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Local

Big help for small paws: Cat food distribution in the Valley

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Palm Valley Animal Society, with donation with Greater Good Charities, held a cat food community pantry event. The event was held on Saturday morning at the PVAS Trenton location, where Rio Grande Valley cat owners were able to obtain a bag ...

ValleyCentralJun 6, 2026

safety

Safe Summer Expo aims to reduce kids’ injuries in South Texas

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas Health System Children’s held its third annual Safe Summer Expo to provide safety strategies to help kids stay safe during the summer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a significant spike in pedia...

ValleyCentralJun 6, 2026

News

Sharyland Rattlers season ends with championship loss

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Sharyland Rattlers baseball team lost to Lucas Lovejoy with a final score of 7 -2 in the state championship in Round Rock on Saturday. The State Championship was originally scheduled for Friday evening; however, it was postponed due to weat...

ValleyCentralJun 6, 2026

space

SpaceX to launch 2 Starshield satellites during Saturday night Starlink mission

File: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen in the launch position at Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Jan. 16, 2026, ahead of the launch of the NROL-105 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Image: SpaceX SpaceX is preparing to launch a combinat...

Spaceflight NowJun 6, 2026

News

Despite the heat and humidity this weekend should be fairly nice

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — If you're planning to spend the weekend outside in Harlingen, it's gonna be hot, humid, and with a whisper of sea breeze showers each afternoon. Saturday looks partly cloudy with highs pushing up to around 92°F, though the heat index will make i...

ValleyCentralJun 6, 2026

News

Sharyland baseball state championship game postponed due to weather

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Sharyland Rattlers baseball team's state championship game has been postponed due to weather conditions. The Division II State Championships at Round Rock have been rescheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, where Sharyland will face Lucas Lovejoy....

ValleyCentralJun 6, 2026

government

USDA confirms second case of New World Screwworm in South Texas

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed a second detection of New World Screwworm in Zavala County. According to the USDA, the detection was confirmed on Friday on a domestic cattle. A post from the New World Screwworm Rapid Re...

ValleyCentralJun 6, 2026

schools

Valley Baptist Health System hosting cereal drive

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With students out for summer vacation, Valley Baptist Health System is partnering with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley to provide hungry children and adults with a healthy breakfast. The cereal drive is taking place from June 8 through Ju...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

business

Restaurant named after beloved grandmother earns Top Performer sticker

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — To be a Food 4 Thought, ¡QUE RICO! Top Performer, a business must have a routine inspection report with zero health code violations. Like an inspector, the Food Patrol’s Derick Garcia and Jerry Salinas arrive without warning. This edition of Fo...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

business

Port Isabel qualifies for 7-on-7 State Tourney

EDWARD SEVERN | STAFF WRITER PORT ISABEL — Port Isabel needed a defensive stop to return to the 7-on-7 state tournament. With the score 26-25 after scoring a touchdown, Edcouch-Elsa opted for the win and went for the two-point conversion as the clock ran out, but the Tarpons tigh...

MyRGVJun 5, 2026

safety

Woman's body recovered at the Port of Brownsville

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman's body was recovered at the Port of Brownsville on Friday afternoon, according to officials. The Port of Brownsville Police and Security Department responded to a welfare concern at the port's Fishing Harbor after a family reported a fem...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

safety

Missing woman found dead at Port of Brownsville’s Fishing Harbor

A missing woman has been found dead at the Port of Brownsville’s Fishing Harbor. In a Facebook post, the port said its Police and Security Department responded to a welfare concern Friday after family members reported that the woman was missing. “During the search for the individ...

MyRGVJun 5, 2026

safety

2 arrested, 39 migrants in custody after tractor-trailer fire on US 281

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — State troopers and Border Patrol agents arrested two people and detained 39 people believed to be in the country illegally after a human smuggling pursuit left a tractor-trailer in flames and shut down southbound U.S. 281 for hours. According to...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

safety

Man arrested, loaded gun and drugs seized at Elsa park

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Elsa man was arrested after police say they found him in a drug-free zone with a loaded gun, drugs and cash. Mauricio Rocha Jr, 24 of Elsa, faces the following charges: On Tuesday night, police came across a suspicious vehicle parked at Mario...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

safety

Minor accused of creating sexually explicit AI images of female classmates

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department issued a warning on Thursday and reminded the public that using artificial intelligence technology to create sexually explicit images without a person's consent comes with criminal consequences. On May 27, Brown...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

Local

Rio Grande Valley community rallies for Sharyland Rattlers baseball team

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Sharyland Rattlers baseball team is off to make history at the state championship. The Rattlers will face off against Lucas Lovejoy Friday night in Round Rock. "Everyone has pride here in the RGV," said Alejandro Islas. "I mean, me as a play...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

News

Movie Talk discusses historic May at the movies

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — May 2026 may ultimately be remembered as a turning point for the theatrical experience—one defined not just by record-breaking box office numbers, but by the rise of unconventional films that connected with audiences in a big way. The momentum ...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

government

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office swears in 20 peace officers

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A graduation ceremony was held on Thursday to swear in a class of cadets who completed a nine-month training program to become peace officers. The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office swore in 20 cadets who completed the program, known as the Basic P...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

government

Nonprofit raising child abuse awareness after Raymondville infant death

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Rio Grande Valley nonprofit is encouraging the Willacy County community to come together to increase child abuse awareness after the tragic loss of an infant in Raymondville. Criminal complaints obtained by Valley Central confirmed earlier rep...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

News

Weekend rain chances linger, dry week to follow

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rain showers, non severe thunderstorms stay in the forecast through the weekend with highest chances Friday then isolated, spotty showers Saturday and Sunday. Of those two days Saturday looks to be the most dry compared to Sunday. The activity w...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

Local

Crews make final preps to turn on CBS4/NBC23 new high-power antenna

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new wave of television is coming to the Rio Grande Valley. Starting Friday, we will be the only local broadcaster with an over-the-air signal reaching all four counties across the 956. ​Our enhanced broadcast will reach from South Padre Island...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

business

Summer Entertainment Returns

Screenshot By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PARADE As summer visitors begin arriving in the Laguna Madre area, local restaurants are preparing for another busy season filled with live music, community events, waterfront dining and family-friendly entertainment. Two popular dest...

Port Isabel PressJun 5, 2026

News

Rio History: Choosing your first metal detector

By Steve Hathcock Summer is here, and thanks in part to the popularity of treasure-hunting television shows, metal detecting continues to grow as a hobby. As a result, I regularly receive questions from visitors and residents interested in searching the beaches of South Padre Isl...

Port Isabel PressJun 5, 2026

News

Thunderstorm focus turns to Mexico for Friday weather

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Another warm, humid day is scheduled for Friday with partly cloudy skies and modest southeast winds. The last several days the Valley has seen afternoon, sea breeze thunderstorms roll in from the east. Now the mechanism driving rain chances wil...

ValleyCentralJun 5, 2026

government

District discusses scholarships, staffing

By JACQI LEYVA-HILL Special to the PRESS The Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners approved a federal grant application seeking $7.1 million for port infrastructure improvements and authorized a new hire during its regular meeting May 21. Commissioners...

Port Isabel PressJun 5, 2026

business

Port Isabel 7-on-7 team ready for SQT

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR. Special to the PRESS This Tuesday, June 2 the Port Isabel 7on7 squad traveled to Weslaco to compete in three games against some stiff competition from Edcouch-Elsa, Weslaco East, and San Benito teams. The Tarpons got off to a great start as they beat...

Port Isabel PressJun 5, 2026

Local

Moments in Time: In our Valley

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 PressJun 5, 2026

space

SpaceX awards $100K in scholarships to Brownsville ISD students

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX awarded students from the Brownsville Independent School District with $100,000 in scholarships on Thursday. The partnership between SpaceX and Brownsville ISD awards 10 students with $10,000 scholarships each to help them pursue a higher...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

government

San Benito commissioners to mull accepting city manager’s resignation

Fred Sandoval SAN BENITO — City commissioners are set to consider whether to accept City Manager Fred Sandoval’s resignation. On Thursday afternoon, Sandoval said his resignation would become effective at 5 p.m. Friday. “It’s his prerogative,” Mayor Pete Galvan said, referring to...

MyRGVJun 4, 2026

border

Federal civil immigration filings in Rio Grande Valley up 789% in 2026

Federal courts throughout the United States are overwhelmed. Immigration enforcement has undergone a sea change since President Donald Trump took office for the second time in January 2025, and the effects are being felt across all facets of the federal court system. MyRGV.com lo...

MyRGVJun 4, 2026

space

BIG LIFT: Brownsville economic arm launches citywide grant program

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation has launched a citywide grant program to help local small business owners spruce up their buildings’ exteriors. BCIC is calling the new initiative “BIG LIFT.” It makes available to eligible applicants one-time reimbursement grants...

MyRGVJun 4, 2026

business

PETA urges caution after reports of cat deaths in McAllen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is urging residents to keep their pets indoors following reports of cat deaths in a north McAllen neighborhood. The call for action by the nonprofit organization PETA is followed by a social media ...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

safety

Bail set at $200K for ICE officer wanted in Minneapolis shooting

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer wanted in Minnesota for allegedly shooting a Venezuelan man had a bail of $200,000 set during a hearing Thursday morning in Cameron County. Christian J. Castro, 52, originally had no bail set...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

government

CITY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS FOR JUNE 2, 2026, CITY COMMISSION MEETING

The Brownsville City Commission held its regular meeting on June 2, recognizing community leaders and organizations while receiving updates on major city initiatives focused on housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and youth engagement....

City of BrownsvilleJun 4, 2026

government

San Benito to discuss city manager's resignation at special city commission meeting

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of San Benito will discuss the letter of resignation submitted by City Manager Fred Sandoval during a special city commission meeting next week. According to the city's agenda posted on Wednesday afternoon, the discussion will be held d...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

space

Texas AG investigating Celsius following Weslaco cheerleader's death

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Texas Attorney General and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Ken Paxton announced Thursday his office is launching an investigation into Celsius Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Alani Nutrition, LLC, which is linked to a wrongful death l...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

News

Harlingen residents invited to take survey for National Award

Harlingen, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The National Civic League invites residents of Harlingen to take part in a community survey that could help the city achieve national recognition. The city was recently named one of twenty finalists for the 2026 All-American City Award, which ho...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

News

Recent rain denting the drought

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —All the rain we have been receiving over the last few weeks is making a definite difference in our drought conditions. New data released Thursday morning shows that some areas of Hidalgo and Starr counties are no longer considered in drought, whi...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

business

At risk of closing, Snack Spot and owner make improvements

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — To be a Food 4 Thought, ¡QUE RICO! Top Performer, a business must have a routine inspection report with zero health code violations. Like an inspector, the Food Patrol’s Derick Garcia and Jerry Salinas arrive without warning. This edition of Foo...

ValleyCentralJun 4, 2026

Local

Excessive rain fall in the forecast through Friday

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) —The Weather Prediction Center has issued a marginal risk for excessive rainfall across the entire Rio Grande Valley through Friday evening. This outlook is driven by a combination of sea-breeze-induced showers and thunderstorms, along with additi...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

government

Residents speak out at Cameron County meeting over AI shipyard incentive proposal

BROWNSVILLE — Some listeners slouched further into their hard wooden chairs as the public comment period grew tense in Cameron County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. After about three hours, more than 20 statements opposed a 95%, 10-year tax abatement for an Austin-based defense ...

MyRGVJun 3, 2026

government

SBA disaster loans now available to Cameron County residents

Cameron County has been approved for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration in the wake of severe weather events occurring in early May, the county announced Tuesday. The county’s announcement followed an announcement from the governor’s office that its request...

MyRGVJun 3, 2026

Local

Valley mother, daughter found guilty of attempted smuggling at Sarita checkpoint

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A federal jury on Wednesday found a Weslaco mother and her daughter guilty of attempting to smuggle a man past the Sarita checkpoint last year. Enedelia Garcia, 55, of Weslaco, and Ashley Garcia, 37, of Brownsville, face up to 10 years in prison...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

News

Driver in custody after evading authorities in Harlingen: DPS

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A driver is in custody on Wednesday afternoon after evading authorities in Harlingen, according to a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Several DPS units and EMS were seen at the intersection of the Frontage Road and F. Stre...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

space

SpaceX's IPO is set to be the biggest ever and could make Elon Musk a trillionaire

NEW YORK (AP) — SpaceX says it plans to raise up to $75 billion when it goes public this month, setting the stage for the largest-ever stock market debut and putting Elon Musk on course to becoming the world's first trillionaire. The company, formally known as Space Exploration T...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

safety

Teen charged with murder in connection with Pharr shooting pleads not guilty

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A teen charged with murder in connection with a deadly Pharr shooting pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, according to the Hidalgo County 430th District Court. Emanuel Flores, 19, was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, in January. On Jan. ...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

government

South Padre Island's Isla Blanca Park tops USA Today's best beaches in Texas list

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — For the third straight year, Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island has claimed the No. 1 spot on USA Today's best beaches in Texas list. The list is compiled after a panel of travel experts nominates their top picks, and readers cast their vote...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

business

'It's a safe space': RGV Dads helping men throughout fatherhood

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Whether you are a first-time father or a third-time father, a nonprofit organization based in the Rio Grande Valley is supporting men throughout fatherhood with events and resources. RGV Dads, founded by Jesus T. Peña in July 2018, was created t...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026

safety

Don’t let the sunshine fool you, showers & thunderstorms remain in the forecast

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Just like on Tuesday, rain activity will stay isolated to widely scattered. The severe weather threat is low but not zero; damaging winds and large hail can't be ruled out completely, but, to reiterate, the threat is wicked low. Those who do see...

ValleyCentralJun 3, 2026