National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalCensus Bureau Releases Latest Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey Data
The U.S. Census Bureau has published new data from the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS), focusing on various aspects such as employment, housing costs, mental health, and social connections. This data, gathered from approximately 136,000 households in March 2026, includes tables and an infographic showcasing U.S. arts and entertainment activities. Users can access detailed information on topics like job loss, employment status, food security, health insurance, and household expenses. HTOPS is conducted bi-monthly to provide timely insights into the socioeconomic conditions affecting American households.
NationalFDA Panel Supports Expanding Access to Various Peptides Promoted by Influencers and Celebrities
A federal health advisory panel has recommended easing access to popular peptides promoted by influencers and celebrities, despite warnings from U.S. scientists about their safety and efficacy. In a close vote of 8-6, the panel suggested that the FDA remove current restrictions on pharmacies producing injectable peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500. This non-binding vote may influence Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who supports peptide use. Critics, including FDA scientists, express concerns over the lack of solid scientific evidence for these substances, which are often marketed for unverified health benefits. The panel will vote on additional peptides soon.
NationalTrump Administration Imposes Tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on 60 Countries: What You Need to Know
President Donald Trump announced new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries, covering 99% of foreign products entering the U.S. The administration justified this action by stating that these countries have not sufficiently banned goods produced through forced labor. The tariffs will take effect as temporary 10% tariffs expire, and the U.S. will invoke Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose tariffs on countries with 'unjustifiable' trade practices. Exemptions include oil, gas, and products qualifying under the USMCA. Countries like Brazil and Chile have criticized the decision, while Canada plans to continue collaboration to prevent forced labor goods from entering the supply chain.
NationalOne Month Later: The Pain and Devastation Left by the Earthquakes in Venezuela
One month after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, the death toll exceeds 5,300, and the number of missing persons remains unknown. Dozens of families are still searching through the rubble for their loved ones as criticism of the response from Delcy Rodríguez's government increases. The latest figure, provided on Wednesday by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, is 5,398 dead and 16,740 injured. Unidentified victims are being buried in several newly opened mass graves at a municipal cemetery in La Guaira state, according to several witnesses who spoke to EFE earlier this month. The government has not provided data on the missing, but the citizen initiative 'Desaparecidos Terremoto Venezuela' reports over 29,000. According to unconfirmed figures received by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs last June, the number of missing persons due to the earthquakes could rise to 50,000.
NationalTrump Expands Voluntary Commitment to Prevent Increases in Data Center Bills
President Donald Trump has expanded a voluntary commitment involving governors and electric companies to protect U.S. consumers from rising utility bills due to data centers. Initially announced in March, the agreement has not significantly reassured voters concerned about affordability and competition for resources. Trump claimed that electricity prices would decrease, asserting that there would be a surplus of energy. The commitment has been signed by 23 governors and at least 187 companies, including major utilities like NextEra Energy and Duke Energy. However, concerns persist about the environmental impact and the potential for increased costs in local communities.
NationalInvestigation Underway for JD Vance's Security Team Member Over Alleged News Leak
WASHINGTON — A member of Vice President JD Vance's security team is under investigation for allegations related to an alleged news leak, the U.S. Secret Service reported on Thursday. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, stated that the security team member is facing an internal investigation and a potential criminal inquiry over accusations linked to breaches of 'operational and information security.' 'While we will not comment on the specifics of this matter, there is an unequivocal principle: no conduct that potentially threatens the security of a protected person will be tolerated,' Guglielmi said in a statement. The agency did not identify the individual under investigation.
NationalSocial Security Payments Change in August 2026; Here's What You Need to Know
The payment schedule for Social Security beneficiaries will look a bit different in August. Those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks can expect two checks in July instead of one, but this means there will be no checks in August. This is because August 1, the day when the check is normally scheduled, falls on a Saturday. Regulations state that if the first day of the month falls on a holiday or weekend, SSI checks are delivered on the previous business day. Therefore, SSI beneficiaries will receive their August check on July 31. This also means they will not receive a check during the month of August. The next check will arrive on September 1 for that month.
NationalMan Sentenced to Life for Killing Prominent Lawmaker and Her Husband in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota man who pleaded guilty to murdering a prominent Democratic lawmaker and her husband was sentenced on Thursday to spend the rest of his life in prison, just over a year after the attacks. Vance Boelter, 59, received two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years after pleading guilty in June to six charges related to the murders of House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as for shooting at State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Other lawmakers and survivors of the shooting spoke during the hearing, describing the ongoing fear and physical harm caused by Boelter. He pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty; in exchange, he accepted the maximum possible sentence without facing capital punishment. Mark Hortman's father and brothers expressed their outrage that he would not face the death penalty. Dressed in an orange prison uniform and with shackles on his ankles, Boelter remained still, never looking at the survivors or family members as they read their impact statements.
NationalU.S. Could Record Lowest Number of Homicides in Over a Century, Report Says
LOS ANGELES — Data collected from 30 U.S. cities showed an 18% decrease in the homicide rate for 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, translating to about 215 fewer homicides this year, according to a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice, an independent organization. If the trend continues, the annual homicide rate could reach its lowest levels in over a century once final figures are released at the end of the year. The report, published Thursday, tracked 13 crimes and recorded declines in nine of those categories, including car thefts, residential burglaries, and aggravated assaults. According to the report, there was a slight increase in shoplifting, domestic violence incidents, sexual assaults, and drug-related crimes during the same period between 2025 and 2026. Experts note that these generally positive changes are exceeding expectations, improving crime rates to levels seen before 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, which marked a historic surge in violence.
NationalDemocrats hold 11-point lead over GOP on generic ballot: Poll
Democrats in a new poll have an 11-point lead over Republicans on a generic congressional ballot as the midterm fight for control of the House and Senate intensifies.
NationalTrump to Attend White House Correspondents' Dinner in NY; Security Measures Strengthened
Former President Donald Trump will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner this Friday at the Waldorf Astoria in D.C., following a rescheduled event due to a security incident in April. In light of Trump's ongoing attacks on the press, hundreds of former journalists and eight press freedom groups are urging the association to condemn these actions during the dinner. Enhanced security measures will be in place, including digital tickets and stricter access controls. The letter from advocates emphasizes the need to defend press freedom and calls on the association to publicly support journalists targeted by Trump.
National2 women who visit the Valley often lose tourist visas amid birth tourism crackdown
Two women frequently visiting the Rio Grande Valley have had their tourist visas revoked amid a crackdown on birth tourism by the Trump Administration. One woman, identified as Sarah, was denied entry at the Progreso port of entry, where a Customs and Border Protection officer informed her that visas were being canceled for those suspected of giving birth in the U.S. for citizenship purposes. Another woman, Alicia, faced a similar fate at the Donna port while crossing with her U.S. citizen children. Both women express concern about their ability to transport their children to school, with Alicia hoping for assistance from IDEA Public Schools.
NationalNicaragua's Parliament Moves to Abolish Elections at Ortega's Order
MEXICO CITY — Nicaraguan lawmakers stated they will carry out President Daniel Ortega's plan to abolish elections in the Central American country, prompting new criticism from the international community on Wednesday. The measure was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the National Assembly, which is firmly under the control of Ortega and his wife, co-president Rosario Murillo. The Assembly noted that the latest constitutional reform will ensure 'peace, security, and stability' in the country. This legislative action follows Ortega's announcement over the weekend that 'there will be no more elections here,' reflecting both his effort to extend his nearly 20-year rule and to eliminate any possibility of opposition coming to power.
NationalCity of Brownsville Procurement Department Honored with Prestigious National Award
The City of Brownsville's Procurement Department has received the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. This prestigious award recognizes public and nonprofit organizations that excel in procurement practices. The award highlights Brownsville's commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public purchasing. City Manager Alan Guard emphasized the importance of integrity and professionalism in delivering services. The department aims to enhance vendor engagement and improve procurement processes. Brownsville will be recognized at NPI's 58th Annual Conference in Frisco, Texas, from October 4-7, 2026, along with other award recipients.
NationalThinner: How is Maduro Six Months After His Capture?
NEW YORK — A date has been set for the start of the historic trial against Nicolás Maduro in New York, where he faces federal drug trafficking charges following his arrest earlier this year by the Trump administration. During a hearing held on Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan, Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered that the trial against Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will begin on June 1, 2027, as requested by the prosecution. The judge also approved a two-phase schedule for pre-trial motions, with the first date set for November 17 for a hearing on motions. How did Maduro and his wife look? Maduro entered the courtroom in Manhattan alongside his wife, dressed in a khaki prison uniform, athletic shoes, and without handcuffs, according to NBC News. Upon entering, he greeted the judge with a "Good Morning," which was heard in the courtroom. His wife, Cilia Flores, followed behind but did not say anything. The captured leader waved to his lawyers and others present at the hearing. The hearing lasted 13 minutes. Additionally, both he and his wife greeted and said goodbye to the judge and the audience, and both appeared to be in good health, as noted by Telemundo 47. A courtroom sketch artist, who regularly attends the sessions, remarked that he looked thinner: "From the first time to this time, I saw that he is very skinny. And he is already very gray. More docile." What are the charges? Maduro, 63, was extradited to New York after being captured on January 3 during a U.S. military operation in Caracas. He faces charges of: Narcoterrorism, Drug trafficking, Possession of weapons. His lawyers have requested that the case be dismissed, arguing diplomatic immunity and questioning whether U.S. courts even have jurisdiction to try him in the U.S.
NationalThousands of Soup Cans Recalled Due to Product Defect
A popular organic food brand has recalled over 184,000 cans of soup sold in Illinois and other U.S. states due to a defect that posed a risk of product deterioration, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amy’s Kitchen, Inc., a California-based company specializing in organic foods, initiated the recall of its Organic Lentil Soup – Light in Sodium on June 22 due to a 'potential deterioration,' as stated in the recall notice.
NationalAre You Waiting for Your Child's Trump Account Deposit? Here's What We Know
U.S. President Donald Trump claims that Trump Accounts could lift children out of poverty and give more Americans the chance to benefit from stock market investments. Some parents say they are still waiting for the money. The president plans to speak this Wednesday at a high school in Georgia to promote the investment accounts, which offer $1,000 in seed capital to every child born during his second term. The accounts were activated on July 4, two days before Trump rang the opening bells of the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq from the Oval Office. The tax-advantaged accounts, created last year through Trump's signature tax cut and spending bill, can be opened for any child under 18. The Treasury Department estimates there are 6.5 million registrations for Trump Accounts, of which 1.5 million are eligible for the $1,000 seed capital for babies born between 2025 and 2028. Most of those families receive their $1,000 within one or two days, the Treasury Department indicated. Program advocates argue that it is an opportunity for more Americans to participate in the stock market. They hope this will curb the rising popularity of democratic socialists, who seek to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals to alleviate costs for low-income and middle-class Americans. Once Trump Accounts are set up, parents, relatives, friends, and employers can contribute to them. Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions. The money is given to private firms that invest it in index funds, a type of mutual fund that tracks stock market performance. The money cannot be accessed until the child turns 18, and only for specific purposes, such as going to school, starting a business, or buying a home. Some parents were told the deposit could take four weeks. For babies born since Trump took office last year, $1,000 from the U.S. Treasury is supposed to kickstart the accounts. While some parents report having received the money, others have said in interviews and on social media that they are still waiting for the accounts to receive the $1,000. Masaki and Kristina McLellan, first-time parents from Bergen County, New Jersey, said in an interview that they hesitated to enroll in the accounts because they feared it was a promotional stunt by the president. But the $1,000 incentive convinced the couple, whose daughter Maya was born in late March, to open an account anyway. Masaki McLellan noted that he applied for the account on July 6. Initially, the application was rejected, but the account was activated after he called the Trump Accounts help line. He was told he would see the money in the account in 10 days. Now, he claims he has been told it could take up to four weeks. Kristina McLellan expressed disappointment that it was taking so long to fund their daughter's account. However, the baby already has other investments being capitalized for her. Maya's parents have already started a 529 college savings plan and a custodial brokerage account for her. The Trump Account is the third investment account in the child's name. 'We definitely want to give her options for her future and ensure she can choose what she wants to do,' said McLellan, a news station study director, who will return from maternity leave next week. The Treasury Department emphasized that the McLellan case is unusual and stated that only a small fraction of applicants need customer support. The Treasury says most parents wait only one or two days. The Treasury Department indicated that the time between opening an account and receiving the seed capital constitutes a 'standard processing time, like receiving a tax refund,' and that the overwhelming majority of parents wait only one to two days. However, the department likes to give parents a conservative estimate of how long the money transfer might take, such as the estimate of up to four weeks given to the McLellans. 'Trump Accounts level the playing field by allowing every parent to invest in their children's future, not just wealthy families with trust funds,' the department noted. The government also announced last month an initiative allowing child welfare agencies to open accounts on behalf of youth in foster care. 'With nearly 1 million registrations per month before launch, Trump Accounts have become the most popular and successful government-backed savings product in U.S. history,' the Treasury Department stated. Trump faces pressure over his handling of the economy. Trump's stop in Georgia comes as he and other Republicans face pressure in the midterm elections over his economic management. Only 33% of adults in the U.S. approve of the president's economic leadership, which is among the lowest ratings of his second term, according to a June poll by the AP and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Trump promised to lower costs, but his tariffs and the war in Iran have instead contributed to rising prices. Trump Accounts are similar to 'baby bonds,' promoted by cities and states governed by Democrats aimed at reducing the wealth gap between low- and high-income children. However, unlike most baby bonds, which generally focus on children from disadvantaged backgrounds, Trump Accounts are available to families at all income levels. The program has faced criticism from those who say it does nothing to help families in the early years of a child's life, when children are most likely to experience poverty, homelessness, and hunger. And the Republican bill that created the program also cut funding for programs disproportionately used by children, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This story was translated from Spanish by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. An editor from Telemundo Digital reviewed the translation.
NationalCongress Delivers Major Federal Housing Reform with Passage of ROAD to Housing Act
In a significant bipartisan move, both the U.S. House and Senate have passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, marking a major reform in federal housing policy. This legislation aims to address the national housing shortage of approximately 5.5 million units by removing regulatory barriers and streamlining the development process. It allows for the use of pre-approved home designs and modernizes HUD programs to facilitate faster homebuilding. Additionally, it limits large institutional investors from acquiring more single-family homes, promoting a healthier housing market. The Act is expected to gradually improve housing affordability across the country.
NationalCornyn and Cruz Request Disaster Relief for 33 Texas Counties Hit by Storms
U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have expressed their support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott's request for a major disaster declaration to President Trump. This declaration aims to provide essential resources for recovery in 33 Texas counties affected by severe rainfall and flash flooding that began on July 12, 2026. The flooding has necessitated extensive water rescue operations, particularly in Uvalde and Kerr counties. Preliminary estimates suggest recovery costs could reach approximately $489.7 million. The senators are urging the approval of federal assistance and activation of various programs to aid the affected communities.