Julian Esparza

Reporter/Anchor

East Texas

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!

Education:

University of North Texas

Recent Articles by Julian

WATCH: Chopper 7 gets bird’s-eye view of storm damage in Cherokee, Rusk, Panola counties

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.

Julian Esparza

Published March 28, 2021 at 5:15 PM

Nearly 600-acre Catholic community planned in East Texas

A massive catholic community is in the works in East Texas

Julian Esparza

Published March 10, 2021 at 10:49 PM

Report: Home sales, prices rise in Tyler area during 2020

Not even the pandemic could slow the year-to-year increase in home sales across Texas.

Julian Esparza

Published March 3, 2021 at 4:21 PM

ERCOT CEO stands by winter storm power outages, says grid could have collapsed without them

In a hearing today, the Texas legislature heard from ERCOT about the mass power outages caused by last week’s winter storm.

Julian Esparza

Published February 25, 2021 at 5:29 PM

Tyler City Council approves $2.5 million contract for continued sewer system repairs

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.

Julian Esparza

Published February 24, 2021 at 4:25 PM

East Texas couple delivers their baby at home during winter storm

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.

Julian Esparza

Published February 18, 2021 at 11:29 PM

Tyler City Council approves $150M Westside Place development

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.

KLTV Digital Media Staff and Julian Esparza

Published February 10, 2021 at 12:01 PM

City of Tyler hopes to move forward with new convention center in Rose Complex

The new $28 million convention center will be strategically located to get the most out of visiting Tyler.

Julian Esparza

Published February 9, 2021 at 5:03 PM

Tyler Fire Department receives top Public Protection Classification rating

The Tyler Fire Department is receiving a top rating from the U.S. Insurance Services Office.

Julian Esparza

Published February 4, 2021 at 3:24 PM

‘It’s still a frustrating process:’ Rural East Texas counties ask for more COVID-19 vaccines

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.

Julian Esparza

Published January 28, 2021 at 7:03 PM

Titus County judge says waitlist for vaccine has over 5,000 names and continues to grow

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.

Julian Esparza

Published January 28, 2021 at 3:03 PM

‘We are over the moon:’ Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members react to VP Kamala Harris’ swearing-in

For the first time in United States history, a black woman has been sworn in as vice president.

Julian Esparza

Published January 20, 2021 at 7:22 PM

Longview ISD to provide COVID-19 vaccines for staff

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.”

Julian Esparza

Published January 19, 2021 at 8:56 PM

Tyler/Longview area COVID-19 hospitalization rate remains above 15% for one month

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.

Julian Esparza

Published January 14, 2021 at 4:46 PM

Ten months after first reported cases, East Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations, new cases are highest ever

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.

Julian Esparza

Published January 13, 2021 at 4:24 PM

East Texas man reported missing without phone, ID, needed medication

An East Texas family is asking for the public’s help with finding their son.

Julian Esparza

Published January 9, 2021 at 12:04 AM

Economy recovering faster in East Texas than other parts of the state, economist says

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.

Julian Esparza

Published January 7, 2021 at 7:10 PM

East Texas man recalls seeing church shooting suspect crash into his yard

A couple that lives next to the Starrville Methodist Church watched Saturday night as 21-year-old Mytrez Woolen crashed into their yard.

Julian Esparza

Published January 3, 2021 at 10:33 PM

East Texas man loses mother to COVID-19 while recovering from the virus himself

For almost three months, 49-year-old Jason Meler was confined to his hospital bed while battling COVID-19.

Julian Esparza

Published December 31, 2020 at 3:46 PM

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.

Julian Esparza

Published December 17, 2020 at 6:15 PM

Police investigating shots fired near UT Tyler campus Wednesday night

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.

Julian Esparza

Published December 17, 2020 at 12:59 PM

East Texas woman learns to walk again after suffering long-term health effects of COVID-19

An East Texas woman is still experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19 ─ months after testing positive.

Julian Esparza

Published December 16, 2020 at 6:36 PM

UT Tyler says COVID-19 response plan helped keep campus cases relatively low during fall semester

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.

Julian Esparza

Published November 24, 2020 at 5:13 PM

Tyler Junior College identifies man who died following officer-involved shooting

A TJC Campus police officer shot someone who was armed while responding to a call.

Julian Esparza

Published November 18, 2020 at 10:48 PM

Texas African American Museum to move into old Tyler fire station building

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.

Julian Esparza

Published November 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM

Record number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Tyler/Longview area

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.

Julian Esparza

Published November 5, 2020 at 5:38 PM

Record number of Texans vote in 2020 election

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.

Julian Esparza

Published November 4, 2020 at 4:47 PM

WATCH: UT Tyler professor discusses record voting numbers

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.

Julian Esparza

Published November 4, 2020 at 3:57 PM

Sen. John Cornyn makes campaign stop in Tyler

U.S. Senator John Cornyn made a stop in East Texas this morning.

Julian Esparza

Published October 29, 2020 at 12:29 PM

New East Texas bomb squad almost ready for operation

For over two years now, plans have been in the works to form an explosive ordnance device team, or bomb squad, based in East Texas.

Julian Esparza

Published October 28, 2020 at 4:20 PM

Currently in
Tyler, TX

Julian Esparza

Reporter/Anchor

East Texas

Education:

Recent Articles by Julian

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

KLTV Digital Media Staff and Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

Julian Esparza

MOST RECENT

KLTV Digital Media Staff

Jeff Awtrey

Bill Gowdy

KLTV Digital Media Staff

Donna McCollum and Christian Terry