Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
VAN ZANDT COUNTY –Â TxDOT has scheduled a closure on I-20 in Van Zandt County for Monday that will affect the FM 859 bridge north of Canton from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. TxDOT announced that during the time of road work, the main lanes of I-20 will be closed in both directions while crews work on the bridge. The FM 859 bridge will also be closed while crews are working.
TxDOT said that I-20 traffic will be diverted onto the frontage roads during these closures. This closure is part of a larger project to replace the FM 859 bridge.
During the construction of the new bridge, I-20 traffic will be reduced to one lane during the nighttime, according to TxDOT. The timeframe of the next phase will be provided after further progress of the project.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine held a White Coat Ceremony for their second class. According to a release and our news partner KETK, in the ceremony the new students received their white coats, and the Humanism in Medicine pin. There was also a speech by former UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun and a recitation of the Physician’s Oath. The university said that this class’ tuition is being funded by a “generous anonymous donor.†The school also said that 85% of the school of medicine’s inaugural class has ties to East Texas.
“This White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage that marks a profound milestone for our students,†Dr. Julie Philley, UT Tyler president, said. “It signifies the beginning of their journey into the medical profession and all of the responsibility that comes with it.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Fire Marshal’s office is reminding all residents that, in accordance with the Tyler Fire Code, the discharging of fireworks without a permit within city limits is strictly prohibited. This regulation is enforced to ensure the safety and peace of all community members.
As the City and community continue to recover from recent storms, it is especially critical to adhere to this ordinance. The presence of storm debris across Tyler poses significant hazards. Fireworks can easily ignite this debris, potentially leading to dangerous fires that could threaten homes and lives.
“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in keeping our city safe, particularly during this critical time of recovery and rebuilding,” said Fire Marshal Joey Hooton. “Let’s work together to ensure a safe and peaceful Fourth of July holiday for everyone.” Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN (AP) – A Texas court on Monday set an execution date for Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter but has consistently challenged the conviction on the claim that it was based on questionable science.
Roberson has maintained his innocence while being held on death row for more than 20 years. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals previously halted his execution in 2016. But in 2023, the state’s highest criminal court decided that doubt over the cause of his daughter’s death was not enough to overturn his death sentence.
His new execution date is set for Oct. 17. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The deadline for applying for FEMA assistance has been extended to Aug. 15. This means disaster survivors in Texas now have a little more time to apply for FEMA assistance. However, disaster survivors are encouraged to not wait. The sooner they apply, the sooner they may be eligible for assistance to help with their recovery from the recent storms.
Homeowners and renters in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties with uninsured losses from the storms and flooding that occurred April 26-June 5 may be eligible for FEMA assistance.
Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, click here.
Texans do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters can go online here.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 2110 has been reopened this week after Road and Bridge crews repaired the washed-out road and replaced the culvert damaged from the severe weather earlier this month. According to a news release, several Smith County roads suffered wash outs and undermined culverts or bridges caused by storms in late May and early June throughout the county.
CR 3203 and 381 remained closed while the Road and Bridge Department is waiting on new pipes to replace the culverts that were undermined by severe weather. Read the rest of this entry »
ANGELINA COUNTY — An appeals court has refused to take up the criminal case of former Angelina County Judge Meydon Lymbery. According to our news partner KETK, Lymbery was indicted for violating the Open Meetings Act, which sets the regulations that government entities must follow for holding meetings and when they are allowed to take action. He was found guilty on one count of violating TOMA last December after pleading not guilty. In February, the Twelfth District Court of Appeals issued an opinion affirming the judgement of the trial court.
Back in April, Lymbery filed for discretionary review from a higher court stating that the charge stemmed from a “spontaneous social gathering†of him and several county commissioners, and that the state had not sufficiently proved he violated the act.
On Wednesday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused to review his petition.
PALESTINE — A man was arrested in Palestine after witnesses said he was shooting a handgun in the area of Larry Street Park. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a shots fired call on June 22 at 4:21 p.m., and found 48-year-old Floyd Conley Jr. Officers described Conley as appearing “heavily intoxicated†and had ammunition on him. Witnesses at the scene told officers that Conley fired the weapon, reloaded and continued to fire. They said when officers arrived, he threw the gun in the woods. Officers found empty shell casings in the area that matched the ammunition Conley had on his person. Conley was booked into the Angelina County Jail.
“I commend the Officers for their quick response and arrest of this suspect.†PPD Chief Mark Harcrow said. “Its a miracle that no one in the area was injured.â€
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said a Taco Bell employee was shot and killed Wednesday morning after a unknown suspect attempted to rob them. According to our news partner KETK, police responded to a shooting at the Judson Road Taco Bell parking lot around 12:40 a.m. The restaurant employees were said to be outside while power was out in the area when an unknown suspect walked up and attempted to rob them. The suspect reportedly shot an employee and stole a car, Longview PD said. The employee was later pronounced dead at the scene. The car was recovered nearby.
The police department said they are actively investigating with the help of the Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers. A person of interest has been identified. Officials said more information will be released as the investigation develops.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.
TYLER — Managers of the SPCA of East Texas Facebook account noticed several posts on their page on Saturday, that they did not publish. According to our news partner KETK, the posts, that are still up, include pictures of dogs ready for adoption, but with a catch. The post alleged applicants had to pay a deposit, something the shelter does not require.
“Our main page had been hacked, all of the administrators were taken off the page and nobody was able to access,†Karen Kilgore, with the SPCA of East Texas, said. Those who hacked the account posted several dogs, including French bulldogs and yorkies, and asked for a $400 deposit. “We do not take deposits. We go with best fit, so a lot of people realized something was up, it must not be us, but some people did not. They fell victim and lost several hundred [dollars], one lady I know at least $600,†Kilgore said.
The shelter still does not have access to their Facebook account, a platform they used to promote animals that needed forever homes. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A bomb threat was called into a Brookshire’s grocery store in Bullard on Monday, marking the third in the span of a week in East Texas and reports of more across the state. According to our news partner KETK, the Bullard Police Department said the threat was “the same report received by numerous area Brookshire’s stores.â€
Bullard PD said they conducted a search of the store and found no devices. Managers then decided to reopen the store to the public. The police department also said federal agencies are conducting an investigation regarding the influx of bomb threats made against the local grocery chain.
A spokesperson from the FBI Dallas Field Office told KETK News that they are aware of the threats and are also investigating. “We will continue to work closely with local, state and other federal agencies on these incidents,†the FBI spokesperson said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — UT Health East Texas announced Monday the launch of virtual nursing across its hospital network. Partnered with care.ai, the UT Health East Texas virtual nursing program is the first in the region. According to a news release, virtual nursing empowers care teams to work more efficiently and drive improved clinical outcomes.
Enabled by video communication with credentialed registered nurses (virtual nurses) and in-room smart sensors, the platform allows virtual nurses, who are employed by UT Health East Texas, to manage a wide variety of patient care tasks that do not require physical proximity, such as routine monitoring or providing education and discharge instructions. This enables bedside nurses to focus more time and attention on crucial hands-on care that only they can provide. Together, virtual and bedside nurses optimize admissions, rounding, discharge and other workflows, which aims to improve patient experience, staff retention and job satisfaction for the bedside caregiver. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The rash of bomb threats against Brookshire’s Grocery Stores continued this weekend. The Brookeshire’s in Bridgeport was evacuated shortly after noon on Sunday following a bomb threat, the latest in a number of similar threats made at the chain’s stores across the state. The Denton County Fire Department’s Bomb Squad searched the building and found nothing. The grocery store reopened later that afternoon.
Bridgeport Police say the threat came through the Brookshire’s corporate office, like the other recent threats. Other Brookshire’s stores receiving threats over the weekend included Brownwood, Azle and Aledo. Two Tyler Brookshire’s locations were evacuated Friday due to a bomb threat.
TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is holding a Summer Feeding Program Fun Day for children on Tuesday, June 25 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Glass Recreation Center at 501 W. 32nd street, in Tyler. Activities include face painting, games, a petting zoo, Tyler fire and police department, and free Kona Ice.
“It’s so important to make sure children do not go hungry in the summer just because school is out,†said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Here in East Texas, 1 in 4 children are food insecure so it’s up to our community to make sure we fill that meal gap when the school year ends and kids lose access to free and reduced-price meals they depend on.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested on Wednesday after reportedly assaulting and taking a weapon from an officer. According to our news partner KETK, an affidavit revealed a detective with the Tyler Police Department clocked a vehicle traveling 60 mph in a 40 mph zone in the 300 E Southeast Loop 323 area. The detective pulled over the driver, 20-year-old Cordrell Smith Radway, where he reportedly ran from the officer “while still being detained and not free to leave.â€
After a short chase, the detective caught up to Radway and “ended up on the ground†where Radway reportedly actively resisted arrest and repeatedly tried to stand up. The affidavit said the detective then used his pepper spray. Read the rest of this entry »