Archive · 349 stories · page 16 of 18
Two years after a judge recommended her murder conviction be tossed, Melissa Lucio still waits for freedom
Every Thursday at 9 a.m. when the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals publishes its orders and opinions online, Melissa Lucio’s family, supporters and lawyers scan the court’s website for the death row inmate’s name. Caught between freedom and a potential execution for the last two years, waiting for every Thursday morning is all Lucio and [...]
BusinessWhat to Know if Your Flight is Canceled Due to Rising Aviation Fuel Costs
Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights as the war in the Middle East strains aviation fuel supplies and drives up prices, but the challenges don't end there. For travelers, this could mean navigating a confusing web of passenger protections that vary widely depending on the destination. Timing is amplifying the impact. 'These pressures are hitting at a time when summer travel demand is increasing, and major events like the World Cup are expected to put additional strain on airports,' said Eric Napoli, legal director at AirHelp, a company that assists travelers in obtaining compensation for flight disruptions and advocates for passenger rights. Are last-minute cancellations happening? In most cases, no. For now, fuel-related cuts are typically made days or weeks in advance. Lufthansa Group, for example, announced this week that it will cut 20,000 short-haul flights across its network through October. This gives travelers more time to adjust plans compared to weather-related disruptions, which often result in last-minute cancellations. What should I do first if my flight is canceled? Check the airline's app or website immediately for rebooking options. For U.S.-based airlines, this is often the fastest and easiest way to secure a new seat, according to Tyler Hosford, security director at International SOS, a global travel risk and safety management company. Airlines outside the U.S. may have fewer digital tools, so it's worth trying multiple channels, including customer service lines or airport counters. Am I entitled to a refund or a new flight? In most cases, yes. Airlines typically offer either a refund or rebooking on the next available flight. Exact rules vary by country, but these are the basic options travelers can expect. In the U.S., for instance, if your flight is canceled and you choose not to travel, the airline must refund your ticket cost regardless of the reason. Airlines may offer travel credits instead, but you are entitled to a full refund for the ticket and any unused services, such as baggage fees or seat upgrades. Are passenger rights the same everywhere? No, protections vary significantly by region, from the Montreal Convention, which governs airline liability in over 140 countries, to specific consumer protection laws in the U.S., Canada, the European Union, the UK, Turkey, and Brazil. Europe has some of the strongest protections, including compensation in certain cases. These apply to any flight departing from an EU airport, regardless of the airline, and to passengers flying with EU-based airlines to the EU, even if the journey starts outside Europe. The UK has a similar framework. The U.S. and Canada offer more limited protections. Policies vary greatly in Asia, where travelers may need to rely more on airline policies than formal regulations. Experts recommend researching 'passenger rights' for the departure country before traveling. What protections apply? It depends. Airlines may cite fuel shortages or price increases as reasons for cancellations, but compensation rights often depend on whether the disruption is considered within the airline's control under local laws. Regardless of the cause, Napoli explained that airlines in the EU, for example, still have a 'duty of care,' meaning they must provide necessary support to travelers, including rebooking. 'Even though airlines are citing fuel shortages as reasons for upcoming cancellations, travelers should know this does not automatically void their rights under EU laws,' he added. How can I prepare for a trip to avoid issues? A few steps can make disruptions easier to handle. Sign up for flight alerts to stay informed, and whenever possible, book directly with the airline—it’s much easier to resolve issues directly than through third-party booking sites. Knowing your options in advance and having alternatives can make a big difference if plans change. What do I need to file a claim or complaint? Documentation is key. Save everything: boarding passes, receipts, cancellation notices, and any communication from the airline. Take screenshots of updates on the app or website and any online communications, and note key details from phone calls. Napoli also recommends asking the airline for written confirmation of the flight disruption, including the stated reason. Should I accept the first alternative flight offered by the airline? Not necessarily. Experts say one of the most common mistakes travelers make is accepting the first option without reviewing alternatives. Check other flights, routes, or even nearby airports—you might find a faster or more convenient way to reach your destination. Can I book a different flight myself? Yes, but proceed carefully. If the airline's rebooking option doesn’t meet your needs—especially if the new flight is days away—you can look for alternatives and request a refund instead. Keep in mind you may need to pay upfront for any fare differences, and reimbursement may not be guaranteed later. Any other tips to avoid being stranded? — Book flights early in the day to have more rebooking options if something goes wrong. — Set up flight alerts through tracking apps like Flighty to get early notifications of cancellations or delays. In some cases, Hosford noted, these alerts arrive before the airline’s own notifications. — Consider nearby airports as alternative options. — Be polite. Airline agents may be more willing to assist when interactions are calm and respectful. 'Ultimately, the shortage is impacting the entire system, from travelers to airlines, and it’s something to keep in mind as the industry seeks solutions ahead of the summer travel season,' Napoli concluded.
New pathway for teachers to get master's degree, principal certification
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Region One ESC is offering a new pathway for teachers to get their master's degree and principal certification at the same time through Abilene Christian University. Marissa Falcon, the Region One ESC Administrator for Education Preparation, said through the principal certification program, teachers can get support with a 10 percent discount. [...]
Valley Health Today: Autism Acceptance Awareness Month
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On the third episode of Valley Health Today, NBC 23 News Evening Anchor Jeremiah Marshall sat down with nurse Yadira Torres-Orozco. Torres-Orozco is a registered nurse and the mother of a child with autism. “There’s a saying about autism: If you know someone with autism, you only know one person with [...]
Public SafetyTwo adults, juvenile arrested after Brownsville police chase
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department arrested three people in connection with a pursuit linked to an auto theft investigation. The chase occurred at approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday after police say they saw a vehicle running red lights on Palm Boulevard, which led to a traffic stop. Police said Jose Antonio Reyna, 17, [...]
Public Safety$812 Million Verdict for the Family of a Worker Killed in a Gas Plant Explosion
A Texas jury has awarded $812 million — comprising $203 million in compensatory damages and $609 million in punitive damages — to the wife and two daughters of a worker killed in an explosion at the Pecos Liquids Handling Facility in Pecos, Texas.
Social Fest 2026: What to know about the Valley's conference for creators
MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — While scrolling through social media, you might have come across videos talking about the Social Fest Experience, a conference based in the Rio Grande Valley that brings business owners, marketing professionals, brands, and creators together to learn about the impact that the social media economy has. The three-day social media conference [...]
City of Palmview warns residents about wire payment email scam
PALMVIEW, Texas (ValleyCentral) — City leaders in Palmview are alerting residents about a scam involving false emails and wire payment requests. The city of Palmview was made aware that the emails impersonate the city using a similar but fake email address to request wire payments from residents for permit application processing. The photos below show what [...]
BusinessIS Compliance LLC DOT Consulting Service hosts DOT audit training in Pharr
A training session, sponsored by IS Compliance LLC DOT Consulting Service in collaboration with North American Compliance Services, brought trucking industry participants together on April 23 for DOT audit training and a compliance update at the Pharr Global Business Hub.
Public SafetyTeen Suspect Arrested in Louisiana Mall Shooting
Louisiana authorities announced Friday that a 17-year-old has been charged with murder and another suspect is being sought after a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge left a teenage girl dead and five others injured. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse stated that the Thursday shooting was not random, citing 'social media disputes and possibly gang-related issues' as motivations. The incident involved two groups who exchanged words before opening fire, injuring innocent bystanders. Markel Lee, 17, surrendered to authorities and faces charges of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon. Louisiana law treats 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. Governor Jeff Landry vowed to combat gang violence and announced a targeted operation to arrest those linked to the shooting. The victim, identified as 17-year-old Martha Odom from Lafayette, was celebrating 'senior skip day' with friends. Two other students from her school, Ascension Episcopal School, were among the injured. The school described Odom as 'a joyful presence whose kindness and contagious enthusiasm brought light to everyone she knew.' The shooting marks the second high-profile case of gun violence in Louisiana this week, following a separate incident in Shreveport where a father killed eight children, seven of whom were his own, and injured two women in a family attack.
CommunityTree City USA 2025 Reflects McAllen’s Commitment to Sustainability and Quality of Life
The Arbor Day Foundation named the City of McAllen a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community.
Public SafetyAlleged Shooter Indicted on Federal Counts After Posting Videos Online
Texas Border Business U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas HOUSTON – A 36-year-old Michigan man known as Allstar JR, who allegedly opened fire at a Houston restaurant, is now in custody for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Jeremy Christopher Ford made his initial appearance in Detroit, Michigan. He remains in custody pending
PoliticsYour District, Your Voice: District 2 Town Hall, April 28th
Texas Border Business McALLEN, Texas – City Commissioner Dist. 2 Joaquin “J.J.” Zamora and The City of McAllen invite residents to attend a public town hall meeting to discuss key community topics, including water supply, infrastructure, transportation, illegal dumping, voter awareness, animal welfare, parks and recreation, and state-level policy concerns. This meeting provides residents the opportunity
PoliticsU.S. to Allow Firing Squads to Expedite Federal Executions
The U.S. Department of Justice will adopt firing squads as a permitted method of execution as part of efforts by former President Donald Trump's administration to intensify and expedite federal death penalty cases, officials announced Friday. The Justice Department is also reinstating the use of single-drug lethal injections with pentobarbital, which were used to carry out 13 executions during Trump's first term—more than under any modern president. President Joe Biden's administration had removed pentobarbital from federal execution protocols over concerns about unnecessary pain and suffering. The measures are part of a broader push to increase and accelerate federal executions following a moratorium during Biden's presidency. Only three inmates remain on federal death row after Biden commuted 37 sentences to life imprisonment, though Trump's administration has authorized seeking death sentences for 44 defendants so far. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "The previous administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to seek and carry out the maximum punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers. Under President Trump's leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing up for victims." Firing squads had not previously been included in federal execution protocols, according to the nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center. Currently, five states—Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah—permit executions by firing squad. The pentobarbital protocol was introduced by former Attorney General Bill Barr during Trump's first term to replace a three-drug cocktail used in the 2000s, the last time federal executions were carried out before Trump's presidency. In the final days of Biden's administration, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland rescinded the pentobarbital lethal injection policy after a government review of scientific and medical research found "considerable uncertainty" about whether its use causes unnecessary pain and suffering. In 2020, under Barr's direction, the Justice Department published a rule in the Federal Register allowing federal executions by lethal injection or "any other form prescribed by the law of the state where the sentence was imposed." Several states permit alternative execution methods, including electrocution, nitrogen gas inhalation, and firing squads. A report released Friday by Trump's administration criticized Biden's handling of the issue, claiming the previous administration "got the standard and the science wrong." The report argued that Biden's findings failed to address "overwhelming evidence" that pentobarbital causes rapid unconsciousness, preventing the experience of pain. Currently on federal death row are Dylann Roof, who committed the racially motivated murders of nine Black worshippers at Charleston's Mother Emanuel AME Church in 2015; Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the perpetrator of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing; and Robert Bowers, who killed 11 congregants at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, marking the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.
McAllen Public Library Prepares to Celebrate Family, Culture and Literacy, April 26th
McAllen Public Library (MPL) invites families to its annual El Día de los Niños / El Día de los Libros celebration on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St. The post McAllen Public Library Prepares to Celebrate Family, Culture and Literacy, April 26th appeared first on Texas Border Business.
Public SafetyDoctor Accused of Removing Wrong Organ Leading to Patient's Death Was Driving Lyft When Arrested
A Florida surgeon accused of causing a patient’s death by removing the liver instead of the spleen during surgery was arrested while driving for Lyft in a dramatic confrontation, as shown in body camera footage obtained by NBC News. The video reveals Walton County Sheriff’s deputies approaching Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky’s Mitsubishi SUV with guns drawn on April 13. Shaknovsky, 44, appeared confused as officers handcuffed him at a busy intersection in Miramar Beach, Florida, while passengers sat in the back seat. The arrest stemmed from a second-degree manslaughter charge related to the death of 70-year-old William Bryan during a laparoscopic surgery on August 21, 2024. Shaknovsky’s medical license was suspended shortly after the incident, and he faces additional lawsuits for alleged medical negligence. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Lyft has not commented on the matter.
PoliticsDeaths of U.S. Agents in Anti-Drug Operation Stir Debate Over U.S. Involvement in Mexico
MEXICO CITY – The deaths of two U.S. agents and two Mexican nationals during an anti-drug operation in the state of Chihuahua have reignited debate over the presence of U.S. agents operating in Mexican territory. President Claudia Sheinbaum defended national sovereignty and strict adherence to legal frameworks on Friday. Diplomatic tensions have escalated in recent days, with Sheinbaum demanding an explanation from Washington regarding the participation of U.S. agents in the operation in Chihuahua, a state bordering the U.S. Security analyst David Saucedo noted that the incident highlights a growing trend of unilateral actions by U.S. agencies without prior notification to Mexico’s federal government, driven by concerns over potential information leaks to criminal organizations. Saucedo explained that agencies like the CIA, FBI, and DEA have long conducted intelligence, investigative, and tactical support operations in Mexico, often under discreet coordination with Mexican authorities. However, in recent years, Washington has reduced intelligence sharing with Mexico’s federal government, citing risks of information falling into the hands of organized crime. Information obtained from extradited cartel leaders, particularly those linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, has enabled U.S. agencies to identify clandestine labs, trafficking routes, and institutional protection networks without fully sharing data with Mexico. Sheinbaum reiterated her stance on Friday, emphasizing that foreign agents must operate within Mexico’s constitutional and legal frameworks. She stated, 'Sovereignty is non-negotiable. Cooperation and coordination must always adhere to our laws.' She also stressed that any collaboration with foreign agencies must be authorized by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and reported to the federal Security Cabinet. Saucedo noted that Sheinbaum’s position has political implications, bolstering her nationalist rhetoric and public support. However, he predicted that the institutional demands would not fundamentally alter the practical cooperation between the two nations. He argued that bilateral security relations are driven more by pragmatism than formal legal agreements, and covert U.S. operations in Mexico are likely to continue despite the public debate over sovereignty and legality. While he dismissed the likelihood of a major diplomatic crisis, Saucedo acknowledged that the incident adds to existing tensions between the two governments on issues like migration, security, and trade.
EducationSTC Convenes Regional Leaders for “Rebuilding Futures” Event on April 28th in McAllen
Texas Border Business McALLEN, Texas – On Tuesday, April 28, South Texas College, in collaboration with public sector leaders, higher education and community partners, will host “Rebuilding Futures: Advancing Second Chances through Policy, Partnership and Purpose.” The event, which includes remarks by Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, focuses on advancing second chances for those impacted
EducationSTC Launches Targeted Initiative to Bolster Support for Student Parents
Texas Border Business By Amanda Sotelo Like many South Texas College students, Eileen Diaz is a parenting student, raising two children, 4 and 14, while completing her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and thanks to STC parenting student initiatives and resources, she’s found success. “Times are tough. Inflation is making it harder for students like
CommunityMonarch Fest Celebrates Nature, Community, and Conservation, April 25th
Monarch Fest: A Party for the Planet is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration and part of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, led by the National Wildlife Federation to support pollinators and promote environmental awareness.