Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
TYLER – East Texas Representative Nathaniel Moran of Tyler spoke in Washington on Monday to give his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. According to our new partner KETK, Moran started his comments at the House GOP media event by discussing Trump’s actions on the border.
“President Trump has shown strength from day one, not just domestically but internationally to enforce the rule of law, to remind other countries and other people groups that we have a sovereign and secure border,” said Moran. “We’re going to enforce the rules here. We want to encourage legal immigration but illegal immigration is no longer going to be stood for.”
Next, Moran commented on the economy’s reaction to the tariff’s that Trump announced earlier this year by saying that the United States would see positive effects with in the next six months to a year.
“Right now we may see the polls dip a little bit because there’s a little uncertainty in the market, but that’s just a short term reaction to a little uncertainty about not understanding, how to catch up. And frankly, I think it’s because the speed at which President Trump is moving, the things that he is doing so quickly with such effect,” Moran said. “We’re going to see some positive effects next in the next six months and in the next year, for sure, with the economy, with what’s going on the world stage. We’re seeing countries flood to America, willing to renegotiate those tariff deals simply because President Trump said ‘enough is enough’ and so 75-plus countries are here to do that, to make sure that we have reciprocity, to make sure the American business owner and the American business, the American taxpayer is first not international businesses.” Read the rest of this entry »
LAKE TYLER – Searches came to a tragic end as the body of 19-year-old Eli Swinney being recovered by a team of divers Monday morning according to our news partner KETK. Recovery efforts started Sunday evening after a 911 call for a water rescue during sunset. Smith County Emergency Services District Two believes Swinney fell over the front of a pontoon boat and did not come back up.
The search was called off around 1:45 pm and resumed Monday morning giving divers time to regroup and re-interview witnesses. Rescue crews were in the water by 11 am and by 11:15 am had located and recovered Swinney body.
“We made multiple passes, and we pinged an area that we felt was pretty promising to be the victim,” Division Chief of Training and EMS Charles Clanton said. “And then once that was marked, we put divers in the water, and within 2 to 3 minutes of them entering the water, we had made a location.”
As family and loved ones waited by the marina for answers, the mood changed as every minute went by. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – A man was arrested by the Tyler Police Department last week after evading arrest and committing aggravated assault against a public servant, according to an arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK.
The incident started on April 23 when two officers from the Tyler Police Department began to pursue a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by Ougist Williams. The driver was traveling down Jacksonville Highway when officers who believed the Nissan had been previously used in an aggravated assault case began to pursue the vehicle, according to an affidavit. During the pursuit the affidavit stated Williams struck a Tyler PD patrol truck with his car before his vehicle came to a stop. After stopping the Nissan, Williams fled from the scene and was later found in a creek where he was placed under arrest.
Following his arrest, Williams was charged with two counts of evading arrest and one count of committing aggravated assault against a public servant.
TYLER – 
Officials have recovered a body from Lake Tyler believed to be the 19-year-old missing man. Family has been notified, Smith County ESDS2 officials said, and the body has been taken to the funeral director. The man has ben identified as Eli Swinney, according to Smith County ESD2. Nikki Simmons, the Smith County Community Outreach Coordinator, confirmed that Swinney was found on Monday morning at around 11:15 a.m. Simmons also provided a reason why the search was paused early Monday morning. “We had to take into consideration getting some clear minds out there, and we had such a large grid and really weren’t getting close to anything,” Simmons said. “In addition, because it was such late hours, we really weren’t getting a clear picture of where we needed to look.”
Simmons also confirmed no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
QUITMAN – Our news partner KETK reports that a memorial tree was planted on Monday morning in honor of Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in an 18 wheeler crash while on duty earlier this month.
During a ceremony at the Wood County Justice Center, the ladies of the District Clerk’s Office dedicated a memorial tree that aims to honor Pollard’s sacrifice and cement her legacy.
The DCO hopes the tree stands as a living tribute to Pollard’s commitment, courage and selfless service to Wood County citizens. Pollard’s memory speaks integrity, dedication and service to others and the DCO extends its deepest sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues.
“Deputy Pollard was a true public servant whose bravery will never be forgotten,” District Clerk of Wood County Suzy Wright said. “This tree symbolizes life and strength — values that Deputy Pollard embodied every day. It is a humble but heartfelt tribute from the ladies of our office.”
JACKSONVILLE – A military veteran was provided with a free new roof by an East Texas roofing company in honor of his service.
Shelley Cleaver, who has lived in his home in Jacksonville since 1968, was looking for affordable ways to fix his damaged roof when he came in contact with Yosemite Roofing. After coming out of his home and inspecting the condition of Cleaver’s roof, the company agreed to provide him with a brand-new roof for no charge.
Josiah Rosebury, the owner of Yosemite Roofing, claimed that after inspecting Cleaver’s roof, he felt obligated to provide him with a new roof and spoke about the gratitude he felt after helping him. This was the first time that Rosebury has provided a client with a free roof, and said it is something his company will do more of in the future. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 24-year-old man that was reported missing on Sunday.
According to the sheriff’s office, Cameron Calvin Weaver, 24, was last seen near the intersection of U.S. Highway 259 and FM 2664 wearing a light colored shirt and shorts and is likely carrying a backpack. He is around five feet and 6 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and has a full beard.
Officials said Weaver could possibly be walking northbound, and if anyone has any information about his whereabouts to contact dispatch at 936-559-2607.
LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department said they’re currently investigating a shooting that left two people injured at a park in Lufkin on Friday.
According to our news partner, KETK, officers responded to a local hospital at around 11 p.m. on Friday night and spoke with two victims who had non-life-threatening injuries. The victims told the officers they ere meeting two other people at a local park to sell a cell phone when one of the people they met showed them a gun.
One victim was shot in the right hand and the other victim was shot in the stomach. The two men have been transferred to hospitals outside of Lufkin to be treated.
Lufkin PD said they are investigating the shooting and they don’t believe there is any threat to the public.
WHITEHOUSE – Smith County first responders will resume searching for the 19-year-old man who went missing from a boat on Lake Tyler East Monday morning. According to Smith County Emergency Services District #2 and our news partner KETK, their goal is resume searching for the 19-year-old at 9 a.m. Monday morning after game wardens interview the witnesses again.
Officials said the man fell off the front of a pontoon boat near the channel between Lake Tyler East and Lake Tyler just before 8 p.m. on Sunday. ESD #2 said they had three boats in the water searching for the man along with the Longview Fire Department’s dive team on Sunday.
Officials are asking the public to avoid the area while they search for the man.
TYLER — An off-duty Tyler police officer has died following a Friday evening motorcycle crash. According to a release from the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, at 6 p.m. officers responded to a crash on Troup Highway, just north of Loop 323. A preliminary investigation indicates that Officer Sam Lively, who was riding a motorcycle, was traveling south on Troup Highway in the outside lane. Another vehicle, also heading south in the inside lane, attempted to change lanes near Loop 323 and struck the motorcycle, officials said.
Lively was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries, according to the police department. He was off duty at the time of the crash. Lively had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.
“Officer Lively was an amazing young man who wanted to serve the Tyler community,” the department said in a statement. “He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow officers.” Read the rest of this entry »
CANTON – The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that Interstate 20 will be closed heading east and west near Canton starting on Sunday night. Our news partners at KETK reports that starting at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 crews will close I-20 so they can install a new bridge deck at Farm to Markey Road 17, which is northeast of Canton on I-20 in Van Zandt County. Traffic on I-20 will be redirected onto service roads until the work is completed at around 5 a.m. on Monday, April 28.
VAN ZANDT- Residents of Van Zandt County have started taking notice of the effects a lithium battery storage project had on their town. Most are worried about the potential for a lithium battery fire and the lack of resources for local first responders according to our news partner KETK.
They worry that the effects of the lithium batteries could also affect their soil, air and property values. White is taking the fight to Austin hoping to gain the attention of lawmakers and show them Texans support securing the grid. While White and others are fighting against the implementation of these projects, experts in the field said battery storage is exactly what Texas needs to stabilize the energy grid.
“At a high level, battery storage is fundamental for the grid,” Texas Advanced Energy Alliance Executive Director Matt Bomer said. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES – An East Texas food truck was struck by an 18-wheeler this afternoon in Nacogdoches according to our news partner KETK.
Ruby’s, a Tyler-based restaurant which offers Mexican cuisine to East Texans, reported on Facebook that their truck was parked and serving customers when it was struck by an 18-wheeler. The business said those involved in the crash have been taken to a local hospital to receive evaluation and care. Ruby’s is asking East Texans to pray for everyone involved in the crash. The business also said their Nacogdoches location will be closed for the remainder of the day out of respect for those affected.
RUSK COUNTY – A 62-year-old man from Longview has been convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child after DNA evidence connected him to a case from 1992, according to our news partner KETK.
David Roy Mundt, 62 of Longview, was arrested for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child on Aug. 9, 2024 by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Rusk County Jail records show. Mundt’s arrest came after the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Garland obtained a DNA profile from a rape kit taken in a 1992 child sexual assault case involving a seven-year-old, according to Rusk County District Attorney Micheal E. Jimerson.
“This case involved recent DNA advancements that permit us to unmask the monsters and serial child rapist hiding among us,” Jimerson said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — 
A man was arrested in Tyler on Wednesday after a 13-year-old girl told her teacher that a family member was sexually abusing her. According to the arrest affidavit from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, the sheriff’s office was contacted by a CPS investigator who received a report about a 13-year-old girl who told her teacher that she was being sexually abused by a family member. Officials said on Tuesday, forensic interviews by detectives were conducted at the Smith County Texas Child Advocacy Center with the 13-year-old girl and her sister. “During the forensic interview with one girl, she disclosed that Arnulfo Ramierz-Salas, had been sexually abusing her since she was seven years old,” the affidavit said. “She remembers being alone in her bedroom in Tyler when Salas walked in and told her to ‘hush’, pulled up her shirt and began touching her underneath her clothing.” Read the rest of this entry »