National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalBad Bunny and His Super Bowl Show Receive Nine Emmy Nominations
Bad Bunny's halftime show at the Super Bowl received nine nominations on Wednesday at the 78th Emmy Awards, making it the most nominated halftime show in the history of the championship. The Puerto Rican artist's performance is nominated in several categories recognizing the best variety programs for its production design, choreography, direction, hairstyling, lighting design, musical direction, sound mixing, technical direction, and best camera work. Additionally, it competes for the award for best live variety special. Furthermore, the episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by the artist in October 2025 is nominated for best makeup in a variety, nonfiction, or reality program at this year's Emmys. In his much-discussed Super Bowl performance, where the Seattle Seahawks faced the New England Patriots, Bad Bunny asserted that America is the entire continent, not just the United States, showcasing all the flags of the region. The singer closed his concert with the chant 'God bless America!' while holding a football that read 'Together we’re America' and parading with the flags and names of each country from the continent, from Chile to Canada. This show has now set the record for the most Emmy nominations for a Super Bowl halftime performance, a record previously held by Lady Gaga since 2017, who was also nominated today for an Emmy for the song 'The Dead Dance' from the series 'Wednesday.'
NationalTrump warns Iran that US is preparing for more strikes after saying ceasefire is over
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is preparing for further strikes against Iran, declaring the ceasefire over due to recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. Following exchanges of fire between Iranian and U.S. military targets, Trump reiterated threats to target Iran's civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities. He stated that U.S. forces had struck Iranian air defenses and small boats used by the Revolutionary Guard. The situation escalated tensions in the region, with oil prices rising sharply. Iran's leadership faces internal divisions over how to respond, complicating ongoing negotiations aimed at a peace deal.
NationalTrump to Request SCOTUS to Reconsider Birthright Citizenship 'Immediately'
The U.S. president announced that he will ask the Supreme Court to revisit the birthright citizenship case. On his Truth Social account, Donald Trump stated that he will make the request 'immediately.' 'This legal aberration will destroy the United States if they do not change their decision, which is absolute madness,' he wrote in the post. Trump also mentioned that 'signs and billboards are being placed all along our southern border and in Mexico announcing citizenship by birthright, with offers for 'births starting at $4,000.' According to the president, this is a 'scam' that 'will generate billions of dollars illegally, granting citizenship to anyone willing to pay.' Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the executive order Trump signed on the first day of his second term to end the right granted by the 14th Amendment, which states that individuals born on U.S. soil are U.S. citizens, was illegal. However, the executive order never took effect as courts across the country blocked it.
NationalTexas Wins Legal Battle to Stop Illegal Wind Turbine Dumping, Force Cleanup
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has obtained a Temporary Injunction against Global Fiberglass Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates to halt illegal wind turbine blade dumping. The injunction prohibits the acceptance of new shipments and mandates the cleanup of two facilities in Sweetwater, Texas, where over 3,000 discarded turbine blades have been improperly stored. This action aims to protect Texas land and communities from environmental harm. The Attorney General's office will ensure compliance with the cleanup and pursue civil penalties for violations of state waste disposal laws. Paxton emphasized the importance of safeguarding Texas's environment and public health.
NationalUS Announces New Airstrikes Following Iran's Attack in the Strait of Hormuz
The United States conducted another round of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, just hours after President Donald Trump stated that recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the ceasefire. Military officials posted on social media that the strikes aimed to 'further degrade' Iran's ability 'to threaten the freedom of navigation' in the Strait of Hormuz. This action comes just a day after the US military targeted various military sites and port facilities following Iran's attack on several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman. The social media post stated that the US 'is holding Iran accountable for the recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.' Iranian state media reported explosions, including in the port city of Bandar Abbas in the Strait of Hormuz and in Sirik, another southern coastal city.
NationalMexico, the United States, and Panama Join Forces to Combat the Cattle Bot Fly
Mexican Consul Judith Arrieta in Brownsville announced a collaborative effort among Mexico, the United States, and Panama to combat the cattle tick, a pest threatening the livestock industry and regional economy. A key strategy includes launching a facility in Mexico to produce 30 million sterile flies weekly, part of a joint investment with the U.S. Panama is also involved in this regional initiative. The method involves releasing sterile flies to mate with wild ones, disrupting the pest's reproductive cycle. By November, production is expected to increase to 100 million flies weekly, enhancing control efforts in Mexico and the border region.
NationalHow Families Can Claim a $1,000 Investment Account for Eligible Children
The Trump Account program allows every child in the U.S. under 18 to open an investment account. Children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, will receive a one-time federal contribution of $1,000, invested in a low-cost U.S. stock index fund. Parents or guardians can apply online or via IRS Form 4547. Additional contributions up to $5,000 annually can be made by family members and employers. Program leaders anticipate securing over $100 billion in contributions within the first year, aiming to fund accounts for around 70 million children, promoting personal savings and long-term investment.
NationalOp Ed: Backing the Ranchers that Put Food on Our Tables
A year after the Working Families Tax Cuts were enacted, ranchers are seeing benefits that help sustain food production in the U.S. The tax cuts allow ranchers to deduct up to 20% of their business income and fully expense equipment costs, fostering growth and investment. Additionally, significant estate tax relief helps family-owned ranches remain intact across generations. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has partnered with the USDA to streamline regulations affecting rural businesses, enhancing access to financing. With increased loan limits and combined financing options, ranchers can modernize operations and expand, ensuring a stable food supply for the nation.
NationalStabilization underway at NYC building with buckled columns
City leaders in NYC say they are confident in ongoing stabilization efforts at the buckling high-rise that sparked chaos across Midtown.
NationalOil prices jump 5 percent after US revokes Iran oil sanctions waiver
Oil prices on Tuesday jumped over 5 percent after the U.S. revoked its waiver on Iranian oil sanctions following strikes on three commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
NationalFormer Wisconsin Judge Who Helped Mexican Immigrant Evade ICE to Be Sentenced
Former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, convicted of obstruction of justice for helping a Mexican immigrant evade ICE, is set to be sentenced in federal court on Wednesday. Dugan, 67, faces up to five years in prison after a jury found her guilty on December 19. She resigned from her position as a Milwaukee County circuit judge shortly after, amid threats of impeachment from Republican lawmakers. The case highlighted the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies. Prosecutors are seeking a severe sentence, while Dugan's attorneys argue she has already faced significant consequences. Dugan plans to appeal regardless of the outcome.
NationalMan Found Among 1,000 Pounds of Trash in National Forest; Claims He Lived There for Eight Years
Mark Aaron Gatz was found living in a camp at Tonto National Forest, Arizona, surrounded by 1,000 pounds of trash. He admitted to residing there for eight years and pleaded guilty to violating fire restrictions and illegally using federal land. As part of a plea deal, he received three months of probation and a $20 fine, avoiding a potential $5,000 restitution to the U.S. Forest Service. Gatz had previously been warned about illegal campfires and had six federal arrest warrants. He was arrested on June 25 and had been living in the forest for approximately eight years, accumulating significant waste.
NationalTrump's New Clash with NATO: Allies Reject His Plans for Greenland and Iran
During a NATO summit in Turkey, President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the alliance for opposing his plans regarding Greenland and not supporting his actions against Iran. He emphasized Greenland's importance to the U.S. for global protection, criticizing European allies for their reluctance to engage in the conflict with Iran. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly rejected Trump's claims about Greenland, asserting its right to self-determination. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged increased defense spending among member countries, but Trump continues to demand greater financial commitment from allies, aiming for a more self-sufficient NATO in terms of European security.
NationalTrump warns that the ceasefire with Iran has ended, but negotiations could continue
President Donald Trump announced from Turkey that the ceasefire with Iran has ended following recent escalated attacks. He expressed his disdain for Iran, calling its leaders cruel and violent, and stated, "I’m done with them." While he believes negotiations may continue, he suggested they are a waste of time, labeling Iranian officials as liars. Trump's comments came after U.S. attacks in response to assaults on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Following his announcement, oil prices surged nearly 6%, with Brent crude rising to over $78 per barrel. Iran has not confirmed the ceasefire's status.
NationalOver 600 drones seized by FBI during World Cup
Federal authorities have seized more than 600 drones for violating flight restrictions around World Cup games.
NationalEditorial: Citizenship Should Never Be a Business Model
Allegations against Mission Regional Medical Center suggest the hospital marketed 'Birth Packages in South Texas' to foreign nationals, aiming to profit from birth tourism, according to Governor Greg Abbott. If true, these claims could undermine public trust in healthcare and the integrity of American citizenship. Abbott has instructed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a thorough investigation. The case raises important questions about the commercialization of healthcare services and whether current regulations are adequate to prevent such practices. The outcome of the investigation is awaited, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethical conduct in medical institutions.
NationalDe la Espriella Accuses Colombia's Outgoing Government of Coup; Provides No Evidence
BOGOTÁ — Colombia's elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, suspended the government transition process with outgoing president Gustavo Petro on Tuesday, who had previously rejected De la Espriella's electoral victory, alleging fraud. In a video posted on social media, the conservative De la Espriella claimed that by denying his victory, Petro and former official candidate Iván Cepeda initiated a plan to 'stay in power at all costs' through a coup, for which he provided no evidence. 'As the elected president, I ask the Armed Forces of Colombia to uphold their oath: to protect the Constitution and democracy and not to obey any orders Petro may give in the opposite direction,' De la Espriella stated, urging the international community to monitor the government transition and asking his voters for 'resistance' until August 7, when he will take office. Hours earlier, Petro had posted on X that although some urged him to 'remain in power knowing that those coming did not win the elections,' he would not do so because the 'popular mandate given to me has an end, and I am a democrat.' The government transition, known as 'empalme' in Colombia, is typically a formal process to welcome the new administration. However, the process between Petro and De la Espriella, who are politically opposed, has been surrounded by mutual accusations. Finance Minister and Petro's transition coordinator, Germán Ávila, ordered his team to suspend the process as a reciprocal measure, criticizing statements made by Carlos Alfonso Lucio, a member of De la Espriella's team, who claimed the new government would bring the findings of the 'anti-corruption' transition process to justice. 'The empalme is not a criminal investigation, it is not a trial,' Ávila asserted, announcing a criminal complaint against Lucio. De la Espriella, who was supported during his campaign by U.S. President Donald Trump, stated he is willing to 'confront, defeat, and punish' Petro, ensuring he will make him 'pay for all his crimes within the framework of the law.' While Petro did not explicitly address the accusation of an attempted 'coup,' he called for 'civil resistance against an illegitimate government.' Cepeda, after acknowledging De la Espriella's victory, warned he would resort to 'peaceful civil disobedience' if the conservative did not renounce his dual U.S. citizenship before taking office.
NationalUS Strikes Iran in Retaliation for Attacks on Commercial Vessels
The United States military launched new strikes against Iran on Tuesday in retaliation for Iranian aggression against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a post by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X. "CENTCOM forces have begun to launch a series of decisive strikes against Iran to impose a high cost for attacking commercial vessels manned by innocent civilians in an international waterway," CENTCOM stated. "The U.S. strikes respond to Iranian aggression against three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's demonstrated aggression was unjustified, dangerous, and constituted a clear violation of the ceasefire." The attacks come as U.S. and Iranian officials negotiate maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which nearly 20% of the world's oil passed before the war. Iran has maintained that it has the right to charge a fee to ships passing through the strait. This article was originally published in English by Courtney Kube and Babak Dehghanpisheh for our sister network NBC News. This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. A Telemundo Digital editor reviewed the translation.
NationalWho Lied? Sheinbaum Questions FBI's Role in Capture of El Mayo Zambada
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum questioned the U.S. narrative regarding the capture of drug trafficker Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada on Tuesday, asking, 'Who lied?' This came after a report revived doubts about the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) involvement in the operation. Sheinbaum recalled that the then U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, stated in 2024 that no U.S. agency participated in the operation, but noted that a recent report claims the FBI attributes the operation that led to Zambada's transfer to U.S. territory to its agency. The president stated that this contradiction prompted the Mexican government to request new information about the case, pointing out that 'it is not understood why this plane is presented as an operation of a U.S. agency' when the official U.S. version was different. 'Who is lying? Who lied? Did Ambassador Ken Salazar lie?' Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference.