Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
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TYLER — 
Our news partners at KETK report that insurance rates are rising in Texas and experts said inflation, supply chain issues, lack of labor and cost repairs are contributing factors. The rise in insurance is hurting Texans’ wallets, especially this summer. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, in 2012 the average auto insurance rate increased by 4.6% but in 2023 Texans saw an increase by a staggering 25.5%.
“Insurance rates in Texas are 67% higher than the national average,†Mechele Mills, CEO of the BBB Serving Central East Texas, said. “Since last year, homeowners in our state have seen an increase of about 16% to 22% and car owners 26%.â€
Director of communications of the Insurance Council of Texas said destructive weather is also a large factor to higher prices.
Federal appeals court says some employers can exclude HIV prep from insurance coverage
“If we look at Texas as a market, we have so many hazards and perils that we deal with when it comes to hail, wind, tornados hurricanes flooding,†Johnson said.
Johnson also recommends people to do their homework and compare different options available.
JEFFERSON – Our news colleagues at KETK report the Jefferson Police Department is looking for a missing man that was reportedly last seen on Thursday morning. Authorities said they are searching for 41-year-old Donovan Byrd, and anyone with information on his location is asked to call police at 903-665-2432.
HENDERSON – Henderson ISD announced on Monday that they are mourning the loss of an elementary student who would have started first grade next year, that according to our news partner KETK. A release from the district said, “It is with profound sadness that our staff and students mourn the recent passing of Stevee Hale. Stevee was an exceptional student and our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to her family during this incredibly difficult time.â€
The school district said that Board President Russell Brown, who knew Hale personally, led trustees in a moment of silence at a recent school board meeting to honor and remember her.
Brown also read a statement where one of her teachers said “to know her was to completely adore her, and she left this world with a little more sparkle than it had before she got here.â€
Tyler — 
The Charles Butt Foundation, a non-profit pursuing a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships, has selected Bethany Moody, Principal of Kissam Intermediate, as one of 30 principals from traditional and charter school districts across Texas to attend a weeklong summer institute at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, led by Harvard faculty and other national and international experts.
The Raising School Leaders program is designed to inspire, challenge and empower school leaders to bring lasting impact to their campuses and communities, the entire state of Texas, and beyond. Following the Harvard institute, attendees remain a part of the program’s statewide network of school leaders, work together to create change at the campus and district levels, and receive continuous support and professional development.
TYLER – With summer here, it is the time of year where one little spark could potentially cause a devastating wildfire. According to our news partner KETK, experts at the Texas A&M Forest Service, say, although East Texas has experienced an excessive amount of spring rainfall, a stretch of hot and dry temperatures can call for a fire risk.
“We can go into elevated fire risk,†Sean Dugan, with the Texas A&M Forest Service, said.
Officials explained even with the saturated grounds, East Texans need to be mindful while burning. July and August are historically when the state sees the most fires.
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KILGORE – Authorities in Kilgore said that one man has died and another was injured during a shooting early Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore Police received several 911 calls shortly after midnight in regards to a shooting. When officers arrived the corner of Thompson and Myrtle Streets, they found one man dead and wounded. She was taken to a local hospital.
The Northeast Texas Regional SWAT team was called to the location where the shooting suspect reportedly was. After some negotiations, the suspect was taken to the Kilgore Police Department.
At this time, the names of the shooting victim have not been released. The suspects name has not been released either. Kilgore PD said they are continuing the investigation into the shooting.
CANTON — FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Centers in Van Zandt county June 21 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds April 26-June 5. The center is located at Canton Intermediate School on Highway 243 West. It will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov.
Residents affected by storm damage can visit the DRC and meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
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HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday announced that a man who is a “wanted fugitive from multiple counties†and a woman were arrested after a narcotics search. According to our news partner KETK, HCSO narcotics investigators and Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force officers, searched a residence in Eustace, on County Road 2938.
Officers there arrested 49-year-old Richard Slay and 51-year-old Katie Wiggins, both of Eustace. They were arrested for possession of suspected methamphetamine’s. The sheriff’s office said that Slay is a wanted fugitive in multiple counties. Both were then taken to the Henderson County jail and charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
TYLER – The City of Tyler has announced that traffic signal cabinets at six intersections will be replaced starting on Tuesday, June 25, and running through Thursday, June 27. During this time crews will be out between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. replacing signal cabinets at the following intersections:
TYLER – City of Tyler officials say a part of Rose Rudman Trail will be closed from Monday, June 24, through Wednesday, June 26. That portion is behind 5604 South Donnybrook Avenue, which is in back of Sleep Inn and Suites Tyler South. According to a release from the city, the closure is because of a sanitary sewer line replacement. Until repairs are completed, officials advise this portion of the trail should be avoided.
TYLER – FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson St. in downtown Tyler. Smith County is supplying the facility while FEMA personnel will staff the DRC from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week through July 29. Smith County citizens who need help recovering from the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds, from April 26 through June 5, can go to the Hub for in-person assistance.
Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said residents visiting the DRC will also be able to talk to people from the Small Business Administration, Lone Star Legal and the local nonprofit organization, Crisis Response Ministries. Moore added, “Recovery will take some time due to personnel constraints and the amount of debris accumulated. Citizens with damaged homes are encouraged to participate with FEMA personnel to apply for potential assistance.â€
You can also apply for assistance by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov or calling FEMA’s helpline: 800-621-3362.
PALESTINE – A routine traffic stop in Palestine put a local man in jail. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Charles Edward Hawkins of Palestine, was stopped by a PPD officer Tuesday morning on North Queen Street for a traffic violation.
The officer reportedly detected “a strong odor of marijuana†coming from the vehicle when they made contact with the driver, Charles Hawkins. After an examination, the officer said in their report finding 3.51 grams of suspected cocaine, 172.96 grams of ecstasy, and a small amount of marijuana.
Hawkins was charged with possession of marijuana and two counts of manufacture or deliver of a controlled substance. He was booked at the Anderson County Jail with a bond totaling $42,500.
MARSHALL – 
The Marshall City Council approved $2.68 million towards phase one of capital improvements to Airport Park. According to a release, the park will receive upgrades to all 11 of its baseball and softball fields, as well as sitework, subgrade, concrete, drainage systems, athletic equipment and synthetic turf upgrades, according to our colleagues at KETK. The City of Marshall said that the park will be closed when construction begins on Monday. Read the rest of this entry »
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