Hey Tyler!

The Fourth is almost here, and East Texas is already warming up the fireworks. This week brings family fireworks nights, a star party out at Tyler State Park, and a stretch of live music that runs from jazz to outlaw country.

There's plenty going on beyond the weekend, too — the East Texas Gem & Mineral Show, farmers markets, trivia and karaoke nights, and a new mayor sworn in down at city hall.

Let's get into it. 👇

🏡 A new community is taking shape for homeless veterans
A local nonprofit is turning two old oil-well properties into a home base for veterans and their families. The Christian Restoration Community Residential Care Program plans to place at least 80 two- and three-bedroom homes on land off Pine Tree Road near White Oak. The group already houses six veterans in Gregg County and 20 here in Tyler, and director Debra Christian secured more than $200,000 through the Texas Railroad Commission's Brownfields Response Program to clean up the land before building begins. As one veteran in the program put it, the help came "in a time of need" — and now they're hoping to pass that along to others still waiting. Read more

🤖 Tiny robots are rolling down Tyler's sidewalks
If you spot a little white robot in a bright safety vest cruising your neighborhood, don't worry — it's working. Tyler has six Daxbot robots out checking about 90 miles of sidewalk for cracks, slopes, obstructions and ADA compliance, covering roughly 12 miles a day over the next few weeks. They take their measurements in real time, and the city says any video is stored securely and wiped after five minutes. There's even a QR code on each vest if you want to learn more — and yes, they'll say hi back if you approach one. Read more

🏛️ Tyler has a new mayor
Stuart Hene was sworn in as Tyler's mayor at Wednesday's city council meeting after winning the June 13 runoff. A lifelong Tylerite who spent the past five years on the council, Hene thanked outgoing Mayor Don Warren and said investing in infrastructure, public safety and neighborhoods tops his to-do list. First big item on the agenda: the city's budget season. Read more

₿ A proposed Bitcoin mining facility has neighbors talking
Plans for a cryptocurrency mining operation near downtown — along West Erwin Street — drew a packed room of residents to a community meeting this month. Developer Vulcan Core, partnering with Barrio Energy, has described a roughly 12-megawatt facility on about 1.8 acres, built from eight container units next to an existing electrical substation. Supporters point to new investment in an Opportunity Zone, while neighbors have raised concerns about noise, power and water use, and property values. The project still needs a special use permit, which heads to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission next month before any city council vote. Read more

If you've been waiting for mortgage rates to make a big move, last week probably felt like another roller coaster that ended right where it started.

Rates bounced around after the Federal Reserve met, but by the end of the week they were almost back where they began. The Fed decided not to lower its benchmark interest rate, which was expected, but comments about where rates could be headed over the next couple of years caused some temporary uncertainty in the financial markets.

So what does that actually mean if you're thinking about buying or selling a home?

One of the most encouraging signs from last week wasn't mortgage rates. It was buyer activity.

Pending home sales, which measure homes that have gone under contract, jumped nearly 4% in May. That's a strong sign that more people are getting off the sidelines and deciding they're ready to make a move.

Hiring slowed a bit, and more people are continuing to collect unemployment benefits than in previous weeks. That's one of the economic signals the Federal Reserve watches closely when deciding whether future rate cuts make sense.

In other words, the economy isn't falling apart, but it's showing signs of slowing down.

Home builder confidence slipped again in June. Builders are still dealing with higher construction costs, financing expenses, and affordability challenges for buyers.

Less confidence from builders can eventually mean fewer new homes coming to market, which doesn't do much to help housing inventory.

Fewer people applied for mortgages last week, both for buying homes and refinancing. That's fairly common whenever rates remain elevated and buyers are waiting to see what happens next.

No one has a crystal ball, but the overall picture hasn't changed much.

Mortgage rates are still moving week to week based on economic news, inflation, and expectations for future Fed decisions. While we're probably not looking at dramatic rate drops overnight, many experts still believe there's room for gradual improvement if inflation continues to cool.

The biggest takeaway?

Trying to perfectly time the market rarely works. The best time to buy or sell is when it makes sense for your finances, your family, and your long-term goals.

As always, if you're wondering how today's market affects your specific situation here in East Texas, I'd be happy to help you put the numbers into perspective.

Tyler Farmers Market 4850 Old Bullard Rd, Tyler | Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 AM | Learn more 

Dr. Factenstein’s Trivia True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler | Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Dr. Factenstein’s Trivia Brisket Love, Lindale | Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Huge Dollar/Quarter Book Sale Elsewhere Books, Whitehouse | Thursday, June 25 | 5:00 PM | Learn more

Live Jazz Night Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Gabby’s Dollhouse The Movie Free Admission Hometown Cinemas, Jacksonville | Thursday, June 25 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Open Makerspace Tyler Public Library  | Thursday, June 25 | 3:00 PM | Learn more

Ancient Games Tyler Public Library Auditorium  | Friday, June 26 | 10:30 AM | Learn more

Family Fireworks Celebration 2026 South Spring Baptist Church | Friday, June 26 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Likewise Coffee Roasters Presents Coffee 101 7596 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler | Friday, June 26 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

The Jazz Connection Live Fresh by Brookshire’s | Friday, June 26 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Campfire 101 & Tales Tyler State Park | Friday, June 26 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Ben Jarrell & the Night Sights True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler | Friday, June 26 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Dr. Factenstein’s Karaoke  Brisket Love, Lindale | Friday, June 26 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Tuxedo Cats Live The Grove, Tyler | Friday, June 26 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Star Party Tyler State Park | Friday, June 26 | 8:30 PM | Learn more

Dr. Factenstein’s Karaoke Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Friday, June 26 | 9:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler Farmers Market 4850 Old Bullard Rd, Tyler | Saturday, June 27 | 7:00 AM | Learn more 

2026 East Texas Gem & Mineral Show Tyler Rose Garden Center | Saturday, June 27 | 8:00 AM | Learn more

Sweet Summer Artisan Market True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler | Saturday, June 27 | 9:00 AM | Learn more

Bookish Book Club June Meeting Laurel & Pearl Bakery, Tyler | Saturday, June 27 | 9:30 AM | Learn more

Brady’s Vendor Market Brady’s Coffee Shop | Saturday, June 27 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Chapters & Choices Book Club Tyler Public Library | Saturday, June 27 | 11:00 AM | Learn more

Adult Beginner Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Tyler Public Library | Saturday, June 27 | 2:00 PM | Learn more

Archery 101 Tyler State Park | Saturday, June 26 | 4:00 PM | Learn more

Evening Paddle Tyler State Park | Saturday, June 26 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

David Allen & the Drifting Outlaws Live Fresh by Brookshire’s | Saturday, June 27 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Van Freedom Boom McMillan Park, Van | Saturday, June 27 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

That 1 Mailman Live Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Saturday, June 27 | 9:00 PM | Learn more

2026 East Texas Gem & Mineral Show Tyler Rose Garden Center | Sunday, June 28 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Sunday Brunch Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Sunday, June 28 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

ReCraft Presents Open Writing Lab Flourish Nonprofits, Tyler | Sunday, June 28 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Volleyball Summer Camp Registration Glass Recreation Center, Tyler | Monday, June 29 | 8:00 AM | Learn more

Zumba Glass Recreation Center, Tyler | Monday, June 29 | 9:00 AM | Learn more

Financial Adventures for Kids Tyler Public Library | Monday, June 29 | 3:00 PM | Learn more

Monday Open Mic Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Monday, June 29 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Tyler Farmers Market 4850 Old Bullard Rd, Tyler | Tuesday, June 30 | 7:00 AM | Learn more

Lunch at Liberty- National Treasure Liberty Hall, Tyler | Tuesday, June 30 | 11:30 AM | Learn more

Dogman Free Admission Hometown Cinemas, Jacksonville | Tuesday, June 30 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Club Read Tyler Public Library | Tuesday, June 30 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Baby Storytime  Tyler Public Library | Tuesday, June 30 | 10:30 AM | Learn more

Dogman Free Admission Hometown Cinemas, Jacksonville | Wednesday, July 1 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Toddler Storytime  Tyler Public Library | Wednesday, July 1 | 10:30 AM | Learn more

Dogman Free Admission Hometown Cinemas, Jacksonville | Thursday, July 2 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Special Storytime: America 250 Tyler Public Library | Thursday, July 2 | 10:30 AM | Learn more

The Right Side of Comedy Rose City Comedy, Tyler |Friday & Saturday July 3 & 4 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Light the Night Rose Heights Church, Lindale |Friday, July 3 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Freedom Fighter 5K Bergfeld Park, Tyler | Saturday, July 4 | 6:30 AM | Learn more

Red, White, & Wings The Boulders at Lake Tyler, Whitehouse | Saturday, July 4 | 11:00 AM | Learn more

Honor, Flight & Freedom 1040 W Loop 564, Mineola | Saturday, July 4 | 2:00 PM | Learn more

Mineola 4th of July & America250 Fireworks Show Mineola Civic Center & RV Park | Saturday, July 4 | 3:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler Fireworks Festival The Park of East Texas, Tyler | Saturday, July 4 | 5:00 PM | Learn more

Blast Over Bullard Bullard High School, Bullard | Saturday, July 4 | 5:00 PM | Learn more

Summerween Adult Summer Camp The Children’s Village, Tyler | Monday, July 6-Friday, July 10 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Movies in the Park Bergfeld Park, Tyler | Saturday, July 11 | 8:30 PM | Learn more

Movies in the Park Bergfeld Park, Tyler | Saturday, August 1 | 8:30 PM | Learn more

Love Thy City W. T. Brookshire’s Conference Center, Tyler | Saturday, August 22 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

That's a wrap for this week. However you spend it — front-row at a fireworks show or just grabbing peaches at the farmers market — I hope it's a good one.

Got a tip, an event we missed, or a story worth sharing? Just hit reply. I read every one.

Eric & April
From Tyler