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NationalTrump Receives Remains of Four Soldiers Killed in War with Iran
President Donald Trump traveled to Delaware on Wednesday to receive the remains of four service members who died in the ongoing conflict with Iran, a task he described as one of the most difficult duties of being commander in chief. Trump will be at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware when the remains of the fallen soldiers are returned to their families, the White House reported. This ritual is one of the most solemn responsibilities of a commander in chief and will be the third such event Trump has attended since the war in Iran began in February. Speaking to reporters en route to Dover, Trump called it 'one of the hardest things to do as president.' His message to the grieving families, he indicated, will simply be: 'We love you, we love your son.' 'There are no games, there’s nothing: that’s your son,' Trump stated. 'And the only thing you can do is give your heart.'
PoliticsSmall Texas Town Takes on Trump Administration Over Border Wall Construction
On one side: a small community in rural Texas. On the other: the Trump administration. A tiny Texas town near the Mexico border is fighting government efforts to build a border wall that would cut through a levee system protecting the community. The town argued in court on Tuesday that the wall could lead to flooding and that the government is not adhering to the law as it rushes forward with its plans. The federal court hearing took place as the Department of Homeland Security pushes its $46 billion plan to complete a border wall from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, fulfilling what has long been a signature promise of President Donald Trump. However, the department is facing opposition from landowners, environmental groups, indigenous tribes, and others who argue that the government's rapid construction endangers historical and religious sites and a way of life along the border, at a time when crossings from Mexico are already at extremely low levels. The lawsuit filed by the Presidio development district pits a small town of just over 3,200 residents against a key department in the government's plans to carry out its mass deportation agenda. It also highlights a longstanding issue that has been significant for many Americans, particularly Republicans: the friction that sometimes arises between small municipalities and the federal government in Washington.
BusinessCOSTEP Brings Regional EDC Leaders Together
On June 11, 2026, the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) hosted a forum in McAllen, bringing together economic leaders from Rio South Texas and representatives from the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster. The event focused on cross-border trade, supply chain integration, and investment opportunities. Key discussions included the importance of regional infrastructure, with presentations from various economic development officials. Notable participants included Ralph Garcia from the McAllen Economic Development Corporation and Jorge Torres from Interlink Trade Services. The meeting aimed to strengthen business relationships and highlight the industrial capabilities of both regions.
Public SafetySuspect Sought in Harlingen Sam's Club Theft
Harlingen Area Crime Stoppers has released a photograph of the suspect and is inviting anyone who may recognize her or know her whereabouts to provide information. Those with details about her identity can contact Harlingen Area Crime Stoppers anonymously at 956-425-8477 (TIPS), submit a report through the P3 Tips app, or visit the website www.425TIPS.com.
PoliticsAbbott signs executive order targeting birth tourism schemes following investigation at Valley hospitals
Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order aimed at investigating and shutting down birth tourism schemes in Texas. This order specifically targets licensed healthcare providers involved in such practices. Two hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley, Mission Regional Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center, are currently under investigation for allegedly promoting birth packages to foreign nationals. Abbott emphasized that Texas will not tolerate the misuse of immigration laws for profit and has directed various state agencies to take enforcement actions against any violations. These actions may include revoking licenses and collaborating with federal authorities.
NationalMexican Man Who Died After Being Struck by Truck While Fleeing ICE in Florida Was on Vacation, Authorities Say
A Mexican man who was killed after being hit by a truck in Florida while fleeing from federal immigration agents was on vacation in the United States and held a tourist visa, according to a Mexican government official and a group assisting his wife. Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán, 28, died on July 14 after reportedly running across a busy highway in St. Augustine and into the path of a truck. His death was the third linked to encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in about a week, following deadly shootings in Texas and Maine. Coronilla Durán traveled from his hometown of San Luis de la Paz in central Mexico's Guanajuato state to Atlanta to visit family and friends, according to Isaret Jeffers, founder of Colectivo Arbol, a farmworker advocacy group. Jeffers noted on Tuesday that he had stayed in Georgia for three weeks before heading to Florida's east coast to enjoy the beaches.
HealthWalmart Withdraws Taylor Farms Iceberg Lettuce Bags in Several States
Walmart announced that its stores in several states are withdrawing certain bags of iceberg lettuce from Taylor Fresh Foods after the brand expanded its voluntary recall of lettuce products sourced from central Mexico, due to a possible link to a multistate Cyclospora outbreak. According to the recall notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lettuce was distributed across various states, including through food service and retail segments. The recall indicates that some retailers sold 12 and 24-ounce bags of iceberg salad and 8 and 16-ounce bags of shredded lettuce, with 'best by' dates ranging from July 16 to August 3. The FDA did not provide a list of retailers. A July 18 post on Walmart's 'Food Recalls' website indicated that some of the lettuce products were sold in retail locations across 15 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Overall, the voluntarily recalled Taylor Farms products were primarily distributed through food service in over two dozen states, and the CDC initially warned consumers to avoid eating the shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. A complete list of states included in the Taylor Farms recall is available. The recall announcement included 25 shredded lettuce and salad mix products sold under eight different brand codes. The recalled products were shipped as recently as July 16 and have 'best by' dates up to August 3. The full list can be found here. Sysco, the largest food distributor in the country, suspended the distribution of all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products sourced from Mexico and instructed its customers to destroy them. On July 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised consumers not to eat the recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico, which 'may be sold in retail stores or restaurants.' 'If you purchased the recalled lettuce, dispose of it or return it to the store. If you are unsure of the lettuce's origin, ask at the restaurant,' the CDC stated. Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that contaminates food that has been in contact with human feces, most often when agricultural products are irrigated or washed with contaminated water. When ingested, the parasite causes intestinal illness marked by 'frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,' according to the CDC. In 2026, Cyclospora has sickened at least 1,645 people in the United States and hospitalized 141, according to the CDC, which is investigating over 5,000 additional illnesses that could be related to the parasite. By this time last year, only 249 cases had been reported. It was unclear whether other retailers had removed Taylor Farms lettuce products from their shelves. NBC Chicago reached out to Target and the parent companies of Jewel-Osco and Mariano’s for this report.
McAllenWoman gives birth to rare identical quadruplet girls in Australia
The babies were conceived naturally and came from one fertilized egg that split into four.
PoliticsJudge Halts Deportation of Witness in the Death of Lorenzo Salgado at the Hands of ICE
A federal judge has halted the deportation of José Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a witness to the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent during a traffic stop in Houston on July 7. Rojas Pliego was in the vehicle with Salgado Araujo, who was shot while heading to work. His detention by ICE is being challenged as unconstitutional. The Department of Homeland Security stated it will comply with the court order. Meanwhile, the Harris County District Attorney's Office is assisting the three passengers in applying for U visas for cooperating with law enforcement. The investigation continues amid protests and calls for an independent inquiry.
NationalAll Set for Maduro's Hearing in New York: What to Expect?
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Adela Flores, are set to appear in a Manhattan federal court for a status hearing on Wednesday. Originally scheduled for June 30, the hearing was moved up at the request of prosecutors. This hearing will not determine guilt but will address key documents and evidence exchange. Maduro faces charges of narcoterrorism, drug trafficking, and possession of weapons after being extradited from Venezuela. His defense may argue for dismissal based on diplomatic immunity and jurisdiction issues. Both Maduro and Flores remain in custody in Brooklyn since their capture on January 3, 2026.
NationalThe New Life of the Pilot Who Escaped Cuba in a Crop-Dusting Plane in 2022
Almost four years have passed since Rubén Martínez Machado fled Cuba in a Russian crop-dusting plane and landed at an airport near the Everglades in Florida. With political asylum granted and a rebuilt life away from the Cuban exile community in Lansing, Michigan, Rubén recalls that October 21, 2022, when he made a solo escape from Sancti Spíritus and landed before noon in Florida. 'I remember it as being filled with fear, I don’t know... Fear, fear of what could happen, but in the end, everything turned out well.' Upon arriving in the U.S., Rubén describes the moment: 'As I was landing, the controller asked who I was and what I was doing, and I told him: I’m from Cuba running from communism. I heard him say ‘oooh’ and he told me to stay in the plane. Then someone came, knocked on the door, I opened it, and he started asking what I was doing. I explained the same: ‘I’m from Cuba running from communism,’ and he said: ‘Welcome to the USA.’ The pilot, who was 29 at the time and worked for the Cuban Air Services Company, was detained for four months after landing in Florida. When asked if his escape was planned or spontaneous, he explained: 'I had been thinking about it for a long time. The problem was finding the courage to do it and seeing when the right moment was, although in the end, nothing goes as planned. If I could turn back time, I would have done it much earlier and in different ways. The problem is that communism doesn’t work, it will never work. How long has it been since I came? 4 or 5 years? And that hasn’t changed; it’s much worse now,' he says. Rubén showed us his new home: an unfurnished house featuring a large American flag. He lives alone with his pet Caramelo and proudly shares photos of his new job as an operator at a recycling company. When asked if he has received threats from the regime, he noted: 'At first, yes, but… this is complicated (...) in the end, I have remained silent.' He explains that this is partly why he did not stay in Florida like most of the Cuban exile community, but there is another reason: 'To be honest, I always expected a bit more support from the Cuban-American community, and I did receive some, but then influencers kind of twisted the story and made it seem like getting views was much more important than fighting for the freedom of Cuba. So I said: well, I see that what’s here is a rat trap, so it’s better not to get involved in this,' he states. Rubén has been accused on social media of being a spy for the Cuban regime, which he vehemently denies. Today, he hopes to start a family and perhaps continue his career as a pilot once his residency is approved.
National28-Year-Old Identified as New York Sergeant Believed to Have Died in Iran Attack in Jordan
The U.S. military has identified Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, from New York, as one of three American soldiers presumed dead following an Iranian attack on the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan on July 17, 2026. The Pentagon announced that Rampersad's status has changed from missing to presumed dead. She was serving with the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, stationed in Ansbach, Germany. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed condolences, marking the loss of Rampersad as deeply felt. This incident raises the total number of U.S. military fatalities in the conflict to 18, with ongoing military actions against Iranian targets.
NationalTrump Announces Plan to Impose Tariffs of Up to 200% on Generic Medications
President Donald Trump has announced a plan to impose tariffs of up to 200% on essential generic medications by 2029, aimed at boosting pharmaceutical production in the U.S. According to Trump, tariffs will start at 100% in August 2028, increasing to 200% the following year. For the next two years, generic medications will be imported without tariffs. Trump emphasized that the goal is to 'relocalize' production within the country, penalizing companies that do not establish manufacturing plants. The plan also maintains existing tariffs on patented medications, with exceptions for companies that negotiate prices with the government.
NationalTrump Announces Escalated Plan to Impose Tariffs of Up to 200% on Generic Drugs
President Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to impose tariffs of up to 200% on essential generic medications by 2029, aimed at boosting pharmaceutical production in the U.S. The phased approach includes a 100% tariff starting in August 2028, increasing to 200% the following year. For the next two years, generic medications will remain tariff-free. Trump stated that the goal is to 'relocalize' production, penalizing companies that do not establish manufacturing within the set timeframe. While the plan targets generics, the existing tariff structure for patented drugs remains unchanged, with some exceptions for companies that relocate production to the U.S.
PoliticsCity of Brownsville approves pay raise proposition for November ballot
The Brownsville City Commission unanimously approved a modification to Proposition A, which will be on the November ballot. This proposition aims to increase the salaries of the mayor and city commissioners to $62,000 and $50,000 annually, respectively, contingent on public approval. The proposal, developed by the Brownsville Charter Review Committee, includes a provision that prevents current commissioners from receiving a pay raise. Mayor John Cowen and Commissioner Tino Villarreal emphasized the importance of fair compensation to encourage diverse candidates, while Commissioner Gustavo De Leon expressed his commitment to future generations. The special election is scheduled for November 3.
Weather'Let's stay prepared': City of Alamo hosts sandbag distribution
The city of Alamo is emphasizing the importance of storm preparedness by offering sandbag distribution at various locations. Residents can collect empty sandbags at Alamo City Hall, located at 420 N. Tower Rd., and fill them at the Alamo Sports Complex, Balli Park, or the intersection of Duranta Drive and Professional Drive. Senior citizens and those with disabilities can obtain assistance vouchers at City Hall for help loading sandbags at the Alamo Public Works site, which is open during specific hours. Each household can receive up to five sandbags, while businesses can take two, with proof of residency required.
WeatherThe Valley is on the wrong side of Tropical Storm Bertha
Tropical Storm Bertha is positioned too far north to directly affect the Valley, but its western flank is causing sinking air, leading to clear skies and high temperatures. Residents can expect daytime highs around or above 100 degrees for several days, including the upcoming weekend. Most of the storm's heavy rainfall is anticipated to occur over the Gulf waters. Bertha's movement is being influenced by a frontal boundary in the southern U.S., preventing it from moving north. Additionally, Saharan dust is expected to impact air quality in the Valley through next week.
BusinessConsumer Reports: Protect your data with a guest WiFi network
Consumer Reports advises homeowners to enhance their digital security by setting up a guest WiFi network. This feature, available on most routers, allows guests to access the internet without connecting to personal devices. Establishing a guest network improves privacy, as it keeps potentially infected devices separate from your main network. It also boosts overall WiFi performance by allowing bandwidth limits and automatic disconnections for guest devices. Setting it up is straightforward: log into your router, activate the guest network, and create an easy-to-remember password. This method allows for safe sharing of WiFi with visitors while protecting your data.
HealthOperation Border Health kicks off with free medical services across the Valley
Operation Border Health began on Friday and will run until July 23, providing free medical services throughout the four counties of the Rio Grande Valley. Parents of student-athletes can receive free sports physicals as the new school year approaches. Sulema Solis, Director of Health Services for PSJA Independent School District, emphasized the importance of bringing medications for better assessment. The initiative offers various medical and dental services for all ages, and veterinary services for pets are available in Starr and Willacy counties. Locations include Cameron County Veterans Memorial High School in Brownsville and PSJA Early College High School in San Juan, among others.
CommunityMade in the 956: Valley band spread conjunto music across the country
Los Delta Boyz, a band from the Rio Grande Valley, is spreading conjunto music nationwide while proudly representing the 956. Founded in Edcouch-Elsa in 2012 by brothers Javier and Jaime Gonzalez, the band has over a decade of experience and consists of four members. They view conjunto music as a tradition and a way to share their roots. Recently inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame, they express pride in showcasing their unique style and connecting with audiences who appreciate the music of their upbringing. The band emphasizes their commitment to giving back to the Valley community.