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National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalPentagon Requests $80 Billion from Congress to Fund War Against Iran
The Pentagon has informed senators that it needs approximately $80 billion, mostly to cover the costs of the war against Iran, adding to the already significant increase in military spending sought by President Donald Trump. The White House Office of Management and Budget has yet to submit a formal request to Congress. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been making efforts on Capitol Hill, including on Monday night. A deputy defense secretary briefed senators on the funding request for Iran last week, according to two people familiar with the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the developments. Skepticism Surrounds War Funding Requests The push for billions of dollars for the war against Iran comes at a politically sensitive time. Lawmakers are skeptical of the deal Trump reached to end the war and are wary of the next steps. The White House has requested a staggering $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon, nearly a 50% increase from current fiscal year funding levels. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that he expects a supplemental spending request from the government for the war and that when it arrives, 'we will review it and see where the votes are.'
NationalSupreme Court Grants Trump Administration More Authority Over Immigrants with 'Green Cards' Returning to the Country
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday in favor of Donald Trump's administration, allowing immigration agents greater discretion to detain and initiate deportation proceedings against certain 'green card' holders returning to the country. Six of the nine justices supported a decision by immigration officials to place a permanent resident under 'parole' after he returned from a trip abroad, due to being accused of forgery. Immigrant Muk Choi Lau, a Chinese national, argued that the measure exceeded the official's authority and improperly allowed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to quickly initiate deportation proceedings against him. The 'green card' holder pleaded guilty to trademark counterfeiting.
NationalU.S. to Allow Iran's National Team Entry Two Days Before Next Match
WASHINGTON – The U.S. government announced on Tuesday that it will allow Iran's national team to enter the country up to two days before their next match in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for this Friday in Seattle, following complaints from the team about restrictions imposed by the Trump administration during their first two matches. 'For the Iranian team's third match in Seattle, set for June 26, the team has been authorized to enter the United States two days before the game,' a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated in a communication to EFE. The announcement comes after FIFA promised Iran that they would have more leeway to enter the country from Mexico for their third match, as the team, led by Amir Ghalenoei, had to relocate their base camp (initially planned in Tucson, Arizona) due to the war initiated against the Islamic Republic by the U.S. and Israel in February. Following the relocation, the Trump administration announced strict entry and exit conditions for Iranians, whose three group stage matches are being played on the West Coast of the U.S.
NationalExxon May Sue Cuba for Confiscated Properties from 1960, Supreme Court Rules
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that ExxonMobil can sue Cuban state-owned companies in U.S. courts for properties confiscated after Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1960. The decision, supported by a 6-3 vote, marks the second ruling in favor of U.S. property owners against the Cuban government in recent months. ExxonMobil seeks compensation for over 100 gas stations and a refinery, valued at $71.6 million in 1969, plus interest. This ruling could provide leverage for the Trump administration against Cuba amid ongoing U.S. oil embargo pressures. The Helms-Burton Act allows such lawsuits against entities benefiting from confiscated properties.
NationalSánchez denounces 'ongoing fraud' in Peru elections; will not recognize Fujimori
Leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez denounced on Tuesday, without providing evidence, that there is 'an ongoing fraud' and announced that he will not recognize his rival Keiko Fujimori as president of the country, who currently leads him in the vote count of the presidential runoff in Peru. In a press conference, Sánchez argued that his request to annul the voting abroad is based on the belief that electoral regulations were violated by changing the rules for the second round and the protection of votes until their arrival in Lima, which he claims would reverse the results and make him the winner, as he has received the most votes in the national territory. With 99.71% of the votes counted, Fujimori has 50.11% of valid votes compared to Sánchez's 49.88%, with a difference of 40,468 votes between them; however, the percentages flip when excluding overseas votes, allowing Sánchez to achieve 50.11% of valid votes with 40,925 more votes than Fujimori, who has 49.88%.
NationalSenate Greenlights Ambitious Plan to Lower Housing Prices; Moves to House
The U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan housing bill on Monday aimed at reducing federal regulations and increasing local control, marking a significant effort to lower housing prices. The bill passed with a vote of 85-5 and now moves to the House of Representatives. It prohibits corporate investors from buying single-family homes but does not require them to sell newly built homes within seven years. The legislation aims to enhance housing supply, streamline environmental reviews, and provide funding for local governments. Both parties support the bill as a response to the ongoing housing affordability crisis, with the House expected to vote soon.
NationalA Houston drowning tests whether Texas law gives the right to deny brain death testing
The parents of a 2-year-old girl, Annelise Camp, who nearly drowned on Memorial Day, are suing Texas Children’s Hospital to prevent brain death testing. They argue that the testing should not occur until she has had more time to recover and are seeking a transfer to another facility for alternative treatments. Texas law allows hospitals to withdraw life support once brain death is declared, but the Camp family believes this testing contradicts their religious beliefs. The case has attracted attention from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life, potentially influencing future legislation on brain death and life support rights.
NationalNew Twist in the Case of Etan Patz, the 6-Year-Old Who Disappeared Without a Trace in NY
NEW YORK — The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated on Monday the conviction of Puerto Rican Pedro Hernández, found guilty of murdering 6-year-old Etan Patz in New York in 1979, a case that shocked the nation. In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled against the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that it had "overstepped" its authority by overturning Hernández's guilty verdict in 2025. The Supreme Court's decision follows a request from the Manhattan District Attorney to reverse the Appeals Court's ruling. This court argued last July that the judge overseeing the case made an error in the responses given to the jury regarding Hernández's confession to the police. Hernández was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to a minimum of 25 years to life for the kidnapping and murder of the child, following a mistrial in 2015. In 2012, the Puerto Rican was arrested after confessing to suffocating Patz, who disappeared while walking alone from his home in the SoHo neighborhood to his school bus stop. At the time of the incident, Hernández was 18 years old, worked in a store, and allegedly lured the boy into a basement with a soda bottle. Hernández's attorney, Harvey Fishbein, questioned the Supreme Court's ruling in a statement, expressing that he was "terribly disappointed." "We firmly believe that an innocent man is in prison for a crime he did not commit," he stated. Meanwhile, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed his support for "this important conviction" and affirmed that the case of Patz, whose body has still not been found, "changed a generation of New Yorkers." The disappearance of the young boy, one of the first minors whose image appeared on milk cartons across the United States, shocked the public for years, and in 1983, then-President Ronald Reagan declared May 25 as "National Missing Children's Day."
NationalU.S.-Israeli Citizen Extradited from Norway to Face Hate Crime Charges
Michael Ron David Kadar, a 27-year-old dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, was extradited from Norway and arraigned in Florida on charges of hate crimes and obstruction of religious practices against Jewish institutions. The indictment alleges that Kadar made bomb threats and active shooter threats to Jewish Community Centers in Florida, causing evacuations and law enforcement responses. He also faces charges in Washington, D.C., for threats against the Israeli Embassy and in Georgia for cyberstalking. If convicted, Kadar could face significant prison time, with hate crime charges carrying a maximum of 20 years.
NationalJudge Blocks Use of Federal Database to Verify Voter Citizenship
A U.S. judge ruled on Monday that a recently updated version of a federal tool, which is central to the government's electoral integrity strategy, is illegal and can no longer be used. Federal Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with activist groups that argued the recent enhancements to the program, known as Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE), added sensitive personal data of Americans in a way that could lead to voters being wrongly removed from the electoral rolls. 'Ultimately, the federal government has willfully trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,' Sooknanan stated in an order explaining her decision. 'This court cannot sit idly by while that occurs.' She noted that Congress had explicitly prohibited the government from centralizing personally identifiable information of Americans, and that the federal agencies that created the SAVE program 'knew that the database violates those legal protections.' The decision represents a significant legal setback for President Donald Trump in his efforts to use federal agencies to launch a nationwide offensive against non-citizens illegally listed on state voter rolls. The modified SAVE system, which critics had labeled as a centralized and illegal federal database of voter information, had been a key pillar of the second electoral executive order the president signed earlier this year. The ruling leaves its future uncertain. 'It’s incredible how hard the left will fight to prevent us from solving problems they insist don’t exist,' said James Percival, General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in a social media post regarding the ruling. The DHS referred to that post as its comment on the ruling. The Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment at this time.
NationalDid López Obrador 'fear' revelations from 'El Mayo'? Former US ambassador says so
MEXICO CITY – Ken Salazar, the US ambassador to Mexico during Joe Biden's presidency, claims in his upcoming book that former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024) feared what Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, might reveal following his capture in 2024, as reported exclusively by the Mexican newspaper Reforma. The paper noted that Salazar's book discusses López Obrador's concerns about what the drug lord could disclose to US authorities after being forcibly taken to the neighboring country under unclear circumstances. Salazar's memoirs, titled 'The Borders: My Fight for an Inclusive America,' will be released on July 28. The capture of 'El Mayo' sparked controversy in Mexico over the possibility that US agents intervened on Mexican soil, a claim that Salazar initially dismissed but was later questioned by former President López Obrador. The politician criticized Washington for not providing all available information regarding the arrest, which occurred on US soil as a result of a 'deception' by one of the sons of drug trafficker Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, according to 'El Mayo' in a letter from prison. Opposition accusations against the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena), the party that brought López Obrador to the presidency, intensified after the drug lord claimed he was misled on the day of his arrest, being told he was going to meet with the governor of Sinaloa, the ruling party's Rubén Rocha Moya.
NationalUsers Report Xfinity Service Outage in Various Areas of the U.S.
Thousands of users reported a nationwide Xfinity service interruption on Monday afternoon. Downdetector indicates that reports of outages began around 3:25 PM ET, with over 26,000 reports accumulated across the country since then. Xfinity has a website to check for service interruptions in your area.
NationalJudge Says Trump Administration's Subpoenas to State Officials Aim to 'Harass Them'
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to subpoena Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other state officials, calling it an effort to 'harass them and retaliate against them.' District Judge Patrick Schlitz determined in a ruling made public on Monday that the 'dominant purpose' of the subpoenas was to 'coerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government in enforcing federal civil immigration law and to harass and retaliate against them for not doing so.' The subpoenas, which sought records, were issued in January as part of an investigation into whether Walz and other officials obstructed or hindered law enforcement during the immigration operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. They were sent to the offices of Walz; Attorney General Keith Ellison; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey; St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her; and officials from Ramsey and Hennepin counties. The ruling is the latest rebuke from the federal judiciary to the Justice Department's aggressive efforts to implement the Trump administration's agenda in the courts and target the president's political opponents through subpoenas and similar demands. The judge ruled that there appeared to be 'extremely weak or nonexistent' connections between the information sought in the subpoenas and any potential criminal violation. The subpoenas sought materials 'that largely, if not entirely, relate to conduct protected by the Constitution,' the judge wrote, noting that Minnesota has the legal right not to allocate its resources to enforce federal immigration law. The Justice Department 'is not conducting a criminal investigation,' the judge wrote, 'but is using the grand jury process for other (illegal) purposes.' The evidence that the subpoenas were issued for illegal reasons is overwhelming, the judge asserted, stating that the Justice Department 'has attempted — without success — to identify a single plausible investigative justification' for them. The Justice Department did not respond to an email requesting comment. Walz, in a statement, called the ruling 'a victory for the rule of law and our democracy.' 'The U.S. Department of Justice is pushing criminal investigations against the president's political opponents,' said Walz, the Democratic candidate for vice president in 2024. 'This case was just one example of that, but we see daily reminders of this government's disregard for the law — in Minnesota and across the country. We must continue to seek justice and uphold the rule of law.' Ellison stated that 'it should concern all Americans that Donald Trump is using the judicial system against those he disagrees with.' The subpoenas are 'a politically motivated retaliation against our city for standing up legally to ICE and fighting for our residents,' Her noted in a statement referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Frey asserted that the investigation 'never had to do with justice, law, and order, but with their absence.' 'Subpoenaing political opponents because they spoke on behalf of their constituents violates the fundamental principles of our democracy and human decency,' he expressed. Frey also pointed out that criticizing government actions is not a crime. 'One of the defining strengths of our democracy is the ability to question those in power without fear of retaliation. Elected officials have both the right and the responsibility to speak honestly about how government decisions affect the people they serve,' he stated. Over the past year, judges have dismissed formal charges against two prominent Trump adversaries, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, and grand juries have repeatedly refused to issue formal charges requested by the Justice Department. These actions reflect growing public concern that the Justice Department, an institution intended to make investigative and prosecutorial decisions independently of the White House, is being politicized under the current Trump administration. Separately, Vice President JD Vance has called on the Justice Department to investigate Walz and Ellison over allegations that they failed to stop widespread fraud in social services, although the department has not said whether it will open an investigation. Walz and Ellison have described those allegations as politically motivated and defended their efforts to combat fraud in Minnesota.
NationalWhy a Less Transparent Fed Could Raise Rates? Analysts Weigh In
The Federal Reserve has transitioned over decades from a remote and opaque government agency that shared little about its actions or reasoning, to a more transparent institution willing to explain its decision-making and views on the economy. However, in his first press conference last Wednesday, new Chairman Kevin Warsh began to reverse some of those steps. Warsh, like many economists, believes that financial markets have become overly reliant on the Fed's guidance, which is more effective during financial crises or economic recessions. Warsh's changes to the Fed's communications represent, to some extent, a return to the cautious approach of former Chairman Alan Greenspan, who passed away on Monday at the age of 100. As Chairman, Warsh has quickly fulfilled his promise to cut back on the Fed's communications, drastically reducing the post-meeting statement and emphasizing the removal of guidance previously provided to financial markets regarding future interest rate moves. Analysts warn that this approach carries the risk of more violent swings in stock and bond prices and could ultimately lead to higher interest rates for consumers and businesses. Warsh's strategy may signal a return to the 1990s, where previous Fed chairs provided clear guidance on upcoming agency moves, but Warsh appears to be following Greenspan's more enigmatic style. The reduction in communications is part of a broader package of potential reforms that Warsh announced, including the creation of five working groups to examine the Fed's communications, balance sheet, economic data analysis, the impact of AI on productivity and employment, and inflation frameworks. Warsh indicated that the communications working group would consider changes to the Fed's quarterly economic projections and review recent innovations, including press conferences. This marks a significant shift from the 1990s when Greenspan never officially explained a Fed decision to reporters. Previous Fed chairs have seen clear benefits in increased communication, as it helps guide markets in the direction the Fed desires. However, Warsh believes that financial markets have become too dependent on Fed guidance and wants investors to assess the Fed's next moves by examining economic data and forming their own judgments. Economists note that Warsh's approach will face challenges, especially during financial downturns or economic crises, where future guidance can play a crucial role in calming markets.
NationalSupreme Court to Evaluate Whether Federal Inmates Can Sue for Lack of Medical Treatment
The U.S. Supreme Court will review a case that could impact the ability of federal inmates to sue officials for constitutional violations. The case involves Kekai Watanabe, who claims he was denied medical treatment after a July 2021 riot at a federal prison in Honolulu. Watanabe alleges that a nurse, Francis Nielsen, only provided him with over-the-counter pain relief despite his complaints. He later suffered a fractured coccyx and had bone fragments embedded in surrounding tissue. A federal court dismissed his lawsuit, but the Ninth Circuit Court revived it, questioning the applicability of a 1980 Supreme Court ruling regarding inmate rights under the Eighth Amendment.
NationalPopular Vegan Nuggets and Sausage Patties Recalled Due to Plastic Contamination
Morningstar Farms is voluntarily recalling its Buffalo Chik'n Nuggets and Hot and Spicy Sausage Patties due to reports of plastic pieces found in the products. The recall affects items sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica, with specific UPC codes and best-by dates in July 2027. The company, based in Chicago, stated that customer safety is their top priority and has taken swift action to address the issue. No injuries have been reported, and customers are advised to discard the affected products and contact the company for a full refund.
NationalVance says talks with Iran in Switzerland laid a 'good foundation' for an agreement
In Switzerland, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that his discussions with Iranian officials laid a "good foundation for a successful final agreement" to end the ongoing conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel. Vance described the negotiations as having made significant progress, particularly regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon. He also suggested that the U.S. might unfreeze Iranian assets for purchasing American agricultural products. Despite some tensions, including remarks from President Trump that disrupted talks, Vance emphasized the importance of ongoing technical discussions to ensure stability in the region, particularly in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
NationalAlan Greenspan, economist and former Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100
Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve Chairman and influential economist, passed away at the age of 100, as confirmed by his wife, Andrea Mitchell. Greenspan led U.S. monetary policy for five terms under four presidents, shaping modern American capitalism from the late Cold War to the digital age. He oversaw one of the longest economic expansions in U.S. history from 1991 to 2001, but faced criticism for decisions that contributed to the 2007-08 financial crisis. Greenspan is remembered for his brilliance and kindness, leaving behind a legacy that includes numerous accolades and a significant impact on economic policy.
NationalElections in Peru: Keiko Fujimori Holds a 40,000 Vote Lead Over Sánchez
Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori maintains a lead of 40,818 votes over leftist Roberto Sánchez as 99.69% of the votes from the presidential runoff in Peru have been counted, entering a week that could be crucial for determining the final results of the electoral process. The National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) reported that as of early Monday, Fujimori has received 50.11% of valid votes, while Sánchez has 49.88%. This means that the Fuerza Popular candidate has garnered 9,188,704 votes compared to 9,147,886 for the Juntos por el Perú candidate. The ONPE detailed that 287 voting records remain pending, out of a total of 92,766, which still need to be reviewed by special electoral juries (JEE) due to some challenges. With each record having a maximum of 300 voters, there are currently about 86,000 votes left to be counted, making this week potentially decisive for knowing the final election results or at least establishing a lead that would make Fujimori's advantage irreversible. Given the decreasing percentage of records left to count, Fujimori stated last Saturday that she would be able to declare herself the winner of the presidential elections in a few days, while Sánchez reiterated that the process 'is not over yet' and that he will request the annulment of votes cast by Peruvians abroad. 'Now we can say, and there are only a few days left, yes we could!' said the daughter and political heir of former President Alberto Fujimori during a meeting with her supporters in southern Lima, asserting that 'five years of great challenges are coming,' but she is confident that 'with God's blessing, hard work, and the unity of all Peruvians, we will move forward.' Sánchez, for his part, confirmed that he is placing his final hopes in a request for the total annulment of over 300,000 votes cast by Peruvians abroad, citing alleged irregularities in the custody chain of those voting records, which, if proven, could reverse the results. The leftist announced that he will request the annulment of those votes on Monday, despite electoral authorities having rejected a previous request last week to annul nearly 2,000 polling stations both in Lima and in cities abroad. Neither Sánchez nor his party criticized the authorities' decision before the vote not to send the results of the records from abroad digitally and to wait for them to arrive in Lima for counting, a change that major international electoral observation missions did not find to be a serious irregularity or evidence of fraud. The National Jury of Elections (JNE) has indicated that, at the latest, the election results will be proclaimed by mid-July, just days before the new head of state, elected to govern for the next five years (2026-2031), takes office on July 28, following a decade of political instability during which Peru has had eight presidents.