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NationalTrump Administration Expands Terrorist Group List in Latin America, Mexico at the Forefront
The Trump administration has designated 21 criminal groups in Latin America and the Caribbean as foreign terrorist organizations, with Mexico having the highest number at eight. This classification, previously reserved for groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, aims to increase pressure on drug cartels and their supporters. Key targets include the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, major traffickers of fentanyl to the U.S. The strategy has led to military operations and increased cooperation with Latin American countries. However, contradictions arise, such as the pardon of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, linked to drug trafficking.
CommunitySouth Padre Island Fire Department preserves piece of World Trade Center
On South Padre Island, a piece of steel from the World Trade Center is displayed at the local fire department, serving as a poignant reminder of the September 11 attacks. Many visitors to the island are unaware of this significant piece of American history. Fire Chief Jim Pigg explained that the steel was obtained through a grant process initiated by a former chief and arrived in 2012. Local residents, like Karen Carpenter and Monique Soto, expressed surprise upon learning about the memorial, emphasizing its importance in remembering those who lost their lives on that tragic day.
CommunityChannel 5 News anchor remembers being in the newsroom when 9 / 11 unfolded
Dina Herrera Garza, a Channel 5 News anchor, shared her memories of the September 11 attacks while in the newsroom. She described the intense atmosphere as the events unfolded, particularly the moment the South Tower collapsed, which was broadcast live. The newsroom was filled with activity and emotions as they reported on the tragic events. Garza's recollections highlight the impact of that day on journalists and the community. For more details, viewers can watch the video report on Channel 5 News.
CommunityRio Hondo resident recalls surviving 9 / 11 attack on Pentagon
Robert Lopez, a resident of Rio Hondo, recalls the harrowing experience of being inside the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. On September 11, 2001, as American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building, his wife Becca watched anxiously from across the Potomac River. Robert, who was working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, heard the impact and immediately recognized the danger. He witnessed the chaos as people evacuated amidst thick black smoke. Despite the trauma, Robert and Becca have built a life in the Rio Grande Valley, now reflecting on their experiences and honoring the heroes of that tragic day.
WeatherExtreme heat in the weekend forecast
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An extreme heat scenario stays locked into the weekend forecast, with air temperatures averaging 102 degrees and heat index values climbing back toward 113 degrees. Dry air remains firmly in control, and steady southeast winds will keep this pattern in place through the weekend. Sunday brings a nearly identical setup, blistering heat
NationalTSA created 25 years ago following Sept. 11 attacks
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was established in response to the September 11 attacks and has been operational for nearly 25 years. Currently, the agency employs around 60,000 individuals who are responsible for screening passengers and their luggage every day. TSA officials emphasize that while screening technology has evolved, the fundamental training for officers has remained unchanged. Eric Guthier, a TSA Regional spokesperson, highlighted the importance of experience in identifying potential threats, stating that the ability to voice concerns about suspicious items is now a vital component of the agency's security approach.
EducationUTRGV students reflect on 9 / 11 attacks
Students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are sharing their reflections on the significance of September 11. Many recall learning about the attacks in school through videos and discussions, as well as stories from family members who experienced the events. UTRGV student Alana Flores expressed the emotional impact of hearing her grandfather's experiences, who volunteered with the American Red Cross to assist in the aftermath of the attacks. These personal connections help students understand the gravity of that day and the national tragedies that unfolded.
HealthSTC offers free CPR classes to Valley residents
South Texas College is providing free CPR classes for residents and students aged 16 and older, responding to increased demand. The classes, which take place three times a week in McAllen, are limited to 10 students each and require registration through the college's website. Program Coordinator Xenia Munoz emphasized the importance of having CPR skills during emergencies, as they can significantly impact the outcome of a life-threatening situation. The sessions are funded by an insurance company, and participants who complete the course will receive certification from the American Heart Association.
Public SafetyMission police receive $1. 2 million grant for new equipment, overtime pay
The Mission Police Department has secured a $1.2 million grant through Operation Lone Star, aimed at enhancing public safety and combating border-related crime. This funding will enable the department to deploy additional officers and acquire new equipment, including two Skywatch towers for improved surveillance. The grant, sourced from Governor Greg Abbott's office, will also cover officer overtime and provide new radios and gear. Mission Police Chief Cesar Torres emphasized the importance of proper equipment and training for officers. Notably, the grant does not require any local matching funds, allowing the city to utilize the full amount without tapping into local tax revenues. The funds will be allocated throughout fiscal year 2027.
NationalUTRGV international students among those affected as new federal rule sets 4-year cap on F-1 student visas
A new federal rule will impose a four-year limit on F-1 student visas, affecting international students like Anoushka Mitra at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Mitra, a 21-year-old biology major from India, fears the implications for her future as she aims to graduate in 2028 and pursue a medical career. Under the new regulations, students must complete their programs within the four-year cap, and changing majors will require reapplying for a visa. Additionally, the grace period after program completion will be reduced from 60 to 30 days, raising concerns about potential deportation for those who overstay.
CommunityValley International Airport holds 9 / 11 memorial ceremony
Valley International Airport commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with a memorial ceremony attended by city leaders and community members. The event honored the victims and first responders who sacrificed their lives. Harlingen City Commissioner Daniel Nemesio Lopez emphasized that the tragedy changed how residents of the Rio Grande Valley perceive border security and local safety. He urged the community to promote kindness and remember those lost in the attacks, highlighting the importance of securing the border to combat human, drug, and weapon trafficking.
CommunityValley Voices: Mariachi 7 Leguas
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In the latest edition of Valley Voices, host Marco Ramirez sits down with the founder of Mariachi 7 Leguas. Emilio Santos founded the group 22 years ago and has since become a renowned group not only across the Valley but across the nation. The band in currently on tour with Los
HealthSouth Texas College offering free CPR classes to the public
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Free community health care courses are returning to South Texas College this fall. The courses are designed to help prepare students for a medical emergency. Students have the opportunity to learn how to recognize an emergency, perform CPR, and other life saving techniques, at no cost. "Although Basic Life Support is
Public SafetyCallers impersonating Cameron County employees: Sheriff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino is alerting residents of a phone call scheme involving impersonators claiming to be with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. According to Trevino, the impersonators are making calls to residents about outstanding arrest warrants. Trevino warns the public not to provide any personal information or make payments
CommunityForever Family: Severo
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every week, CBS Rio Grande Valley works to find a forever home for a Rio Grande Valley foster child as part of our Forever Family partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Meet Severo, a 12-year-old who is seeking to be adopted by his forever family. Severo is
Public SafetyMexico Arrests American Linked to Arms Trafficking for the Sinaloa Cartel
Mexican security forces arrested Yanet 'N', a U.S. citizen identified as a logistical operator for a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel involved in arms trafficking, in the border state of Sonora, federal authorities reported on Friday. The arrest was made by elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), in coordination with the Secretariat of National Defense, the Attorney General's Office (FGR), the National Guard, and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), during surveillance patrols near the border bridge between Mexico and the United States in the municipality of San Luis Río Colorado. Authorities also seized 5,445 live cartridges and a vehicle during the operation.
EducationValley Central Weekend Report: News in education, what data centers could really cost the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On this week’s edition of ValleyCentral Weekend Report, Anchor Alejandra Yanez breaks down all the news of the week. Starting with the biggest stories of the week, in case you missed them. A Cameron County man is being held on a $100k bond after being accused of murdering his wife. Deputies were called to a home in Bayview on
CommunityEva Guzman Tells Latina Leaders Resilience Means Refusing to Let Setbacks Define the Future
Eva M. Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court Justice, delivered a powerful keynote at the RGVHCC Latina Leadership Conference in Mission, emphasizing resilience. Speaking to a packed audience, Guzman shared her journey from a working-class family in Houston to the state's highest court, highlighting the setbacks she faced along the way. She encouraged women to view rejections not as final judgments but as temporary obstacles, reminding them to add 'yet' to their narratives. Guzman, who ran for Texas attorney general in 2022, urged attendees to seek support from professional networks and to keep striving for their goals despite challenges.
NationalAlleged mastermind of 9/11 attacks still not on trial
NEW YORK — Two decades after U.S. authorities locked Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a military detention center in Cuba, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks does not appear to be any closer to standing trial than the day he arrived. A judge recently set 2028 as the date when Mohammed will finally be tried in a military court, but some lawyers predict that this will never happen, neither that year nor any other. They argue that the maze of legal issues that arose because Mohammed was tortured after his capture in Pakistan in 2003 is too convoluted to ever be unraveled. A brief initiative to try him in a civilian court in New York City was quashed years ago due to security concerns. A plea deal that would have kept Mohammed incarcerated for life but spared him from possible execution began to unravel shortly after its announcement in 2024 and was ultimately scrapped last year.
PoliticsBeto O’Rourke’s Every Campus Counts Tour to Stop at South Texas College
Former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke will visit South Texas College on Monday, September 14, as part of his Every Campus Counts Tour. The event, organized by the STC College Democrats Club, will take place at the STC Pecan Campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with O’Rourke arriving at 10 a.m. This voter registration initiative aims to help students, faculty, and staff verify their registration status or register to vote ahead of upcoming elections. O’Rourke, a prominent Democratic figure, has previously run for various offices, including the U.S. Senate and governor of Texas, but this event focuses solely on encouraging voter participation.