Archive · 346 stories · page 3 of 18
Public SafetyCharges Dropped Against Alma Garza Accused of Evidence Tampering
According to court documents, charges against Alma Enríquez Garza, who had been accused of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with the intent to affect an investigation, have been dismissed after a judge granted a motion to drop the case. The documents indicate that the judge approved the request made by Garza's legal representative to dismiss the charges. However, the reasons for the dismissal were not publicly disclosed and appear to be based solely on the state's motion. Alma Enríquez Garza, 58, was arrested on February 2 in connection with a report involving another individual accused of causing injuries to a minor. At the time, Garza's bond was set at $15,000. The alleged incident occurred on January 26, 2026, involving daycare employee Brenda Rae Pérez, who is accused of striking a one-year-old child under her care. Pérez was charged with injury to a child and given a $50,000 bond. Daycare administrator arrested in connection with alleged child abuse case.
SportsFIFA World Cup Trophy Arrives in San Antonio
The original FIFA World Cup Trophy has arrived in San Antonio as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, an international tour traveling across North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The tour will visit the 16 host cities of the 2026 World Cup, as well as 22 additional markets in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, aiming to bring fans closer to the most coveted prize in soccer.
PoliticsHouse Votes on Foreign Surveillance Program and Paves Way to End DHS Shutdown
WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted Wednesday to renew a powerful foreign surveillance program and approved a measure already passed by the Senate to advance funding for ICE and the Border Patrol for the remainder of President Donald Trump's term. The House voted 235-191 in favor of extending the surveillance program, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire this week. Later, lawmakers voted 215-211, largely along party lines, to approve the Republican budget resolution previously passed by the Senate, after a rebellion by House Republicans over an unrelated farm bill delayed the final vote by more than five hours. When asked to describe the chaotic day in one word, Representative Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, responded, 'A damn mess.' The successful budget vote could unlock the Republican support needed to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for a record 74 days due to Democrats' demands for reforms to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
CommunityMeet Magpie, the South Padre Island dog helping save sea turtles
Magpie, un perro residente de South Padre Island, está desempeñando un papel crucial en la conservación de las tortugas marinas. Entrenado para localizar nidos de tortugas, Magpie trabaja junto a biólogos y voluntarios para proteger estas especies en peligro de extinción. Su olfato excepcional permite identificar los nidos con precisión, ayudando a trasladarlos a lugares seguros y garantizar la supervivencia de las crías. Este esfuerzo forma parte de una iniciativa comunitaria para preservar la biodiversidad en la región.
PoliticsMission repeals car wash moratorium following termination of federal lawsuit
La ciudad de Mission ha decidido levantar la moratoria que prohibía la apertura de nuevos autolavados, luego de que se resolviera una demanda federal en su contra. Esta decisión marca el fin de una disputa legal que había limitado el desarrollo de este tipo de negocios en la zona.
CommunityLost your wedding ring on South Padre Island? This woman might have found it
Una mujer en South Padre Island ha encontrado un anillo de bodas y está buscando al dueño. Si recientemente perdiste tu anillo en la zona, podría ser el tuyo. Se insta a los residentes y visitantes a compartir esta noticia para ayudar a reunir el anillo con su propietario.
Public SafetyTexas inmate James Broadnax faces Thursday execution amid final appeal arguing he wasnt the shooter
James Broadnax, un recluso en Texas, está programado para ser ejecutado este jueves, mientras su equipo legal presenta una apelación final argumentando que él no fue el responsable de disparar en el crimen por el que fue condenado. La apelación busca detener la ejecución y reconsiderar las pruebas del caso.
Public Safety10 current and former Mexican officials accused in US indictment of aiding drug trafficking
NEW YORK (AP) — The governor of Sinaloa and nine other current and former Mexican officials were charged with drug trafficking and weapons offenses in a U.S. indictment unsealed Wednesday in New York, accused of aiding in the massive importation of illicit narcotics into the United States. Some officials were members of Mexico's progressive ruling
EducationNew theater facility unveiled at Harlingen middle school
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Educators and students gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the unveiling of a new theater facility. The Blackbox Theater is the newest addition to Gutierrez Middle School, located in the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. The facility marks a new chapter for the school district in its vision to support the fine arts.
PoliticsNew interactive map tracks progress of projects in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new interactive map developed by the city of Harlingen will allow users to track ongoing and future infrastructure projects. The map uses geographic tools to show precise details of a project in the Harlingen area. Javier Hernandez, GIS Analyst with the city of Harlingen, said the map will bring transparency to
CommunityI can perform again: McAllen mariachi brothers opening for Kacey Musgraves in sold-out shows
Los hermanos mariachi de McAllen están listos para regresar a los escenarios, esta vez como teloneros de la reconocida cantante Kacey Musgraves en una serie de conciertos con entradas agotadas. Este logro marca un importante paso en su carrera musical y destaca el talento local en eventos de gran escala.
WeatherA relief is finally on the way for the Rio Grande Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — We’ve got two more days of above‑average heat ahead, thanks to a strong high‑pressure system over central Mexico. But good news, some much‑needed changes arrive this weekend. A cold front is expected to move through the Valley around 9 p.m. Friday, bringing a high chance of rain. Most of the showers look to fall early Saturday morning. The
PoliticsU.S. Sparks Political Earthquake in Mexico by Accusing Sinaloa Governor of Ties to Drug Cartel
MEXICO CITY – A political earthquake of significant magnitude shook Mexico on Wednesday after the U.S. accused the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, and nine other officials of drug trafficking and alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel. The controversy comes amid reports of the recent death of two CIA agents in Chihuahua, near the U.S. border, during an anti-narcotics operation. The U.S. Department of Justice further strained bilateral relations by launching an investigation, led by Jay Clayton, federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York. The investigation alleges that these officials conspired with cartel leaders to import large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl into the U.S. in exchange for political support. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) announced it would investigate whether evidence exists to substantiate the U.S. accusations against Rocha Moya and the other officials. Ulises Lara López, Special Prosecutor for Relevant Matters and FGR spokesperson, stated that the investigation aims to determine if there is legal basis for arrest warrants. The accusations formally link Rocha Moya and high-ranking officials in Sinaloa to the Sinaloa Cartel, specifically the faction known as Los Chapitos. Allegedly, the implicated individuals protected cartel operations, provided sensitive information, and facilitated drug transportation to the U.S. in exchange for multimillion-dollar bribes.
Politics'Are voters choosing leaders?': Valley leaders react to Supreme Court voting maps decision
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a major decision impacting voting rights, making it harder to challenge electoral maps that may dilute the voting power of minority communities. Local leaders from both parties agree the ruling is significant and could shape redistricting for years. One expert says it’s the most important voting rights
EducationRegion One receives grant to support future educators
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Region One Education Service Center received a grant on Wednesday to financially support future educators in earning and obtaining their teacher certification. The $29,000 grant was awarded to Region One by the city of Weslaco and the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco. "What that's going to do is help remove the
Public Safety‘Nothing got destroyed’: Evidence tampering charge against Grandma’s Daycare manager dismissed by DA’s office
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office dismissed a charge against a daycare manager accused of tampering with evidence in an injury to a child case. According to Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios, there wasn’t enough evidence to move forward in the case against Alma Enriquez Garza, 58, of McAllen.
PoliticsRubén Rocha, the Most Troublesome Governor for Mexico's President
MEXICO CITY — Rubén Rocha Moya, a 76-year-old politician from the ruling Morena party, has not only been one of the most challenging governors for Mexico's president but has also placed her in a difficult position after becoming the first sitting governor formally accused by Donald Trump's administration of having ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. This development forces the president to choose between her party and relations with the United States. Rocha, a career professor and former rector of Sinaloa's university, had twice aspired to govern his state before becoming a close ally of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024). He served as a senator before taking office as governor of Sinaloa in late 2021—a state in northern Mexico known as the birthplace of some of the country’s most notorious drug traffickers and home to one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations, labeled a terrorist group by Trump's administration. Rocha was a staunch supporter of López Obrador’s “Hugs, Not Bullets” strategy, which aimed to address the root causes of violence but was widely criticized for failing to combat cartels, allowing them to expand their territorial control. Allegations of ties to the Sinaloa Cartel have long shadowed Rocha, partly because he hails from Badiraguato, the same municipality where Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán Loera was born. Rocha is nearly of the same generation as Guzmán and Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, the cartel’s co-founders, both of whom are currently imprisoned in the United States. The governor also accompanied the former president on controversial visits, including one where López Obrador greeted El Chapo’s mother.
PoliticsRubén Rocha, the Most Troublesome Governor for Mexico's President
MEXICO CITY — Rubén Rocha Moya, a 76-year-old politician from the ruling Morena party, has not only been one of the most challenging governors for Mexico's president, but on Wednesday, he became the first sitting governor formally accused by Donald Trump's administration of having ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. This development has placed the president in a difficult position: choosing between her party or relations with the United States. Rocha, a career professor, former rector of Sinaloa's university, and twice a gubernatorial candidate, was a historical ally of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024) and served as a senator before taking office as governor of Sinaloa in late 2021. Sinaloa, located in Mexico's Pacific Northwest, is the birthplace of some of the country's most notorious drug traffickers and a stronghold of one of the world's most powerful criminal organizations, labeled a terrorist group by Trump's administration. Rocha was a staunch supporter of López Obrador's 'Hugs, Not Bullets' strategy, which aimed to address the root causes of violence but was widely criticized by analysts for failing to combat cartels, allowing them to expand territorial control across many regions. His alleged connections to members of the Sinaloa Cartel have long shadowed him, partly because Rocha hails from Badiraguato, the same municipality where Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán Loera was born, and is nearly of the same generation as the cartel's founders, Guzmán and Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, both currently imprisoned in the United States. Rocha also accompanied the former president on controversial visits, including one where López Obrador greeted 'El Chapo's' mother.
CommunityRichard Moore Outdoor Report: Texas Tortoise
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas tortoises are on the move, and while they may not be moving very fast, they plod steadily along. Recent rains have provided bountiful brows for these hardy denizens of the Chaparral, and they are contentedly munching on fresh green grass carpeting south Texas senderos. The only place in the
Public SafetySouth Texas Man Receives 120-Month Sentence for Role in Deadly Smuggling Plot
Texas Border Business U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 21-year-old Peñitas resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in bringing in and harboring illegal aliens. Jesus Grimaldo aka Chuy pleaded guilty Oct. 22, 2025. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Grimaldo to serve the maximum