National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalTrump DOJ sues 4 Democratic-run states over denying undercover license plates for federal agents
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing four states—Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington—over their refusal to issue undercover license plates to federal agents. The DOJ claims these states are imposing unconstitutional restrictions that hinder law enforcement and jeopardize agent safety. State officials argue their policies aim to protect citizens from aggressive tactics used by federal agents. The lawsuits assert that the states are obstructing federal immigration enforcement, which is a federal power. Maine's Secretary of State and other officials defend their decisions, stating they prioritize safety and constitutional rights over federal demands.
NationalNew Dem Chair Brad Schneider talks the New Dems’ American Promise with NOTUS
YouTube video by NewDemocratCoalition
NationalMarco Rubio, JD Vance virtually tied in 2028 presidential primary poll
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are separated by one point in a potential 2028 presidential primary preview, according to a new Emerson College Polling survey.
NationalTrump Administration Asks Prosecutors Not to Investigate Delcy Rodríguez in the U.S., According to AP
The Donald Trump administration has discreetly instructed federal prosecutors in Miami to avoid criminally investigating Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, who has long been a target of the DEA, according to U.S. officials and former law enforcement officials. This marks the latest indication of a warming relationship between the White House and the South American nation. It is unclear whether prosecutors had implicated Rodríguez in any crime or if investigators were moving toward a formal indictment. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice indicated in an email that 'there has never been an investigation into her to close.' However, DEA records obtained by The Associated Press this year show that her name has consistently appeared on the radar of federal law enforcement agencies since at least 2018, although she has never been criminally charged in the U.S., unlike other high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
NationalFormer CIA Agent Accused of Hiding Gold Bars Worth $40 Million
A former CIA agent has been accused of lying to his employers about his background for nearly two decades and secretly hiding gold bars valued at $40 million in his home, according to court documents and two people familiar with the official's work history. David Rush, who held a senior management position, was charged with theft of public funds in a complaint filed last week in the Eastern District of Virginia. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Rush claimed he needed the gold bars for 'work-related expenses,' according to court documents. He is also accused of lying to his employers about his background for nearly two decades. When asked about Rush's case, a CIA spokesperson stated, in a joint statement with the FBI, that the FBI had arrested a person following a referral from the agency. 'After an internal CIA investigation identified potential violations of the law, CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the information to the FBI for a criminal investigation,' the written statement noted.
NationalJudge Greenlights Trump's Order to Limit Mail-In Voting and Create Voter Registry
A federal judge has upheld President Donald Trump's executive order that establishes a national voter registry and limits mail-in voting, paving the way for significant changes to U.S. elections ahead of the midterm elections in November. Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump, rejected requests from Democrats and civil rights groups who argued that the order may be unconstitutional. Nichols stated it was premature to issue a ruling since the order has not yet been implemented. Legal challenges continue, with advocates planning to file further motions if the government moves forward with the order. Trump's initiative aims to create a list of eligible voters and restrict mail-in ballots to those on the list.
NationalDOJ Opens Criminal Investigation into E. Jean Carroll's Testimony in Lawsuits Against Trump
The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation to determine if E. Jean Carroll committed perjury during her civil lawsuits against former President Donald Trump. Carroll, a former magazine writer, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store in the mid-1990s. In 2023, a jury awarded her $5 million in damages after finding Trump liable for the assault. The following year, she received $83 million in a defamation case. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and claims he does not know Carroll. He is seeking Supreme Court intervention in both cases.
NationalInflation Rose to 3.8% in April: Prices Increased for Numerous Items
In April, inflation rose to 3.8%, the highest level in three years, driven by increasing gasoline and food prices, according to the Department of Commerce. This marks an increase from 3.5% in March and is significantly above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Monthly prices increased by 0.4%, a slowdown from March's 0.7% rise. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, reached 3.3%. Consumer incomes remained unchanged in April, but when adjusted for inflation, they actually fell by 0.1%. The persistent inflation may pose challenges for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
NationalFBI Warns of Possible Foreign Government Intimidation During the World Cup
FBI Director Kash Patel warned that foreign governments may increase intimidation and harassment activities during the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. He stated that hostile regimes might attempt to silence or even assassinate individuals they perceive as threats. The FBI will deploy counterintelligence teams in over 56 locations, including Philadelphia, which will host six matches. This warning comes amid diplomatic tensions, particularly concerning Iran's participation. The U.S. has allowed the Iranian team to enter but will not permit them to stay overnight. The World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, with the final on July 19 in New Jersey.
NationalUS Supreme Court settles long-running water dispute over dwindling Rio Grande
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has approved a settlement package designed to rein in groundwater pumping along one of North America’s longest rivers and ensure enough water reliably makes it from New Mexico to Texas, ending a long-running dispute over management of the Rio Grande. In a brief order Tuesday, the court accepted the
NationalThe last of the gentlemen Republicans: John Cornyn four-decade political career ends with a MAGA uprising
U.S. Senator John Cornyn's political career, spanning over four decades, came to an end when he lost the Republican primary runoff to Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26, 2026. Cornyn, who had previously garnered bipartisan support, faced backlash from the GOP base for his moderate stances, including voting to certify Joe Biden's election and supporting a gun safety bill. Despite significant financial backing and endorsements, he was unable to overcome Paxton's loyalty to Donald Trump, which resonated more with Republican voters. Cornyn's defeat marks a significant shift in Texas politics, reflecting the rise of a more populist, Trump-aligned Republican Party.
NationalICE detainees are dying by suicide at an alarming rate, an AP investigation finds
An Associated Press investigation reveals a troubling rise in suicides among ICE detainees, with at least 10 men taking their lives since January 2025. The deaths, including that of Brayan Rayo Garzon, highlight systemic failures in mental health care and oversight within ICE facilities. Rayo, who died in April 2025 after pleading for mental health support, was among a significant number of detainees experiencing severe distress and isolation. Experts indicate that the increase in suicides reflects inadequate treatment and monitoring, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of detainees in the U.S. immigration system.
NationalOne in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll finds
A recent poll by UnidosUS reveals that 20% of Latino Texans who voted for Donald Trump in 2024 would not do so again. The survey of 500 registered Latino voters indicates that two-thirds disapprove of Trump's performance, with economic issues like cost of living and inflation being top concerns. In key battleground districts, 54% of respondents plan to vote for Democratic candidates, while only 27% support Republicans. The poll also highlights strong support for immigration reform among Latino voters, with 80% favoring an amnesty period for long-term undocumented residents. This shift may impact future elections in Texas.
NationalSpaceX's Starship rockets are grounded pending investigation after test flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX Starship launches are on hold pending an investigation into last week’s test flight. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that the hourlong spaceflight resulted in a mishap based on the performance of the mega rocket's first-stage booster. Minutes after Starship blasted off from Texas on Friday, the booster separated
NationalSuicide Deaths in ICE Facilities Reach 'Alarming' Rate, According to AP Investigation
Brayan Rayo Garzon felt distressed. After being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), he began his fourth day in isolation at a Missouri jail while battling COVID-19 symptoms. His request for mental health treatment had been postponed, and staff prohibited him from making his nightly call to his mother to prevent disease spread. He pleaded with his jailers in handwritten notes to arrange a conversation with her, expressing concern for her well-being. Less than an hour after a guard collected his note, he was found unconscious in his cell, with an autopsy ruling his death a suicide. Rayo's death in April 2025 marked the beginning of a surge in suicides among ICE detainees, alarming public health officials and prison experts who noted the unprecedented number of suicide deaths as evidence of inadequate oversight of the detention of tens of thousands of immigrants caught in the aggressive deportation strategy of President Donald Trump's administration. The Associated Press found that at least 10 detainees, all men, have died by suicide since Trump took office in January 2025, a rate that far exceeds the growth of the detained population. Since October, seven deaths have been classified as suicides, the highest annual total in the agency's history. Experts indicate that many of these deaths could have been prevented with timely medical care. The acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Lauren Bis, stated that suicide deaths in ICE custody remain 'extremely rare.' In response to the AP investigation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a formal protest regarding Rayo's death and urged the U.S. government to reflect on how immigration policy is harming both Americans and Latin Americans.
NationalSearch for American Woman Who Disappeared in Bahamas After Falling Overboard Resumes
The U.S. Coast Guard will resume the search for Lynette Hooker, the Michigan woman who has been missing since April after falling overboard in the Bahamas, according to a U.S. official familiar with the investigation. The search is being restarted because GPS data from the vessel that she and her husband, Brian Hooker, were on appears to contradict his account of her whereabouts on the night she disappeared, the official stated. Hooker's account led investigators to search 'in the wrong area' of the Abaco Sea while trying to locate the 55-year-old Lynette, the official noted. The Coast Guard is seeking permission from Bahamian authorities to allow divers to re-scan the waters, the official added.
NationalIncredible: NASA Plans a Lunar Base with Landers, Rovers, and Drones
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — NASA is already commissioning lander modules, exploration vehicles, and drones for an extensive lunar base, less than two months after the historic lunar flyby of the Artemis II mission. The space agency unveiled the first phase of its lunar base plans on Tuesday, awarding contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars to four American companies. Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos's company, will supply a pair of lander modules to transport lunar vehicles to the surface of the Moon, specifically near its south pole. These vehicles, referred to as 'lunar terrain vehicles,' will be manufactured by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost. Firefly Aerospace, which successfully landed on the Moon last year, will be responsible for delivering the first drones to the satellite.
NationalSheinbaum: Four U.S. Agents Were Operating in Mexico Without Permission
MEXICO CITY — President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Wednesday that there were four U.S. agents operating in the country without authorization, two of whom died in April in an accident in the state of Chihuahua, while the other two left Mexican territory at the request of authorities. More than a month after the incident that caused friction between Mexico and Washington and internal tensions, Sheinbaum confirmed a number of U.S. agents that is double what Mexican authorities had initially acknowledged in Chihuahua. Without providing details about the agents' identities, their activities in Mexico, or whether they belonged to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the president said the two surviving agents were asked to leave the country because they 'did not have accreditation.' Sheinbaum explained that the four agents entered Mexico 'with legal, diplomatic passports, (and) as tourists,' but did not follow the registration protocol with the Mexican government, adding that the two agents who were 'asked to register or leave the country' chose to depart. The presence of the U.S. officials in Mexico became known shortly after the death of two of them in a traffic accident that occurred on April 19 in the mountains of northern Chihuahua, where a clandestine synthetic drug lab had been dismantled.
NationalWorld Cup 2026: FIFA Investigated for 'Exorbitant' Ticket Prices in NJ and NY
The states of New Jersey and New York have launched an investigation into FIFA's high ticket prices and sales practices for the 2026 World Cup. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and New York Attorney General Letitia James issued subpoenas to FIFA on Wednesday, seeking information about its ticket sales practices following reports that fans may have been misled about the location of the seats they purchased. The reports also indicated that FIFA's public statements and ticket releases might have contributed to rising prices. The subpoenas specifically request details about FIFA's ticket sales practices for the eight World Cup matches to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the World Cup final on July 19, 2026. 'Being honest in ticket sales is not complicated. However, FIFA has turned buying a World Cup ticket into a nightmare of confusion, artificial scarcity, and exorbitant prices, all at the expense of consumers and hardworking residents of New Jersey,' stated Attorney General Davenport. 'We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into FIFA's conduct, and we are proud to join forces with Attorney General James to protect our consumers. It is an honor to host the World Cup, but this event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.'