our news partner KETK, East Dawson Street to Clinic Drive will be closed from Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 18. The city of Tyler said to use South Fleishel Avenue to get to the emergency room entrance or the parking garage.
TYLER — Tyler Junior College is hosting a summit with legislators on ways to implement programs to create a smooth transition after graduation. According to our news partner KETK, Tuesday was the reception for all 50 presidents from every community college in Texas to talk with the U.S. representatives who are in the House Education and Workforce Committee. Community college leaders want to see creativity and innovation take place on their behalf in Congress.
“We’re excited about the opportunities and the dialog that we can have between legislative champions and leaders of community colleges,†said Juan Mejia, TJC president .
On Wednesday, the legislative summit will begin with a dialogue on how to bring more money in for programs that will tie directly to jobs in their area. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY — Law enforcement officials are searching for a man who reportedly stole a dump truck Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson says a man in a gray t-shirt stole a dump truck and trailer from a county work site on CR 4211 out of Jacksonville. The man went north to Highway 110 and reportedly forgot to release the vehicle’s air brakes, which led to the tires of the truck smoking and catching fire. He reportedly bailed out of the dump truck in front of the Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Department on Highway 110 and ran away from the scene. TDCJ dogs were unable to find the person and the search was called off, according to Sheriff Brent Dickson.
LUFKIN — The Ellen Trout Zoo has announced that their director, Gordon Henley, is retiring after 48 years of service to the Lufkin-based zoo, according to our news partner KETK. “Serving as the director of Ellen Trout Zoo has been a true honor,†Henley said. “I have cherished every moment spent creating a magical experience for our visitors, and I am profoundly grateful for the support of our community.â€
Henley’s journey with the zoo started back in 1976 after moving to Lufkin with his wife Charlotte from Oklahoma where he worked at the Tulsa Zoo.
“After an amazing 48-year journey, Gordon will be seeking new adventures. We want to take a moment to reflect on the cherished memories created at Ellen Trout Zoo,†the zoo said. “Join us in celebrating his remarkable legacy and the magic he’s helped cultivate for generations. Here’s to new adventures, Gordon!†Read the rest of this entry »
WINNSBORO — The Winnsboro Police Department announced the passing of one of their own Thursday morning.According to our news partner KETK, the police department said Assistant Chief David Scott Sewell passed away early Thursday and shared that he was a beloved member of the community. Sewell who joined Winnsboro PD in 2016 also served the Northeast Texas region for 39 years.
“Please keep his family, friends and the department in your prayers as we navigate this difficult time,†the police department said.
ANGELINA COUNTY — A 21-year-old man caught on surveillance camera robbing a convenience store on Wednesday in Angelina County has been arrested. According to Sheriff Tom Selman and our news partner KETK, a convenience store in the Pollok area on U.S. Highway 69 between Lufkin and Wells was robbed at around 9:00 a.m. when a man entered the store and approached the cashier with a handgun. The sheriff’s office said the man took the money and left toward Wells in a green Ford Expedition. The cashier was able to take a picture of the vehicle and partial license plate number which was then shared to local law enforcement.
The Lufkin Police Department was then able to get the full license plate and alerted the sheriff’s deputies that the vehicle was registered off Quarles Road in the county. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: As of early Wednesday afternoon, the Lindale Fire Department has cleared the roadway.
LINDALE — A major traffic issue this morning on west-bound I-20, just past Highway 69/mile marker 556. An overturned 18-wheeler is blocking the westbound lanes of traffic. Drivers are being diverted off the Interstate at the Hwy 69 exit. Drivers can also exit at FM 14 or Lavender Road. Expect lengthy delays.
TYLER — The City of Tyler Police Department is seeking stuffed animals for children “going through tough times.†They are accepting donations of new or gently used stuffed animals. According to our news partner KETK, the police department says they use the stuffed animals to comfort children in times of need. People can drop off their donations at the Faulkner Park or Ferguson police stations.
WOOD COUNTY – At least three burglary suspects took firearms from unlocked vehicles Sunday night near FM 17 and CR 1600, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, several unlocked vehicles were burglarized in the area as well as in Van Zandt County. The sheriff’s office is asking residents to lock their vehicles and to not leave those kind of items inside.
“The suspect vehicle appears to be a Ford F-150. If you recognize any of these suspects or suspect vehicle please give the Wood County Sheriff’s Office a call or Wood County Crime Stoppers,†the sheriff’s office said.
TYLER — The City of Tyler was named the best in the nation for retirement, a recent study said. According to our news partner KETK, a USA TODAY research team ranked 329 cities to determine which offers the best retirement experience based on factors like tax friendliness, housing costs, healthcare availability and number of leisure activities. “Tyler is the best city for retirees, featuring affordable homes, no income tax and prices 7.7% lower than the national average,†Kristina Zagame, a contributor for USA TODAY said.
Not only does Tyler top the list of best cities for retirees but a March-released study of the best cities to move to in Texas.
Researchers at USA TODAY Homefront found per 1,000 residents, Tyler has a crime rate of 28.7, and 9.9 senior-relevant care providers. The typical Tyler home is valued at $257,181 and the city is considered a most tax friendly. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Education was front and center on Wednesday during the state of the workforce hosted by Longview chamber of commerce. According to our news partner KETK, East Texas business owners, high schools and economy experts attended the meeting and they focused on discussing education and the role it plays in building up local industries. One topic was especially discussed, looking for qualified people to fill critical roles.
“What we’re still hearing from businesses and industry in the East Texas community, that they don’t have the number of workers that they need nor the skill that those workers actually need to have in order to be successful.†Brenda Kays, president of Kilgore college, said.
Representatives from Kilgore college, public think tank Texas 2036 and the national skill coalition updated local businesses on the current employment landscape. Read the rest of this entry »
PANOLA COUNTY — The search for a missing Tatum man is over after authorities found his body near a pond. The Panola County Sheriff’s Office said Danizy Arthur, 43, was dropped off by family members off Highway 43 on Sunday morning to go fishing. According to our news partner KETK, Texas Search and Rescue, as well as K9 teams assisted in the search for Arthur. Arthur was found dead at a pond around 10:15 a.m.. The sheriff’s office said an autopsy has been ordered.
KILGORE — Kilgore is known for the world’s richest acre and the World Famous Rangerettes and on Tuesday night the city added a new honor to that list. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore is now recognized as a Purple Heart City in a ceremony at the city hall. The city’s new title carries a lot of weight for long time resident and veteran Daniel Abram, because he understands the sacrifice veterans have made for their country.
“We think it’s wonderful,†Abrams said. “I think it should be respected, men paid an awful price for that.â€
The Kilgore mayor said resident Vickie Raymond brought this idea to the city and immediately had full support. The designation comes from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1513, to honor veterans who live in Kilgore and make sure they feel appreciated. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted to appoint a new Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5 after the retirement announcement of Judge Jon Johnson. According to a release, Danny Brown was unanimously voted to be appointed as JP 5 for Smith County on Tuesday morning. The county said that Brown has served as Tyler ISD Police Chief for the past 12 years and is looking forward to serve his community of Lindale.
“I have always driven to Tyler to work,†Brown said. “I want to serve in Lindale where I have lived all these years.â€
According to the release, Brown worked for the Tyler Police Department for 21 years, then for Child Protective Services for five years before becoming the chief for the Tyler ISD Police Department. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A 62-year-old woman reported missing September 19 has been found dead. According to our news partner KETK, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office said that Lisa Adams was found dead during a search performed by law enforcement on Saturday. According to the sheriff’s office, the Adams’ body was found in a field west of Canton near Highway 243. Justice of the Peace, Don Ashlock, has ordered an autopsy to determine how Adams died.
Officials said she was reported missing on Thursday, Sept. 19 but was last seen in the area of Canton on Sept. 12. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — A woman was arrested on Saturday after deputies found her to be the passenger of a 12-year-old behind the wheel during a traffic stop, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, around 11 p.m. deputies stopped a vehicle on County Road 201 for reckless driving.
“During the traffic investigation a 12-year-old juvenile was found to be operating the motor vehicle with an adult later identified as Holly Riehl, 39 of Henderson, seated in the front passenger seat,†officials said.
The child was found on top of a cushion and jacket to better see over the vehicle’s steering wheel, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office said Riehl was found in possession of an open alcohol container and deputies observed as she attempted to discard a plastic bag of cocaine. Rusk County Child Protective Services was called and the child was released at the scene to a family member, the sheriff’s office said. Read the rest of this entry »
QUTIMAN – Former Quitman Police Department captain Terry Bevill won a $21.35 million verdict in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the City of Quitman on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, a press release from Bevill’s representatives shows Bevill filed the suit against four elected officials, David Dobbs, who served as Mayor of Quitman in 2017, Tom Castloo, the former Wood County Sheriff, Jim Wheeler, former district attorney and Jeff Fletcher, a former state district court judge for Wood County.
Bevill’s lawsuit alleged he was wrongfully fired in 2017 for submitting an affidavit stating that he believed Wood County couldn’t be a fair place to have the trial of David McGee, a Wood County jail administrator who was allegedly arrested for trying to get an inmate, who he was reportedly sexually involved with, released by tampering with government records. Read the rest of this entry »
Update: Henderson ISD calls student’s previous diagnosis of bacterial meningitis false alarm. In a Facebook post Monday, HISD said further investigation by state health authorities and additional lab results determined the student, who is recovering, does not have bacterial meningitis.
HENDERSON — Henderson Independent School District officials announced that a student contracted bacterial meningitis and families should take proactive measures to ensure safety. According to our news partner KETK, the district said they were notified that a high school student has a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis, an infection that affects the brain and spinal cord which can be life-threatening. Henderson ISD is asking families to join in their efforts to ensure safety and health of all students.
Bacterial meningitis spreads though close contact such as sneezing, coughing and drink sharing, the district said. Early symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, severe headache and nausea. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – A Tennessee man who led Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a multi-county pursuit Tuesday morning was found with a firearm and marijuana. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, a deputy attempted to pull over a speeding 2020 Toyota at around 7:15 a.m. on US 259 near Central Heights school zone. The driver identified as 41-year-old Christopher Michael Chaney, of Ashland City, Tennessee, fled and reached speeds of 120 mph, the sheriff’s office said.
Nacogdoches Police Department officers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers reportedly assisted in the pursuit as Chaney continued to flee toward Garrison on U.S. 59. Read the rest of this entry »