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schools

Rio Hondo community celebrates renovated Bobcat Stadium

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Rio Hondo community gathered Wednesday evening to celebrate the newly renovated Bobcat Stadium. The Rio Hondo Independent School District broke ground on the $6 million sports complex renovation in June. "It's truly a blessing just to see th...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

News

Harlingen seeks input for improvements at soccer complex

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen Parks and Recreation Department is applying for a grant to improve the city's soccer complex — and it needs input from area residents. Harlingen Parks Director Juan Mendiola is asking the community to complete the survey with sugge...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

space

SpaceX pushes back target date for Starship 14 test flight

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX pushed back the target date for its next launch by several days and is now eyeing Monday, Sept. 28, for its Starship 14 test flight. The flight is still pending regulatory approval. SpaceX previously announced that it expected to launch i...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

Local

Statewide beach cleanup campaign seeks South Padre Island volunteers

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Volunteers are needed for a statewide beach cleanup campaign taking place in the Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. The Adopt-A-Beach Fall Coastwide Cleanup will take place at 25 locations statewide, including three in the Rio Grande Valley. Accordi...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

business

BBB Rio Grande Valley warns of fake job offers

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Better Business Bureau Rio Grande Valley on Thursday urged job seekers to watch out for unexpected job offers. According to the BBB, people are using fake employment opportunities to steal money and personal information from job seekers. The...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

Local

Valley Storm Team talks drought, rain and autumn

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Some areas of the Rio Grande Valley have officially earned an "exceptional" title — and not in a good way. Due to the very dry conditions that have persisted, the recently released drought data indicates some areas of the Valley have entered the...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

News

Rain is in the forecast but don't expect a washout

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A surge of moisture from the Gulf as high pressure weakens could bring daily showers and non-severe thunderstorms. The ample surface moisture could mean a lot of rain in a short time, so localized, minor flooding can't be ruled out. This threat ...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

government

Week 3 Team of the Week Winner: Edinburg Vela

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The votes are in for the Valley Sports Central Team of the Week. Our Valley Sports team nominated three local football teams to claim the title of Team of the Week. Nearly 1,500 viewers cast votes for their Team of the Week pick. Here are the r...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

schools

Athlete of the Week: Edinburg Vela's Caidyn Hoover

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Week three of the high school football season featured some of the Rio Grande Valley's biggest upsets and showstopping performances. The performance from the Edinburg Vela senior quarterback and safety Caidyn Hoover landed him the honors of the...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

safety

Valley ICE officer arrested in Minnesota amid shooting investigation

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A federal immigration officer from the Rio Grande Valley who was charged with lying about shooting of an immigrant during a major immigration operation in Minneapolis was arrested on Wednesday. Christian J. Castro, 52, of McAllen reportedly lie...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

News

Former Laredo DPS trooper sent to prison in online child sex investigation: Feds

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A former state trooper from Laredo was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after attempting to entice someone he believed to be a minor for sex, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas. Laredo resident Christian Es...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

Local

A bit of hope for showers and cooler conditions

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- After a long stretch of hot weather across the Rio Grande Valley, the forecast is finally offering a little hope of increased cloud cover, scattered showers, and slightly cooler conditions. A surge of tropical moisture is moving into the region...

ValleyCentralSep 17, 2026

government

Hernandez vs. Hood: What’s at stake in South Padre Island’s special election

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Padre Island voters are heading to the polls weeks before the November election as the city holds a special election for a vacant City Council seat. The special election is for Place 1, a seat previously held by longtime councilma...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

space

SpaceX prepping for first Starship orbital mission

S paceX is aiming to launch its first orbital Starship mission from Boca Chica/Starbase as soon as Sept. 28, with a 75-minute launch window opening at 7:15 a.m. The company says the upcoming launch of Flight 14 will be the first time Starship has orbited around Earth. “Flight tes...

MyRGVSep 16, 2026

space

TxDOT offering free child car seat safety resources

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation has launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness about child car seat safety. According to TxDOT, 46% of child car seats nationwide are misused or are the wrong seat for a child’s size. Common child car...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

schools

PSJA ISD to hold annual dropout recovery walk

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District is continuing its efforts to connect with students who have not returned to school. The district will hold its 19th Annual Countdown to Zero Dropout Recovery Walk on Saturday, Sept. 19. The an...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

business

BROWNSVILLE BUILDS FEDERAL CONNECTIONS TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY PRIORITIES

Brownsville leaders are taking the City’s priorities directly to Washington, D.C., meeting face-to-face with federal agencies and decision-makers to pursue resources, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities....

City of BrownsvilleSep 16, 2026

schools

Time to respond: UTRGV hosts McNeese in SLC home opener

E DINBURG — UTRGV head coach Travis Bush and the Vaqueros’ coaching staff break down the 12-game college football regular season into four quarters, with three games making up each quarter. In Year 1, the Vaqueros won all four quarters of their inaugural season, going 3-0 in the ...

MyRGVSep 16, 2026

Local

Backstage Spotlight: Tiger's Blood and the ever-expanding Valley music scene

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On any given warm summer night, you're likely to find a sweaty room somewhere in the Rio Grande Valley packed with entranced people, cocktails in hand, moving to the music pouring off a stage. It's the kind of communal experience that has kept t...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

Local

BROWNSVILLE DELEGATION TAKES LOCAL PRIORITIES TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

City of Brownsville representatives are in Washington, D.C., as part of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce Washington, D.C. Fly-In, meeting with federal agencies, members of Congress and other national leaders....

City of BrownsvilleSep 16, 2026

News

A little more haze, then some rain

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The latest plume of Saharan dust will be hanging around just one more day. That means a bit of haze for our skies today. But by tomorrow, most of the dust should be gone and should stay away for several days. Our Wednesday will include a few mor...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

News

Saharan dust sticks around a bit longer, keeping rain chances low

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hazy skies and reduced air quality today were driven by that Saharan dust, and those conditions will linger through the end of the week. A slight improvement is expected before the weekend, but the dust won’t fully clear just yet and will keep a...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

safety

Alamo teen dies in rollover crash near Corpus Christi

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- An Alamo teen was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash near Corpus Christi. State troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety Corpus Christi Division responded to the crash before 7 a.m. on Saturday. The crash occurred along FM 70 ...

ValleyCentralSep 16, 2026

safety

UTRGV professor on yearlong suspension without resolution

F or more than a year, UTRGV political science professor Clyde Barrow has been on suspension with pay with no resolution. The professor, however, is claiming his criticism over certain choices is the root cause. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) published...

MyRGVSep 16, 2026

business

Harlingen EDC may ask for $5,000 back over canceled Frontera Fest

H ARLINGEN — The city’s Economic Development Corporation is considering requesting a promoter reimburse $5,000 it offered in its sponsorship of a three-day music festival which suddenly canceled . On Monday, organizers were expected to begin refunding vendors’ fees and fans’ tick...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

safety

Feds call for dismissal of lawsuit by Donna family raided by ICE

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) T he federal government is seeking...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

government

Hinojosa swings through RGV: Candidate speaks to electricity costs, data centers

T exas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa brought her campaign against Gov. Greg Abbott back to the Rio Grande Valley this week, with a rally in McAllen, a meeting with South Texas Homebuilders Association members in Harlingen, a stop at a LUPE Votes phone bank and ...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

safety

Harlingen proposing half-cent tax hike; public hearing set for Wednesday

H ARLINGEN — For the first time in seven years, the city’s property tax rate might be bumping up, this time to help fund a $2.7 million police union contract, parks upgrades and a growing payroll. Meanwhile, commissioners are also trying to fund the second year of the Harlingen P...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

Local

Best of both worlds at Donna’s La Original Pupusas Y Gorditas

D ONNA — There’s no debate that the Rio Grande Valley is king in Texas and probably the United States when it comes to Mexican food. It’s great for us, but being around so many good taquerias and in an area with mostly Mexicans, I hardly ever get to eat or try different Latino cu...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

Local

'People remember in November': Abbott, Hinojosa campaign in the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas governor’s race came to the Rio Grande Valley Tuesday, with Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott making separate stops in Harlingen. Hinojosa focused her visit on the construction industry and a labor shor...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

Local

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers recognized for community impact

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Volunteers with AmeriCorps Seniors were recognized in Edinburg on Tuesday for their contributions to the Rio Grande Valley community. AmeriCorps Seniors is a federally funded national program in which individuals over the age of 55 volunteer in ...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

space

SpaceX launches national security payload for U.S. Space Force from Vandenberg

A Falcon 9 stands on Space Launch Complex 4E ahead of the USSF-259 mission at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Image: SpaceX. Update Sept. 16, 9:40 p.m. EDT (0140 UTC): SpaceX landed the booster on the droneship. Update Sept. 15, 9:05 p.m. EDT (0105 UTC): SpaceX scrubbed ...

Spaceflight NowSep 15, 2026

Local

SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM LIMB SALVAGE & AMPUTATION PREVENTION PROGRAM TO HOST ‘STEP OUT PAD’ WALKATHON TO RAISE AWARENESS OF PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Held in recognition of PAD Awareness Month, the community walk aims to educate residents about the risks, warning signs and prevention of peripheral artery disease, a serious but often undiagnosed condition affecting millions of Americans. If you experience leg pain, cramping or ...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

border

Feds asks judge to dismiss Donna family's lawsuit over immigration raid

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The federal government has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Donna family over an immigration raid that happened in their home in January, according to court records. The motion to dismiss was filed in the Southern District of Texas ...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

business

Workforce Solutions Cameron hosting largest job fair expo in Harlingen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The largest job fair expo in Harlingen is returning to the Harlingen Convention Center. Workforce Solutions Cameron will present the expo, giving job seekers the chance to explore opportunities, connect with others and build their future. Workfo...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

safety

Multiple agencies respond to grass, structure fire: WCSO

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Firefighters from multiple agencies are responding to a large grass and structure fire, the Willacy County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday afternoon. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire has burned through 7.7 acres and is 50% conta...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

News

NEW PAIN RELIEF CENTER OPENS IN HARLINGEN

Pain medicine specialist, Dr. Justin Faye, offers advanced treatments to relieve pain HARLINGEN – A new Center for Pain Relief, directed by a physician who specializes in pain medicine, Dr. Justin Faye, opened in Harlingen on September 14. The new pain management clinic is locate...

MyRGVSep 15, 2026

space

SpaceX sets tentative launch date for Starship 14 flight

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX is eyeing Tuesday, Sept. 22, for Starship's fourteenth flight from Starbase. The company said the flight is still pending regulatory approval, and that target dates may change. The 75-minute launch window will open at 7:15 a.m. on Sept. 2...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

business

Children's Bereavement Center hosting Mariposa Gala in Weslaco

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Representatives of the Children’s Bereavement Center stopped by our studios on Tuesday morning to invite the Rio Grande Valley to the Mariposa Gala 2026. The Children’s Bereavement Center supports families throughout the Valley by helping childr...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

News

Temperatures will cool to upper 90s with more rain coming

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Near record-breaking heat continues once again across the Valley Tuesday. We'll see sunshine, breezy southeast winds, temperatures above normal for mid September standards and in combination with the mugginess look for feels like temperatures up...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

border

WATCH: Gina Hinojosa campaigns in the Rio Grande Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Rio Grande Valley native Gina Hinojosa kicked off a homecoming campaign Tuesday morning to connect with communities about the economy, border security and public schools. Hinojosa's first stop was a constru...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

government

Beto O'Rourke visits South Texas College ahead of midterm election

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Former US Representative Beto O'Rouke visited South Texas College on Monday as part of Every Campus Counts tour. South Texas College is one of many stops across Texas in the voter registration campaign presented by Powered by People, an initiat...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

Local

Slight cool down with increased rain chances and wind shift

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) – A slight cool down and a better shot at rain are finally on the way for the Rio Grande Valley. An upper‑level low this week will enhance sea breeze showers and bump up our rain chances from Wednesday through Friday. Right now, Friday looks like ...

ValleyCentralSep 15, 2026

Local

Valley Storm Team: Will seawater help relieve Valley water woes?

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Roy Rodriguez, the interim head of the Harlingen Water Works, visited the Valley Storm Team show to discuss the future of desalination in the Rio Grande Valley. Chief meteorologist Bryan Hale joined in on the conversation with Rodriguez about t...

ValleyCentralSep 14, 2026

government

Cameron County breaks ground on expansion of Old Alice Road

L OS FRESNOS — Cameron County broke ground Monday on a $31 million expansion of Old Alice Road that will span from the Brownsville Sports Park to State Highway 100. The project will take the 4.9-mile stretch of road from two to four lanes with an additional left-turn lane in the ...

MyRGVSep 14, 2026

safety

Familicide in the Valley: What can drive someone to kill their own family?

OLMITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two deadly family shootings in the Rio Grande Valley this year have raised questions about a rare but devastating form of violence: familicide. Familicide, sometimes referred to as family annihilation, occurs when a person kills multiple members of...

ValleyCentralSep 14, 2026

safety

Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala announces retirement

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala is set to retire next month, ending more than five years of service as chief with the Edinburg Police Department. The city of Edinburg on Monday announced Ayala's intention to retire, citing that Ayala will ret...

ValleyCentralSep 14, 2026

safety

Bond DENIED for Honduran man acused of fatally shooting relatives near San Benito

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge denied bond for a Honduran man accused of shooting and killing four relatives near San Benito early Sunday morning morning. Joel Christian Pacheco Maldonado is facing charges of capital murder of multiple persons and three counts of aban...

ValleyCentralSep 14, 2026

safety

Honduran man denied bond in 4-person shooting case near San Benito

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge denied bond for a Honduran man accused of shooting and killing a family of four near San Benito early Sunday morning. Joel Christian Pacheco Maldonado is facing charges of capital murder of multiple persons and three counts of abandoning...

ValleyCentralSep 14, 2026