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PoliticsSister Letty Breaks Silence Before ICE Appointment
Sister Letty, who was arrested by ICE and released on June 29, is set to read a prepared statement regarding her detention and the legal steps ahead. Her legal team announced that she must appear at the ICE offices located at 1717 Zoy Street in McAllen on Tuesday, July 28. During this appointment, immigration authorities may require her to wear an electronic ankle monitor or potentially detain her again. Organizers of the event aim to express gratitude for the support from religious leaders, elected officials, and community members, while urging ICE to consider her case's circumstances and her history of service.
CommunitySpaceX Schedules New Launch of Starship
SpaceX has announced a new launch window for its Starship rocket from Starbase in Cameron County, set to last 90 minutes starting at 5:45 PM Central Time. Residents in Cameron County and nearby areas may experience loud noises due to the ignition of the rocket's 33 Raptor engines during the launch. The level of noise experienced will vary based on weather conditions and wind direction. Those interested in following the launch can watch it live on Telemundo 40 and through digital platforms.
WeatherSpaceX Delays Starship Launch
SpaceX announced that it has postponed the thirteenth flight test of Starship to Friday, July 24, due to weather conditions. The company indicated that the forecast suggests visibility will be much better on Friday, allowing for the necessary data collection during the test. The aerospace firm explained that one of the main objectives of this mission is to obtain clear images from the ground of Starship's thermal shield while the spacecraft flies under greater dynamic pressure during ascent, something that would not be possible with the weather conditions expected for this Thursday.
WeatherMagnitude 5.0 Earthquake Shakes Northern Texas
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Miami, a small community in northern Texas, on Thursday morning at 6:21 a.m. ET. The quake, which had a depth of 5.5 km, was centered 24 miles southeast of Spearman. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage or injuries. While Texas is not known for high seismic activity like California or Alaska, there has been a noticeable increase in earthquakes in the western part of the state over the past decade. This earthquake is among the strongest recorded in Texas history, according to the USGS.
WeatherMagnitude 5.0 Earthquake Shakes North Texas
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake was recorded on Thursday in Miami, a small community in north Texas, with no reported damage or injuries so far. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake had a depth of 5.5 km and occurred at 6:21 a.m. ET. Its epicenter was located 24 miles southeast of Spearman, a city in the Texas Panhandle, near the Oklahoma border. How common are earthquakes in Texas? While Texas is not considered a state with high seismic activity like California or Alaska, the western part of the state has seen a notable increase in earthquakes over the past decade. Earthquakes of magnitude 5 or higher remain rare in the state, with most quakes being of lower magnitude and concentrated in west Texas. According to USGS data, this would be one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in Texas.
Public SafetyMurder of Gabriella Nicole in Puerto Rico: Jury Deliberates in Trial Against Elvia Cabrera
A jury in Puerto Rico is deliberating the case of Elvia Cabrera, accused of being complicit in the murder of 16-year-old Gabriella Nicole, who was killed on August 11, 2025. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, is tasked with selecting a president before reviewing the evidence presented during the trial. Prosecutors allege that Cabrera acted in concert with her daughter, Anthonieska Avilés, who is also charged. The prosecution argues that Cabrera provided a weapon for the attack, while the defense claims the evidence does not prove Cabrera's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Closing arguments were made on Wednesday, with the jury now deciding the verdict.
Public SafetyMurder of Gabriella Nicole in Puerto Rico: Jury Deliberates in Trial Against Elvia Cabrera
What you need to know The jury begins deliberations today, Thursday, July 23, in the case against Elvia Cabrera. Cabrera faces charges of first-degree murder and possession and use of a deadly weapon. "En Detalle" with Walter Soto León and Marjorie Ramírez will broadcast the judicial process to provide all updates. This Thursday marks a decisive day in the case of the murder of Gabriela Nicole Pratts, the 16-year-old who was killed on August 11, 2025, in Puerto Rico, allegedly by her friend Anthonieska Avilés, with the presumed complicity of her mother, Elvia Cabrera. According to the Puerto Rico Prosecutor's Office, Cabrera allegedly acted "in agreement" with her daughter, Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, who is also charged in the same case. Cabrera faces charges of first-degree murder and possession and use of a deadly weapon.
Public SafetyLive Updates: Elvia Cabrera Found Guilty of the Murder of Gabriela Nicole Pratts
What you need to know The jury found Elvia Cabrera guilty of murder. Cabrera faced charges of first-degree murder and possession and use of a deadly weapon. 'En Detalle' with Walter Soto León and Marjorie Ramírez will broadcast the judicial process to provide all the details. This Thursday was a decisive day in the case of the murder of Gabriela Nicole Pratts, the 16-year-old girl who was killed on August 11, 2025, in Puerto Rico, allegedly by her friend Anthonieska Avilés and with the alleged complicity of her mother, Elvia Cabrera. According to the Puerto Rico Prosecutor's Office, Cabrera allegedly acted 'in agreement' with her daughter, Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, who is also charged in the same case. Cabrera faces charges of first-degree murder and possession and use of a deadly weapon.
WeatherTexas floodwaters inundate areas cleared for border wall construction
The Rio Grande is high in San Ygnacio, Texas, located in Zapata County, in deep South Texas. The waters are running fast and brown, pushed by raging floodwaters upriver that brought all kinds of debris and even some loose federal border buoys.
WeatherWild card in the forecast: Bertha could deliver Valley rain
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is set to continue a westward track toward Texas. The storm isn't expected to get stronger, but the eventual path will bring the remnants of the storm close enough to bring the Valley some rain Thursday night. A chance for a few afternoon showers will become a better
WeatherBertha, heat and a chance for showers this Thursday evening
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A little bit of everything is on tap for the Rio Grande Valley through Thursday night. Let’s start with Tropical Storm Bertha. The storm made landfall earlier today between Mississippi and Louisiana, surprisingly still as a tropical storm after battling strong northerly wind shear. That same shear is what’s been pushing most of Bertha’s convection off
CommunityThe Date is Set! Miss Universe Puerto Rico Reveals When the 75th Edition of the Pageant Will Take Place
The 75th edition of Miss Universe Puerto Rico will take place on November 24 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. This announcement was made via Instagram, highlighting the event as a celebration of beauty and women's empowerment. The official schedule includes three key events: the National Costume Parade on November 21, the Preliminary Competition on November 22, and the Coronation Night on November 24. These events aim to showcase the diverse cultures and traditions of the contestants from around the world, culminating in the selection of the successor to Mexican Fátima Bosch, crowned in Thailand.
Public SafetyWoman killed in wrong-way crash in Cameron County
A tragic head-on collision occurred in Cameron County, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to another individual. The incident took place at 8:52 a.m. on Wednesday on FM 511, south of State Highway 48. A Kenworth truck, driven by a male, was towing a tanker trailer and heading northbound. In contrast, a silver 2007 Toyota Scion, with a male driver and a female passenger, was traveling southbound in the wrong lane when it collided with the Kenworth. The female passenger died at the scene, while the driver was hospitalized in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing.
Community4th annual Earth and Space Celebration set in Mercedes
The 4th annual Earth and Space Celebration is set for Saturday, August 1, at the Mercedes Dome, located at 1202 N. Vermont Avenue. This event offers families in the Rio Grande Valley a fun and educational experience before the school year begins. Dr. Samuel Garcia Jr., the event's founder, shared insights on what attendees can expect. The celebration aims to engage the community with activities related to earth and space sciences. For further details, interested individuals can find more information online.
National2 women who visit the Valley often lose tourist visas amid birth tourism crackdown
Two women frequently visiting the Rio Grande Valley have had their tourist visas revoked amid a crackdown on birth tourism by the Trump Administration. One woman, identified as Sarah, was denied entry at the Progreso port of entry, where a Customs and Border Protection officer informed her that visas were being canceled for those suspected of giving birth in the U.S. for citizenship purposes. Another woman, Alicia, faced a similar fate at the Donna port while crossing with her U.S. citizen children. Both women express concern about their ability to transport their children to school, with Alicia hoping for assistance from IDEA Public Schools.
PoliticsCity of Brownsville, Midtown Entertainment District come to agreement following attempted shutdown
The city of Brownsville has reached an agreement with businesses in the Midtown Entertainment District after an attempt to shut down several bars due to code violations. The violations included serving minors, allowing illegal substances, and serving alcohol past legal hours. A temporary restraining order against the city has been lifted, provided that the businesses file an administrative appeal. The city will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with codes, although the schedule for these inspections is not yet known. Bars can continue operating, but the city retains the right to revoke occupancy certificates if violations occur.
WeatherValley first responders urge residents to stay safe during the heat
With a scorching week ahead, first responders in the Rio Grande Valley are advising residents to prioritize safety. Those working outdoors should wear light-colored clothing and take regular breaks to hydrate. Brownsville Fire Department Captain David Rossetti emphasized the importance of consuming electrolytes slowly to avoid illness. He also urged people to recognize heat illness symptoms, such as dizziness and vomiting. In case of severe symptoms like seizures or loss of consciousness, calling 911 is crucial. Staying informed and prepared can help prevent heat-related emergencies during this hot spell.
BusinessBrownsville evaluating permit for proposed data center
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — What was once a Walmart and later a shelter for undocumented migrant children could now possibly turn into a data center. An unidentified company has filed a permit request with the City of Brownsville to develop a data center at 7480 Padre Island Hwy, which is a 32-acre plot of land
Health'Wish it never happened': Starr County ranchers concerned after New World screwworm case
ROMA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Starr County rancher says he is concerned about the impact a confirmed case of New World screwworm could have on his operation as western Starr County remains under movement restrictions. “Wish it never happened but it did. Now, we deal with it,” said Richard Garza-Ray, a rancher near Roma. Garza-Ray’s
Politics$2M grant to fund street improvements in Mission
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A multimillion-dollar grant will fund street improvements in the city of Mission, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Tuesday. The Texas General Land Office approved $2 million in funds from the Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program, which supports communities with outstanding unmet needs from federally declared disasters. According to GLO, the grant