Politics
Politics news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsEngineering the Future of Weslaco Through Planning and Accountability
Weslaco is prioritizing long-term engineering and planning to improve its infrastructure, according to Mayor Adrian Gonzalez. The city is moving away from temporary fixes for flooding issues and has engaged 19 engineering firms to design sustainable projects. Gonzalez emphasized the need for solutions that last 15 to 20 years, with an estimated investment of over $100 million needed for drainage improvements. He noted that projects will be fully engineered and ready for construction once funding is secured. Public cooperation is crucial, as residents are encouraged to avoid illegal dumping that can obstruct drainage systems.
PoliticsCBP chief reaffirms border wall is not being built at Big Bend parks
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said the agency will not build a 30-foot wall or install stadium lighting through Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park or the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area.
PoliticsMercedes City Administrator Resigns
The City of Mercedes has officially announced the resignation of its administrator, Alberto Perez. His tenure was marked by dedicated leadership and institutional strengthening. During his time, Perez worked closely with city officials to advance crucial infrastructure projects and improve internal operations, significantly contributing to the city's sustained growth. He played a key role in implementing progressive systems for public administration and enhancing strategic partnerships at various levels. Mayor Oscar Montoya expressed gratitude for Perez's contributions, assuring residents and businesses that a continuity plan is in place to prevent disruptions in services and ongoing economic development projects.
PoliticsRegional Partnerships Drive Weslaco’s Flood Control Strategy
Weslaco is enhancing its flood control strategy through collaboration with regional partners, including Hidalgo County and the Texas Department of Transportation. Mayor Adrian Gonzalez emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to manage stormwater effectively, as it flows across municipal borders. The city is working on cleaning and widening drainage channels to improve water flow during heavy rains. Gonzalez noted that Weslaco's low-lying geography requires gravity-driven drainage systems to protect neighborhoods. Ongoing investments in infrastructure and regional cooperation aim to bolster flood protection and prepare for future growth amid increasing severe weather events.
PoliticsTexas will audit up to 300 projects, mostly data centers, after Gov. Greg Abbott order
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an audit of 250 to 300 data center projects to address public concerns about their rapid expansion. The audit, which is expected to take several months, is a response to the significant demand these centers will place on the state's grid, projected to exceed 200 gigawatts. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will prioritize this audit before approving any new connections to the grid. Abbott's directive also requires developers to disclose information on tax breaks, energy use, and community impact. Meanwhile, there are ongoing debates about new transmission lines needed to support this energy demand.
PoliticsLawsuit over potential canal damage halts border wall work at Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge
A federal temporary restraining order has halted border wall construction at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge due to alleged damage to a canal in Alamo. The Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2 filed the lawsuit on July 30 against Spencer Construction, LLC, and Royal Concrete Products, LLC, claiming they trespassed on district land and harmed the canal. The court found sufficient reason to extend the restraining order until August 27, 2026, to prevent further damage. A hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 17, to address the lawsuit and consider a preliminary injunction.
PoliticsMercedes city manager resigns
Alberto Perez, the City Manager of Mercedes, has officially resigned from his position, as announced by the city. During his tenure, he collaborated with city officials and staff on initiatives to enhance city operations and foster growth. The city recognized his efforts in establishing progressive systems and forming partnerships at various levels. Mayor Oscar Montoya praised Perez for contributing to the city's fiscal stability and growth. He reassured residents that Mercedes is focused on economic development and has a continuity plan in place to ensure uninterrupted services and investments. A city commission meeting is set for August 18 to discuss the manager's contract.
PoliticsCongressman Gonzalez secures $2M in funds for Donna Sports Complex
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) secured $2 million in federal funding to support upgrades to the Donna Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Gonzalez presented the $2 million to Donna city leaders outside the sports complex on Friday morning. "I'm investing in small communities that have a struggle to raise tax resources to build beautiful parks like
PoliticsMercedes city manager submits resignation from position
Alberto Perez, the City Manager of Mercedes, has resigned from his position, as announced by the city. During his tenure, Perez collaborated with city officials on various projects to enhance operations and promote growth in Mercedes. He was recognized for establishing progressive systems and fostering partnerships at local, regional, and international levels. Mayor Oscar Montoya praised Perez's contributions to the city's fiscal stability and growth. Montoya reassured residents that the city is committed to economic development and has a continuity plan in place to ensure services and investments remain uninterrupted. A city commission meeting is set for August 18 to discuss the manager's contract.
PoliticsAppeals Court Restores Texas Mail-In Voter ID Rules
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated key provisions of Texas's Election Integrity Act, Senate Bill 1, which was challenged in a federal district court. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed this decision as a victory for election integrity, emphasizing that it requires mail-in voters to provide an identification number or Social Security number that matches state records. The law also allows voters to correct defects in their mail-in ballots and strengthens protections against coercion at polling places. Paxton has committed to defending these laws to ensure fair elections and maintain public trust in the electoral process.
PoliticsMercedes city manager Alberto Perez resigns
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Mercedes city manager Alberto Perez has resigned from his position, the city announced. Perez, a Starr County native, started his role as city manager in 2021. The Pan American graduate moved to Houston and Austin before returning home to the Rio Grande Valley to serve his role as city manager in
PoliticsAlready on a deportation flight: Soldier's wife released after a month in detention center
The wife of a U.S. soldier, who spent over a month in a federal immigration detention center, stated that she is back home after agents removed her from a deportation flight to Brazil. The Associated Press highlighted the case of Maisa Lopes Eliaser earlier this month as one of several spouses or parents of U.S. military personnel who had been detained after the Trump administration reversed protections for military families amid its push for mass deportations. Following the AP report, a group of Democrats in Congress launched an investigation into the deportations of military service members and their families. Eliaser was placed on a deportation flight on Wednesday bound for her native Brazil when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on the plane received a phone call about her mid-flight, she told the AP. She noted that an ICE agent then asked her if she wanted to continue to Brazil or return to the United States. 'Who made the call? We don’t know,' said Eliaser's husband, Army Sergeant First Class Alexis Jaramillo. 'But someone made the call, and then she came back.'
PoliticsBorder Czar Defends Shock Gloves for ICE Agents
Tom Homan, the White House border czar, defended the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plan to equip its agents with gloves capable of delivering painful electric shocks, stating that it is a tool to help officers end confrontations without resorting to lethal force. 'It's another device to help someone comply when they are not,' Homan said Thursday during an interview on Fox News Channel's 'Fox & Friends.' 'You can't go from 0 to 100, right? And have the first thing you resort to be lethal force.' Homan's comments mark the first public statements from a Trump administration official in defense of ICE's plan to spend up to $20 million to acquire thousands of 'conductive distraction and de-escalation devices' for agents. The devices, known as G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky. They have been used in recent years by some jails and police departments.
PoliticsAre You Ready to Vote in Texas? Here’s a Guide with Everything You Need to Know
TEXAS – Texas voters who wish to participate in the elections on November 3, 2026, must ensure they are registered before the state’s deadline. The deadline to register to vote for the November 3 elections is Monday, October 5, 2026, according to the Texas Secretary of State. State law requires eligible voters to register at least 30 days before an election. However, election officials recommend completing the process early, especially if the application will be sent by mail. Who can register to vote in Texas? To register, a person must meet the following requirements: Be a U.S. citizen. Be a resident of the county where they are applying. Be at least 17 years and 10 months old at the time of applying for registration and have turned 18 by election day. Not have a current felony conviction. A person may become eligible again after completing their sentence, including any applicable period of probation or supervision. Not have been declared totally or partially mentally incapacitated, without the right to vote, by a court with jurisdiction.
PoliticsRio Hondo city administrator resigns; police chief named interim leader
Ben Medina Jr. has resigned as the city administrator of Rio Hondo, effective August 11. The city announced his departure via social media, expressing gratitude for his years of service. In his place, Police Chief Julian Longoria has been appointed as the interim city administrator. The city stated that Longoria will hold this position while officials assess the future of the city administrator role. The city remains dedicated to ensuring quality municipal services and maintaining daily operations during this transition period.
PoliticsProsecutor Confirms No Meth Found in Vehicle of Mexican Shot by ICE
Federal prosecutor Aaron Reitz confirmed that tests on a white crystalline substance found in the vehicle of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican man shot by ICE agents in Houston last month, showed it was not methamphetamine. The substance is believed to be a homemade electrolyte mix used by Salgado Araujo and his construction crew to stay hydrated in Texas heat. Salgado Araujo, who lived in the U.S. for 35 years without legal status, was shot on July 7 during an ICE operation. His death has sparked protests and calls for an independent investigation, as conflicting accounts emerge regarding the incident.
PoliticsCameron County approves 5 % pay raise for elected officials and employees
Cameron County has approved a 5% pay raise for elected officials and employees, following a 3-2 vote during a commissioners court meeting. The increase will take effect on October 1, 2026. County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. noted that this is part of a five-year plan aimed at aligning salaries with similar-sized counties in Texas. While previous discussions suggested larger raises of 10-15%, the court settled on the 5% increase. The funding will come from the county's general fund, which relies on property tax revenue, and there will be no increase in the property tax rate this year.
PoliticsRio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.
Residents of the Rio Grande Valley are experiencing a decline in life satisfaction, with a recent analysis indicating that their overall well-being has dropped to levels similar to 2009. While the average life evaluation among South Texans was 7.3 from 2009 to 2018, it fell to 7.09 in 2026, particularly among Hispanic residents. Factors contributing to this decline include economic concerns, stagnant wages, and heightened immigration enforcement. Political scientists warn that these negative emotions could lead to decreased voter engagement, impacting the upcoming elections in a region critical for both major parties. Community health and support systems are crucial for improvement efforts.
PoliticsTexas Reinstates Identification Requirements for Mail-in Voting Following Federal Ruling
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated parts of Texas's 2021 election law on Wednesday, reversing a lower court's block on mail-in voting and assisted voting provisions. The law, known as Senate Bill 1, aimed to reform election administration in response to changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Harris County. Critics, including civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers, argued it imposed burdens on voters with disabilities. The appellate court ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing in most of their claims, emphasizing the importance of preventing voter fraud. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the decision as a significant victory for election integrity.