The Brownsville
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The race for U.S. House District 15 is a contest between incumbent Monica De La Cruz, one of the trailblazers in getting Republicans elected to Congress in South Texas and Democrat Bobby Pulido, an award-winning musician and longtime Tejano supe...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new music festival is coming to Mercedes this fall. The 956 Music Fest will bring a full day of live music and family-friendly fun to Mercedes. The inaugural event will feature performances from popular and local music groups. All headlining a...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — McAllen's Fiesta de Palmas Festival is happening this weekend at the McAllen Convention Center. Joe Garcia, Marketing & Special Events Supervisor for the McAllen Performing Arts Center, said the event began in the early 2010s as Palm Fest, a cel...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — McAllen city officials on Thursday revealed the grand marshal for this year's McAllen Holiday Parade. Professional Mexican golfer Lorena Ochoa will serve as the grand marshal. Julian Gil and Michael Irvin have also been announced as parade hosts...
Local
RJ Mitte (Courtesy: Mitte Cultural District /Facebook) B rownsville is left with a hole in its heart with the passing of Roy F. “R.J.” Mitte III, who did an extraordinary amount for the city in the few years he called it home. Mitte, who died in Brownsville Oct. 12 at the age of ...
government
T he eyes of Texas are upon the Rio Grande Valley once again as voters prepare to head to the polls for the 2026 midterm election. Early voting will kick off on Monday for an election that is anticipated to have widespread implications as Republicans seek to maintain control of t...
schools
T he American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teacher at UTRGV (AAUP-AFT) issued a statement regarding academic freedom and quality at UTRGV and also said faculty want to have a meaningful role in decision making without fear of retaliation. “AAUP-AFT ...
government
Voters arrive at the Yturra Elementary School polling location during election day Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Brownsville. (Miguel Roberts | The Brownsville Herald) B rownsville voters will have a long list of city charter amendments to consider at the voting booth on Election Da...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Disney on Ice is coming to Edinburg's Bert Ogden Arena this month. Guests can take a magical journey with their favorite Disney characters, including Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella, Aladdin, Moana, Tiana, Rapunzel and more Disney princesses and Pixa...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is dead after a train crash in Lyford Friday morning, according to Lyford police Chief Marcos Garcia. Garcia said police are still investigating whether the incident was an accident or suicide. Police did not identify the man, but confirme...
safety
This screenshot taken from a lawsuit shows a Donna family’s home in the moments ICE agents entered their property without a warrant on Jan. 9, 2026 and arrested a man’s parents. The family sued on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (MyRGV.com screenshot) A recent report by the American Ci...
schools
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Valley Sports Central has your Thursday night highlights for week eight of high school football. Sports Director Megan Murray brings you highlights from Weslaco East at Hanna. Noah Gulley brings you highlights from Mission at McAllen Memorial an...
Local
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A strong cold front coming through the Rio Grande Valley Friday will usher in some big changes and a few concerns. We will see a few showers possible ahead of and as the front pushes its way through the Valley. It is what comes behind it that we...
Local
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A ceremony honoring the life of actor and advocate RJ Mitte was held Friday morning in Brownsville. Several people took the stage to honor Mitte's memory, including Pastor Dillon Vanderford, Camille Playhouse Executive Director Brandon Binder, M...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A drug search warrant in Brownsville led to the arrest of a 52-year-old man on Thursday, according to the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. Gerardo Sandoval Martinez was arrested at his home located in the 2100 block of Autumn Sage Street, after ...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Our first cold front of the season is expected to arrive Friday afternoon. Here’s what you can expect: The front will bring cooler temperatures, but low humidity, gusty winds, and dry vegetation will also create favorable conditions for fire wea...
Local
M cALLEN — The two House District 41 candidates vying to represent the Rio Grande Valley in the Texas Legislature participated in their first, and possibly only, debate, five days before early voting begins. It was held at the DoubleTree Suites and hosted by the McAllen Citizens ...
schools
I n the kitchen at Gourmet Central by Cel, Chef Celia Galindo was teaching a new recipe to the state champion Port Isabel ISD culinary arts team earlier this week after the World Food Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, asked team captain Gulmaro Alvarez to compete individual...
schools
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — What started as a hobby for Gleb Dudin has turned into a career that has earned him the highest title attainable for chess players and a spot on his national team at one of the world's most prestigious chess tournaments. Dudin, 22, a senior at t...
business
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre. com Federal authorities are investigating a cyberattack involving the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC) after funds were transferred to a fraudulent account, raising questions about the amount of money involve...
business
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre. com What started as a song request during a South Padre Island performance has turned into a new musical milestone for local singer-songwriter Kelo McKane, whose latest single is reaching radio audiences beyond South Texas. McKane re...
business
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Friday, Oct. 9 the Port Isabel Tarpons were on the road as they took on the Ingleside Mustangs in a key district game. Both teams entered the matchup coming off big district victories. The Mustangs were fresh off a 45-7 w...
business
(Port Isabel Varsity team defeats Hidalgo 3-1. October, 10, 2026. Picture by PIISD) By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Saturday, Oct. 10 the PIECHS Lady Tarpons hosted the Hidalgo Lady Pirates in district matchup. The Lady Tarpons are entering the match on...
government
(Photo courtesy of the PISBND) A Hansa Heavy Lift vessel, named the Hong Kong, arrived at the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and departed Saturday, Sept. 6, after discharging 12 natural gas powered engines for use in a Valley electric power plant....
business
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre. com A proposed seawater desalination facility could help strengthen the Laguna Madre region’s long-term water supply as the Laguna Madre Water District moves forward with plans to develop an additional source of drinking water. The p...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The FBI says a man accused of defrauding hundreds of victims in the San Antonio area may be hiding in Mexico. Imer Gomez, 29, was recently added to the newly created FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters list after being indicted by a federal grand jury ...
space
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the USSF-481 mission on Oct. 15, 2026. Image: SpaceX via livestream Update 8:23 p.m. EDT (0023 UTC): SpaceX landed its booster on the droneship. As the bugle call and National An...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The biggest weather story this weekend is the cold front moving in Friday. Meteorologist Lexie Walker dives into the impacts such as: colder temperatures, less muggy conditions, possible but low rain chances, fire danger concerns, dangerous/ lif...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The second annual Ruben Vela Festival is coming to Santa Rosa on Saturday, Oct. 17. The free event, taking place at 116 Santa Vista Avenue, features food, a kids zone and a lineup of eight bands, including Orphanage Road, Marlissa Vela, Ruben Ve...
News
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Thursday is the final day that we'll see warm conditions before a cold front moves in Friday, bringing us Fall-like weather over the weekend. Highs will climb into the low to mid 90s Valley wide under mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. Light s...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — No injuries were reported in a San Benito school bus crash Thursday morning, according to the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District. The crash involved a single vehicle at the intersection of Shafer Road and Colorado Street, the di...
government
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The votes are in for our Week 7 Team of the Week. San Benito earned the top spot with 451 votes or 56% of the vote. PSJA North came in second with 209 votes, or 26% of the vote, and Sharyland came in third with 153 votes, or 18%. ValleyCentral t...
schools
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Out at the fieldhouse, the Vaqueros men's basketball team inches towards the tipoff of the 2026 season. This is the team's first season under head coach Brandon Chambers, and the anticipation is starting to settle in. The men's basketball team ...
schools
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District hosted a community outreach event on Wednesday to provide free health screenings. The free event was held at the Junior's Supermarket located in San Juan. At the event, guests were offered he...
News
H ARLINGEN — After nearly 10 years here, a national engineering firm is expanding operations, opening a $5 million office building while planning to create 50 new jobs, including “high-quality” jobs amid the region’s growth. After months of construction, Garver Engineering’s movi...
safety
Dania Martinez A 26-year-old woman has been arrested on intoxication manslaughter following a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night. In a Facebook post , Brownsville police said officers responded at 9:10 p.m. to the 2300 block of Coffee Road in reference to a major crash involving a w...
schools
T he Brownsville Independent School District issued a statement Wednesday after a student was found with a gun at Brownsville Early College High School, which is adjacent to the Texas Southmost College campus. The high school campus was immediately placed on lockdown and the stud...
business
E DINBURG — I know the Rio Grande Valley loves their breakfast tacos, but if you ever want to switch it up, try a good, fresh, hand rolled bagel from First Stop Bagels, a first of its kind business in the RGV. I just made my first trip to New York City and I could go on and on ab...
space
S paceX wants to increase the number of Starship launches from Boca Chica to up to 456 per year, according to a notice published in the Federal Register Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration. The company’s proposed massive expansion in operations would also include up ...
business
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A few more days of heat and humidity are in store for the Rio Grande Valley until a cold front arrives this weekend. A cold front is forecast to sweep across the Valley on Friday. This front will bring cooler temperatures, strong northerly wind...
business
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- It's time to recognize another standout athlete in the Rio Grande Valley. Each week, our Valley Sports Team announces its pick for Athlete of the Week. The Athlete of the Week title is awarded to the person who had an outstanding performance fo...
border
An Army Chinook helicopter that was part of new border patrols over the Rio Grande Valley encountered mechnical troubles, according to an Army report.
schools
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Citizens League held a forum in McAllen on Wednesday for candidates in the Texas House District 41 race. Republican Gary Groves and Democrat Julio Salinas answered several topics, including affordability and taxes, the proposed state...
Local
SAN JUAN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Catholics across the Rio Grande Valley are coming together in prayer for Pope Leo following news of his cancer diagnosis, a development that has left many faithful shocked and concerned about the pontiff’s health. At Mass on Wednesday, parishione...
government
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A forum will be held Wednesday evening with all the candidates running for mayor in Mission. The forum will be hosted by local nonprofit Village in the Valley, Leadership Mission, and The John Lewis Voters Coalition of Hidalgo County. "We are gr...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A student is in custody after allegedly bringing a gun to Brownsville Early College High School, the district announced Wednesday afternoon. The district said the campus was immediately placed on lockdown as a safety precaution. The Brownsville ...
space
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold several public meetings next month to discuss an environmental impact statement following SpaceX's proposal to increase launches and landing operations at Starbase. The FAA issued a notice on W...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Military Highway Water Supply Corporation on Wednesday lifted a boil water notice that was issued last week. The MHWSC issued a boil water notice for Del Mar Heights customers on Friday after the ERHWSC experienced an emergency waterline bre...
government
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Early voting for the November election starts in just a few days. One of the country's most hotly contested, closely watched races is happening right here in the Valley. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez faces challenger Eric Flores in District 34 in...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Brownsville police arrested a driver following a fatal crash on Tuesday night. Dania Martinez, 26, is facing charges of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a second-degree felony, and intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bod...
government
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — For the second time in two months, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson traveled to the Rio Grande Valley. The Louisiana Republican headlined a rally in McAllen, featuring Republican candidates from Starr County to Cameron County and beyond. It’s t...
Local
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Grande Valley version of summer-lite will continue for two more days before a cold front arrives on Friday. The front's exact timing is still a bit up in the air. However, we can expect a few showers to begin before the front arrives and...
schools
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Focus and execution are the keys that the Vaqueros football team need to pick up their first road win of the season. Vaqueros will hit the road to San Antonio to play against the University of Incarnate Word. The UTRGV football team is on a per...
safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department said a man reported missing Tuesday night has been safely located. At 11:22 p.m., police said they located Mario Alberto Soto, 76, safely. Soto’s family shared that he is deaf, non-verbal and has dementia. The B...
Local
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The first cold front of the season is expected to arrive Friday morning, bringing a few noticeable changes to the Rio Grande Valley. Before the front arrives, expect rain-free conditions, plenty of humidity, and a mix of clouds and sunshine. Aft...
government
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Brownsville City Commission is taking action to establish its own city drainage utility system to prevent flooding in the area. Commissioners voted in favor of establishing a city drainage utility system during a special meeting held on Oct...
space
H ARLINGEN — After more than five years of planning, the city’s Economic Development Corporation is taking steps to launch a $97 million project aimed at turning a 71-acre site into a development made up of homes, office suites, retail shops and restaurants in Harlingen’s medical...
Local
T he Mitte Cultural District will be hosting a vigil Friday morning in memory of RJ Mitte, the actor and disability-rights activist, who died in Brownsville on Monday. The vigil will be held at 10 a.m. at The Mitte: Arts and Cultural Center located at 600 E. Ringgold St. in Brown...
News
A n array of one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life, hand-carved sand sculptures are slowly eroding away, into the shore outside the largest beach bar in Texas. Each day, they lose their original form a little more, but the love behind them remains unchanged. These temporary structures ...
