Hey Tyler! 👋

It's been a busy week around town — Tyler Legacy baseball is doing something the program hasn't done in decades, Discovery Science Place just opened a hands-on TV studio for kids downtown, school is just about out… and Memorial Day weekend is here.

Let's get into it.

⚾ Tyler Legacy baseball is heading to the regional finals The Red Raiders pulled off back-to-back walk-off wins against Willis over the weekend to advance to the Class 6A Division II regional finals — the program's first trip to the fourth round since 2010, and the first regional finals appearance since at least 1982, per UIL records. Owen Harrison's seventh-inning sacrifice fly sealed Saturday's 8-7 Game 3 win. They'll face top-ranked Tomball this Thursday in Waco. Read more

📺 New KLTV KidsCast exhibit opens at Discovery Science Place There's a new reason to head downtown with the kids. Discovery Science Place just opened the KLTV KidsCast — a fully functioning television studio where kids can anchor a newscast, forecast the weather on a real green screen, or run a working control room. There's even a Mama Steph's kitchen setup. Open now at 308 N. Broadway. Read more

🎓 Tyler ISD celebrates LINK 18+ Program Class of 2026 Now in its 16th year, Tyler ISD's LINK 18+ Program honored its newest graduates last Wednesday at the Tyler Junior College Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. The program helps students with special needs build vocational and independent living skills through hands-on internships at more than 50 local businesses — and the majority of graduates step out already employed. A quintessentially Tyler community win. Read more

🐶 Rescue dogs and park rangers shared a trail at Tyler State Park Texas Parks & Wildlife teamed up with the SPCA of East Texas this past Saturday for "Barks 'n' Rec" at Tyler State Park — an easy one-mile group hike along Old Truck Trail where visitors could walk alongside a ranger and an adoptable rescue dog. The SPCA plans to bring the event back regularly, so keep an eye out for the next one. Read more

💧 Tyler applies for $19M grant to fund a new water tower The City of Tyler is pursuing a $19 million grant from the Texas Water Development Board to build a new water tower at the corner of Earl Campbell Parkway and Old Noonday Road. Per Water Utilities Director Kate Dietz, design is fully complete and TCEQ has already approved construction — the project is ready to bid the moment funding comes through. Read more

🏛️ Smith and Van Zandt counties delay vote on regional planning commission Smith County commissioners voted Tuesday to table — for a second time — a proposal to form a sub-regional planning commission with Van Zandt County under Chapter 391 of the Texas Local Government Code. The commission would give the two counties a coordinated voice in studying the impact of large-scale projects like solar farms, data centers, and high-capacity water wells. Van Zandt County followed suit the next day. Both will revisit the issue at their June meetings. Read more

🚨 Caldwell Zoo evacuated after copycat bomb threat Caldwell Zoo was briefly evacuated and closed Sunday after receiving an anonymous bomb threat that officials say is part of a nationwide hoax pattern targeting zoos. Tyler Police and Fire swept the property and gave the all-clear — no devices were found, and no one was hurt. The zoo has reopened, and anyone with a Sunday ticket can return by showing their receipt or ticket stub. Read more

🎸 “SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER…”
At least for a couple weeks, the real estate market kind of is too.

Every year around the end of May, things hit a tiny speed bump. Graduations take over weekends. Families leave for vacations. Memorial Day turns into lake trips, BBQs, and “we’ll look at houses when we get back.”

That can actually create a small window of opportunity for buyers.

Less competition right now can mean less pressure, fewer multiple-offer situations, and a little more breathing room before the summer rush kicks back in.

Then almost like clockwork… it fires right back up.

In East Texas, the market usually runs hard from early June until school starts back in August. Families trying to move before the next school year create urgency. Buyers who paused for travel start booking showings again. Sellers who waited for summer finally jump in.

So if things feel a little quieter this week, don’t mistake that for the market slowing down long term. It’s usually just a brief halftime show before summer real estate season kicks back into full gear.

And somewhere Alice Cooper is probably nodding in approval while a Realtor updates price reductions from their phone at a graduation party.

Dr. Factenstein's Trivia Night True Vine Brewing Co, Tyler | Thursday, May 21 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Adult Painting Night: David Hockney Tyler Public Library, Tyler | Thursday, May 21 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Live Dinner Music: Clint Williams The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Thursday, May 21 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Soul of Motown Liberty Hall, Tyler | Thursday, May 21 | Time TBD | Learn more

Last Day of Early Voting — Republican Primary Runoff Smith County polling sites | Friday, May 22 | Hours vary by location | Learn more

Texas Songwriters on the Rise Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue, Tyler | Friday, May 22 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Learn more

Wayne Toups (Zydecajun) Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue, Whitehouse | Friday, May 22 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Alabanza y Adoracion Presents: Stephen Valero Liberty Hall, Tyler | Friday, May 22 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Giulio Gallarotti (Comedy) Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Friday, May 22 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Jeff Canada Live Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, Tyler | Friday, May 22 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Memorial Day Weekend: Stars, Stripes & S'mores at Jellystone Tyler Jellystone Tyler, Hawkins | May 22–25 | 2:00 PM daily | Learn more

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Tyler Farmers Market Opening Day Tyler Farmers Market, Tyler | Sat, May 23 | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

Boots on the Ground 5K & Fun Run Lindale | Saturday, May 23 | 6:30 – 9:30 AM | Learn more

Luau 5K & Half Marathon 455 Shiloh Rd., Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | Morning start | Learn more

Saturday Brunch with Live Music: Hannah Rose The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 10:30 AM | Learn more

Brunch at ETX Brewing Co. ETX Brewing Co., 221 S. Broadway, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler Area Chamber Memorial Day Ceremony — "250 Years of Freedom, 250 Years of Sacrifice" The Boulders at Lake Tyler, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (reception until 1 PM) | Learn more

Slithering Snakes (Nature Program) Tyler State Park, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 2:30 PM | Learn more

Sheila and the Caddo Kats Daniel Boone's Grill & Tavern, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Darrin Morris Band Moore's Store, Ben Wheeler | Saturday, May 23 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Kolby Cooper Live Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue, Whitehouse | Saturday, May 23 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Live Dinner Music: Gary Patrick Trio The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Comedy Night with Crux Crawford Liberty Hall, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 8:00 PM | Learn more

Mini Kiss Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ, Tyler | Saturday, May 23 | 8:30 PM | Learn more

Sunday Brunch with Live Music: Emily Glover The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Sunday, May 24 | 10:30 AM | Learn more

Brunch at ETX Brewing Co. ETX Brewing Co., 221 S. Broadway, Tyler | Sunday, May 24 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

Memorial Day Hike Tyler State Park, Tyler | Sunday, May 24 | 1:30 PM | Learn more

Zumba Glass Recreation Center, Tyler | Monday, May 25 | 9:00 AM | Learn more

Dusky Lake Paint & Sip Pinot’s Palette, Tyler | Monday, May 25 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Artificial Intelligence in Action The Foundry Coffee House, Tyler | Monday, May 25 | 11:30 AM | Learn more

Republican Primary Runoff — Election Day Smith County polling sites | Tuesday, May 26 | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler City Council Meeting Tyler City Hall, Tyler | Wednesday, May 27 | 9:00 AM | Learn more

Wine Down Wednesday: Paul Shafer The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Wednesday, May 27 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Trivia Night with Dr. Factenstein ETX Brewing Co., 221 S. Broadway, Tyler | Wednesday, May 27 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Governor's Small Business Summit — Tyler W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, Tyler | Thursday, May 28 | 8:00 AM | Learn more

Music in May Downtown Mineola Gazebo, Mineola | Thursday, May 28 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Willie Barcena (Comedy) Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Thursday, May 28 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

For All We Know — The Musical Caldwell Auditorium, Tyler | Thursday, May 28 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

May Madness Crappie Throwdown 16822 McElroy Rd., Whitehouse | Sat, May 30 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Learn more

TACHE Used Book Sale Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Tyler | Sat, June 6 | 12:30 – 4:30 PM | Learn more

Tyler Mayoral Runoff Election Day Smith County polling locations | Sat, June 13 | Polls open 7:00 AM | Learn more

That's the wrap for this week, Tyler. Whether you're catching the Memorial Day ceremony at Lake Tyler, taking the kids to the new KidsCast exhibit downtown, or pulling for the Red Raiders out in Waco — there's plenty to get into.

Got a tip, an event, or a local story we should be on? Just hit reply, we read every one.

Eric & April
From Tyler