Today is
Wednesday June 03, 2026
TYLER — Crews have responded to a major crash involving an 18-wheeler on FM 14 , state park highway, Sunday. According to our news partner KETK and Smith County Emergency Services District 2, an 18-wheeler and an SUV crashed on FM 14 at around 5:12 p.m. on Sunday, leaving one passenger trapped.
The SUV was flipped on its roof during the crash and one passenger had to be extracted from the vehicle so they could be taken to a hospital for treatment. Smith County officials do not know the extent of the passenger’s injuries.
The 18-wheeler driver was uninjured in the crash. Smith County officials said FM 14 would be closed until further notice as they work to clear the roadway.
TOOL – On Thursday evening, Henderson County residents packed into the West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District meeting, protesting a proposal from Diode Ventures, a Kansas?based company seeking to build a data center near Key Ranch Estates.
When the room filled beyond capacity, dozens stood outside in the rain, waiting for their turn to speak. Their message was unified and blunt: “Profit should be secondary to people’s welfare.”
Diode Ventures already has two solar projects sold in Texas, one in Fort Bend County and another in Hamilton County, and is developing a massive 900?plus?acre site in Red Oak, south of Dallas, called Weston Holladay Technology Park. The company says that the project will position it as a leader in data?center development in the state’s “growing digital market.” Read the rest of this entry »
ATLANTA (AP) — Waymo has suspended driverless car services in Atlanta and Texas after one of its vehicles was stranded by flooding during heavy rains that will likely also hinder travel in a large swath of the U.S over the holiday weekend.
Severe thunderstorms with large hail and gusty winds were possible Friday in Texas and other parts of the Southern and Central Plains, the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters warned of possible flash flooding along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana on Saturday, when rain and thunderstorms were expected across much of the central and eastern U.S.
The Waymo vehicle got stuck during a downpour in Atlanta on Wednesday that flooded streets and even part of a downtown highway. The vehicle was not occupied and was later recovered, the company said in a statement. At least one other Waymo vehicle was waylaid during the storm.
Waymo serves only the city of Atlanta in Georgia, and services several cities in Texas.
The company paused service in Texas “out of an abundance of caution for the forecasted severe weather,” the statement said.
KILGORE – Kilgore College has named Chris Clifton as its new director of bands and instrumental music, bringing a Ranger Band alumnus back home to lead one of the college’s most storied traditions. Clifton, a 2003 KC graduate and former member of the Ranger Band, returns to KC after nearly two decades of public school band leadership experience across East Texas, including serving as director of bands at Carlisle ISD from 2015 to 2026. His previous experience also includes leadership roles at Gladewater ISD and Nacogdoches ISD.
As director of bands and instrumental music, Clifton will oversee the KC band program, including the Ranger Band, while working to recruit and develop student musicians for the college’s instrumental ensembles.
“For me, this is a full-circle moment,” Clifton said. “Kilgore College played a major role in shaping my musical journey, and I’m honored to return to the place that gave me so many incredible memories and opportunities. My goal is to rebuild and strengthen the tradition of excellence that has long defined the Ranger Band while creating an exciting experience for a new generation of student musicians.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – On Thursday, May 21, at approximately 10:15 am, Smith County Deputies responded to a reported Deadly Conduct incident that occurred at County Road 46, Old Harmony Road near Tyler. When Deputies contacted the victim, she reported that two suspects, both residents of the location, had assaulted and robbed her. They also were told that the incident took place on the previous evening and continued into the morning. At this time, Patrol personnel notified the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).
The victim was taken to the downtown office to be interviewed. During the interview, the victim stated that sometime during the preceding evening , she was approached outside the residence by the suspects, who demanded money to purchase narcotics. When she refused, one of the suspects allegedly grabbed her and cut her arm with a knife. The victim was able to escape, retreat into the residence, secure herself inside her bedroom, and remain there for the remainder of the night. Read the rest of this entry »
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TYLER – The City of Tyler announced that Old Bascom Road in Tyler will be closed starting May 22, until June 25. The closure will allow for construction of the roadway and drainage improvements, the city said in release. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes and should expect delays near the intersections of Old Omen Road and Old Bascom Road and Kent Drive and Old Bascom Road.
TYLER (KETK) — As the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new requirements for the SNAP program are implemented, enrollment numbers in Texas are at half a million fewer than this time last year.
While Texas officials are calling the drop a “normal fluctuation,” advocacy groups like Feeding Texas are blaming the new requirements.
Since the pandemic, the monthly count of Texas SNAP participants has fluctuated between 3 million and 4 million, according to The Texas Tribune. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the SNAP program, shows that besides the partial government shutdown in 2019, Texas monthly SNAP counts have not dropped below 3 million since 2009, at the official end of the Great Recession.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, however, SNAP enrollment eligibility includes new work requirements and further regulates non-citizens. Feeding Texas claims these requirements are preventing families from applying, even when their children qualify for benefits.
Regardless of the cause for the number drop, food banks across the state say they’re seeing more people asking for support and help.
“While charitable organizations like food banks are vital, there is no amount of private effort that can match the scale of SNAP,” Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, said. “For every meal that food banks facilitate, SNAP provides nine.”
Regarding possible SNAP fraud in the state, Feeding Texas says less than .1% of households were found to have committed intentional violations. The most common violation was providing false information to receive benefits and misusing benefits — like selling them for cash.
JASPER COUNTY – No investi-gator needed for this capture. In Jasper County, a 9-and-a-half-foot alligator was captured after stalling traffic on 1013 West Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputies can add “alligator catchers” to their list of accolades after successfully removing the alligator from the road. After being captured by deputies, the alligator was handed over to Texas Game Wardens and was safely relocated.
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SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Democratic leaders are trying to prevent Maureen Galindo, a candidate who has repeatedly expressed antisemitic views, from winning their party’s nomination in next week’s Texas runoff, and they’ve accused Republicans of propping up her campaign.
Galindo faces Johnny Garcia in the runoff for the Democratic nomination in the state’s 35th Congressional District, which is located in the San Antonio area. The district was redrawn by Texas Republicans to boost their party’s chances of holding onto the seat in this year’s midterms.
Democrats have become alarmed since Galindo received the most votes in the March 3 primary. She earned 29% while Garcia had 27%. They believe the seat could remain competitive, despite redistricting, if their party has a strong year politically, and they’re eager to avoid being saddled with a candidate’s inflammatory rhetoric.
The runoff comes at a moment of heightened concern about the spread of antisemitism across the political spectrum and questions about how to handle candidates with extreme beliefs.
Galindo’s comments included calls for imprisoning “American Zionists,” and transforming a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility into a jail for that purpose.
“She’ll turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking,” Galindo’s campaign Instagram account said. It added: “(It will also be a castration processing center for pedophiles, which will probably be most of the Zionists).”
Galindo is supported by a political action committee called Lead Left PAC that bills itself as opposed to President Donald Trump. However, Democrats argue that the group is funded by Republicans, and the New York Times reported evidence of potential links.
“House Republican leadership must immediately cease propping up this antisemitic candidacy,” Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement.
The National Republican Congressional Committee did not address Democrats’ claims about supporting the Lead Left PAC, but criticized the Democratic candidates for “embarrassing fundraising numbers, zero grassroots energy, and no real support from Texans.”
In an email, Galindo said her proposal was “NEVER for Jewish Zionists — it’s for BILLIONAIRE Zionists.” She said national Democrats sought to inflame her comments.
Democrats have disavowed Galindo’s language. In addition to DelBene and Jeffries’ statement, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, called it “disgusting” and said it shouldn’t be near “our politics.”
Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Jared Moskowitz of Florida said in a statement Wednesday that if Galindo were to win election to Congress, they’d force votes to expel her “every single day we are here.”
Garcia said in a video posted on social media that the comments have no place in the race.
“We should be bringing people together, not spreading hate, division or dangerous rhetoric,” he said.
Lead Left PAC did not respond to requests for comment.
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County will have 19 voting centers open for the Primary Runoff Election from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26.
Statewide runoff races are on the ballot.
U.S. Senator, Attorney General, Railroad Commissioner and Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3, Judge are on the Republican ticket. The Democratic ballot will have runoff races for U.S. Representative, District 1, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.
The City of Tyler Mayor Runoff Election is not on the current ballot. That election is set for June 13, with early voting beginning June 1.
These polls are open for the Primary Runoff Election Day:
*Arp Community Center: 108 E. Longview Street, Arp
*Bethel Bible Church: 17121 Highway 69 South, Tyler
*Cameron J Jarvis Library: 102 S. Georgia Street, Troup
*Chapel Hill Fire Department: 13801 CR 220, Tyler
*First Christian Church (Christian Life Center): 4202 S Broadway Ave., Tyler
*Glass Recreation Center: 501 W. 32nd Street, Tyler
*Greater Life Church: 2751 FM 344 East, Bullard
*Heritage Building: 1900 Bellwood Road, Tyler
*Hideaway Members Services Building: 101 Hide-A-Way Lane, Hideaway
*The Hub: 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler
*Lindale Kinzie Community Center: 912 Mt. Sylvan Street, Lindale
*&Noonday Community Center: 16662 CR 196, Tyler
*Old Tyler Airport: 150 Airport Drive, Tyler
*St. Louis Baptist Church: 4000 Frankston Highway, Tyler
*St. Violet Baptist Church: 14129 FM 2767, Tyler
*Three Lakes Middle School: 2445 Three Lakes Parkway, Tyler
*Tyler Senior Center: 1915 Garden Valley Road, Tyler
*Whitehouse City Center: 109 E. Main Street, Whitehouse
*Winona Community Center: 520 Dallas Street, Winona
For more information about voting locations, times and what is on the ballot, or to use our interactive map, go to the Smith County Website.
SMITH COUNTY – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26, and Commissioners Court will be held at the normal time, 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Find the meeting’s agenda here. Offices and services from City of Tyler are also altering schedules and hours in observance of Memorial Day. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – A Henderson County man who has been accused of killing his 84-year-old father was arrested in the Dallas area on Wednesday by U.S. Marshals. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies had been searching for Ronny Medford since May 12 after he was accused of killing his father inside their family home in Payne Springs.
An arrest warrant for murder was issued by a district judge for Medford following the death of his father.
“We have been working closely with the community and law enforcement agencies to locate Medford and it worked,” the sheriff’s office said.
SMITH COUNTY – Early voting for the May 26 Primary Runoff Election runs Monday through Friday, May 18-22, 2026.
Statewide runoff races are on the ballot.
U.S. Senator, Attorney General, Railroad Commissioner and Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3, Judge are on the Republican ticket. The Democratic ballot will have runoff races for U.S. Representative, District 1, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.
There are five early voting locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Read the rest of this entry »