KETK NEWS Latest School Closings and Delays

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In the Piney Woods of East Texas, weather can be unpredictable—ranging from sudden ice storms to severe thunderstorms. For families in Tyler, Longview, and the surrounding areas, KETK NEWS (NBC) and FOX51 provide the most comprehensive updates for school closings, delays, and emergency cancellations.

Current School Closings and Delays Status

Where to Find the KETK Closing List

KETK maintains a dedicated system to ensure parents aren’t caught off guard. You can verify your school’s status through these primary channels:

The KETK+ App: This is the fastest way to get updates. Download the app on your smartphone and enable “Local News” alerts to get a push notification the moment a closure is announced.
The Online List: Visit KETK.com/Weather/Closings for a live, searchable list of schools, churches, and businesses.
On-Air Coverage: During KETK News Your Morning (beginning at 5:00 AM), watch the scrolling “ticker” at the bottom of the screen for an alphabetical list of East Texas delays.

Common Schedule Changes in East Texas

Because East Texas weather often involves rapidly changing temperatures, you may see different types of alerts:

Status	Details
2-Hour Delay	Most common during “Black Ice” threats. School begins two hours late to allow roads to thaw and bus drivers to have better visibility.
Canceled / Closed	The district is closed for the day. In some cases, this may be designated as an eLearning Day, where students complete assignments online.
Early Release	Used when severe weather or flooding is expected to intensify during the afternoon commute.

How Decisions Are Made

District superintendents across Smith, Gregg, and Wood counties typically begin monitoring road conditions at 3:30 AM. They coordinate with the KETK NBC 51 Weather Team to determine if temperatures will stay below freezing or if severe storm lines will impact bus routes.

Pro-Tip: Many East Texas schools now use the ParentSquare or Remind apps for direct communication. While KETK is the best source for broad regional updates, ensure your contact information is updated with your specific school to receive direct texts from the principal.

KETK-TV, virtual channel 56, is an NBC-affiliated television station serving Tyler and Longview, Texas, United States that is licensed to Jacksonville.-Wikipedia