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National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalWhere the UK Stands 10 Years After the Brexit Vote
Ten years after the UK voted to leave the EU, the economic impact of Brexit is becoming clearer. The referendum, which passed with 52% in favor, was driven by desires for greater control and reduced immigration. However, a study from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research predicts that by 2025, Brexit will have decreased the UK’s GDP by 6% to 8%, with investments and employment also suffering significant declines. The formal split occurred in December 2020, and various factors, including the pandemic and energy policies, have compounded the economic challenges faced by the UK since then.
NationalTrump cancels housing bill signing over Senate inaction on SAVE Act
President Trump cancelled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill on Wednesday, saying he would not sign the legislation until the Senate passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. "Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to
NationalWest Texas Grid Gets 860 MW Boost With Eighth Texas Energy Fund Loan
Governor Greg Abbott announced the eighth Texas Energy Fund loan, providing 860 megawatts (MW) of new power in Ward County, sufficient to supply around 215,000 Texas homes. The project, led by Vistra, will add two natural gas units at the Permian Basin Power Plant, significantly increasing its capacity. Expected to begin operations in 2028, this initiative aims to enhance grid reliability in West Texas and support economic growth in the region. The loan is part of the TxEF's In-ERCOT Generation Loan Program, which offers low-interest loans for reliable power projects, with additional applications representing 4,030 MW of potential new power.
NationalTrump Administration Unable to Implement Citizenship Test Requirement to Vote
On Wednesday, a federal judge permanently barred President Donald Trump's administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections; one part of that order sought to require individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote. District Judge Denise Casper's ruling in Boston effectively turns a preliminary injunction she issued a year ago into a permanent ban, which temporarily blocked many of Trump's attempts to reform the electoral system. Casper rejected the government's argument that the lawsuit filed by Democratic state attorneys general to block the changes was premature, given that the rules had not yet been implemented. Instead, she agreed that the Constitution grants states and Congress the authority to regulate elections, and that Trump's requirements violated the separation of powers. The Constitution 'does not grant the president specific powers over elections,' she wrote. Among other proposed changes, Trump's order would have required individuals to present documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, would have prevented the counting of mail-in ballots that arrived after Election Day—even if postmarked earlier—and would have penalized states that did not comply by withholding certain federal funds. In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed gratitude that the court blocked Trump's 'unconstitutional attempt to take control of our elections' and stated she would continue to defend the right to vote in this year's midterm elections. 'Generations of Americans have fought tirelessly for the right to vote, and we honor their legacy by protecting that right against anyone who seeks to undermine it,' she declared. Requests for comments sent to the White House and the Department of Justice did not receive an immediate response. This decision is the latest in a series of rulings against the executive order on elections that Trump signed just months after taking office for his second term. Since then, he has signed another electoral executive order aimed at creating a national voter registry and limiting mail-in voting. That directive also faces multiple legal challenges. Last fall, a federal judge in Washington D.C., overseeing a separate challenge to the first electoral executive order—filed by civil rights groups and organizations affiliated with the Democratic Party—prevented the government from taking steps to include the citizenship proof requirement on the federal voter registration form. Later, that judge prohibited the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship when military personnel register to vote or request ballots. In an apparent acknowledgment of the difficulty of implementing the citizenship proof requirement through an executive order, Trump is pushing for a law in Congress—controlled by Republicans—to establish such a mandate. The SAVE America Act has been passed by the House of Representatives but is stalled in the Senate, prompting Trump to advocate for eliminating the filibuster tactic that is blocking the legislation's progress. On Wednesday, he abruptly canceled a planned signing of a bipartisan housing bill, stating he would not enact any legislation until Congress approves his citizenship proof requirement for voting. In another significant voting-related case, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether mail-in ballots must arrive by Election Day. This could immediately change the rules in 14 states that allow grace periods—ranging from a few days to several weeks—as long as the ballots are postmarked on Election Day.
NationalTrump Pressures Congress to Approve Bill Requiring Citizenship Proof for Voter Registration
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly canceled his plans on Wednesday to sign a significant bipartisan housing bill, stating he will not do so until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, an electoral initiative that has become a central focus of his second term. "Today's press conference and signing on housing are canceled until we pass the urgently needed SAVE America Act, which I consider a national emergency," he posted on his Truth Social account. It was not immediately clear if he still plans to sign the housing bill or veto it. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for further comments.
NationalIván Cepeda Accepts Defeat and Acknowledges De la Espriella's Victory in Colombia
Bogotá – Leftist candidate Iván Cepeda acknowledged his defeat in the presidential elections held last Sunday in Colombia and accepted the victory of right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who received 12.9 million votes (49.78%) and won by less than one percentage point. Cepeda had announced he would deliver a special message during a live broadcast scheduled for 9:00 a.m. COT. 'I have decided to accept the result that arises from this process (vote recount) and which indicates that Abelardo de la Espriella is the new president of the Republic,' he stated. 'I announce that I will embark on a new journey' across Colombia. 'We will not leave the Colombian people alone,' he affirmed. 'Colombia has suffered too much,' he said. 'We will resist any attempt at authoritarian subjugation,' he indicated in his special message. On Tuesday, Colombia began the final phase of the counting process that declared the winner of the tight presidential runoff, in which, according to preliminary counts, conservative Abelardo de la Espriella received the majority of votes over progressive Iván Cepeda. The national counting is overseen by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which consolidates the records and addresses claims. Previously, judges conducted a 'first-level' count that, according to the Registrar's Office, matched the preliminary count with a 99.99% accuracy. CNE President Cristian Quiroz initiated the counting at an event center in Bogotá to 'provide total certainty and transparency to the citizens.'
NationalTrump Slams Oil Companies for Not Lowering Gas Prices and Orders Investigation
President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has directed the Department of Justice to investigate oil companies for not lowering gasoline prices at service stations, accusing them of exploiting consumers. Trump criticized the companies for not reducing prices in line with the significant drop in oil costs, stating that gasoline prices should decrease more rapidly. The average national gasoline price remains at $3.93, down from $4.52 last month, but still higher than last year's average of $3.22. Meanwhile, oil prices have fallen significantly, closing at $73.21 on Tuesday, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
NationalPending Supreme Court Decisions Will Define Key Trump Policies
Before its usual summer recess, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to announce a dozen rulings, including cases that will determine the future of key policies for President Donald Trump, such as his order to limit birthright citizenship for children of undocumented individuals or those with temporary visas. The high court has already expressed skepticism toward the government's arguments, which reinterpret the right to citizenship for all born in the country, enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, aiming to deny it to those who exploit what it calls 'birth tourism' and irregular immigration. Legal experts and activists warn that a victory for Trump would set a dangerous precedent for the protection of constitutional rights and affect around 255,000 children each year, according to a study by the Migration Policy Institute. This case is extremely relevant for Trump, who made history last April by becoming the first sitting president to witness oral arguments in the courtroom and frequently posts about the issue on his Truth Social platform. The Supreme Court begins its recess between late June and early July after releasing the opinions it plans to announce during this period. The court, which does not usually announce in advance which opinions it will release each day, is also expected to soon decide whether the Trump administration has the power to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that protects nearly 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians from deportation. This is the first time the high court is considering a lawsuit related to this protection, which safeguards and grants work permits to foreigners who cannot safely return to their countries, a program the Trump administration wants to end in line with its hardline immigration stance. The conservative-majority Supreme Court will also rule on Trump's attempts to expand his executive power, specifically a case related to his authority to dismiss a Federal Reserve governor, Lisa Cook, which involves the independence of the central bank. Trump pressured former Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for aggressive interest rate cuts and even threatened to fire Powell, despite a president lacking the authority to make personnel changes at the issuing entity without just cause. In another case related to presidential powers, the Supreme Court will decide on the legality of the dismissal of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, Rebecca Slaughter, whom the Republican removed from her position for not aligning with his administration's priorities. Before the summer recess, the justices will rule on the constitutionality of state laws prohibiting transgender girls and women from participating in female school sports, a campaign issue for the Republican, as well as another lawsuit related to mail-in voting. Last February, the Supreme Court dealt Trump an unusual defeat by invalidating much of his tariff scheme, forcing the government to initiate a multimillion-dollar refund process and seek alternatives to impose taxes that in some cases do not reach the levels of the original 'reciprocal' rates.
NationalBlow to Trump: Judge Prohibits ICE Arrests in Immigration Courts
A U.S. judge has prohibited federal authorities from making arrests in immigration courts, ending a practice that gained traction after President Donald Trump took office. Judge Casey Pitts criticized the Trump administration for revoking a long-standing policy against such arrests, stating that the decision lacked rationale and failed to consider the deterrent effect on individuals attending court hearings. This ruling follows a similar decision in New York and applies nationwide. DHS legal director James Percival condemned the ruling as judicial overreach, arguing that it undermines the authority of immigration judges. Pitts also noted the government's failure to adhere to legal time limits for detaining individuals.
NationalJudge rules government cant stop SNAP dollars from buying candy and sugary drinks
A federal judge has ruled that the government cannot restrict the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing candy and sugary drinks. This decision overturns existing and planned restrictions in 23 states, which were part of a campaign to promote healthier eating. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson stated that the federal government failed to adhere to its own definition of 'food.' While the ruling does not comment on the merits of the restrictions, it emphasizes that the government cannot violate the law. The Agriculture Department had previously granted permission for states to impose these limitations, but the ruling complicates those efforts.
NationalJustice Department announces hundreds of charges in multi-billion-dollar healthcare fraud crackdown
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 455 individuals in a major healthcare fraud crackdown involving over $6.5 billion in fraudulent claims. Among those charged are a Texas nurse practitioner accused of billing Medicaid for unnecessary procedures and a Florida heart doctor involved in an $89 million scheme that falsely certified cardiovascular tests for student-athletes. The crackdown highlights long-standing issues of healthcare fraud, with officials emphasizing that these cases not only involve financial theft but also the exploitation of vulnerable patients. The Justice Department aims to disrupt sophisticated fraud schemes that compromise patient care.
NationalRoberto Lazzeri, the newly appointed ambassador of Mexico to the U.S., is now in Washington
The new ambassador of Mexico to the United States, Roberto Lazzeri, arrived in Washington on Tuesday to take over the leadership of the diplomatic mission, as reported by the embassy itself. With Lazzeri's arrival, Mexico aims to initiate a new phase of Mexican diplomacy in its bilateral relationship with the United States. According to information from the embassy, Lazzeri comes to the position with a 'clear agenda' based on three priorities: protecting the Mexican migrant community, promoting shared prosperity in North America, and building bilateral agreements. In a message on social media, the diplomatic representation indicated that the new ambassador arrived today in Washington, D.C., to lead the Mexican embassy in that country. On June 10, with 27 votes in favor and eight against, the Permanent Commission of the Mexican Congress ratified the appointment made by President Claudia Sheinbaum to fill the position of ambassador to the United States, succeeding Esteban Moctezuma, who led the diplomatic mission since 2021.
NationalMexican Governor Admits to Contacting U.S. to Recover Her Visa
The governor of the Mexican state of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, met with alleged U.S. intermediaries to discuss the legal processes that would allow her to regain her visa after it was revoked by Washington in 2025, as confirmed by the politician following an audio leak by the newspaper El Universal. In the audio, the governor, a member of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena), is heard discussing with her lawyer and an unidentified person about legal steps to recover her U.S. tourist visa, which was canceled last year for undisclosed reasons. 'You can bring your lawyers, and we can do it at the U.S. consulate in an office in Tijuana. Besides that, we can help you with the terms, sanctions, and charges that may be presented... Right now, governor, we are very much on time to achieve this,' says her interlocutor, identified by El Universal as a U.S. intermediary. The Baja California leader also states, 'It is important for me. I am calm; I have met with the agencies that have reached out to me, and I am in the best disposition.' After the audio's publication, Ávila Olmeda acknowledged in a conversation with Semanario Zeta Tijuana that she has begun legal proceedings to recover her visa and that authorities in the neighboring country should 'reconsider their decision.'
NationalTrump Administration Plans to Dispose of Some Warehouses Acquired for Detention Centers
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reversing a plan to use warehouses to house up to 10,000 people at a single site, thereby discarding a key element of the $38 billion plan by former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to rapidly expand detention capacity this year. The federal government, which was sued by the state of Michigan and a suburb of Detroit, informed a judge on Monday that it will sell a warehouse acquired in Romulus. Plans are also falling apart in Social Circle, Georgia, and Socorro, a suburb of El Paso, according to local officials. These three cities are among the 11 where the federal government spent a combined total of $1.074 billion on warehouses. Last week, The New York Times reported that federal immigration officials now plan to dispose of seven of the 11 warehouses, either transferring them to other federal agencies or selling them outright. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not confirm the reports but stated that it is 'acting quickly to utilize existing detention space in collaboration with our state and county partners.' The backlash against the warehouse purchases was immediate, with Claire Trickler-McNulty, a former ICE official, calling the plans to convert buildings into immigrant detention centers 'extremely reckless.' Many communities were caught off guard by Noem's acquisitions, which were largely made without public input. After Noem's removal, her successor, Markwayne Mullin, quickly suspended the purchase of new warehouses. Objections came from both Republicans and Democrats, with some opposing ICE's presence on moral grounds and others questioning whether the facilities would burden local resources. Seven federal lawsuits were filed, and regulatory hurdles caused complications elsewhere. Meanwhile, concerns about the prices paid by DHS for some warehouses prompted an internal audit. The agency paid double the assessed value for a warehouse in New Jersey and nearly five times the appraised value for the Social Circle warehouse. Trickler-McNulty noted that while the agency has some inherited facilities from its predecessor, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, it has generally outsourced its detention needs. 'Facilities with a capacity for over 2,000 people simply collapse. It is very difficult to manage such a large center, keep it staffed, and make everything work,' she stated. Mullin, who took over the family plumbing business before representing Oklahoma in Congress, acknowledged during his confirmation hearing that issues had arisen. He pointed out that most municipalities lack the necessary infrastructure to manage water supply and sewage. In fact, water-related problems posed such a challenge that, in a federal lawsuit following the acquisition of the Salt Lake City warehouse, the most expensive at $145.4 million, ICE officials communicated to the mayor the possible need to truck in water and sewage from the facilities as a 'temporary solution.' Plans are beginning to crumble, with The New York Times article citing internal documents indicating that the Salt Lake City warehouse is among those federal immigration authorities plan to transfer or sell. The list also includes the Romulus warehouse, as well as one in New Jersey and two each in Georgia and Pennsylvania. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stated it would have been an 'abomination' if the 249,000-square-foot Romulus warehouse had become an immigrant detention center as planned when it was acquired for $34.7 million. 'The ICE warehouse proposal was as misguided as it was cruel and unnecessary, and I am relieved that this chapter is coming to an end,' Nessel, a Democrat, said. The city of Social Circle, Georgia, announced last week that it had received notification from Republican federal representative Mike Collins that the Department of Homeland Security no longer plans to establish an ICE detention center there. Additionally, ICE's interim director, David Venturella, informed local authorities in the El Paso area during a visit earlier this month that the agency has modified its plans for three warehouses acquired in nearby Socorro for $122 million, according to Representative Veronica Escobar, who was present during the visit. Escobar, a Democrat representing El Paso, stated at a press conference that ICE no longer plans to detain up to 8,500 immigrants at those facilities as originally intended; instead, it will convert the property into an ICE operational complex. The site will house a smaller unspecified number of detainees but will also include agency offices and training spaces, she noted. However, many communities continued to feel frustrated over difficulties in obtaining information about potential sales. In Pennsylvania, state and local officials reported on Tuesday that they had not received new information from DHS regarding two warehouses purchased by the agency earlier this year. Both projects are stalled due to the state's denial of necessary permits, amid concerns that the potable water and sewage services would be insufficient to support thousands of people. U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, whose district encompasses both warehouses, stated he met with DHS staff on Friday, but the agency had yet to decide whether to use them as detention centers or sell them. In Georgia, the city manager of Oakwood stated on Tuesday that he is speaking with the state legislative delegation to try to confirm rumors that a warehouse located in the area will be sold. 'I still haven't heard anything,' said B.R. White. Work seems to continue on other warehouses. In Maryland, where a judge extended a halt on construction to transform a large warehouse into an immigrant processing center, ICE is currently gathering public comments on the environmental impact of the facilities. Additionally, an announcement made earlier this month revealed more details about the plans for the center, including the construction of six secure recreational yards. Patrick Dattilio, founder of Hagerstown Rapid Response, a group formed to oppose ICE detainee housing in the warehouse, noted that there has been little communication outside of the ongoing litigation. Nevertheless, he remains determined to prevent the center from opening. 'It's a huge warehouse,' Dattilio said. 'It's not meant to house people.'
NationalSurprise from the Senate: Resolution Passed to Block War Against Iran
The United States Senate approved a resolution on war powers for the first time on Tuesday, aiming to block military action against Iran, as lawmakers cautiously observe President Donald Trump's efforts to resolve a conflict initiated by his administration that now requires Congressional funding. This marks the tenth time the Senate has attempted to halt the war, with a surprising 50-48 vote compared to previous attempts. Although the resolution is largely symbolic and does not have full legal force, it reflects growing concern among several Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate regarding the war and the agreement Trump reached with Iran to end it. The House approved the resolution earlier this month. 'Time and again, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war, not with the American people,' stated Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer argued that Americans have paid the price for 'Trump's historic mistake in Iran. This will go down in history as one of the worst foreign policy blunders the United States has ever made.' In the past, as many as four Republican senators had voted in favor of war powers resolutions, and they did so again on Tuesday: Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. One Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against it. This vote also comes as the Pentagon seeks $80 billion from Congress, primarily for the war with Iran, to replenish ammunition and reserves.
NationalHegseth: Defense and Fiscal Hawks, Unite!
On April 30, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, and War Department comptroller Jules Hurst III testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hegseth emphasized the need for defense and fiscal hawks to unite, highlighting the importance of a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027. He argued that under-investment in military spending poses a significant threat to national security, especially as other nations, like China, increase military capabilities. The War Department aims to pass a comprehensive financial audit by 2028 and is restructuring its budget to prioritize essential missions and improve efficiency.
NationalJudge Halts Junk Food Restrictions for SNAP Beneficiaries in Five States
A federal judge overturned a pilot project by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health that restricted the purchase of sugary foods and beverages for SNAP beneficiaries in five states. The plaintiffs, beneficiaries of the program in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia, argued that these restrictions were illegal, harmful, and approved without following required procedures. They stated that the project limited the purchase of crucial health and wellness products, such as drinks for managing type 1 diabetes, kidney issues, and low energy. According to Judge Amy Berman Jackson, the USDA incorrectly applied the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to the pilot projects. The measure was implemented under an administrative efficiency statute of the program, when, according to the judge, it should have been treated as a health, nutrition, and obesity reduction project. The judge's decision explained that the USDA violated a public notice regulation. For any SNAP project that has a significant impact, the USDA must publish a notice in the Federal Register at least 30 days before the project begins, an action that, according to the lawsuit, was not carried out.
NationalTrump Administration May Resume Expedited Deportations, Appeals Court Says
Three judges from a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decided on Tuesday that the Trump administration can resume expedited deportation processes. The judges argued that immigrant rights are not violated when a process is extended to the limits permitted by law. Expedited deportations were being used to target immigrants detained after crossing the southern border, but in August 2025, a court ruled that this process violated due process rights and could lead to unjust detentions by not allowing immigration hearings. In that ruling, the D.C. judge indicated that the Trump administration's actions towards certain Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians were 'arbitrary and capricious.' This is a developing story; check back later for more information.
NationalColombia Reviews Votes Amid Disputes Over Presidential Result
BOGOTÁ — Colombia began the final phase of vote counting on Tuesday, which will declare the winner of the tight presidential runoff in which, according to preliminary counts, conservative Abelardo de la Espriella received the majority of votes over progressive Iván Cepeda. The national counting is overseen by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which consolidates the records and addresses complaints. Previously, judges conducted a 'first-level' count that, according to the Registrar's Office, matched the preliminary count with 99.99% accuracy. CNE President Cristian Quiroz initiated the counting at an event center in Bogotá to 'provide total certainty and transparency to the public.' The preliminary count from the Registrar's Office, responsible for election logistics on voting day, shows De la Espriella with 49.66% of the votes and Cepeda with 48.70%. The difference between the two is more than 250,800 votes.