KCEN-TV (Temple, TX)

BELTON, Texas — Belton native Seth Markham helped kick off the Texas Teenage Baseball Association 6U state tournament with a memorable homecoming Monday at Heritage Park. Markham, better known to fans as the "Ninja Umpire" for the Savannah Bananas, threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the tournament's opening ceremony before spending time with young players, teaching flips and tricks, signing autographs and taking photos with families. This story continues below.

SOMERSET, Ky. — A 4-year-old died after being hit with fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations in Kentucky, reports say. The child, identified as Rhett Luttrell by the Pulaski County Coroner's Office, was hit by a tube of active fireworks after it fell over, LEX18 reported. Deputy Coroner Matt Johnson told LEX18 that emergency responders got 911 calls around 10:16 p.m. Saturday about a "firework accident" involving a child.

WACO, Texas —  Baylor senior punter Palmer Williams has been named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the conference announced Monday following a vote by league media members. The honor marks Williams' second career Preseason All-Big 12 selection after he was also recognized ahead of the 2026 season as a preseason All-American. This story continues below. More in Local Williams is coming off one of the best seasons by a punter in Baylor history.

TEMPLE, Texas — The company leading many of the fire safety repairs at the Temple Mall says significant progress has been made since the shopping center was forced to close over major life safety concerns, but there is still no timeline for reopening.

WASHINGTON — Powerball players across the country watched Monday night's drawing, hoping to match all six numbers. Winners would claim a jackpot estimated at $416 million, with a cash value of about $186.6 million. The jackpot has no cap and grows by tens of millions of dollars with every drawing that produces no winner, which is how the prize can balloon from its $20 million starting point to hundreds of millions of dollars within a matter of weeks.

BELL COUNTY, Texas — A Bell County man has accepted a plea deal in two criminal cases, pleading guilty to murder and sexual assault. Jody Christopher Cool pled guilty in two separate cases on July 6, according to online documents. He had been indicted for murder in the case of stabbing near Belton in January 2025 and sexual assault for a case in August 2025 involving minors. Online records show Cool pled guilty in both cases.

FORT HOOD, Texas — The Fourth of July may be over, but that doesn't mean celebrations have ended. Fort Hood is celebrating America's 250th with a special performance on July 10, through a partnership between Fort Hood Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and the Gary Sinise Foundation. On July 10, Fort Hood will present the Gary Sinise & The LT.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A tanker traveling off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz caught on fire early Tuesday morning after being struck by a projectile, the British military said. The attack was the latest targeting a vessel moving through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime.

SEATTLE — The U.S. Men's National Team struggled through the first half of its round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday night at Seattle Stadium. The U.S. came out slow, as Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere put his team on the board with a goal in the ninth minute. It was the first time in this tournament that the U.S. did not score the first goal of the game. In the first 30 minutes, Belgium had seven shots, while the USMNT had none. This story continues below.

WASHINGTON — Missing Girl Scout cookies in the off-season? Krispy Kreme has got your back. The doughnut makers announced three Girl Scout cookie flavored doughnuts heading to participating stores for a limited time starting July 7. "Girl Scout Cookie flavors are iconic for a reason," said Alison Holder, chief brand and product officer at Krispy Kreme, said in a news release.