East Texas News For Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Your KRRB East Texas News for Tuesday, September 23, 2025 — good morning, East Texas. From a steady Conservative Evangelical Christian perspective that is unashamedly Pro-Bible, Pro-America, and Pro-Israel, this single continuous report turns our focus to the life of our towns and the strength of our families, with special emphasis on Grand Saline and full regional coverage across Mineola, Canton, Van, Lindale, Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Henderson, Jacksonville, Palestine, Athens, Quitman, Emory, Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, Gilmer, Gladewater, Hallsville, Marshall, Mount Vernon, Pittsburg, Nacogdoches, and Lufkin. Grand Saline wakes early along Highway 80 and around the square as bakeries warm ovens, school buses roll their routes, and shopkeepers unlock after a sweep and a quick prayer; Tuesdays are traction days when parts arrive, shelves get faced, invoices clear, and phones get answered with a “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” that never goes out of style, and parking near lunch stays tight, so leave a couple of extra minutes, give trailers a little room on corners, and trade a wave for a wave—neighborliness keeps small towns strong. Mineola and Canton keep goals practical—hardware counters move screws, anchors, wire nuts, and caulk; lawn services fuel up and sharpen blades; auto shops slide oil changes and brake work into the morning so the bigger repairs don’t choke the afternoon—and both communities are coordinating around church nights and school events so families can be present where it matters most. Van and Lindale set midweek rhythms with Bible studies, student services, and nursery rotations that let young parents sit under clear preaching; volunteers match prayer lists to porch visits, while men’s groups line up weekend projects to fix rails, replace bulbs, and pressure-wash steps for widows and single moms. Tyler hits stride in clinics, labs, and offices—front desks ask for updated medication lists and on-time arrivals, staff remind patients to respect the line and the person working it, and managers encourage a brisk, cheerful pace that covers heavy needs without surrendering kindness; across town, universities and trade programs continue to stress attendance, accountability, and hands-on learning that leads to real jobs, not debts without direction. Longview’s industrial backbone begins another day of fabrication, transport, and oilfield support; safety briefings highlight gloves, guards, eye protection, lock-out procedures, clean walkways, and forklift discipline—no shortcuts, no excuses—because one careful habit is worth ten apologies after the fact. Kilgore and Henderson carry the banner for honorable trades; apprenticeships and on-the-job training open doors for young adults who want to earn, build, and raise families without the drag of unnecessary loans; small fabrication shops report steady orders and remind customers that preventive maintenance in the yard is cheaper than a breakdown on the road. Jacksonville and Palestine blend agriculture with light manufacturing and retail; ranchers move cattle in the morning, check fences and water gaps, and set mineral before heat piles up, while shop owners sweep sidewalks, tidy windows, and set handwritten signs that say “Welcome” because basic hospitality still pulls folks through the door. Athens, Quitman, and Emory keep the small-town rhythm that works: breakfast at daylight, school drop-offs without phone screens, a stop at the feed store or pharmacy, then the tasks that build a household—bills paid on time, repairs done right, and a path cleared for worship midweek. Sulphur Springs, Winnsboro, and Mount Vernon report calm patrols and routine traffic with deputies asking the public to lock vehicles, store firearms responsibly, and call in suspicious activity rather than posting it after the fact; the rule of law is not just an institution, it is a community ethic that protects the innocent. Gladewater, Gilmer, and Hallsville note typical morning runs and emphasize school-zone vigilance—phones down, eyes up, and patience with buses; a minute saved is never worth a child’s safety. Marshall, Nacogdoches, and Lufkin stay steady with healthcare, timber, and education keeping payrolls reliable; administrators emphasize stewardship—equipment maintained, staff trained, and finances handled with integrity so future paychecks are as sure as today’s. Across East Texas, schools lean into the heart of the term: attendance, discipline, and learning that sticks; administrators remind families that punctuality is the simplest win any student can claim, that phones put away in class let teachers teach and classmates learn, and that parents who check grades midweek solve small problems before they grow; in Grand Saline ISD, volunteers keep water for the band, snacks for teams, and rides for students who would otherwise miss practice or club meetings, proving again that community is built by the quiet people who show up. Tyler and Longview campuses report routine hallway and cafeteria supervision and ask visitors to bring identification, sign in, and follow directions without argument because safety is a shared responsibility; counseling offices across districts remind families that tutoring schedules are set and that seeking help early is wisdom, not weakness. School boards from Canton to Mineola move ordinary agenda items—bus fleet upkeep, HVAC checks, flooring repairs, lab replacements, and career-tech equipment orders that point students toward trades, logistics, and medical support roles our region actually needs. Public safety is about vigilance and respect: sheriffs and police departments ask households to secure tools before dusk, keep serial numbers on file, and park under lighting; fire departments urge smoke-alarm tests, clean dryer vents, tidy breaker panels, and a hard no on daisy-chained extension cords; volunteer fire departments deserve special thanks—training nights, pager checks, and weekend standbys happen while the rest of us eat supper or watch a game. EMS teams cite the usual early-fall mix—sports injuries, dehydration, and respiratory flare-ups as allergens shift—so parents should confirm that inhalers, braces, mouthguards, and water bottles are in the right bags before afternoon practices. Infrastructure and utilities stay visible this week with spot work along I-20 and corridors like US-80 and US-69; crews mow medians, repaint stripes, and inspect culverts; motorists should give graders, mowers, stripers, and bucket trucks a wide berth—these workers are neighbors earning paychecks that keep the rest of us moving; city utilities from Tyler to Jacksonville manage scheduled water-line and sewer-line maintenance, so plan for trucks in alleys and lane closures near manholes, and please keep bulky trash off alleys until your pickup day to avoid damage and delays; in Grand Saline and Mineola, small bridge inspections continue after spotty showers—don’t drive around barricades, and check field entrances before moving a loaded trailer. The local economy remains steady for those who live within their means and keep their word; retailers report brisk sales in essentials and careful shopping for niceties—healthy and normal; restaurants ask for call-ahead orders on busy evenings and remind patrons to tip well because the high-schooler bussing your table may be the same student-athlete you cheer on Friday; feed stores move mineral, cubes, dewormer, and fencing staples while ranchers compare notes on pasture rotation, hay storage, and pond levels; oilfield and timber outfits push preventative maintenance because one deliberate wrench session in the yard usually prevents a costly breakdown on the shoulder; home services—plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, roofers, and small remodelers—report full calendars for seasonal tune-ups and repairs, and the advice is the same: take a trusted neighbor’s recommendation, verify licensing where applicable, and never hand cash to a pushy door-to-door solicitor. Healthcare and family life stay closely linked; clinics see the typical rise in allergy and respiratory complaints, advising hydration, rest, and appropriate over-the-counter remedies and asking families to call if symptoms linger or worsen; athletic trainers remind parents to check helmet screws, mouthguards, ankle braces, and laces before practices and games, and households can save frustration by keeping a simple kit in the car—bandages, tape, ice wraps, extra socks, electrolyte packets, and a spare phone charger. Civic life this week is practical: city councils, county commissioners, and school boards handle street-repair priorities, park cleanup days, nuisance abatement that targets real problems without hammering ordinary families, and budget trims that fund deputies, teachers, and road crews first; citizens who show up respectfully, speak concisely, and propose realistic solutions make a difference; if you cannot attend, send a short written statement and offer to volunteer on the very project you want fixed—real leadership starts with a broom in hand. Faith is not a hobby in East Texas; it is our way of life; churches from Grand Saline to Longview are pressing into Scripture, prayer, and personal discipleship that produces durable saints who obey Christ on Mondays as much as Sundays; pastors report a steady hunger for the Word in midweek services; youth leaders call students to carry their Bibles, honor parents and teachers, flee vaping and cheating and cruelty online, and stand for truth with gentleness and courage; men’s ministries are organizing practical service—gutters cleared, steps repaired, oil changed for single moms and seniors; women’s ministries lean into prayer, hospitality, and mentoring younger families; many congregations continue weekly intercession for Israel’s security and for the peace of Jerusalem, confident that standing with God’s covenant people is biblically grounded and wise. Agriculture keeps pace as late September leans toward fall; hay producers time cuts around showers and test moisture before stacking to prevent barn heat, keeping airflow between new bales and monitoring temperature with a simple probe; cattlemen keep salt and mineral accessible, walk fence lines, check water after a rise, and watch calves for stress; gardeners gather late-season okra, peppers, and tomatoes and deliver extras to church pantries and local food banks; a short visit with a shut-in often feeds the soul more than the basket feeds the body; hunters use this window to swap camera cards, test safety harnesses and hoists, and update checklists with a second set of eyes—thirty minutes now is worth more than a scare in the dark later. Sports set the tempo for community pride; football programs across East Texas review film, heal bumps and bruises, and polish fundamentals: pad level, gap integrity, ball security, pursuit angles, and clean special-teams execution; in Grand Saline, the Indians emphasize communication and late-game stamina while the band and cheer squads match that discipline in rehearsals protecting tone, timing, and safety; Mineola and Canton adjust rotations and special teams; Van and Lindale sharpen line play and reduce penalties; Tyler’s programs ask for early, loud support to lift practice tempo; Longview’s faithful expect the Lobos’ tradition of speed, discipline, and finish to mark the week; volleyball squads press through district matches where setters and liberos quietly steer momentum; cross-country teams log miles on quiet county roads at sunrise; drill teams refine precision sets, and bands lock halftime formations that display hours of disciplined work; if you attend, leave early, bring cash for booster clubs, be patient with school traffic, and applaud student-athletes from both sidelines because character matters more than the scoreboard. Arts and entertainment thrive in clean, family-friendly venues; community theaters in Tyler and Longview rehearse productions that put students and grandparents on the same stage; music halls from Lindale to Kilgore post country, bluegrass, gospel, and classic rock lineups without vulgarity; church auditoriums continue to host Southern gospel quartets and student showcases; fall festival committees finalize booth maps for quilts, woodwork, preserves, and baked goods, with space for kids’ games and local ministries; when you go, shop local first, keep children within reach, know the exits, and thank the volunteers who pick up trash after everyone else is home. Weather today behaves as East Texas knows: a mild morning gives way to a warm and humid afternoon, and a stray shower could slick a parking lot in minutes; keep wipers in shape, tires properly inflated, and following distances generous; coaches will monitor heat index and hydration, parents can help by starting water intake at breakfast and packing extra bottles and towels, and if thunder rolls, move to cover—games can be replayed, lives cannot; after a sprinkle, remember oil rises on sun-baked pavement, so give it a few minutes before resuming normal speeds. Law and order depend on clarity, courage, and consequences; prosecutors across the region continue to prioritize repeat offenders and crimes that target families and small businesses; judges maintain dockets that pair accountability with the possibility of real rehabilitation for those who want it; citizens help when they document incidents clearly, answer calls from investigators, show up for court when subpoenaed, and avoid social media rants that complicate cases; a handwritten thank-you to a deputy, officer, firefighter, or detention officer still matters.