ITAV: 365 days of parenthood, surviving the first year

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It Takes A Village is a weekly ValleyCentral+ series that covers all things parenting; from real, honest conversations about daily routines and challenges to funny moments, lessons learned and balancing work and family life.  It's a milestone episode this week on It Takes a Village. Mom and Dad, Lexie and Devan, are

ITAV: 365 days of parenthood, surviving the first year

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It Takes A Village is a weekly ValleyCentral+ series that covers all things parenting; from real, honest conversations about daily routines and challenges to funny moments, lessons learned and balancing work and family life.  It's a milestone episode this week on It Takes a Village. Mom and Dad, Lexie and Devan, are

Top Chef VIP: Carmen Villalobos and the Judges Reveal What They Expect from the Celebrities

Top Chef VIP premieres this Tuesday with a new competition where preparing a good dish is just part of the challenge. Participants will also need to learn to listen, follow recipes correctly, and defend their creations before the judges. Before the stoves are turned on, some contestants are already aware of one of their main challenges: presenting their dishes in front of Carmen Villalobos and chefs Betty, Toño, and Tita. For some, even Villalobos' presence may increase the pressure during the competition. 'Carmen, please don’t come into my kitchen, please, please,' said Sheynnis Palacios. Villalobos, the host of Top Chef VIP, anticipated that the calm among the participants at the beginning of the competition could change as the challenges progress. 'I think they are in that stage, the beautiful stage, the “nothing is happening” stage, the infatuation stage, where everything is perfect. And then they show their claws, to see who cooks better than whom,' said Villalobos. José Joel also spoke about what it means to face the judges' critiques. 'Yes, with a smile, right? But they tell you: “This is no good. Nothing, nothing,” spitting it to the side,' said José Joel. The judges, for their part, agree that cooking well is only part of what the celebrities will need to advance in Top Chef VIP. 'What the participants have struggled with the most is precisely listening. They don’t know how to listen, and it’s understandable because imagine the nervousness of being out of their comfort zone,' said Chef Toño. Chef Betty pointed out that, in addition to listening, participants must pay special attention to the instructions before they start cooking. 'The main thing: listen. And another is to know how to read the recipes correctly, because many times they start preparing without even having read the recipe well. So, there’s a lot of discrepancy, and that’s where they might fail,' said Chef Betty. However, for Chef Tita, behind every recipe is also the story of the person preparing it, so she advised participants to defend their creations from start to finish. 'Always defend your dish from the beginning to the end, because that represents you. It’s your story, it’s your work, not just from the minutes you’ve been cooking, but also from the history you carry with you, because you come with loves and nostalgia,' said Chef Tita.

Edinburg Fire Department Closes Summer Season with ‘Sparky’s Back to School Bash’, August 11th

The Edinburg Fire Department is hosting 'Sparky’s Back to School Bash' on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Promenade Park Amphitheater, starting at 6 p.m. Families can get free haircuts at the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events (ACE) Center from 3 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will feature free food, fire safety tips, games, moon jumps, and a screening of ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants.’ Children can also participate in raffles for prizes including an iPad, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Meta Quest VR Headset. For more details, call (956) 383-7691.

Find more reliable news: add Telemundo 40 as a preferred source on Google

Google has introduced a new feature called 'Preferred Sources' that allows users to customize their news search results. This tool aims to give readers control over which news sites appear at the top of their search results. Launched on August 12 in the U.S. and India, users can activate it by searching for news and clicking on the star icon or by visiting Google’s preferences page. By adding Telemundo 40 as a preferred source, users can ensure they receive timely and relevant news from their chosen outlet.

Parents warned to protect children privacy when posting back-to-school photos

Parents are advised to be cautious when sharing back-to-school photos of their children online. Kayla Lozano, a mother from San Juan, emphasizes the importance of privacy, suggesting that parents limit visible details in photos, such as street signs and personal information. Cybersecurity expert Fernando Mercado warns that photos could be misused with AI technology, potentially leading to dangerous situations. Schools like McAllen ISD are conducting workshops to educate parents about online safety and privacy settings. Librarian Celeste Lopez highlights the need for parents to be aware of what they share, as public posts can expose children to risks.

Edith Mexican Buffet hosting free community dinners across three RGV locations

Edith's Mexican Buffet is offering free community dinners on Tuesday at three locations in the Rio Grande Valley: Pharr, Weslaco, and Harlingen. The dinners will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. or until supplies last, on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is dine-in only, with no takeout options available. Owners Mario and Edith Cruz initiated this effort in response to community feedback about financial struggles, aiming to support those in need. They anticipate serving around 400 individuals at each restaurant location.

Edward James Olmos announced as headliner for South Texas International Film Festival

Edward James Olmos will be the headliner for the 12th Annual South Texas International Film Festival in Edinburg, taking place from September 10 to 12 at the Edinburg Arts, Culture and Events Center. The festival will showcase 31 independent films, including 22 premieres, and feature local talents Valente Rodriguez and Dannie McCallum. Attendees can enjoy documentaries, live-action films, workshops, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers. The event begins with a red carpet entry and short film screenings. Ticket prices range from $5 to $65, depending on the events attended. For more details, visit the festival's website.

Wandy Wins Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos in Live Grand Final on Telemundo

Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos concluded tonight with Wandy being announced as the winner of the competition during the live broadcast on Telemundo. As part of the prize, Wandy received $100,000 in cash, along with a contract with Universal Music Latino and GTS to boost his artistic career. Karol took second place, Lalah third, Leslie fourth, and Frankie fifth, completing the group of finalists for this season, which showcased a new generation of young talents eager to become the next Latin star. The winner and final rankings were determined by audience votes. Hosted by Natalia Téllez, the final gala included musical performances from the jury, which featured David Bisbal, Ana Bárbara, and Ximena Sariñana, as well as the final performances from the contestants. Wandy, a 23-year-old Dominican singer based in New York, grew up in a humble home in the Dominican Republic, where his grandmother sparked his love for music by taking him to sing in church. After touring the world as a member of an orchestra, he now leads his church choir while pursuing his artistic dream. His charisma, personality, and continuous growth established him as one of the most promising talents of Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos.

Stand and Deliver actor, Edward James Olmos headling STXIFF

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Edinburg announced that actor Edward James Olmos is headlining the 12th annual South Texas International Film Festival. The Oscar-nominated actor will be headlining the festival alongside Rio Grande Valley natives Valente Rodriguez and Dannie McCallum. The STXIFF is scheduled from September 10 to September 12 at the Edinburg

La Joya ISD Brings Community Together for a Back-to-School Celebration

La Joya ISD hosted its annual Back to School Bash on August 7, 2026, welcoming students and families to celebrate the new school year. The event aimed to provide support and resources, including free school supplies, while fostering connections between families and district staff. Annette Lozano, Executive Director of Student, Family, & Community Engagement, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in ensuring student success. The gathering highlighted the collective effort required to support students, reinforcing that the responsibility extends beyond schools to the entire community. This year's focus remains on strengthening relationships with families and community partners.

Fortunate Son to Headline Labor Day Weekend At Cameron County Amphitheater

Fortunate Son, recognized as the most authentic tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), will perform at the Cameron County Amphitheater on South Padre Island on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Known for being the longest-running CCR tribute band, they will deliver a vibrant '60’s Summer Splashback' concert featuring classic hits. Adam Micheals from Avenue of the Stars, LLC, promises an evening filled with CCR favorites, while JC Hinojosa, Director of Marketing for Cameron County Venues, emphasizes the nostalgic experience for both locals and visitors. Tickets are available for $15, with free admission for children under 12.

Collectors, fans gather at second annual All-Star Card Show in McAllen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The creators of the South Texas Comic Con held their second annual All-Star Card Show over the weekend at the McAllen Convention Center. The event is one of the largest card shows in the Rio Grande Valley, where attendees got to meet voice actors from popular anime series such as My Hero

Edward James Olmos headlines South Texas International Film Festival in Edinburg

Airlift 'Empty the Shelters' Rescues 60 At-Risk Dogs and Cats from Overcrowded Shelters

Dozens of animals from shelters were flown to their permanent homes. A total of 60 at-risk dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters were transported via an airlift that saved lives from New Orleans to Waukesha, Wisconsin. The airlift was carried out by Greater Good Charities in partnership with Empty the Shelters, NBCUniversal Local's annual adoption and donation campaign. The 54 dogs and six cats came from eight shelters in Louisiana under significant pressure, including vulnerable or harder-to-adopt animals such as homeless cats, large dogs, and dogs with heartworm. After flying north, the pets were taken in by five shelters in Wisconsin, which will provide the necessary care and space, along with a higher demand for adoption. 'It's difficult to get these animals adopted locally because it's summer and there are many intakes at these shelters,' said Jena Troxler, supervisor of the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana, prior to the airlift. 'Most of us are at 95% or 100% capacity.' 'We have animals on this flight that would not leave the southern shelters,' added Rebecca Lirette, deputy director of the Iberville Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana. 'Today, we are going to save them.' The receiving shelters in Wisconsin included Elmbrook Humane Society, Humane Animal Welfare Society, Humane Society of Jefferson County, Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin, and Washington County Humane Society. They will provide the pets with medical care, if needed, before putting them up for adoption.

Kayaking facility now open at Olmito Nature Park

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Olmito Nature Park is now making its mark as a kayaking destination in the Rio Grande Valley. Cameron County leaders celebrated the new kayak addition on Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. "We're not aware of any other kayak launching like this within Cameron County and we're very very proud

New playgrounds open along trails at Brownsville Event Center

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two new playgrounds are now open along the Paseo Trail at the Brownsville Event Center. Brownsville Parks and Recreation Director Sean De Palma said the new playgrounds are part of a collaborative effort with city and community partners. "We installed a beautiful playground, very accessible, and it's just new amenities for

Clear out your unwanted items at Trash Bash in Harlingen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Harlingen is inviting residents to dispose of unwanted household items at its Trash Bash event happening this weekend. The Trash Bash will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Rangerville Park, located at 101 Rangerville Rd. The event welcomes the following items for

Celebrities Accept the Challenge of Top Chef VIP: They Will Step Out of Their Comfort Zone

The participants of Top Chef VIP come to the competition with very different experiences: some have traveled the world, others have faced high-stakes competitions, and there are those who admit to having little kitchen experience. Now, they must all prove whether they can turn their nerves and the pressure of the kitchen into dishes that can keep them in the competition. For Gaby Borges, stepping out of her comfort zone is not new. Before joining Top Chef VIP, the actress and singer tested her palate during a trip to Japan, where she dared to try flavors she described as extreme and unforgettable. 'There’s everything. There are geckos, snakes, birds, and, well, I said: ‘You know what? Let’s do something different, something that isn’t done in Miami.’ We decided to go to that place and try everything. I didn’t like anything, I mean, nothing at all, but I think I would do it again. It’s very fun, but gross, very gross,' Borges said. Kelly Ríos, for her part, is trading competition circuits for the kitchen, convinced that the discipline, passion, and love she puts into her dishes can become important ingredients for advancement. 'I love to cook. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful ways I have to show love to the people I care about. So, there’s a fusion of love here, that even though I’ve never taken cooking classes, I want to take the risk, but also of competition and personality, which they need to get to know,' Ríos said. Miguel Arce already knows what it means to face the cameras and the pressure of a reality show, but this time the challenge includes knives, pans, and the possibility that his first dishes will be far from perfect. 'Literally, I’m starting from scratch. And don’t take my word for it, just watch, because my first dishes are likely to be a disaster. But what I can assure you 100% is that every dish I make after that will be better than the last,' Arce said. For Diana Haro, joining Top Chef VIP means not only stepping away from the telenovela set but also taking on a challenge that her family takes very seriously. Before entering the competition, she received a special warning from her grandmother. 'My grandmother was the first to find out that I got into Top Chef. So she told me: ‘If you go, you’re going to do things right; if not, don’t even go.’ So I did talk to her, and she gave me a couple of tips,' Haro said.