Community
Community news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
CommunityRichard Moore Outdoor Report: Astounding Altamira
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Nothing says Rio Grande Valley quite like blooming ebony trees and swaying Altamira oriole nests, or towering tepeguajes and dangling woven baskets or flowering retamas and tropical Altamira abodes. Nesting season in the Valley is culminating for the bright orange Altamira oriole, and this colorful denizen of tropics just barely edges into southernmost Texas. Ranging as far south
CommunityMcAllen Municipal Park Welcomes New Liberty Tree in Honor of American Patriots
Today, McAllen Municipal Park hosted a significant tree planting ceremony attended by community members, local leaders, and representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This event honored the patriots of the Revolutionary War and those who have defended American freedoms throughout history. A new Liberty Tree was planted, symbolizing courage, unity, and the ongoing pursuit of liberty. This tree serves as a reminder of America's founding ideals and the sacrifices made by modern heroes. The tradition of planting Liberty Trees connects communities to the history of American independence and their role in preserving it.
CommunityTelemundo Releases Trailer for El Turco, Miniseries Premiering Tuesday, July 7
Telemundo is set to premiere the highly anticipated miniseries El Turco on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10 PM/9C. The official trailer was released, showcasing the story of Hasan Balaban, portrayed by Can Yaman, who is a warrior betrayed by his own family. The miniseries features intense action, romance, and drama, highlighting Hasan's journey as he seeks redemption and love while battling his greatest foe, his brother Marco. El Turco is part of a triple premiere event alongside Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos and the final season of El Señor de los Cielos, marking a significant programming highlight for Telemundo.
CommunityLa Plaza Mall kicks off 4th of July weekend with ice cream party
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — La Plaza Mall in McAllen is kicking off the 4th of July weekend with an ice cream party on Friday. Free Ben and Jerry's ice cream will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis from 3 to 4 p.m. at the grand court at La Plaza Mall. Isabel Rodriguez, the
CommunityBrownsville to celebrate America's 250th with Salute to Freedom 2026
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Brownsville is celebrating the 4th of July with its 26th annual Salute to Freedom event at the Brownsville Sports Park. The event will include live music, food vendors, and a whole host of family activities. Brownsville Parks and Recreation Director Sean De Palma stopped by our NBC 23 studio to talk about what families
CommunityGrupo Control headlining San Benito's ResacaFest
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of San Benito is inviting the community to its annual ResacaFest on Thursday to celebrate America's 250th birthday. The free event, taking place at W.H. Heavin Memorial Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., will feature live music, food, over 40 local vendors, and a fireworks finale along the
CommunitySpots still open for Harlingen's Freedom Fest 4K
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you missed registration for Harlingen's inaugural Freedom Fest 4K, now's your chance to sign up. Late registration is still open for the event happening at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. Runners won't receive a T-shirt, but they will get a finisher medal. Giveaway raffles are also scheduled for after
CommunityExplore Nature, Capture Beauty, and Share Your Story
Quinta Mazatlán, in collaboration with the Valley Land Fund, invites youth aged 6 to 18 to join the Southern Exposures Youth Nature Photo Contest. This free contest encourages young photographers to explore South Texas's natural beauty. Participants can submit up to six original photos of local nature until July 31, 2026. Families are encouraged to visit parks and nature centers to find inspiration. An awards ceremony and photo exhibit will take place on August 13, 2026, at Quinta Mazatlán, where all participants will be recognized and receive a commemorative gift. For more details, visit the Valley Land Fund's website or call Quinta Mazatlán.
CommunityTexas Cook’Em Set for Massive Fourth of July America250 Celebration
On July 4, 2026, the Texas Cook’Em BBQ competition will take place at Ebony Hills Golf Course in Edinburg as part of the America250 celebration. This event promises to attract thousands with live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and a fireworks show. Highlights include the Firecracker 5K, Rogue Boxing Night of Champions, a car show, and performances by tribute bands. All food vendor spaces are sold out, reflecting high interest, while a few commercial vendor spots remain. The event is organized by local businesses and is free for the public, aiming to foster community spirit and patriotism.
CommunitySupergirl: Another tired retread
Directed by Craig Gillespie Starring Milly Alcock, David Corenswet, Eve Ridley ★ ★☆☆☆ HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If "Supergirl" had come out 10 years ago, it likely would have been a massive success. But arriving in 2026, it instead feels like the death rattle of a style of blockbuster filmmaking once beloved but now so oversaturated and formulaic that even casual audiences
CommunityMcAllen’s 98th Annual Independence Day Celebration
McAllen will host its 98th Annual Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2026, sponsored by H-E-B. The event will feature a full day of activities, starting with a 4K run at 7:00 a.m., followed by a Patriotic Program at Archer Park and the Main Street Parade at 9:00 a.m. This year’s parade will honor Col. Frank Plummer, a three-war veteran. The Freedom Festival will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering live music and games. The day will culminate with the H-E-B Concert in the Sky Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:00 p.m. Road closures will be in effect throughout the day.
CommunityNonprofit Gives $300,000 for Domestic Violence Shelters’ Urgent Needs
This summer, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) is distributing $334,958 through its Swalm Grants initiative to support 13 domestic violence agencies across Texas. These funds address urgent needs not typically covered by government funding, enabling agencies to enhance their services for survivors. The grants include allocations for infrastructure improvements, prevention programs, and flexible funding for childcare and legal services. Notably, six grants focus on infrastructure projects, while five support prevention initiatives. Among the recipients is the Women Together Foundation in McAllen, which will benefit from this vital funding aimed at combating domestic violence in the state.
CommunityDiscover Where to Celebrate July 4th in the Rio Grande Valley
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, various cities in the Rio Grande Valley are hosting special events this July 4th weekend. McAllen will hold its 98th Annual Independence Day Festival at Archer Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring live music, food, and games. Brownsville's celebration at Sports Park includes live music, vendors, and fireworks starting at 9:20 p.m. Harlingen's Freedom Fest will feature performances and a fireworks show. Other events include a fireworks and drone show in Mercedes, free flag giveaways in Weslaco, and celebrations in Pharr, Mission, San Benito, San Juan, and South Padre Island.
CommunityThe Grand Premiere of the Final Season of El Señor de los Cielos Approaches: The Cast Revives Its Legacy
Telemundo released an exclusive video featuring Mexican actor Rafael Amaya alongside Carmen Aub, Isabella Castillo, Maricela González, David Ponce, and Wendy de los Cobos, ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of the tenth and final season of El Señor de los Cielos, which debuts on Tuesday, July 7 at 9pm/8c. In the video, the actors reflect on the legacy of the successful series while showcasing a preview of the new season and thanking fans whose unwavering support has turned El Señor de los Cielos into a global phenomenon. In this season, Aurelio (Amaya) returns more powerful, ambitious, and relentless than ever, determined to regain control of his empire and secure his legacy. After disappearing from his family's radar, he reemerges to reaffirm his dominance, unleashing an unrelenting war against old and new enemies that will test power, loyalty, and survival. But with the DEA closing in, surrounded by increasingly uncertain loyalties and consumed by an insatiable thirst for control, Aurelio faces a path that could cost him everything. The tenth season of El Señor de los Cielos premieres on Tuesday, July 7 at 9pm/8c as part of Telemundo's triple premiere night, which also includes the debut of Operación Triunfo Estados Unidos and the successful miniseries El Turco. Viewers can watch episodes live on Telemundo or catch up through Peacock. Fans can also join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram using #ESDLCX. For more information, visit nbcumv.com, subscribe to @elsenordeloscielosoficial on YouTube, and follow Telemundo on its social platforms. In addition to Rafael Amaya as Aurelio Casillas, the series features the return of audience favorites, including Carmen Aub as Rutila Casillas and Isabella Castillo as Diana Ahumada. The cast combines beloved figures with new characters, including Roberto Sosa, Maricela González, Robinson Diaz, Sandra Echeverría, Ximena González-Rubio, Leonardo Álvarez, Denia Agalianu, Carlos Corona, Estefanía Hinojosa, José Sedek, Elsy Reyes, Plutarco Haza, Wendy de los Cobos, Nicolás Haza, Aleida Núñez, Michel Chauvet, Carla Carrillo, Marco Tostado, Roberta Burns, Daniel Martínez Campos, Gabriel Nuncio, José Dammert, David Ponce, Fernando Banda, Alejandro Félix, Alejandro Navarrete, and Roberto Valdez, who will heighten the intrigue and high-stakes drama that characterizes this popular series.
Community'Celebration and remembrance': Brothers to open pet funeral home in Pharr
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two brothers are on a mission to honor, celebrate and mourn pets by opening a pet funeral home and event center. Jason and Jacob De Leon are fourth-generation funeral directors, brothers and owners of RGV Pet Event Center and RGV Pet Cremation and Funeral Home, located at 3550 N Birch Street in
CommunityCombes nonprofit on a sweet mission to rescue bees across Texas
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A nonprofit based in the Rio Grande Valley is hitting the road to rescue and relocate bees across Texas. The American Honey Bee Protection Agency is on a mission to preserve honeybees in Texas, one rescue at a time. Walter Schumacher is CEO of the American Honey Bee Protection Agency, which
CommunityValley Baptist collects 1,300 cereal boxes for the Food Bank of the RGV
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley received a generous donation of cereal boxes on Tuesday from the Valley Baptist School of Vocational Nursing. The donation is part of the Valley Baptist's annual Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive to help local families experiencing food insecurity. Between Valley Baptist-Harlingen and Valley
CommunityValley Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet to Perform Patriotic Pops at Quinta Mazatlán July 2nd
Quinta Mazatlán will host the Valley Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet on July 2, 2026, to kick off the July 4th celebrations. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., with the performance scheduled from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring family and friends for an evening filled with patriotic music. The quintet features talented musicians including Alex Sanso and Bryan Morrell on trumpet, Barbara Keller on horn, Jacob Banda on trombone, and Scott Roeder on tuba. Admission is free with park entry, which costs $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and children.
CommunityPet of the week: Darwin the kitten
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A very special guest stopped by our studio on Tuesday. The four-legged, furry friend goes by the name Darwin and comes courtesy of the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center, or BARCC. They kicked off an all-new segment for the NBC 23 morning show, Pet of the Week. Chaperoned by BARCC adoption specialist Jordan Wally, Darwin lit up the studio with charisma and