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Public SafetyTerror in Mid-Flight: Accused of Attempting to Open Door on Frontier Plane
A passenger on a Frontier Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago was arrested after allegedly strangling an off-duty employee. Police also claim the suspect attempted to open the emergency exit doors of the plane and tried to enter the cockpit during the incident on the flight heading to Chicago on Sunday. According to the FAA, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami, and the passenger was taken into federal custody. Frontier Airlines confirmed that the flight later completed the remainder of its journey to Chicago without incident. A criminal complaint obtained by NBC News alleges that the 51-year-old suspect told flight attendants he wanted to get off the plane and then attempted to open the rear exit door of the aircraft. When a flight attendant stopped him, he moved toward the front of the plane and tried to enter the cockpit, where he was again restrained by a flight attendant. Shortly after, an off-duty Frontier Airlines employee sat next to him on the plane, according to the criminal complaint. Following a scuffle, the suspect allegedly began to strangle the employee before being subdued by several other passengers. At that point, the flight made an emergency landing in Miami, and the suspect was arrested. Videos on social media captured both the incident and its aftermath, with the suspect being restrained by passengers in his seat as the plane descended toward Miami. The FBI is assisting with the investigation, and no further information was available at this time.
EducationTEA assigns conservator to Lyford CISD as part of state accountability process
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has assigned Dr. Sylvia Ibarra as a conservator to the Lyford Consolidated Independent School District to oversee its turnaround efforts. This appointment, communicated to staff and parents on March 2, is intended as a support measure rather than a punishment. Dr. Ibarra, who also serves as conservator for Monte Alto and La Joya ISDs, will monitor Lyford Middle School's progress. Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. DeWitt highlighted ongoing initiatives to enhance student achievement and accountability, with preliminary data indicating a projected B rating for the middle school in 2026, reflecting significant improvement.
Public SafetyEnergy drink distributors seek to dismiss Weslaco cheerleader death lawsuit
The family of Larissa Rodriguez, a Weslaco cheerleader who died in October 2025 due to an enlarged heart linked to caffeine consumption, is amending their lawsuit against energy drink distributors Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, LLC and Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas, LLC. The distributors have filed a motion to dismiss, asserting that the lawsuit is baseless and that the product had appropriate warnings. They argue that Rodriguez misused the drink and that any harm was due to her negligence. The family must prove the product was dangerous, as Texas law protects distributors from liability for defective products. A ruling date on the motion is pending.
Public SafetySuspect Barricades Himself in Chase Bank with People Inside in California; Two Hostages Released
BAKERSFIELD, California — Police are continuing negotiations on Wednesday with a man who barricaded himself inside a Chase Bank building in Bakersfield, California, on Tuesday, along with an undetermined number of people, according to police. Responding officers arrived around 1 p.m. at the bank building in downtown Bakersfield after a bomb threat call and discovered that a man had barricaded himself inside 'with several community members,' the Bakersfield Police Department stated in a release. The exact number of hostages remains unknown. Crisis negotiators and the FBI managed to secure the release of two individuals, and the remaining hostages are reported to be 'in good health,' said Municipal Police Sergeant Eric Celedon. No injuries have been reported. Some individuals were able to escape the building, according to authorities. The department's crisis negotiation team was in phone contact with the suspect. Officers established a perimeter around the building and nearby businesses, authorities reported.
HealthFrozen Pizza Product Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella
A frozen pizza product sold in popular supermarkets in the Chicago area and nationwide is being recalled due to an ongoing salmonella threat that has led to the recall of more than a dozen other products. Champion Foods, based in Michigan, announced last week that it was voluntarily recalling certain batches of Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Monday. The product was sold nationwide at Costco, Walmart, Jewel, Kroger, Target, Meijer, and others. The recall is due to the potential risk of salmonella contamination. Concerns stem from a powdered milk ingredient supplied by California Dairies, which was recalled in April due to possible salmonella contamination and has been linked to recalls of at least a dozen popular snack products in the United States. The FDA stated that no illnesses have been reported so far.
NationalCoast Guard Divers Arrive in Bahamas to Search for Missing American
U.S. Coast Guard divers have arrived in the Bahamas as the agency resumes the search for American citizen Lynette Hooker, who went missing in April after her husband reported that she fell from a boat, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. The divers reached Hopetown, and the search was expected to begin on Tuesday night, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Hooker, 55, disappeared on April 4; her husband, Brian Hooker, informed authorities that she had fallen from a boat, officials have indicated.
Public SafetyRoma ‘port runner’ sentenced to 10 months in prison
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who raced across the Roma bridge to stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection from searching his truck was sentenced to 10 months in prison Tuesday. Officers stopped Jose Angel Barrera, 31, of Roma in October 2025, when he crossed the bridge in a white Toyota Tundra. An X-ray revealed
Public SafetyCameron County Sheriff Claims to Have Reduced Jail Overcrowding
Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño provided an update on the overcrowding situation at the county jail and the measures implemented to reduce the inmate population. According to his explanation, his office has been working in coordination with local judges and the District Attorney's Office to decrease the number of individuals detained in the facilities. Additionally, Treviño noted that the state prison system has increased the transfer of inmates to state-run prisons to alleviate pressure on the county jail. The sheriff mentioned that, for now, no new inspection has been requested from the State Jail Standards Department, as they aim to stabilize the situation before seeking an official reevaluation. However, he clarified that law enforcement agencies continue to submit the necessary documentation to the District Attorney's Office for accused individuals to respond to charges in the judicial system. He concluded by stating, 'Local agencies are being contacted to make the necessary arrangements when their officers make an arrest.'
Public SafetyAuthorities Arrest Regional Leader of the Drug Trafficking Group Los Chapitos in Mexico
MEXICO CITY – Mexico's Security Cabinet reported on Tuesday the arrest of Gabriel 'N', alias Gabito, identified as the regional leader of the faction Los Menores, better known as Los Chapitos, a group targeted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In a statement, Mexican security authorities explained that Gabriel 'N' was captured in a coordinated operation in the municipality of El Rosario, in the state of Sinaloa, by elements of the National Defense, National Guard (GN), and state agents. According to the National Detention Registry, Gabriel 'N' was arrested on June 1 at 8:15 PM and is in the custody of the Attorney General's Office (FGR). They also indicated that the detainee is linked to crimes such as 'kidnapping, extortion, homicide, and drug-related offenses.' Additionally, he is accused of 'the homicide of six workers and four suppliers of a mining company that occurred in January of this year,' referring to personnel from the Canadian mining company Vizla Silver who went missing in the municipality of La Concordia, Sinaloa.
BusinessHome prices outpace Valley paychecks: Data shows
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After reporting Monday that home prices across the Rio Grande Valley have more than doubled since 2015, many of you asked us a very simple question on social media: Are paychecks keeping up? The data says, no. While household incomes across the Valley’s major metro areas have increased over the past
SportsWhat is the smallest country to win the World Cup?
International football is often a numbers game. Not in terms of scores, but rather in terms of population. Unlike club competitions, national teams can only call up players who are native to that nation. While a team like Real Madrid can sign anyone from anywhere in the world, the national team of Brazil can only field players with Brazilian heritage. Therefore, a country like Brazil— which had a population of over 216 million in 2022— would have a much higher likelihood of forming a strong starting eleven to win a tournament than a country like Iceland, which has a population of around 340,000.
BusinessSouth Padre Island announces new universal electric vehicle superchargers
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of South Padre Island on Tuesday announced 16 new universal electric-vehicle superchargers will be installed at the Island Metro Multi-Modal Park and Ride facility. The purpose of the new superchargers is to expand access to electric vehicle charging for residents and visitors. It will allow users to recharge vehicles
WeatherSpotty showers again today
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Look for just a few spotty showers again on Tuesday. They will most likely occur in the afternoon, with the sea breeze triggering isolated showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Most will be small and short-lived. Highs this afternoon will reach the lower 90's for much of the Valley, with mid-90s expected
NationalTrump Enters Colombian Race: Backs Far-Right Candidate Abelardo de la Espriella
Washington – President Donald Trump congratulated Colombian far-right presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella on his victory in the first round of elections and expressed his "full and total support" ahead of the second round on June 21. On his Truth Social account, Trump described De la Espriella as a "smart, strong, and determined" leader fighting for his country, asserting that if elected president, he would promote economic growth, job creation, trade, and combat crime and drug trafficking, as well as restore "law and order." The U.S. president also emphasized the importance of the second round for Colombia's future and for bilateral relations with the United States, noting that the Colombian candidate will face a contender from what he calls the "radical left" in the final elections.
Public SafetyFormer Edinburg daycare manager 'never made an attempt to report the abuse': Docs
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An arrest affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral details what led to the second arrest of a former Edinburg daycare manager accused of failing to report the alleged abuse of a 1-year-old boy. Alma Enriquez Garza, the former manager of Grandma's Daycare in Edinburg, has been arrested twice since the Edinburg Police Department
NationalThe Justice Department 'Will Not Move Forward' with Fund Against 'Politicization'
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Tuesday that the Justice Department will not move forward with its $1.8 billion fund aimed at combating 'instrumentalization.' 'We will not move forward with the fund, period,' Blanche asserted during a hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee, committing to this stance even after a federal court order expires that temporarily halts the fund. The Justice Department announced on Monday that it would comply with a recent court ruling that temporarily blocks the $1.8 billion fund, which has faced widespread opposition from both political sides.
HealthTexas AG Demands Answers From Bayer and PepsiCo in Sweeping Corporate Food Contamination Probe
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a comprehensive investigation into glyphosate contamination in food, which poses health risks, especially to children. His office has issued Civil Investigative Demands to major companies like Bayer and PepsiCo. Glyphosate, a key ingredient in Roundup, is linked to various health issues, including cancer. Despite EPA restrictions on its use as a desiccant for oats in the U.S., many food companies source oats from countries where this practice is allowed. Paxton emphasized that no corporation is above the law and that his office will ensure accountability for any misleading health claims.
Public SafetyGrass Fire Causes Traffic Closures in Port Mansfield
The Willacy County Sheriff's Office reported that temporary closures are occurring at the entrance to Port Mansfield. Authorities stated that the fire was caused by an electrical transformer, and emergency crews along with the local Fire Department are working at the scene to control the situation and ensure the safety of drivers and residents. So far, no injuries or additional damages related to the incident have been reported. They advise people planning to travel through the area to take precautions and be aware of potential delays.
PoliticsTexas AG Wins Court Battle Over App Age Verification and Parental Consent
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton achieved a significant legal victory in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, upholding a state law that mandates app stores to verify user ages and enhance parental control over app downloads for minors. Senate Bill 2420, enacted in May 2025, faced a temporary block from a federal judge in December 2025, prompting Paxton's appeal. The Fifth Circuit has now ruled to pause the injunction while considering the appeal. The law requires app store owners, mainly Apple and Google, to implement age verification methods and link minor accounts to a parent or guardian, ensuring parents are notified and can approve app downloads.
Health$40.8M in Grants Approved to Support Texas Veterans
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) have announced the approval of $40.8 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants. These funds will support 190 grants to 160 organizations across Texas, aiming to assist over 125,698 veterans and their families. The grants, approved last week, will provide vital services including clinical counseling, housing assistance, and legal aid. Funding primarily comes from Texas Lottery games designated for veteran support, along with other sources like donations on driver’s licenses. Since 2009, over $400 million has been awarded through FVA grants, enhancing the lives of Texas veterans and their families.