La Linea designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization
The Trump administration has added the Juarez cartel to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, allowing the U.S to go after its assets and those who help them.
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James Talarico makes stop in the Valley
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It’s been a busy couple of days for U.S. Senate candidates in the Valley. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton visited McAllen for a rally on Tuesday. On Wednesday, his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, stopped by McAllen and Edinburg as part of his Frontera...
Continuing the heat & haze
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The summertime heat and haze will be staying with us for the next few days. Saharan dust continues to enter the area and will vary in intensity over the next few days. We should see a little more of the sun this afternoon than yesterday. A stray shower is not ou...
La Linea designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization
The Trump administration has added the Juarez cartel to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, allowing the U.S to go after its assets and those who help them.
Texas flooding surges as rescuers pull people from rising waters
The National Weather Service in San Antonio said a “large and deadly flood wave” was barreling down the same river wrecked by floods last summer when two dozen children and counselors were killed at Camp Mystic.
Max Verstappen leaves his F1 future open but says things are 'really good' with Red Bull team boss
Max Verstappen has left his future in Formula 1 open again ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix and praised his “really good” relationship with Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies. Verstappen has yet to commit to staying with Red Bull for next year after he was linked to McLaren and suggested he'd ...
British Open: Baldwin hits 'terrifying' opening shot after missing World Cup semi due to early start
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Matthew Baldwin had the honor of hitting the opening tee shot of the British Open at Royal Birkdale, where the Englishman has been a member for 23 years after growing up in the area. It meant needing a 3:30 a.m. alarm. It also meant missing one of his country’s biggest e...
LeBron James scheduled to speak Thursday at Fanatics Fest in NYC, as NBA waits to hear his plans
NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James may be ready to shed some light on his future plans. The NBA's career scoring king — and free agent — is scheduled to speak publicly Thursday afternoon, meaning it's possible that James will be revealing where he plans to play this coming season or at least give some ...
Triathlon unites to increase its popularity closer to the level of tennis and golf
MADRID (AP) — Triathlon is taking action to try to boost its popularity, with hopes of bringing it closer to the level of tennis and golf. A new global circuit will debut in 2027 following an alliance between the international federation and private organizers in an attempt to unify the sport tha...
British Open returns to a new Royal Birkdale and an old chase for the claret jug
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Matthew Baldwin teed off at Royal Birkdale, just as he has done countless times as a member of the century-old links who grew up a short walk away. What made Thursday different was having a full grandstand surrounding him and a shiny claret jug reminding him what's at st...
More border buoys ready to go into Rio Grande in South Texas
Dozens of giant orange border buoys have been put near the Roma International Bridge, ready to be placed in the Rio Grande.
Saharan dust and hazy conditions continue in the forecast
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Another wave of Saharan dust is on the move again, stretching from Africa across the Atlantic, sweeping through the Caribbean and the Gulf, and yes, more of it is headed for the Valley. As this haze settles in over the next several days and likely into next week...
Lionel Messi delivers again for Argentina as defending champions reach another World Cup final
ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi delivered for his teammates. With one more win, he'll be delivering another World Cup trophy to Argentina. Messi didn't add to his tournament-leading goal total, but the 39-year-old assisted on two late strikes that carried La Albiceleste to another stunning comeback a...
'We really need it': Salvation Army distributes 150 box fans to Raymondville residents
RAYMONDVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As triple-digit temperatures continue across the Rio Grande Valley, dozens of Raymondville residents received some relief Wednesday when the Salvation Army distributed 150 box fans to help families stay cool during the summer heat. The Raymondville giveaway i...
Expanded playoffs make it hard to predict whether Skubal, Chapman, Gray get dealt
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Expanded playoffs make it harder to predict whether Tarik Skubal and other choice acquisitions will be dealt before the Aug, 3 trade deadline. Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff position heading into the season's second half, which opens Thursday w...
Defending champion Argentina reaches World Cup final by beating England 2-1
ATLANTA (AP) — No “Hand of God” this time. Argentina didn’t need it. Instead it was the hallowed feet of Lionel Messi and the unbreakable spirit of a team that has repeatedly fought back at this year's World Cup that is now one step away from back-to-back titles. Trailing 1-0 going into the 85th ...
Food Bank RGV to distribute free produce in Hidalgo
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Food Bank RGV will give out free fruits and vegetables to residents on Thursday in Hidalgo. A pop-up mobile produce distribution event will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Payne Arena located at 2600 N. 10th St. A picture ID is requested. Organizers...
Harlingen City Commission to further discuss proposed policies on public comment period
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Harlingen City Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to postpone a city agenda item on whether to adopt new policies for the public comment period at city meetings. City commissioners agreed to take more time to further review a draft and input suggeste...
Alton fire crews respond to call of illegal burning
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hidalgo County Commissioner Everardo 'Ever' Villarreal is alerting residents about the consequences of illegal burning after fire crews responded to an illegal burn call on Wednesday. Crews with the Alton Fire Department responded to the fire near the 6-Mile Lin...
Former Donna ISD employee takes office as Texas State Teachers Association president
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A former Donna Independent School District employee took office as the new president of the Texas State Teachers Association on Wednesday. According to TSTA, Linda Estrada was born in Weslaco and grew up in Donna, where she went on to have a 33-year career wit...
England's Tuchel: 'Easy to say that it was wrong' to play defensively with lead vs. Argentina
ATLANTA (AP) — England desperately wanted to protect its lead as time was winding down in its World Cup semifinal against Argentina. Coach Thomas Tuchel made lineup and strategy changes to build a wall in front of the goal. Argentina and Lionel Messi simply kicked it down. England led 1-0 late in...
Running back Alvin Kamara has a new deal with the Saints for 2026, agent says
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara agreed on Wednesday to restructure his contract for the coming season. “His goal is to remain with the Saints,” Kamara's agent, Bradley Cicala, told The Associated Press after confirming the agreement. Kamara's future with New Orlean...
The World Cup final is set, with Messi and Argentina facing Yamal and Spain for the title on Sunday
The best offense. The best defense. The World Cup final is set, and fittingly, a clash of styles awaits. Lionel Messi — the most prolific goal scorer in the tournament's history — and defending champion Argentina will take on Spain's defensive juggernaut on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ...
Brewers bolster rotation by getting Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon in a deal with the Astros
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder. Houston agreed to pay Milwaukee $4,227,273 to offset most of McCullers' remaining salary, leaving his co...
Homicide investigation underway in La Grulla
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A homicide investigation is underway in La Grulla. A man was found unresponsive in La Grulla on Tuesday and was later pronounced dead, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Rangers and Starr County officials are leading the homicide investiga...
A'ja Wilson is drafted No. 1 as Cooper and Weatherspoon pick WNBA All-Star teams
Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson was selected first in the WNBA All-Star draft for the exhibition game that will be played on July 25 in Chicago. Acting as honorary general managers, WNBA greats Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon each drafted All-Star teams Wednesday from players that previously wer...
Primera plans water treatment plant after payment dispute with Harlingen
The city of Primera plans to develop its own water treatment plant and new municipal water well for its more than 5,000 residents, according to city officials. The plan comes after the city and its sole water supplier, the Harlingen WaterWorks system, worked to resolve months of water-hike disput...
Jury finds Veronica O’Caña guilty in Mission CISD bribery case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After a three-day trial, a jury deliberated for less than three hours Wednesday before finding Veronica O’Caña guilty on bribery, money laundering and witness tampering charges. Veronica Inez O’Caña, 50, of Mission accepted bribes on behalf of her sister, former M...
Body of man found in Donna, investigation underway
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Police are investigating after the body of a man was found in Donna on Wednesday. The body of a 34-year-old man was found off the 2400 block of Bonita St., according to Donna police Chief Gilbert Guerrero. Donna police say they received a call from the man's par...
Jaxon Smith-Njigba voted the NFL’s top wide receiver by AP panel
Jaxon Smith-Njigba won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award and the Super Bowl last season before the Seattle Seahawks gave him the biggest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history. No surprise he was voted the NFL’s top wideout by The Associated Press in a preseason survey. Smith-Njigba ...
Sister of former Mission school board president found guilty
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that Veronica O’Cana, the sister of former Mission school board president Patricia “Patty” O’Cana-Olivarez, has been found guilty of the charges against her. MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After a three-day trial, a jury deliberated for less ...
Jury finds Mission businesswoman guilty on all counts in corruption trial
Veronica Inez O’Caña makes her way toward the federal courthouse Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in McAllen. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor) McALLEN — A federal jury Wednesday found Mission businesswoman Veronica Inez O’Caña guilty on all charges in the federal corruption trial. She’s accused of c...
Former Alabama National Guard member gets a year in prison for smuggling
A former member of the Alabama National Guard was sentenced to one year in prison for human smuggling following his arrest in 2021. Derrick Terelle Sankey was sentenced to a year in prison as part of a plea agreement followed by three years of supervised release with the first six months being un...
ICE should keep making traffic stops despite recent shootings, Trump says
By REBECCA SANTANA and PATRICK WHITTLE | Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to keep pulling over vehicles, signaling his opposition Wednesday to plans announced just a day earlier to suspend most traffic stops following ano...
Distance debate at this British Open is how far the golf ball goes on the ground
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — How far the golf ball goes has been debated for the last 20 years and distance is likely to be a big concern this week at Royal Birkdale for the British Open, with one twist. It's not how far shots are going in the air. It's what happens when they get [...]
Texas refers birth tourism allegations against two Valley hospitals to AG
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has officially referred allegations against two Rio Grande Valley healthcare providers to Attorney General Ken Paxton for allegedly promoting birth tourism in the state. The allegations against Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission and Kn...
Texas agencies must cut spending by 3% under new order from Abbott, Patrick and Burrows
By Kayla Guo | The Texas Tribune Texas’ top elected officials on Wednesday instructed state agencies, appellate courts and universities to cut spending by 3% in their budget requests for the next two years “as a starting point for budget deliberations.” Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas House Speaker Dusti...
Kylian Mbappé-led France falls flat in World Cup loss to Spain when hopes for a title were high
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kylian Mbappé had France poised for another run to the World Cup final with a team that seemingly had the offensive firepower to solve Spain's stout defense. Instead, Les Bleus had no answers in a 2-0 semifinal loss at the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday in wha...
Waerenskjold wins fastest ever stage of Tour de France, Pogačar protects lead
NEVERS, France (AP) — Norwegian rider Soeren Waerenskjold attacked late and powered to victory in the fastest ever stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday while Tadej Pogačar protected his overall lead on the 11th day of racing. Waerenskjold finished just ahead of Olav Kooij, Jasper Philipsen an...
Drama-filled women's final at Wimbledon earns record viewership on ESPN
LONDON (AP) — Helped by some mid-match drama, the Wimbledon final between Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova over the weekend was ESPN’s most-watched women’s championship match at the grass-court Grand Slam. The all-Czech final, during which Noskova wasted five match points and a 5-2 lead in the ...
TxDOT: Lane closures at Edinburg intersection due to wire installation
Editor's note: This story was updated after TxDOT announced work has been postponed to Friday. HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation is alerting drivers of lane closures happening Friday in Edinburg. The closures will be in effect at the intersection of State ...