National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalStarship’s Thirteenth Flight Test Set for July 16th
SpaceX is set to conduct the thirteenth flight test of its Starship on Thursday, July 16, with a launch window opening at 5:45 p.m. CT. The test aims to achieve objectives similar to previous flights, including deploying 20 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites. Modifications have been made to the Super Heavy booster and Starship's propulsion system to enhance reliability after issues were encountered in the twelfth flight. A live webcast will begin 30 minutes prior to launch on X @SpaceX, where updates will also be provided. This flight marks the first time Starship will carry V3 Starlink satellites into space.
NationalTrump says ICE can't give up traffic stops: 'Important and effective'
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should continue utilizing traffic stops, calling the tactic one of the agency's "most important and effective" crime-fighting tools.
NationalInteractive Map: Where Shootings and Incidents Involving ICE Agents Have Occurred
The shooting deaths of a Mexican man in Houston and a Colombian man in Maine within a week have renewed national attention on incidents involving agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Using data from The Trace's Gun Violence Data, which tracks information on gun violence, this interactive map highlights some incidents involving ICE agents since June 2025, when the Trump administration launched a large-scale federal immigration operation in Southern California. In response to comments about the incidents over the past year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated: 'Thanks to the efforts of the Trump administration, federal law enforcement agents are removing violent criminals from their communities and are directly responsible for the lowest homicide rate in 125 years!' The DHS included a January Axios report on the decline in murder rates since 1900. Timeline: Shootings and other force incidents involving ICE since June 2025. Click on a point for more information about the incident.
NationalBlanche Testifies at His Confirmation Hearing as U.S. Attorney General
During his confirmation hearing, interim Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein's files, acknowledging mistakes but emphasizing unprecedented transparency. Blanche, who has led the department since April, faces scrutiny over his aggressive investigations into Trump’s adversaries and a controversial $1.776 billion fund aimed at compensating those he claims are unjustly targeted. With over 1,200 former department members opposing his nomination, Blanche needs unanimous Republican support to advance, especially from Texas Senator John Cornyn and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who have expressed reservations. Questions regarding Epstein's files and the fund are expected during the hearing.
NationalPost Malone Joins Tom Cruise at World Cup Closing Ceremony
NEW YORK – American singer Post Malone will headline the closing ceremony of the World Cup during the final taking place this Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey area, joining celebrities like Tom Cruise and Robbie Williams. Post Malone, a singer and songwriter from New York, is the latest figure to be added to the closing ceremony for the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, as announced by FIFA in a statement on Wednesday. Other confirmed celebrities from the music and entertainment world for the ceremony include actor Tom Cruise, singers Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini, artist Nicole Scherzinger, and streamer IShowSpeed.
NationalTrump: ICE Should Continue Stopping Cars After Recent Shootings, Appearing to Contradict New Policy
President Donald Trump stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should continue traffic stops for detentions, despite reports of a policy change following recent fatal shootings. On Wednesday, Trump praised ICE's work on social media, insisting that strong measures are necessary to remove criminals he claims were allowed into the U.S. by the previous Democratic administration. This comes after a series of incidents, including the shooting of a Colombian driver in Maine and another fatal encounter in Houston. Critics, including Senator Susan Collins, have urged the cessation of non-urgent vehicle detentions due to safety concerns.
NationalTrump's Nominee for U.S. Intelligence Chief Faces Confirmation Hearing
Jay Clayton, President Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, is expected to receive a favorable reception during his confirmation hearing this Wednesday. Both Democratic and Republican legislators view Clayton, currently a federal prosecutor in New York, as a safe choice to replace interim director Bill Pulte. Concerns have arisen among Democrats regarding potential misuse of intelligence services in upcoming elections. Clayton has previously criticized the integrity of U.S. elections and has faced scrutiny over his lack of intelligence experience. His confirmation is seen as crucial for resolving a congressional deadlock on surveillance authority renewal.
NationalMexican Actress Elsa Aguirre, an Icon of Cinema, Passes Away
MEXICO CITY – Mexican actress Elsa Aguirre, one of the most emblematic figures of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and regarded as one of the most iconic faces on the national screen, passed away at the age of 95, the National Association of Interpreters (ANDI) reported on Wednesday. "The Board of Directors and the Surveillance Committee of the National Association of Interpreters announce the sad passing of our member Elsa Aguirre," the organization stated in a message posted on social media. In a brief statement, ANDI highlighted that Aguirre was "one of the most iconic and emblematic actresses of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema" and noted that she gained fame for both her artistic career and her image on the big screen. "Elsa was celebrated for her dramatic talent as well as being considered one of the most beautiful faces of the silver screen," the association added.
NationalMan Killed in Hit-and-Run While Fleeing ICE in Florida
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that a Mexican citizen died after being struck by a vehicle during an immigration operation in northeastern Florida. The incident occurred on July 14 around 6:42 a.m. on State Road SR-16 near Green Acres Road in St. Johns County. According to preliminary investigations, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attempted to detain four individuals in a gas station parking lot, prompting them to flee on foot. One individual ran across the highway and was hit by a trailer. The driver stopped to assist, but the victim, aged 28, died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
NationalMexican Immigrant Killed in Hit-and-Run While Fleeing ICE in Florida
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that a Mexican citizen died after being struck by a vehicle during an immigration operation in northeastern Florida. On July 14, DHS agents conducted an operation near St. Johns. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the incident that occurred around 6:42 a.m. on SR-16 near Green Acres Road. Preliminary reports indicate that four individuals fled a vehicle during the encounter, and one was hit by a trailer while crossing the road. The victim, 28 years old, died at the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
NationalIran Threatens to Halt Energy Exports from the Middle East Following U.S. Blockade
The U.S. military has reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports and intensified airstrikes in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes reportedly killed at least seven Iranian soldiers and injured over 260 others. As tensions escalate, Iran's Revolutionary Guard has threatened to halt all energy exports from the Middle East. The conflict has disrupted a recent ceasefire agreement, and both nations have exchanged retaliatory attacks, raising concerns of a broader war. Oil prices are climbing, with Brent crude exceeding $85 per barrel, as the situation remains volatile in the region.
NationalResale tickets for the World Cup final start at $7,000
NEW YORK – Resale tickets for the World Cup final this Sunday, July 19, where Spain will seek its second star against the winner of the England-Argentina match, start at $7,000 for the cheapest seats and go up to $39,000 for the most expensive on the most popular resale websites in the United States. With four days to go until the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey area, resale ticket prices range from $7,000 for the cheapest to over $30,000 for the most expensive. Tickets for the World Cup final are no longer available on FIFA's official website for regular seating, only 'hospitality' tickets are being offered.
NationalTrump administration orders ICE to suspend most vehicle stops after two deadly shootings: AP source
The Trump administration has directed ICE to halt most vehicle stops following two fatal shootings involving officers. The decision comes after an ICE officer shot and killed a Colombian driver in Maine, just a week after another officer shot a motorist in Houston. Protests erupted in Maine over the death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, who was killed during an encounter with ICE while allegedly trying to flee. The suspension allows exceptions for criminal warrants. Maine's congressional delegation is calling for a thorough investigation, while critics, including former Colombian President Gustavo Petro, condemned the shootings as targeted killings by U.S. authorities.
National"We don't need the army": Trump confirms military will leave Iraq
The United States military will withdraw from Iraq by the end of September, U.S. and Iraqi officials announced on Tuesday, following a 23-year presence that began with the 2003 invasion and transitioned to much-reduced operations against ISIS. President Donald Trump, standing alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House, stated, "We don't believe we need the army there anymore," highlighting Iraq's growing relationships with oil companies. "It's a huge relationship where we don't need the army," Trump expressed. "We're there to help them. We're there to protect them if necessary. But we don't believe that will be needed." Through an interpreter, al-Zaidi noted that "U.S. forces will leave Iraq" by September 30, "while U.S. companies will remain in Iraq." The Pentagon later indicated in a statement that it would ratify a 2024 agreement with Iraq to end its mission against ISIS fighters. Many of the U.S. soldiers who were still in Iraq at the time of the agreement, reached during the Biden administration, have already departed. The United States has been shifting the burden of combating ISIS to Iraqi troops who have been trained by the U.S. military. U.S. troops have been reducing their presence, withdrawing from areas and concentrating forces.
NationalNational Restaurant Association Applauds House Passage of Federal Rounding Legislation
The National Restaurant Association has praised the House's approval of the Common Cents Act, which addresses the challenges faced by restaurant operators due to the phase-out of the penny. This legislation allows for rounding in cash transactions and offers protections for business owners, simplifying sales processes and reducing confusion. With 25% of restaurant transactions made in cash, the bill aims to provide clarity and consistency for both operators and customers. The legislation now awaits consideration in the Senate, where the Association is advocating for its swift passage to support small businesses nationwide.
NationalHouse of Representatives Approves Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
Efforts in Congress to make daylight saving time permanent gained momentum after the House of Representatives passed a bill that would eliminate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. The legislation, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, was approved with 308 votes in favor and 117 against. It would establish the current daylight saving time observed from March to November nationwide, unless a state opted out before the law took effect. Former President Donald Trump publicly urged Congress to pass the legislation, stating on Truth Social on May 21 that he would 'work very hard to get the Sunshine Protection Act enacted.' He added, 'It’s time for people to stop worrying about the “clock,” not to mention all the work and money spent on this ridiculous twice-a-year procedure. It will also be a great VICTORY for the Republican Party. Take advantage of it!' The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. A Senate version of the Sunshine Protection Act stalled last year after Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) opposed fast-tracking the bill through unanimous consent in October. Cotton argued that switching to permanent daylight saving time could have unforeseen negative consequences, pointing out areas of the country where the sun wouldn’t rise until 9 a.m. or later, and mentioned the potentially dangerous dark morning commutes for workers who would have to start early without sunlight. Changing the clock twice a year is unpopular among Americans, according to a 2025 AP-NORC poll, but opinions on how to modify the system are divided. Congress has attempted to address the issue before; in 2022, the Senate voted to make daylight saving time permanent through unanimous consent, a measure that failed to advance in the House. In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon enacted a law establishing daylight saving time as the norm for two years to save energy during the oil crisis; however, the legislation was repealed less than a year after taking effect due to disapproval from Americans regarding dark mornings. Almost all states have considered legislation to end the biannual clock changes, and 19 states have passed laws allowing them to keep daylight saving time year-round if Congress does the same, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Daylight saving time was temporarily implemented as a wartime measure during World War I and World War II, but it was not officially established nationwide until the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which set clocks forward one hour in March and back one hour in November. Arizona, Hawaii, and several U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, do not observe daylight saving time. This article was originally published in English by Raquel Coronell Uribe and Kyle Stewart for our sister network NBC News. The note was translated with the help of an artificial intelligence tool. An editor from Telemundo Digital reviewed the translation.
NationalHouston Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking After East Texas Federal Investigation
Indolfo Hernandez, a 36-year-old man from Houston, has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges after an investigation by a Homeland Security Task Force in East Texas. On July 10, 2026, Hernandez admitted to conspiring to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. The investigation, initiated in January 2024, uncovered a drug trafficking organization he led, which was responsible for distributing large quantities of meth across Texas. Law enforcement seized more than 16 kilograms of the drug during the operation. Hernandez faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, with the possibility of life in prison, pending a sentencing hearing.
NationalICE plans to temporarily limit traffic stops following fatal shootings: reports
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has privately directed its officers to temporarily pause traffic stops in the wake of two deadly shootings, though the agency would not confirm the directive publicly. Sources confirmed to NewsNation, The Hill’s sister outlet, that such stops would be temporarily halted nationwide. Other outlets said ICE has directed agents
NationalUSS San Antonio Deployed to Venezuela for Relief Mission
The USS San Antonio arrived at La Guaira, Venezuela, on July 9, taking over from the USS Fort Lauderdale in a humanitarian mission following the June 24 earthquakes. This amphibious transport dock will serve as the main coordination hub for U.S. Southern Command and the State Department to deliver aid and manage relief operations. The San Antonio is equipped with advanced medical facilities and a flight deck for search and rescue missions. U.S. military forces are prepared to support the Venezuelan government and international partners in ongoing relief efforts, transitioning responsibilities to local authorities as the situation stabilizes.