San Benito mayoral candidates make final pitches to voters

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Both candidates in the San Benito mayoral race say their goal is to move the city forward. Incumbent Mayor Ricardo Guerra is seeking a third term against Pedro "Pete" Galvan, who has served as a city commissioner alongside the mayor since 2020. Guerra says his main focus is infrastructure and flood

For the Second Time: Government Files Charges Against Former FBI Director Comey

WASHINGTON — Former FBI Director James Comey was charged on Tuesday in connection with an investigation involving a photograph posted on social media. The image depicted seashells arranged on a beach, which authorities claim represented a threat against President Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. The individual, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue, confirmed the charges to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity. The specific charge or charges against Comey were not immediately disclosed. This marks the second criminal case the Department of Justice has initiated against Trump’s former adversary. Comey stated that he believed the arrangement of the shells—which he noticed during a walk and formed the inscription '86 47'—was a political message rather than a call to violence.

USCIS Reminds Asylum Applicants to Pay Annual Fee or Face Consequences

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that asylum applicants who fail to pay the annual fee will have their applications rejected. In a statement on its website, USCIS explained that 'in an effort to comply with the legal mandate requiring the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the annual fee payment, the interim final rule establishes that if a foreign national does not pay the annual fee within 30 days of notification, USCIS will reject their pending asylum application. If the foreign national does not have legal status in the United States, USCIS will also initiate removal proceedings.' The Department of Homeland Security implemented the annual fee for asylum applicants last year as a way to increase revenue to support immigration operations.

Mayor Ochoa and Ellie Torres Highlight Regional Push to Strengthen Drainage System

Texas Border Business By Texas Border Business Omar Ochoa and Ellie Torres, Precinct 4 commissioner for Hidalgo County, outlined efforts to improve drainage across the region, emphasizing how city and county systems work together to manage water flow in Edinburg and surrounding areas. Ochoa said the discussion is part of an ongoing public series on

King Charles Meets with Trump at the White House; Will Address Congress Next

WASHINGTON DC — King Charles III is set to don some of Washington's most formal ceremonial attire on Tuesday in an effort to underscore the deep ties between the United Kingdom and the United States. He will become the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, did so in 1991. Her speech highlighted the shared history of both nations and the importance of their democratic values—topics Charles is expected to emphasize in his address. Such speeches are reserved for the world's most prominent leaders, including Pope Francis, Václav Havel, and Winston Churchill. This event is likely to be Charles's most significant public appearance during his four-day visit to the United States, which aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain. Earlier this year, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson became the first sitting leader of the House to address the UK Parliament. On Monday, Johnson attended a reception in Washington's gardens alongside the king, where he remarked that he had assured Charles he would be "warmly welcomed" in Congress.

Trumps call for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel again after morbid joke about first lady

South Texas immigration attorneys report pattern of DACA processing delays

Immigration 'trap': New decision could leave DACA holders vulnerable to removal

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals, part of the Justice Department, could make it easier to deport Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals holders—potentially weakening protections under the program. This is causing many in the Rio Grande Valley to fear, even though they might have temporary protected status under the

Ray Thomas Urges Lawyers to Vote as State Bar Election Nears Deadline April 30th

With only a few days remaining before the April 30, 2026, deadline, Ray Thomas is calling on members of the State Bar of Texas to participate in the election for president-elect, noting that “90% of the lawyers have yet to vote” and stressing that participation is critical.

Mexico De-escalates Tension with U.S. Over CIA Agents Case

MEXICO CITY — President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out a conflict with the United States on Monday following an incident involving two CIA agents who died in an accident in Chihuahua state. According to Mexico, the agents were not authorized to operate in the country. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum expressed her willingness to move past the controversy that erupted last week after it was revealed that the agents had died alongside two local prosecutor's office officials during an operation to dismantle a synthetic drug lab. 'We hope this is an exceptional case... that situations like this do not happen again,' the president said. On Saturday, the federal Security Secretariat stated in a press release that one of the U.S. agents had entered Mexico as a visitor, while the other had entered with a diplomatic passport. The agency also confirmed it was unaware of foreign agents operating in its territory. The deceased Americans were members of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), confirmed The Associated Press last week through a U.S. official and two other individuals familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of intelligence issues. The CIA has not commented on the case. Last year, the Mexican government reached an agreement with the administration of Donald Trump to coordinate security actions and exchange information while respecting the sovereignty of both nations.

Paxton Steps Up Pressure on Austin ISD in Fight Over School Restroom and Locker Room Rules

Texas Border Business AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton sent another letter to Austin ISD (“AISD”) demanding copies of district policies and enforcement actions related to reports that a male student has been allowed to use female-only facilities.  In March 2026, Attorney General Paxton issued a notice to Austin ISD after a citizen’s complaint raised awareness that

McAllen City Commissioner Voices Support for School Bond Proposal

McAllen City Commissioner Tony Aguirre has publicly expressed support for McAllen Independent School District Proposition A, a $335 million bond measure scheduled for a May 2, 2026, election.

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Texas’ newly redrawn congressional map

Texas’ newly redrawn congressional map is officially cleared for use, after the U.S. Supreme Court formally overturned a lower court’s ruling Monday. In November, the high court allowed the map to be used temporarily. Monday’s ruling maintains that status quo permanently, ensuring the new lines will be used for the 2026 midterms and going forward.

Inside Valley Politics: School bonds and more on the ballot in May elections

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Mayoral races, city commissioner seats, school bond propositions and more are on ballots across the Valley. Early voting ends April 28, and Election Day is May 2. In Mercedes, incumbent Mayor Oscar Montoya is being challenged by Velda Garcia. Montoya was first elected in 2020 and re-elected three years later. Garcia

Sen. Cornyn Targets $240 Billion in Stolen Taxpayer Funds with New Anti-Fraud Bill

Texas Border Business WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, a comprehensive legislative package to recover stolen funds, protect taxpayer dollars, and stop fraudsters that includes his Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, which would establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

Texas lawmakers to hold hearing after committee visited Camp Mystic

The Texas Senate and House General Investigating Committees will hold a hearing to listen to more evidence and testimony on the July 2025 flooding Monday.

Local politicians comment on White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Local lawmakers and politicians have commented on last night's shooting at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel. As reported by The Hill, the suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen, who is expected to be arraigned on Monday on two preliminary charges, which include using a

Brownsville Mexican consulate sees increase in dual citizenship applications amid deportation fears

Sheinbaum Inaugurates Train Connecting Mexico City with State of Mexico and Hidalgo

Mexico City — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum inaugurated the 'Felipe Ángeles' train this Sunday, which will connect the capital with the State of Mexico and Hidalgo in central Mexico. The train aims to improve access from Mexico City to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), reduce transportation costs for peripheral municipalities in the State of Mexico, and revive Buenavista in Mexico City as a national railway hub. “This train, which connects Mexico City to the State of Mexico and Hidalgo, will be named, starting today, the Felipe Ángeles train,” Sheinbaum stated during the opening ceremony of the project, which is part of her policy to revive passenger rail services. The route spans 41.6 kilometers between Buenavista and AIFA. In its initial phase, the journey will take approximately 60 minutes, though authorities expect to reduce it to 43 minutes as operations stabilize. The service will begin with four trains in circulation, one in reserve, and one in maintenance, with ten trains ready to be progressively added. Each train can accommodate 719 passengers, with an initial frequency of 30 minutes and a goal to reduce it to 12 minutes. During the first month, the trip between Buenavista and AIFA will have a promotional fare of 45 pesos (about $2.50), while trips to intermediate stations will cost 11.5 pesos (around $0.64). Final fares will be announced after this period. The project also aims to address daily mobility needs for municipalities in the State of Mexico, not just air passengers, as it connects with the Buenavista-Cuautitlán Suburban Train, Metro Line B, three Metrobús lines, Ecobici, Mexibús, and local public transportation in the country's most populous state. Sheinbaum defended the project as part of a socially-focused infrastructure vision. “We guarantee the right to food, the right to education, the right to health, and also the right to mobility,” she said. She added that the railway revival represents “the possibility for Mexicans to travel across the country at affordable prices and with the best possible transportation.” In addition to connecting with AIFA, Buenavista is set to become the starting point for new railway routes to Pachuca, Querétaro, Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, Guadalajara, and Celaya, according to Andrés Lajous, Director General of the Mexican Government's Agency for Integrated Public Transportation and Trains. The project includes six new stations equipped with elevators, tactile guides, luggage spaces, video surveillance, speakers, and universal accessibility in both stations and trains. “Today we tell the people of Mexico: we govern for the people. Mission accomplished, people of Mexico,” Sheinbaum concluded before cutting the ribbon.