Musk praises “epic” Super Heavy-Starship launch
SpaceX’s first Starship Version 3 rocket takes off from Pad 2 at Starbase during the Flight 12 mission on May 22, 2026. Image: SpaceX SpaceX launched a revamped Super Heavy-Starship rocket Friday on a
More stories from our newsroom
Recent reporting and curated coverage across every beat we cover.
UTRGV Brownsville campus buildings impacted by water leak
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is reporting a water leak in the Brownsville campus under the Texas Southmost College cooling plant. According to a social media post, the water leak is affecting the chilled water supply to portions of the north side ...
SpaceX launches 50th Starlink mission of 2026
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Station on the Starlink 17-41 mission on May 30, 2026. Image: SpaceX Update May 30, 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 UTC): SpaceX confirms deployment of the 24 Starlink satellites. SpaceX launched its 50th dedicated ...
Hot and humid this weekend turns to more rain and thunderstorms next week
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Grab your bottle of water and that big, floppy hat before heading outdoors this weekend. Daytime high temperatures will push to the mid 90s across the mid and upper Valley areas Saturday and Sunday. The real concern comes with elevated humidity as the heat inde...
ICE officer wanted in Minneapolis shooting arrested in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who allegedly shot a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis was arrested in Harlingen on Friday. Christian J. Castro, 52, was booked into the Cameron County jail, according to the sheriff's office. According to Sheriff M...
Mercedes man charged with murder in fentanyl overdose crossed pills from Mexico: Records
Editor's note: The video above is from a Weslaco Police Department press conference held after Cedillo's bond hearing. HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral reveals new details in the arrest of a Mercedes man accused of delivering drugs to a man who died of a f...
7,770-pound improperly secured metal beam collapses, SpaceX death ruled accidental: Report
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 7,770-pound metal beam that was improperly secured collapsed and contributed to the death of a SpaceX contract worker, according to a Cameron County Sheriff's Office case report obtained by ValleyCentral. The report states that the death of Jose Luis Bautista J...
BROWNSVILLE IS PREPARING FOR A WEEKEND THAT’S TRULY OUT OF THIS WORLD
Visit Brownsville has announced the return of Space Fest 2026, set to take place September 24 through 26 in Downtown Brownsville. The three-day celebration will bring together space enthusiasts, families, innovators, artists, and visitors.
SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the Starlink 10-53 mission on May 29, 2026. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now SpaceX launched its penultimate planned flight in May, sending its Falcon 9 rocket flying from Cape Canaveral Sp...
BROWNSVILLE OFFICIALS TAKE ACTION AGAINST MOSQUITOES AFTER HEAVY RAIN
The Department of Health, Wellness, and Animal Services is canvassing the community to identify areas with standing water. Crews are applying larvicide where needed to help stop mosquitoes before they become a larger problem.
Cameron County races decided
Unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary runoff show Esteban “Steve” Guerra defeating incumbent Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. for the Democratic nomination for Cameron County judge. (photo courtesy/Port Of Brownsville ) By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Texas vo...
Storms leave SPI streets flooded
Street flooding covers portions of Padre Boulevard near a bus stop and Isla Balli restaurant on South Padre Island on May 27 after heavy rain moved through the area, causing water to pool along the roadway. (photo courtesy/Michael Sularz) By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Hea...
Animal shelter policies spark debate
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel Animal Advisory Board discussed shelter operations, euthanasia policies, volunteer programs, flea and tick concerns and the city’s growing feral cat population during its May 21 meeting at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center. Officials ...
Family STEM Night inspires students
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Students attending Port Isabel Junior High School are getting a hands on introduction to engineering and problem solving thanks to a traveling STEM education lab funded through the Texas Education Agency. The mobile learning lab, operated through Learning ...
PIECHS baseball players named to all-district teams
(Port Isabel’s Joseph Martinez selected to First Team All-District Pitcher. Picture by PIECHS) By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel Early College High School All-District selections in baseball are as follows. Earning 1st Team All-District was sophomore starting p...
PI squad continues to impress at 7on7 games
Port Isabel’s QB, Grayson Estes leading his 7on7 team versus San Benito. May 26, 2026. Picture by Constancio Martinez Jr By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This Tuesday, May 26 the Port Isabel 7on7 team traveled to San Benito to compete in a 4-team 7on7 showdown. Although Port Isa...
BARCC SEEKS COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR INCOMING PUPPIES AND KITTENS
The Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center (BARCC) is asking for the community’s help after recently receiving multiple batches of puppies and kittens in urgent need of care.
CITY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR MAY 26, CITY COMMISSION MEETING
During its May 26 City Commission Meeting, the Brownsville City Commission recognized local achievements, approved operational improvements, and honored community service members through several major agenda items.
FAA requires SpaceX-led mishap investigation before resumption of Starship launches
A closeup shot of SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster, tail number Booster 19, during the initial moments of ascent on the Starship Flight 12 mission on May 22, 2026. Image: SpaceX FAA requires SpaceX-led mishap investigation before resumption of Starship launches The Federal Aviation Administration mad...
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Starlink 17-37 mission on May 26, 2026. Image: SpaceX Update May 26, 12:21 p.m. EDT (1621 UTC) SpaceX confirms deployment of its 24 Starlink satellites. SpaceX followed up a picturesque Falco...
SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Memorial Day
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during the Starlink 10-47 mission on May 25, 2026. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now Update May 25, 8:53 a.m. EDT (1253 UTC): SpaceX confirms deployment of the 29 Starlink satellites. The expan...
The heat is on through the weekend
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As high pressure settles in, this will bring us a sunny, quiet, dry but hot weather pattern through the weekend. This Friday afternoon will see highs in the low to mid-90s under lots of sunshine. Factor in mugginess, and the feels-like temps will climb up to 105...
Police identify man and woman found dead at Brownsville hotel
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department on Friday identified the man and woman who were found dead at a Brownsville hotel on Thursday afternoon. The man was identified as German Navarro Lopez, 39, and the woman was identified as Shelsy Solis Sosa, 38. Both were Browns...
July 25th: Gladys Porter Zoo – Kids Appreciation Day
Details Event by: Gladys Porter Zoo Address: 500 Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX, United States, Texas 78520 Your favorite back-to-school event is here! H-E-B presents Kids Appreciation Day at Gladys Porter Zoo! During Kids Appreciation Day, the first 1,000 children at the passport station will r...
June 21st: Gladys Porter Zoo: Animal Play Day “World Giraffe Day”
Details Event by: Gladys Porter Zoo Address: 500 Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX, United States, Texas 78520 What is World Giraffe Day? It is a world-wide day of recognition for the longest necked animal on the planet. Take part in World Giraffe Day, established by the Giraffe Conservation Foundat...
ICE officer wanted in the shooting of a man during the Minneapolis crackdown is arrested in Harlingen
MINNEAPOLIS — A federal immigration officer wanted in the shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Trump administration’s Minnesota crackdown was arrested Friday in Texas, authorities said. Christian Castro, of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, was taken into custody 11 days after Mi...
June 6th: Gladys Porter Zoo – Ridley Rush 5K/1 Mile Walk / Run
Details Event by: Gladys Porter Zoo Address: 500 Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX, United States, Texas 78520 Join us for the Ridley Rush 5k/1 Mile, Presented by Chick-fil-A! Your participation supports the Bi-National Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Project that the Gladys Porter Zoo administers in Rancho...
June – August: Glady’s Porter Zoo – Summer Safari
Details Event by: Gladys Porter Zoo Address: 500 Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX, United States, Texas 78520 Enroll your child for the wildest summer camp in the RGV- Summer Safari at the Gladys Porter Zoo! These camps and classes begin June 1st and run through August. This exciting program include...
Recently detained DACA recipient joins California senator for immigration discussion
SAN JUAN — U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California was in the Rio Grande Valley Thursday to meet with local representatives from advocacy groups and community members who have been directly affected by President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies since taking office last year. The senato...
Suspect in fatal Brownsville shooting pleads guilty to manslaughter
Israel Solis A 36-year-old man on Thursday pleaded guilty for a fatal shooting in Brownsville in 2023. Israel Solis, who had originally been charged with murder for the killing of 33-year-old Omar Garcia, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter, court records show. The murder charge wil...
Building More Than Businesses: How Gaby Cueva Is Shaping Opportunity in the Rio Grande Valley
In 2021, working from her mother’s kitchen in McAllen, 23-year-old Gaby Cueva began baking cookies with no formal business plan, no external funding, no prior business experience, and no corporate backing or institutional support. What started as a small, home-based effort has since evolved into ...
Former state champion head coach Morales set to take over Rivera soccer
IVAN PALACIOS | STAFF WRITER BROWNSVILLE — Longtime Brownsville Rivera boys soccer head coach Salvador Garcia hung up his whistle at the end of the school year, leaving big shoes to fill at the perennial soccer powerhouse. Enter former state championship head coach Zeke Morales. After spending th...
Brownsville police investigating possible murder-suicide at Holiday Inn
UPDATE (Friday 10:04 a.m.): The Brownsville Police Department identified the man as German Navarro Lopez, 39, and the victim as Shelsy Solis Sosa, 38, and said the two were in a relationship. In its latest update on Facebook, police said evidence indicated Navarro shot Solis before turning the gu...
Recent rain quenching Valley drought for the short term
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — After weeks of dry, dusty conditions, the recent stretch of rain across the Rio Grande Valley has been a pretty big deal. Thunderstorms have rolled through with some decent soaking rains, dropping a few inches in many spots and even more in isolated areas. It’s ...
Final Four Ready: Sharyland meets Kingwood Park in state semifinals
Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer MISSION — Sharyland High has long been one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most storied baseball programs with a rich tradition of winning district titles, putting together playoff runs, and producing players who have gone on to excel at the highest levels of the collegiate ...
Harlingen construction boom slowing pace amid ICE raids
HARLINGEN — The city’s record construction boom is slowing its pace amid a federal immigration crackdown slashing the labor force while driving up building prices in a region that’s turning into a destination. Last year, the city’s construction values climbed to a record $201.8 million, compared ...
Troopers bust drug smuggler carrying 500 pounds of marijuana near Roma
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested a man following a chase near Roma on charges of smuggling 500 pounds of marijuana. (myRGV.com screenshot) Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested a man Wednesday morning after they discovered he was transporting about 500 pounds of m...
SpaceX’s Starship rockets are grounded pending investigation after test flight
By MARCIA DUNN | AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX Starship launches are on hold pending an investigation into last week’s test flight. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that the hourlong spaceflight resulted in a mishap based on the performance of the m...
UTRGV researchers identify biomarker to improve early ALS diagnosis
Researchers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine have identified a new biomarker that may improve early detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a neurodegenerative disease. ALS remains among the most difficult neurological conditions to understand and treat ...
Harlingen launching $6 million indoor recreation center
The city’s planning to transform family recreation in Harlingen. After about three years on the drawing board, officials are gearing up to launch construction of a $6 million indoor recreation center at Pendleton Park, landing grant money to fund $4 million of the project. Across 26,000 square fe...
Harlingen’s Lenos y Brasas a hidden gem on a busy street
HARLINGEN — A man with a heavy moustache holds a plate of meat steaming and enticing. The man with the moustache and the bold colors – green neckerchief and yellow vest and red cuffs – comes alive as he makes a grand entrance from the orange wall at Lenos y Brasas. It is Saturday midafternoon and...