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KWTX@4: Student ambassadors invite you to the Yes! Expo. - 4.17.25

Updated: 14 hours ago

KWTX@4: Student ambassadors invite you to the Yes! Expo. - 4.17.25

The Daily 4 on KWTX@4: Text scams, Spring at the Silos, and more. - 4.17.25

Updated: 14 hours ago

The Daily 4 on KWTX@4: Text scams, Spring at the Silos, and more. - 4.17.25

Mother of Karmelo Anthony, teen charged in deadly stabbing at North Texas track meet, speaks

Updated: 18 hours ago

Mother of Karmelo Anthony, teen charged in deadly stabbing at North Texas track meet, speaks

Father of Austin Metcalf asked to leave news conference organized by Karmelo Anthony's family

Updated: 19 hours ago

Father of Austin Metcalf asked to leave news conference organized by Karmelo Anthony's family

Teens’ prized archery bow lost in mail as USPS issues continue across the Brazos Valley

Updated: Apr. 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM PDT

Teens’ prized archery bow lost in mail as USPS issues continue across the Brazos Valley

New Near you on KWTX@4: Meet the owner of ReadyGolf in Waco. - 4.16.25

Updated: Apr. 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM PDT

New Near you on KWTX@4: Meet the owner of ReadyGolf in Waco. - 4.16.25

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KWTX@4: Student ambassadors invite you to the Yes! Expo. - 4.17.25

Updated: 14 hours ago

KWTX@4: Student ambassadors invite you to the Yes! Expo. - 4.17.25

The Daily 4 on KWTX@4: Text scams, Spring at the Silos, and more. - 4.17.25

Updated: 14 hours ago

The Daily 4 on KWTX@4: Text scams, Spring at the Silos, and more. - 4.17.25

Mother of Karmelo Anthony, teen charged in deadly stabbing at North Texas track meet, speaks

Updated: 18 hours ago

Mother of Karmelo Anthony, teen charged in deadly stabbing at North Texas track meet, speaks

Father of Austin Metcalf asked to leave news conference organized by Karmelo Anthony's family

Updated: 19 hours ago

Father of Austin Metcalf asked to leave news conference organized by Karmelo Anthony's family

Teens’ prized archery bow lost in mail as USPS issues continue across the Brazos Valley

Updated: Apr. 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM PDT

Teens’ prized archery bow lost in mail as USPS issues continue across the Brazos Valley

New Near you on KWTX@4: Meet the owner of ReadyGolf in Waco. - 4.16.25

Updated: Apr. 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM PDT

New Near you on KWTX@4: Meet the owner of ReadyGolf in Waco. - 4.16.25

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At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. Click here to learn more about our approach to artificial intelligence.

In a message to the KCEN Facebook page, Fred Lilly II said he planned to "address the harm caused" by Killeen ISD's statements to the media.

KILLEEN, Texas — Questions over Fred Lilly II's resignation as Roy J. Smith Principal continued to swirl Friday after Lilly posted to the KCEN Facebook page that the Killeen Independent School District was using him as a "scapegoat."

Lilly wrote he was "incredibly disappointed" that the district publicly alleged his departure was "for cause."

"I adamantly deny these false and damaging claims, and I am exploring all appropriate avenues to address the harm caused by their statements to the media," Lilly wrote.

Lilly posted his statements around 11 a.m., a couple hours after the school district released a copy of a resignation letter Lilly sent to the district on March 28, 2025.

The school board announced Thursday night during its regular meeting that Lilly had resigned. Later that night, reports surfaced that Lilly had not actually resigned.

"We are aware of some confusion in the media suggesting that Mr. Lilly did not resign," the district wrote in an email to 6 News. "To clarify, Mr. Lilly formally submitted his resignation to the district, and a copy of his resignation letter is attached for your reference."

The district provided further clarification in an email to 6 News shortly after Lilly made his Facebook post, saying Lilly could not withdraw his resignation.

"Under Texas law and KISD Board policies, a resignation filed with the district, as occurred here with Mr. Lilly’s filing on March 28, 2025, “is effective upon filing with the district and the district cannot reject such a resignation,”" the district wrote. Further, the law clearly states: “The resignation cannot be withdrawn by the teacher based on an argument that the district has not accepted the resignation.”"

All this comes in the wake of the stabbing death of Serenity Baker by another student at the middle school on March 10.

Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey said she would recommend Lilly's termination to the school board for "good cause" during a news conference on Wednesday, April 2.

The school board had its regular meeting Thursday night and after a closed session they returned to announce Lilly had already resigned. He had been on administrative leave while an internal investigation was ongoing into the district's handling of the incident.

Lilly's full post can be read below:

I want to sincerely thank the parents, students, and community members who have reached out in support during this difficult time. It is incredibly disappointing and deeply hurtful that the school district has chosen to publicly allege that my departure was “for cause.” I adamantly deny these false and damaging claims, and I am exploring all appropriate avenues to address the harm caused by their statements to the media.

Throughout my tenure, I have dedicated myself to creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for every student. It is disheartening that instead of acknowledging the systemic safety concerns I repeatedly brought to their attention — including on the day of the unfortunate incident — the district has chosen to scapegoat me.

I remain committed to the students and families I’ve been honored to serve and will continue to put children first, regardless of the challenges ahead. I welcome a fair and impartial investigation — ideally conducted by a neutral third party — and am confident that such a process will clear my name.

Working with this school community has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, and I will continue to stand with and support our families however I can.

Read KISD's full statement regarding Lilly's resignation here:

Media Partners,

We appreciate your continued coverage and commitment to accurate reporting.

At last night’s Board meeting, Board President Brett Williams publicly announced that Mr. Fred Lilly had submitted his resignation to Killeen ISD and, as a result, the Board would not be taking action on the related agenda item.

We are aware of some confusion in the media suggesting that Mr. Lilly did not resign. To clarify, Mr. Lilly formally submitted his resignation to the district, and a copy of his resignation letter is attached for your reference.

The district now turns its focus to the important work of identifying the next principal for Roy J. Smith Middle School.

Read Lilly's resignation letter dated March 28, 2025.

Credit: Killeen ISD

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What is the best internet provider in Killeen?

CNET recommends Spectrum as the best internet service provider for most households in Killeen, Texas. For one thing, Spectrum has one of the cheapest plans around at $30 monthly. If that isn't enough to tempt you, you also get unlimited data without having to sign a contract.

Of course, if you'd prefer another ISP, Brightspeed and T-Mobile Home Internet are also great options for broadband in the city. Both T-Mobile and Verizon offer an extra discount for eligible mobile customers, which can lower your monthly bill to under $40. If you’re hunting for the fastest plan in Killeen, Spectrum, Brightspeed, Verizon and BEC Communications offer 1-gig plans. Brightspeed also offers a 2-gig plan in select areas for $89 a month, but availability depends on your location.

Best internet in Killeen

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Killeen

Cheap internet options in Killeen

For those looking to pay the lowest monthly cost on home broadband, Spectrum costs just $30 a month. Brightspeed Internet's 200Mbps plan is also currently $29, down from its usual price of $49 a month. You can also consider T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet. Plans by both providers start at $50, but you can get them for as low as $35 with eligible phone plans.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Killeen

The best internet deals and top promotions in Killeen depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Take our quiz

How Fast Should Your Home Internet Be?

Answer 3 easy questions to discover our recommended speed for your household.

Killeen internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including Brightspeed, T-Mobile and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is Killeen broadband?

Among the 50 states, Texas has the ninth fastest median broadband download speed of 219Mbps. So, how does Killeen stack up against the rest of the state? According to recent Okta data, Killeen’s median download speed is 266Mbps, handily beating the Texas numbers out of the water.

If you're looking for service faster than the city's median speed, plenty of options exist. The fastest speed you'll find in Killeen is a gigabit, which Spectrum, Brightspeed, Verizon and BEC Communications offer. Killeen is still growing its broadband capabilities, so you might have to wait a few years before seeing speeds in the multi-gigabit range.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Killeen

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn't end there. We go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Killeen?

Even though fiber is the connection type we recommend most for home internet, you're unlikely to be serviceable under a fiber-optic network in Killeen. The best ISP for you will come down to what's available at your address, which will probably be Spectrum or Nextlink. If you're deciding between the two, go with Spectrum for its lower prices and faster speeds.

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) — The City of Killeen announced it has placed a moratorium on the enforcement of a new banner sign ordinance mandating business owners take down roadside flags meant to attract customers.

City council plans to discuss the ordinance at two future Council meetings, beginning April 15.

The regulation is outlined in the City’s Code of Ordinances under Signs and Outdoor Displays in section 31-502.

It states, “a banner sign shall mean any non-permanent sign usually made from cloth, vinyl or similar material denoting a business related advertisement, name, message, design, emblem, symbol or color that is suspended or displayed for advertisement or to attract attention.”

According to the City, the ordinance has been in place for nearly 15 years and has not changed, although municipal staff recently reassessed implementation and began enforcing the ordinance properly as written.

“City staff previously interpreted the ordinance in a manner that treated these types of signs as flags, rather than banner signs, although ‘banner signs’ is the original intent of the ordinance,” City Council announced.

“We do, indeed, acknowledge the confusion that the reimplementation may have brought,” Wallis Meshier, Executive Director of Development Services said.

“We have worked with Code Enforcement staffing to ensure proper understanding of the requirements of the ordinance, so it can be properly explained.”

Enforcement will discontinue until the matter is discussed at the April 15 Council meeting, and a decision is not expected to happen sooner than May 6.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: ‘They can come and take them’: Killeen, Texas business owners frustrated by city’s new flag ordinance enforcement

Small business owners in Killeen are expressing frustration after the city ordered them to take down roadside flags they’ve relied on to attract customers.

Local businesses are facing a new setback as the key advertising opportunity is taken off the table.

“It’s one less means of advertising that’s no longer at the disposal of not just my business, but all the other businesses that use this form of advertising,” said Avon Watson, a board member of Rock and Roll Ice Cream Parlor.

The flags, commonly posted near food trucks and other businesses, have been a staple for many, but now they face tough decisions: pay for a costly permit or remove the flags entirely.

The city’s enforcement of an old ordinance, which has been in place since 2010, has caught business owners by surprise.

While the ordinance itself isn’t new, the way the city is interpreting and enforcing it has recently changed.

Under this interpretation, flags are now classified as “temporary banners,” which require businesses to obtain a permit and pay fees.

Brandon Harlee, owner of the Texas Krab House food truck in Killeen, said his business could be severely impacted by the new enforcement.

Harlee, who operates three food trucks across Texas, says his Killeen location has thrived due in large part to the flags posted near the street corner.

“Every customer that comes up to our truck, I ask them how they heard about us. And half of my business tells me, ‘We were just driving by and we saw the flags,‘” Harlee said.

However, after receiving a call from a city code inspector, Harlee was told he needed a permit for the flags he’s had up since October of last year.

He questions why the city is suddenly enforcing the rule now.

“If we’ve been able to operate all this time without these permits and fees, why start enforcing it now?” Harlee asked.

Killeen’s Code Enforcement Director, Jerry Millard, said the city is simply returning to the original intent of the 2010 ordinance, which was meant to reduce the number of signs along undeveloped roadways.

Millard explained that previous staff had misclassified these flags as regular flags rather than banners, and now the city is correcting that.

“The overabundance of signage acts to clutter a property and the beautification of the city in general,” Millard said. “The intent was always to classify them as temporary banners.”

Under the new interpretation, Harlee faces an $85 fee every five days for a permit to keep his flags up, potentially totaling around $2,000 annually.

Harlee said this added expense could devastate his business.

“If we’re forced to take down the flags, ultimately it will be the demise of my business here,” Harlee said.

Millard encouraged small business owners to consider other forms of advertising, suggesting they evaluate their signage and advertising budgets.

“I would encourage them to look at the signage they have and utilize other means or venues for the advertising of their business,” Millard said.

But Harlee, determined to keep his flags up, has no intention of paying the permit fees.

“As far as I’m concerned, the flags will stay, and they can just come and take them,” he said.

Harlee remains hopeful he can continue drawing customers and serving the food he loves.

“I’m just trying to do a hard, honest day’s work,” he said.

In response to the growing concerns from business owners, Killeen City Council Member Jessica Gonzalez has requested a discussion on potentially revising the ordinance.

The council will vote on the issue during the next meeting in April.

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