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safety

1 killed, 1 hospitalized in wrong-way crash near Brownsville: DPS

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a wrong-way crash that left one person dead on Wednesday morning near Brownsville. According to DPS, the crash occurred at approximately 8:52 a.m. on FM 511, south of State Highway 48 in Cam...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

News

Gov. Abbott appoints Region One ESC Senior Director to state committee

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday appointed a senior director for the Region One Education Service Center to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee. Celina Perez of San Benito will serve on the state committee that advises the Texas Hea...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

safety

Investigation underway after decomposed body found in Brownsville, police say

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An investigation is underway after a decomposed body was found in Brownsville on Tuesday, according to the Brownsville Police Department. At about 9:15 p.m., police responded to the 2100 block of Central Boulevard after a pedestrian who was walk...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

business

Nightly closures planned for westbound expressway lanes in Donna

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A portion of the westbound expressway lanes in Donna will be closed overnight for pavement repairs, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The westbound lanes of Interstate 2 (I-2) are expected to have nightly closures between FM 4...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

Local

Record heat continues as Tropical Storm Bertha approaches area

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Wednesday will likely mark day three in a row for some record high temperatures to be tied or broken during the afternoon. With mostly sunny skies, most everyone will break into the triple digits, except Brownsville and the coast. The "feels lik...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

government

City of Brownsville approves pay raise proposition for November ballot

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Brownsville City Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to modify a proposition that would potentially increase pay for city elected officials. Proposition A is one of several proposed amendments that will be on the ballot of the special e...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

News

'Let's stay prepared': City of Alamo hosts sandbag distribution

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The city of Alamo is reminding residents that preparation is key before a storm is in the forecast. Several locations across Alamo serve as sandbag distribution centers. "Being prepared today can make all the difference tomorrow," the city of A...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

News

The Valley is on the wrong side of Tropical Storm Bertha

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- When you're on Bertha's bad side, you can get burned or at least medium rare. Tropical Storm Bertha will be too far north to impact the Valley in any traditional way, but her position puts the Valley on her western flank, where the air is sinki...

ValleyCentralJul 22, 2026

space

Addiction recovery nonprofit launching Valley mission

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A nonprofit organization aiming to help people overcome addictions across the nation is launching its operations here in the Valley. Transformations Program USA is set to open a recovery home in Harlingen to help anyone across the Rio Grande Val...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

safety

Six academy cadets officially join ranks of McAllen Fire Department

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Six academy cadets officially joined the ranks of the McAllen Fire Department on Tuesday. After completing a nine-month academy, earning multiple certifications, and fulfilling their one-year probationary period, the graduates can now serve the ...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

Local

Pet of the week: Bernard the kitten

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A very special guest stopped by our studio on Tuesday. Along with Brownsville Animal Regulation Care Center adoption specialist Jordan Wally, anchor Alexia Serrata got to say hello to a very excited furry friend named Bernard. Wally explained th...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

safety

Truck's exhaust causes 50-acre brush fire in Donna

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A pickup truck's exhaust ignited a fire that engulfed 50 acres of land along Val Verde Road on Monday night, according to Donna Fire Chief David Simmons. Simmons said the truck was traveling southbound on Val Verde Road when it drove off the roa...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

government

Pharr and TCEQ host Texas drought and hurricane workshop

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Pharr and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) partnered up to host the Texas Drought and Hurricane Preparedness Workshop on Tuesday. The workshop took place at the Jose "Pepe" Salinas Recreational Center located at 1...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

Local

STAY COOL THIS JULY WITHOUT WATCHING YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL CLIMB

Summer in Brownsville means your air conditioner is working harder than ever. The good news is that a few simple changes around your home can help you stay comfortable while keeping your energy bill under control....

City of BrownsvilleJul 21, 2026

News

Movie Talk: The massive scale and scope of Christopher Nolan and The Odyssey

DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN STARING MATT DAMON, TOM HOLLAND, ANNE HATHAWAY, ROBERT PATTINSON, ZENDAYA, MANY MANY OTHERS ★★★★☆ HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Massive-scale movies have been part of Hollywood's DNA since the beginning. "Lawrence of Arabia." "Gone with the Wind...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

business

Food Bank RGV seeks donations, volunteers for flood-impacted Texas families

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley is holding a food donation drive and seeking volunteers to support families recently impacted by heavy rain and flooding in Texas. According to a news release, the Food Bank RGV is requesting the following ...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

News

South Padre Island officials celebrate opening of Marisol Boat Ramp

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Padre Island officials celebrated the grand opening of a $3 million boat ramp Tuesday morning. According to the city, the Marisol (Laguna Madre) Boat Ramp is the first public bay access development constructed in 30 years. The ramp feature...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

schools

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY BRINGS FREE FAMILY FUN AND RESOURCES TO BROWNSVILLE

The City of Brownsville’s Department of Health, Wellness and Animal Services invites the community to celebrate the start of a new school year at a free Back-to-School Block Party on Thursday, August 6, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at 655 E. St. Charles St....

City of BrownsvilleJul 21, 2026

News

Record heat continues as the Valley stays clear of Tropical Storm Bertha

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — We have two big weather stories: the heat and hot temperatures with the possibility of breaking, if not tying, records, but also Tropical Storm Bertha in the northern Gulf. Tropical Storm Bertha Tropical Storm Bertha is the second tropical storm...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

schools

UTRGV football takes the stage for Southland Conference Opening Drive media day

HOUSTON, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football team is participating in the Southland Conference Opening Drive media day on Tuesday at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Watch the livestream in the video player above. UTRGV foot...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

space

SpaceX launches Starlink mission from California a day after last-second abort

The Starlink 17-39 mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 21, 2026. Image: SapceX. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched two dozen Starlink V2 Mini broadband internet satellites to its massive low Earth orbit constellation ...

Spaceflight NowJul 21, 2026

safety

Val Verde Road closed due to major fire in Donna

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A major roadway in Donna is closed until further notice as a team of first responders work to put out a fire that broke out on Monday night. According to authorities, FM 1423, also known as Val Verde Road, is closed until further notice as crew...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

Local

Tropical Storm Bertha brings very hot conditions to the Rio Grande Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Tropical Storm Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic Season and the second storm to form along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Bertha is not expected to develop into a hurricane but to remain a tropical storm. On Thursday, Bertha will encoun...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

business

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visits McAllen

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — For the first time, a sitting secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce visited the Rio Grande Valley. Howard Lutnick was in McAllen on Monday to announce a $6 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). “You guys have the...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

Local

Valley cities qualify for the Blue Zones community health project

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A global initiative to make healthier choices easier and more accessible for communities is one step closer to coming to the Rio Grande Valley. The founder of Blue Zones, Dan Buettner, discovered five regions around the world where people were liv...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

government

Attorney Rick Salinas announces bid for Mayor of Mission

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Local attorney Ricardo "Rick" Salinas announced he is running for Mayor of Mission. According to a news release from Salinas, he filed his paperwork on Monday to run for Mayor of Mission at Mission City Hall. Salinas has over 30 years of legal e...

ValleyCentralJul 21, 2026

business

TxDOT hosts event to collaborate with small business owners

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation Pharr District welcomed a group of local business owners during its annual outreach event on Monday. The annual event was geared towards small business owners, offering a chance to connect with local TxDOT ...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

schools

Brownsville ISD approves contract for new superintendent

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees officially named its new superintendent during a meeting on Friday. The school district approved an employment contract for Timothy E. Cuff following a state-mandated 21-day waiting p...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

border

Free medical services to be offered during Operation Border Health in Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Residents can get a variety of free health and veterinary services during Operation Border Health events happening across the Valley this week. The events are happening in all four Valley counties from Tuesday, July 21, through Thursday, July 23...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

government

Judge signs disaster declaration after first screwworm case reported in Starr County

Editor's note: The video above is from previous ValleyCentral coverage. HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starr County Judge Eloy Vera signed a disaster declaration on Monday following the county's first reported case of New World Screwworm. The case was found on the northwester...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

business

TxDOT: Lane reductions on International Blvd. in Progreso

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation is alerting drivers of lane reductions in Progreso this week due to irrigation crossing installation. From Monday through Friday, FM 1015 (International Blvd.) between US 281 (Military Hwy.) and the Progres...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

space

The latest at Starbase: July 20

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- As SpaceX transitioned into final preparations for Starship Flight 13, Ship 40 gave a wave as it was put through a round of actuation testing of its flaps. That afternoon, the chopsticks released Ship 40 and were open and raised into the launch ...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

government

Laredo Public Health Department reports 7 cases of cyclospora

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Laredo Public Health Department has confirmed seven cases of cyclospora in Webb County. According to a spokesperson for the Laredo Public Health Department, no confirmed hospitalizations have been associated with the cases. Cyclospora is a p...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

border

Man who threatened ‘lights out’ for ICE agent takes responsibility, avoids prison

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who threatened a federal agent with “lights out” avoided prison Monday. In June 2025, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided a taqueria in San Benito, bystanders recorded the confrontation — and posted the video on Facebook. An...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

space

Congressman Gonzalez introduces bill to protect renaming of Boca Chica Beach

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez on Monday introduced legislation seeking to bring transparency to the federal renaming process. The "Hands Off Our Boca Chica Beach Act" aims to protect the site from unnecessary name changes and would require the Dome...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

border

BCIC TO HOST NONPROFIT LUNCH & LEARN FOCUSED ON EVENT SPONSORSHIP

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) will host the AFP Texas Coastal Bend Chapter's Lunch & Learn on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the eBridge Center, offering nonprofit professionals an opportunity to strengthen their fundraising strategies....

City of BrownsvilleJul 20, 2026

schools

Free school supplies, haircuts, health screenings at back-to-school expo

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With back-to-school season just around the corner, Driscoll Health is partnering with dozens of sponsors, including the RGV Vipers, to get thousands of Valley families ready for the coming school year. On Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., all Val...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

space

US Rep. Gonzalez introduces bill to protect Boca Chica Beach’s name

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Brownsville, has introduced a new bill that aims to protect Boca Chica Beach from “unnecessary name changes.” The Hands off Our Boca Chica Beach Act was announced on Monday morning. According to a news release from the cong...

MyRGVJul 20, 2026

News

The Valley will simmer in summer-time heat

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Caution is being advised for afternoon outdoor activities as the combination of heat and humidity will be raising the heat index to 108-112 in many areas. This is what it will feel like to us during the hottest part of the day today. Remember th...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

space

SpaceX reschedules 13th Starship test flight to Thursday

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) - SpaceX has announced it has rescheduled its thirteenth Starship test flight for the second time. The launch window has been moved to 5:45 p.m. Thursday, July 23, from Starbase. The thirteenth Starship test flight will be the second flight test ...

ValleyCentralJul 20, 2026

government

Valley’s first screwworm case confirmed in Starr County

The first reported case of New World screwworm in the Rio Grande Valley was confirmed Sunday by Starr County officials. In a Facebook post, officials said the case was confirmed in the western part of the county, but did not specify any further. Officials also did not specify wha...

MyRGVJul 19, 2026

safety

Hit-and-run rollover causes power outage in Edinburg

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Nearly 500 Edinburg homes and businesses are without power after a truck hit a utility pole. Edinburg police responded to a rollover hit-and-run accident at the 3300 block of North Sugar Road around 7 a.m. Police say a white Ford Maverick pickup...

ValleyCentralJul 19, 2026

government

Saronic skips California Forever, Solano County for shipyard

By Nick McConnell | The Reporter, Vacaville, Calif. A rendering of Port Alpha, Saronic Technologies’s next-generation shipyard coming to Brownsville. (Courtesy: Saronic Newsroom) Saronic, an autonomous shipbuilding company long courted by California Forever, announced Thursday th...

MyRGVJul 19, 2026

Local

Herald/Star 2026 All-Area Baseball Awards

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer EDITOR’S NOTE: THE HERALD ALL-AREA AWARDS AND TEAMS FEATURES ATHLETES IN THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD AND VALLEY MORNING STAR’S COVERAGE AREA RANGING FROM BROWNSVILLE TO LA FERIA. THE MONITOR’S ALL-AREA AWARDS WILL BE PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY. Meet the Brownsville...

MyRGVJul 19, 2026

safety

New World Screwworm found in calf in the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starr County officials have confirmed its first screwworm case in the western area of Starr County. Starr County Emergency Management spokesman Lenny Fuentes said the larvae was found in a baby calf. According to a social media post, Starr Coun...

ValleyCentralJul 19, 2026

safety

BPD: Man confessed to 8 downtown Brownsville burglaries

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was arrested in connection with a series of burglaries in the downtown Brownsville area Brownsville police say Oscar Leonardo Urbina, 35, was charged with burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony, and seven counts of burglary of a ...

ValleyCentralJul 18, 2026

business

ValleyCentral Weekend Report: Campaign visits and new tech coming to RGV

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On this week’s edition of ValleyCentral Weekend Report, Weekend Anchor Brian Svendsen breaks down all the biggest stories from the week. Starting with the biggest stories of the week, in case you missed them. In a massive announcement this we...

ValleyCentralJul 18, 2026

News

Saharan dust and dry conditions continue this weekend

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The weekend is finally here, and good news: the forecast shows dry skies with no rain in sight. Also, the weather won’t be getting in the way of any plans. However, if you were hoping the Saharan dust had wrapped up its visit, not quite yet. Whi...

ValleyCentralJul 18, 2026