Skip to content
The Brownsville

The Brownsville

All News

government

Up to 7,000 outages in Hidalgo Co., Magic Valley, AEP reports

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Multiple power outages have been reported in Hidalgo County following heavy rainfall and storms moving across the county, according to outage maps from American Electric Power Texas and Magic Valley Electric Cooperative. According to the Valley...

ValleyCentralJun 16, 2026

government

Cameron County declares state of disaster over forecasted heavy rainfall

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. has issued a Local State of Disaster for Cameron County due to the heavy rainfall and flooding. According to a news release from the Cameron County Judge, portions of Cameron County could receive between fi...

ValleyCentralJun 16, 2026

News

The heaviest rainfall event is now underway

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Monday morning marked the beginning of the significant rain event that had been anticipated for several days. The city of Weslaco recorded nearly five inches of rain in just four hours, highlighting the intensity of this system. Additional roun...

ValleyCentralJun 16, 2026

safety

Second arrest made in Hidalgo County gold robbery case

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A second man was arrested in connection with an aggravated robbery investigation where a couple was attacked while purchasing gold, according to an updated news release from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Brandon Vasquez, 24, was charged w...

ValleyCentralJun 16, 2026

Local

Sandbags are being distributed throughout Rio Grande Valley amid flood watch

The National Weather Service Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley office has issued a flood watch for all of Deep South Texas from Monday through Wednesday morning, and local municipalities have responded with sandbag distributions. HARLINGEN The city of Harlingen will be distributing p...

MyRGVJun 15, 2026

Local

Valley remains under flood watch through Wednesday morning

The National Weather Service Brownsville/RGV office announced Monday morning that a flood watch remains in effect for all of South Texas through Wednesday morning. Meteorologists predicted “numerous flash flood likely Monday and Tuesday,” made possible in part by lingering deep t...

MyRGVJun 15, 2026

space

How Black Civil War soldiers fought against the Confederacy in the Valley

Naomi Mitchell Carrier and Roseann Bacha-Garza dedicate the Texas Historical Marker honoring the 16,000 black troops who were sent to the RGV and fought in the last battle of the Civil War and remained to stabilize the border through 1867. SpaceX can be seen in the background of ...

MyRGVJun 15, 2026

business

Harlingen airport to offer seasonal nonstop flights to Chicago O'Hare

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Valley International Airport on Monday announced the return of seasonal nonstop service between Harlingen and Chicago O'Hare International Airport through American Airlines. The new route will operate every Saturday from Dec. 19, 2026, through J...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

schools

Valley school districts cancel summer classes due to weather

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — School districts across the Valley have canceled summer school classes and activities scheduled for Tuesday due to expected heavy rains and possible local flooding. According to the Valley Storm Team, rain totals will average 3-6″ for the Valley...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

News

City of La Feria opens safe shelter

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of La Feria opened a safe shelter for residents on Monday afternoon. The shelter, located at 1001 Pancho Maples Dr., opened at 5 p.m. on Monday and will remain open until 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The shelter will provide sleeping cots for the...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

space

McAllen launches new emergency notification system

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of McAllen announced Monday the launch of a new emergency notification system that will provide residents with real-time alerts via phone and email. The new alert system is powered by Everbridge and will deliver real-time alerts for eme...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

safety

Alamo mother admits to witnessing husband strike child with horse whip: Sheriff

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A mother was arrested and charged in connection with an investigation accusing her husband of striking a child with a horse whip, according to an update from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. Maria Munoz Coria, 25, of Alamo, was charged with ...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

safety

City of Harlingen unveils high-water rescue vehicles

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With the entire Rio Grande Valley under a flood watch through Thursday, the city of Harlingen appears to be prepared for any emergency events, unveiling video of four high-water rescue vehicles on Monday. According to the city, the vehicles will...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

safety

WATCH: People rescued from flooded Weslaco neighborhood

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — People and pets are being rescued from a Weslaco neighborhood on Monday as the area experiences flooding following heavy rainfall. Video shows Weslaco emergency crews assisting people from a neighborhood on Paisano Lane. Earlier Monday, Weslaco ...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

safety

WATCH: Car catches fire after crash on La Feria expressway

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A vehicle caught fire after being involved in a three-vehicle crash on Monday morning on the eastbound expressway, according to the La Feria Police Department. At approximately 9:31 a.m., authorities received a call about a vehicle that lost con...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

government

AEP, Magic Valley report power outages in Hidalgo County

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — American Electric Power Texas and Magic Valley Electric Cooperative are reporting dozens of power outages in Hidalgo County on Monday morning. AEP Texas is reporting a cluster of outages south of the expressway in Hidalgo County near Weslaco and...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

business

Weslaco urges residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Weslaco urged residents on Monday to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as the entire Rio Grande Valley remains under a flood watch. The weather alert follows the Texas Department of Transportation's announcement of road clo...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

News

Sharyland Water Supply issues boil notice for some customers

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Sharyland Water Supply Corporation has issued a boil notice for about 48 customers. The notice comes after a water outage that was "presumably caused by contractors who damaged a water main", according to the Sharyland Water Supply Corporati...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

Local

List: Valley cities distribute sandbags as heavy rain continues

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As the Rio Grande Valley experiences heavy showers and thunderstorms, several cities across the Valley are helping residents prepare with sandbags. ValleyCentral put together a list of locations giving out sandbags. City of PalmView City of McAl...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

business

Portion of frontage road in Weslaco closed due to flooding

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A portion of the frontage road in Weslaco has been closed due to flooding, the Texas Department of Transportation announced Monday morning. The eastbound frontage road between Westgate and FM 88 (Texas Boulevard) is closed due to water over the ...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

News

Days of heavy rain triggering widespread flooding concerns

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding is the theme of the forecast now through Wednesday. The setup in place, loads of tropical moisture, a boundary sitting to the north, and the sea breeze, combined with an area of low pressure over South Te...

ValleyCentralJun 15, 2026

space

Live coverage: SpaceX to launch its first Falcon 9 rocket since Nasdaq debut

File photo of a Falcon 9 fueled for launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Image: SpaceX. SpaceX is preparing to launch its first Falcon 9 rocket since making its public trading debut on the Nasdaq on Friday. The Starlink 17-54 mission, launching from Vandenberg Spa...

Spaceflight NowJun 14, 2026

Local

Flood watch in effect for the Rio Grande Valley until Wednesday

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An unsettled weather pattern will continue into the new week due to an influx of tropical moisture in our region. Future radar shows showers continuing overnight and into tomorrow. There is a marginal risk of excessive rainfall today and a sligh...

ValleyCentralJun 14, 2026

business

ValleyCentral Weekend Report: Top Valley news, updates this week

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On this week’s episode of ValleyCentral Weekend Report, we bring you the biggest stories making headlines, along with a closer look at some of the people and moments shaping the Rio Grande Valley. We begin with the top stories of the week, incl...

ValleyCentralJun 14, 2026

safety

San Benito wanted man arrested over the weekend, Cameron Co. Sheriff says

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A San Benito man wanted for child sex charges was arrested, Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino said in an update. Jesus Estaban Escovar was arrested on Saturday afternoon without further incident. On Friday, the Cameron County Sheriff's Offic...

ValleyCentralJun 14, 2026

News

Rain risk rising as tropical moisture fuels flooding potential

HARLINGEN, Texas, (ValleyCentral) - A combination of tropical moisture, tropical low pressure and a cold front, will deliver an increasing chance for rain now through Wednesday of next week. Sunday will have scattered showers with a few rumbles of thunder and periods of steady ra...

ValleyCentralJun 14, 2026

government

SPI mourns devoted council member Ken Medders

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Padre Island City Council Member Ken Medders, Jr. died, the city of South Padre Island announced on Saturday morning in a social media post. Medders was first elected to the City Council in November 2017 and has continuously serve...

ValleyCentralJun 13, 2026

schools

Harlingen South student heading to 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —Theatre is about telling stories, but one local student's story may be his most compelling role yet. The lights come up. The curtain opens. And for Javier, that's where the magic begins. Whether it's musical theatre, one-act play, or speech and d...

ValleyCentralJun 13, 2026

safety

Driver arrested in human smuggling attempt at Falfurrias checkpoint

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- U.S. Border Patrol arrested a driver who attempted to smuggle 26 people through the checkpoint in Falfurrias. U.S. Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jared C. Ashby provided details of the smuggling attempt and arrest on ...

ValleyCentralJun 13, 2026

News

Tropical developments could dump inches of rain on the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Tropical low pressure continues to develop over the Southwest Gulf where the National Hurricane Center is watching for strengthening and better definition. In other words, this system has a slight chance to become a tropical depression Saturday...

ValleyCentralJun 13, 2026

business

Scheduled road closures for 10th Street in north McAllen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A portion of North 10th Street in McAllen will be closed starting Monday as crews begin to work on the roadway and drainage improvements. Road construction will be done between Frontera Road and Auburn Avenue/Wisconsin Road in north McAllen. Cre...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

News

McAllen Public Library, Workforce Solutions to host weekend job fair

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Public Library and Workforce Solutions are partnering to host a free job fair on Saturday. More than 40 employers are scheduled to attend the event to network with potential employees. A list of employers scheduled to attend the job ...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

business

TxDOT prepares highways for heavy rain in the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Crews from the Texas Department of Transportation are preparing for the possibility of heavy rains. According to TxDOT, crews have been working on mowing and edging along State Highway 100, as cutting tall grass allows stormwater to flow through...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

safety

Man accused of photographing a woman inside restroom stall at Sunrise Mall

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The Brownsville Police Department arrested an 18-year-old man accused of entering the women's restroom at Sunrise Mall and taking a photo of a woman inside a stall. Juan Diego De Luna was arrested on Thursday and charged with invasive visual re...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

News

LIST: Events canceled across the Valley due to expected rainfall

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Several events that were scheduled to take place across the Valley this weekend may be canceled because of the upcoming severe weather. According to ValleyStormTeam Forecaster Craig Verley, there is a marginal risk of excessive rainfall from Mon...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

safety

Harlingen police arrest man accused of taking pictures of men inside restrooms

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Harlingen police arrested a man accused of taking "numerous photographs" of men inside restrooms, according to a news release from the city police department. Gregorio Ramirez Jr., 39, of Harlingen, was arrested June 2 on an outstanding warrant ...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

government

Man wanted for aggravated sexual assault of a child

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) - Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino is urging the public to be on the lookout for a man wanted on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The man in question is identified at Jesus Estaban Escobar, 39 years old. He is described as bei...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

News

How to keep your kids safe online this summer break

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With summer break officially underway, children may be spending more time online. Whether they're using the internet for gaming or social media, local law enforcement and government agencies are advising parents to be aware of who their children...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

safety

Drivers killed in two-vehicle collision in McAllen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two drivers were killed in an early Friday morning collision, according to the McAllen Police Department. At approximately 5:30 a.m., McAllen police responded to the crash on the 6400 block of South McColl Road. Police say two vehicles were invo...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

business

CBS 4, NBC 23 and KGBT 4.1 temporarily off the air due to tower work

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — CBS 4, NBC 23 and KGBT 4.1 are temporarily off the air on Friday as crews conduct tower work. The interruption in programming is expected to happen through 2:30 p.m. But don’t forget you can catch all of our latest coverage on news, weather and ...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

government

After hot and humid Friday, rainy days ahead

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Once we push through a hot and humid Friday afternoon, we will move into a new rainy period for a few days. Highs on Friday will range from the upper 90s in Starr County to the lower 90s for much of the eastern portions of the Valley. A stray sh...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

safety

The Rubio Murders: In the Cell

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In 2003, John Allen Rubio and his common-law wife, Angela Camacho, beheaded their three young children in Brownsville. We’ve broken down the crime, the case, the countdown to execution, along with an exclusive look at the evidence on ValleyCentr...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

safety

Unaccompanied veteran laid to rest

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — On Thursday, the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery laid to rest a U.S. Navy Veteran Fireman Apprentice. Robert Joseph Ruggeri, born on March 13, 1949, served from October 1968 to June 1970. FA Ruggeri received the National Defense Servic...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

News

NOAA announces the arrival of El 'Niño'

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —El Niño is officially here, and NOAA has confirmed it’s developing in the Pacific. But what exactly is El Niño? It’s natural climate pattern that happens when ocean waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal. That e...

ValleyCentralJun 12, 2026

safety

Early morning fire destroys four boats

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com Multiple fire departments responded to a large fire early Sunday morning that destroyed four boats and a building near a Port Isabel marina. According to Port Isabel City Manager Jared Hockema, the Port Isabel Volunteer Fire Depar...

Port Isabel PressJun 12, 2026

government

Navigation district explores growth

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners discussed future growth opportunities, property boundaries and grant funding during its June 4 regular meeting. Commissioners approved moving forward with a request for ...

Port Isabel PressJun 12, 2026

government

SPI Council holds meeting

By DIANTÉ MARIGNY editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com The South Padre Island City Council approved several measures during its regular meeting on June 3, including support for a statewide designation effort, improvements to a city park, and updates to local parks regulations. Council...

Port Isabel PressJun 12, 2026

business

Tarpons 7-on-7 team headed to state tourney

(Port Isabel 7on7 team picture after securing their place at the state tourney. June 5, 2026. Picture by Felix Bennett) By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This past Friday, June 5 Port Isabel held its annual “Battle By The Bay” 7-on-7 Football Tournament. The event...

Port Isabel PressJun 12, 2026