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National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalFederal Authorities Announce Charges and Millions in Rewards for Top Mexican Cartel Bosses
The U.S. Department of Justice has unveiled new charges against eight leaders of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), a notorious drug cartel. In collaboration with various federal agencies, they announced over $100 million in rewards for information leading to the arrests or convictions of these fugitives. Key figures include Juan Carlos Valencia González, known as "Pelón," and Audias Flores Silva, known as "Jardinero." The initiative aims to dismantle CJNG's operations, which involve drug trafficking and violent crimes. Authorities emphasize their commitment to bringing these criminals to justice and protecting American communities from cartel violence.
National450K student loan borrowers eligible for debt relief after court ruling
The ruling tems from a years-long class-action lawsuit over the federal borrower’s defense program.
NationalCriticism of Contract Awarded to Firm for Assisting Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
The Trump administration awarded a $150 million contract for legal assistance to unaccompanied immigrant children to a small Texas firm with government ties but little experience in immigration law. As a result, many legal advisory groups that have long represented these minors warned on Wednesday that the move could leave immigrant children vulnerable to deportation. The contract awarded to Burke Law Group, a Houston-based firm, comes as the federal government intensifies its mass deportation campaign nationwide, and a week after it allowed a major contract with a network of legal groups working with immigrant children to expire. Providers have increasingly expressed concern that vulnerable minors will lack legal assistance from experienced professionals at a time when the government has ramped up deportation efforts. Michael Lukens, director of Amica Center, called it “disturbing and surprising” that the government awarded the contract to the Texas firm. “It’s really a harbinger of a situation where children will not have meaningful due process or a real opportunity to be heard in court. We cannot put just any firm in charge of caring for children,” Lukens emphasized. The groups noted that the contract, announced on Tuesday, only applies to minors already housed in government-run shelters, and that the government would need to award another new contract to cover services for migrant children living outside the shelter system. Lukens indicated that there are currently about 1,800 minors in shelters and around another 22,000 living with sponsors or relatives. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the agency responsible for the care of unaccompanied migrant children, has not yet responded to requests for comments. The Trump administration announced late Tuesday the hiring of the firm to provide legal services to unaccompanied migrant minors. The agreement takes effect on August 15 and lasts for one year. Only two of the 25 attorneys listed on the firm’s website Wednesday morning have relevant experience in immigration law, according to their biographies. Most of the firm’s attorneys are corporate lawyers with ties to conservative causes and Trump. The firm’s founder, Marcella Burke, was an attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior during Trump’s first term. The firm also includes Justin Shubow, a key advocate for Trump’s efforts to ensure federal buildings adhere to classical and traditional architectural styles, who was appointed by Trump to lead the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. Prominent conservative scholar Ilya Shapiro is listed as “lead counsel.” The firm and its founder have not yet responded to requests for comments. The notice indicates that the Burke contract is a “cooperative sole source agreement,” meaning the government chose the firm without a competitive bidding process. No justification was provided for bypassing standard bidding rules. Migrant children traveling without an adult are considered particularly vulnerable due to their age and are often placed under the care of the federal government. They have various protections once they arrive in the country, including the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which requires the government to make legal representation available to minors undergoing deportation proceedings. Until recently, such representation was handled by a network of nearly 100 legal assistance providers nationwide. Legal assistance providers enter shelters and educate minors about their rights, and they can represent them directly in court proceedings. However, that contract expired on Friday, and as of Tuesday night, it was unclear whether a new contract would be established or who would perform the work. In addition to the contractual uncertainty, legal assistance providers claim they have faced difficulties getting reimbursed for work they have already done since last November. They assert that the government is requesting detailed information about their clients, which they say they cannot provide for ethical reasons.
NationalScientists Say SpaceX Rocket Crashed into the Moon
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — A SpaceX rocket that launched a pair of landing modules crashed into the Moon on Wednesday, as expected, after veering off its trajectory over the past year, scientists reported. Although no one witnessed the actual collision at 5,400 miles per hour, a telescope in Chile detected what astronomers have identified as the debris plume resulting from the impact. Space tracking experts noted that it was inevitable for the remaining segment of the rocket to plunge into the Moon. This is the latest case of lunar debris, a problem many fear could worsen as the United States and China compete to send astronauts to the satellite. In 2022, a Chinese rocket accidentally impacted the Moon following a lunar mission, and it is likely that many more drifting rocket parts have fallen onto the lunar surface in past decades without scientists being aware. Julianna Scheiman from SpaceX said this week that the company is working with NASA to prevent future incidents, emphasizing that this anticipated crash was not intentional. A combination of solar activity and gravity accidentally placed it on a collision course with the Moon, she explained.
NationalExplosives-Laden Vehicle Intercepted in Colombia Days Before Espriella's Inauguration
Authorities reported on Wednesday that a vehicle loaded with explosives was intercepted on one of the main roads in southwestern Colombia that connects to Cali, where the presidential swearing-in of conservative Abelardo de la Espriella will take place on Friday. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez detailed on social media platform X that the police 'intercepted and neutralized' a bus rigged with explosives on the Pan-American Highway in a controlled manner. The police clarified that the vehicle had no passengers. The official noted that initial investigations point to the dissidence of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), led by Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias 'Iván Mordisco,' one of the country's most wanted men. The 'Iván Mordisco' faction is the largest among the dissidents who did not accept the peace agreement signed a decade ago between FARC and the state.
NationalUS Suspends Avocado Inspections in Michoacán for Security Reasons
MEXICO CITY — The United States suspended all operations in the western state of Michoacán on Wednesday, including the inspection of avocados for export to the country, "due to a threat against U.S. interests." The embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in its security alert, but Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla stated in a video shared on social media that the temporary halt of U.S. inspections was to safeguard the integrity of its workers following recent arrests related to extortion. Michoacán is the main exporter of avocados to the United States and is also a region with high organized crime activity. At least four cartels operate there, designated as terrorist organizations by the Trump administration, and most are involved in drug production or trafficking while financing themselves through extortion across various economic sectors, including avocado growers. According to Antonio Cruz, the state’s Security Secretary, one of the arrests mentioned by the governor was that of "El Poncho," the alias of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, the leader of the local cartel in the avocado-growing area around Los Reyes. U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson celebrated his capture over the weekend, for which the government had offered a $5 million reward. In previous days, federal forces also captured the leader of a cell from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in this state. Cruz stated that his department was not aware of any direct incidents involving inspectors, but nonetheless, 300 personnel were deployed in the Los Reyes area as a precaution. The governor added that the important thing at this moment was to "provide the security conditions for these operations to return to normal" as they have in the past.
NationalPatel, Blanche announce new action against Mexican cartel: Watch live
President Trump designated the JNGC a foreign terrorist organization last year.
NationalNearly 30 Years Later, Suspect in Tupac Shakur's Murder Will Stand Trial
LAS VEGAS — The man who, according to prosecutors, orchestrated the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur in 1996 will go on trial starting Monday, nearly 30 years after the shooting from a moving vehicle that cost him his life in Las Vegas. Duane 'Keffe D' Davis, 63, faces a charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang in Shakur's death. He has been incarcerated since late 2023 and has pleaded not guilty. For decades, Shakur's unsolved murder has captivated hip-hop fans. He is considered one of the most influential rappers of all time, known for songs that address human experiences such as love, heartbreak, and family relationships. At the time of his death, Shakur was in the midst of an intense feud over dominance in a music scene increasingly marked by gang rivalry. The trial, expected to last about a month, will likely not reveal who fired the weapon. Instead, prosecutors will attempt to prove that Davis ordered the attack and provided the gun. The shots came from the Cadillac in which Davis was traveling, who is one of the few people present that night still alive. According to prosecutors, if Davis had not explicitly written about the murder or discussed it in interviews, it is likely no one would have been charged. The case was reopened nearly 30 years later. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was a passenger in a black BMW driven by Marion 'Suge' Knight, co-founder of Death Row Records. They had just attended the fight where Mike Tyson knocked out Bruce Seldon and were heading to a nightclub where Shakur was scheduled to perform. While waiting at a traffic light near the Las Vegas Strip, a white Cadillac pulled up alongside them and the shooting began. Shakur was shot multiple times and died six days later. Knight survived with minor injuries and is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for a fatal hit-and-run that occurred years later. The investigation remained stagnant for years until Davis began making public statements about his alleged involvement as a leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang. In 2019, he published a memoir discussing the case. That book, along with several interviews, led police to reopen the investigation. Davis's attorneys argue that there is no evidence he directed the attack and claim the prosecution is based on witnesses who were not present. They also noted that Davis left drug trafficking in 2009, worked steadily until an illness forced him to retire in 2014, and deny that he orchestrated the murder. For Shakur's family, the last 30 years have been exhausting and stressful, said his half-brother Maurice 'Mopreme' Shakur. He noted that attending the trial will be traumatic, although he expressed feeling 'cautiously optimistic' that justice will finally be served. 'I hope the trial is fair and that we learn the truth,' he stated. The rivalry between gangs and record labels. Hundreds of pages of grand jury testimony describe Shakur's murder as the culmination of a prolonged rivalry between Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records, as well as between the Mob Piru and South Side Compton Crips gangs. According to witnesses, the South Side Compton Crips mingled with members of Bad Boy Records and provided protection for the label founded by Sean 'Diddy' Combs, which represented artists like The Notorious B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace. Mob Piru, a faction of the Bloods gang, was linked to Death Row Records, where Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre recorded. The gangs engaged in confrontations and retaliations both before and after Shakur's death. Prosecutors allege that Davis organized the attack to avenge the beating Shakur and his crew inflicted on his nephew, Orlando 'Baby Lane' Anderson, at the MGM Grand hotel hours before the murder. Davis's book will be a key piece of evidence. The prosecution relies on Compton Street Legend, the book that Davis wrote with a co-author about the murder and his life within the Crips, as well as interviews given to police and media. The defense unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the book and a police-recorded interview from 2008 from being used as evidence. They argued that the memoir contains fictional elements and that, since it was written with a co-author, it is impossible to determine which parts were written by Davis. They also contended that an interview given to a federal task force investigating the deaths of Shakur and Wallace should remain confidential. In his memoir, Davis claims that Shakur and his crew 'crossed the line' by beating Anderson. 'We couldn't let some studio gangsters backed by a record label treat us like that,' the book states. Davis wrote that he was in the passenger seat of the Cadillac that night and handed a gun to the occupants in the back seat. When they encountered Shakur and Knight, he claimed to have seen Shakur trying to grab a gun and wrote that 'one of my boys from the back seat grabbed the Glock and started shooting.' According to Clifford Mogg, a retired Las Vegas police detective who reopened the investigation in 2018, no weapon was ever found inside the vehicle in which Shakur and Knight were traveling. Will the trial bring closure to the case? Maurice Shakur acknowledged that no verdict will bring his half-brother back to life. 'That would be justice for me,' he said. 'But we all know that's impossible.' He also expressed a desire for further investigation into allegations linking Sean 'Diddy' Combs to the case. In his book, Davis claims that Combs wanted Shakur and Knight killed. Combs has denied any involvement in the murder. Currently, Combs is serving a sentence of approximately four years in prison after being convicted of prostitution-related offenses. His attorney did not respond to requests for comments from The Associated Press. The legacy of Tupac. Shakur sold over 75 million records worldwide with hits like California Love, Changes, and Dear Mama. His songs ranged from party anthems to deep reflections on social issues. Thirty years after his death, the themes he addressed remain relevant, noted historian Jeffrey O.G. Ogbar. 'I can't think of anyone in the history of hip-hop who has had a greater impact in such a short time,' said Ogbar, founding director of the Center for the Study of Popular Music at the University of Connecticut.
NationalTrump Administration Has Detained Over 50 Spouses and Parents of Active-Duty Military, According to AP
The Donald Trump administration has detained dozens of parents and spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel by cutting immigration protections for soldiers' families in an effort to advance its mass deportation agenda, according to an investigation by The Associated Press. AP found that more than 50 parents and spouses of active-duty military members have been detained since Trump began his second term, with at least six deported, marking the first count of such arrests that the government does not officially record. At least eight direct family members of U.S. military personnel remain in the custody of federal immigration authorities. For decades, parents and spouses of military personnel have generally been protected from deportation due to bipartisan consensus. However, AP discovered that they are now routinely detained for months while attempting to regularize their legal status through available policies for close family members of military personnel, even as the military continues to recruit by advertising immigration benefits for enlistees' families. Experts warn that this shift could undermine military readiness at a time when the U.S. is engaged in conflict in Iran. This has left service members without emotional support or caregivers for their children, delayed deployments, and forced some to take leave. 'How can I even focus on my military career if I have to worry about how my wife is doing?' questioned Army Sergeant Hedar Leonel Turcios Juárez, who was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, when his wife was detained in July outside a Walmart in front of their six-year-old daughter.
NationalUS Offers Over $100 Million in Rewards for Leaders of the Jalisco Cartel
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. government announced on Wednesday that it is offering rewards totaling over $100 million for information leading to the capture of several leaders of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a Mexican criminal organization designated as a terrorist group by the Trump Administration. The State Department reported that among the rewards, it has increased the bounty from $20 million to $25 million for the arrest of Juan Carlos Valencia González, alias Pelón, the successor to CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, who was killed in a Mexican military operation in February. It is also offering up to $15 million each for Audias Flores Silva, alias Jardinero; Gonzalo Mendoza Gaytán, alias Sapo; and Oseguera Cervantes's son-in-law, Julio Alberto Castillo Rodríguez, alias Chorro.
NationalMexico Seeks Those Responsible for Content Creator's Murder During Live Stream
MEXICO CITY – On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that authorities will seek to apprehend both the material and intellectual authors of the murder of content creator César Gastélum during a live broadcast. The crime, which occurred on Tuesday night in Culiacán, Sinaloa, was the focus of the president's morning conference, where she confirmed that the case was discussed in the Security Cabinet meeting and that authorities are already working to determine the motive behind the homicide. 'Yes, the topic was addressed, and they are conducting the entire investigation to apprehend those responsible and to understand the cause of this unfortunate homicide,' she affirmed.
NationalAuthorities seek a motive in the mass shooting at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger
A mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, on August 1, 2026, left three dead and seven injured. The shooter, identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams, took his own life after the attack. Witnesses described Williams as an introverted individual with no known criminal history. Among the victims was an employee of the restaurant, Christopher Claunch, who was remembered for his dedication to helping others recover from addiction. Two individuals were critically injured, including a former law enforcement officer who attempted to intervene. A vigil is planned for the victims at Twin Falls City Park.
NationalPope Leo XIV to Visit Several Latin American Countries in November
Pope Leo XIV will visit several Latin American countries next November, the Vatican confirmed on Wednesday. The Holy Father will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, accepting invitations from the Heads of State and ecclesiastical authorities of those respective countries, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported on Wednesday. During this trip, he will visit Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida from November 6 to 8; Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján from November 8 to 11; and Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco, and Pucallpa from November 11 to 17.
NationalI will grow up without a father”: Heartbreaking reaction from daughter of Salvadoran man who died in ICE custody
Edwin López Cornejo, a Salvadoran immigrant, was hospitalized on Saturday after suffering a 'medical emergency' while detained at Delaney Hall in Newark, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He died that same day. His mother, María Cornejo, said he called her the day before his death to report he had lost feeling in half of his face and one arm. Family members are demanding an independent investigation into his death, claiming he was denied proper medical care. López Cornejo's 12-year-old daughter, Ashley, expressed her sorrow, stating, 'I will grow up without a father... They didn’t let me see him one last time, and he died.' ICE stated that López Cornejo received appropriate medical care while in custody. His death has reignited calls for the closure of Delaney Hall, a facility that has been the focus of protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies.
NationalSen. Cruz Leads Push to Abolish Federal Insurance Office and Empower States
U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have reintroduced the Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act, aiming to eliminate the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This legislation seeks to return regulatory authority over the insurance industry to the states, a power they argue has been infringed upon by federal oversight. Senators Cruz and Lee criticized the FIO as unnecessary and an expansion of federal bureaucracy, while Blackburn emphasized the importance of state control over insurance regulation, which has been established since the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945.
NationalBreath of Fresh Air for Mexico: Remittances Increase 3.1% in the First Half of 2026
Remittances to Mexico saw a 3.1% increase, reaching $30.759 billion during the first half of 2026, despite the aggressive immigration policies of the United States, the main source of these funds, according to the Bank of Mexico (Banxico). This represents an increase of $917 million compared to the first six months of 2025, when remittances totaled $29.842 billion, a historic figure for a similar period. In Mexico, where remittances account for nearly 4% of the economy, the average amount sent by nationals to the country surged by 5% from January to June, rising from $386 to $405 compared to the same period in 2025. The number of transactions during this time decreased by 1.8% year-on-year to $75.9 million, with 99.2% of them being electronic transfers. In June alone, Mexico received $5.472 billion in remittances, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.1%. Additionally, compared to the previous month, remittances rose by 3.8%.
NationalUS Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits Port of Brownsville
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is scheduled to visit the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. Wright will visit the Port of Brownsville to discuss American energy and economic growth. Vice President JD Vance was initially scheduled to visit the Port of Brownsville for the discussion. The Port of Brownsville and Republican congressional
NationalGov. Abbott Awards Over $6.1M in Grants to San Antonio Veteran Support Groups
Governor Greg Abbott has announced the allocation of $6,187,000 in Funds for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants to 24 organizations in San Antonio and South-Central Texas. This funding, part of the Texas Veterans Commission's Grants Across Texas Tour, aims to support approximately 103,749 veterans in the region. Key recipients include the Alamo Area Council of Governments and Catholic Charities, among others, providing services ranging from housing modifications to financial assistance. Abbott emphasized Texas's commitment to honoring veterans and their families, while TVC Chairwoman Laura Koerner expressed gratitude to organizations making a positive impact on veterans' lives.
NationalPoll: One-third of Black Texas voters say Talarico win makes them more likely to vote
The poll -- conducted by the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University -- surveyed 500 Black Texans who voted in a recent election.