Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
MARSHALL — A 16-year-old in East Texas is injured after they were reportedly shot in the chest on Wednesday night, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to the scene on Tom Woodley Road around 9:20 regarding a reported accidental shooting of a 16-year-old. Officials said the teen had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, was transported to a Longview hospital by Marshall Fire EMS and is “reported to be in stable condition.†“This incident is an ongoing investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and no further details are available at this time,†officials said. “Sheriff Fletcher would like to remind the public to practice safe firearm safety and storage, especially around children.â€
LONGVIEW — Longview officials announced shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday that Hawkins Parkway had reopened from Fourth Street to Eastman Road after crews worked to address a diesel spill following an early morning crash. The wreck involving a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer at Hawkins and Eastman resulted in the release of diesel fuel onto the roadway, which appears to have run off into a neighboring creek. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified.
TYLER — After being put on hold because of the pandemic, plans to build a new Smith County courthouse are being discussed again. According to our news partner KETK, community members met at a town hall meeting to learn more about the bond proposal. The bond will be up to the community to vote for or against in the November election. “There’s no room in the courthouse for what we are doing, and we are putting the public in jeopardy,†said Precinct 4 commissioner, JoAnn Hampton. The proposal will build a new courthouse and closer parking garage. A closer parking area will allow jurors to not have to walk two blocks from the juror parking lot. Community questions and concerns were heard at the town hall meeting. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER — A Gilmer resident claimed a winning ticket worth $5 million in one Texas Lottery scratch-off game. According to our news partner KETK, the ticket was a part of the scratch game “$200,000,000 Cash Blowout!†and the ticket was purchased at Tiger Express on Highway 271 in Gilmer. The winner elected to remain anonymous. The lottery said this was the second of four top prizes worth $5 million to be claimed in this game. The first was claimed in Corpus Christi in March. “$200,000,000 Cash Blowout! offers more than $225 million in total prizes,†the lottery said. “Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.38, including break-even prizes.â€
LONGVIEW — A Gilmer man has been arrested in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a Longview motorcyclist last week. According to our news partner KETK, Victor Frausto-Lopez, 37 of Gilmer, was identified as the driver of the car that caused the crash and fled the scene. Frausto-Lopez was arrested by Longview police officers and an Upshur County sheriff’s deputy without indicent after officials said a warrant was obtained for his arrest. He was arrested for accident involving injury or death. The Oct. 5 crash on West Marshall and Bill Owens Parkway killed 25-year-old motorcyclist, Tristen Gore, of Longview.
SMITH COUNTY — Former President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Congressional Candidate and Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. According to our news partner KETK, in a statement posted Monday to Trump’s Truth Social account, he said Moran would make an “outstanding†representative for the district. “As the Judge of Smith County, Nathaniel is a Proven Conservative who knows how to Lower Taxes, Grow the Economy, and Create Jobs. He Strongly Supports our Brave Law Enforcement and Veterans, Election Integrity, Secure Borders, and our under siege Second Amendment,†Trump’s statement continued. Moran tweeted on Monday to say he received a call from Trump endorsing him. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Bengali, the oldest living tiger in the world, has allegedly been dead since May 9, according to document’s released Thursday in a lawsuit against Tiger Creek Sanctuary. According to our news partner KETK, Bengali’s death was announced by Tiger Creek in response to an emergency motion for preservation of evidence that the Animal Legal Defense Fund made in its on going lawsuit against Tiger Creek. The ALDF is suing Tiger Creek for allegedly violating the Endangered Species Act, claiming they harmed, harassed and killed several animals including nine lions and tigers between 2018 and the initial filling of the lawsuit in March of 2022. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Wesley Hicks was sworn in to office Thursday to serve as Interim Smith County Precinct 5 Constable. “I am honored to serve in this position as Precinct 5 Constable and look forward to serving the citizens of Smith County in this new role,†Hicks said. Family, friends and co-workers attended the swearing-in ceremony, conducted by Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran in the Commissioners Courtroom. Hicks has 13 years of experience in law enforcement and 16 years as an emergency medical technician, emergency medical dispatcher and supervisor. Hicks has worked as Deputy Constable for Precinct 5 for three years. Before that, he worked from 2013-2019, for the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, as a Patrol Deputy, Patrol Sergeant and then Lieutenant. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Gov. Greg Abbott met with local business leaders in Tyler on Wednesday as a part of his reelection campaign and discussed how his efforts as governor have impacted the Texas economy. According to our news partner KETK, as a part of the roundtable discussion, Abbott addressed how local businesses are tackling supply chain challenges and providing jobs. Abbott also said Texas leads America in oil and gas production and that its production is being threatened by his opponent in the gubernatorial race, Beto O’Rourke, with his support of the Green New Deal. “Beto’s solution would decrease oil and gas production,†Abbott said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Governor Abbott will host a roundtable and press conference with local business leaders in Tyler Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the conference will start at 2:00 and will have a Q&A at the conclusion of the discussion. The gathering will be held at Preferred On-Site Fleet Services of Texas, 9965 State Hwy 31 E, Tyler. Abbott’s challenger, Beto O’ Rourke was at Stephen F. Austin State University Tuesday to speak to students about his future plans if he wins the race. As the election date approaches, many voters say they are worried about record migration on the Texas-Mexico border and are looking for solutions from both candidates. The latest poll shows Gov. Abbott with a seven-point lead over O’Rourke with 53%. O’Rourke currently sits at 46%. Election day is Nov. 8 and the last day to register to vote is Oct. 11.
LONGVIEW — Police arrested a suspect Tuesday wanted in connection to a Nacogdoches homicide investigation, according to our news partner KETK. James Edward Harris, 60, was arrested in Longview and will be taken to the Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Center. Officials said the suspect was the victim’s boyfriend. Police were called to a residence on Elizabeth Street Oct. 3 “in reference to callers advising a family member was found deceased in the residence.†Officers said they arrived at the scene to find Rose Catherine Garner, 60, from Nacogdoches, dead from injuries believed to have been caused by a stab wound. The Justice of the Peace ordered an autopsy.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Another union has approved the deal it made with the major freight railroads last month that helped prevent a strike to secure 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses for the workers it represents. The American Train Dispatchers Association said Tuesday that 64% of its members approved the deal with Union Pacific, BNSF, Kansas City Southern, CSX, Norfolk Southern and other railroads. Four smaller railroad unions have now approved their deals with the railroads, but the two biggest unions that represent engineers and conductors won’t vote on their tentative agreements until mid-November. All 12 unions that represent some 115,000 workers have to approve these deals to prevent a strike.
AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — Former University of Texas standout Tiffany Jackson, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2007 WNBA draft, has died of cancer at age 37. A three-time All-Big 12 selection, Jackson was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2007 and played nine seasons in the WNBA. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and managed to return to the court for a final season with Los Angeles before retiring in 2018. She was hired as head coach at Marshall’s Wiley College in April. Jackson still ranks in the top five in career points, rebounds and steals at Texas.
SMITH COUNTY — Two East Texans were arrested in connection to a child abuse case, said the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Brandy Jaco, 31, and Gary Phillips, 30, were taken into custody on Sept. 27 and charged with endangering a child. The child also tested positive for amphetamine and marijuana, said the sheriff’s office. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — An East Texas teen was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter on Monday for the December 2021 crash that killed 18-year-old Taylor Raper in Van Zandt County. According to our news partner KETK, Alfonso Medina, of Canton, was sentenced to 8 years in prison in the 294th District Court of Van Zandt County. Initial reports said that Medina, who was 17 at the time, was going west on FM 1651 and recognized Raper, an acquaintance who was driving in the opposite direction. DPS said Medina hit Raper’s car after swerving over the center stripe “in an attempt to scare her.†According to information presented in court, Medina did not have a driver’s license at the time of the crash.
TYLER – It will be more challenging to see pedestrians as days get shorter during the fall and winter months. That’s why TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” pedestrian safety campaign kicked off National Pedestrian Safety Month Monday, reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay alert and watch out for each other. Pedestrian traffic fatalities increased by 15% in Texas in 2021. The state saw 5,366 traffic crashes involving pedestrians, resulting in 841 fatalities and 1,470 serious injuries. “The fall season means not only a shift to cooler temperatures but also fewer hours of daylight, and visibility becomes an issue,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — During the month of October, Tyler Animal Services is waiving adoption costs with a donation. The shelter is asking for a donation of 12 toys for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. The standard dog adoption fee is $120 and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. The nonprofit’s mission is to provide partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities. For a list of recommended items, click here. If you would like to adopt, see all pets available for adoption and submit an application on the Tyler Animal Services webpage here. The Tyler Animal Shelter is located at 4218 Chandler Hwy. For more information, call (903) 535-0045.
SMITH COUNTY — Texas Baptist Men and the Northeast American Red Cross are ready to aid the people of Florida. According to our news partner KETK, Hurricane Ian made landfall Wednesday and damages have been seen throughout the west coast. The Red Cross is sending volunteers to help before. “In total we had about 500 members of the Red Cross from all across the nation there in Florida helping shelter 13,000 people,†said Doyle Rader, who handles communications for the Red Cross. Their number one priority is to help provide a warm, dry place for people to stay and fuel their basic needs. “The Red Cross has the resources and the personnel currently to house up to 60,000 people in shelter across the state of Florida,†said Rader. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler is growing at a rapid pace despite fears of a recession across the country. According to the Texas Work Force Commission, Tyler leads the state in job creation. According to our news partner KETK, the Workforce Commission shows last year, Austin added jobs at a 7% rate and the Tyler area added jobs at an 8.3 percent rate. “If you look at the raw numbers for as the direct jobs that were added in Smith County last year, it was over 8,000 primarily in the healthcare sector,†said Scott Martinez, CEO of Tyler’s Chamber of Commerce. The investment in the health care industry has been a driver in the community for years. This will continue with the new medical school scheduled to open in 2023. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Crews from Longview and Texarkana are traveling to Florida to make repairs after Hurricane Ian makes landfall, according to our news partner KETK. “SWEPCO employees and contractors will be staged and ready to restore power for Florida residences and businesses once the storm passes,†SWEPCO vice president of Distribution Region Operations, Drew Seidel said. The Longview and Texarkana crews are among the more than 300 Southwestern Electric Power Company personnel heading to Orlando on Tuesday.
LONGVIEW — Police presence at Longview High School and the rest of the district’s campuses will be increased after Longview and Gregg County law enforcement investigated threats against “LHS,†according to the district and our news partner KETK. The investigation on Sunday night determined “there was no credible threat against Longview schools†and the threats posted to social media were against Lumberton High School, not Longview. “The student responsible was arrested by local authorities,†the district said. The district said they are thankful to be able to rely on their local law enforcement, and they will press criminal charges against anyone who makes threats against students, staff or their schools.
PARKER COUNTY — A 12-year-old girl and her father remain in the hospital after Parker County deputies found them wounded in what investigators believe to be an attempted murder-suicide. Sheriff’s investigators believe the girl shot her father, fled and returned to her rural Weatherford home where she shot herself in the head. They found her in the street in front of her home with a pistol underneath her. Inside the home, they found her father shot in the stomach. Both of them were rushed to the hospital but no conditions have been released. The back-story here is the girl was in contact with another girl in Lufkin. They concocted a plan to murder their families and run off together to Georgia. However, the Lufkin girl did not follow through on the plot. Nevertheless, she is being charged with criminal conspiracy in the planning of the murder plot.
TYLER — The East Texas State Fair opens Friday for its 106th year, and preparations and crews are getting ready for the big event. According to our news partner KETK, crews are working around the construction for the new W.T. Brookshire Conference Center to bring the same family fun East Texans expect, year after year. For John Sykes, president of the East Texas State Fair, this particular week is on his mind year-’round. “There’s nothing like it in East Texas and frankly we are the largest event between Tulsa, and Houston and Shreveport and Dallas,†said Sykes. Since 1912, the fair has unfolded on the fairgrounds, offering delicious food, exciting attractions, thrilling rides and of course, award-winning livestock in all shapes and sizes. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler expects the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center to be complete by March 2023, according to our news partner KETK. The $28 million project will transform the Tyler Rose Complex by adding the city’s new conference center. City officials are excited and say the W.T. Brookshire convention center will be state-of-the-art. “Inside it’s going to be transformed and state of the art to a much more and efficient convention center,†said Deputy City Manager, Stephanie Franklin. The center replaces Harvey Hall which was built in the 1970s and the new building will add flexibility for events. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The race to be the next governor of Texas is heating up, and depending on the polls you follow, it’s tightening up as well. Governor Abbott saw his poll numbers jump 2 points over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke between August and September, according to the latest survey out of The University of Texas at Tyler. Abbott now holds a 9-point lead over O’Rourke among registered voters in Texas. One reason for the bump, Governor Abbott’s $46-million dollar campaign war chest is nearly double that of O’Rourke’s. UT Tyler Political Scientist Mark Owens.says, “If we’re talking about bringing people together and less polarization, or about the sake of our schools, the election is going to be a lot closer between Abbott and O’Rourke then compared to whether we’re talking about securing the border or reducing crime.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD reached a $2.5 million settlement with 10 families of students who were allegedly abused at J. L. Everhart Elementary, attorneys announced Monday. According to our news partner KETK, from at least August 2019 to October 2021, 10 special needs children reportedly suffered abuse and discrimination by teachers and administrators at JL Everhart Elementary. Families of the children hired attorneys Shane McGuire of the McGuire Firm, PC and Geoff Hoover of Sorey & Hoover, LLP, who helped to secure a $2.5 million settlement. $250,000 of that money will go to each injured child. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were arrested Sunday night after an attempted traffic stop led to a pursuit through East Texas, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Our news partner KETK reports, officials said deputies in Harrison County attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a stolen car from Dallas on I-20. When the vehicle refused to stop, officials said a pursuit began and continued west in Gregg and Smith counties. The vehicle eventually turned back eastbound, and officials said the pursuit continued into Louisiana until Greenwood Police spiked the car near the Louisiana Visitor Center. Officials said a foot pursuit began and shortly after Reginald Sanders, 22 of Shreveport, and Shauntavia Newson, 23 of Lancaster, were arrested. “Sanders was wanted out of multiple agencies in the DFW area, stemming from numerous robbery investigations,†officials said.
FRANKSTON — The Texas High School Bass Association is using the season’s first tournament for all nine divisions across Texas to raise money for the family of Cooper Reid, a Troup High School football player who was injured in their homecoming game, according to our news partner KETK. “Just to honor one of our anglers you know, and the family needs some help, so you know throughout the 10 years of THSBA there has been different instances of that. And if we have an opportunity that we can do to help a family of one of our anglers then we take those opportunities,†said Riley Fitzgerald, Texas High School Bass Association. Reid is a part of the Troup fishing team, and as a way to say thank you for all the support the family has received, they passed out BBQ plates. Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden met with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan. The meetings Friday at the White House are the first face-to-face encounter between the president and the relatives of Griner and Whelan. Administration officials say the sessions are meant to underscore Biden’s commitment to bringing home Americans held overseas and to establish a personal connection, but are not an indication that negotiations with Russia for their release have reached a breakthrough. A national security spokesman told reporters Friday that the U.S. had made a serious offer to get the Americans home but the Russians had not responded to that offer.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct 5 Constable Jeff McClenny is resigning his position for a job opportunity to serve as police chief of a school district. “As most of you may know, I have resigned from office as Constable Precinct 5 of Smith County,†McClenny said. “This decision was the hardest, yet the easiest. My wife is a School Administrator at West Sabine ISD and it has created a distance barrier. I was presented with an opportunity to interview and was offered the Police Chief’s position at San Augustine ISD. McClenny has been Precinct 5 Constable, which serves the Lindale and Hideaway area, for six years. His resignation is effective October 5. After McClenny leaves office, the Smith County Commissioners Court will appoint an interim Constable to serve the remainder of his term. Read the rest of this entry »