There is a lot to unpack in the City of Tyler’s 2026-2027 budget, from changes residents see on their tax and utility bills to decisions about how the City pays for major equipment, infrastructure, and everyday services. In this episode of Roses & Weeds, hosts Julie Goodgame and Deputy City Manager Stephanie Franklin sit down with City Manager Edward Broussard and Assistant City Manager Keidric Trimble to talk through some of the biggest questions surrounding this year’s budget. They disc...

3 judges and a festival director take over the podcast studio to dish on all things Tyler Film Fest! Don’t miss hearing from Festival Director Craig O'Daniel and judges Becca Hale, Trevor Hicks, and Derrick Simiyu about the short films hitting the Liberty Hall screen Sept. 18 and 19 and what makes this year’s festival lineup worth seeing. They also share a little about the judging process, the variety of stories featured this year, and what audiences can expect from the 2026 Tyler Film Fest. ...

District 6 gets the mic! In the latest episode of Roses & Weeds, Sage Sowels and Payton Weidman sit down with Councilmember Carleen Dark-Bays to get to know Tyler’s newest representative for District 6. They talk about her Tyler roots, family, community involvement, what led her to serve on City Council, and the goals she’s bringing into her new role. Then, Carleen takes on a “rapid-fire” round with questions about everything from her favorite Tyler restaurants to what she can’t leave hom...

Mayor Stuart Hene enters the chat! In this episode of Roses & Weeds, hosts Adriana Rodriguez and Sage Sowels sit down with Tyler’s new Mayor to learn more about his background, his vision for the City’s future, and what he hopes to accomplish during his term. Then, they put Mayor Hene in the hot seat for a rapid-fire round covering everything from morning routines and childhood memories to theme songs, quirks, and bucket-list dreams. Roses & Weeds is hosted by the City of Tyler's Comm...

Spring is right around the corner, and Tyler is getting ready to bloom. In this episode, hosts Sage Sowels and Payton Weidman talk with Arborist Luke Alfaro and Horticulturist Jana Pirtle about Tyler’s urban landscape, what’s happening at the Tyler Rose Garden, and a few simple tips to help your own garden thrive. Roses & Weeds is hosted by the City of Tyler's Communication Department. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future show topics, please reach out to us at PublicRe...

When winter weather threatens East Texas, preparation starts long before the first freeze. In this episode, we sit down with leaders from the City of Tyler’s Streets and Fire Departments to talk through how crews prepare for cold conditions, respond in real time, and keep residents safe when temperatures drop. From road treatment and emergency response to behind-the-scenes coordination, they share what it takes to keep Tyler moving during winter weather events. You’ll also hear practical tips...

Utility bills can be confusing (and frustrating), and we know many customers have questions about what they’re seeing and why changes are happening. In this milestone 100th episode of Roses & Weeds, hosts Payton Weidman and Adriana Rodriguez, along with guest Chris Cambra from the Water Business Office, walk through upcoming updates to Tyler’s utility billing and customer tools, including a redesigned utility bill and a new payment provider. The conversation focuses on clarity and transpa...

Downtown Tyler is buzzing with change! In the latest Roses & Weeds episode, host Sage Sowels and guests Amber Varona, Lindsey Froneberger, and Haleigh Franck with the Main Street team share what’s taking shape through the Downtown Improvement Project, the stories behind local favorites like Liberty Hall, and how the City is keeping Tyler’s charm while building its future. Roses & Weeds is hosted by the City of Tyler's Communication Department. If you have any questions, comments, or i...

In this episode of Roses & Weeds, host Sage Sowels sits down with Craig O’Daniel, the Director of the Tyler Film Festival, and judges Shadai Perez and Becca Hale to discuss everything related to the festival. Scheduled for September 12 & 13, the event promises to be an incredible celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community. This week's episode was recorded in a unique location: Shadai's Downtown Tyler studio, Lightbox Collective, instead of our usual podcast studio. T...

In this episode, hosts Sage Sowels and Adriana Rodriguez sit down with Tyler Area Business Education Council Executive Director LaToya Young and City of Tyler Parks Director Leanne Robinette to discuss the upcoming 12th Annual #SchoolisCool event! It's a free, family-friendly back-to-school celebration happening Aug. 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Rose Garden and W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. LaToya and Leanne share what makes this event a staple in the community. From free backpacks ...