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National

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes the Philippines, Leaving at Least 32 Dead

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and over 200 injuries. The quake, centered offshore near Mindanao, caused significant damage in General Santos, including collapsed buildings and a major bridge. A tsunami of 1 meter was recorded, prompting temporary evacuations. Search and rescue teams are working to locate at least 12 missing individuals. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the cancellation of classes and immediate disaster response efforts. The earthquake, the strongest in the region this year, also affected infrastructure and led to flight cancellations at General Santos International Airport.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 8, 2026
National

British deputy prime minister tells JD Vance he was wrong to blame immigration for teen murder

British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance for blaming immigration for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed in Southampton. In a recent phone call, Lammy emphasized that the assailant, Vickrum Digwa, is British and that the crime is unrelated to mass migration. Digwa, who was convicted of murder, falsely claimed Nowak had attacked him racially. Lammy urged Vance to refrain from inflammatory comments, highlighting the Nowak family's wish for unity rather than division. The incident has sparked protests and drawn attention from anti-immigration activists in the U.K.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 7, 2026
National

Lawsuit seeks to stop the UFC fight on the White House South Lawn for Trump birthday

A federal lawsuit has been filed to stop a UFC fight scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House, coinciding with President Trump's 80th birthday and the nation's 250th anniversary. The Public Integrity Project, representing two Virginia residents, argues that the Trump administration's approval of the event violates National Park Service regulations against sporting events on federal lands. They claim no environmental review was conducted and that Congress did not consent to the construction. The White House dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, asserting the event is similar to other permitted White House activities.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 7, 2026
National

Five Injured in Stabbing at Penn Station in New York City

At least six people were injured in a stabbing incident at Penn Station in New York City. Amtrak police have taken one individual into custody, believed to be suffering from mental health issues. The New York City Fire Department received reports of the attack shortly after 7 p.m. One victim is in critical condition, while others have non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities do not consider the incident an act of terrorism. New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the violence, stating that New Yorkers deserve to feel safe wherever they go. The investigation is ongoing.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 7, 2026
National

Hundreds Turn Out to See the Pope's Procession Decorated with Thousands of Flowers

Pope León XIV praised Spain's century-old religious devotion during a mass attended by one million people in Madrid. The event featured a procession on flower petal carpets, with 16 elaborate designs created by Galician florists using over 30,000 flowers. This visit marks the Pope's first trip to Spain in 15 years, coinciding with the Catholic feast of Corpus Domini. León emphasized the importance of these traditions in fostering faith among younger generations in a country where religious practice has declined. The mass concluded with the Pope walking on the floral carpets, as children scattered more petals in his path.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 7, 2026
National

FBI Warns Drone Operators to Stay Away from World Cup Matches

As the FIFA World Cup approaches, the FBI warns drone operators to stay away from match venues. Over 60 local, county, and state law enforcement agencies have completed a federal training program aimed at detecting unauthorized drones. The FBI plans to continue training even after the tournament ends. Drones pose unique challenges due to their evolving technology and potential to carry harmful payloads. The FAA has established flight restrictions around major events. While no credible threats have been identified, officials anticipate security incidents. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, featuring 48 teams across 16 cities in North America.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 7, 2026
National

Mountain Guide Dies After Falling into Crevasse on Mount McKinley in Alaska

A seasonal mountain guide with the National Park Service, Robin Pendery, tragically died after falling into a crevasse on Mount McKinley in Alaska. The incident occurred near a camp at 14,000 feet, where Pendery was part of the climbing patrol. Despite rescue efforts, she did not survive. Pendery, originally from Enumclaw, Washington, had been with Denali National Park since 2024, focusing on climber safety and emergency response. She previously worked with Alpine Ascents International, earning respect for her skills and compassion. The park superintendent expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a dedicated colleague and friend.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

Shooting at a festival in Ohio leaves several injured

A shooting near the Old West End Festival in Toledo, Ohio, on June 6, 2026, left at least 12 people injured, with two in critical condition. Toledo Police reported that the incident prompted a chaotic scene as festival-goers sought shelter. Authorities believe at least two individuals were exchanging gunfire. Videos shared on social media captured the panic as shots rang out. Witness Kevin Berry, present at the festival, recounted seeing people hit by bullets and immediately began assisting the injured. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed deep concern, emphasizing that summer festivals should be safe spaces for families.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

Judge halts Trump administration efforts to impose conditions on SNAP

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempt to impose new conditions on states seeking funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This decision comes after 20 Democratic states filed a lawsuit against the Agriculture Department, arguing that the proposed conditions, which include restrictions on 'gender ideology' and 'immigration,' are unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun issued a preliminary injunction and plans to provide further explanation later. SNAP supports around 39 million Americans, but recent data shows a decline in beneficiaries, attributed to new requirements from a tax and spending cut bill passed last summer.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 6, 2026
National

Peru Chooses President Between a Conservative and a Progressive

Peruvians will vote this Sunday in a presidential runoff between conservative Keiko Fujimori and progressive Roberto Sánchez amid a political and security crisis. In the first round, Fujimori received 17.18% of the votes, while Sánchez garnered 12.03%. Recent polls show Fujimori with 38% and Sánchez with 35%, with 27% still undecided. Both candidates face significant rejection, with 40% and 38% of voters unwilling to support them, respectively. Fujimori promises order and security, while Sánchez seeks to reassure investors about his policies. Analysts note that regardless of the winner, governance challenges will persist due to a fragmented Congress.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

Body of American Student Missing in Japan Found

The body of 20-year-old Auburn University student James 'Weston' Higginbotham, who had been missing in Japan for a week, was found in a mountainous area near Kyoto. He disappeared while traveling with his family, last seen at the Kyoto train station on May 29. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, announced the discovery on Facebook, expressing indescribable pain and gratitude for the support received during the search. Weston had reportedly walked away after a discussion about artificial intelligence, and concerns grew about his emotional state. Heavy rains from a typhoon had delayed search efforts until Wednesday.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

Under Maximum Surveillance: The 11 World Cup Venues in the U.S. Prepare for Unprecedented Threats

As the World Cup approaches, security preparations are intensifying across 11 U.S. cities, with millions of soccer fans expected to attend. Andrew Giuliani, the White House task force director for the event, emphasized the need for collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement to address unprecedented security threats. The tournament, starting next week, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Host cities have received $625 million in federal funds for security enhancements. Additionally, concerns over a rare Ebola outbreak in Congo are being monitored, affecting the national team's training plans. Discussions are ongoing regarding fan safety measures, including restrictions on refillable water bottles.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

Blow to Trump: Judge Blocks Restrictions on States to Access SNAP Funds

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to impose new conditions on states seeking funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic states, which argued that the restrictions related to gender ideology, immigration, and sports equality for women and girls were unconstitutional. The judge, Myong Joun, issued a preliminary injunction and plans to provide a memorandum explaining his decision. SNAP serves over 40 million participants monthly, and recent data shows a decline in beneficiaries, attributed to new requirements from a tax and spending bill pushed by Republicans.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

The Incredible Cockroach Party Jumps from the Internet to the Streets of India

NEW DELHI, India – Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach People's Party (CJP), a youth movement in India that started as a satire on social media, held their first protest this Saturday in New Delhi following the return of their leader, Abhijeet Dipke. Wearing cockroach masks and holding copies of the Indian Constitution, the protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to a series of leaks, technical errors, and cancellations in various official exams that have sparked outrage among Indian youth. 'Exam answers are being sold before the exam takes place. They can cost around $10,500. Those who buy the answers come out victorious; while others who cannot afford them cannot advance,' said Aditi Mishra, president of the student union at Jawaharlal Nehru University, during the protest. The concern over these official exams, often crucial in a country facing a 15.3% youth unemployment rate, prompted many young people to join the CJP protest on Saturday.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 6, 2026
National

A federal judge strikes down Trump administration immigration policy affecting 39 countries

A federal judge in Boston has invalidated a Trump administration immigration policy that affected immigrants from 39 countries, making it harder for them to enter or remain in the U.S. The ruling by U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. criticized the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for acting outside its legal authority and failing to provide necessary explanations for its decisions. The policy, enacted after a shooting involving National Guard members, barred immigrants from receiving final decisions on asylum, work permits, and citizenship applications. Immigration advocates hailed the decision as a crucial win for lawful immigration pathways.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Jun 5, 2026
National

Maine Air National Guard Steps Up for Operation Epic Fury

The Maine Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing has played a crucial role in Operation Epic Fury, moving over 747,000 pounds of cargo and 312 passengers since the operation began. The unit has managed 302 cargo pieces, including hazardous materials and aircraft parts, while supporting 97 missions with various aircraft types. They processed 394 outbound shipments, totaling around 5,000 pounds. Additional personnel from five units joined to enhance operations, emphasizing teamwork and efficiency. Staff Sgt. Eric LeFave highlighted the importance of their work in supporting troops overseas, reflecting the commitment of the Air Force to mission success.

Texas Border Business · Jun 5, 2026
National

Critics Slam Massive Funding Injection for Trump's Deportation Agenda

Almost unconditionally, Congress is poised to provide a substantial injection of funds to the Department of Homeland Security, which will bolster President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda for the remainder of his term in the White House. The nearly $70 billion package, approved by the Republican-controlled Senate in a midnight vote and now heading to the House of Representatives, has been labeled a 'rotten bill' by the Democratic leader and described as 'an ATM for ICE' by pro-immigrant advocates. For those who align with Trump's campaign promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, the plan virtually guarantees a continuous flow of money to execute the government's immigration enforcement operations, adding to the approximately $170 billion that Congress already approved for the department last summer as part of Trump's major tax cut plan. 'We will continue to arrest people, we will continue to detain people, and we will continue to deport people,' Trump’s border czar Tom Homan stated Friday to CBS News. He hinted that immigration enforcement raids are expected in New York City this summer. The congressional funding comes at a crucial time for the Republican president and his party as they face anxious voters ahead of the midterm elections. Approximately one in three adults in the U.S. knows someone affected by Trump's immigration operations, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in April. As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, most say it is no longer a great place for immigrants. The congressional funding package is a scant dozen pages long and lacks any of the usual safeguards or guidelines typically required in legislation. It allocates $30 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and nearly $20 billion for the Border Patrol and other items, prepaying the department's operations through 2029. 'Their options are limitless in terms of what they can do with this money,' said Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of America’s Voice, a long-standing immigrant advocacy organization. 'It’s hard to accept, as a taxpayer, that our dollars are going to this massive deportation machine while Americans struggle to cover healthcare costs, access food, and pay so much for gas.' The government has attempted to redirect the debate over its immigration operations by installing new leadership at Homeland Security following violent immigration enforcement scenes earlier this year and the shooting deaths of Americans Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Instead of dramatic street raids, the government is working behind the scenes on measures that strip immigrant groups of their ability to remain in the U.S., eliminating Temporary Protected Status or making it harder to obtain permanent residency cards. The so-called 'dreamers,' young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children, have reported delays in renewing their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, exposing them to potential deportation. However, protests continue on U.S. streets, such as one held over detention conditions at the Delaney Hall center in New Jersey. At the same time, Homeland Security continues to hire more ICE agents — the agency will hold a job fair next month in Florida — builds more detention centers, and partners with countries around the world to accept people deported from the U.S. In a statement, the department asserted that Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin are 'fully focused on ensuring that the hardworking men and women' of ICE and Customs and Border Protection have full funding. It noted that the congressional package 'will ensure that our critical national security operations continue despite any Democratic attempts to take our great patriotic employees hostage in the future.' The power of money becomes a blank check. Typically, a congressional funding package would have hundreds of pages or more, with a variety of specific instructions on how the money can be spent and on what timelines. After all, Congress has the power of the purse and often uses that constitutional role to impose checks on the government. But after Democrats refused to fund the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year following the violence in Minnesota, Republicans responded by using the congressional budget resolution process to impose the package on their own, outside traditional appropriations channels. It is the same process both parties have used in the past, most recently with Trump's tax cut plan for 2025. 'There is not all this important oversight happening,' noted Bobby Kogan, a former staff member of the Senate Budget Committee and current member of the Center for American Progress think tank. Overnight, Senate Democrats worked to exercise that authority, introducing amendments to ensure Congress had a say in the process. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, for example, tried to protect 'dreamers' from deportation while their DACA renewals are delayed. But all those efforts failed. Meanwhile, the government faces enormous pressure to fulfill its promise to ramp up deportations to around 1 million a year, after the figures from the Republican president's first year fell short of promises. Mike Howell, president of the Oversight Project, is one of the leaders of the Mass Deportation Coalition pushing the Trump administration to meet its promises. 'Everyone is talking about ICE getting another massive injection of money, and I don’t see it that way at all,' he said. 'It’s getting just enough money to stay alive.' 'We’re not asking them to keep going,' Howell said. 'We’re asking them to start.' Howell stated that there is little chance the Trump administration can meet the president's deportation goals unless it abandons its priority of going after what it calls 'the worst of the worst.' His group released a framework earlier this year proposing broader raids to arrest immigrants, particularly in workplaces. They also want the Trump administration to make it harder for immigrants in the U.S. to use the banking system, access social services, and obtain driver's licenses. Congressional Republicans have introduced bills addressing some of those issues. The government has ramped up its own rhetoric and recently launched a new website characterizing immigrants as 'aliens' — with outer space themes — and suggesting ways the White House is working to prevent those individuals from remaining in the U.S.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 5, 2026
National

US Issues Travel Recommendations for Mexico: What You Should Know Days Before the World Cup

With just six days until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the US Embassy and consulates in Mexico have issued recommendations for those crossing the border, whether to attend a match or for various other reasons. The tournament, which will take place in 16 cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada, is expected to attract 5.5 million visitors to Mexico, according to the detailed communication from the US Embassy and consulates. Although all of Mexico is classified under Level 2 of the State Department's travel alert—indicating 'exercise increased caution'—there are areas with higher alert levels. The embassy and consulates emphasized specific warnings for the World Cup, ranging from how to avoid dangers while driving to tips on packing. Prohibited items for entry into Mexico include weapons and ammunition, electronic cigarettes and vaping liquids, as well as illegal drugs. 'If you plan to drive to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, be well-informed to avoid dangerous situations that other Americans have faced on Mexican roads. Please carefully review the travel alert information for each state along your route to understand the risks you may encounter along the way,' the statement reads. Additionally, travelers are advised to 'check their luggage and clothing pockets before traveling if they regularly carry prohibited items in Mexico. Bringing prohibited items can lead to severe penalties, even if done accidentally.'

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 5, 2026
National

Trump Administration Asks Banks to Take Action Against Undocumented Individuals

The financial crimes division of the Treasury Department wants banks to help identify payroll schemes linked to undocumented individuals as part of the Trump administration's latest measure to tighten immigration control. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, issued a notice on Friday asking banks to be vigilant against identity theft, tax fraud, and money laundering schemes related to the hiring of unauthorized workers. This comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May requiring banks to scrutinize the citizenship of their clients more closely. The order instructs banking regulators and government agencies to look for signs that undocumented individuals are opening accounts or obtaining loans or credit cards. However, the order is less aggressive than banks had anticipated, as they expected the White House to mandate the collection of citizenship information from clients. Still, without encouraging widespread exclusion of large segments of the population, the order aims to deter individuals who are in the U.S. illegally from interacting with the financial system. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a release that the Trump administration 'will not allow illegal outsiders to abuse financial institutions to steal billions of dollars from hardworking American taxpayers.' 'Schemes to pay illegal workers often rely on access to the U.S. financial system, including U.S. banks,' Bessent added. Since banks have never collected information on the citizenship or immigration status of their clients, there are no reliable public figures on how much risk these clients pose to the financial system. The banking industry had been intensely lobbying for months to prevent the White House from issuing an executive order that would have made the collection of clients' citizenship status mandatory, arguing that it would be costly and require enormous amounts of paperwork. Given that the order only provided guidance to banks rather than a mandate, it seems the banks managed to convince the White House. The notice urges financial institutions to be alert for 'red flags' that an individual is in the U.S. illegally.

Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) · Jun 5, 2026
National

Austin Woman Gets 4 Years for Stealing $1.7M from Federal Non-Profit

Star Rana Jackson, a former Executive Director of the American Indian Center of Arkansas (AICA), has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for wire fraud. Jackson, 50, from Austin, embezzled over $1.7 million from AICA, a non-profit funded by federal grants. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was also ordered to pay nearly $1.8 million in restitution. During her tenure, Jackson misappropriated funds from various grants, including $30,000 from the Department of Education and $40,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services, using the money for personal expenses. The investigation was led by the FBI.

Texas Border Business · Jun 5, 2026