Roses & Weeds

It's been 15 years since Liberty Hall reopened its doors following a major renovation, and there's plenty to celebrate!

In this episode of Roses & Weeds, host Adriana Rodriguez sits down with Downtown Arts and Culture Supervisor Haleigh Franck to look back at the theater's history, its return to bringing entertainment to Downtown Tyler and share what makes Liberty Hall such a special part of our community today.

Plus, they pull back the curtain on one of the theater's most mysterious stories: Lady Liberty, the ghost rumored to haunt the historic building!

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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 discuss what is driving the property tax increase, what is changing on utility bills, why the City is considering taking on debt for the first time, and how different sources of City revenue can and cannot be used.

The conversation also looks at what happens behind the scenes before residents are asked to pay more, including efforts to bring work in-house, use technology, review contracts, and find other ways to save money while maintaining City services and planning for future needs.

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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.

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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 home without, and the best advice she’s ever received.

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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 Communication Department. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future show topics, please reach out to us at [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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 for the community, including how to prepare your home, protect your pipes, care for your pets, and stay informed as conditions change.

Whether you’re curious about how the City prepares or looking for simple ways to get ready yourself, this episode offers a clear look at winter weather readiness in Tyler.

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

When winter weather threatens East Texas, preparation starts before the first freeze-

In this episode, hosts Adriana Rodriguez and Payton Weidman sit down with Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Coordinator David Coble and Streets Foreman Tony Vickers 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 for the community, including how to prepare your home, protect pipes, care for pets, and stay informed when conditions change.

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media.

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 transparency, explains what’s changing, when customers can expect to see those updates, and helps listeners understand the updates, why they matter, and how these updates are designed to better serve customers.

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 [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media. 

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 ideas for future show topics, please reach out to us at [email protected] and be sure to use #RosesAndWeeds on all your questions to the City of Tyler on social media.