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safety

Woman arrested in connection to deadly Brownsville SUV crash

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman was charged in connection with a deadly Brownsville crash that happened in June. Pamela Ruth Taylor was charged with driving with an invalid license without motor vehicle financial responsibility, causing serious bodily injury/death, acc...

ValleyCentralAug 2, 2026

business

Vice President to visit Port of Brownsville

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Vice President J.D. Vance is making his first visit to the Rio Grande Valley. Port of Brownsville officials confirm to Valley Central that Vance will visit the port on Tuesday at noon. The event will be open to the public. The doors will open at...

ValleyCentralAug 1, 2026

business

ValleyCentral Weekend Report: Biggest stories of the week in case you missed them

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On 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. Kicking things off with an update to a story we've been f...

ValleyCentralAug 1, 2026

Local

RGV volleyball teams practice at midnight to start season

HARLINGEN — The UIL volleyball season is here. The first day teams were allowed to practice was August 1st. Teams were eager to step on the court or even fields as they prepare for the three-month long season. In the Lower Valley, Harlingen South had its first ever midnight pract...

MyRGVAug 1, 2026

Local

Weslaco’s Urbina scores first round TKO at UFC Fight Night in Serbia

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer Weslaco native Gilbert “The RGV Bad Boy” Urbina scored a first round technical knockout over Vlasto Cepo to open the UFC Fight Night: Medic vs. Rodriguez main card Saturday in Belgrade, Serbia. Urbina, who was making his middleweight debut, withstood an...

MyRGVAug 1, 2026

News

Alligator sanctuary experts relocate gator found in Los Fresnos pool

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —The South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator Sanctuary captured a 10-foot alligator found swimming in a residential pool in Los Fresnos. Jacob Reinbolt, educator, alligator expert and licensed nuisance alligator trapper with the South Padr...

ValleyCentralAug 1, 2026

government

VP Vance expected at Port of Brownsville on Tuesday

V ice President JD Vance is expected to speak Tuesday at the Port of Brownsville, the site of a planned $300 billion oil refinery that President Donald Trump announced back in March . Details remain unclear; however, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said Friday evening that Vance is ...

MyRGVAug 1, 2026

schools

Ingleside alumni Jakobsohn, Smith reunite at UTRGV

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer EDINBURG — Ingleside alumni Aidan Jakobsohn and Jaydon Smith lit up scoreboards across South Texas during their days together with the Mustangs. Best friends since about kindergarten, Smith estimates, the two went their separate ways upon graduation. Sm...

MyRGVAug 1, 2026

Local

INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED AUGUST 3-4

The City of Brownsville's Department of Engineering and Public Works Traffic Department is advising motorists of temporary lane closures on International Boulevard beginning Monday, August 3, through Tuesday, August 4....

City of BrownsvilleJul 31, 2026

schools

Care Closet opens in Brownsville to address rising clothing needs

New Horizon Health Center in Brownsville has opened its Care Closet to help patients with clothing needs. (Courtesy Photo) A pair of shoes, maybe a nice shirt for an interview or even some new clothes for school — all these items are necessities that have become increasingly more...

MyRGVJul 31, 2026

News

ADVANCED SURGICAL INSTITUTE TO OPEN IN HARLINGEN

Community invited to ribbon cutting on Aug. 6 at Harlingen Medical Center HARLINGEN – A ribbon-cutting event for a new Advanced Surgical Institute at Harlingen Medical Center will be held on Wednesday, August 6 at 5 p.m. at Harlingen Medical Center (in the front lobby), 5501 S. E...

MyRGVJul 31, 2026

government

Edinburg plans downtown refresh with new master plan in the works

E dinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa has a vision for an upgraded downtown. The city plans to enlist the help of consultants to piece together a revitalization plan for the sector of the city as similar efforts unfold in both McAllen and Brownsville. Ochoa pictures the downtown refresh con...

MyRGVJul 31, 2026

schools

Back In Business: UTRGV kicks off fall camp for Year 2

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer EDINBURG — Just in case people thought the UTRGV Vaqueros were satisfied with putting together the winningest inaugural FCS season by a startup program in 2025, they’re chasing a conference championship in Year 2, and head coach Travis Bush reminded his...

MyRGVJul 31, 2026

schools

Edcouch-Elsa ISD officially names new superintendent

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District Board of Trustees officially named Rosalba De Hoyos as the new Superintendent of Schools. The school board took action on Thursday to name De Hoyos following a state-mandated 21-day waiting period. Ho...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

safety

San Benito traffic stop leads to drug seizure at Harlingen home: Police

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is facing drug possession charges after police found cocaine, marijuana and Sildenafil inside his vehicle during a traffic stop on Thursday, according to a news release from the San Benito Police Department. Edward N. Hernandez of Harlinge...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

News

City of Mercedes welcomes families to free science event

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Mercedes is inviting the community to its annual Earth X Space celebration. The free family-friendly event celebrates science and community building through hands-on activities. Some activities include conservation and astronomy exhi...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

Local

Calling all artists: McAllen Public Library hosting Youth Bookmark Contest

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Public Library is calling on all young artists across the Rio Grande Valley to participate in its 2026 Youth Bookmark Contest. The contest is part of the library's South Texas International Book Festival — an annual celebration of bo...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

border

Cameron County receives Presidential Permit to own, operate and maintain B&M Bridge

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County has been granted a Presidential Permit authorizing the county to own, operate and maintain the Brownsville and Matamoros Bridge. The county received an official notification that the permit had been granted on Thursday, according ...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

business

Local nonprofit provides free baby supplies for Valley families

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With grocery prices on the rise, a local nonprofit organization is helping Rio Grande Valley families on a no-questions-asked basis. Hannah's Foundation, a nonprofit located at 203 E. Business Highway 83, Suite 110, in Weslaco, was founded by An...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

Local

4Ever Family: Sisters Analla & Aliiah

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every week, CBS 4 works to find a forever home for a Rio Grande Valley foster child as part of our “4Ever Family” partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Analla Meet Analla, an 11-year-old who is full of energy a...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

News

Power outage interrupts water service in Weslaco

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A power outage shut down pumps at the city's water treatment facilities on Friday morning, interrupting water service in Weslaco, according to a statement from the city. Weslaco Assistant City Manager Omar Rodriguez said the power outage occurre...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

government

More intense heat heading to the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The heat will be unrelenting the next couple of days in the Rio Grande Valley. With sunny skies on Friday, most of us will top out in the 100-102 range, with 105 in western Starr County, 96 in the lower Valley and closer to 90 at the coast. It w...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

schools

UTRGV football returns to the gridiron ahead of 2026 season

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Vaqueros are lacing up for their sophomore campaign as football season returns to the Rio Grande Valley. Last year, UTRGV emerged as one of the top teams in the Southland Conference. The Vaqueros finished 2025 with a 9-3 record and went undef...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

space

SpaceX crews begin first steps of Flight 14 test campaign

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Even with everyone focused on final preparations for Flight 13, the production teams were still hard at work on vehicles for future missions. Moving on to testing activities for the week, the Flight 14 booster began the first steps of its test ...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

safety

Fire crews battle large house fire in south Mission

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Mission Fire Department responded to a house fire in south Mission on Thursday afternoon. Crews were dispatched to the fire at approximately 5:30 p.m. near Solera Street. According to a spokesperson for the city of Mission, no one was insid...

ValleyCentralJul 31, 2026

business

Data center permit request withdrawn as Brownsville considers moratorium

Southwest Key’s Casa Padre immigrant holding facility is pictured Monday, June 18, 2018, in Brownsville. An unidentified company seeking a special use permit to build a data center and cold storage facility at the now-vacant building withdrew its request on Wednesday, July 29, 20...

MyRGVJul 30, 2026

schools

Los Fresnos CISD names Villarreal lone finalist for superintendent

Joseph Villarreal T he Los Fresnos CISD Board of Trustees has named Joseph Villarreal the lone finalist for the district’s next superintendent of schools. Following a comprehensive nationwide search and extensive community input, the board selected Villarreal as the leader best s...

MyRGVJul 30, 2026

zoo

Flying colors: Gladys Porter Zoo gets first toucan in 20 years

T ookie Tookie is a girl who knows what she wants, dazzling to behold and easy to pick out in a crowd. Tookie Tookie is Glady’s Porter Zoo’s new keel-billed toucan, the first toucan member of the GPZ family in 20 years. Keel-billed (Rhamphastos sulfuratus), also called rainbow-bi...

MyRGVJul 30, 2026

News

Men’s Softball League Roundup

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS The Laguna Madre Men’s Softball league is the final stretch of the season as week 3 game concluded. The Cantu’s team stayed unbeaten by sweeping both of its games on the night, improving to 6-0 and remaining at the top of the stand...

Port Isabel PressJul 30, 2026

business

Port secures $330,000 BUILD Grant

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District has received a $330,000 BUILD grant for an engineering study connected to a proposed mobile boat lift project. Port Director Victor Barrera announced the award during the district’s July 16 re...

Port Isabel PressJul 30, 2026

business

Port Isabel EDC Coffee aims to spark growth

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Local business owners, entrepreneurs and community members are invited to attend the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation’s upcoming Business Coffee, an event designed to foster collaboration and support economic growth th...

Port Isabel PressJul 30, 2026

government

Port Isabel holds meeting, updating towing regulations

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel City Commission advanced updated towing regulations, approved a regional mutual-aid agreement and authorized several other measures during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 28. Commissioners approved the first reading of Or...

Port Isabel PressJul 30, 2026

government

Cameron County Tax Notices Mailed

Special to the PRESS BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS—A total of 25,031 delinquent tax notices for tax year 2025 were mailed for real estate accounts that remain unpaid as of the first of the month. Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Edelmiro “Eddie” Garcia informed taxpayers who have not p...

Port Isabel PressJul 30, 2026

business

Moments In Time: Port Isabel news from 1863

By Steve Hathcock Special to the PRESS Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley. Steve Hathcock is a local historian and a regula...

Port Isabel PressJul 30, 2026

schools

UTRGV football kicks off fall camp Thursday

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer EDINBURG — After delivering the winningest inaugural season by a first-year program in FCS history, the UTRGV Vaqueros are one sleep away from kicking off their second fall camp in preparation for the 2026 campaign. UTRGV set the standard in Year 1, fin...

MyRGVJul 30, 2026

Local

A dry July puts the Valley back on the drought map

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A wet June quenched the soil and pulled the Rio Grande Valley off the U.S. Drought Monitor map. A dry July now drags deep South Texas back on the map with moderate drought conditions from Brownsville to McAllen. So far this month, rain has been ...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

safety

Alton police urge caution over fake kidnap calls

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Alton Police Department issued an alert on Tuesday about a phone scam targeting senior citizens. Police say scammers will call from a blocked or private number, claim a loved one has been kidnapped and demand money in exchange for their rele...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

business

Richard Moore Outdoor Report: South Texas Sunrise

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — There is no better way to start the day than with a beautiful sunrise, and the Rio Grande Valley displays some of the most breathtaking imaginable. From the shores of South Padre Island to the senderos of Wild Horse Desert, sunrise offers daybre...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

News

Crunch Fitness coming to Harlingen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Crunch Fitness, a no-judgment gym known for its mission to make exercise fun and its variety of fitness classes, will soon be coming to Harlingen. The gym project details were registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on T...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

News

Valley Storm Team: The heat is on as August starts this weekend

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Meteorologist Lexie Walker and Forecaster Craig Verley sat down in this week's episode of Valley Storm Team to discuss all things heat, weekend forecast, and hurricane frequency as the month of August starts. The team also gets into the regional...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

safety

Willacy County Sheriff's Office investigating shooting at apartment

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Deputies and the Criminal Investigation Division are investigating a shooting at an apartment, the Willacy County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. At 9:30 a.m., WCSO dispatch was informed by the Kingsville Police Department that a "male subject" ...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

government

Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza announces reelection campaign

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza is running for reelection. Garza made the announcement in a social media post on July 14, touting several accomplishments since her election, including strengthened neighborhoods, critical infrastructure invest...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

safety

Brownsville car shop fire heavily damages vehicles, investigation underway

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An early morning fire that heavily damaged six vehicles at a Brownsville used car lot is under investigation, Brownsville Fire Marshal Joey Garcia said Thursday morning. Garcia said the fire occurred at Top Choice Used Cars located on the 300 bl...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

News

Triple-digit heat and rising humidity hit the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — You may notice our skies look a bit more blue Thursday afternoon as the latest plume of Saharan dust leaves. Computer models show some more working its way back to the Valley over the weekend into early next week. However, at least we get a coup...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

News

City leaders unveil 2026 McAllen Holiday Parade theme

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The most wonderful time of the year made an early arrival in McAllen on Wednesday. City leaders gathered on Wednesday at Quinta Mazatlan to get a kick-start on the festivities for the annual McAllen Holiday Parade. The theme of the holiday para...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

business

Public survey aims to bring recreation center to Harlingen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The city of Harlingen is calling on residents to participate in a survey to help bring a proposed recreation center to the Wilson Sports Complex. The survey is part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Local Parks Indoor Recreation Grant ...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

business

Brownsville data center application withdrawn

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- What once was a Walmart and later a shelter for undocumented migrant children once again remains vacant. The unidentified company that filed a permit request to develop a data center near the Port of Brownsville has withdrawn its application. T...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

News

Major heat risk continues through the weekend

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Low temperatures on Wednesday will fall into the upper 70s and lower 80s across the Valley, but it will heat up once again Thursday. Highs will range from the upper 80s to the lower triple digits, but it will feel even warmer due to the heat in...

ValleyCentralJul 30, 2026

government

APPLICANT WITHDRAWS DATA CENTER SPECIFIC USE PERMIT REQUEST

The City of Brownsville is advising the public that Public Hearing Item No. 3 on the Aug. 6, 2026, Planning and Zoning Commission agenda has been canceled following the applicant’s withdrawal of the request....

City of BrownsvilleJul 29, 2026

business

Better Business Bureau warns of new phone scam

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Better Business Bureau is warning that scammers are impersonating well-known retailers, government agencies, or even law enforcement to obtain personal information. According to the BBB, the call starts off with the scammer claiming to be fr...

ValleyCentralJul 29, 2026