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ValleyCentral Weekend Report: ICE crackdowns and floods across Texas

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. To kick things off, we check in with the Starr County ran...

ValleyCentralJul 25, 2026

government

Special election set for South Padre Island Council seat

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of South Padre Island announced that a Special Election has been scheduled to fill the seat for Council Member Place 1. The seat opened up following the death of City Council Member Ken Medders, Jr. As previously reported on ValleyCentr...

ValleyCentralJul 25, 2026

News

13th Court of Appeals weighs in on Weslaco cheerleader wrongful death lawsuit

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The 13th Court of Appeals on Friday weighed in on the wrongful death lawsuit involving a Weslaco cheerleader. The 13th Court of Appeals sent a letter directing attorneys representing the family of Larissa Rodriguez to respond to Glazer's Beer an...

ValleyCentralJul 25, 2026

space

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Starlink satellites from West Coast

The Starlink 17-51 mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 25, 2026. Image: SpaceX. A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from the West Coast Saturday, carrying another batch of satellites for the company’s Starlink internet servic...

Spaceflight NowJul 25, 2026

space

Down by the Border launches satellite office at Brownsville Police Department

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Down by the Border, a nonprofit organization, has launched its new Satellite Office at the Brownsville Police Department. The organization supports children with special needs through different programming such as athletic, educational, and comm...

ValleyCentralJul 25, 2026

Local

Summer sizzle returns to the Valley while rain takes a vacation

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A stretch of classic summer weather is settling in across Harlingen and the Rio Grande Valley, and it’s not letting up anytime soon. A mid-level high-pressure system parked over the region will keep skies mostly sunny and temperatures running ho...

ValleyCentralJul 25, 2026

space

Super Heavy-Starship rocket chalks up mostly successful test flight

SpaceX’s Super Heavy-Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, blasts off on the program’s 13th test flight in another critical milestone for Elon Musk’s rocket company. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now. SpaceX launched it’s 13th Super Heavy-Starship rocket Friday, with...

Spaceflight NowJul 25, 2026

News

Mercedes man accused in fentanyl overdose death indicted on federal charges

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mercedes man accused of selling narcotics to a man who died of a fentanyl overdose has been indicted on federal charges. Bryan Alexis Cedillo, 28, of Mercedes, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis on Friday m...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

space

Flight 13 launches: All mission goals met, Starship makes soft splashdown

SpaceX’s Starship rocket lifts off for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) S tarship S40 and Super Heavy booster B20 lifted off from SpaceX’s launch pad No. 2 at Boca Chica at 5:51 p.m. on Friday after scrubbing the launch twice, yesterd...

MyRGVJul 24, 2026

government

Man charged in connection with stabbing in rural Edinburg: Sheriff

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 27-year-old man accused of barricading himself after allegedly stabbing a woman during a family dispute appeared in front of a judge on Friday, according to an update from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Noe Garza, 27, was charged with ag...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

space

WATCH: SpaceX prepares to launch 13th Starship flight test

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —SpaceX aims to launch its 13th Starship flight test from Starbase on Friday afternoon. The 90-minute launch window opens at 5:45 p.m. ValleyCentral will livestream the launch in the video player above. Friday's launch comes after SpaceX scrubbed ...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

safety

Third person arrested in connection with deadly shooting at San Juan H-E-B

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — San Juan police have arrested a third person in connection with a deadly shooting at an H-E-B parking lot in San Juan. Police arrested Ivory Ruiz, 24, on Thursday. Ruiz faces the following charges: Two men — 18-year-old Michael Anthony Lopez and...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

safety

SUV crashes into Mission barbershop, two people taken to hospital

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An SUV crashed into an EZ Hair Cuts barber shop in Mission on Friday, photos taken by the Mission Fire Department show. Mission Fire Chief Mike Silva told ValleyCentral that crews responded to a vehicle crashing into a building on Friday at a pl...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

safety

Missing 74-year-old man found dead in his home: Combes police

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 74-year-old man who was reported missing earlier this week was found dead in his home on Friday, according to the Combes Police Department Jose Jesus Lara, 74, was last seen on Wednesday afternoon at a local Stripes store. Family members repor...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

safety

Agent indicted for crashing into man during Harlingen ICE operation suspended

T he Border Patrol agent who is accused of crashing into a pedestrian who was “walking calmly in a non-threatening manner” during a immigration operation in Harlingen was suspended and placed on administrative duties in June. Raymundo Ramos Jr., 41, was charged with aggravated as...

MyRGVJul 24, 2026

border

HSI McAllen conducts enforcement operation in upper Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Homeland Security Investigations McAllen is conducting an enforcement operation in the upper Valley, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson confirmed Friday afternoon. The operation is part of an ongoing criminal investigation. ...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

space

UTRGV, IDEA Public Schools partner for new autism intervention program

U TRGV and IDEA Public Schools are partnering to launch an early autism intervention program dedicated to researching education delivery models, impacts of accelerated learning and that will serve as a blueprint for training educators in the Valley. The program is called Classroo...

MyRGVJul 24, 2026

Local

4Ever Family: Arturo, Abigail, Garett and Alanhi

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every week, CBS4 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. Meet four siblings, two brothers and two sisters, who are r...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

border

NORTON DRIVE TO CLOSE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BEGINNING JULY 27

The Traffic Division of the City of Brownsville's Department of Engineering and Public Works is notifying residents and motorists of an upcoming road closure as part of a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) bridge replacement project....

City of BrownsvilleJul 24, 2026

government

Valley officials address first screwworm case, shelters stress adoption

I t’s been nearly a week since news of the New World screwworm officially made its way to the Rio Grande Valley, prompting local officials to address their handling of the flesh-eating parasite’s arrival to the region. Starr County confirmed its first case of screwworm Sunday, Ju...

MyRGVJul 24, 2026

safety

Police seek to identify suspect vehicle involved in Edinburg hit-and-run

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Police Department is working to identify a suspect vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that caused property damage on Thursday. Police described the suspect vehicle as a white four-door passenger car, which may have noticeable front-r...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

schools

Los Fresnos CISD names lone finalist for superintendent

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees named a lone finalist for superintendent during a board meeting on Thursday. According to a news release, Joseph Villarreal was selected after a nationwide search and ext...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

News

Building linked to the Gulf Cartel scheduled for auction in September

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A building linked to the Gulf Cartel may be sold to the highest bidder in September. The building, which is located on Military Highway in San Benito, belonged to Carlos Favian Martinez, the son-in-law of Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas Guillen. M...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

government

Barricade suspect in custody after stabbing in Edinburg area: Sheriff

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A 27-year-old man is in custody after allegedly stabbing a woman and barricading himself inside a home in the Edinburg area, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded to the call for a family disturbance involving a s...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

border

Rain chances drop as Tropical Storm Bertha weakens

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Bertha was downgraded to a tropical depression on Thursday evening as it continued to push inland. The showers that swept across the Valley earlier have shifted south of the border, and southeasterly winds will keep flowing through the region. T...

ValleyCentralJul 24, 2026

space

SpaceX now targeting Friday for test launch of Starship

S paceX on Thursday afternoon announced that it was scrubbing its planned launch of Starship/Super Heavy from Boca Chica Beach. Now, the company is targeting Friday with a 90-minute test window opening at 5:45 p.m., SpaceX said in a media release. Flight 13 has been scrubbed twic...

MyRGVJul 23, 2026

government

San Benito to run criminal checks on board candidates

San Benito Mayor Pedro “Pete” Galvan S AN BENITO — Candidates for city boards are now facing criminal background checks following cases sparking residents’ concerns. As part of a new ordinance, the city will be running background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safe...

MyRGVJul 23, 2026

News

San Juan Municipal Court urges residents to take advantage of amnesty program

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you have any outstanding fines in the city of San Juan, now's your chance to resolve issues with the court without any additional penalties. The San Juan Municipal Court has extended its amnesty program through Aug. 31. During this time, resi...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

government

Former South Padre Island Mayor Barry Patel seeks return to City Hall

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Former South Padre Island Mayor Barry Patel is seeking a return to City Hall, announcing this week that he will challenge incumbent Mayor Patrick McNulty in the Nov. 4 election. Patel, who served on the City Council beginning in 2...

Port Isabel PressJul 23, 2026

business

New public boat ramp opens, first in 30 years

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Boaters, anglers, city leaders and community members gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate the official opening of the Marisol Laguna Madre Boat Ramp, the first new public bayside access point built on South Padre Island in more t...

Port Isabel PressJul 23, 2026

business

Educators plan for AI

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS Approximately 50 education leaders and representatives from organizations across the Rio Grande Valley gathered Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for the RGV AI + Education Leadership Collaborative at Point Isabel ISD’s new building at 101 Port Road...

Port Isabel PressJul 23, 2026

News

Laguna Madre athletes headed to Junior Olympics

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS A handful of Laguna Madre athletes will be competing in the upcoming 2026 AAU Junior Olympics. This year the event will be held in Des Moines, Iowa and is set to commence this upcoming Wednesday, July 29 and run to August 8, 2026. ...

Port Isabel PressJul 23, 2026

News

Week two of men’s softball league in the books

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Wednesday, July 15, the Laguna Madre Men’s Softball League featured another night of spirited competition as the cheers and friendly jeers echoed throughout the park. After the first week of action, Cantu’s and Hopper Hau...

Port Isabel PressJul 23, 2026

space

Bill seeks to protect Boca Chica

Special to the PRESS U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has introduced legislation aimed at permanently protecting the name Boca Chica Beach while increasing transparency in the federal geographic naming process. The Hands Off Our Boca Chica Beach Act, introduced July 20, would officiall...

Port Isabel PressJul 23, 2026

government

Hidalgo County judge urges vigilance after screwworm detected in Starr County

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said county leaders continue to closely monitor the New World Screwworm after the first confirmed case in the Rio Grande Valley was recently detected in a newborn calf in Starr County. Cortez issued a state...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

Local

Moments in Time: They will fly again in speedier machines

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 23, 2026

government

San Juan Memorial Library to host free Narcan training

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Juan Memorial Library and Hidalgo County Health & Human Services Department will host a free Narcan training on Friday. The free event will begin at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose and how to properly ...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

News

Latest South Texas Healthy Living episode on NBC 23 to tackle arthritis

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every month, South Texas Health System tackles a different issue in South Texas Healthy Living, a 30-minute program that airs on KVEO NBC 23. System Director of Marketing & Public Relations Tom Castaneda said the latest episode will explore the ...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

News

Valley Voices: Romeo Vaughn, Country Music Artist

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In the latest edition of Valley Voices, CBS 4's Marco Ramirez sits down with Rome Vaughn, country music artist from Santa Rosa, Texas. Vaughn moved to Nashville to jump-start his music career and has lived there for the past 10 years. But Vaughn...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

safety

LIST: Back-to-school giveaway events across the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Summer is almost wrapping up, and students are getting ready to go back to school. Several events happening soon will gift school supplies to help students start the new school year prepared. ValleyCentral has gathered a list of those events: Br...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

space

SpaceX prepares for second attempt at Starship Flight 13

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX is preparing for its second attempt at Starship Flight 13 from Starbase, Texas. The second attempt of Starship Flight 13 comes one week after SpaceX scrubbed its first attempt on July 16. The 90-minute launch window will open at 5:45 p.m....

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

safety

Rio Grande City police warn of scammers posing as officers in phone calls

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Grande City Police Department is warning the community about scam phone calls from people pretending to be employees of the police department. According to police, the callers are telling victims that they are under investigation and are...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

government

'I was prepared': Starr County rancher recalls identifying screwworm in calf

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Starr County rancher is urging people to remain vigilant after discovering the first confirmed case of the New World screwworm in a calf. Starr County officials confirmed its first New World screwworm case on Sunday, prompting immediate safety...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

business

Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Valley Raptors

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Grande Valley is home to more than a dozen raptors or birds of prey, from tiny screech owls at only some eight inches in length to white-tailed hawks with wingspans exceeding four feet. Lurking in the shadowy depths of South Texas woodla...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

Local

Bertha may bring rain Thursday but heat isn't going anywhere

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Wednesday was hot. We completely smashed old daily climatology records for the three observation sites of McAllen, Harlingen and Brownsville. Thursday will be hot too, but likely not record-breaking hot. There will be highs this afternoon reachi...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

News

Wild card in the forecast: Bertha could deliver Valley rain

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is set to continue a westward track toward Texas. The storm isn't expected to get stronger, but the eventual path will bring the remnants of the storm close enough to bring the Valley some rain Thursday night. A chance for...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

Local

Bertha, heat and a chance for showers this Thursday evening

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A little bit of everything is on tap for the Rio Grande Valley through Thursday night. Let’s start with Tropical Storm Bertha. The storm made landfall earlier today between Mississippi and Louisiana, surprisingly still as a tropical storm after ...

ValleyCentralJul 23, 2026

business

Brownsville evaluating permit for proposed data center

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — What was once a Walmart and later a shelter for undocumented migrant children could now possibly turn into a data center. An unidentified company has filed a permit request with the City of Brownsville to develop a data center at 7480 Padre Is...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

government

$2M grant to fund street improvements in Mission

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A multimillion-dollar grant will fund street improvements in the city of Mission, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced Tuesday. The Texas General Land Office approved $2 million in funds from the Disaster Recovery Reallocation Progr...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

Local

Valley Baptist Brownsville unveils new stroke care equipment

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Health care leaders joined at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville to celebrate a new program and equipment designed to treat stroke patients. The facility's new bi-plane imaging equipment will help specialists treat stroke patients more...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

News

Community aids in planting trees at Harlingen city parks

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen Parks and Recreation Department hosted a free community tree-planting event on Wednesday as part of its ongoing initiative to improve the quality of life at its city parks. The tree-planting session was held at Pendleton Park, one ...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

business

Harlingen PD partners with TxDOT to crack down on speeding

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation is partnering with law enforcement agencies to crack down on speeding across the state. Operation Slowdown is an annual campaign by TxDOT to ramp up enforcement statewide and target drivers traveling at hig...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

Local

Food Bank RGV to distribute free produce in Peñitas

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) - The Food Bank RGV will be hosting a free mobile produce distribution on Thursday, July 23rd. The one day only event will be held at Faith Fellowship Bible Church in Penitas beginning at 9 AM until supplies last. Participants will need a picture ...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

safety

Weslaco Police Department invites community to Bike Rodeo & Water Wars event

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Weslaco Police Department is inviting the community to a fun-filled bicycle safety rodeo on Saturday at Judge Gilbert Garza Park. Children ages 8-15 will have the opportunity to learn all there is to know about bike safety alongside Weslaco ...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026