Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
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LUFKIN — 
A man injured in a stabbing in a Lufkin parking lot Sunday evening led to the arrest of one, Lufkin city officials said. Lufkin police responded around 5:30 p.m. to a report of a stabbing in the 4500 block of South Melford Drive. Officers found the victim, a 32-year-old man, with a wound to his upper back and a woman applying pressure to the injury. Police assisted until emergency medical services arrived, according to our news partners at KETK. Surveillance footage from nearby stores showed the victim and a another man, identified as 30-year-old Justin William Benton, preparing to fight. Benton appeared to cut the victim in the back before leaving the scene. Benton was arrested and booked into Angelina County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on Monday after posting bail.
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TYLER — Pets Fur People officially named their new executive director on Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK, Kat Cortelyou joins Pets Fur People after most recently serving as the animal service manager for the City of Athens. In Athens, Cortelyou led animal control initiatives and developed fostering and transport programs. Previously, she spent eight years as director of operations for the SPCA of East Texas in Tyler. During her role with the SPCA, Cortelyou expanded lifesaving programs and increased intakes and adoptions by 40%.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kat to the Pets Fur People family,” Board President Angie Bullington said. “Her enthusiasm, experience, and heart for animal welfare make her an outstanding choice to lead our organization into its next chapter.”
TYLER – On Monday, February 23, Lieutenant Jon Thornhill was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief in a ceremony attended by friends, family, and co-workers. In his new role, he will supervise the Investigative Division.
Assistant Chief Thornhill said, “I am truly honored to be able to serve with the men and women of the Tyler Police Department who work continuously to improve the quality of life in Tyler.”
Jon Thornhill was hired by the Tyler Police Department in May of 1996. After attending the police academy, Jon worked in the patrol division until November of 2001, when he was assigned as a Crimes Against Children Investigator at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County. Jon served as an investigator at the CAC for five years. He was selected to attend the Texas DPS Polygraph School in Austin. Upon returning from this school, Jon completed his internship as a polygraph examiner, assigned to the Youth Crimes/Forgery Division.
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TYLER – Democratic Party representatives and officials from East Texas and across the country are speaking out against military escalation on Saturday, following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Our news partner KETK spoke with Interim Smith County Democratic Party Chair Cam Ray about the strikes on Saturday. She called the attacks “Deeply disturbing” and questioned what United States President Donald Trump’s end goal would be in a war with Iran.
“It’s deeply disturbing that we are now diving into another endless war from our president, who has said he’s the peace president. First there was Venezuela. Now there’s Iran and this is our seventh war that the President has started since he’s been in office, which is just barely over a year,” Ray said. “So how long is this going to continue? And what is the end goal for Iran? We had a deal in place that President Trump withdrew from and so what is the goal for for bombing Iran now?” Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — East Texas GOP leaders are voicing strong support for U.S. military strikes against Iran, calling the action necessary to confront terrorism, protect American national security and stand alongside Israel as tensions escalate in the Middle East. According to our news partner KETK, U.S. officials say the strikes, that were carried out in coordination with Israel, targeted Iranian military infrastructure to deter future attacks linked to Iran-backed forces.
The action follows months of increasing regional conflict, threats against U.S. and allied interests, and concerns over Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions. The operation, called Operation Epic Fury, prompted swift reactions from lawmakers nationwide, including East Texas leaders who voiced support and concern for deployed U.S. troops. Read the rest of this entry »
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TYLER – Democratic Party representatives and officials from East Texas and across the country are speaking out against military escalation on Saturday, following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Our news partner KETK spoke with Interim Smith County Democratic Party Chair Cam Ray about the strikes on Saturday. She called the attacks “Deeply disturbing” and questioned what United States President Donald Trump’s end goal would be in a war with Iran.
“It’s deeply disturbing that we are now diving into another endless war from our president, who has said he’s the peace president. First there was Venezuela. Now there’s Iran and this is our seventh war that the President has started since he’s been in office, which is just barely over a year,” Ray said. “So how long is this going to continue? And what is the end goal for Iran? We had a deal in place that President Trump withdrew from and so what is the goal for for bombing Iran now?” Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — East Texas GOP leaders are voicing strong support for U.S. military strikes against Iran, calling the action necessary to confront terrorism, protect American national security and stand alongside Israel as tensions escalate in the Middle East. According to our news partner KETK, U.S. officials say the strikes, that were carried out in coordination with Israel, targeted Iranian military infrastructure to deter future attacks linked to Iran-backed forces.
The action follows months of increasing regional conflict, threats against U.S. and allied interests, and concerns over Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions. The operation, called Operation Epic Fury, prompted swift reactions from lawmakers nationwide, including East Texas leaders who voiced support and concern for deployed U.S. troops. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Two people have been rescued from a hot air balloon basket after it crashed into a cell phone tower in Gregg County on Saturday morning. According to the Longview Fire Department and our news partner KETK, multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the intersection of State Highway 300 in north Gregg County at around 8:15 a.m. after reports came in that a hot air balloon had crashed into a 920-foot cell tower.
First responders started climbing the tower by 8:50 a.m. through the use of multiple rope systems. The climbers contacted two people who were stuck inside the hot air balloons basket at around 10 a.m. on Saturday. Longview Fire Marshal Marcus Delaney told KETK News that both people have been removed from the basket. The two balloonists were both uninjured in the crash.
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is currently searching for the driver of a truck that allegedly crashed into an apartment building off of South Broadway Avenue. According to our news partner KETK and the Tyler PD, the crash happened at around 5 p.m. on Friday after a black truck crossed over a concrete barrier and hit the side of the Broadway Reserve apartment building. The crash did minimal damage to the building but according to officials, the driver fled the scene of the crash. Tyler Police are currently investigating the crash and searching for the suspected driver.
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research recently surveyed 1,117 Texas voters about their views ahead of the March 2026 primary election, with topics covering hypothetical political matchups and important state issues. In the survey conducted Feb. 13 – 22, 959 of those voters reached indicated they were “likely” or “certain” to vote in this primary election.
In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, Jasmine Crockett led James Talarico 58% to 37% among likely voters. “Despite the national attention this race has received, 43% of voters say they have only heard a little about what makes each candidate different from the other,” said Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and interim center director. “The Democratic primary voters in this survey also indicated they believed Crockett would be as electable in the November general election as Talarico.”
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TYLER – A Pennsylvania middle school employee was arrested Thursday in Philadelphia on a Smith County warrant accusing him of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 15, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Marshals said that 43-year-old Michael Robinson, traveled to Tyler in Aug. 2024 to meet a child under 15 who he had previously met online. Authorities allege the child was sexually assaulted over the course of the weekend when he visited Tyler that August.
In Dec. 2025, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office indicted Robinson on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. A warrant was issued and assigned to the U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force for execution. Investigators later determined Robinson was employed as a paraprofessional at Radnor Township Middle School in Pennsylvania. Members of the task force located Robinson at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday in Philadelphia and arrested him without incident.
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VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A 20-year-old Van Zandt County man was arrested Feb. 19 after authorities say he fired a gun at a home following a dispute over a 12-pack of soda allegedly thrown at a baby. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded about 6:05 p.m. to a report of a man shooting at a home and driving around while waving a gun.
Deputies located the suspect on Highway 19 near Edgewood and conducted a traffic stop as he drove south toward Canton. Officers identified the suspect as 20-year-old Lucas Charles Lewellyn. He was taken into custody without incident. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Tyler City Council adopted the updated Lake Tyler Master Plan, a forward-looking guide that balances water protection, recreation, infrastructure and long-term stewardship of both Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The Master Plan prioritizes expanded water quality monitoring, stronger stormwater practices and targeted erosion control in areas where shoreline stabilization is needed.
The Plan also outlines measured recreation improvements, including completing the Lake Tyler Loop trail and enhancing access to nature-based recreation on City-owned property. In addition, it addresses operations and safety by recommending modernized maintenance systems and strengthened coordination with law enforcement partners during peak seasons.
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Bullard – 
The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. Micah Dyer as its Lone Finalist for Superintendent. Trustees approved the action at the conclusion of the special meeting on February 24, 2026. “We are blessed and excited to have this opportunity to become part of the Bullard Panther family,” Dr. Dyer said. “Moving back to East Texas has always been our plan. This is a homecoming, and we look forward to working with Bullard ISD to provide amazing opportunities for the children.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court received an update Tuesday on the Courthouse Construction Project. Stephen Flournoy, project executive for Hoar Construction, said there is an average of 250-plus workers on the construction site every day. Of all the subcontractors on the job, about 60 percent are East Texas trade partners. Subcontractors that are not from the area are living here for months at a time, contributing to the local economy, he added.
Major milestones that have recently been completed on the project include tying in the underground tunnel from the jail to the new courthouse and backfilling the 30-foot-deep hole. They also got power and natural gas turned on to the building. Masonry of the exterior is in progress, going up over the green water-proofing material, as well as windows going in, he said.
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SMITH COUNTY – Smith County residents in the Swan area, near Lindale, voluntarily evacuated their homes because of a controlled burn that got out of control. Firefighters with Smith County Emergency Services Districts 1 and 2 responded to the fire on FM-3271, near State Highway 69, after the call came in at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said the fire was a controlled burn from Monday that was not properly extinguished.
The fire, which he estimated to be 30-to-50 acres, is behind the Office Barn’s property. Aircraft were dumping water to help contain the fire that had spread due to heavy winds. The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to refrain from burning because of the high winds and increased fire danger.
TYLER — Early voting for the March 3 primary election has begun. Many locations are opening for East Texans who want to get to the polls ahead of Election Day. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of early voting locations and times across East Texas where voters can cast their ballot before election day. For more county-specific information, such as hours of operation, visit the Secretary of State’s website.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Monday afternoon that left one person injured. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD officers responded to reports of a shooting at West Avalon Avenue, across from the plasma donation center at around 12:27 p.m. on Monday. When they arrived at the scene, they found an adult male who had been shot.
Officials did not release any details about the man’s condition, other than that he was shot. Longview PD investigators think the shooting was an isolated incident and there’s no threat to the public. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1199.
VAN ZANDT – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is requesting residents’ help in finding a suspect who stole copper wire from a property in Fruitvale earlier this month. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, the burglary took place early Feb. 6 when the suspect entered the property in the 1300 block of U.S. Highway 80, near the Grand Saline Creek area and stole two rolls of copper wire.
During the burglary, the property owner captured a photo of the suspect and the vehicle they were driving. Investigators believe the vehicle is either a silver Toyota RAV4 or a Ford Escape. If you recognize the vehicle or suspect your asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-567-4133. or submit tips to Investigator D. Henson at dhenson@vanzandtcounty.org.
LINDALE — The Lindale Volunteer Fire Department and Smith County Emergency Services District 2 are currently responding to a fire near Highway 69 North and FM 3271, near Blessed Hands BBQ. The Lindale VFD said they are taking precautionary action and evacuating residents near the area as the fire is spreading quickly. State troopers and constables are on scene to direct traffic as one lane has been closed heading toward Tyler as the fire continues spreading quickly.
HARRISON COUNTY – 
Harrison County Judge Chad Sims has announced a burn ban for the county. Due to current dry conditions and increased fire risk, Harrison County is implementing a burn ban starting today, February 24, 2026. All outdoor burning is prohibited, including brush piles, trash burning, and campfires. This ban applies to all areas within Harrison County. The cities of Hallsville, Marshall and Waskom are also implementing a burn ban. Read the rest of this entry »
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UPDATE: All TSA equipment is now back in operation, according to the City of Tyler, following repairs.
TYLER — Delays are expected at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport as the x-ray scanner for carry-ons is down. Airport officials are warning people to arrive earlier than anticipated to account for the delay. TSA has requested help to get the machine repaired. When KTBB called airport officials, they did not know when the scanner would be fixed. Currently, the City of Tyler’s flight tracker indicates that there are no delays for American Airlines arrivals or departures at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.
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