Julian Esparza
Reporter/Anchor
East Texas
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Julian Esparza is a reporter and weekend anchor at KLTV/KTRE.
Julian is from McKinney, Texas and graduated from the University of North Texas in 2019 where he majored in journalism and minored in political science and history. During college, Julian interned with NBC 5 in Dallas and CBS Sunday Morning in New York City. In addition, Julian also worked as a reporter at UNT’s student-run TV station, ntTV.
Julian was awarded a Lone Star EMMY Student Production Award for his work at ntTV.
Julian is very excited to be here and telling the stories of East Texans!
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This afternoon, the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization made an update to their Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program to include the extension of Legacy Trail by just over two miles.
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The arrest affidavits for the three shooting suspects is painting a better picture of the events that happened just prior to the first quadruple homicide in Cherokee County history.
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A body was found at a Tyler ISD job site at the Tyler Legacy High School campus on Saturday.
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The Tyler Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Dr. Kristen Walls as the new Tyler Legacy High School principal Thursday morning.
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Carter Blood Care says they’re facing a critical shortage of blood − one not seen in the last 30 years.
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For the first time since November 2014, oil prices traded as high as $76.98 a barrel Tuesday.
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The family of the woman shot and killed over the weekend in Tyler is asking those responsible to come forward.
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Tyler police continue to investigate a weekend shooting that left one woman dead and two men injured.
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Woman killed, 2 men injured in Tyler shooting Friday night; police looking for as many as 5 suspects
The incident was reported at 11:30 p.m. at 3709 Troup Hwy. in a parking lot.
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20-year-old Christian Whiteside is being remembered by those who knew him best as an outgoing and loving friend, son and father.
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Among the possible uses for that money, replacing lost revenue due to COVID-19, road and bridge infrastructure, and construction of a new courthouse.
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The Gladewater Round Up Rodeo gets back in action tonight after last year's rodeo was canceled due to COVID-19.
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His bond was set at $300,000 with conditions which were not stated. He bonded out a short time later.
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Over half of Texans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but here in East Texas, vaccination rates are lower on average than other regions of the state.
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One year ago this week, protests were held worldwide after the death of George Floyd with many calling for police reform in America.
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As travelers return to the skies, the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is continuing work on their airport master plan. It looks at areas the airport can improve and develop over the next twenty years.
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In a 17-13 vote Monday evening, the Texas Senate approved Representative Matt Schaefer’s permitless carry bill − allowing Texans that are not banned from possessing a gun to carry without a license.
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After years of studies, plans to expand a portion of Old Jacksonville highway from four to six lanes were created. If constructed, the expansion would go from Loop 323 to FM 2813.
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Right next to their downtown station, the Tyler Police Department is transforming the old AT&T building into their new crime lab.
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More than a year after they started, the East Texas Food Bank says their large drive-thru food distributions are still busy with people needing food assistance.
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The weather could’ve been better, but for eight veterans, today’s rain is nothing compared to what they’ve been through in their lifetime.
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It doesn’t look like much from the street, but the house at 421 S. College Avenue in Tyler is a part of history.
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Less than a day after tornadoes moved through three East Texas counties, Chopper 7 got a look at some of the damage left behind in Cherokee, Rusk, and Panola counties.
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A massive catholic community is in the works in East Texas
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Not even the pandemic could slow the year-to-year increase in home sales across Texas.
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In a hearing today, the Texas legislature heard from ERCOT about the mass power outages caused by last week’s winter storm.
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The city of Tyler is about five years into their 10-year wastewater collection system consent decree − a plan to assess nearly 700 miles of sewer pipes over several years.
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For Cody and Patience Rushing, they expected the birth of their third child to be much like the previous two ─ going to a hospital and delivering there. That is, until Wednesday morning.
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The developer estimates the design, acquisition and construction of streets, sidewalks, drainage, water, wastewater, recreational areas, landscaping, irrigation and lighting for the 538.33 acres of land to be about $150,000,000.
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The new $28 million convention center will be strategically located to get the most out of visiting Tyler.
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The Tyler Fire Department is receiving a top rating from the U.S. Insurance Services Office.
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It's a dilemma many small East Texas counties are facing − wanting more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but being forced to wait and see if, and when more doses will arrive.
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Titus County Judge Brian Lee spoke with KLTV’s Julian Esparza about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and the lack of doses to supply the need.
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For the first time in United States history, a black woman has been sworn in as vice president.
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Mr. Williams said, at this time, the district is not planning to offer the vaccine to students or LISD families, “but we are always looking for anything and everything we can do to keep our entire community safe.”
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Today marks one month straight of COVID-19 patients making up 15% or more of total hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area G, which includes Tyler and Longview.
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It was ten months ago today in the Tyler City Council chambers where officials announced the first cases of COVID-19 in Smith County. Now 306 days later, much has changed.
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An East Texas family is asking for the public’s help with finding their son.
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Speaking virtually today at the annual economic outlook, economist Dr. Ray Perryman says after a few hard months in 2020, the East Texas economy is showing signs of recovery.
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A couple that lives next to the Starrville Methodist Church watched Saturday night as 21-year-old Mytrez Woolen crashed into their yard.
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For almost three months, 49-year-old Jason Meler was confined to his hospital bed while battling COVID-19.
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COVID-19 vaccine could be available to general public by late January, early February, officials say
This week, East Texas healthcare workers are rolling up their sleeves − becoming some of the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Tyler police are investigating a shooting that happened at The Foundry apartment complex around 10 p.m. Wednesday night across from the UT Tyler campus.
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An East Texas woman is still experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19 ─ months after testing positive.
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Throughout the semester, the university has implemented their "Return to Normal" plan with several COVID-19 protocols designed to limit the spread of the virus.
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A TJC Campus police officer shot someone who was armed while responding to a call.
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It might not look like much right now, the former Tyler fire station #4 is about to get new life in the form of the new Texas African American Museum.
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Following a surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations in July, state data shows the number of people in East Texas hospitals with COVID-19 is once again meeting, and in some cases, exceeding hospitalization numbers from July.
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UT Tyler Assistant Professor of Political Science Mark Owens says while the results of the presidential election are unclear, one thing is. Texans showed up to the polls in record numbers this election.
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UT Tyler Assistant Professor of Political Science Mark Owens says while the results of the presidential election are unclear, one thing is clear: Texans showed up to the polls in record numbers this election.