Politics
Politics news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsCuellar Meets with Pharr Officials as City Outlines Economic Development and Infrastructure Priorities
Congressman Henry Cuellar met with Pharr city officials on Monday to discuss local priorities after redistricting placed Pharr back in his congressional district. The meeting, held at the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, covered updates on infrastructure projects, economic growth, and the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge, which is 95% complete. City leaders highlighted the success of Pharr Connect, a municipally owned broadband network providing affordable internet to over 60% of residents. Additionally, they announced the construction of a new one-million-square-foot facility by MasterBrand, further contributing to the city’s economic development efforts.
PoliticsTexas vs. Netflix: Paxton Sues Streaming Giant for Secretly Spying on Millions of Users
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that the streaming service has been secretly collecting data from Texans, including children, without their consent. The lawsuit claims Netflix misrepresented its data collection practices, stating it does not extensively track users. In reality, the platform logs users' viewing habits and preferences, selling this information to data brokers and advertisers. Paxton aims to enforce the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking to halt Netflix's data collection, disable autoplay on children's profiles, and impose penalties for these practices.
PoliticsTexas Families Gain Control Over TV Privacy Following Paxton’s Agreement with LG
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has reached a settlement with LG Electronics to enhance privacy protections for consumers using smart TVs. The agreement prohibits LG from using Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to collect viewing data without user consent. LG will implement a pop-up disclosure on its smart TVs and update its website to inform users about data collection practices. Additionally, LG has committed to preventing the transfer of viewing data to the Chinese Communist Party. This settlement follows Paxton's previous legal actions against other companies, ensuring Texans' privacy rights are upheld in their homes.
Politics'Dreamer' still faces removal after being deported, allowed back, rearrested, released
A 30-year-old South Texas man with DACA status who was arrested and deported by ICE earlier this year and then U.S. authorities returned him to the United States only to re-arrest him upon reentry, has been released into the community.
PoliticsSupreme Court Temporarily Extends Full Access to Abortion Pill
The Supreme Court will maintain, at least until Thursday, women's access to an abortion pill while justices consider whether to allow restrictions on the drug, mifepristone, to take effect. An order issued Monday by Justice Samuel Alito allows women seeking to terminate a pregnancy to continue obtaining the pill at pharmacies or by mail, without an in-person doctor visit. For now, it prevents restrictions on mifepristone imposed by a federal appeals court from taking effect. The court is facing its latest abortion controversy four years after its conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing more than a dozen states to impose near-total bans on abortion. The case before the court originated from a lawsuit Louisiana filed to overturn the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rules on how mifepristone can be prescribed. The state argues that the policy undermines the existing ban there and questions the safety of the drug, which was first approved in 2000 and has been repeatedly deemed safe and effective by FDA scientists. Lower courts concluded that Louisiana is likely to prevail, and a panel of three judges from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mail access and telehealth consultations must be suspended while the case unfolds.
PoliticsWill the federal gas tax be suspended? Trump supports the idea but a key step is missing
President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he would support temporarily suspending the federal gas tax 'until it is appropriate.' Suspending the federal gas tax, which is currently about 18 cents per gallon, would require Congressional approval. When asked by a reporter if he would suspend the federal gas tax, Trump replied, 'yes.' 'I will reduce it until—let me tell you, once this is over with Iran, once it's over, you'll see gas and oil plummet,' he added.
PoliticsSuspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Pleads Not Guilty
A man accused of storming the White House Correspondents' Association dinner armed with guns and knives pleaded not guilty on Monday to two charges: attempted murder of the president and shooting at a Secret Service agent. Cole Tomas Allen appeared in federal court for his arraignment, handcuffed, shackled, and wearing an orange inmate uniform. Allen did not speak during the brief hearing. One of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf. Allen's lawyers are asking District Judge Trevor McFadden to recuse at least two senior Justice Department officials from any direct involvement in his prosecution, as they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential conflict of interest. According to authorities, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen breached a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm stated that the defense would likely request the entire office of Pirro be recused from any involvement in the case.
PoliticsInside Valley Politics: NRCC to spend big in Valley elections, Gina Hinojosa calls for suspension of state gas tax
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It was a tale of two school bonds in the May 2 election. McAllen ISD voters approved the district's $335 million bond proposition. While voters in Sharyland voted down the three bond proposals on the ballot by significant margins. The Republican and Democratic parties are poised to make big investments in
PoliticsTransportation Secretary Defends His New Road Trip Reality Show
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is launching a controversial road trip reality series titled "The Great American Road Trip" on YouTube, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The show features Duffy, his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy, and their nine children traveling across the country. Critics have voiced concerns over the insensitivity of the project, especially as gas prices have surged to over $4.50 per gallon. Duffy claims that production costs are covered by a nonprofit organization and not taxpayers. However, questions remain about potential conflicts of interest due to corporate sponsors that his department regulates.
PoliticsIran Responds to Latest US Ceasefire Proposal
President Donald Trump rejected Iran's response to the U.S. ceasefire proposal, calling it 'totally unacceptable.' Iran aims to end the war on multiple fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Hezbollah. The U.S. proposal included terms to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran prefers to discuss later. Tensions escalated with drone incidents in the region, leading to accusations against Iran. The U.S. military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports since April, while Iran claims to be prepared to defend its nuclear sites. Both sides remain at a stalemate amid ongoing hostilities.
PoliticsU.S. Considers Suspending Gas Tax Amid Rising Prices
The U.S. government is considering a temporary suspension of the federal gasoline tax in response to rising fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the White House is open to freezing the tax to alleviate consumer costs. The federal tax includes 18.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.3 cents for diesel. Currently, gasoline prices have surged to an average of $4.52 per gallon, a 50% increase since the conflict began. Many Americans are adjusting their driving habits and household budgets due to these rising costs, according to a recent Washington Post survey.
PoliticsMichael Fallek Wins McAllen District 5 Special Election
Michael Fallek has won the special election for McAllen's District 5, securing 573 votes, which is 50.13% of the total ballots cast. The unofficial results, announced on May 9, indicate that no runoff election will be necessary. Felida Villarreal followed with 411 votes (35.96%), while Mark Murray received 159 votes (13.91%). Fallek expressed gratitude for the support he received and emphasized his readiness to serve the community. Villarreal congratulated Fallek and reaffirmed her commitment to McAllen, stating that she will continue to be involved in community service despite the election results.
PoliticsMcAllen commission election finalized, Fallek wins seat
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) - The city of McAllen says the special election it held recently to fill the District 5 commission seat is finalized. Officials say they completed the count of all early voting, election day, provisional ballots, and mail-in ballots. As he did last Saturday, Michael Fallek received the most votes at 573. Since
PoliticsTxDOT seeks public input for Texas-Mexico border transport plan
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Public Transportation is seeking input from the public on its Border Transportation Master Plan. According to TxDOT, the Border Transportation Master Plan was created to guide long-term decisions affecting the safety and travel of border communities. Additionally, the BTMP plans to help Texas and Mexico improve border
PoliticsFamilies Seek to Turn the World Cup in Mexico into a Protest for the Disappeared
MEXICO CITY – Amid preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City, families of missing persons are organizing protests to highlight a national crisis they claim has been ignored, originating from the same area where President Claudia Sheinbaum's political career was established. In Tlalpan, in the southern part of the capital, while authorities finalize operations and logistics to welcome thousands of visitors for the soccer tournament, families of young people who have disappeared are coming together through search flyers, meetings with officials, and support networks built from similar cases. Parents are preparing peaceful protests starting from the opening match at Estadio Banorte, better known as Azteca, on June 11, along with letters addressed to embassies to warn about security risks that they say could also affect tourists. 'We want the world to see (…) that while they celebrate World Cup matches inside, we are outside mourning the disappearance of a loved one,' explained Vanessa Gamez to EFE, who has been searching for her daughter Ana Amelí García Gámez, missing at the age of 19 for the past nine months. The searching mother believes that for the government, 'finding the disappeared is not a priority' and rejected the official narrative that minimizes cases as voluntary absences or automatically links them to criminal activities.
PoliticsPalmview city manager resigns after 7 years
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After serving for more than seven years, Palmview City Manager Michael Leo has stepped down from his position. According to a spokesperson for the city of Palmview, Leo's last day will be May 29, which has also been officially designated as "Mr. Michael Leo's Day" in Palmview. The decision was announced
PoliticsICE Releases Parents of Young Man with Terminal Cancer; They Are Now on Their Way to Reunite with Him in Mexico
NOGALES – The parents of Kevin González, a young man with terminal cancer, have been released by ICE after spending several days detained at the Florence detention center in Arizona. Around noon on May 8, Isidoro González Avilés and Norma Anabel Ramírez Amaya crossed the border at Nogales and could arrive in Durango later today. "I love him very much," Ramírez Amaya told Telemundo Arizona in a message to her son. In January, Kevin was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, and the disease has spread throughout his body. According to doctors, there are no treatment options left, and his time is limited.
PoliticsDe la Cruz Opens 2026 Campaign Headquarters in Weslaco
Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz inaugurated her 2026 campaign headquarters in Weslaco on May 7, located at 1501 W Business 83. The event included the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer by Pastor Garza, and speeches from local Republican leaders. De La Cruz emphasized her campaign priorities, such as border security, economic affordability, and water rights for South Texas farmers, linking her agenda to that of former President Trump. She described her election as a turning point for South Texas, advocating for working families and encouraging supporters to mobilize for the upcoming election.
PoliticsUS Begins Review of 53 Mexican Consulates That Could Lead to Closures, Officials Say
The U.S. government has begun a review of the 53 Mexican consulates in the country, which could lead to some closures, according to a State Department official. No reasons for the review were provided, nor its implications, but it may heighten tensions between the two neighboring nations. The review comes amid increased U.S. involvement in Latin America under President Trump, including military operations and sanctions. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to maintain a strong relationship with Trump while addressing organized crime. The Mexican consulates play a crucial role in assisting Mexican citizens in the U.S. with legal and identification needs.