Archive · 8496 stories · page 194 of 425
PoliticsAbbott Orders Texas Rangers Investigation Into Fatal Shooting During Federal Immigration Operation
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on July 15 that the Texas Rangers will investigate the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Houston. Abbott emphasized that law enforcement can enforce immigration laws without resorting to deadly force. He stated that the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers have already met with federal officials and local police regarding the incident. Abbott affirmed the independence of the Texas Rangers in conducting investigations and reiterated his support for immigration law enforcement while advocating for the preservation of life during such operations.
WeatherTexas flooding surges as rescuers pull people from rising waters
The National Weather Service in San Antonio said a “large and deadly flood wave” was barreling down the same river wrecked by floods last summer when two dozen children and counselors were killed at Camp Mystic.
Public SafetyInvestigation Underway Following Shooting in H-E-B Parking Lot in San Juan
The San Juan Police Department, in collaboration with the McAllen Police Department, is actively investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday around 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the H-E-B supermarket in San Juan. According to the official report provided by authorities, the violent incident took place inside a parked vehicle at the commercial establishment, prompting a swift mobilization of emergency services and multiple patrols in the area. Police spokespersons emphasized that this is an entirely isolated incident and assured the community that the situation is under control, with no active threat to public safety at this time. Local authorities publicly expressed their gratitude to the McAllen Police for their support and assistance at the scene, noting that as the case remains under active investigation, no further details will be released immediately, although they committed to providing timely updates as inquiries progress.
Public SafetyAlamo Loan Office Employee Arrested for Faking Robbery
The Alamo Police Department arrested Israel Aguirre III, an employee at the Security Finance Office on Main Street, after discovering that he staged an armed robbery to steal money from the establishment. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, when the suspect himself reported an emergency, claiming that an unknown man had threatened him with a knife. However, after a quick investigation, detectives determined that the robbery was fabricated by Aguirre III to cover up that he had taken the cash himself. Aguirre III appeared today at 2:00 p.m. before a magistrate judge for his arraignment. He faces charges of theft and filing a false report to induce an emergency response, while a third formal charge is pending from authorities.
NationalDriving Fast Doesn't Save Much Time; It Wastes Gas and Emits Gases, According to Study
Accelerating in the car to get to work, pick up your kids from school, or move from one errand to the next not only wastes money on gas and releases harmful emissions into the air but also doesn't save much time, according to new research. This is something to consider as gas prices remain high during the summer, adding pressure to daily driving and seasonal road trips. In contrast, adhering to posted speed limits could save drivers millions of dollars at the pump and eliminate millions of gallons of fuel each day, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Nature's Communications Sustainability. That fuel, when burned, emits gases that warm the planet's atmosphere. Moreover, changing driving habits wouldn't even add a full minute to a driver's journey. Researchers from the University of Minnesota analyzed 120 million vehicle trips across the United States corresponding to four Wednesdays in 2021, using driving data on national road networks, speed limits, and elevation data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The analysis included roads with speed limits of 45 mph or higher.
BusinessAbbott Unveils Plan That Could Cut Texas Home and Auto Insurance Costs
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a legislative proposal on July 15 aimed at lowering home and auto insurance costs, which he noted are major concerns for Texans. Abbott highlighted that Texas has some of the highest home insurance rates due to severe weather, including hail and hurricanes. His plan includes a roof fortification grant program offering homeowners about $10,000 to strengthen roofs, potentially reducing premiums by 8% and saving over $15,000 over the roof's lifespan. Additionally, Abbott proposed changes to allow insurers to consider driving records when setting auto insurance rates, which could lower premiums by up to 30%.
BusinessHistoric Investment in Brownsville: Saronic Announces Super Shipyard
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced today that Saronic Technologies will build 'Port Alpha' at the Port of Brownsville, a $3.248 billion megaproject that will become the world's most advanced shipyard and the largest in the United States. This historic facility will focus on manufacturing next-generation autonomous vessels and is expected to generate 10,000 new jobs in the Rio Grande Valley, with an estimated annual payroll of $750 million for Texas families. 'Today we make history with the announcement of the most advanced shipyard in the entire world,' Governor Greg Abbott emphasized during the presentation. 'When this shipyard is fully constructed, it will employ nearly 10,000 people. Saronic will inject around $750 million annually in salaries for Texans. This changes the game for our population.' Founded in Austin in 2022, Saronic combines autonomy software with large-scale manufacturing to strengthen the country's commercial and defense fleets. The company chose Brownsville for its strategic location, infrastructure, and the talent of its people. Additionally, it will work closely with Cameron County, technical colleges, and local universities to create technical training programs and specialized apprenticeships, opening doors to high-paying careers for the region's youth without having to leave their community. With this announcement, Texas officially establishes itself as the undisputed new leader in the shipbuilding and maritime technology industry in the nation.
HealthFDA Approves New Pill to Treat High Cholesterol Levels
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Thursday that it has approved, for the first time, a pill to treat high cholesterol levels in adults. The pill, Lipfendra, from pharmaceutical company Merck, will serve as a treatment to be used alongside diet and exercise to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), also known as 'bad cholesterol.' It will also be used for individuals with a hereditary form of high cholesterol, called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). The pill becomes the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor approved by the FDA, entering a market dominated by injectable treatments like Amgen's Repatha and Regeneron and Sanofi's Praluent. According to Merck, its list price will be $10.50 per day, based on a 30-day supply. Lipfendra works by blocking the PCSK9 protein, a liver protein that limits the body's ability to remove bad cholesterol from the blood.
NationalUS Government Reactivates 'Public Charge' Rule for Green Card Applicants
MIAMI — The Donald Trump administration is reactivating a rule that could deny permanent residency to immigrants who use public assistance, including food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers, and others. The policy, known as 'public charge,' appeared on Thursday in the Federal Register and will be formally published on July 20. This policy was first implemented in February 2020 as part of President Donald Trump's measures to limit legal immigration during his first term but was reversed after Joe Biden took office. Its return comes as the Republican government enforces a hardline policy to curb both irregular and legal immigration, amid rising costs of healthcare and food.
NationalVenezuelan Immigrant Dies in ICE Custody Four Days After Arrest
A Venezuelan immigrant, Jesús Manuel Arenas-Silva, 45, died while in ICE custody after being detained for four days. He was found unconscious on July 13 while being transported between detention centers in Georgia. Emergency services took him to Irwin County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. ICE suspects a heart attack as the cause of death, pending further medical examination. Arenas-Silva had previously attempted to enter the U.S. legally in October 2021 and was later detained in a raid in Dallas, Georgia. His family expressed distress over his medical needs not being met during detention.
NationalUS Designates Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as Terrorist Organizations
The U.S. government has designated the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras as foreign terrorist organizations, adding them to a list of eight Mexican criminal groups labeled as such. This designation allows U.S. authorities to take more aggressive actions against these groups and their supporters. The Juárez Cartel, one of Mexico's oldest drug trafficking organizations, controls a crucial border crossing in Ciudad Juárez, adjacent to El Paso, Texas. Meanwhile, Los Viagras, a local group from Michoacán, emerged after the expulsion of previous cartels and is known for extortion and synthetic drug production. The U.S. State Department has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Los Viagras' leader, Nicolás Sierra Santana.
SportsMessi vs Lamine Yamal in the World Cup Final, 19 Years After Iconic Photo Together
ATLANTA - Lamine Yamal, star of the Spanish national team, will fulfill his dream of facing his idol, Leo Messi, in the FIFA World Cup final nearly 19 years after the iconic photo of them together, where the Argentine star was bathing the Spanish player when he was just a few months old. "Well, I've grown a little and so has Leo. I hope to face Lionel Messi in the final, since we couldn't in the Finalissima," Lamine Yamal said during an interview with DAZN when shown the photo of a young Messi washing a baby. This photo was taken for a charity calendar by FC Barcelona in 2007. The baby, just a few months old, is now one of the stars of the Spanish national team, which Messi will face on Sunday at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey/New York. The story behind the photo was shared two years ago by its creator, Joan Monfort, with Agencia EFE. It all started with a post that Mounir Nasraoui, Lamine Yamal's father, shared on Instagram in 2024, showing a smiling baby enjoying a bubble bath in a small basin alongside his mother, Sheila Ebana, and a young Leo Messi. This 2007 image was included in a charity calendar. Since then, the image has gone viral. Messi and Lamine Yamal crossed paths in time and space nearly nineteen years ago, but only the young Barça player's parents knew this detail and had not shared it with anyone.
SportsNikki Rowe DAngelo Llarza signs letter of intent
D'Angelo Llarza, a baseball player from Nikki Rowe High School, has signed a letter of intent to continue his athletic career at Crowley Ridge College in Arkansas. Llarza, who played first base, was instrumental in leading the Warriors to a bi-district championship this past season. The team concluded the year with an impressive 22-11 record, showcasing their strong performance throughout the season.
SportsEdinburg Vela alum Mito Perez signs with the Texas Rangers organization
Mito Perez, a graduate of Edinburg Vela High School, has signed a contract with the Texas Rangers as an undrafted free agent. Perez played four years at Tarleton State University and recently completed a season with the Grand Canyon Lopes, where he started 40 games, achieving a batting average of .297 with 3 home runs and 18 RBIs. In high school, he excelled in both baseball and football, showcasing his athletic talent before moving on to collegiate sports.
SportsTJohnn Brown reunites with Head Coach Brandon Chambers
T'John Brown, a guard with NCAA Tournament experience, has joined the UTRGV men's basketball team after playing for McNeese. He reunites with head coach Brandon Chambers, who was an assistant during Brown's previous tournament run. Brown expressed excitement about his new role and aims to lead his teammates while adapting to the team's system. His positive energy has already influenced the squad, as noted by assistant coach Joseph Anderson. Brown is motivated by his family and his recovery from an injury, emphasizing the importance of communication and leadership on the court.
NationalUK urges FIFA to investigate Argentina over Falklands banner
The UK government has urged FIFA to investigate Argentina's national team after players displayed a banner claiming sovereignty over the disputed Falkland Islands following their 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta. The banner, which read "Las Malvinas son argentinas," was shown during post-match celebrations. UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle criticized the players' actions as inappropriate and called for a thorough investigation. FIFA's disciplinary code prohibits political messages at sporting events, with fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized the team's commitment to winning the World Cup final against Spain.
NationalTrump to Address the Nation in Expected Election-Focused Speech
President Donald Trump is set to deliver a prime-time address to the nation, where he is expected to discuss election-related issues. Despite the consensus among officials he appointed that he lost the 2020 election, Trump continues to assert his victory. He has surrounded himself with supporters of his election claims and initiated a review of the 2020 voting process. The speech's content remains undisclosed, but Trump has hinted at announcing 'really important news.' This comes amid ongoing scrutiny from both Republican and bipartisan investigations confirming the election results.
NationalTrump to Deliver Primetime Address to the Nation Expected to Address Election Issues
President Donald Trump is set to deliver a prime-time address to the nation, where he is expected to discuss election-related issues. Despite the findings of his own appointees confirming that he lost the 2020 election, Trump continues to assert his victory. He has surrounded himself with supporters of his election claims and initiated a review of the 2020 voting process. Senator Jon Ossoff recently pressed Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing to clarify the election results. Trump has not disclosed the specifics of his upcoming speech but has hinted at 'really important news.'
PoliticsMore border buoys ready to go into Rio Grande in South Texas
Dozens of giant orange border buoys have been put near the Roma International Bridge, ready to be placed in the Rio Grande.
WeatherSaharan dust and hazy conditions continue in the forecast
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Another wave of Saharan dust is on the move again, stretching from Africa across the Atlantic, sweeping through the Caribbean and the Gulf, and yes, more of it is headed for the Valley. As this haze settles in over the next several days and likely into next week, here are six practical ways to