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Harlingen launching $6 million indoor recreation center

The city’s planning to transform family recreation in Harlingen. After about three years on the drawing board, officials are gearing up to launch construction of a $6 million indoor recreation center at Pendleton Park, landing grant money to fund $4 million of the project. Across...

MyRGVMay 28, 2026

News

Harlingen’s Lenos y Brasas a hidden gem on a busy street

HARLINGEN — A man with a heavy moustache holds a plate of meat steaming and enticing. The man with the moustache and the bold colors – green neckerchief and yellow vest and red cuffs – comes alive as he makes a grand entrance from the orange wall at Lenos y Brasas. It is Saturday...

MyRGVMay 28, 2026

Local

'Growth can be negative': Heavy rain creates new problems for Valley farmers

ALAMO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Recent rainfall across the Rio Grande Valley is giving local farmers much-needed relief after months of dry conditions, helping crops, livestock, and soil recover. But, while the rain is welcome, farmers say too much of it can quickly create new cha...

ValleyCentralMay 28, 2026

schools

Los Fresnos student places 30th in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

LOS FRESNOS, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Anirudh Roy, a sixth-grade student from Resaca Middle School in Los Fresnos, has placed 30th in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Roy is one of 247 students from across the country and around the world who have been selected for Scripps,...

ValleyCentralMay 28, 2026

News

Dry weekend ahead, rain returns soon after

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Our Wednesday morning started off on the stormy side, as linear thunderstorms moved across the Valley, with some of those storms becoming severe. These storms brought some pretty impressive rainfall totals for most of the Valley. Futurecast indi...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Wildlife biologist speaks about recent alligator sighting in Starr County

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rainy weather conditions played a part in a recent alligator sighting in the Rio Grande Valley, according to a local wildlife biologist. On May 20, an alligator was spotted by Military Road and Grulla Elementary School in Starr County, a game wa...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

CITY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR MAY 26, CITY COMMISSION MEETING

During its May 26 City Commission Meeting, the Brownsville City Commission recognized local achievements, approved operational improvements, and honored community service members through several major agenda items....

City of BrownsvilleMay 27, 2026

business

WATCH: TxDOT video shows street flooding on South Padre Island

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The storm that pushed across the entire Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday morning caused street flooding on Padre Boulevard on South Padre Island. The Texas Department of Transportation posted a video of the aftermath on the island, showin...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

safety

Men arrested for illegally taking 1,275 pounds of red snapper off SPI

Three men were arrested off the coast of South Padre Island last Friday after it was found that they had illegally caught 1,275 pounds of red snapper to sell in Mexico. Heriberto Cruz Villanueva, Pablo Irving Fernandez Mendo and David Fernandez Beatriz were charged with transport...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

space

FAA requires SpaceX-led mishap investigation before resumption of Starship launches

A closeup shot of SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster, tail number Booster 19, during the initial moments of ascent on the Starship Flight 12 mission on May 22, 2026. Image: SpaceX FAA requires SpaceX-led mishap investigation before resumption of Starship launches The Federal Aviation A...

Spaceflight NowMay 27, 2026

safety

Arrests under Texas’ controversial SB4 law begin in Rio Grande Valley

By Xavier Alvarez and Erika De Los Reyes | Staff Writers Two men were arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety in Hidalgo County on Sunday under the state’s controversial immigration law, Senate Bill 4, or SB4. Yeison Misael De Leon Perez, 27, and Josue Walter Torres Oje...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

border

Bridge replacement in Brownsville prompts road closures

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starting Wednesday, a bridge replacement located on Minnesota Avenue in Brownsville will cause road closures until July 31, the Texas Department of Transportation announced. According to TXDOT, the road closures will affect traffic on Minnesota ...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Newcomer upsets former McAllen city commissioner in District 41 Dem. runoff

A trio of primary runoff races in the Upper Rio Grande Valley delivered surprising results Tuesday night, upending expectations in the battles for Texas House Districts 40 and 41. The District 41 Democratic runoff turned heads Tuesday night when political newcomer Julio Salinas’ ...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

government

Port of Brownsville chairman wins Dem. nomination for Cameron County judge

Cameron County has a new Democratic nominee for county judge after the incumbent was soundly defeated Tuesday night. Democratic voters chose Esteban “Steve” Guerra, who is chairman of the Port of Brownsville board, as their candidate for Cameron County judge over three-term incum...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

business

Edinburg resident wins $1M from scratch lottery ticket

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg resident is feeling like a million bucks after winning the $1 million top prize from a scratch lottery ticket, the Texas Lottery announced Wednesday. The scratch ticket, Premier Play, was purchased in TXB 82, a convenience store, loc...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Severe weather leaves thousands customers without power in the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A severe weather alert has caused power outages affecting thousands of customers, according to AEP Texas and Magic Valley Co-Op outage maps. 11:56 a.m. Nearly 2,000 customers in Cameron County have a power outage, the outage maps report. In Hida...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

News

Morning storm activity before hot, dry weekend arrives

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A line of thunderstorms developing across northern Mexico will push east through lunchtime Wednesday, posing a risk for gusty winds and or damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, lightning and thunder. While the chance for redevelopment through the...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

business

Dallas Stars team with McAllen to grow hockey in the 956

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer McALLEN — Hockey might not be the first, second or third sport that comes to mind when thinking of the Rio Grande Valley, but the NHL’s Dallas Stars saw something special helping grow the game at the tip of Texas and decided to support the cause. The S...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

government

Esteban Guerra unseats Eddie Trevino Jr. for Dem. county judge nomination

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Esteban "Steve" Guerra has won the Democratic nomination in the May runoff election for Cameron County Judge, according to unofficial election results. According to unofficial results with 100% of precincts reporting, Guerra won with 55% or 10,...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Julio Salinas punches ticket to House District 41 midterm race

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Julio Salinas is the Democratic nominee who will be on the ballot in the Texas House District 41 midterm race in November. Unofficial results show that Salinas carried a majority of votes, totaling 3,349, with 84% of precincts reporting. Haddad ...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

2026 PRIMARY RUNOFFS: RGV election results for local Democratic, Republican races

This page will be updated throughout the course of primary night with unofficial results from contested races. Results are not official until canvassed. Voters cast their ballots at the Harlingen Cultural Arts Center on election day Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Miguel Roberts/The Bro...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

Local

Bee vigilant: Spring rain ushers in peak Africanized bee season

The Rio Grande Valley, the original U.S. home to the Africanized bee, is reaching peak season. In early June, as the citrus fields are coming into bloom, experts say local bee populations will be coming out of a semi-starved state and will begin growing rapidly. As the rainfall b...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

Local

Brownsville ISD Greenpower U.S.A. team repeats 3rd-place finish at nationals

After a repeat third-place finish May 16 in the Greenpower USA national finals at the Talladega Superspeedway outside Birmingham, Alabama, Brownsville ISD has high hopes for next year. Last year’s finish among the leaders surprised a few people. This year, other teams had their e...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

business

San Benito gets ‘clean’ audit opinion; budget has $11.5M fund balance

SAN BENITO — Auditors gave San Benito officials a clean opinion on the city’s annual comprehensive financial report covering the last fiscal year, showing an $11.5 million unassigned fund balance during a year in which the Economic Development Corporation outspent its budget by n...

MyRGVMay 27, 2026

government

Groves wins Republican nomination in House District 41 race, unofficial results show

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Gary Groves will head to the midterm election in November after garnering the majority of votes in the Texas House District 41 Republican primary runoff race, according to unofficial election results. Unofficial results show that Groves is leadi...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Starr County

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starr County will be under a severe thunderstorm watch until 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Additionally, Starr County and the western portions of the Rio Grande Valley are under a slight risk for severe weather on Tuesday night going into Wednesday morni...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Ochoa wins Democratic nomination in House District 37 race, unofficial results show

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Oziel “Ozzie” Ochoa Jr. has secured the Democratic nomination in the District 37 race, unofficial results show. With 82% of precincts reporting, Ochoa garnered 3,195 votes, while Cantu-Castle got 1,931 votes, according to unofficial results. Och...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

San Benito CISD Performing Arts Center expected to be ready by January 2028

SAN BENITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District has begun construction on a $24 million state-of-the-art performing arts center funded through the 2018 bond election. While the facility is located on the grounds of Veterans Memorial Aca...

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

RESULTS: 2026 Primary Runoff Election results

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Polls are now closed for the 2026 Primary Runoff Elections. Below is a list of results for the May 26 runoffs:

ValleyCentralMay 27, 2026

government

Brownsville unveils plaque honoring Vietnam veterans

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Brownsville, alongside the Warriors United in Arms and Cameron County Veterans office, held an unveiling for a Vietnam Veteran Plaque on Monday. The ceremony was held on Memorial Day at the Veterans Memorial Park to honor Vietnam V...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

News

Harlingen trumpeter joins nationwide Taps Across America

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Musicians from across the nation participate in a nationwide performance of taps at 3 p.m. every Memorial Day. Harlingen trumpet player Richard Brotzam performed at the Iwo Jima Monument at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen on Monday afte...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

government

Salinas leading Haddad in District 41 (D) race, unofficial results show

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two Democratic candidates are facing off in the primary runoff race in hopes of making their mark on the November midterm election. Julio Salinas and Victor 'Seby' Haddad are facing off again to determine who will represent the Democratic party ...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

government

Primary runoff polling locations across the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Election Day is underway for Texas primary runoff races across the Rio Grande Valley, and voters are encouraged to cast their ballots until 7 p.m. Local races On the Democratic side, Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Oziel Ochoa, Jr. face off to secure...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

government

What to know about the democratic candidates in the Tx House District 37 runoff

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As Election Day takes place on Tuesday, two Democratic candidates, Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Oziel Ochoa, Jr., face off to secure a seat representing the Democratic Party in Texas House District 37. In Oct. 2025, Cantu-Castle announced her Demo...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

business

Power outage affects 70 Valley customers: AEP Texas, Magic Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Tuesday morning thunderstorms moving through the Rio Grande Valley have left more than 70 customers without power, according to AEP Texas and Magic Valley Co-Op. 10:15 a.m. As of 10:15 a.m., the AEP Texas and Magic Valley Co-Op maps report that ...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

space

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Starlink 17-37 mission on May 26, 2026. Image: SpaceX Update May 26, 12:21 p.m. EDT (1621 UTC) SpaceX confirms deployment of its 24 Starlink satellites. SpaceX followed up a ...

Spaceflight NowMay 26, 2026

government

Inside Valley Politics: Candidates in Democratic runoff races face off

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As Democratic candidates approached the runoff election finish line, they gathered in Harlingen to face off one last time. The Northern Cameron County Democrats hosted the forum, featuring candidates running for County Judge, District Court Judg...

ValleyCentralMay 26, 2026

News

Harlingen CISD dance team dazzles as it wins grand champion

HARLINGEN — “Let’s go Wolverines!” And off they went to dazzle the judges with their dance moves at the Lone Star Spirit Collective Nationals in McAllen. And the dance team from Lee H. Means Elementary Fine Arts Academy so dazzled the judges at the event May 2 it won grand champi...

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

schools

UTRGV transforming Harlingen retail center into therapy departments

A former Harlingen retail center is officially getting a make-over now that the University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved the design development plans and a $42.3 million funding package to establish its new state-of-the-art academic facility. The board approved th...

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

schools

Thoroughfare by Sharyland Pioneer High School to see monthlong closure

Motorists should plan ahead after officials announced a road closure lasting about a month is beginning infrastructure work Monday. The post Thoroughfare by Sharyland Pioneer High School to see monthlong closure appeared first on MyRGV.com....

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

space

Brownsville Memorial Day Silent March pays tribute to US armed forces

BROWNSVILLE — On Monday morning, army veteran Joe Guillen, 68, waved at his friends marching a mile down Boca Chica Boulevard toward Veterans Park for Memorial Day ceremonies. Veterans in army camo caps, Scouts of America troops, city officials and families waving small U.S. flag...

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

Local

Photo Gallery: Brownsville’s 27th annual Memorial Day Silent March

BROWNSVILLE — Veterans in army camo caps, Scouts of America troops, city officials and families waving small U.S. flags came together Monday for the 27th annual Memorial Day Silent March. Read the full story here. Many attend the 27th annual Memorial Day Silent March Monday, May ...

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

schools

RGV Baseball State Semifinal Playoff Schedule

Staff Report RIO GRANDE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCHEDULE STATE SEMIFINALS Class 5A DII Sharyland High vs. Kingwood Park Best-of-Three Series Game 1: Friday, 6 p.m. at North East Sports Park in San Antonio Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m. at North East Sports Park in San Antonio Game ...

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

government

Progreso ISD student drowns after jumping into canal, Sheriff says

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A teenager drowned after attempting to free a fishing line in a canal located at Mile 1 West and Mile 10 in rural North Mercedes, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. A spokesperson from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office identifie...

ValleyCentralMay 25, 2026

News

Chance for showers, thunderstorms continues into new week

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It has been quite the weekend as there have been multiple rounds of severe weather moving across the Valley, bringing some beneficial rain. Rain chances will continue into the first half of the week due to the development of thunderstorms over t...

ValleyCentralMay 25, 2026

Local

Letters to the Editor | Week of May 25-30, 2026

Letters to the editor published in The Monitor, Valley Morning Star and The Brownsville Herald during the week of May 25-30, 2026. The post Letters to the Editor | Week of May 25-30, 2026 appeared first on MyRGV.com....

MyRGVMay 25, 2026

business

La Pale: Behind the Brownsville business

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — La Pale may be known for its frozen treats, but the story behind this Brownsville business is even sweeter. La Pale Frozen Fruit Bar has become a familiar name across the Valley, known for its paletas, snacks, and colorful flavors. Daisy and G...

ValleyCentralMay 24, 2026

Local

Last Hooters location in the Valley closes its doors

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The last Hooter's location in the Rio Grande Valley closes its doors on Sunday. The Hooters Harlingen location at 98 Bass Pro Drive will be open until 11 p.m., as it's final day before officially closing its doors permanently, according to a soc...

ValleyCentralMay 24, 2026

space

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Memorial Day

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during the Starlink 10-47 mission on May 25, 2026. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now Update May 25, 8:53 a.m. EDT (1253 UTC): SpaceX confirms deployment of the 29 Starlink sate...

Spaceflight NowMay 24, 2026

Local

Commentary: Tough straits: The world responds

The spring of 2026 arrived and brought with it a sobering reality: The U.S. administration’s “doctrine of coercion” is bumping up against both the law and public sentiment. The post Commentary: Tough straits: The world responds appeared first on MyRGV.com....

MyRGVMay 24, 2026

business

Avoid flooded roads: TxDOT's safety tips for Valley drivers

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With possible storms forecasted across the Valley this weekend, the Texas Department of Transportation is advising drivers to remember its campaign "Turn around, Don't drown." According to Valley Storm Team Forecaster Craig Verley, the Valley wi...

ValleyCentralMay 24, 2026