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National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalTrump in address to world leaders at the UN defends his decision to start the war against Iran
During his address at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2026, President Donald Trump defended his decision to initiate a war with Iran, claiming it was necessary to combat terrorism. He stated that Iran's actions stem from weakness and desperation, asserting that a united front could lead to a world free of Iranian terror. Trump also addressed the ongoing economic impact of the war, predicting that oil prices would eventually drop. He plans to meet with various world leaders, including the new British Prime Minister and Ukrainian President, to discuss the conflict and other international issues.
NationalMigrants who planted roots in Texas are being swept up in the immigration crackdown. Here are five of their stories.
In Texas, a crackdown on immigration has led to the detention of many immigrants who have established lives in the U.S. The Texas Tribune highlights five individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Cuba, China, Iran, Mexico, and Venezuela, who are facing deportation despite having no criminal records. They entered the country legally or were in the process of legalizing their status. Many are held in poor conditions and some have opted for expedited deportation to escape detention. The article sheds light on their struggles, hopes, and the impact of recent immigration policies under the Trump administration.
NationalFederal Judge Strikes Down Trump's Order Limiting Immigrants' Access to Federal Programs
A federal judge in Rhode Island has struck down a directive from President Donald Trump's administration that would have prevented some immigrants from accessing certain federal programs, including Head Start preschool programs, community health clinics, and adult education programs. District Judge Mary McElroy, appointed by Trump in 2019, had already temporarily blocked the government from moving forward with the rule last year, so it was never implemented. On Monday, she made that injunction permanent. The Republican administration's rule would have reclassified broad segments of federally funded social service programs under a law from former President Bill Clinton's era, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, making them inaccessible to immigrants deemed 'unqualified aliens.' This category includes adults and children who are in the United States illegally, but also encompasses those with certain work visas and beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which provided temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to some immigrants who entered the country illegally as children.
NationalExclusive AP: ICE Hides Location of Thousands of Detainees with Final Deportation Orders
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stopped publicly disclosing the locations of thousands of detainees subject to final deportation orders, a move that has made it significantly more difficult for lawyers and family members to locate them, according to current and former officials familiar with the practice. ICE removed these detainees from its online locator system on September 15, according to three current and former agency officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the change. Several attorneys contacted by The Associated Press confirmed that their clients disappeared from the system this week, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association warned its members about the situation on Friday. This measure represents a drastic shift from previous practices and underscores the hardline nature of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, making it extremely difficult to track thousands of detainees and potentially hindering their ability to exercise all legal options. The practice applies to detainees who have received final removal orders from an immigration court and could expedite deportations by complicating last-minute legal appeals, immigration attorneys noted. Nearly 16,000 people apprehended and detained by ICE in July were subject to final removal orders, more than a third of the total detained, according to ICE data obtained by the Deportation Data Project at the University of California, Berkeley, and UCLA. The practice does not apply to detainees held at the Adelanto, California detention center or at temporary holding centers in Minneapolis, New York City, or the suburbs of Chicago, sources indicated. Several judges have ordered ICE to include detainees in those facilities in the online locator immediately upon their arrival, as part of litigation regarding their detention practices. Attorneys and family members, distressed by the lack of information about detainees, say the effort to hide their locations adds to the ways the Trump administration has made life more difficult for detainees and their families while increasing pressure to abandon appeals and accept deportation. ICE did not publicly announce the measure and, in a statement issued to the AP, neither confirmed nor denied it. The statement indicated that deportation is prioritized for detainees with final removal orders, even as the agency faces a 'historic number of stays [court orders]' that halt individual expulsions. As a result of the change, attorneys and family members have lost track of their clients and loved ones without explanation, which is particularly concerning because detainees are often transferred to new facilities before being deported, said Greg Chen, senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 'Families panic because they believe the person has been deported and do not know where they might be,' Chen stated. 'On the attorney side, this has serious implications for the ability to contact their client. It certainly has implications for how it will interfere with the attorney-client relationship.' The Department of Homeland Security, ICE's parent agency, maintains that individuals subject to final removal orders have received due process. This usually means that an immigration judge ordered their removal after a hearing, even in cases where immigrants do not appear, and that the decision was upheld on appeal or not appealed. Detainees with final removal orders still have options to challenge their detention and deportation, including the possibility of requesting the reopening of their case or filing what is known as a habeas corpus petition to ask a judge to release them on constitutional grounds. Federal judges have issued thousands of rulings ordering that detainees be released or granted bond hearings. ICE detention centers housed more than 65,000 people at the beginning of July, according to the most recent available data. About 30% of them likely have final removal orders, said Michelle Mendez, legal director of the National Immigration Project. In recent months, more final removal orders have been issued against individuals who did not appear for their hearings, as government immigration courts have taken steps to make participation and reopening those cases more difficult, she explained. 'To me, it's just another iteration of making people disappear,' Mendez noted. 'Why would we do this in the United States? It's something that, if we heard it in another country, we would be concerned about individual rights and due process.' Some individuals with final removal orders also have legal protections against deportation to their home countries, based on the likelihood that they would be tortured or persecuted. Many face deportation to third countries with which they have no ties, and their disappearance from the ICE system will make legal challenges more difficult, attorneys said. Attorneys say their clients have disappeared from ICE's locator system. ICE launched the online detainee locator system in 2010 to allow family members, attorneys, and the public to search for individuals in custody. Previously, they had to call regional ICE offices or individual facilities to try to locate them. Many advocates and lawmakers have complained that the system is updated too slowly and contains too much inaccurate or missing information, allowing ICE to hide the locations of detainees for days or weeks. Among others, minors, individuals who have been in custody of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for less than 48 hours, and detainees who are being transferred do not appear in the system. However, the exclusion of detainees with final removal orders has no apparent parallel, several immigration attorneys said. Atenas Burrola Estrada, deputy director of programs at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, noted that 'every single one of our clients with a final order has disappeared from the locator,' including 17 in total as of Monday. Among those who have disappeared from the locator system are eight Somali men detained at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to one of their attorneys, My Khanh Ngo, from the American Civil Liberties Union. She indicated that the change could make it 'almost impossible' for individuals to challenge their deportations in some cases. 'If you can't find your client, you don't know what's happening with your client, you can't bring that information to court to stop their deportation,' she stated. 'ICE does not
NationalUS Government Suspends ACA for 750,000 People Allegedly Enrolled 'Fraudulently'
The Trump administration is terminating coverage for hundreds of thousands of enrollees in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), claiming that many received subsidies they were not entitled to and that some did not even exist. This announcement is the latest effort by the government to assert that fraud has inflated ACA enrollment, despite experts questioning the extent of the alleged fraud. Vice President JD Vance and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz—who have teamed up in a broader push to eradicate fraud in government health programs—stated on Tuesday that approximately 750,000 individuals had their ACA coverage canceled. The government did not provide details on who lost coverage or how those individuals were notified. Vance stated that the cuts would save American taxpayers $2.2 billion. 'These programs are valuable, they are important, but they will not exist unless we stop the fraud,' Vance said at a press conference.
NationalTrump Accuses Mexico of Being the 'Epicenter' of Drug Trafficking and Demands Action
UNITED NATIONS – President Donald Trump accused Mexico on Tuesday of being 'the epicenter' of drug trafficking and demanded that the government of Claudia Sheinbaum 'regain control' of its territory. 'Mexico is the epicenter of cartel violence. Unfortunately, it is unacceptable for the United States to share a 2,000-mile border with territory controlled by enemy cartels,' he stated during his participation in the UN General Assembly. 'Therefore, Mexico must regain control of its territory from the enemies of humanity,' Trump added. The relationship between the United States and Mexico has been strained over the issue of drug trafficking. Sheinbaum has repeatedly accused Trump's administration of possible interference in Mexico and has rejected any unilateral operations by U.S. agencies on Mexican soil. However, the Mexican president has defended maintaining bilateral cooperation on security under the principle of 'coordination without subordination.'
NationalHayden Panettiere's official cause of death revealed by coroner
Authorities in South Carolina have officially revealed the cause of death for actress Hayden Panettiere.
NationalFast Food Prices Are Rising, Especially in These Cities
If you are someone who regularly buys fast food, you may have noticed that prices have significantly increased in recent months. This is because prices at fast food restaurants rose an average of 3.2% between August 2025 and August 2026, surpassing the overall inflation rate in the United States, according to a report by WalletHub. The study showed that cities with lower incomes are the most affected by these price increases, but larger cities tend to have higher costs. 'The city you live in can also have a significant impact on how much fast food costs. Residents of more expensive cities spend more than three times what those living in less costly cities spend, relative to average income,' said Chip Lupo, writer and analyst at WalletHub.
NationalHayden Panettiere died from accidental overdose involving fentanyl, coroner says
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Actor Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental overdose of several drugs including fentanyl, a coroner in South Carolina said Tuesday. Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug 16. Her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were at the home. According to
NationalWhen Does the Time Change in the U.S.? Here's What You Need to Know
Millions of people in the United States must adjust their clocks twice a year due to the time change. We are about to experience the second change of 2026, which marks the end of Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1. On that day, you will need to set your clock back one hour. The first change occurred with the start of Daylight Saving Time, which took place at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March. In 2027, the change will be on March 17, when you will need to set your clock forward. Many people have to adjust their clocks accordingly; however, most no longer need to worry about doing it manually, as many electronic devices do it automatically.
NationalTrump returns to UN at a challenging time for the world
President Donald Trump is set to address the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday at a tumultuous moment for the world — and for his presidency.
NationalAlamo Captures National Spotlight With Top Government Communications Award
Alamo, Texas, has received national acclaim at the NATOA Government Programming Awards, winning first place for Best Overall Government Programming and eight additional honors. The highest accolade, the Award of Excellence in Government Programming, highlights Alamo's commitment to quality audiovisual content and community engagement. Notable programs recognized include 'Your First Day in Alamo' and the Alamo Alerts initiative. The awards underscore Alamo's efforts to enhance digital communication and accessibility for residents. Communications Director Nina Chavez Gongora emphasized the importance of storytelling in connecting with the community, showcasing Alamo's achievements on a national platform.
NationalProtection Measures for Foreign Students in Mexico Following Recent Feminicide
MEXICO CITY – Sharing their location, learning to navigate alone, and constantly notifying others of their safety have become part of the routine for foreign exchange students in Mexico, according to several students returning to Spain who spoke with EFE. This experience takes on a new dimension following the feminicide of 21-year-old Claudia Tacoronte. The murder of the university student on September 12 in Cuautla, Morelos, reignited concerns about gender violence in a country where five women go missing each day and thousands of gender-based assaults occur annually. As a result, young women arriving from abroad must adapt their mobility and social habits. To navigate public spaces, students quickly adopt self-care strategies, which include avoiding areas deemed dangerous and using women-only sections on public transport. "I gradually realized what I needed to adapt to; for example, it got dark earlier than in Spain, and that’s when life in the streets ended, so I also started to head home at that time," explained Isabel, a young Spanish woman who completed her internship in Mexico City, during a phone conversation after returning to Spain. "I was almost too afraid to go." In light of the ongoing violence in Mexico and distrust of their surroundings, the decision to participate in an academic exchange in the country often comes with intense family doubts and constant warnings about the risks involved. "I was almost not going because of fear; my family, friends, no one supported me," Marina, a Spanish tourism student who spent six months of her final year in Cancún, Mexico, told EFE.
NationalDelcy Rodríguez Meets Trump Today in New York: Here's What We Know
Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, is set to meet with former President Donald Trump today in New York, marking the first in-person meeting between a Venezuelan and a U.S. leader in over 11 years. This meeting comes after Nicolás Maduro's capture in January and amid a backdrop of renewed diplomatic ties between the two nations. Rodríguez, who arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly, has been working closely with the U.S. to encourage foreign investment in Venezuela. The meeting is expected to address various issues, including a recent oil agreement that has raised concerns among opposition groups in Venezuela.
NationalWhat to Expect from Trump's Speech at the UN General Assembly in New York
President Donald Trump is set to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz indicated that Trump will highlight peace agreements, U.S. actions in the Western Hemisphere, and his 20-point peace plan for Gaza. He will also emphasize the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This year's speech follows last year's incident where Trump faced technical difficulties. Additionally, Trump is expected to meet with global leaders, including Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid ongoing discussions regarding Iran and U.S. military operations in Greenland.
NationalAP Exclusive: ICE hides locations of thousands of detainees with final removal orders
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased publicly disclosing the locations of thousands of detainees with final deportation orders, complicating efforts for lawyers and families to locate them. This change, effective September 15, has raised concerns among legal advocates, as it may hinder last-minute legal challenges and expedite deportations. Nearly 16,000 detainees arrested in July were subject to final removal orders, with many now untraceable. Although ICE maintains that these individuals have received due process, the lack of transparency has left families anxious and lawyers struggling to maintain contact with their clients, potentially impacting their legal rights.
NationalFederal judge rejects attempt to block SpaceX land swap with wildlife refuge
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A federal judge on Monday denied conservation groups' attempt to pause a land swap between the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge and SpaceX. In a 27-page order, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ruled that the Center for Biological Diversity, Save RGV, the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas and the
NationalSpecial Prosecutor Resigns from Investigation into Alleged 'Grand Conspiracy' Against Trump
Before taking charge of the extensive Justice Department investigation into President Donald Trump's adversaries, Joe diGenova lamented the lack of progress in bringing charges. Five months later, DiGenova left his position without filing a single charge, casting a shadow over the future of an investigation that has excited right-wing commentators eager to prove a loosely defined theory of a 'deep state' conspiracy to undermine the Republican president. Justice Department officials are moving forward despite DiGenova's departure, issuing a wave of subpoenas to former law enforcement and intelligence officials, which is expected to yield testimony before a grand jury in the coming weeks in Fort Pierce, Florida, the judicial home of a Trump-appointed federal judge considered sympathetic. However, whether anyone will ultimately be charged, and with what, remains uncertain. Investigators face not only legal hurdles and personnel shake-ups but also an impatient White House after more than a year of ups and downs. The investigation colloquially known as the 'grand conspiracy' is the clearest example so far of the Trump administration's efforts to leverage law enforcement powers to retaliate against the president's opponents. The turbulence that has defined the inquiry highlights a known gap between the White House's demands for swift action and the Justice Department's ability to transform the president's litany of grievances into a prosecutable case.
NationalOpED: TXOGA President Staples: A Diesel Ban Today Means a Weaker America Tomorrow
Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), expressed strong opposition to proposed diesel export bans, stating that such measures would harm domestic jobs and lead to fuel shortages in the U.S. He warned that this could empower countries like China and Russia, forcing U.S. allies to rely on them for fuel. Staples emphasized the need for continued investment in energy infrastructure to maintain America's energy leadership. He argued that a ban would weaken the country in the long run and should be rejected by all Americans. This statement follows discussions at a recent G20 meeting in Houston.