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Triple-digit heat and humidity expected throughout the week
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The big old heat dome that has driven weeks of unseasonably warm temperatures will keep its grip on the Rio Grande Valley this week. That means more hot, humid days with mostly sunny skies. Highs today will break into the triple digits across mo...
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Los Fresnos, La Joya Palmview win weekend tourneys
BROWNSVILLE — Los Fresnos is on fire to start the season. After winning McAllen’s Poundfest, the Falcons won the Brownsville ISD tournament for the third-straight season on Saturday by defeating Brownsville Veterans in two sets. The Chargers had the Falcons on the ropes a couple ...
schools
2026 RGVSports.com Preseason Top 30 Players (No. 11-15)
STAFF REPORT Less than one week remains before the start of the 2026 Texas high school football regular season, with games officially set for Aug. 27. As the first kickoff of the year draws closer, we continue our countdown with our annual preseason Top 30 players list, featuring...
Local
Horror film 'El Jardin' now in production in Mercedes
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A horror film directed and starring a Valley native is now in production in the Rio Grande Valley. Robert Longoria, a Brownsville native and director of the film "El Jardin," told ValleyCentral the film is inspired by El Chapo's escape with a ho...
schools
Zapata native Regalado helps shape UTRGV football
By Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer EDINBURG — Before embarking on a coaching career that would take him across Texas, and into Washington and Florida for stops at the NCAA DI and NFL levels, UTRGV running backs coach Marco Regalado first fell in love with football right here in the 95...
News
Harlingen Water Works announces increase in bill
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen Water Works System announced that there will be a water and wastewater rate increase, which will raise residents' water bills. According to a news release from HWWS, in April 2024, the city approved a phased rate increase. However,...
safety
From firefighters to cowboys: Brownsville FD save cow sunken neck-deep in mud
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Brownsville firefighters spent part of their week saving a cow that was stuck neck-deep in mud at the bottom of a ditch. According to a news release from the Brownsville Fire Department, earlier this week fire crews responded to a call about a f...
business
Commentary: Baseball’s South Texas roots
B aseball was the first competitive sport to come to the Rio Grande Valley — unless you consider bullfighting and cockfighting competitive. According to “Doc” Osborn, sports editor of The Brownsville Herald of the early years, baseball was king. America’s game was being played in...
schools
2026 RGVSports.com Preseason Top 30 Players (No. 16-20)
STAFF REPORT Less than one week remains before the start of the 2026 Texas high school football regular season, with games officially set for Aug. 27. As the first kickoff of the year draws closer, we continue our countdown with our annual preseason Top 30 players list, featuring...
business
With proper precautions,private desalination plantcould be a better option
Many Rio Grande Valley residents welcomed news of a planned desalination plant that will produce up to 100 million gallons of drinking water for this critically dry region. Some, however now are expressing concerns that the plant will be operated by a private company. Such worrie...
schools
Vaqueros Nation: College Kickoff 2026
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Valley Sports Central is kicking off the 2026 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football season with a 30-minute Vaqueros Nation special. UTRGV finished the 2025 season with a 9-3 record and went undefeated at home, making it the most succes...
safety
ValleyCentral Weekend Report: Border wall construction pauses, capital murder trials, UTRGV football special preview
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s edition of ValleyCentral Weekend Report, Anchor Alexia Serrata breaks down all the news of the week. Starting with the biggest stories of the week, in case you missed them. A man accused of killing another man in a head-on motorcy...
safety
Fire forces evacuation of Weslaco nursing home
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A fire at a Weslaco nursing home sent at least one person to the hospital Saturday afternoon. According to city officials, at around 2:30 p.m., the Weslaco Fire Department responded to a call regarding smoke inside Valley Grande Manor Nursing an...
safety
Rio Grande City firefighters battle house fire
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Grande City Fire Department is on the scene of a house fire Saturday afternoon. According to a social media post from the RGC Fire Department, crews responded to a house fire in the South Midway Road area in Rio Grande City. The La Rosit...
schools
RGV Cross Country Round Up: East wins third straight, La Feria sweeps home meet
T he 2026 high school cross country season is off and running, with roughly three weeks of competition in the books. The action continued this week with a trio of meets taking place across the Rio Grande Valley. The week began with Friday’s Mission “Fly Like an Eagle” Invitationa...
schools
2026 RGVSports.com Preseason Top 30 Players (No. 21-25)
STAFF REPORT Less than one week remains before the start of the 2026 Texas high school football regular season, with games officially set for Aug. 27. As the first kickoff of the year draws closer, we continue our countdown with our annual preseason Top 30 players list, featuring...
business
Editorial: With proper precautions, private desalination plant could be a better option
M any Rio Grande Valley residents welcomed news of a planned desalination plant that will produce up to 100 million gallons of drinking water for this critically dry region. Some, however now are expressing concerns that the plant will be operated by a private company. Such worri...
Local
Shark attack survivor returns to SPI for DHR Health Outdoor Medicine Conference
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — DHR Health presented a conference at South Padre Island on Friday about outdoor medical emergencies. The conference welcomed Rio Grande Valley health care leaders and guest speakers, including keynote speaker Tabatha Sullivent, the North Texas w...
Local
'They don’t care about your family': DEA warns of fentanyl threat in the Rio Grande Valley
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Fentanyl deaths may be declining nationwide, but the Drug Enforcement Administration says the threat remains a serious concern in the Rio Grande Valley. On Fentanyl Awareness Day, the DEA’s McAllen District Office is warning families about the dan...
government
The heat cranks up in the weekend forecast
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Saturday keeps the heat cranked up across the Valley, with most spots landing between 100 and 102 degrees. Western areas, especially near Starr County, will once again push toward 107 degrees, keeping that familiar sizzle alive. These temperatur...
safety
Mercedes Fire Chief appointed as interim City Manager
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Mercedes has appointed Fire Chief Javier Campos Jr. as Interim City Manager. The appointment follows the resignation of manager Alberto Perez, who stepped down on Aug. 14. According to the city of Mercedes, Campos has built his caree...
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Chick-fil-A to launch limited-time fall menu item; Chicken & Waffles sandwich
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Chick-fil-A is expected to launch a limited-time fall menu item starting Monday at Rio Grande Valley locations. The new items include a regular and spicy chicken or waffles sandwich, along with a s’more milkshake and s’mores frosted coffee. Loca...
safety
STHS honor 3 Edinburg police officers who save 2-year-old life
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas Health System honored three Edinburg Police Officers with its Hometown Heroes Awards, following their life-saving actions. On March 24, 2026, Edinburg officers responded to a call involving an unconscious two-year-old child who was p...
News
Online registration open for 5K Kemps Krawl Glow Run
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Sea Turtle Inc. invites the community to its annual 5K to raise money for the nonprofit and its mission of sea turtle rescue, care, and protection. The Kemp's Krawl Glow Run is a family-friendly LED-themed run on the shore where people and pets...
schools
Los Tigres Del Norte recognize Brownsville school's TEA school rating
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Faulk Middle School in Brownsville was recognized by the Tigres del Norte after receiving an A-Rating for overall campus performance from the Texas Education Agency. According to the TEA 2026 accountability results, Faulk Middle School scored a ...
business
BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM INVITES COMMUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND EXPLORE HOMEOWNERSHIP
Building a brighter future can start with a dream, a home and the right resources. The Brownsville Public Library System is inviting residents to learn about opportunities that can help turn those dreams into reality....
government
Brownsville receives $8M grant to reduce childhood risk of chronic illness
B ROWNSVILLE — Federal officials joined local leaders Thursday to announce Brownsville as one of four cities chosen to develop and pilot programs aimed at improving children’s health. Mayor John Cowen Jr. led a lineup of speakers who gathered at The Mitte to announce that Brownsv...
safety
San Juan police investigating multi-vehicle crash: TxDOT
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Juan Police Department is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that occurred on the expressway Friday afternoon, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The crash occurred near the westbound Raul Longoria Road exit. At least ...
space
SpaceX launches 100th orbital mission of 2026
A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Starlink 15-20 mission on Aug. 22, 2026. Image: SpaceX Update Aug. 22, 3:51 a.m. EDT (0751 UTC): SpaceX landed the first stage booster on the droneship. SpaceX launched its 100th or...
safety
La Grulla residents asked to stop nonessential water use amid emergency order
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — La Grulla city officials announced Friday that the city has activated Stage 5 emergency water conservation measures and are asking residents to discontinue nonessential water use until further notice. According to the mayor's emergency order iss...
News
Heat, humidity, and lots of sunshine for the weekend
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It's going to be another hot and humid day for the Valley. It will feel even warmer due to the heat index values. The heat risk will range from a moderate to an extreme level in some areas. If you're going to be outdoors today, make sure to stay...
News
19-year-old pleads guilty in deadly human smuggling attempt in Laredo
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 19-year-old Mexican man pleaded guilty to his role in a fatal human smuggling attempt in Laredo, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas. Gerardo David Zarate Martinez admitted he participated in ...
Local
Valley to bake in triple digits as heat shows no signs of going away
C ould the Rio Grande Valley get some much needed relief from the heat in the coming days? No. The National Weather Service Brownsville/Rio Grande office said that Valley residents can anticipate more triple-digit weather throughout the week. “Basically, it’s still going to remai...
border
More than 1,000 pounds of meth found in laundry detergent shipment at Roma bridge
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of laundry detergent at the Roma International Bridge. The seizure happened Aug. 11 when an officer referred a 2012 tractor-trai...
Local
BROWNSVILLE SELECTED FOR $32 MILLION FEDERAL CHILD HEALTH PILOT INITIATIVE
Brownsville will serve as one of four communities nationwide selected for a new federal initiative aimed at improving child health, strengthening nutrition and preventing pediatric chronic disease through locally driven solutions....
schools
UTRGV eyeing Brownsville subdivision for new engineering facility
A spokesman for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has confirmed that the university is considering the Madeira master-planned residential community in north Brownsville for the site of a new engineering education facility. Patrick Gonzalez, UTRGV vice president for market...
Local
DANGEROUS HEAT EXPECTED IN BROWNSVILLE THIS AFTERNOON
Brownsville residents are encouraged to take precautions today as a combination of high temperatures and humidity is expected to create potentially dangerous heat conditions across the area....
safety
Lamar Elementary in Harlingen evacuated after fire alarm activated
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new information from the Harlingen Police Department. HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Lamar Elementary was evacuated after a fire alarm was activated Friday morning, according to a spokesperson for the Harlingen Consolidated In...
schools
2026 RGVSports.com Preseason Top 30 Players (No. 26-30)
STAFF REPORT Less than one week remains before the start of the 2026 Texas high school football regular season, with games officially set for Aug. 27. As the first kickoff of the year draws closer, we continue our countdown with our annual preseason Top 30 players list, featuring...
business
RGV HS Cross Country Results (Aug. 21 – Aug. 22)
STAFF REPORT EDITOR’S NOTE: Coaches, please send corrections or results to ivan@themonitor.com. MISSION “FLY LIKE AN EAGLE” INVITATIONAL Anzaldua Park Mission, TX BOYS 5K INDIVIDUAL 1. Alexander Nava, Weslaco East, 15:43.2; 2. Derrick Mendoza, McAllen High, 16:00.8; 3. Kai Sepulv...
business
RGV HS Cross Country Top 20 Times (Aug. 21, 2026)
STAFF REPORT EDITOR’S NOTE: The list below features times reported to Texas Milesplit or to our staff. Please send any updates or corrections to ivan@themonitor.com. Weslaco East’s Alexander Nava receives a high five as he races to the finish line during the McHi Friday Night Lig...
Local
Catch the partial lunar eclipse in the Rio Grande Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Sky watchers across the Rio Grande Valley will have a good reason to look up next Thursday night, with a partial lunar eclipse. The eclipse begins at 8:23 p.m., with the partial phase starting around 9:33 p.m. Maximum eclipse happens at 11:12 p...
space
Great Health for America launching in Brownsville
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of four Great Health for America pilot programs nationwide. The city of Brownsville is one of the four cities selected to launch the program aimed at preventing chronic disea...
space
Starbase Police Department prepares for launch
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Starbase Police Department is preparing for launch. Starbase began soliciting applications for two police sergeants and six officers in August. They will report to police Chief Glenn Bennett, who accepted the job in June. “I’m confident we’ll...
schools
'We’ve never done anything wrong': Port Isabel father fears for family amid unmarked vehicles
PORT ISABEL, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Port Isabel father says he never imagined he would be afraid to leave his own home. Now, he says his family is considering leaving the country after what he describes as a frightening encounter involving an unmarked vehicle near his children...
business
BCIC RECEIVES FOUR 2026 EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) received four 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)....
government
Wood honored for 50 years of service
Special to the PRESS BROWNSVILLE—U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez recognized longtime South Texas public servant John Wood for more than five decades of civic leadership and public service, presenting him with a Congressional Record honoring his contributions to Brownsville and Cameron...
business
Tarpons defense, offense lead the way against St. Joseph
(Port Isabel QB Grayson Estes rolls out for a pass versus BSJA. Aug. 13, 2026. Photo by Constancio Martinez Jr) By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS On Thursday, Aug. 13, the Port Isabel ECHS football team traveled to Brownsville to scrimmage the St. Joseph Academy Bl...
business
Ayy Miguel brings flavor, variety, welcoming new spot to SPI
By Laurie Coker South Padre Island has a new restaurant worth checking out. Ayy Miguel, conveniently located at 2213 Padre Blvd., comes from the same owners behind White Sands and White Sands Bakery, and after two visits, I can say the food has been consistently delicious, served...
government
SPI Council moves forward on tax rate, Island projects
By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com South Padre Island City Council members addressed the proposed tax rate, employee compensation, Island Gateway improvements and ecotourism initiatives during their Aug. 5 regular meeting. Council members approved Resolution No. 20...
government
Candidate forum set for Sept. 8
Special to the PRESS South Padre Island voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking the Place 1 City Council seat during a candidate forum next month. The South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce will host the City Council Special Election Candidate For...