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Parkinson’s disease is consistently linked to pesticide exposure. Farmworkers — and nearby communities — are at risk in Rio Grande Valley
By Public Health Watch at MyRGV
· June 3, 2026
· 20 min read
By Daisy Yuhas
This story is part of a series by Public Health Watch and MyRGV.com.
McALLEN — When neuroscientist Kelsey Baker hears the low buzz of planes over her home in the Rio Grande Valley, she grabs her dog and hurries indoors. The drone means the crop-dusters are back, spraying pesticides...
Key takeaway The city of McAllen, where she lives, and neighboring Edinburg, where she works, sit in the middle of one of the state’s most productive agricultural regions, covering more than 4,000 square miles and fed by the Rio Grande.
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About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV . The Brownsville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit MyRGV . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 3, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV ·
Reading time: 20 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Daisy Yuhas
This story is part of a series by Public Health Watch and MyRGV.com.
McALLEN — When neuroscientist Kelsey Baker hears the low buzz of planes over her home in the Rio Grande Valley, she grabs her dog and hurries indoors. The drone means the crop-dusters are back, spraying pesticides...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 3, 2026 by MyRGV and curated for The Brownsville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Public Health Watch at MyRGV. To learn more about how The Brownsville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Brownsville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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