National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalNASA Launches Telescope on Mission to Explore the Hidden Universe
NASA launched a state-of-the-art telescope into space on Sunday that will examine hundreds of millions of stars and billions of galaxies. Its findings could provide clues about dark energy and dark matter, as well as some of the universe's greatest mysteries. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope lifted off at 7:26 a.m. (Eastern Time) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Often compared to the iconic Hubble Space Telescope, the Roman observatory is expected to revolutionize humanity's understanding of the universe and our place in it. The telescope is designed to cover a greater area of the sky than any previous space telescope. Over its five-year mission, it is expected to capture panoramic views of the cosmos, study underexplored regions of the Milky Way, and discover more than 100,000 planets orbiting other stars. Additionally, its study of dark matter and dark energy could provide scientists with new insights into two of astronomy's most perplexing enigmas. 'Some of the oldest mysteries of modern astrophysics are: what is the nature of dark matter and what is the nature of dark energy?' said astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. 'We have hypotheses, but we don't really know what they are. This telescope will attempt to provide us with the best available data to address those questions.' The mission, which costs $4 billion, has been in development for nearly two decades and its launch comes nine months ahead of schedule. This is an extraordinary achievement for any of NASA's flagship missions, made even more remarkable given that teams had to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and public administration shutdowns this year and last, two of the longest in U.S. history. After its launch, the Roman telescope will embark on a journey of over three months to reach its final destination, located about 1 million miles from Earth. The telescope is designed to operate in a location in space known as L2—a Lagrange point—where the gravitational pull of the Sun and Earth balance, allowing the telescope to maintain a stable orbit. At L2, the Roman will join another of NASA's flagship observatories: the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021. While the Roman telescope is often compared to Hubble—launched in 1990 and responsible for some of the most spectacular and memorable images of the cosmos—its capabilities far exceed those of its predecessor: it can explore the sky 1,000 times faster than Hubble, and each of its images covers an area of the sky at least 100 times larger than those captured by Hubble.
NationalDOJ ramps up denaturalization lawsuits against immigrants
The number of denaturalization lawsuits filed by the Trump administration surged in July, according to new data.
NationalTrump Says He Will Commemorate 9/11's 25th Anniversary at the Pentagon, Not in New York
President Donald Trump will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon instead of attending the traditional memorial at Ground Zero in New York City. When asked why he would not be in his hometown for the observance, Trump stated, "Because I'm going to the Pentagon." Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the event in New York. Reports indicated that Trump initially considered attending the New York ceremony but withdrew after organizers denied him the opportunity to speak, which the White House labeled as "fake news."
NationalAfter the deadly floods, here's how to help the victims in Nepal
Rescue teams continue to search for hundreds of missing people along the Nepal-China border following catastrophic flooding, while humanitarian organizations mobilize to assist survivors. Hundreds have died or remain missing after a deadly torrent of water and mud, several stories high, swept through communities on Wednesday following the collapse of a glacier. The Nepalese army is using helicopters for rescue operations as many roads and bridges have been washed away by the waters.
NationalWhat is the oil agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela? What we know
President Donald Trump announced a significant oil agreement with Venezuela that could provide the U.S. access to vast untapped oil reserves at cost price. The deal, negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, involves the development of 17 oil fields with proven reserves of 65 billion barrels, potentially attracting $100 billion in investments and generating over $209 billion in taxes for Caracas. The agreement allows the U.S. to partner with an unnamed private operator in Venezuela, granting them 55% of the new company's production. However, experts warn that substantial increases in Venezuelan oil production will take years due to infrastructure challenges.
NationalScandal in Ecuador: Former President Lenín Moreno Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Corruption
A court in Ecuador has sentenced former President Lenín Moreno to five years in prison for accepting bribes from the Chinese company Sinohydro during the construction of a major hydroelectric plant. Alongside Moreno, his wife Rocío González and daughter Irina Moreno received 30-month sentences. The court found that Moreno, who served as vice president from 2010 to 2013, directly influenced the awarding of the contract. Moreno, who claims he did not receive any money, plans to appeal the ruling. He has been ordered to repay three times the amount of illicit funds received and to issue public apologies within a month.
NationalTexas congressman: Dilley migrant detentions up 10%, ICE plays 'cruel games'
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, visited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Dilley, Texas, on Friday and said detention numbers were up 10% in a week he is concerned about the health of migrants living there.
NationalMexico Creates Council to Eradicate Cattle Grub
Mexico has established a scientific-technical council to enhance coordination among government agencies, states, academia, and livestock producers in the fight against the cattle tick (GBG). Announced by the Secretariats of Agriculture and Rural Development and Science, the council aims to transition from an emergency response to a national eradication campaign. This initiative follows President Claudia Sheinbaum's directive to collaborate based on scientific evidence. As of August 23, there were 39,470 reported cases of GBG, with 1,937 still active. The council will focus on improving surveillance systems, early detection, and developing new prevention methods, including AI technologies.
NationalCentral Texas Veteran Groups Awarded $8.3 Million
Governor Greg Abbott announced the allocation of $8,367,000 in Funds for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants to 35 organizations in Central Texas. This funding, part of the Texas Veterans Commission's Grants Across Texas Tour, aims to support over 4,790 local veterans. The grants will fund various services, including mental health support, housing assistance, and financial aid. Notable recipients include the Austin Dog Alliance, which received $350,000 for its service dog program, and several Habitat for Humanity branches. Since 2009, over $400 million has been awarded through FVA grants, benefiting more than 125,600 veterans and their families across Texas.
NationalBorder State Governor Rejects U.S. Investigation Over Drug Trafficking Links
Américo Villarreal, the governor of Tamaulipas, denied receiving any notification regarding an investigation by Mexican or U.S. authorities over alleged ties to organized crime. This statement follows a report by N+ linking him to U.S. inquiries. Villarreal, a member of the Morena party, categorically rejected the claims, calling them false and accusing the media outlet of spreading politically motivated propaganda. The report suggested that U.S. agencies are investigating Villarreal and Sinaloa's governor Rubén Rocha Moya for money laundering and cartel financing during the 2021 and 2022 elections. Villarreal has formally requested N+ to publish his response to these allegations.
NationalRed Alert Issued for Ecstasy Pills Shaped Like Trump That Could Be Deadly
The Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands has issued a 'red alert' regarding potentially lethal ecstasy pills shaped like the head of former U.S. President Donald Trump. These pills, recently found in drug testing centers, bear the markings 'NL' and 'Trump' and come in green and yellow colors. The institute warns that they contain a high concentration of PMMA, a chemical similar to MDMA, which can lead to dangerous overdoses due to its slower onset. While no severe cases or deaths have been reported, the institute emphasizes the risks associated with these pills, especially in the context of widespread ecstasy use in the Netherlands.
NationalTrump Announces 'Historic' Oil Deal with Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday a 'historic' agreement with Venezuela that will double American oil reserves. Trump revealed the deal in a social media post, stating it was negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez. 'The United States of America has just closed a deal with Venezuela: the largest oil deal in world history!' Trump declared on his Truth Social platform, claiming it ensures 'U.S. majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in Venezuela.' He added, 'The historic transaction more than doubles U.S. oil reserves, significantly increases our oil supply, and will substantially reduce gasoline prices for all Americans in the long term.' Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment in a post on X, stating, 'This deal is a huge win for both the American and Venezuelan people. It demonstrates how President Trump's bold foreign policy is driving America First wins: securing stable reserves and low-cost oil in our Hemisphere and lowering gas prices here at home.' He further noted that the agreement will bring nearly $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela, support thousands of well-paying jobs, and boost the reconstruction of the Venezuelan economy.
NationalMiami Surpasses New York in Cost of Living While Attracting Billionaires
MIAMI – For the first time, the cost of living in Miami has surpassed that of New York due to rising housing and food prices, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This trend is intensifying as billionaires relocate to South Florida. The BEA's recently released regional price parity index ranks the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area at 114.15 points for 2024, exceeding the metropolitan areas of New York (112.56) and Los Angeles (113.56), and only trailing San Francisco (115.61). This scale measures the relative prices of housing, food, goods, and services, using a baseline score of 100 for the national average in the United States, meaning that surpassing this threshold indicates that costs in the city are above the average.
NationalRemembering 9/11: Twenty-Five Years of Transformation and Resolve
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and reshaped American history. The U.S. Department of Justice reflects on the profound impact of that day, emphasizing the shift in focus towards national security and counterterrorism. The establishment of the National Security Division in 2006 symbolizes this change, enhancing collaboration among agencies to prevent future attacks. The DOJ also acknowledges the ongoing challenge of balancing security with civil liberties. As new threats like cybersecurity emerge, the commitment to protect Americans and uphold constitutional rights remains strong.
NationalJudge Allows New Trump Attempt to Limit Birthright Citizenship to Move Forward
GREENBELT, Maryland — A federal judge in Maryland has allowed President Donald Trump's new attempt to limit birthright citizenship to proceed, although likely only for a few days. District Judge Deborah Boardman denied the request from the organization CASA to block the executive order, but did so on a technicality: the original lawsuit focused on Trump's 2025 executive order regarding birthright citizenship, not the August 2026 executive order. Based on comments made during Friday's hearing, it is clear she plans to rule in favor of CASA once the amended lawsuit is filed.
NationalLindsay Clancy is 'scared' according to her attorney as jury deliberates
PLYMOUTH, Massachusetts — Lindsay Clancy is 'scared' as the jury continues its second day of deliberations to determine whether she is guilty of killing her three children in 2023, her defense attorney stated on Friday. 'She is nervous. Sad. Scared. Just as she has always been,' Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, told reporters in court on Friday, according to NBC Boston. A tense atmosphere filled the halls of the Plymouth Superior Court as journalists waited, with the murder trial entering its final stretch after five weeks of testimony from more than 80 witnesses. Deliberations resumed on Friday at 9:15 a.m., and the jury posed its first question around 10:00 a.m., after about four hours of deliberation.
NationalICE Plans to Spend Up to $2 Million on 'Robot Dogs'
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency plans to spend up to $2 million on the purchase of 'robot dogs' that the agency would use in immigration control operations, according to a government funding document reviewed by NBC News. Boston Dynamics, the manufacturer of the robots, claims that they can open doors and climb stairs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We have also reached out to Boston Dynamics to inquire about the status of the purchase. The funding document indicates that ICE could spend between $1 and $2 million on the robots, which are noted to be used 'for inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment in environments that may pose risks to personnel.'
NationalNew Battle Over Mail-In Voting: What Changes After Block on Key Trump Measure?
A federal judge blocked a Postal Service regulation on Thursday that would exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the midterm elections, marking a new setback for President Donald Trump on this issue. The decision by District Judge Indira Talwani, based in Boston, in a case brought by the League of Women Voters and other groups, as well as another filed by a coalition of states, means that part of the executive order remains blocked for at least 14 days, and time is running out to implement it before the November elections. The recently finalized measure would implement a key provision of Trump's executive order on mail-in ballots, adding a new layer of bureaucracy to a process typically managed by the states. The executive order instructed the U.S. Postal Service to: Track mail-in ballots, potentially reject those sent by individuals not listed on the federal eligible voter registry. Talwani deemed Trump's regulation likely illegal because the president cannot intervene in federal elections without explicit congressional authorization. 'The court finds that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims,' she stated. The Trump administration may attempt to quickly overturn her decision by appealing to the Supreme Court. Trump frequently criticizes mail-in voting, alleging without evidence that widespread fraud exists, despite its extensive use by both Republicans and Democrats nationwide. Talwani noted in her ruling that the administration had presented 'no evidence of fraud in mail-in or absentee voting.'
NationalFederal Reserve Chairman Says Interest Rates May Need to Rise Due to Inflation
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh stated on Friday that inflation remains too high and suggested that the central bank may need to raise interest rates in the coming months to combat it. Speaking at the Fed's annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Warsh acknowledged recent data showing a slight moderation in inflation but emphasized that underlying trends have not significantly improved. He noted that the Fed's next meeting is scheduled for September 15-16, and while he refrained from providing future guidance on rate changes, he indicated that current rates might not be sufficient to achieve the Fed's 2% inflation target.