Today is
Tuesday July 21, 2026
Update: The pedestrian in this incident has died from injuries sustained in the crash. His identity is being withheld until family can be notified. The case remains under investigation.
TYLER — A Monday morning wreck shut down the westbound lanes of 110 Van Highway, just outside of Loop 323 for almost five hours. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police responded to the crash involving a pedestrian. Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh confirmed with KTBB that all roads are clear.
MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has arrested a juvenile in connection with threatening statements made toward a local school. According to a news release, upon receiving the report on October 9, investigators with the Marshall Police Department began working with the Marshall Independent School District Police Department and the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office to identify and apprehend the juvenile responsible for the statements.
Due to the subject’s age and the ongoing nature of the investigation, additional information was not released.
“The safety of our students, faculty, and community remains our top priority. The Marshall Police Department and our law enforcement partners take all reports of potential threats seriously and will continue to respond swiftly to ensure the safety and security of our schools.” – Marshall ISD Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office honored one of their longtime leaders on Thursday by unveiling a portrait of former Sheriff JB Smith. According to our news partner KETK, Smith started his tenure as sheriff in 1976 and after more than three decades, he retired in 2013. In a ceremony attended by many members of law enforcement on Thursday, including current Sheriff Larry Smith, former Sheriff JB Smith had his portrait hung next to the portraits of those who’ve held the role before.
“I’m so honored to be part of something like this because I feel like I’m a part of the lasting legacy of Smith County sheriffs,” JB Smith said. “There’s been many sheriffs over the years, and I’m just one of them. But I think I’ll have left a legacy and I hope it’s a positive one. Smith County is probably one of the best places in the whole world to live. We are so blessed here.”
JB Smith is also an author, humorist, rancher, a veteran and an auctioneer. To learn more about his life, visit JB Smith’s website.
LIVINGSTON (AP) — Texas’ top criminal court on Thursday again paused the execution of Robert Roberson, just days before he was set to become the first person in the U.S. put to death for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
This was the third execution date that Roberson’s lawyers have been able to stay since 2016, including an attempt nearly a year ago that was stopped by an unprecedented intervention from a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers who believe he is innocent.
The latest execution stay was granted by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Roberson had been scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Oct. 16. Since his first execution date more than nine years ago, Roberson’s lawyers have filed multiple petitions with state and federal appeals courts, as well as with the U.S. Supreme Court, to try and stop his execution. Read the rest of this entry »
Update: Tyler Police Department has arrested 35-year-old Kendrick Dawone Ross of Tyler. Ross was booked into the Smith County jail Thursday afternoon for Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. His bond has been set at $1,500,000.
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one man dead. According to the department, around 2:25 Thursday morning, officers responded to a shooting at a residence on North Grand Ave.One victim, identified as Demonta Jaquis Brown, 32, of Smith County, was transported to a local hospital by EMS with gunshot wounds. He died as a result of those wounds.
A female victim is said to be in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds. A suspect was being interviewed by investigators. Police say this is not a random incident.
TYLER — The City of Tyler is taking steps to address congestion on South Broadway Avenue, one of the top 100 most congested roads in the state, by presenting a new traffic plan on Wednesday.
According to our news partner KETK, the traffic department unveiled the ‘South Tyler Mobility Study,’ conducted in 2023, as a roadmap to find short and long-term solutions to the ongoing traffic issues. The study suggests connecting other roads to Broadway and extending new roads as alternate routes for drivers.
As Tyler continues to grow, traffic issues are expected to worsen if not addressed promptly, according to Cameron Williams, a Traffic Engineer. He emphasized the importance of implementing a plan to prevent future congestion. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Michael Stoltz, Chairman of the East Texas State Fair Board, gave the Commissioners Court an estimated economic impact the nearly two-week event had on the area. For the second year at its new location, The Park of East Texas, the fair saw more than 104,000 people in attendance, making an estimated $28.8 million economic impact on Smith County.
He said $995,000 in sales tax revenue was generated, 88 percent of the food and restaurant vendors at the fair were East Texas businesses, and 550 hotel room nights were generated.
Its first-ever professional rodeo was sold out all three nights, for a total attendance of 7,500 people, and was broadcast live nationally on the Cowboy Channel. He said more than 400 athletes competed in the rodeo, for a purse of more than $40,000. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Award winning actor Rob Lowe spoke to fans about his journey through a 40 year career in the television and film industries at University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Center on Tuesday night. Lowe was accompanied by our news partner KETK’s Kaci Koviak in their discussion about his career in Hollywood and current projects that have recently made it to television screens across the country.
While Lowe is widely known for his roles as Sodapop Curtis in the 1983 film The Outsiders and Chris Traeger in the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation, Lowe can now be seen in a new trivia game show titled The Floor. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) hosted their annual luncheon at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center where they celebrated 125 years of service to the Rose City, according to our news partner KETK. Chamber members were celebrated along with volunteers who dedicate their time towards helping out the community over the last year.
Those present witnessed a video presentation of highlights that occurred throughout the city in 2025 and an invocation from Elder of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Reverend Orenthia Mason.
A lot has been accomplished in the last 125 years and TACC Chief Operating Officer Grant Ingram is looking forward to what the future holds in the community.
“It’s incredible to see what all we have been able to accomplish and knowing that we are not done yet, we’ve got more to come,” Ingram said. “Tyler is growing, Tyler is a great place to live, to work, to play, to raise your family. to start a business. We’re just excited to be a part of that and support our business community.”
LIVINGSTON (AP) — Robert Roberson was calm and hopeful as he pondered his mortality and whether he could again avoid becoming the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
With days to go before his scheduled Oct. 16 execution, Roberson maintained his innocence in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in the east Texas city of Palestine. He is set to die by lethal injection nearly a year to the day after a group of Texas lawmakers, who say he is innocent, secured an extraordinary last-minute court reprieve as Roberson waited outside the death chamber in Huntsville.
Roberson said he was placing his hopes for another execution stay in the hands of his lawyers, his supporters and God. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler Municipal Court and Smith County Courts are teaming up to offer a Warrant Solution Program starting Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 17. According to a news release, during the Warrant Solution Program, defendants with a warrant who voluntarily appear in the Tyler Municipal Court will receive a $50 reduction on each outstanding case.
To get started, defendants must first contact the Purdue Brandon Law Firm at (866) 870-8565 for guidance on the appropriate court. The law firm manages case collections for both the Tyler Municipal Court and the Smith County Courts.
Anyone who voluntarily appears in person at the Tyler Municipal Court may participate in the program and request a payment plan. Defendants who are unable to pay the authorized monthly installment will be allowed the opportunity to see a judge to explain their circumstances.
To learn more about Tyler Municipal Court’s Warrant Solution Program or to determine eligibility, contact the Perdue Brandon Law Firm at 1-866-870-8565 or click here.
SMITH COUNTY — Farm to Market Road 346 in Smith County will remain closed through Tuesday as construction crews mill and inlay the road, according to TxDOT.
Tyler maintenance crews are working on multiple areas of FM 346 this week including rehabbing from Cumberland Road to 0.45 miles north of FM 346.
Crews will begin mill and inlay work on FM 346 moving east from Farm to Market Road 756 to County Road 2142. Crews will also tackle ditch and drainage issues in the county.
EAST TEXAS — The last day to register to vote in Texas is Monday, marking a crucial deadline for residents to ensure their participation in the upcoming November election.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Shelter is operating with limited staff and is asking community members to call to make an appointment to adopt one of the available dogs, according to our news partner KETK.
“The Smith County Fire Marshal and Smith County Animal Shelter staff are working hard to take care of the 65 animals, despite being short staffed and continuing to respond to emergency dog calls,” the county said “Thank you for your dedication and service.”
The shelter said on Friday that there are 19 dogs available for adoption, including several puppies. Community members can make an appointment by calling the shelter at 903-266-4303.
WHITEHOUSE — A mother’s trust was shattered when she discovered her 4-year-old son, a high-functioning autistic child, had suffered second-degree burns while under the care of an after-school program. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 18, Marcella Boles, a mother from Whitehouse ISD, reported that she picked up her 4-year-old son from the Mentoring Alliance after-school program at Brown Elementary, finding burns on his arm.
She mentioned that her son, who is high-functioning autistic student, had been placed in a janitor’s closet by a staff member from Mentoring Alliance due to misbehavior. She has seen video evidence showing that Emma Souder took her son to the closet multiple times, locking him in there alone.
Whitehouse ISD has confirmed the incident occurred on school grounds and are cooperating with the investigation. Mentoring Alliance uses the district’s facility but does not work directly with them. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY –Dr. Jose Serpa has been appointed by the Smith County Commissioners Court, Tyler City Council, and by NET Health as the new Health Authority for Smith County.
TYLER — West Elm Street in Tyler will be closed through Friday in preparation for consent decree repairs, according to the city. The street will be closed going eastbound from South College Avenue to North Broadway Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers may need to find an alternative route during the closure.
TYLER — .S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, voiced his opinion on Senate Democrats rejecting a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government until Nov. 21. According to our news partner KETK, Democrats defeated the proposal with a 44-48 vote after initially trying to pass their own government fund resolution earlier this month. Now, the government faces the possibility of going into a shutdown on Tuesday if both parties cannot come to an agreement by midnight EST on Tuesday.
“House Republicans are standing tall with our military, veterans, families and first responders,” Moran said. “House Republicans passed a clean CR to fund the government, but Senate Democrats are blocking it from becoming law, just like the House Democrats tried to do. Democrats would rather shut down the government in pursuit of unreasonable demands like their $1 TRILLION partisan wish list.”
“We are doing well as a country so the last thing we want to do is shut it down, but a lot of good can come from shutdowns, we can get rid of a lot of things we didn’t want,” Trump said. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Criminal District Attorney’s Office announces the retirement of Mike West after 21 years of service with Smith County. West, who has served as the Appellate Chief over the Appeals Division for much of his career, will conclude his tenure at the end of this month.
Last week, Mr. West was honored with the Kepple Award by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA). The DA’s office says throughout his career, Mr. West has played a vital role in shaping the work of the Smith County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, particularly through his leadership in appellate advocacy. He has argued and overseen numerous complex cases, including many death penalty appeals, ensuring justice was diligently pursued and upheld.
“Mike’s expertise, commitment, and steady guidance have left a lasting impact on this office and the criminal justice system in Texas,” said Criminal District Attorney Jacob Putman. “We are grateful for his decades of service and proud to see him recognized with the Kepple Award. His legacy of integrity and professionalism will continue to inspire prosecutors across the state.”
Mr. West’s colleagues describe him as a fierce advocate for justice, and a trusted resource in the courtroom and beyond. His retirement marks the close of an extraordinary career.
JACKSONVILLE — A 68-year-old man was arrested on Thursday morning in Jacksonville in connection to a child exploitation investigation. According to the Jacksonville Police Department and our news partner KETK, after obtaining a search and arrest warrant, James Bruce Gragg was found inside a home off Forest Trail and was taken into custody. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Jacksonville Police Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska.
Following his arrest, Gragg was charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of harmful material. Investigators anticipate that additional charges will be added as the case progresses. The investigation remains ongoing and no further details will be released at this time. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A pedestrian sustained serious bodily injury on Friday after being involved in a suspected hit-and-run situation, the Longview Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 19 at around 8:35 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Mobberly Avenue, where they found a pedestrian with a serious bodily injury. The black pickup suspected to be involved had left the scene. The department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to call 903-237-1188 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7827.
HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas man faces execution Thursday for killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter during a torturous ordeal the couple said was part of an “exorcism” to expel a demon from the child’s body. Blaine Milam, 35, was condemned for the December 2008 murder of Amora Carson at his trailer in Rusk County in East Texas.
Milam was scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. At around the same time Milam was to be put to death, authorities in Alabama were planning to execute Geoffrey West for fatally shooting a gas station employee during a 1997 robbery.
Milam has claimed he is innocent, blaming then-girlfriend Jesseca Carson for the killing and alleging she was the one who claimed the girl was possessed by a demon. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview invited community members to attend an open house meeting on Tuesday to address residents’ current and future housing challenges. According to our news partner KETK, several Longview residents attended an open house meeting at the Maud Cobb Convention Center to learn more about the city’s Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan. The plan dives into an analysis of Longview’s housing situation, including affordability, market value, and demographic trends.
Housing Manager for the City of Longview Housing Agency, Shateva Marshall, spoke with many attendees to gather more information about potential adjustments that can be made for Longview residents. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo is mourning the loss of its popular Red Fox ‘Sox’, who recently died. According to our news partner KETK, Sox has been a member of the Caldwell Zoo family since he was rescued in 2013 after being hit by a car on the outskirts of Tyler. According to the Zoo, Sox’s health has declined over the past few years due to hearing loss and decreased vision.
“We are honored to have provided a safe and secure home for this sly, ole fox. His tenacity and strength will certainly be missed,” Caldwell Zoo said.
LONGVIEW — A 66-year-old man has been booked into the Gregg County Jail for murder after a fatal shooting in Longview on Monday afternoon. According to the Longview Police Department and our news partner KETK, just after 4:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a home on Crystal Street in response to a welfare check. Once they arrived on scene, authorities located Kathleen Bullock, who had been shot and was pronounced dead by the Gregg County Justice of the Peace.
Investigators later identified Lavan Bullock of Longview as the suspect. He was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Following medical treatment, Bullock was booked into the Gregg County Jail and charged with murder.
The department said the investigation remains active and no further details will be released.
TYLER — The Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to East Texas organizations that are helping to fight the opioid epidemic. According to our news partner KETK, the grants are a part of $21.2 million in funds that the council distributed to organizations across the state. Officials called the statewide grants a milestone in the fight against opioid abuse.
“Today represents a significant milestone,” Texas Comptroller and council chair Kelly Hancock said on Sept. 17. “For the first time, the Council has awarded grants to communities in every region of our state. We look forward to seeing how these resources will change lives, as local organizations put them to work supporting individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis across Texas.”
The following five East Texas organizations were awarded $1,198,845 in grants to help support their opioid recovery and treatment work: Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN — The Lufkin Police Department has arrested a man who was wanted for allegedly leaving several marijuana-filled Easter eggs in Lufkin parks earlier this year. According to Lufkin Police and our news partner KETK, Avante Nicholson was arrested after the Texas Rangers searched a home on Scott Street. Texas Rangers were searching the house to find a suspect in the Sept. 13 murder of 26-year-old Shelby County man, JaMichael Phillips.
The suspect was not staying at the home but Nicholson was found in the bathroom. Lufkin PD said the Texas Rangers also wanted to question Nicholson as a potential witness to the murder of Phillips.
Nicholson was wanted on three warrants for delivery of marijuana in a drug free zone and another warrant for delivery of marijuana. Lufkin PD said Nicholson’s warrants stem from the April discovery of five Easter eggs filled with marijuana at Morris Frank Park, Winston Park and Grace Dunn Richardson Park and near a Motel 6. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — Judge Dan Moore retired after 20 years of service, celebrated by friends, family, and colleagues in the 173rd District Courtroom on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the retirement event was marked by stories, laughter and gifts from those who worked with Judge Moore during his tenure.
Moore’s staff honored him with a framed flag that had flown over the Texas House of Representatives, symbolizing his dedication to public service. The courtroom was filled with people, reflecting the high regard in which Moore is held by the community. “It was a packed courtroom and a fitting send-off for a man who spent 20 years serving Henderson County from the bench,” Henderson County officials said.
TYLER — Ambetter Insurance may no longer be accepted by UT Health East if an agreement is not reached between the two companies by November. According to UT Health and our news partner KETK, UT has been working with Ambetter to reach a new agreement that would ensure that their members continue to have in-network access to their facilities. If a new deal is not reached by Nov. 1, UT Health East Texas facilities will be out-of-network for Ambetter customers.
Additionally, if an agreement is not reached by the start of the new year, UT Health physicians and providers will also be out-of-network for Ambetter customers starting on Jan. 7, 2026. However, UT Health does state that those under Ambetter can still access emergency services at in-network rates. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Office in Troup said they are receiving calls from concerned citizens about a scam text. According to a social media post on the county’s Facebook page, the fraudulent text appears to be from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and claims the person has an outstanding ticket. The text reportedly threatens that if the person does not click a link to pay a fine, their vehicle registration and driving privileges will be suspended. The victims are calling the JP 3 Office, which offers auto-registration services.
Officials remind the public that neither Smith County nor the State of Texas’ DMV would ever text anyone about a ticket or demand payment. Do not click on any link, and immediately delete the text. If you ever question whether a text, call or email is legitimate, it’s probably is not. Always call the department or organization it appears to be coming from directly.