National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalA Marine’s Journey from Trainee to Instructor of the Year
Marine Corps Sgt. Kade Prentice, an aviation support equipment instructor at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island, has been recognized as the Junior Instructor of the Year for fiscal year 2025. Prentice began his military journey in Portland, Oregon, and completed his training at various military bases, including the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and Naval Air Station Pensacola. After serving in the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Bataan and USS Mesa Verde, he returned to teaching, motivated by his operational experiences. His growth from a shy recruit to an effective instructor highlights his dedication to training future Marines.
NationalInfantino says FIFA has abandoned plans to create a subsidiary for World Cup commercialization
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Friday in a statement that the organization has decided against its intention to create a subsidiary for marketing the World Cup. 'After carefully listening to all opinions, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of such a nature that, regardless of the level of support, it no longer serves the benefit of the originally stated objective,' the communication from the governing body of football states. 'Our purpose has always been, and will always be, to unite and improve. Consequently, this proposal will not move forward,' it adds. Last Wednesday, FIFA announced its intention to sell 20% of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the new subsidiary it sought to create to manage the commercial operations and events of the organization, such as the World Cup, its main product.
NationalUS cites 'unauthorized travel' to end DACA status for a mother of 3 deported to Mexico
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A Texas mother deported to Mexico despite having legal permission to stay in the U.S. after arriving as a child has filed a lawsuit against the federal government after it notified her it would be terminating her permission because of “unauthorized travel” stemming from her deportation. Jessica Treviño, 34, filed a lawsuit
NationalNo Steering Wheel or Pedals? Here's What Future Robotaxis Could Look Like
Federal regulators are paving the way for future robotaxis to operate without manual controls, such as steering wheels or, eventually, brake pedals, as regulations begin to catch up with advancements in this technology. Amazon's fully autonomous vehicles from Zoox received approval on Thursday to start charging customers for rides in their uniquely designed square cars, which have four inward-facing seats, once they obtain state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that his agency aims to clear the way for the safe development of autonomous vehicles. 'By removing unnecessary barriers to innovation, developing guidance for the industry, and providing robust compliance oversight while creating performance requirements, the NHTSA is taking a balanced approach to the regulation of autonomous vehicles,' Morrison announced in a statement. 'These advancements will ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in autonomous vehicle technology safely and responsibly.'
NationalForeign Terrorist Removal Court Holds First Hearing Since Its Creation in 1996
WASHINGTON — A 47-year-old Texas mother, whose son and son-in-law were convicted of conspiring to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack, made history on Thursday by becoming the first person to appear before a court established by Congress in 1996 to expedite the deportation of 'foreign terrorists.' Nazira Haji Zada, who has not been charged with any crime, appeared before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court with Chief Judge Joan Ericksen, who typically serves as a federal judge in Minnesota. Under this court, the United States can seek to remove non-citizens from the country by presenting them as foreign terrorists with a lower burden of proof than would be required for a criminal conviction. Appeals from this court would be submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Nazira, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas, was detained earlier this week. The Department of Justice described her as 'the matriarch of a foreign Afghan family.'
NationalForeign Terrorist Removal Court, created in 1996, holds first hearing
WASHINGTON — A 47-year-old Texas mother whose son and son-in-law were convicted of conspiring to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack made history on Thursday by becoming the first person to appear before a court established by Congress in 1996 to expedite the deportation of 'foreign terrorists.' Nazira Haji Zada, who has not been charged with any crime, appeared before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court in front of Chief Judge Joan Ericksen, who normally serves as a federal judge in Minnesota. Under this court, the United States can seek to remove non-citizens from the country by presenting them as foreign terrorists with a lower burden of proof than would be required for a criminal conviction. Appeals from this court would be submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Nazira, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas, was detained earlier this week. The Department of Justice described her as 'the matriarch of a foreign Afghan family.'
NationalFamilies of 4 Teenagers Who Died by Suicide in the U.S. Sue Social Media Companies
The families of four teenagers who died by suicide are suing Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube for what they describe as 'years of escalating harm' resulting from the use of their platforms, which ultimately led to their deaths. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Delaware Superior Court, is the latest in a wave of lawsuits against social media giants, alleging that their platforms are addictive and dangerous. The complaint was filed on behalf of four families from Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Tennessee, whose children died over a 14-month period from July 2024 to September 2025. The Social Media Victims Law Center is driving the lawsuit on behalf of the families, and its founding attorney, Matthew Bergman, stated that it is 'especially relevant' that the minors in this case died 'long after' similar lawsuits were filed.
NationalWhat is happening in Ceuta? Everything you need to know about the 'humanitarian crisis' in Spain
About 60,000 migrants have entered the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta, located in North Africa, from Morocco in the last 24 hours, reported Juan Jesús Vivas, the president of the Spanish enclave. However, approximately half of them have already returned voluntarily, according to the Spanish government, after the sudden influx of so many migrants triggered chaos and a humanitarian crisis. Videos and images from the border showed large numbers of people, mostly Moroccans, walking around the breakwaters of an urban beach near a border post with Morocco to join local roads. Most appeared to be young men, although there were also families with women and children. Here’s what you need to know about the situation.
NationalCould Congress Eliminate Birthright Citizenship in Puerto Rico? What You Need to Know
Birthright citizenship faces a new chapter in the United States. A new bill introduced in Congress seeks to end birthright citizenship for individuals born in U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. The H.R.9724 bill, introduced by Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith, aims to terminate this right established by federal law for babies born in U.S. territories, which also include Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The initiative has not yet been approved in either chamber and is expected to face legal battles. Here’s what you need to know about this bill.
NationalWill the war in Gaza come to an end? Hamas reportedly agrees to disarm, but there are several obstacles
Hamas has reportedly agreed to disarm, a significant step towards potentially ending the war in Gaza, according to various officials. The agreement is conditional on Israel making concessions, such as ceasing hostilities and withdrawing troops from the Palestinian enclave. The deal follows a ceasefire brokered by Washington nine months ago, which included a 20-point plan for disarmament and the establishment of a new Palestinian technocratic government. However, negotiations have stalled, and disarmament remains a contentious issue. The agreement involves multiple international parties, including the U.S., Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, but Israel has not officially signed on.
US cites unauthorized travel to end DACA status for a Valley mother of 3 deported to Mexico
Jessica Treviño, a 34-year-old mother from Texas, was deported to Mexico in March 2026 despite having valid DACA status. After her deportation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notified her that her DACA status would be terminated due to 'unauthorized travel.' Treviño, who arrived in the U.S. at age 7, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, seeking to have her deportation declared unlawful and her DACA status reinstated. Her three children, all U.S. citizens, remain in the U.S. with family. Treviño's attorney argues that her deportation is part of a broader effort to undermine DACA.
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NationalDACA Cancelled Due to 'Unauthorized Travel'; Lawsuit Filed Against Government After Deportation
Jessica Treviño, a 34-year-old woman from Texas, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government after being deported to Mexico despite having legal permission to stay in the U.S. under DACA. Treviño was arrested in December along with her husband and deported, leaving their three U.S. citizen children behind. Her DACA status was recently confirmed until April 2027, but she received a notice of termination due to an alleged unauthorized trip on the day of her deportation. Her attorney argues that the deportation was illegal and is seeking a court order to allow her return to the U.S.
NationalAsylum rule changes could lead to quick, wrongful removals, advocates warn
A sudden change announced this week by the Trump administration in how they handle asylum applications has angered migrant advocates who say it could cause the immediate deportation of many more people from the United States.
NationalState Officials Question DHS Claims About 'Thousands' of Non-Citizen Voters
State officials are questioning the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) assertions that it found tens of thousands of non-citizens on voter rolls and have requested the department to explain how it reached that conclusion. Before President Donald Trump's primetime speech from the White House earlier this month—where he made sweeping allegations of electoral fraud—DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin wrote to officials in Nevada, Pennsylvania, California, and New Jersey. In his message, he expressed his belief that these four states collectively had over 250,000 non-citizens on their voter registration lists. During a press conference held the day after Trump's speech, Mullin threatened officials with potential jail time if they failed to 'secure their elections.'
NationalFather Sentenced to Prison for Providing Son with Rifle Used to Kill Four at Georgia School
A man in Georgia was sentenced on Thursday to 15 years in prison for giving his son the weapon used to kill two students and two teachers at his school. Colin Gray's sentence comes days after his son, Colt Gray, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting on September 4, 2024, at the school located 45 miles northeast of Atlanta. Colt Gray, 16, had pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. Judge Nicholas Primm, who also sentenced Colt Gray, addressed the father directly: 'It is clear that you failed as a parent.' However, he noted that punishing acts of negligence is particularly challenging because there was no intent to commit a crime. 'My heart aches for everyone who was there that day, for all of you who have been affected by this. But the law requires me to set aside emotion. I cannot impose a sentence with passion. I have the nearly impossible task of sentencing you without passion despite the immeasurable pain you caused,' Primm stated.
NationalCourt Rules US Cannot Deny Bail Rights to Detained Immigrants
A federal appeals court ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration cannot deny detained immigrants in the United States the opportunity to be released on bail. The decision, made by a 2-1 vote by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals based in San Francisco, which included a judge appointed by President Trump in the majority, deepened the divide among federal appellate courts regarding the government's mandatory detention policy. Four other appellate courts have also rejected this policy, while the Fifth Circuit (based in New Orleans) and the Eighth Circuit (in St. Louis) have supported the Trump administration. This growing divergence among circuits increases the likelihood that the Supreme Court will ultimately address the issue. Last month, the government requested the highest court to review the matter.
