National

Key US Surveillance Program Set to Expire: What It Means for National Security

A key surveillance tool, deemed vital for preventing terrorist attacks and catching foreign spies, is set to expire on Friday after bipartisan efforts in Congress to temporarily extend it failed. This represents a significant disruption for the program known as Section 702, and while President Donald Trump nominates a new national intelligence director who may be more acceptable to both Republicans and Democrats than his first choice, it remains unclear how soon lawmakers—about to enter recess—could reactivate the spying program. However, there may not be an immediate drop-off, as a court order issued in March allowed these government surveillance powers to remain in effect for another year. Section 702 provides broad powers to analyze foreign communications and is part of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), granting US intelligence agencies extensive authority to collect and examine communications of foreigners located outside the United States without first obtaining a warrant. US officials consider the law an invaluable national security tool that has helped thwart potential terrorist acts, provided valuable information on ransomware attacks against critical infrastructure, and contributed to the death of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in 2022. The law was enacted in 2008 as an effort to codify key aspects of a previous spying program created by the Republican administration of President George W. Bush. Since then, officials from both major parties have warned that without the law, the government will be unable to gather crucial intelligence abroad. The periodic need to reauthorize the law has sparked prolonged debate in Congress long before this year, including discussions about whether additional safeguards are needed to protect the privacy of Americans and their personal data. This is because when the government intercepts communications from foreigners abroad, it also ends up collecting communications from American citizens and others in the United States who are in contact with those surveillance targets. Civil liberties advocates have expressed concern over revelations that, over the years, FBI analysts have improperly accessed the vast repository of intelligence collected through the program to obtain information about Americans, including information related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault by a mob of Trump supporters and the 2020 racial justice protests, as well as about state and federal political figures. Some of these advocates have pointed out that the government should be required to obtain a warrant before examining communications collected from Americans. US officials have indicated that a warrant would be legally unnecessary and overly burdensome, and that corrective measures have been implemented to reduce the number of improper queries. Further complicating the debate are the unlikely political alliances it has generated, uniting a coalition of lawmakers skeptical of government surveillance that includes both liberal Democrats concerned about privacy and Republicans who remain wary of the intelligence community due to the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 Republican presidential campaign. This time, the impasse is tied to the rejection of Trump's interim intelligence pick, Bill Pulte. Democrats resisted when Trump chose Pulte as acting national intelligence director and refused to support a FISA extension until the nomination was withdrawn. Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no known national security experience, has raised alarms for using his position as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to facilitate questionable investigations of mortgage fraud against individuals perceived by Trump as adversaries. A vote this week in the House of Representatives, which would have temporarily extended the program, failed: 19 Republicans and nearly all Democrats rejected the temporary measure with 198 votes in favor and 218 against. An attempt by the Senate to pass its own versions also failed. Following those votes, Trump announced the nomination of Jay Clayton, a federal prosecutor in Manhattan who previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as his permanent choice for national intelligence director. The selection was well-received in the Capitol, but it was not enough to break the deadlock before the scheduled expiration on Friday. Connecticut Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, commented that he has 'known and respected' Clayton for decades and that if he had been chosen a week earlier, 'much pain could have been avoided.' 'His intelligence, temperament, and deep commitment to public service will make him an extraordinary DNI,' Himes stated. Next steps for the surveillance powers provision The Republican senator from Arkansas, Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Iowa senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned the Trump administration to prepare 'for a possible significant gap in foreign intelligence collection.' The expiration is likely to be the first significant disruption of Section 702 since its creation over 15 years ago. In 2024, the Senate narrowly exceeded its midnight deadline before voting to pass a bill that was later signed by former Democratic President Joe Biden, causing a brief interruption. Despite the stalemate, an immediate drop in intelligence gathering is not expected as the United States hosts a series of events this summer with potential national security concerns, such as the World Cup and festivities surrounding the 250th anniversary of American Independence. A ruling issued in March by the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court certified the program's renewal for another year, so the authority of Section 702 is expected to remain intact for months. Still, it is conceivable that, without Congressional reauthorization, a telecommunications company or internet service provider could challenge the government's ability to compel it to comply with its surveillance demands.

Texas Border Business · Jun 12, 2026

AG Paxton Puts $200 Million Price Tag on Potential Big 12 Sanctions Against Texas Tech

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has warned the Big 12 Conference against sanctioning Texas Tech University for complying with a court order. In a letter, Paxton's office stated that such sanctions would violate federal and state laws, potentially exposing the conference to antitrust liability. This follows a temporary injunction from a Texas court allowing Texas Tech to support student-athlete Brendan Sorsby during the 2026 football season. Paxton emphasized that any punitive actions could lead to damages exceeding $200 million due to lost revenues and other financial impacts on Texas Tech.

US and Iran Agree to Draft Deal to End War, Says Pakistan Government

The United States and Iran have agreed to draft an agreement aimed at ending their war in the Middle East, with mediators working with both sides to finalize a pact, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted on Friday. Sharif noted that the two countries have 'agreed on a final text.' He stated that Pakistan, which has taken the lead in mediation efforts, is already working with the warring nations on the next steps. 'Peace has never been closer than it is now,' Sharif wrote in a post on X. The apparent progress in negotiations comes after Iran exchanged fire with the US and Israel for three days this week, threatening to escalate the conflict in the region. So far, there have been no comments from US or Iranian officials regarding Sharif's statement.

Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S. Forced to Watch the World Cup from Home

LOS ANGELES, California – José, a Mexican immigrant, has dreamed of attending a World Cup match his entire life. When he learned that Los Angeles would host several games, he was excited about the possibility of fulfilling that dream, but his immigration status has brought him back to reality: 'I will have to watch them on television.' The 46-year-old man, who only identifies himself by his first name for fear of immigration authorities, says he has been a soccer fan for as long as he can remember. He wears the Mexican national team jersey whenever he can, and one of the greatest gifts he gave himself was attending a match of El Tri in Los Angeles, the city where he emigrated over 25 years ago. 'Going to the stadium is an emotion that cannot be compared,' he tells EFE.

What It Means for Elon Musk to Be the First Person in the World to Have a Trillion Dollars

Fueled by the market debut of his rocket company SpaceX, Elon Musk has become the first person in the world to reach a net worth of one trillion dollars. This level of wealth, concentrated in a single individual, was previously unimaginable. Until Friday, the trillion-dollar mark was reserved for figures like the GDP (or overwhelming debt) of a handful of major economies and—only in the last decade—for the value of some of the largest publicly traded companies. Musk's new title comes amid a widespread acceleration of wealth among the richest. Year after year, the billionaire club—which he was part of, although now at a vast distance—has added a growing number of members, from tech titans to celebrities. Meanwhile, more and more people around the world struggle to pay their everyday expenses. Many have criticized the emergence of the first trillionaire as the latest and most alarming example of that wealth gap. The figure of 'one trillion' is, in itself, difficult for the human mind to grasp. One trillion dollars is a thousand times greater than one billion dollars and a million times greater than one million dollars. According to Forbes, Musk's net worth reached $1.1 trillion by noon on Friday, after SpaceX soared in its early moments in the market. However, here are some ways to visualize the extent of that sum of one trillion dollars. Imagine traveling to the Moon and back more than 200 times. Visualizing the magnitude of one trillion dollars is almost as astronomical as the interplanetary goals that SpaceX has set. In terms of physical money, one trillion one-dollar bills placed end to end would stretch nearly 97 million miles. That would equal more than 200 round trips to the Moon, which, according to NASA, is an average distance of 238,855 miles from Earth. It would also exceed the approximately 93 million miles that separate Earth from the Sun. Currently, there are nearly 8.2 billion people living on Earth, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. If one trillion dollars were divided among the entire population, each person would receive nearly 122 dollars. One trillion dollars is more than double the annual GDP of South Africa, Musk's birthplace. According to data from the International Monetary Fund, the nation's production of goods and services stands at nearly $480 billion. Today, only about 21 countries in the world have a GDP exceeding the trillion-dollar mark. The United States and China top the list with over $32.38 trillion and $20.85 trillion, respectively, figures far exceeding those of most other economies. With a median selling price of about $403,200 for homes sold in the U.S., according to the latest figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, one trillion dollars could buy nearly 2.5 million homes at that price. At current gasoline prices in the U.S.—which averaged nearly $4.11 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA—one trillion dollars could purchase more than 243 billion gallons of regular fuel. To put this in context, that figure far exceeds the nearly 137 billion gallons of gasoline for vehicles that Americans consumed over the entire last year. Additionally, prices at gas stations were much lower in 2025. High oil prices, driven by the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Israel and Iran, pushed the national average above $4 per gallon for the first time in four years. According to Forbes, the second richest person in the world today is Google co-founder Larry Page, who had a net worth of nearly $295 billion by noon on Friday. That figure is $705 billion below the trillion-dollar mark. In fact, the combined net worth—at the close of Friday—of the four men who follow Musk on Forbes' richest list (which, in addition to Page, includes fellow Google co-founder Sergey Brin with $272 billion; Amazon's Jeff Bezos with $247 billion; and Oracle's Larry Ellison with $228 billion) amounted to just over $1.04 trillion. These fortunes can fluctuate by tens of billions of dollars from one day to the next, or even within hours. Musk's own net worth has experienced rapid increases in value. Just last year, his fortune stood at $342 billion according to Forbes, up from $195 billion in 2024.

Judge Extends Suspension of Controversial Trump Fund for Capitol Riot Pardons

A federal judge in Virginia extended the suspension of the 'anti-weaponization fund' proposed by Donald Trump's administration on Friday, expressing frustration that the Department of Justice has not clarified—under penalty of perjury—whether the fund has been definitively discarded. District Judge Leonie Brinkema noted that 'none of those statements,' whether from Blanche or the president, 'were made under penalty of perjury.' Earlier this month, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told House lawmakers, 'We are not moving forward with the fund, period'; however, the next day, President Donald Trump responded 'I don’t know' when asked if the fund was suspended or eliminated. Brinkema also pressed Justice Department attorney Andrew Block, who could not explain why the department has not formally revoked the memorandum regarding the creation of the fund.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 12, 2026

Environmental lawsuit targets SpaceX land deal in Cameron County

Environmental organizations in Brownsville have filed a lawsuit against the federal government regarding a proposed land swap involving SpaceX and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lawsuit claims the deal violates several federal laws, including the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. Under the proposal, SpaceX would acquire 715 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in exchange for 683 acres it currently owns. Despite an environmental assessment stating no significant impact, over 25,000 public comments largely opposed the swap. Activists argue the deal threatens wildlife habitats and cultural resources.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 12, 2026

Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, cites breakthrough in talks to end the war

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has canceled plans for new military strikes against Iran, citing progress in negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. This announcement follows a series of threats Trump made earlier in the day, including a warning to take control of Iran's oil industry. Iranian officials confirmed that mediators are working on a deal, although no final agreement has been reached. The discussions are focused on extending a ceasefire that began in April and addressing concerns over Iran's nuclear program. Tensions remain high as both sides continue to exchange attacks.

Hispanic boy dies of asphyxiation at New York school; investigation into possible viral challenge underway

NEW YORK — A 12-year-old boy died of asphyxiation at a school in Yonkers, and authorities are investigating whether the incident was related to a viral challenge on social media. On Thursday night, family members placed flowers and candles in front of Sonia Sotomayor Community School in New York in tribute to young Jacob Medina. School officials reported that Jacob was heading to his next class when he began to show signs of respiratory distress. They were unsure what was choking him, but it could have been a donut. 'He was accompanied by an adult when he started showing these symptoms. Immediately, someone else arrived to assist him, and within seconds, probably in less than 10 seconds, other adults came over to try to revive him,' said Aníbal Soler Jr., superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools.

Appeals Court: US Government Can Continue Collecting 10% Tariffs

The United States government can continue to collect the global 10% tariff imposed in February while challenges to those levies are processed in the courts, a federal court ruled on Thursday. The decision by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington represents a procedural victory for the government, concluding that its argument 'is likely to succeed on the merits.' At stake are temporary global tariffs of 10% that President Donald Trump imposed after the Supreme Court struck down broader tariffs he had imposed last year on nearly all countries. The new tariffs, invoked under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, are set to expire on July 24. Section 122, which had never before been used to justify import taxes, allows the president to impose global tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days, after which Congressional approval is needed to extend them.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 11, 2026

USDA reverses course on pet dogs crossing into Mexico amid screwworm threat

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reinstated a requirement for dog owners returning from Mexico to obtain a screwworm freedom certification. This regulation, effective since November 2024, follows the discovery of New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico. All dogs re-entering the U.S. must meet USDA standards, with certifications available from authorized veterinarians in Mexico. Gloria Gonzalez, who runs Pawradise Dog Sanctuary, emphasizes the importance of treating any wounds on transported animals. Meanwhile, Mexico has suspended the exchange of live animals with the U.S. due to the screwworm threat, enhancing inspections at entry points.

Texas Border Business · Jun 11, 2026

DOJ Sues New Mexico Supreme Court Over Military Rights Violation

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the New Mexico Supreme Court and the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners for allegedly violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The lawsuit claims that these bodies refused to recognize the out-of-state law licenses of servicemembers and their spouses, which is mandated by the SCRA. A specific case involves a military spouse who was denied the opportunity to practice law in New Mexico after relocating due to military orders. The DOJ emphasizes that this issue affects many military families and their employment opportunities.

The White House Transforms South Lawn into UFC Arena for Trump's Birthday

WASHINGTON — From a distance, it looks more like a UFO than a UFC event. It might be the kind of craft that would transport aliens to the White House to force a meeting with the U.S. leader. But up close, you can see the contours of the eight-sided cage, 30 feet in diameter, carefully designed like the iconic Octagon of the mixed martial arts league. A stop sign placed on one of its edges, with metal mesh sides and padded corners adorned with logos from various sponsors: Morgan & Morgan, Bud Light, Dodge Ram, Corona Extra, and Polymarket, identified as the world's largest prediction market. Above it towers The Claw, a four-sided structure rising over 90 feet in the air, featuring lights, speakers, thick cables, and four giant screens for fans not sitting right next to the Octagon to follow the fights below. Think more of a four-sided metal claw trying to grab stuffed animals in an arcade than the claws of a house cat; hence the extraterrestrial appearance. Surrounding all this are bleachers filled with gray folding chairs forming a temporary arena with a capacity for over 4,000 people for the seven UFC fights scheduled for Sunday to commemorate President Donald Trump's 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 'Very appealing to a lot of people' For those not fans of the UFC, all this might seem bewildering under any circumstances. But the temporary arena nearly completely covers the South Lawn of the White House, where Marine One usually lands to transport the president on trips out of town and where crowds of children run across the grass during the traditional Easter egg hunt each spring. More than $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of work have gone into building the arena, according to a court document filed by the National Park Service, which oversees the South Lawn and is contesting a lawsuit aimed at blocking the event. The White House claims the UFC is covering the costs, although the document notes that seven agencies — including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration — have 'allocated significant resources and personnel.' Fighters, their entourages, and various support staff are expected to occupy the main entrance and part of the West Wing when they are not competing. However, they will enter the arena through curtained hallways leading to the Octagon. They, as well as attendees at Sunday’s show, will have prime views of the executive residence of the White House and its historic Truman Balcony on one side, and the Washington Monument rising in the distance on the other. All of this will be accentuated by rotating spotlights and perhaps even the sweat and blood shed by fighters as they battle each other. The tight pre-event schedule includes a press conference on Friday night at the Lincoln Memorial with UFC President Dana White and the fighters. There will also be a ceremonial weigh-in for the fighters on Saturday at the Ellipse, a park near the White House where organizers expect over 120,000 visitors to watch Sunday night’s fights on giant screens after obtaining free tickets through a lottery. Stunt athlete Travis Pastrana is also set to perform a backflip on an ATV over the White House lawn as part of the pre-show. Trump has described the Octagon and The Claw as something 'very appealing to a lot of people.' He has even suggested that the temporary structure could become permanent, like the Eiffel Tower, which he noted was originally built as part of the 1889 World's Fair and was never taken down. Only the president knows how serious that suggestion really is. The fights will go on rain or shine, despite the lack of coverage. Work on the arena began on May 20 and has continued for weeks. During a media tour on Thursday, construction noises could be heard, especially sanding and hammering. Large cranes were transporting materials overhead, although that was for the $400 million ballroom Trump is building nearby, not for the UFC event. The remaining grass around the arena, on the other sides of the White House, has been equipped with additional lighting. But the grass that normally grows between the White House and the start of the arena bleachers is gone; only dusty earth remains that will need to be reseeded when all this is over, unless the president really decides to leave the arena installed permanently. There is also a large Freedom 250 logo located between the White House and the arena. Nearby, workers removed yellow tables and umbrellas from Trump’s renovated Rose Garden and were pressure washing that area, as well as the colonnade leading to the Oval Office, in preparation for the fights. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a cooperation agreement with the UFC that will unite both parties to offer combat training, health and nutrition programs, as well as promote teamwork and leadership among youth worldwide. 'We are very polarized,' Rubio said. 'There are only a handful of things that bring people together in one place and at the same time, united by their interest in something. We need more of that.' Later on Thursday, teams began testing the sound system, generating a deep rumble — and sometimes unsettling bass notes — throughout the West Wing. During a subsequent event in the Oval Office, the music from the garden was loud enough for the 1970s hit 'Boys Are Back in Town' to play in the background while Trump spoke. Sunday’s event is set to start at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. As night falls, teams will illuminate The Claw with red, white, and blue colors, and the mass of lights will project images that will make it seem as if the entire structure is wrapped in a rotating pattern of stars and stripes. The weather forecast predicts hot and humid conditions, with a chance of thunderstorms. The bottom of The Claw tower has a top cover that should keep fighters reasonably dry in case of rain, and Trump is likely to watch the event from a protected and covered area. But everyone else will almost certainly get wet. White has promised that not even an intense thunderstorm — when The Claw could become a prime target for lightning — would stop the show. 'I don’t care if it snows,' White said.

Trump Administration Identifies 'Super Sponsors' of Migrant Children for Possible Prosecution

The Trump administration has identified over 15,000 adults who gained custody of unaccompanied immigrant children, potentially leading to prosecutions of prolific sponsors. The Justice Department highlighted cases against three Guatemalan citizens, emphasizing the risks of inadequate sponsor verification. Authorities are investigating many 'super-sponsors' who have taken custody of more than three unrelated children for possible fraudulent practices. While obtaining custody is not a crime, the scrutiny suggests concerns about their intentions. The Biden administration's approach aimed to reunite children quickly but faced issues, including children being placed with exploitative adults. Critics argue that the current verification process harms children.

ValleyCentral (KGBT) · Jun 11, 2026

Proposed ban on Big Bend border wall fails in U.S. House funding panel

WASHINGTON — A proposal to bar the Trump administration from building a border wall in Big Bend National Park died Wednesday in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, after the GOP-controlled panel rejected the idea along party lines. The measure, proposed by Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, would have prevented the Department of Homeland Security’s budget from

Texas Border Business · Jun 11, 2026

McMahon Issues Statement on Passage of the ‘No Aid for Ghost Students Act’

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon praised the House's passage of the No Aid for Ghost Students Act, aimed at preventing fraud in federal student aid. The act, introduced by Congressman Burgess Owens, mandates screening for suspicious applications, addressing issues from previous administrations that allowed significant fraud. Since its implementation, the new fraud detection system has saved over $100 million. The Department has also strengthened data-sharing with the Social Security Administration and resumed automated screenings to prevent overpayments. These measures are part of a broader effort to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and to protect legitimate students.

Texas Border Business · Jun 11, 2026

Cornyn’s Measures to Fight Online Child Abuse Officially Signed into Law

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced that a provision from his Renewed Hope Act has been signed into law by President Trump as part of the Secure America Act. This provision aims to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's ability to combat online child sexual exploitation. It allocates $108.5 million for hiring additional analysts and investigators focused on identifying and rescuing victims depicted in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Cornyn emphasized the need for increased resources to tackle the evolving threats posed by online predators, particularly with the rise of AI technologies.

Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he plans to nominate Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the director of national intelligence. Trump made the announcement on social media amid pressure from Congress to appoint a permanent replacement for Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month. Trump faced strong opposition for his decision to name Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the interim director. The situation has led to a standoff in Congress, as Democrats stated they would refuse to renew foreign intelligence authorities unless Trump withdrew Pulte's nomination and appointed a permanent candidate. 'Few people in the legal community are respected to the level of Jay. I urge the U.S. Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible,' the president wrote.

Man accused of murdering Minnesota lawmaker and her husband accepts plea deal

Vance Boelter, the Minnesota man accused of impersonating a law enforcement officer and fatally shooting the former Speaker of the State House in what authorities have described as a politically motivated murder, pleaded guilty on Thursday. Boelter had initially pleaded not guilty, but federal prosecutors indicated that in exchange for his guilty plea, they would no longer seek the death penalty. Neither Boelter's attorney nor the prosecutors immediately responded to requests for comments. A federal grand jury indicted Boelter last year on six charges, including harassment and murder by using a firearm in connection with the shootings that occurred on June 14, 2025. Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park. Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were injured in a nearby home in Champlin. Then-U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson stated that Boelter also attempted to kill the couple's daughter, Hope, but the senator and his wife shielded her with their bodies. The young girl was not injured.