Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
AUSTIN (AP) — A Texas lawmaker who helped pioneer the state’s restrictive abortion laws introduced a bill on Friday to clarify medical exceptions allowed under the law, representing a pivot from Republican legislators who have defended the state’s abortion ban in the face of lawsuits and medical scrutiny.
The bill, introduced by Republican state Sen. Bryan Hughes, still requires that patients have a medical emergency for a physician to perform an abortion but strikes language that it be a life-threatening condition. The bill would also require doctors and lawyers to receive training about the law.
“We’ve learned in a number of cases where the physician was willing to treat the mom, but the lawyers for the hospital would advise against it,” Hughes said. “So one of the most important things we want to do is make sure that doctors and the hospital lawyers are trained on what the law is.”
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TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman after she allegedly gave birth to a baby that was found dead in her bathtub on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK,, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an emergency room in Tyler about a woman who claimed to have delivered a placenta in her home earlier that day. 27-year-old Esmeralda Duran Rodriguez, reportedly had no baby with her when she arrived at the emergency room. The sheriff’s office said deputies then went to her home in north-central Smith County to investigate.
Deputies met Rodriguez’s brother and officials reported that the deputies were allowed into the home to search for a baby. Deputies found the placenta on a bed along with a severed umbilical cord, according to a press release. After initially searching, deputies could find no baby in the home but the deputies kept searching and eventually officials said they were able to find the body of a dead baby.
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TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is currently managing a traffic flow at the intersection of Bow St. and N. Broadway in Tyler, Smith County, Texas. A fallen power pole has brought down LIVE electrical lines, blocking the roadway. As a result, all northbound and southbound traffic in the 700-900 block of N. Broadway is closed. Encore Electric has been notified and estimates a response time of three to four hours. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes and exercise caution in the area.
SMITH COUNTY – When Smith County officials attempted to push out an alert to residents about high winds and fire danger on Friday, a system error sent out the wrong message.
At 12:08 p.m., Smith County residents instead received a text labeled urgent that warned them of a hazard and to avoid the area.
Smith County recently started using FEMA’s IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System), which allows officials to send urgent texts to all Smith County residents’ cell phones. The IPAWS delivery report contained the original intended message and not the mistaken message that was sent out to 9,262 people. There was never a hazard in Smith County nd officials are trying to figure out why the system sent the wrong message.
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WINONA – 
Our news partners at KETK report the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a person was killed on Friday near Winona after equipment fell on them while at work. A spokesperson with the sheriff’s office said dispatchers received an emergency call about a workplace incident where a piece of equipment had fallen on someone at around 12:43 p.m. while working on Southside Circle near Howell Club Lake. CPR was performed on the victim until 12:56 p.m. and they were pronounced dead at 1 p.m., the sheriff’s office said. Local firefighters and EMS responded to the scene along with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, who is actively investigating the incident.
TYLER – 
A Shreveport, LA, man has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. Darren Tremaine Jackson, 41, was convicted at trial in March 2024 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Jackson was sentenced to 260 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on March 12, 2025. According to information presented in court, on February 13, 2020, Jackson, and co-defendant Gary Wayne Sepulvado, were stopped by law enforcement officers for a traffic violation in Smith County. After observing a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, a search was executed, and a kilogram of methamphetamine was discovered. Sepulvado pleaded guilty to related charges on November 15, 2023, and is awaiting sentencing.
TYLER – 
A California man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. John Khuu, 29, of San Francisco, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on March 12, 2025. According to information presented in court, Khuu conspired with others to launder the proceeds of his drug trafficking organization through cryptocurrency. Khuu illegally imported counterfeit pharmaceutical and MDMA (“ecstasy”) pills from Germany then distributed them to customers across the United States, primarily on dark web markets (DWMs). Customers paid for their purchases by transferring cryptocurrency, usually Bitcoin (BTC), from their DWM customer accounts to one of Khuu’s vendor accounts. Khuu and his co-conspirators traded the BTC for U.S. currency and laundered and transmitted the proceeds through hundreds of transactions and dozens of financial accounts. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER –
Our news partners at KETK report a total lunar eclipse will be visible for all of the United States Thursday Night & Friday Morning. The moon will be in its full moon phase and appear as a distinct reddish color in the skies over East Texas Thursday night. The Eclipse will begin around midnight central Daylight Time (CDT). The total lunar eclipse will be between 1:30 AM CDT and 2:30 AM CDT. You don’t need any special equipment like a telescope. We could see cloud cover in East Texas Thursday Night. However, there will be cloud breaks every so often for this stargazing treat. A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the sun and moon and earth’s shadow is cast directly on the surface of the moon. The moon will appear a reddish color and described as a “blood moon.” The last total lunar eclipse was visible in the United States on November 8th, 2022, the next lunar event won’t be visible in North America until March 2026.
LONGVIEW – 
HATCO in Longview laid off 68 employees in late February after discovering issues at the facility were far more extensive than anticipated, according to our news partners at KETK. HATCO said due to the discovered issues, they were unable to safely continue operations and closed the Longview facility located at 302 Huntsman Way on Feb. 27, laying off 68 employees. While the company initially budgeted to repair the issues, the cost of the repairs was far more than what they were able to afford. According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, HAVCO was required to provide employees 60 days notice of facility closure unless an exception applies. “Due to the unexpected and unforeseen nature of the facility issues, an exception applies and we are unable to provide such notice,” HAVCO said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
The Tyler Fire Department will soon have two new Class A Burn Buildings for training simulations. The City Council approved the purchase of the portable buildings from Lone Star Tactical Buildings for $129,713 on Wednesday, March 12. A Class A Burn Building allows firefighters to train locally in realistic conditions, simulating the smoke, heat, and fire growth they encounter in real emergencies. Class A fires, which involve wood and other common combustibles, are among the most frequent fire threats in Tyler. The structure has a two-chamber design, which mirrors actual fires. One space mimics a burning room’s intense heat and smoke, while the other simulates the origin and spread of a fire. Currently, the department has only one Class A Burn Building. The additional buildings were necessary to meet the state requirement of igniting two or more Class A fires during training. Tyler firefighters have been traveling outside the city to meet the training requirements. All three Class A Burn Buildings will be set up at the current training facility located at 701 Fair Park Dr. The buildings are portable and can be relocated.
TYLER – 
The University of Texas at Tyler Military and Veterans Success Center will hold multiple events on campus for the community to recognize Vietnam War veterans and the 50th anniversary since the war ended. These events are hosted in partnership with the UT Tyler history department, VFW Carl Webb Post 1799, Vietnam Veterans of America Rose Capital Chapter 932, American Legion Post 12 and other local veteran serving organizations. “We proudly present these excellent events as a way to honor our Vietnam War veterans here in East Texas and across the country,” said Coby Dillard, UT Tyler director of military and veterans affairs. “The men and women who served during Vietnam faced unspeakable challenges both in country and at home. As a community, it is important that we continue to celebrate the service of those who returned, while honoring the sacrifices of those who were lost during this conflict.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The East Texas Human Needs Network (ETHNN) has merged with Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. ETHNN is a diverse group of organizations and individuals that work together to strengthen the programs, connection, and improve awareness of services that meet essential human needs. Goodwill often serves as a resource center for many of these same human needs. Goodwill’s programs are based in education and skills training designed to help individuals meet their needs through employment.
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HALLSVILLE – One person was killed after a high-speed chase ended in them crashing into a Hallsville Church on Monday night. According to our news partner KETK, the driver was identified as 29-year-old Jason Thomas Hart of Longview.
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 10:47 p.m. about a suspicious vehicle driving through the Mason Creek Mobile Home Park. The caller said that a dark-colored sedan was driving in circles in front yards and nearly hit several residences. Minutes later, deputies saw the vehicle matching the same description running a stop sign at the intersection of FM 968 and FM 450. Deputies continued their pursuit on FM 450 north, as Hart ignored lights and sirens.
Hart continued fleeing law enforcement, driving erratically, with speeds as fast as 114 mph. Eventually the chase entered Hallsville. As he entered the intersection of FM 450 and U.S. Highway 80, Hart left the roadway on the west part of FM 450, hitting the wall and awning of The First Baptist Church of Hallsville. Deputies attempted to render aid to Jason Hart, but he died at the scene. Officials said case is being investigated under the guidance of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
NACOGDOCHES – 
Our news partners at KETK report that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses could soon have full practice authority in rural East Texas. Rep. Joanne Shofner filed HB 2532 on Feb. 6 that would allow APRNs to practice as independent practitioners. The bill will give APRNs the ability to treat health problems and prescribe medications (including controlled substances). In order to qualify, APRN’s must apply to the Texas Board of Nursing and pay an application fee. The deadline for the fee will vary by program and school. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) range from nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA –
The Texarkana Police Department is currently searching for a driver who was involved in a hit and run that left a woman critically injured on Friday, according to our news partners at KETK. Texarkana PD said a woman pedestrian was critically injured after she was hit by a white SUV in the 2300 block of New Boston Road at around 10:20 p.m. on Friday night. Officials are searching for the driver and are asking anyone who lives near the hit and run scene to check their security cameras for a white SUV in the area near that time. “We’ve been working non-stop all weekend to track down the driver, but we still haven’t been able to identify the vehicle. If you live or work in the area, please check your security cameras! If you see anything that might help—no matter how small—please reach out to us. It could well be the break that we need.” Anyone information can contact Texarkana PD by phone at 903-798-3876 and any video can be submitted to the Texarkana Police Department online through their new online evidence portal.
TYLER – 
The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center in Tyler, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, has successfully dismantled a sophisticated credit card skimming operation, leading to the arrest of two Romanian citizens. The operation is estimated to have prevented more than $5.2 million in potential losses to victims in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. During the execution of a search warrant at the suspects’ residence, law enforcement officers uncovered a fully operational credit card skimmer factory, where the suspects were actively constructing and assembling skimming devices designed to attach to ATMs. Authorities seized hundreds of altered credit cards containing stolen victim information, approximately $16,000 in cash and tools and equipment used to manufacture skimming devices. Read the rest of this entry »
KAUFMAN COUNTY – 
A deer breeding facility has been placed under quarantine by the Texas Animal Health Commission, after ante-mortem tests for two white-tailed deer reveal positive results for a fatal neurological chronic wasting disease. A first for Kaufman County, according to our news partners at KETK. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed the results for a 20-month-old male and an eight-month-old female after two laboratories detected the disease. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory analyzed the samples and then the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa provided a second opinion which came back with the same conclusion. Read the rest of this entry »
CROCKETT – 
One person was detained on Sunday night after a Crockett woman was found dead inside an apartment, according to our news partners at KETK. According to Crockett Police Department, around 8:45 p.m. officers responded to a medical call at an apartment in the 100 Block of Barnhill Drive and found a deceased female with injuries consistent with homicide. Officers identified the victim as Teresa Jasmine Murillo, 32 of Crockett. Officials said the person of interest was detained and no further information will be released at this time since it is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with any information can contact Detective Kerri Bell at 936-544-2021 or at bellk@crocketttexas.org. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Deep East Texas Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS or through their website.
TYLER –
Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) is moving to the next step in the Taste and Odor Study with pilot testing treatment technologies to address taste and odor concerns. Earlier this year, TWU received an enclosure designed to house filter columns, which will test different methods for removing geosmin. Geosmin is the compound that gives water sourced from Lake Palestine its “earthy” taste and smell. TWU provides water to the City of Tyler through two water treatment plants, the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant and the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant. The Lake Palestine plant sources its water from Lake Palestine, which has inherently high levels of geosmin due to the age of the lake and the amount of natural organic matter, which contributes to geosmin production. The water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards. The Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant can typically remove more than 95% of the geosmin compound from the raw water. However, geosmin is detectable by humans at a very low taste and odor threshold, which is why it is treated year-round. Read the rest of this entry »
ECTOR COUNTY – 
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a weekend crash that left two people dead in Ector County, including one man from Longview, according to our news partners at KETK. According to a crash report, around 11:37 p.m. on March 8, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash near Goldenrod Drive and Alfalfa Avenue. Investigators said the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado, identified as Nicholas Matthew Gonzalez, 34 of Miles, was traveling westbound on Goldenrod while the driver of a Dodge Ram, identified as Juan Jesus Vasquez, 42 of Longview, was traveling eastbound on Goldenrod. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — 
A Longview police officer was injured on Saturday night while responding to a vehicle burglary, according to our news partners at KETK. The Longview Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Lincoln Drive at around 11:22 p.m. to a vehicle burglary in progress. As police searched the area, they located the burglarized vehicle and the suspect was found inside a second vehicle on Kenwood Drive. While attempting to take the individual into custody, officers were unaware that the suspect was armed with a handgun. Officials said that during the attempt to handcuff the suspect, one officer was shot. Other officers on the scene quickly administered first aid and called for Longview Fire EMS. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW –
Retiring Longview Fire Department Chief J.P. Steelman was honored for his 34-plus years of serving the city in a retirement ceremony on Friday, according to our news partners at KETK. Steelman announced his retirement as chief on Feb. 24 and he’ll now be serving as the Region-3 Section Chief for Preparedness and Response with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, according to the City of Longview. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research recently surveyed 1,252 Texas voters about their views on the first month of the Trump administration and policy priorities of the state legislature. The poll conducted Feb. 20–27 found the voters starkly disagree on party lines about how policies should be addressed, but voters see the state of the economy through the same lens, according to Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and poll director.
“At first glance, it may appear that the honeymoon period for candidates who won elections in 2024 may already be over, even though Donald Trump won Texas by more votes than any of his prior campaigns,” said Wink. In this poll he said, slightly fewer voters approve of how Donald Trump is handling his job as president (44%-53%) than at the end of his first term (47%-48%). Trump is still performing well on two key policy areas, he noted. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report that a candlelight vigil was held on Friday evening for a motorcyclist who lost his life during a crash last weekend in Tyler. Dakota Hunter was killed in a crash in the 7900 block of South Broadway Avenue at around 4:45 p.m. on March 1. Tyler Police Department said an SUV turning into the Pizza Hut parking lot collided with two motorcycles, injuring the SUV driver, another motorcycle rider and killing Hunter. The vigil was held on Broadway Avenue where Hunter lost his life at only 21-years-old. A ceremony was held to remember Hunter’s life and a cross was planted in his memory.
LUFKIN – 
The Lufkin Police Department has arrested a man they said is connected to multiple recent robberies according to our news partners at KETK. At around 10:40 a.m. on Friday, Lufkin PD officers responded to a reported robbery at Western Finance on S Chestnut St. An employee had reported that a man reaching into his pocket was demanding money and had stated that he didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Lufkin PD said the man left the business after the employee gave him the money he was demanding. While officers were at Western Finance getting a description of the man and his vehicle, another robbery attempt was reported from Covington Credit on Wednesday Frank Ave. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
On Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will conduct a come-and-go community meeting in District 3 at the Glass Recreation Center, Large Classroom, 501 W. 32nd St. This come-and-go event will feature information stations staffed by Department Directors and the opportunity for individuals to speak directly with Councilmember Shirley McKellar. Water Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) will also be available to assist with individual account questions. Customers are encouraged to attend the event in their district and speak one-on-one with subject matter experts to learn more about TWU, utility billing, and improvement projects, voice questions or concerns, and provide feedback on these topics. Residents should bring a copy of their water bill for specific billing questions. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
The Tyler Public Library is excited to announce it received funding from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) under its Texas Reads grant program for the Library’s “Growing with Our Community” initiative. This grant program focuses on fostering literacy and reading and connecting with families and children in the community through a series of on-site visits to several Section 8 apartment communities and the installation of Little Free Libraries at these locations. The program kicked off this February at Town Parc and Rose Valley Apartment Communities and will continue through May. Four apartment communities will be visited, during which time families will learn about one of two program themes, folktales or graphic novels, and create their own unique folktale or graphic novel story. Little Free Libraries will be installed this March at Town Parc and Rose Valley Apartment Communities and in the remaining two communities later in the spring. Each little free library will be stocked with books to kickstart the library, and community members will be able to take and leave books during the grant program period and for years to come with support and regular check-ins from library staff. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
Smith County residents who suffered property damage due to Tuesday morning’s storms are being asked to report them the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported that a couple of mobile homes in The Grove at Brook Hollow, located off Rhones Quarter Road, had trees that fell through them. The Smith County Road and Bridge Department reported a partial wash out of County Road 165, also known as Henry Moore Road, southwest of Tyler.
Road crews also responded to trees down on County Roads 134, 135, 168, 2115 and 2116. To report downed trees or wash outs of county roads, please call Smith County dispatch at 903-566-6600. To report property damages caused by the storm on March 4, 2025, click here. The Tyler-Smith County Tornado and Severe Weather Response Plan for 2025 as been released and can be found here.
BULLARD – Due to a power outage impacting about half of the campuses at Bullard ISD, all of the campuses will be released at 12pm. A district spokesperson added that school buses will also run beginning at 12 pm.
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report that revisions have been made to Tyler’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System MS4 permit to meet regulations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). “Our Stormwater Management Program is dedicated to protecting public health, reducing flooding risks and improving water quality in our community,” City of Tyler Stormwater Management and Environmental Compliance Engineer Paul Neuhaus said. Smith County has partnered with the City of Tyler through an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) to implement these new TCEQ requirements. Read the rest of this entry »