National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalArmed Man Charges at Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate
An armed man attacked Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign event at the Canfield Fair on Sunday, injuring several individuals. The suspect was apprehended with multiple weapons after knocking down volunteers. Acton was unharmed, but her campaign reported injuries among attendees. The gubernatorial race is highly competitive, with Acton facing Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who criticized the incident as unacceptable. Ohio's Republican Senator John Husted condemned the attack, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in politics. The incident highlights a troubling trend of increasing political violence in the U.S., with significant security spending reported for the 2023-24 campaign cycle.
NationalAt least 10 dead and 64 injured after fireworks explosion at festival in Mexico
In Temascalcingo, Mexico, at least 10 people died and 64 were injured due to a fireworks explosion during a patron saint festival. The incident occurred Saturday night near the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Luz in Santa María Canchesdá, where a wall collapsed, trapping attendees. Many were preparing for a fireworks display when the blasts occurred. Among the injured are two priests. The cause of the explosion, which involved stored pyrotechnics, remains under investigation. Local authorities cordoned off affected streets, and the church was closed as debris littered the area. Fireworks accidents are common in Mexico.
NationalTrump Administration Again Asks Supreme Court to Allow Mail-in Voting Restrictions
The Trump administration has once again asked the Supreme Court to allow restrictions on mail-in voting after a federal judge blocked new measures ahead of the midterm elections. This request follows Judge Indira Talwani's extension of an order preventing the Postal Service from enforcing Trump's executive order. With states already sending out mail-in ballots, time is limited for the government to implement significant changes. Attorney General John Sauer emphasized the risk of confusion and chaos due to the current judicial order. This marks the third time the administration has sought Supreme Court intervention, which could have major implications for the upcoming elections.
NationalBad Bunny Wins His First Emmy for His Super Bowl Halftime Show
Bad Bunny won his first Emmy on Saturday night for his Super Bowl halftime show during the Creative Arts Emmys in Los Angeles, California. The performance, titled "The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny," received nine nominations and won seven awards, including musical direction, choreography, and sound mixing. This show became the most nominated halftime performance in Emmy history. The ceremony will air on September 14. Bad Bunny's performance emphasized that America encompasses the entire continent, not just the United States, ending with a message of unity and a display of flags from various countries.
NationalFederal judge extends block on Trump executive order seeking to limit mail voting in the midterms
A federal judge has extended a block on President Trump's executive order aimed at limiting mail-in voting for the midterm elections. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani's preliminary injunction prevents the U.S. Postal Service from implementing the order as states begin mailing ballots. The Trump administration plans to appeal this decision to the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. With North Carolina already sending out mail ballots, the legal situation could significantly impact voter turnout. Talwani emphasized the tight timeline, warning that changes could disenfranchise eligible voters. No state has yet opted to use the new Postal Service system.
NationalTrump keeps heralding an economic boom, but even a solid jobs report is causing problems for him
President Donald Trump continues to promote an impending economic boom, despite recent job reports that have sparked frustration. The August report showed a surprising gain of 162,000 jobs, yet Trump expressed discontent over inflation and interest rates during a speech from the Oval Office. He criticized the financial markets and the Federal Reserve, arguing that success does not cause inflation. With the national debt surpassing $40 trillion and interest rates rising, Trump's credibility on economic management has waned. His administration believes that advancements in AI and tax cuts will drive future growth, but experts warn that significant budget deficits remain a challenge.
NationalAmazon, Target, and Walmart Remove 'German Soldier' Costume from Their Websites
Amazon, Target, and Walmart have removed a controversial Halloween costume resembling German soldiers' uniforms from their websites after public backlash. The costume, marketed as the "German Army Soldier Adult Costume" by Orion Costumes, included a jacket, pants with boot covers, a belt, and a hat. Critics on social media argued that it echoed World War II military attire. Although product links still appeared in some Google searches, the items were no longer available on the retailers' sites as of Thursday. Walmart stated it takes swift action against policy violations to ensure a reliable shopping experience for customers.
NationalTrump invests $10 million in Ken Paxton's Senate campaign in Texas
A political group linked to former President Donald Trump is investing $10 million in television and digital ads for Ken Paxton's Senate campaign in Texas. This marks MAGA, Inc.'s first significant expenditure in a high-stakes general election, highlighting the changing dynamics of a once-safe Republican seat now contested by Democrat James Talarico. Paxton, the state's Attorney General, previously defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn with Trump's support. Despite Trump's declining popularity due to economic issues and foreign conflicts, he remains committed to funding Republican candidates, stating he will spend as needed from his campaign war chest of at least $400 million.
NationalUS Attacks Three Iranian Oil Tankers Following Iran's Offensive Against Warships
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that no American personnel were injured in the recent operation against three Iranian oil tankers. The U.S. military launched the attacks following Iran's ballistic missile strikes on two U.S. Navy ships. The operation involved a U.S. aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer that successfully avoided multiple attacks from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The U.S. forces permanently disabled two tankers, the M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1, and destroyed a third, the M/T Kylo, which was empty at the time. Admiral Brad Cooper emphasized the U.S. commitment to defending its forces and countering Iranian threats.
NationalDominican Republic Wins Miss World 2026 After 44 Years Without a Crown
Dominican educator and communicator Joheirry Mola won the Miss World 2026 crown on Saturday in Vietnam, defeating Spain's Elisabeth Reynés in the final held in the coastal city of Nha Trang. The 24-year-old beauty queen was the only one among 111 contestants to speak in Spanish during the ceremony, which took place in a public square over five hours and experienced some delays due to brief rain showers that forced attendees to seek shelter. This marks the second time the Dominican Republic has won the title, following Mariasela Álvarez's victory in 1982 in London. In the final question, Mola emphasized the importance of teaching English to children in schools to broaden their learning and communication opportunities with the world. In the preliminary competitions, which began the second week of August, Mola qualified among the 40 semifinalists by excelling in the runway challenge in the Americas and Caribbean regional category, competing against representatives from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and others. During the final night, broadcast live in dozens of countries, the Dominican contestant advanced smoothly as the group of competitors was narrowed down to twenty, twelve, and six finalists.
NationalRescuers in Nepal Pull Two People Alive 10 Days After Devastating Floods
Rescue teams in Nepal successfully saved a Chinese citizen and a woman ten days after devastating floods struck the country. The man was pulled from a 225-meter tunnel at the Trishuli hydroelectric project, marking the third successful rescue from this site. Two Nepali workers were rescued the previous day. A joint team of Nepalese military personnel and South Korean disaster experts conducted the operation. Authorities report that around 900 workers are missing across 12 hydroelectric projects, with approximately 500 believed to be trapped in various tunnels. The floods, which occurred on August 26, have claimed at least 1,300 lives.
NationalMan Dies During Burning Man Festival
A man in his 50s died this week while attending the Burning Man festival in Nevada's desert, according to a statement from the festival. He experienced a medical emergency and was immediately given life-saving measures before being transported to the festival's emergency center, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been disclosed pending family notification. The cause of death remains unknown. This incident occurred amid challenging weather conditions, including rain that temporarily closed one of the main entrances to Black Rock City. Burning Man, celebrating its 40th anniversary, runs from August 30 to September 7.
NationalICE officer lied about shovel and broom attack before Minnesota shooting, Justice Department alleges
Christian Castro, an ICE officer, has been indicted for allegedly lying about being attacked with a broom and shovel before shooting a Venezuelan man in Minnesota during an immigration operation last winter. Castro pleaded not guilty to six counts of making false statements in a Texas federal court. He was taken into custody after turning himself in and is awaiting a judge's decision on his release with an ankle monitor. The federal indictment aligns with charges from Minnesota officials, who accuse him of assault and false reporting. The case has sparked internal turmoil within the Justice Department regarding civil rights investigations.
NationalICE whistleblower warned of unprecedented lowering of standard during hiring spree
A whistleblower from ICE has raised concerns about the agency's hiring practices, claiming that many new officers were hired without proper background checks, violating federal regulations. The complaint, filed by a unit chief in ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility, highlights a backlog in vetting as the agency rapidly hired 12,000 officers to support a mass deportation initiative. The whistleblower warned that this rush compromises security and increases risks of misconduct. ICE acknowledged some applicants received job offers before background checks were completed, and the Office of Inspector General is currently investigating these hiring practices.
NationalImmigration Ruling Deals a Heavy Blow to Venezuelan Asylum Seekers
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a precedent-setting ruling on Friday that significantly alters the assessment of fear of persecution for Venezuelan asylum seekers in the U.S. The case, 'Matter of A-E-V-M,' involved a Venezuelan woman who arrived in the U.S. in 2014 on a student visa. Her husband applied for asylum in 2015, citing political persecution due to their opposition to the Maduro government. The BIA determined that the recent change in Venezuela's leadership could affect the validity of asylum claims based on fear of the Maduro regime. However, individual cases will still be assessed for specific risks of future persecution.
NationalWhy Does the U.S. Not Celebrate Labor Day on May 1? Here’s an Explanation
Labor Day in the United States is celebrated on the first Monday of September, honoring workers' achievements. In contrast, many countries observe International Workers' Day on May 1, which originated from a significant strike in the U.S. in 1886 advocating for an eight-hour workday. The Haymarket Square protests in Chicago led to tragic violence and a controversial trial. In 1889, the holiday was established in Paris to commemorate these events. During the Cold War, the U.S. distanced itself from May 1 due to its association with communism, leading to the establishment of Labor Day in September instead.
NationalTrump Proposes Tax Exemption Loss for Schools Offering Race-Based Aid
The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that would revoke tax-exempt status for private schools and universities that provide aid based on race. This move aims to eliminate diversity programs targeting Black, Hispanic, and other minority students. The Treasury Department's regulation, if finalized, would take effect after May 2027. Officials argue that such policies discriminate against white and Asian American students. Critics, including higher education leaders, claim this proposal undermines access to education for working-class Americans and people of color. The rule could impact up to 18,000 educational institutions across the U.S.
NationalLabor Day: Its Origins and Why We Celebrate It
UNITED STATES – Each year, a special holiday arrives in the United States: Labor Day. It is a significant day, a moment when we pause to thank and acknowledge the hard work of the country's workers. This year, it is celebrated on Monday, September 7. As families gather, parades march through the streets, and grills cook delicious food, today there is more than just parties and store sales. Let's take a look at the history behind this cherished national holiday:
NationalJudge Rejects Trump's Effort to Restrict Mail-in Voting Again
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a requirement from the U.S. Postal Service, mandated by Donald Trump, that would impose new controls on mail-in ballots ahead of the midterm elections. Judge Indira Talwani ruled that the new regulation is likely illegal and unconstitutional, stating that its rushed implementation could disenfranchise millions of voters. The ruling applies only to the midterm elections, as states like North Carolina have already begun sending ballots. The judge's decision comes after the Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to overturn her previous order that halted the regulation.