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National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalPeru Chooses President Between a Conservative and a Progressive
Peruvians will vote this Sunday in a presidential runoff between conservative Keiko Fujimori and progressive Roberto Sánchez amid a political and security crisis. In the first round, Fujimori received 17.18% of the votes, while Sánchez garnered 12.03%. Recent polls show Fujimori with 38% and Sánchez with 35%, with 27% still undecided. Both candidates face significant rejection, with 40% and 38% of voters unwilling to support them, respectively. Fujimori promises order and security, while Sánchez seeks to reassure investors about his policies. Analysts note that regardless of the winner, governance challenges will persist due to a fragmented Congress.
NationalBody of American Student Missing in Japan Found
The body of 20-year-old Auburn University student James 'Weston' Higginbotham, who had been missing in Japan for a week, was found in a mountainous area near Kyoto. He disappeared while traveling with his family, last seen at the Kyoto train station on May 29. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, announced the discovery on Facebook, expressing indescribable pain and gratitude for the support received during the search. Weston had reportedly walked away after a discussion about artificial intelligence, and concerns grew about his emotional state. Heavy rains from a typhoon had delayed search efforts until Wednesday.
NationalUnder Maximum Surveillance: The 11 World Cup Venues in the U.S. Prepare for Unprecedented Threats
As the World Cup approaches, security preparations are intensifying across 11 U.S. cities, with millions of soccer fans expected to attend. Andrew Giuliani, the White House task force director for the event, emphasized the need for collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement to address unprecedented security threats. The tournament, starting next week, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Host cities have received $625 million in federal funds for security enhancements. Additionally, concerns over a rare Ebola outbreak in Congo are being monitored, affecting the national team's training plans. Discussions are ongoing regarding fan safety measures, including restrictions on refillable water bottles.
NationalBlow to Trump: Judge Blocks Restrictions on States to Access SNAP Funds
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to impose new conditions on states seeking funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic states, which argued that the restrictions related to gender ideology, immigration, and sports equality for women and girls were unconstitutional. The judge, Myong Joun, issued a preliminary injunction and plans to provide a memorandum explaining his decision. SNAP serves over 40 million participants monthly, and recent data shows a decline in beneficiaries, attributed to new requirements from a tax and spending bill pushed by Republicans.
NationalThe Incredible Cockroach Party Jumps from the Internet to the Streets of India
NEW DELHI, India – Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach People's Party (CJP), a youth movement in India that started as a satire on social media, held their first protest this Saturday in New Delhi following the return of their leader, Abhijeet Dipke. Wearing cockroach masks and holding copies of the Indian Constitution, the protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to a series of leaks, technical errors, and cancellations in various official exams that have sparked outrage among Indian youth. 'Exam answers are being sold before the exam takes place. They can cost around $10,500. Those who buy the answers come out victorious; while others who cannot afford them cannot advance,' said Aditi Mishra, president of the student union at Jawaharlal Nehru University, during the protest. The concern over these official exams, often crucial in a country facing a 15.3% youth unemployment rate, prompted many young people to join the CJP protest on Saturday.
NationalA federal judge strikes down Trump administration immigration policy affecting 39 countries
A federal judge in Boston has invalidated a Trump administration immigration policy that affected immigrants from 39 countries, making it harder for them to enter or remain in the U.S. The ruling by U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. criticized the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for acting outside its legal authority and failing to provide necessary explanations for its decisions. The policy, enacted after a shooting involving National Guard members, barred immigrants from receiving final decisions on asylum, work permits, and citizenship applications. Immigration advocates hailed the decision as a crucial win for lawful immigration pathways.
NationalMaine Air National Guard Steps Up for Operation Epic Fury
The Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing has played a crucial role in Operation Epic Fury, moving over 747,000 pounds of cargo and 312 passengers since the operation began. The unit has managed 302 cargo pieces, including hazardous materials and aircraft parts, while supporting 97 missions with various aircraft types. They processed 394 outbound shipments, totaling around 5,000 pounds. Additional personnel from five units joined to enhance operations, emphasizing teamwork and efficiency. Staff Sgt. Eric LeFave highlighted the importance of their work in supporting troops overseas, reflecting the commitment of the Air Force to mission success.
NationalCritics Slam Massive Funding Injection for Trump's Deportation Agenda
Almost unconditionally, Congress is poised to provide a substantial injection of funds to the Department of Homeland Security, which will bolster President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda for the remainder of his term in the White House. The nearly $70 billion package, approved by the Republican-controlled Senate in a midnight vote and now heading to the House of Representatives, has been labeled a 'rotten bill' by the Democratic leader and described as 'an ATM for ICE' by pro-immigrant advocates. For those who align with Trump's campaign promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, the plan virtually guarantees a continuous flow of money to execute the government's immigration enforcement operations, adding to the approximately $170 billion that Congress already approved for the department last summer as part of Trump's major tax cut plan. 'We will continue to arrest people, we will continue to detain people, and we will continue to deport people,' Trump’s border czar Tom Homan stated Friday to CBS News. He hinted that immigration enforcement raids are expected in New York City this summer. The congressional funding comes at a crucial time for the Republican president and his party as they face anxious voters ahead of the midterm elections. Approximately one in three adults in the U.S. knows someone affected by Trump's immigration operations, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in April. As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, most say it is no longer a great place for immigrants. The congressional funding package is a scant dozen pages long and lacks any of the usual safeguards or guidelines typically required in legislation. It allocates $30 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and nearly $20 billion for the Border Patrol and other items, prepaying the department's operations through 2029. 'Their options are limitless in terms of what they can do with this money,' said Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of America’s Voice, a long-standing immigrant advocacy organization. 'It’s hard to accept, as a taxpayer, that our dollars are going to this massive deportation machine while Americans struggle to cover healthcare costs, access food, and pay so much for gas.' The government has attempted to redirect the debate over its immigration operations by installing new leadership at Homeland Security following violent immigration enforcement scenes earlier this year and the shooting deaths of Americans Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Instead of dramatic street raids, the government is working behind the scenes on measures that strip immigrant groups of their ability to remain in the U.S., eliminating Temporary Protected Status or making it harder to obtain permanent residency cards. The so-called 'dreamers,' young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, have reported delays in renewing their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, exposing them to potential deportation. However, protests continue on U.S. streets, such as one held over detention conditions at the Delaney Hall center in New Jersey. At the same time, Homeland Security continues to hire more ICE agents — the agency will hold a job fair next month in Florida — builds more detention centers, and partners with countries around the world to accept people deported from the U.S. In a statement, the department asserted that Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin are 'fully focused on ensuring that the hardworking men and women' of ICE and Customs and Border Protection have full funding. It noted that the congressional package 'will ensure that our critical national security operations continue despite any Democratic attempts to take our great patriotic employees hostage in the future.' The power of money becomes a blank check. Typically, a congressional funding package would have hundreds of pages or more, with a variety of specific instructions on how the money can be spent and on what timelines. After all, Congress has the power of the purse and often uses that constitutional role to impose checks on the government. But after Democrats refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year following the violence in Minnesota, Republicans responded by using the congressional budget resolution process to impose the package on their own, outside traditional appropriations channels. It is the same process both parties have used in the past, most recently with Trump's tax cut plan for 2025. 'There is not all this important oversight happening,' noted Bobby Kogan, a former staff member of the Senate Budget Committee and current member of the Center for American Progress think tank. Overnight, Senate Democrats worked to exercise that authority, introducing amendments to ensure Congress had a say in the process. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, for example, tried to protect 'dreamers' from deportation while their DACA renewals are delayed. But all those efforts failed. Meanwhile, the government faces enormous pressure to fulfill its promise to ramp up deportations to around 1 million a year, after the figures from the Republican president's first year fell short of promises. Mike Howell, president of the Oversight Project, is one of the leaders of the Mass Deportation Coalition pushing the Trump administration to meet its promises. 'Everyone is talking about ICE getting another massive injection of money, and I don’t see it that way at all,' he said. 'It’s getting just enough money to stay alive.' 'We’re not asking them to keep going,' Howell said. 'We’re asking them to start.' Howell stated that there is little chance the Trump administration can meet the president's deportation goals unless it abandons its priority of going after what it calls 'the worst of the worst.' His group released a framework earlier this year proposing broader raids to arrest immigrants, particularly in workplaces. They also want the Trump administration to make it harder for immigrants in the U.S. to use the banking system, access social services, and obtain driver's licenses. Congressional Republicans have introduced bills addressing some of those issues. The government has ramped up its own rhetoric and recently launched a new website characterizing immigrants as 'aliens' — with outer space themes — and suggesting ways the White House is working to prevent those individuals from remaining in the U.S.
NationalUS Issues Travel Recommendations for Mexico: What You Should Know Days Before the World Cup
With just six days until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the US Embassy and consulates in Mexico have issued recommendations for those crossing the border, whether to attend a match or for various other reasons. The tournament, which will take place in 16 cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada, is expected to attract 5.5 million visitors to Mexico, according to the detailed communication from the US Embassy and consulates. Although all of Mexico is classified under Level 2 of the State Department's travel alert—indicating 'exercise increased caution'—there are areas with higher alert levels. The embassy and consulates emphasized specific warnings for the World Cup, ranging from how to avoid dangers while driving to tips on packing. Prohibited items for entry into Mexico include weapons and ammunition, electronic cigarettes and vaping liquids, as well as illegal drugs. 'If you plan to drive to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, be well-informed to avoid dangerous situations that other Americans have faced on Mexican roads. Please carefully review the travel alert information for each state along your route to understand the risks you may encounter along the way,' the statement reads. Additionally, travelers are advised to 'check their luggage and clothing pockets before traveling if they regularly carry prohibited items in Mexico. Bringing prohibited items can lead to severe penalties, even if done accidentally.'
NationalTrump Administration Asks Banks to Take Action Against Undocumented Individuals
The financial crimes division of the Treasury Department wants banks to help identify payroll schemes linked to undocumented individuals as part of the Trump administration's latest measure to tighten immigration control. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, issued a notice on Friday asking banks to be vigilant against identity theft, tax fraud, and money laundering schemes related to the hiring of unauthorized workers. This comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May requiring banks to scrutinize the citizenship of their clients more closely. The order instructs banking regulators and government agencies to look for signs that undocumented individuals are opening accounts or obtaining loans or credit cards. However, the order is less aggressive than banks had anticipated, as they expected the White House to mandate the collection of citizenship information from clients. Still, without encouraging widespread exclusion of large segments of the population, the order aims to deter individuals who are in the U.S. illegally from interacting with the financial system. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a release that the Trump administration 'will not allow illegal outsiders to abuse financial institutions to steal billions of dollars from hardworking American taxpayers.' 'Schemes to pay illegal workers often rely on access to the U.S. financial system, including U.S. banks,' Bessent added. Since banks have never collected information on the citizenship or immigration status of their clients, there are no reliable public figures on how much risk these clients pose to the financial system. The banking industry had been intensely lobbying for months to prevent the White House from issuing an executive order that would have made the collection of clients' citizenship status mandatory, arguing that it would be costly and require enormous amounts of paperwork. Given that the order only provided guidance to banks rather than a mandate, it seems the banks managed to convince the White House. The notice urges financial institutions to be alert for 'red flags' that an individual is in the U.S. illegally.
NationalAustin Woman Gets 4 Years for Stealing $1.7M from Federal Non-Profit
Star Rana Jackson, a former Executive Director of the American Indian Center of Arkansas (AICA), has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for wire fraud. Jackson, 50, from Austin, embezzled over $1.7 million from AICA, a non-profit funded by federal grants. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was also ordered to pay nearly $1.8 million in restitution. During her tenure, Jackson misappropriated funds from various grants, including $30,000 from the Department of Education and $40,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services, using the money for personal expenses. The investigation was led by the FBI.
NationalSenate Passes $70 Billion Immigration Funding Bill
The Senate passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill early Friday, securing resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol for the remainder of President Trump's term. The bill was approved with a 52-47 vote and will now move to the House, which is anticipated to address it next week. The vote followed extensive debates and the rejection of several amendments aimed at altering the funding. This legislation comes after previous appropriations for other Department of Homeland Security operations, leaving ICE and Border Patrol funding unresolved until this vote.
NationalICE Will No Longer Report Deaths of Recently Released Detainees
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will no longer report on the deaths of detainees who have recently been released from its custody, a change that could obscure the total human cost of the mass detention policies under President Donald Trump's administration. This measure reverses a 2021 policy implemented by former President Joe Biden's administration that required ICE to notify Congress and investigate the deaths of detainees occurring within 30 days of their release. The aim of the 2021 policy was to ensure that ICE could not evade accountability for deaths by releasing severely ill individuals. In the past, for example, detainees who were brain dead or suffering from infections died shortly after ICE released them. On Friday, two health experts who have investigated deaths under ICE custody criticized the change. 'Tracking deaths immediately after custody is a standard approach that allows health systems in jails, prisons, and immigration detention centers to understand care deficiencies that may occur before a person leaves a facility,' said Dr. Homer Venters, former chief medical officer of the New York City jail system. 'Eliminating the reporting of these deaths represents a deliberate act of ignoring the most severe health outcomes, which may reflect deficiencies in care or help track outbreaks.'
NationalOne by One, the US Matches in the FIFA World Cup
The United States national soccer team is preparing for a FIFA World Cup on home soil. The American team is hosting the world's largest soccer tournament for the first time since 1994 and, this time, shares this responsibility with Canada and Mexico. Led by coach Mauricio Pochettino and featuring star player Christian Pulisic, the US team aims to improve on its previous performance after being eliminated in the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, they will face more intense competition than ever, as the 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to feature 48 teams.
NationalJudge Orders Resumption of Asylum Cases for Citizens from 39 Countries
A judge overturned President Donald Trump's immigration policies on Friday that had suspended asylum decisions and other benefits for citizens from 39 countries. Federal District Judge John McConnell ruled that these processing suspensions were illegal. The ruling ordered the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume processing, affecting asylum cases, work permits, and naturalization applications.
NationalFIFA Cancels World Cup Tickets for Fans Who Obtained Them for Free Due to Website Error
FIFA has canceled tickets for the World Cup issued to about 60 fans who mistakenly obtained them for free due to a website error. The governing body stated in a release on Thursday that the tickets were 'assigned at no charge ($0) due to a prior payment issue during the purchase process.' 'FIFA regrets the error and any inconvenience caused,' it noted. 'The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and affected fans have been invited to complete the payment of the correct amount.' This is the latest failure in a ticket sales program for the World Cup, which has often been controversial and is under investigation by the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey for possible violations of consumer protection laws. FIFA informed buyers in an email that the incorrectly priced tickets were sold through the official World Cup site on May 21.
NationalCheck Your Email: Agreement with Facebook Sends Second Check to Eligible Users
NOTE: The video in the player above is from a previous report. Some Facebook users may want to check their emails. Many could soon receive a second check related to a class action settlement, for which thousands have already received payments. According to a website dedicated to the Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation settlement, the second checks are being sent only to those who have already cashed their initial payments. 'The second distribution was approved by the Court to redistribute unclaimed funds from the initial distribution to class members of the settlement who correctly cashed their initial payment,' the website states. Additional checks are expected to start being distributed in June, with payments sent in batches over a four-week period. The first checks will be sent out on June 9.
NationalSenate passes immigration enforcement funding after clashes over ballroom, 'anti-weaponization' fund
The Senate voted early Friday morning to pass a $69.5 billion budget reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement operations through 2029, overcoming the concerns of several Republicans who were upset the bill did not include language barring the Trump administration from creating a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund to pay MAGA allies. The legislation passed 52-47,
NationalMay Employment Report Could Show Growth in Inflation-Pressed Economy
The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, indicating resilience in the labor market despite rising inflation and energy crises linked to the ongoing war in Iran. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3%, while average hourly earnings increased by 3.4% year-over-year, falling short of inflation, which hit 3.8% in April. Key job growth sectors included education, healthcare, and leisure. The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring the economy, with concerns that persistent inflation may require tighter monetary policy. Gas prices have surged over 40% since the war began, raising costs across various industries.