Cerca News · Page 20

ValleyCentral (KGBT) · Jul 24, 2026

'According to Scripture, do not be afraid': Nun detained by ICE shares her story

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Sister Letty, a Nigerian-born Catholic nun, shared her story to ValleyCentral of the day she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers while walking to Sunday Mass. On June 28, Sister Letty was walking to Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen like she has for more

San Juan Municipal Court urges residents to take advantage of amnesty program

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you have any outstanding fines in the city of San Juan, now's your chance to resolve issues with the court without any additional penalties. The San Juan Municipal Court has extended its amnesty program through Aug. 31. During this time, residents with outstanding warrants are urged to make arrangements with

Weslaco road project cuts sales at coffee shop; city admits not properly notifying businesses

A coffee shop owner in Weslaco, Mina Reyes, reports significant customer loss due to road construction on Sugarcane Drive. Reyes claims sales have dropped by 80 to 90 percent since the project began two weeks ago, forcing her to cancel cultural events. She was unaware of the construction until she arrived at work, having not received any prior notification from the city. The city acknowledges that businesses were not properly informed about the $520,000 street improvement project, which started on July 6. City officials are now working to enhance their notification processes for future projects.

Public input needed on road widening proposal in San Benito

San Benito officials are inviting public feedback on a proposal to widen Oscar Williams Road. The Texas Department of Transportation, along with Cameron County and the city, aims to expand the road between Business 77 and San Jose Ranch Road. Eric Davila, Chief Development Engineer for the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, emphasized the importance of public involvement in reviewing the project. A virtual meeting is set for Wednesday, July 29, at 5 p.m. Residents can find more details on how to participate.

Community

Elsa police hide rubber ducks in city parks to get kids outside

The Elsa Police Department has initiated a fun summer project to encourage children to play outside by hiding rubber ducks in city parks. Each day, officers hide three ducks, and kids who find them can exchange them for gift baskets. Rosie Rangel, a local mother, expressed her desire for her children to experience outdoor play, similar to her own childhood. Participants aged 3 to 15 can also enter a raffle for a chance to win a $150 Walmart shopping spree. Families have until July 28 at 4 p.m. to turn in the ducks they find, promoting outdoor activity in the community.

Valley nun speaks out following ICE detainment, fights removal to third country

Sister Letty, a nun from the Rio Grande Valley, held a press conference at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen after being detained by ICE in June. Her attorney announced that she faces a final removal order following an asylum denial but has been granted protection from deportation to Nigeria under the U.N. Convention Against Torture. Although ICE is considering deporting her to a third country, Sister Letty has complied with all legal requirements since 2019 and holds a valid work permit. She expressed gratitude for community support and hopes for a favorable resolution during her upcoming ICE check-in.

4 house fires hit Starr County in two weeks; fire chief warns of electrical risk

Starr County is facing a troubling rise in house fires, with four incidents reported in just two weeks. The most recent fire devastated the Rodriguez family's home on Redwood Road, where they had lived for 40 years. Francisco Rodriguez recounted the harrowing escape, which was complicated by his wife's medical condition. Firefighters from multiple departments responded, and Fire Chief Manuel Muniz noted that electrical issues may be a contributing factor to these fires, especially during the summer heat. He emphasizes the importance of having an escape plan and smoke detectors in homes. The investigation into the cause of the Rodriguez fire is ongoing.

Weather

SpaceX reschedules Starship 13th flight test due to weather

SpaceX has postponed the 13th flight test of its Starship rocket due to unfavorable weather conditions. Originally scheduled for Thursday, the launch is now set for Friday, July 24, with the launch window opening at 5:45 p.m. The primary goal of this test is to capture clear images of the Starship's heat shield during ascent at higher dynamic pressure. Residents of Cameron County should be prepared for a loud noise from the rocket's 33 Raptor engines during ignition.

Health

Hidalgo County judge urges vigilance after screwworm detected in Starr County

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said county leaders continue to closely monitor the New World Screwworm after the first confirmed case in the Rio Grande Valley was recently detected in a newborn calf in Starr County. Cortez issued a statement on Thursday praising the actions taken by local, state and

National

One Month Later: The Pain and Devastation Left by the Earthquakes in Venezuela

One month after the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, the death toll exceeds 5,300, and the number of missing persons remains unknown. Dozens of families are still searching through the rubble for their loved ones as criticism of the response from Delcy Rodríguez's government increases. The latest figure, provided on Wednesday by the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, is 5,398 dead and 16,740 injured. Unidentified victims are being buried in several newly opened mass graves at a municipal cemetery in La Guaira state, according to several witnesses who spoke to EFE earlier this month. The government has not provided data on the missing, but the citizen initiative 'Desaparecidos Terremoto Venezuela' reports over 29,000. According to unconfirmed figures received by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs last June, the number of missing persons due to the earthquakes could rise to 50,000.

Health

San Juan Memorial Library to host free Narcan training

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Juan Memorial Library and Hidalgo County Health & Human Services Department will host a free Narcan training on Friday. The free event will begin at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to properly administer Narcan to reverse an overdose. Narcan is a

Health

Investigation Underway for New Cyclospora Outbreak in the U.S.; 72 Infected

U.S. federal health authorities are investigating a new outbreak linked to the cyclospora parasite, which causes acute diarrhea. As of Wednesday, the outbreak has affected 72 people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet identified which products are connected to the illnesses, nor have officials indicated where the cases are located. 'This is an active investigation, and authorities are working together to determine the specific cause of the illnesses in this group,' the Department of Health and Human Services stated in an email on Thursday. This week, federal authorities indicated they are still focused on Taylor Farms lettuce as the source of a separate outbreak affecting several states. The company announced last week the recall of iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. Meanwhile, the Latin American country announced on Thursday that no cyclospora was detected in the lettuce or water at the Taylor Farms facility, which operates in the central state of Guanajuato. The Health Secretariat stated in a release that tests conducted by the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) returned 'negative results for the detection of Cyclospora Cayetanensis and for the presence of fecal coliforms and within the physicochemical parameters according to national standards.' The study results were announced after a visit by Mexican health authorities to the Taylor Farms facility from July 18 to 20, during which ten samples of iceberg lettuce were collected: five whole samples present at the establishment and five samples of finished product, such as chopped, washed, and disinfected lettuce, according to the statement. During the visit, four water samples were also taken for microbiological and basic physicochemical determination. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, usually when agricultural products have been irrigated or washed with contaminated water. When ingested, the parasite causes an intestinal illness characterized by 'frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,' according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Federal and state health authorities have been investigating separate clusters of cyclospora cases, including one traced back to Taylor Farms. Food safety tips include washing hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and before handling food. Experts note that cooking can eliminate the parasite and recommend cooking vegetables to a temperature of at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Donna man pleads guilty to hitting ICE officer in the head with a Yeti cup

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who hit a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the head with a Yeti cup pleaded guilty Thursday. Reynaldo Cisneros, a 47-year-old truck driver, was building a house in Donna when ICE showed up and began arresting the construction workers. “He threw a Yeti cup. And he regrets

Former Governor Ernesto Ruffo Faces Charges for Fuel Trafficking

MEXICO CITY – A federal judge has ordered the initiation of legal proceedings against former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel and seven others for their alleged involvement in an organized crime network related to the smuggling and illegal trade of hydrocarbons, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported on Thursday. The former politician, who has been in preventive detention since Sunday, was identified as Ernesto 'N' and is being prosecuted for probable responsibility in the crimes of organized crime, smuggling, and offenses related to hydrocarbons. The Federal Public Ministry, attached to the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), presented 'compelling evidence' to support the charges and succeeded in having the judge uphold the precautionary measure of preventive detention. As a result, the former governor will remain incarcerated at the Federal Social Rehabilitation Center (Cefereso) number 1, Altiplano, in the State of Mexico.

Mexican Man Wanted for Child Sexual Assault Added to Most Wanted List

Ruben Calzada Hernandez, a 31-year-old Mexican national, has been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). He is wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Caldwell County since June 13, 2026. Texas Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to his arrest, with all tips remaining anonymous. Calzada Hernandez has ties to Caldwell and Williamson counties and is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds, with a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm.

Proposed East Texas AI Data Center Withdrawn Amid Tougher State Guidelines

Diode has decided to withdraw its proposal for a data center near Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County, citing non-compliance with state guidelines and community standards. Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that data centers must adhere to specific requirements, including minimizing impacts on local residents and ensuring sustainable resource use. The governor's directive outlines expectations for data centers to lower residential electricity costs, cover their infrastructure expenses, and implement water-efficient technologies. Abbott plans to pursue legislation to formalize these standards and ensure that data center developments prioritize the well-being of Texas families and communities.

Governor Abbott Announces Over $114 Million In Housing Tax Credits

Governor Greg Abbott has announced the allocation of over $114 million in housing tax credits aimed at financing the development or rehabilitation of 70 rental properties across Texas. This initiative, managed by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), is expected to create or renovate more than 4,400 affordable rental units. Abbott emphasized the importance of providing affordable housing options for Texans as the state continues to grow. The funding is part of a broader effort to ensure that hardworking families have access to quality housing, fostering a more prosperous Texas for future generations.

National

Trump Expands Voluntary Commitment to Prevent Increases in Data Center Bills

President Donald Trump has expanded a voluntary commitment involving governors and electric companies to protect U.S. consumers from rising utility bills due to data centers. Initially announced in March, the agreement has not significantly reassured voters concerned about affordability and competition for resources. Trump claimed that electricity prices would decrease, asserting that there would be a surplus of energy. The commitment has been signed by 23 governors and at least 187 companies, including major utilities like NextEra Energy and Duke Energy. However, concerns persist about the environmental impact and the potential for increased costs in local communities.

San Luis Potosí Automotive Sector Seeks Cross-Border Growth with Rio South Texas

On June 11, leaders from the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster met with economic development representatives in McAllen, Texas, to explore cross-border business opportunities. The forum, organized by the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP), highlighted Mexico's position as a key player in the automotive industry, ranking seventh globally with 4.09 million vehicles produced in 2025. San Luis Potosí was noted for producing 366,012 vehicles, contributing 9.62% to national output. The meeting concluded with a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration between the two regions, focusing on manufacturing and workforce development.