The McAllen
Government
Former Brownsville animal regulation deputy pushing stray solutions
Antonio Caldwell, former deputy director of the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center (BARCC), has a new gig, though his focus is still on addressing the Rio Grande Valley’s big stray-animal problem. He recently launched his own consulting firm and has been contacting mun...
Myles Garrett of the Rams is voted as the top edge rusher in the NFL by an AP panel
Myles Garrett has been the NFL's dominant defensive player for years, leading to his record-setting campaign with 23 sacks last season before being traded in June from Cleveland to the Los Angeles Rams. Garrett's performance helped him earn the honor of being named the top off-ba...
Talarico challenges Paxton to debates in US Senate race
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico challenged Republican nominee Ken Paxton to participate in three televised debates, saying voters deserve to hear the candidates answer questions directly ahead of November's election....
San Benito mulls former city manager’s severance, reviews job candidates
Fred Sandoval SAN BENITO — City commissioners are considering former City Manager Fred Sandoval’s separation agreement, reviewing his contract limiting payments to three months of severance based on his $150,000 salary. Meanwhile, commissioners narrowed a list of 20 applicants fo...
Harlingen City Commission to further discuss proposed policy on public comment
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A meeting will be held at Harlingen City Hall on Wednesday to further discuss an ordinance aimed at adopting a new policy for the public comment period at city meetings. A draft of the proposed rules was presented at the previous city meeting h...
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 ...
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 surv...
Sister of former Mission school board president found guilty
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After a three-day trial, a jury deliberated for less than 3 hours Wednesday before finding Veronica O’Cana guilty on bribery, money laundering and witness tampering charges. Veronica O’Cana, 50, of Mission accepted bribes on behalf of her sister f...
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 ...
Europe league, expansion, Kawhi probe, second apron all topics at NBA's board of governors meeting
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA will be doing some international business alongside the FIFA World Cup final in the coming days, as it moves closer to the planned launch of a new league in Europe sometime in the fall of 2027. Commissioner Adam Silver, speaking after the league's Board o...
'No one ever gave permission': Brownsville commissioner says city built road on family's private property
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Brownsville City Commissioner Gustavo De Leon is accusing the city of Brownsville of building a road across his family's private property without permission and using the land as a dumping site for asphalt millings. Although De Leon serves as ...
Witness says former Mission school board president accepted $30,000 in bribes
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The former president of the Mission school board accepted bribes through her siblings in 2018, according to a businessman who testified during a trial on Tuesday. Antonio Gonzalez III — a businessman from Weslaco — backed up his story with bank st...
Second Valley health facility named in birth tourism investigation
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A second Rio Grande Valley hospital is accused of being connected to a birth tourism scheme that is under investigation by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Gov. Greg Abbott on July 7 directed the HHSC to launch the investi...
San Benito prepares for performing arts theater construction
Fred Perez SAN BENITO — About eight years after voters passed a $40 million bond issue, officials are planning to launch a project to build the district’s first aquatics center while gearing up to start construction of a performing arts theater. With an overall project budget of ...
Timeline: 10 years of corruption in western Hidalgo County
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Testimony is scheduled to resume Tuesday in the case against Veronica O’Caña, a real estate broker who allegedly participated in a conspiracy to bribe a member of the Mission school board. O’Caña, however, is just one of more than 20 people from w...
Bijan Robinson of the Falcons is voted as the top running back in the NFL by an AP panel
The expectations for Bijan Robinson were high as soon as he entered the NFL in 2023 as the first running back taken with a top-10 pick in five years. Robinson made an impact almost from the start with the Atlanta Falcons and then took his game to another level last season when he...
‘A deal, dollars and deception’: Trial begins in Mission CISD bribery case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Jurors heard opening arguments Monday in a case that may reveal whether a member of the Mission school board accepted bribes. Veronica Inez O’Caña, 50, of Mission is accused of participating in a conspiracy to bribe a member of the school board — ...
'Recipe for disaster': PETA opposes proposed Donna pet surrender fee
DONNA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Donna is considering an ordinance that would require pet owners to pay a fee when surrendering animals to the city's animal shelter, a proposal that has sparked debate among residents and animal welfare advocates. Supporters say the fee ...
Josh Allen is voted the NFL's top quarterback by AP writers
Josh Allen doesn’t need to win a Super Bowl to be No. 1. The Buffalo Bills' franchise player was voted the NFL’s top quarterback by The Associated Press in a preseason survey. The 2024 AP NFL Most Valuable Player beat out Patrick Mahomes, who earned the top spot each of the three...
A midseason mystery for the New York Liberty, despite a 2nd Commissioner's Cup title
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA season is at its midway point and no team has been more of a mystery than the New York Liberty. The Liberty have proven they can beat the elite teams in the league with victories over Minnesota and Las Vegas. New York became the first team to win the [......
IVP: Proposed new rules for public comment in Harlingen, District Court candidate Frank Lozano
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — New rules surrounding public comments proposed at the Harlingen City Commission have some residents concerned the changes could stifle their ability to voice their opinions. City leaders have said the rules are standard practice for meetings acr...
Herald/Star 2026 All-Area Softball Awards
EDWARD SEVERN | STAFF WRITER EDITOR’S NOTE: THE HERALD ALL-AREA AWARDS AND TEAMS FEATURES ATHLETES IN THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD AND VALLEY MORNING STAR’S COVERAGE AREA RANGING FROM BROWNSVILLE TO LA FERIA. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MONITOR’S ALL-AREA SOFTBALL SELECTIONS. Meet the Brown...
McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge turns 100
Lawmakers and leaders from the Rio Grande Valley marked the 100th birthday Friday of the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge with a celebratory luncheon that included the mayor of Reynosa and consulates from several countries. And they shared stories of how this fabled crossing ...
11-week road closure in Mercedes for drainage project
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County Precinct One Commissioner David L. Fuentes announced a scheduled road closure that will last approximately 11 weeks. According to a news release, the closure is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 13, in the area of Mile 1 West...
McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge celebrates a century of connecting US, Mexico
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, left, and Hidalgo Mayor Julian J. Gonzalez, unveil a painting as Reynosa Mayor Carlos Pena Ortiz looks on during the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge Centennial Celebration at the McAllen Convention Center on Friday, July 10, 2026, in McAllen....
Eagle Pass won't allow staging of border buoys at city park
The Eagle Pass City Council this week denied allowing the staging of hundreds of buoys that the federal government plans to put in the Rio Grande at its city park on the Rio Grande....
Boca Chica prevails: Feds reject SpaceX enthusiast’s name change proposal
Boca Chica Beach will remain Boca Chica Beach. That’s the decision of the Domestic Names Committee of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which held a hearing in Washington D.C. Thursday regarding a Mississippi resident’s petition to officially change the name of at least some of...
McAllen ISD approves balanced budget, compensation plan with raises
The McAllen ISD school board voted to adopt a $287.9 million 2026-2027 budget and a compensation plan that includes pay increases for teachers and district staff at a meeting on June 23. A detailed report of the 2026-2027 district budget and the proposed 2026 tax rate was present...
Harlingen launches city employee pay study
HARLINGEN — For the first time in four years, commissioners are launching a study into the city’s 750 employees’ salaries, aiming to set their pay at the market level to better retain and recruit workers while cutting turnover. Now, City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez is planning to re...
‘Mission Driven’: Mayor touts growth in annual State of the City address
MISSION — Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza made one thing clear here Wednesday afternoon: the city’s story continues to be written and that its best days still lie ahead as it pushes forward all while being “Mission Driven.” Gonzalez Garza touted Mission’s strategic growth while expand...
Elected officials speak out after federal board votes against renaming Boca Chica Beach
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Domestic Names Committee on Thursday voted against a proposal to rename Boca Chica Beach to Cyber Beach. The name proposal was brought to the attention of South Texas elected officials, many of whom spoke out ...
Trial set for Monday in Mission CISD bribery case
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A real estate broker who allegedly participated in a conspiracy to bribe a member of the Mission school board plans to take the case against her to trial on Monday. The school board trustee — who isn’t named in court documents — accepted $24,000 t...
Editorial: Don’t get creeped out; reuse of effluent water viable, increasingly vital
Brownsville’s Public Utilities Board recently announced it’s developing a project that will recycle wastewater back into the potable water supply. The city-owned utility is using state and federal funding to reuse up to 8 million gallons effluent per day that normally is dumped i...
VOTE: Brownsville chef looking for shot in Next Favorite Chef competition
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Brownsville chef participating in the Next Favorite Chef competition is asking for the Rio Grande Valley's support to make it to the next round. Our team spoke with Chef Travis Hartwell, who said each vote he receives is through donations and ...
Feds to vote Thursday on renaming Boca Chica Beach to Cyber Beach
State Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gámez A federal committee will consider renaming Boca Chica Beach, which is sometimes referred to as the People’s Beach, to Cyber Beach. State Representative Erin Gamez on Wednesday sent a letter to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names’ Domestic Names oppo...
Edcouch-Elsa ISD board names lone finalist for superintendent
Rosalba De Hoyos The Edcouch-Elsa ISD school board voted five to one to name Rosalba De Hoyos as the lone finalist for superintendent of schools at a meeting on Monday. De Hoyos is currently the associate superintendent for instruction at McAllen ISD and served as interim superin...
Edcouch-Elsa ISD announces lone finalist for superintendent
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District Board of Trustees named Rosalba De Hoyos as the lone finalist for its superintendent position. The school board voted to name De Hoyos as the lone finalist on Monday during a regular board meeting. "I...
Mission hosts State of the City address
MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Mission hosted its State of the City address this afternoon. Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza highlighted the city's accomplishments over the past year and celebrated the partnerships the city has made to strengthen the community. The city's...
Abbott directs investigation on Mission Regional Medical Center for alleged 'birth packages'
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to launch an investigation of the Mission Regional Medical Center. The investigation is followed by claims that the Mission Regional Medical Center targets fore...
Harlingen WaterWorks selects BPUB director for general manager’s job
Marie C. Leal (Courtesy: Texas Society of Professional Engineers) HARLINGEN — After a three-month search, the WaterWorks System’s board of directors has selected Marie Leal, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board’s directing engineer, to serve as general manager. Leal, who on Mon...
SPI seeks approval for new convention center expansion plans
Consultants for the South Padre Island Convention Center presented potential expansion plans at the Cameron County Commissioner’s Court on June 30. These three new plans come after the county voted down a previous proposal in June 2025 due to community concerns on the expansion’s...
Ken Paxton vowed to crack down on “illegal voting.” He may have violated Texas election law.
By Zach Despart | The Texas Tribune Two weeks before this year’s primary elections, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the creation of a tip line for the public to report people or groups suspected of voter fraud. “Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of a thriving ...
Big 12 commissioner declines to address Sorsby gambling saga and describes league as `16 strong'
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark wanted to talk Tuesday about the league's upcoming season, not the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga at Texas Tech that led to a lot of legal wrangling and a since-dismissed court order that had sent shockwaves through college spo...
Rep. Gonzalez secures $850K for Mercedes sewer upgrade
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D), Texas 34, presented the city of Mercedes on Tuesday morning with $850,000 in federal funding to expand and improve its sewer system. Mercedes City Commissioner, Ruben Saldana, opened the event, stating the city is...
Harlingen City Commission considers public comment conduct rules
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen City Commission is considering an ordinance to implement conduct rules for the public comment period at meetings, and some citizens have concerns about the implications. At the commission meeting on July 1, commissioners decided to...
Skenes, Misiorowski, Ohtani all could miss All-Star mound appearances. 4 Dodgers elected to start
Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes, Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski and the Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani all could miss All-Star mound appearances because of starts next weekend, while four players from the World Series champion Dodgers were voted to the National League’s starting lin...
More than half of WNBA players miss All-Star starter vote, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — More than half of the WNBA 's 180 players didn't submit their ballots for All-Star starters ahead of this month's game in Chicago, a person familiar with the balloting told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the s...
Caitlin Clark voted to start third straight WNBA All-Star Game, joined by two Fever teammates
NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark was voted to start her third straight All-Star Game and will be joined by Indiana Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, the WNBA announced Thursday. It's the second time in four years that three players from the same team were chosen to ...
New York Liberty beat the Las Vegas Aces 93-85 to win the Commissioner's Cup
NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu scored 26 points, Breanna Stewart added 25 and the New York Liberty beat the Las Vegas Aces 93-85 to win the WNBA Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday night. Las Vegas was missing four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who tweaked her right ankle on Sunday in a win o...
'We have a win on the board': Supreme Court ruling brings relief to Valley immigrant advocates
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that birthright citizenship will remain in place for now, prompting celebration from immigrant advocacy groups while leaving others saying the broader debate over immigration policy is far from over. The decision b...
Brownsville businesses in violation of ordinance have 15 days to submit appeal application
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Brownsville Commissioner for District 3 Gustavo De Leon on Tuesday echoed sentiments made by Brownsville Mayor John Cowen regarding the Midtown Entertainment District Ordinance, saying recent closures of bars in the Pablo Kisel area were made in...
Butler's iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse will play host to the next NBA Cup final in December
The NBA is going back to college this coming season, bringing the NBA Cup championship game to Butler's historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Hinkle — one of the oldest arenas in the country — is iconic, and more than fits the billing that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and o...
Aces rule out A'ja Wilson for Commissioner Cup final vs New York after ankle tweak
NEW YORK (AP) — Las Vegas star Aja Wilson has been ruled out of the Commissioner Cup final against New York on Tuesday night because of a right leg injury. The four-time MVP rolled her ankle in the fourth quarter of the Aces' win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday. She came back into...
Water saver: BPUB to launch ‘potable reuse project’
As a way of using water resources more efficiently in the face of growing water scarcity, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board is embarking on what’s been dubbed the “Indirect Potable Water Reuse Project.” BPUB says it’s a key initiative that will recycle treated wastewater eff...
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 ...
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 tourname...
'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. Accord...