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The latest at Starbase with LabPadre: June 29
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- At the beginning of fire testing for Ship 40, the ship's static fire stand was brought to Mega Bay 2 for ship transfer and rollout to the Massey Outpost. When the door was reopened, we could see that Ship 40 was on the static fire stand. The ship began rolling o...
Ja Morant is headed to Portland after the Memphis Grizzlies trade the 2-time All-Star
Ja Morant is headed to Portland, after the Trail Blazers and Memphis completed a trade Monday night that sees the Grizzlies starting anew and gives the two-time All-Star a chance to revive his career. Portland sent forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Grizzlies as part of the deal. It’s a...
Paraguay stuns Germany in a penalty shootout for the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — José Canale wasn’t in the starting lineup in either of his previous two appearances for Paraguay in this World Cup. He made his first start a memorable one. Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay...
Sportsbooks say World Cup betting has surged past expectations, with US hype driving action
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sportsbook operators anticipated this year's World Cup would set betting records because the major elements were aligned. The world's most popular sporting event is being played in North America, so U.S. audiences can see the games live while the sun is out or in the early evenin...
'She changed lives': Valley nurse, nun detained by ICE known for her compassion
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Community members are sharing stories of compassion and service after a Valley nun and registered nurse was briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while walking to Sunday Mass. According to the office of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz,...
Free agency starts Tuesday in NBA, and LeBron James has all eyes on him once again
NBA free agency in 2010: Everyone waited for LeBron James to make a decision. NBA free agency in 2026: Everyone is waiting again for James to make a decision. James was the biggest domino to fall in the NBA's offseason player movement period 16 years ago when he decided to join Miami, and he may ...
South Texas ISD Science Academy wins national Esports title
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The South Texas Independent School District Science Academy Dragons are now national champions after competing at the 2026 Esports Series Championship in Orlando, Florida. The games were held June 25 through the 28 at Full Sail University and brought together th...
Serena Williams' return at Wimbledon is 'the ticket to have' for the grass-court Grand Slam
LONDON (AP) — Anticipation is building at Wimbledon for Serena Williams’ first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old Williams is scheduled to play an opponent less than half her age, 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia, in the third match Tuesday on Centre Court — the patch of grass...
Defending champion Sinner comes back to beat Kecmanovic in 5 sets in 1st round of Wimbledon
LONDON (AP) — Defending champion Jannik Sinner had to come back from a set down twice and regain his composure following a worrisome tumble to the grass in a five-set victory over 50th-ranked Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday. A month after his French Open meltdown, the ...
Gabriel Martinelli scores late in injury time to help Brazil beat Japan 2-1 at World Cup
HOUSTON (AP) — With Brazil trailing for much of the game and with extra time looming, Gabriel Martinelli came through in a big, big way at the World Cup. Martinelli entered the game as a second-half substitute and put an end to Japan’s near-upset on Monday, scoring the winning goal late in injury...
South Texas Ecotourism Center hosts free After Dark summer series
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The South Texas Ecotourism Center in Laguna Vista is hosting a summer series that allows guests to visit the facility after hours at no cost. After Dark 2026, the latest series by the South Texas Ecotourism Center, welcomes guests to explore the facility for a n...
The NFL's Detroit Lions have released cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is charged over kidnappings
The NFL's Detroit Lions on Monday released cornerback Terrion Arnold, only days after his arrest over allegations that he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men who prosecutors believe he wrongly suspected of having stolen luxury goods and $100,000 in cash from him. The team made the...
Cameron Co. Sheriff's Prisoners at Work program continues cemetary cleanup
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Cameron County Sheriff's Office says its Prisoners at Work Program continues to keep the community and local cemeteries clean. According to the Cameron County Sheriff's Office, on Monday morning, workers cleaned up two cemeteries located in the county. One c...
US riding wave of confidence to World Cup knockout rounds after strong start to home tournament
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — U.S. captain Tim Ream says his teammates all recognize the golden opportunity in front of them to make their nation's best World Cup run in their home tournament over the following days — and hopefully weeks. Yet instead of feeling amplified pressure under the raised expecta...
Cortino's Italian Restaurant celebrates 60-year milestone
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A beloved Italian restaurant located in the heart of the mid-Valley was recently recognized for its 60-year milestone of service and hospitality, according to a news release from the Mercedes Economic Development Corporation. Over the course of 60 years, Cortino...
Laredo bracing after screwworm found right across border
The South Texas border town of Laredo is taking extra precautions after a case of New World screwworm was found in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande. Laredo Mayor Victor Treviño said Saturday that every animal entering the city's public animal shelter is now being inspected for cut...
Deion Sanders says he feels like his old self a year after surgery: 'I consider myself cancer-free'
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders says he feels like his old — and younger — self again a year after undergoing surgery to remove his cancerous bladder. “I consider myself cancer-free," thanks to robotic surgery that also reconstructed his bladder using part of his intestine, Sand...
A marriage proposal and Bad Bunny steal attention from Novak Djokovic's opening Wimbledon match
LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic witnessed a marriage proposal in the crowd at Centre Court during his Wimbledon first-round match Monday and was quick to ask for an invitation to the wedding. After Djokovic won the first set against Wu Yibing of China, one man in the crowd took the opportunity to po...
Liberty and Aces chase history in Commissioner's Cup final, with a 2nd title at stake
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Liberty or Las Vegas Aces will make history on Tuesday in the Commissioner's Cup championship as the winner will become the first franchise to win the in-season tournament twice. There have been five different winners in the five years of the tournament. Las Vegas was...
5-year-old child ejected from vehicle in Alamo expressway crash in stable condition, police say
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 5-year-old child who was ejected from a vehicle during a rollover crash on the Alamo expressway earlier this month is in stable condition, according to the Alamo Police Department. The child sustained severe head trauma and was in critical condition following ...
Naomi Osaka wows Wimbledon crowd with kimono inspired by Lucy Liu’s character in ‘Kill Bill'
LONDON (AP) — Wimbledon's strict rules about all-white clothing didn't prevent Naomi Osaka from making another fashion statement as she walked onto the grass at the All England Club on Monday. Osaka, who has made a habit of creating a buzz with her creative outfits at recent Grand Slam tournament...
McAllen seeks input on downtown entertainment district
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of McAllen is seeking input from residents who live, work, visit and invest in the downtown entertainment district during an open house scheduled for Monday evening. City officials say the open house — scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McAllen Chamber o...
South Padre Island's Beach Waterpark to host summer specials, offer new attractions
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Now that summer break is underway, it’s a perfect time to start knocking out all the exciting summer activities available in the Rio Grande Valley. One of the most fun and iconic ways to spend a hot summer day is at Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island. To cel...
Telling stories of growth: Inside Farah Mazid Saddah’s writing
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Farah Mazid Saddah is a writer and a poet whose work explores identity, resilience, and the transformative power of the human spirit. Throughout her journey as an author, she has published five books: "Princess of the Tide", "Belong to the World", "The Global Ro...
Harlingen named 2026 All-America City by National Civic League
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Harlingen was recognized as an All-America City by the National Civic League on Sunday. The National Civic League, an organization whose goal is to advance inclusive civic engagement, named Harlingen a recipient of the 2026 All-America City Award, wh...
Viktor Hovland wins Travelers in Monday playoff when Scheffler misses short birdie putt
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Viktor Hovland got all the validation he needed Monday that his game was on track again, and a whole lot more. He beat Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the Travelers Championship, had both parents from Norway watch him win for the first time and even did the “row” with the...
No major injuries reported after vehicle fires in rural Cameron County
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — No major injuries were reported after three vehicles caught fire in rural Cameron County over the weekend. According to the Los Fresnos Fire Department, at approximately 1:09 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a vehicle rollover with multiple vehicles on fire...
Gotham signs Australian striker Sam Kerr through the 2030 season
Australian striker Sam Kerr is joining Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer league after spending the past six-plus seasons with Chelsea. Gotham announced signing Kerr on Monday to a deal that will keep her with the team through 2030. The move marks a return to the NWSL for Kerr, who previous...
Former NFL RB Chris Johnson, known as CJ2K for his 2,000 yards for Titans in '09, reveals he has ALS
Chris Johnson, one of nine players in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season who made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years with the Tennessee Titans, revealed in a television interview aired Monday that he has ALS. Johnson, 40, spent 10 seasons in the league and [...]
After high-speed chase near Roma, man accused of smuggling marijuana pleads not guilty
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man accused of smuggling nearly 500 pounds of marijuana through Starr County pleaded not guilty last week. David Garcia, 27, of Zapata waived his right to arraignment on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty. The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Garcia afte...
Death investigation underway in Rancho Viejo
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A death investigation is underway after a man was found on a driveway in Rancho Viejo Monday morning, according to Rancho Viejo police Chief Arturo Huerta. At about 7:30 a.m., Rancho Viejo police responded to a home on the 700 block of Zapata Ave regarding a man...
'Our goal is compliance and safety': Brownsville mayor on Midtown Entertainment District shutdowns
Editor's note: The video above is from previous coverage. HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In a statement on Sunday, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said the city's priority is safety following the recent shutdown of several businesses in the Midtown Entertainment District. According to Mayor Cowe...
Poor air quality possible as Saharan Dust moves over to the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A broad ridge extending over the eastern lower-48 will enforce the same weather conditions all week long, and the Fourth of July holiday weekend is just on the horizon. Right now the data shows a similar weather pattern with sunshine, minimal rain chances, hot ...
Alonso reaches 500 consecutive games, and Olson is closing in on the Braves' franchise record
Pete Alonso played his 500th consecutive game this week, although if he wanted that to seem impressive to local fans, he probably picked the wrong city to play in. Alonso, of course, joined the Baltimore Orioles this past offseason. Their franchise record for consecutive games is also the big lea...
Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar
ATLANTA (AP) — Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from the World Cup, proving that big money doesn’t guarantee success on the sport's biggest stage. Saudi Arabia is out at the earliest point. Again. Botto...
Sonny Gray loses no-hit bid against Yankees in 8th but Red Sox rally in 10th to finish 4-game sweep
BOSTON (AP) — Sonny Gray was almost overloaded with reasons to celebrate. As if taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning and reaching 2,000 career strikeouts weren't enough, his brilliant outing Sunday night for Boston came against the rival New York Yankees — a team Gray once pitched for and ha...
Red Sox rally past Yankees 5-4 in 10 innings to complete 4-game sweep after Gray loses no-hit bid
BOSTON (AP) — Jarren Duran singled home the winning run to cap a three-run rally in the 10th inning after Boston blew a two-run lead in the ninth, and the Red Sox finished a four-game sweep of the rival New York Yankees with a 5-4 victory Sunday night. Boston starter Sonny Gray took a no-hitter [...
Korda looks forward to rest before taking on next two majors after frustrating finish at Women's PGA
CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Nelly Korda moved within three strokes of the lead as she made the turn in the final round of the Women's PGA Championship, before three sharp shots gave her a birdie on the 10th hole. Winning a third straight major to start the season was within reach for Korda on this [...]
Scheffler makes clutch putt to force Monday playoff against Hovland in Travelers Championship
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler made an 8-foot par putt on the 18th hole Sunday and pumped his fist with more emotion than he showed all day, just for the right to return Monday at the rain-delayed Travelers Championship to face a sudden-death playoff against Viktor Hovland. The final ro...
Haeran Ryu wins the Women's PGA Championship for her first major title
CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Haeran Ryu recovered from a rough start to secure her first career major title, winning the Women's PGA Championship by two strokes over Ina Yoon on a windy Sunday at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Ryu shot a 2-under 70 to finish at 13-under 275 and become the sixth South Kore...