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National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalTrump's Offensive Against 'Birth Tourism' Puts Pregnant Women at the Border Under Scrutiny
TIJUANA, Mexico – President Donald Trump's new offensive against so-called 'birth tourism' has raised alarms at the border with Mexico, where for decades Mexican women have crossed with tourist visas to give birth in the United States, a practice now facing increased immigration scrutiny. The measures are part of Trump's latest attempt to restrict birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court halted a previous order aimed at limiting that right, protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. 'There are two executive orders that President Trump issued on August 6 to combat 'birth tourism',' explained anthropologist Víctor Clark Alfaro, director of the Binational Human Rights Center in Tijuana. 'But the background of these executive orders is the ruling issued by the Supreme Court to stop what Trump intended: to eliminate birthright citizenship,' he added.
NationalLIVE | Lindsay Clancy's trial continues; defense may conclude today
The trial of Lindsay Clancy continues, with the defense expected to conclude its case soon, followed by closing arguments early next week. Testimony resumed Friday morning, after the jury heard from one witness the previous day. A new defense witness, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick, is testifying remotely due to recent surgery. He has been working on Clancy's case at the request of her attorney, Kevin Reddington. Prosecutors allege that Clancy strangled her three children on January 24, 2023, in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The defense argues she was suffering from bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis, claiming she is not criminally responsible.
NationalTrump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
President Trump recently expressed strong support for data centers during a White House event with cryptocurrency leaders, highlighting their potential for job creation and tax revenue. However, this stance is controversial, as many voters oppose data centers due to concerns about increased electricity costs, water depletion, and pollution. Both Republican and Democratic candidates are using the issue against each other in competitive races, particularly in states like Ohio and Nevada. In Texas, Governor Abbott has faced criticism for his earlier support of data centers and has since promised stricter regulations. The political landscape surrounding data centers remains complex as elections approach.
NationalUS has sent deportees to many African countries, the latest one being Liberia. Here why
On August 20, 2026, a plane carrying 20 deportees from the U.S. landed at Roberts International Airport in Liberia, marking the beginning of a larger agreement that will see up to 1,200 deportees sent to the West African nation. This arrangement is part of a controversial practice initiated during the Trump administration, which has deported thousands to various countries, including many in Africa. Critics argue that this process often violates asylum protections, as some deportees are sent to countries where they face persecution. Liberia has stated that deportees can seek asylum or choose to leave the country.
NationalMexico Transfers Former Navy Officer Accused of Fuel Trafficking from Argentina
On Thursday, Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR) announced the transfer of Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Laguna from Argentina, who is accused of fuel smuggling. The FGR expressed gratitude for the collaboration of Argentine and U.S. authorities, although it did not specify the latter's involvement in the process. In a statement, the agency confirmed that agents from the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) traveled to Argentina to bring Farías back to present him before the judicial authority that requested him in Mexico. For the transfer, the Navy Secretariat (Semar) provided an aircraft bound for Mexico City. The FGR also thanked U.S. authorities, as well as the Argentine Foreign Ministry and justice system, for their cooperation, but did not detail the U.S. role in the transfer process. Images released by the FGR show the detainee handcuffed at an airport terminal and later aboard a plane, surrounded by military personnel. Farías Laguna, a former rear admiral of Semar, was arrested on April 23 in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires for his alleged involvement in a fuel smuggling network, following the issuance of a red notice from Interpol requested by the FGR. However, his return to Mexico was initially subject to an extradition process after Argentine authorities ruled out his immediate expulsion.
NationalSheinbaum Confident in Clarifying the Kidnapping of 'El Mayo' Zambada, Convicted in the U.S.
President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her confidence on Thursday that the arrest of Fausto 'N', a possible suspect in the alleged kidnapping of drug trafficker Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, will help clarify the circumstances under which the kingpin ended up in U.S. custody. In her morning press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of the capture and recalled that the Attorney General's Office (FGR) is still investigating the events that occurred on July 25, 2024, when Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, arrived in the U.S. by plane along with Joaquín Guzmán López, one of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán's sons. 'For many months, the attorney's office has informed us that investigations are ongoing and that this case has not been closed. This arrest is significant,' she stated. The president urged the FGR to provide more details about the arrest and its potential implications to clarify one of the most controversial episodes in the recent history of drug trafficking in Mexico. 'And the attorney's office should inform us about how this arrest occurred and the implications it may have for understanding this case,' she added.
NationalUS seeks to deport captain of boat that capsized in NY, leaving a mother and her baby dead
NEW YORK — The federal government is seeking to deport a man accused of illegally operating a vessel that capsized in New York Harbor this month, resulting in the deaths of a woman and her baby. Manuel Ernesto Hernández-Umaña, originally from El Salvador, entered the United States illegally through Texas in 2007 after falsely claiming to a Customs and Border Protection agent that he was a U.S. citizen, the Department of Homeland Security reported in a statement on Wednesday. Hernández, 46, a resident of Manville, New Jersey, has been charged with two counts of misconduct and negligence by a boating officer resulting in death, following the boat capsizing near Liberty Island on August 8. Sara Sánchez, 27, and her five-month-old daughter, Antonella García, lost their lives in the incident. 'Once he answers for his crimes, we will ensure he is swiftly expelled from our country,' said Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security, in a statement accompanying the press release. Hernández's attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday night. Hernández was released after posting a $50,000 bond following a hearing on August 10, where he was not required to plead guilty or not guilty, according to NBC New York. What does the criminal complaint say? According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Hernández had not registered the vessel he was operating, lacked the necessary certification to operate it in the harbor with paying passengers, and did not have flotation devices for infants on board. Prosecutors allege that Hernández was using a friend's boat to conduct a sightseeing tour of the harbor, near the Statue of Liberty, because his own boat required repairs. Fourteen people were on board — including himself — exceeding the vessel's maximum capacity of ten passengers, according to the complaint, which also stated that Hernández was unaware of this capacity limit. The complaint alleges that Antonella's parents informed Hernández before boarding that they did not have an appropriate flotation device for the baby; he responded that the boat did not have one either and that instead, one of the parents would have to wear a flotation device and hold the baby during the trip, as Sánchez did. About 20 minutes into the ride, Hernández made a U-turn that caused the vessel to enter a wave zone and capsize, throwing all occupants into the water, according to the complaint. Hernández and 11 passengers were rescued; however, Sánchez and Antonella showed no signs of life when pulled from the water and were pronounced dead upon arrival at a Brooklyn hospital. Colleagues of Andrés García — Antonella's father and Sánchez's partner — commented that he had been very excited about taking this trip with his family. They noted that García was working hard to support both his family in the United States — which also includes a 6-year-old son — and his family in Colombia.
NationalU.S. 'Doesn't Need to Generate So Many Jobs' After Deportations, Says Official
The United States doesn't need to 'generate so many jobs' due to the government's mass deportation strategy under President Donald Trump, which is allowing Americans to fill the vacant positions left by those expelled, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Thursday. His comments came during an interview with CNBC regarding the country's economy and the potential weakening of the U.S. labor market, which lost 23,000 jobs last month, according to federal data. Bessent noted that current data is difficult to interpret and referenced the mass deportation campaign to assert that 'the jobs we are seeing are for Americans.' He emphasized that what is 'truly important' is that the country is witnessing 'the resurgence' of the manufacturing industry and, consequently, its jobs. Bessent's statements have drawn criticism, including from Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who pointed out on his X account that the employment rate for U.S.-born individuals has dropped by one percentage point compared to the administration of former President Joe Biden. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick from the American Immigration Council warned that Bessent's claim is an open admission that deportations lead to a contraction in the economy. The secretary is under public scrutiny due to the national debt, which surpassed $40 trillion for the first time on Wednesday.
NationalColombian President Asks Trump to Suspend Tariffs Due to Earthquake
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has requested his ally, President Donald Trump, to suspend tariffs to assist the South American nation in recovering from a powerful earthquake that resulted in at least 289 fatalities. De la Espriella took office earlier this month, just days before the 7.4 magnitude quake struck. He received Trump's support in the closely contested Colombian presidential elections, which were decided in a runoff on June 21, and has sought to emphasize his ties with the U.S. leader. On Saturday night, De la Espriella posted on X that he had spoken with Trump and thanked him for the aid sent by the United States in response to the earthquake.
NationalCollapse at a gold mine in Colombia leaves at least 13 dead
BOGOTÁ — At least 13 people have died and several others were injured following an accident at an open-pit gold mine in Nariño, in southwestern Colombia, authorities reported on Thursday. Gabriel Eduardo Ocaña, the director of Disaster Risk Management for Nariño, stated in a video released to the press that there was a collapse at a mine located in a rural area of the municipality of Policarpa. "A slope collapsed, unfortunately affecting some people who were working there, of whom 13 died and seven are injured," Ocaña noted. The mining accident was reported on Wednesday night by the Nariño governor's office, which indicated that rescue efforts were underway.
NationalWalmart Uses Part of Its Billions in Tariff Refunds to Lower Prices
Walmart claims to have received nearly $3 billion in tariff refunds and has used part of this extraordinary income to reduce prices for consumers affected by inflation. These refunds contributed to an increase in Walmart's profits, according to the quarterly earnings report released by the company on Thursday. 'Customers tell us they are still feeling some pressure,' said Walmart CEO John Furner. 'Offering the best prices on a basket of products helps us continue to build trust with our customers and partners, allowing them to save money at a time when many households are managing their budgets very carefully.' However, the positive revenue outlook was overshadowed by a slowdown in comparable store sales growth in the U.S. At just 2.6%, this marks the lowest growth recorded by Walmart in years. Wall Street, accustomed to Walmart's solid growth, quickly reacted to these mediocre sales figures, causing a 9% drop in the company's stock on Thursday morning. Walmart's shares have lost over 20% of their value since their recent peak in May, and the company has exited the trillion-dollar market capitalization club. Walmart attributed the disappointing sales growth in part to new federal regulations on drug pricing, which drastically reduced the cost of several high-priced medications for Medicare beneficiaries. The company also anticipates a cost increase exceeding $2 billion this year due to rising fuel prices, a consequence of the significant increase in global oil prices stemming from the U.S./Israel and Iran conflict. As the largest private employer in the country and one of the leading retailers, Walmart's quarterly earnings reports are often seen as a key indicator of the U.S. consumer situation and, by extension, the economy as a whole. Consumer spending accounts for about 70% of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). Walmart's second-quarter earnings report reflects a situation where consumers are facing a double whammy: rising prices due to tariffs from the Trump administration and the impact of the war with Iran. The inflation rate in July stood at 3.4% year-over-year, a significant increase from the 2.4% recorded just before the onset of the war. Consumer prices are rising at a faster pace than wages, which grew by 3.2% last month.
NationalUS Deports Mexicans to Central America; Nearly 2,300 Arrive in Guatemala
with the government of Mexico, and these individuals are not under any refugee or asylum status. 'They are arriving on flights of returned Guatemalans, and what we have done is admit them in transit so that, in coordination with Mexican immigration authorities, we can return them to Mexican territory in less than 24 hours after they enter the country,' he explained at a press conference. The costs of these operations are covered by the Mexican government or, in some cases, by U.S. funding, he added.
NationalUS Sends 20 Deportees to Liberia as Part of 1,200 Migrants the African Country Will Receive
The US has sent 20 deportees to Liberia, part of the 1,200 migrants the African country will accept under a new agreement. Liberia has agreed to take in up to 1,200 deportees from third countries coming from the United States, authorities from the West African nation reported on Tuesday, marking one of the largest agreements of its kind under the policy of President Donald Trump's administration aimed at deterring illegal migration. The deportees will be received over the course of a year, said Liberia's Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah to reporters. Among the 1,200 deportees will be Africans, as well as nationals from North America, South America, and the Caribbean, the official stated.
NationalRubio outperforms Vance in hypothetical 2028 matchups: Poll
Secretary of State Marco Rubio performed slightly better than Vice President JD Vance in multiple hypothetical 2028 presidential matchups against Democratic candidates, according to a new poll.
NationalLindsay Clancy Trial: Jury Sent Home Early After Single Testimony
Editor’s note: Testimony in this trial may be graphic and difficult for some listeners. Testimonies continued Thursday morning in the murder trial against Lindsay Clancy, and jurors heard from one witness before being sent home for the rest of the day. This follows the judge excusing the jury early on Wednesday due to what he described as an 'unforeseen circumstance.' This occurred after Dr. Paul Zeizel concluded his testimony, and a TikTok creator was questioned outside the presence of the jury before the judge ruled she could not be called as a defense witness.
NationalFour bodies recovered after plane crash in Kenya; five of the victims were American
Rescue teams have recovered four of the seven bodies from a plane crash in Kenya that claimed the lives of five Americans, including José Suárez, president of a Telemundo station group. The helicopter crashed at 9:13 a.m. local time while flying from Loisaba Conservancy to Ewaso Nyiro in Samburu County. The aircraft, a Eurocopter EC130 B4, was on a charter flight for &Beyond. The search for the remaining three bodies will resume on Thursday. Among the victims are notable figures such as Roger Duarte, a successful entrepreneur, and Michele Sensi-Contugi, a prominent Ecuadorian businessman.
NationalUS Responds to Only Four of 20 Complaints Regarding Deaths Linked to ICE: Mexican Foreign Minister
Mexico's Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco announced that the U.S. has only responded to four out of twenty complaints regarding the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals during immigration operations or while in the custody of ICE. The responses came from county prosecutors in Ventura, California; Cook, Illinois; and Harris, Texas, who are considering potential actions. A Florida prosecutor declined further investigation, agreeing with ICE's conclusion of suicide. The Mexican government is prioritizing these cases and has engaged with U.S. authorities, including the Department of Justice and the United Nations, to advocate for the rights of its citizens. Velasco emphasized the importance of protecting migrants' human rights.
NationalTrump Plays Tour Guide and Enjoys His Role as Chief Builder of the White House
U.S. President Donald Trump took on the role of tour guide at the White House on Wednesday, showcasing the helipad being built on the lawn before bending down to sign a piece and boasting about the ballroom that is being rushed to completion despite legal challenges. For several uninterrupted minutes, Trump lavished praise on the granite being installed and claimed that the helicopter landing area would leave 'very impressed' foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is set to visit Washington next month. At times, he sounded almost like a construction manager, extolling the granite in front of the asphalt with meticulous detail and pointing out to the reporters he brought along that the stone could withstand 35,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. 'That’s a stone that, if you took a hammer and started hammering right now, all day long, you wouldn’t see a mark on it, literally, that’s the kind of power it has,' Trump said, sometimes straining to be heard over the hum of ongoing work behind him.
NationalHow the U.S. Cemented Its Spot as the World’s Top Oil Producer
In 2025, the United States maintained its position as the world's leading crude oil producer, reaching a record output of 13.6 million barrels per day (bpd). This achievement reflects a significant turnaround since 2018, surpassing Russia's 9.9 million bpd and Saudi Arabia's 9.6 million bpd. Despite a drop in West Texas Intermediate oil prices from $77 to $65 per barrel, production continued to rise, particularly in the Permian Basin, which contributed nearly half of the national output. US petroleum exports also hit a record in May, driven by increased global demand amid Middle Eastern disruptions.