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CommunityRio Grande City welcomes community to 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rio Grande City is inviting the community to its Memorial Stair Climb event in honor of the first responders who sacrificed their lives on 9/11. The climb is designed to represent the same number of steps that firefighters and other first responders climbed inside the World Trade Center in response to
Politics'It’s kinda ridiculous': Progreso residents push back on new $8.99 monthly brush fee
PROGRESO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new monthly brush collection fee is sparking debate among residents in Progreso, with some questioning why they have to pay for a service they may not use every month, while city leaders say the charge is needed to keep the program running without raising property taxes. Starting next month, residents
Public SafetyBody Cam Video Shows Arrest of Tony Romo
A body camera video obtained by Telemundo 39 and NBC 5 shows the arrest of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in Milwaukee on July 23 for allegedly driving under the influence. The footage captures Romo in his SUV, where Officer R. Kaur explains the reason for the stop, citing unsafe lane changes. Romo claims he had not consumed alcohol, stating he was coming from a golf tournament. He refused sobriety tests, requesting to call his lawyer instead. The officer noted signs of intoxication, and Romo was ultimately arrested. His court appearance is set for September 21, and the incident is under investigation.
Public Safety13th Court of Appeals halts court proceedings for wrongful death lawsuit of Weslaco cheerleader
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The 13th Court of Appeals on Monday ordered Hidalgo County court proceedings regarding the wrongful death lawsuit of a Weslaco cheerleader to stop as it reviews an energy drink distributor's attempt to get the suit dismissed. The 13th Court of Appeals granted Glazer's Beer and Beverage's emergency motion for temporary relief
CommunityMission CISD Back-to-School Bash Draws Huge Crowd
Over 2,000 students, parents, and community members attended the Mission CISD Back-to-School Bash on Monday at the Mission Event Center. This annual event aims to equip families for the 2026-2027 school year by providing essential resources such as school supplies, registration help, health information, and more. Attendees had the chance to meet district staff and learn about various student programs. School starts on August 11, and Mission CISD is eager to welcome students back for another year of academic success. The event was supported by local partners, highlighting the community's commitment to education.
WeatherTwo kinds of weather for the Valley: Hot and breezy
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A classic weather pattern is settling in across the Rio Grande Valley. Over the next seven days, a dome of high pressure will dominate the region, keeping skies mostly sunny and temperatures running hot each afternoon. Highs are expected to climb into the mid to upper 90s and 100s from the
BusinessMeta and BlackRock Launch El Paso Data Center Venture Expected to Create More Than 4,300 Jobs
Meta Platforms Inc. and BlackRock Inc. have announced a partnership to develop a data center campus in El Paso, Texas, aimed at bolstering Meta's artificial intelligence initiatives. The construction, which is already underway, will provide 1 gigawatt of computing capacity and is expected to create over 4,300 jobs, including 300 permanent positions. Meta is investing more than $10 billion in the project, with BlackRock managing 80% of the venture. Additionally, the initiative includes workforce development programs and a $500,000 grant for STEM education in El Paso schools. The total development cost is projected at around $14 billion.
Public SafetyHe Strangled and Killed His Pregnant Partner: This is the Sentence He Will Serve
The chilling murder of a young mother from Vernon, Connecticut, who was strangled by her then-partner, with whom she had a child and was pregnant, reached a conclusion with the sentencing of the perpetrator. Abdul Mboob, 26, was sentenced on Tuesday to 34 years in prison for the murder of 22-year-old Anastasia Paul. Mboob pleaded guilty to the brutal crime that took Paul’s life on July 17, 2023, in their apartment, where they were living together with their child. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visit www.thehotline.org, or text LOVEIS to 22522. The heartbreaking details of the murder reveal that Mboob strangled Paul to death because he was angry with her. In court, Mboob did not appear physically; instead, he attended via Zoom. The courtroom quickly filled with tears from Paul’s family. 'It has been three long and exhausting years seeking justice for Anastasia, hoping for a result that matches a criminal like this,' said the victim's sister, Jelina Paul. 'The outcome is permanent. He denied her all the future she had planned.' Several family members made statements in court, but Jeanine Lavoy, the victim's mother, broke down in tears. 'I still hear her voice in my head calling, “Mom.” She deserved to live,' Lavoy said. '…Why did you do this to my daughter? How can someone be so cruel and selfish, not caring to take a whole life and make a heart stop forever?' In response, Mboob expressed remorse and apologized to Paul’s family; however, they walked out and did not hear his statement. Although the sentence has been handed down, Paul’s family will continue to fight to raise awareness about domestic violence and ensure that Paul’s memory lives on for their four-year-old son. The judge also issued a permanent protection order against Mboob, prohibiting him from contacting the child until he is at least 70 years old.
CommunityCommunity Invited to Edinburg PD’s 30th National Night Out, Aug. 4th
The Edinburg Police Department is hosting its 30th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Promenade Park Amphitheater, located at 200 W. McIntyre St. This free community event will feature food, safety demonstrations, and live entertainment, including performances by Leo Garcia & the Rattlers and The Hot Rodz. Attendees can enjoy a carnival, car show, kids’ games, dinosaur rides, and a petting zoo. Free school backpacks and supplies will be distributed while supplies last, promoting community spirit and neighborhood connections.
NationalSenate Confirms Jay Clayton as Head of Intelligence Agencies
The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the new head of the nation's intelligence agencies with a 51 to 47 vote, following partisan lines. Clayton, previously a federal prosecutor and SEC chairman, was nominated after President Trump delayed the process. Concerns arose over the interim director, Bill Pulte, who lacked intelligence experience and had been involved in controversial actions, including staff reductions. Clayton faced scrutiny during his confirmation hearing for not explicitly stating that President Biden won the 2020 election. Despite Democratic opposition, Clayton emphasized his commitment to national security principles during the hearing.
Public SafetyMexican National Convicted in $157M Drug Smuggling Operation
Wblester Villanueva Echeverria, a 30-year-old Mexican national previously living in Atlanta, was convicted of drug trafficking in a Laredo court. The jury found him guilty of conspiring to distribute over 10,460 kilograms of meth and cocaine, valued at approximately $157 million, from June 2019 to August 2023. Evidence linked Echeverria to multiple shipments of narcotics hidden in produce and other goods. The investigation began in November 2021, leading to significant drug seizures. He faces a potential life sentence and a $10 million fine, with sentencing scheduled for a later date. Echeverria remains in custody.
NationalCongress Chooses the Only Daylight Saving Reform Version That the U.S. Already Tried, Hated, and Repealed
If a new bill to make daylight saving time permanent becomes law, Americans may no longer have to worry about changing their clocks twice a year. However, some social media users still do not want to reverse the current policy. On July 15, the House of Representatives approved the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 to establish year-round daylight saving time, with the support of President Donald Trump. If enacted, Americans will experience darker mornings and later sunsets during the winter. 'Congress just chose the only version of daylight saving reform that the U.S. has already tried, hated, and repealed,' reads a post on X from July 14. History shows that the U.S. has been through this before. The Standard Time Act of 1918 established U.S. time zones; daylight saving time was standardized in 1966. This law allowed states to opt out of observing daylight saving time, which Hawaii and Arizona did. In 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act to reduce energy consumption amid an oil crisis caused by an OPEC embargo aimed at punishing the U.S. for its support of Israel. The bill instituted a two-year trial period of permanent daylight saving time in most states, hoping that more evening light would save fuel. 'We have taken several steps to address the energy crisis, and more will need to be taken. Many of these involve inconveniences and sacrifices,' Nixon said. 'But year-round daylight saving time will result during the winter months in an estimated savings equivalent to 150,000 barrels of oil daily, meaning only minimal inconveniences and requiring the fair participation of all.' Permanent daylight saving time began on January 6, 1974, coinciding with the coldest and darkest part of winter in many states. Soon after, news of early morning traffic accidents heightened safety concerns. In Florida, eight children died within a month of the trial period's start, compared to two in the same period the previous year. Six of the deaths were attributed to the lack of sunlight when children were heading to school, a Florida Department of Education spokesperson told The New York Times that year. Then-Florida Governor Reubin Askew called the state legislature into a special session and proposed that most of the state return to standard time. 'Any disruption in commerce would be truly insignificant compared to the life of a single child,' Askew said at the time. As most Americans began their mornings in complete darkness, the popularity of the new law plummeted: 79% of Americans supported the change in December 1973, but by February 1974, that number had dropped to 42%, according to the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Even the arrival of spring and summer—the sunniest seasons when Americans were already accustomed to daylight saving time—did not stop U.S. politicians from working to reverse the change. On August 19, 1974, the House of Representatives voted to end the trial period of permanent daylight saving time early. The Senate voted similarly and sent the proposal to President Gerald Ford. On October 27, the U.S. returned to standard time.
NationalPentagon official Iran war death toll no longer lists 4 troops killed during renewed fighting
The Pentagon has removed four U.S. troops killed in recent fighting with Iran from its official war death toll, placing them in a new category called 'Overseas Operations.' This change has sparked concerns about accurately tracking casualties amid escalating U.S. strikes in the region. The Defense Casualty Analysis System previously reported 18 deaths and 482 injuries, but numbers fluctuated, with claims of over 500 wounded. The Pentagon's spokesperson attributed the changes to 'temporary data disruptions.' The renewed conflict began on February 28, with a ceasefire briefly established before hostilities resumed in July, complicating casualty reporting.
BusinessTexa multibillion-dollar sales tax exemption for data centers is growing, while audits lag
Texas is facing an increasing multibillion-dollar loss in sales tax revenue due to exemptions granted to data centers, with the Comptroller's Office indicating limited compliance data. Out of 138 certified data centers, only 20 have been audited, revealing that six were not meeting the exemption requirements. The state anticipates a $3.2 billion loss over the next two years, a figure likely underestimated due to the rapid growth of new data centers. Lawmakers are considering reforms or a repeal of the tax exemption amid concerns about its escalating costs and the impact on local communities.
Public SafetyElsa man charged with animal cruelty after 15 dogs rescued from his property
A 22-year-old man, Gilbert Ivarra Jr., was arrested in Elsa and charged with three counts of animal cruelty after police discovered 15 dogs in poor living conditions at his property on Ricky Crossland Avenue. The dogs were found tied up and in cramped cages, with some lacking access to water. The Elsa Police Department emphasized the importance of reporting animal abuse, as animals cannot advocate for themselves. Following a community tip, the dogs were removed and are now being cared for by a local resident. Ivarra was booked and released on a $15,000 bond.
PoliticsProposed border wall construction threatens retirement home of Brownsville-area couple
Ray Purifoy and Guadalupe Rodriguez, a couple living near Brownsville, face the possibility of losing their retirement home due to a proposed border wall along the Rio Grande. The couple, who built their home to enjoy views of Mexico, received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection outlining plans to construct a barrier that would cut through their property. They were offered $5,000 for the land but are unwilling to accept any of the options presented, including eminent domain. Purifoy, a retired Navy pilot, stated they will resist giving up their land without a court decision.
PoliticsYears of scandals havent stopped Ken Paxton. Can James Talarico change that?
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has faced numerous scandals and legal challenges, continues to hold his position despite criticism. His latest opponent, Democratic Rep. James Talarico, is campaigning to unseat him in a closely watched Senate race. Talarico aims to highlight Paxton's alleged corruption, particularly regarding a recent child abuse case handled by his office. While Paxton has maintained strong support among Republican voters, Talarico's fundraising advantage of $21.5 million compared to Paxton's $7.5 million could amplify his message. The election will test whether Talarico can overcome the entrenched support Paxton enjoys in Texas.
NationalTwo frequent Valley visitors lose tourist visas amid federal birth tourism crackdown
The Trump Administration's crackdown on birth tourism has led to the revocation of tourist visas for two women who frequently visit the Rio Grande Valley. One woman, referred to as Sarah, had her visa canceled at the Progreso port of entry while trying to dine in Weslaco. She claims her visa was revoked due to suspicions of using her visit to give birth in the U.S. for citizenship purposes. Another woman, Alicia, faced a similar situation at the Donna port while crossing with her U.S. citizen children. Both women express concerns about their ability to access education for their children amidst these visa issues.
BusinessTexas imports of Venezuelan oil soar as war chokes off Middle East supply
Imports of Venezuelan oil to Texas have significantly increased as Middle Eastern supplies have dwindled due to the ongoing Iran war. Since the U.S. took control of Venezuela's oil industry, imports rose from about 110,000 barrels per day in January to 575,000 barrels per day in June, marking the highest levels since 2018. Texas refineries have received 43% of these imports, with Louisiana receiving 39%. Analysts suggest that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created a demand for Venezuelan oil. However, production levels are expected to stabilize around 1.15 million barrels per day by 2027, requiring substantial investment for recovery.
PoliticsDan Patrick directs Texas Senate to study ways to further ingrain religion into public life
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has directed state lawmakers to explore ways to integrate religion more deeply into public life. Among the interim charges, senators are tasked with comparing state and federal laws on religious liberty, assessing the need for additional protections, and educating Texans about their rights to practice religion in various settings such as education and healthcare. Additionally, lawmakers will review a 2025 law that allows public schools to excuse absences for religious instruction. These directives are part of Patrick's broader agenda, which includes addressing issues like online ticket sales and child custody proceedings.