Bill protecting sex trafficking victims from some criminal charges passes Senate
Senate Bill 10 would shield victims from prosecution from some crimes if they’re threatened or coerced into the act by their trafficker.
https://rgv.news/bill-protecting-sex-trafficking-victims-from-some-criminal-charges-passes-senate-20127.html
Former Edinburg city councilman pleads guilty to federal bribery charge
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Former Edinburg City Councilman Jorge “Coach” Salinas pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge on Wednesday. During a hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Salinas admitted that he attended a meeting in July 2019 between a businessman...
https://rgv.news/former-edinburg-city-councilman-pleads-guilty-to-federal-bribery-charge-20123.html
If Texas were to ban or regulate THC, crime labs say they would need more resources
Crime lab officials told lawmakers Wednesday they are struggling to keep up with deadlier drugs like fentanyl and a THC ban or new regulations would add to the challenge.
https://rgv.news/if-texas-were-to-ban-or-regulate-thc-crime-labs-say-they-would-need-more-resources-20120.html
'Systemic failures': Valley mom files lawsuit against Roblox
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A mother in Cameron County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, claiming that her son was sexually exploited by an adult on the online gaming platform. The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 6 and comes...
https://rgv.news/-systemic-failures-valley-mom-files-lawsuit-against-roblox-20118.html
Harlingen restaurant owner recounts aftermath of being detained by ICE
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — El Control Mexican Restaurant in Harlingen reopened after several of its employees were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in June. Restaurant co-owner Blas Garcia said he will never forget the day immigration officers...
https://rgv.news/harlingen-restaurant-owner-recounts-aftermath-of-being-detained-by-ice-20116.html
Abortion Funds See Dwindling Donations as Demand and Cost Rise
When the one-two punch of Senate Bill 8—a 2021 Texas law that barred nearly all abortion care —and the U.S. Supreme Court’s subsequent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade befell Texans, Blanca Murillo felt like she was on the...
https://rgv.news/abortion-funds-see-dwindling-donations-as-demand-and-cost-rise-20114.html
Midland school board votes to restore school name honoring Confederate general
Five years ago, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the board voted to change the high school to Legacy High. On Tuesday, it reversed course.
https://rgv.news/midland-school-board-votes-to-restore-school-name-honoring-confederate-general-20113.html
Texas private schools hire relatives and enrich insiders. Soon they can do it with taxpayer money.
An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state laws had the schools been public.
https://rgv.news/texas-private-schools-hire-relatives-and-enrich-insiders-soon-they-can-do-it-with-taxpayer-money--20111.html
Tropical trouble may be brewing near the RGV later this week
It started out as a basic tropical wave near Central America, over the southwestern Caribbean. Now this simple wave is drawing the interest of the National Hurricane Center. Right now the NHC places a 20% chance for tropical development...
https://rgv.news/tropical-trouble-may-be-brewing-near-the-rgv-later-this-week-20107.html
New Area: Southwestern Gulf of Mexico has a 20% chance of tropical cyclone formation in the next few days.
Stefano’s Brooklyn Pizza to host fundraiser for family that lost 2 daughters in mobile home fire
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Stefano’s Brooklyn Pizza is hosting a fundraiser in support of a Harlingen family that lost their daughters in a mobile home fire. The fundraiser is expected to be held on Aug 17 from 11 a.m....
https://rgv.news/stefano-s-brooklyn-pizza-to-host-fundraiser-for-family-that-lost-2-daughters-in-mobile-home-fire-20103.html
Social media safety tips for parents as new school year begins
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As the new school year gets underway in the Rio Grande Valley, parents are eager to share photos of their kids over social media. However, law enforcement warns against sharing too many details where online...
https://rgv.news/social-media-safety-tips-for-parents-as-new-school-year-begins-20099.html
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is creating a new Visual Arts Complex campus at the former Longoria Elementary School. The project involves the extensive renovation of 14 existing buildings and the new construction of two additional buildings to serve as the home for the UTRGV School of Fine Arts. The total estimated cost for the 46,000 square foot project is $21,000,000.
Construction is scheduled to begin on September 22, 2025, and is expected to be completed by August 7, 2026.
📍 2400 E. Van Buren St., Brownsville, TX 78520
¿Visa EB-5: Inversión directa o centro regional?
Una columna invitada de Emilio Guzmán, CEO de Open EB5. The post ¿Visa EB-5: Inversión directa o centro regional? appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.
https://rgv.news/-visa-eb-5-inversi-n-directa-o-centro-regional--20089.html
Latest at Starbase with LabPadre: August 11
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — This week at Starbase, boosters trade places at the build site. Ship 37 makes its way back to Mega Bay two, and construction continues at the launch site, as well as the sites for the new...
https://rgv.news/latest-at-starbase-with-labpadre-august-11-20078.html
Edinburg man caught with 109,000 rounds of ammunition
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Federal agents caught a felon with about 109,000 rounds of ammunition on Saturday. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Jacob Rivas, 34, of Edinburg on Saturday morning. During a federal investigation,...
https://rgv.news/edinburg-man-caught-with-109-000-rounds-of-ammunition-20073.html
Irvin “Pee Wee” Salinas, known for his time as a lead singer of groups like the Cumbia Kings and Cumbia All Starz, was arrested on August 10, 2025, on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
This is not Pee Wee’s first arrest on DWI charges. In January 2024, he was arrested by the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office on a similar charge. Records from that incident indicate he was released the same day after posting a $1,500 bond.
After Hill Country floods, families face a difficult question: Rebuild, or let go?
They lost homes and summer cabins to the July 4 flood in Kerr County. Now they are weighing whether it makes sense to rebuild.
https://rgv.news/after-hill-country-floods-families-face-a-difficult-question-rebuild-or-let-go--20059.html
Milliken Garza: History in the making: Texas Commission on the Arts is coming to Brownsville
The aim is to have Brownsville - the second most historic city in Texas - officially recognized as a Cultural District. The post Milliken Garza: History in the making: Texas Commission on the Arts is coming to Brownsville appeared...
https://rgv.news/milliken-garza-history-in-the-making-texas-commission-on-the-arts-is-coming-to-brownsville-20046.html
Over a year ago we told you Hawaiian Bros would be coming to the RGV!
The first Hawaiian Bros will be coming soon to McAllen!
📍 1100 Trenton Rd McAllen, TX 78504
Texas GOP issues warrants to civilly arrest fleeing democrats
WASHINGTON D.C. (ValleyCentral) — Texas Republicans have issued warrants seeking the civilarrest of more than 50 fellow lawmakers. It comes after Democrats fled the state this week to block a proposed congressional redistrictingplan, which was expected to reach a...
https://rgv.news/texas-gop-issues-warrants-to-civilly-arrest-fleeing-democrats-20045.html
DAs warn students, parents about school threats ahead of academic year
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Prosecutors in Cameron and Hidalgo counties are addressing the rise in school shooting threats and drug use on campuses as the new school year begins. Both counties have seen an increase in threats made by...
https://rgv.news/das-warn-students-parents-about-school-threats-ahead-of-academic-year-20038.html
How Valley school districts plan to comply with new law restricting electronics
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Now that Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 1481, which restricts the use of electronics in schools, ValleyCentral is looking at how some districts will enforce this law this school year. La Joya ISD...
https://rgv.news/how-valley-school-districts-plan-to-comply-with-new-law-restricting-electronics-20031.html
“Its packed!”
Jorge Saldaña sent us this photo of the Whataburger at 201 E Griffin in Mission, Texas.
Whataburger is celebrating its 75th birthday today (11am-8pm) by offering customers 75 cent burgers.
Mayor Cowen and consultant Admire discuss Brownsville Downtown Renaissance Master Plan
Brownsville leaders say the master plan marks the beginning of a transformational initiative aimed at revitalizing the Brownsville’s historic core. The post Mayor Cowen and consultant Admire discuss Brownsville Downtown Renaissance Master Plan appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.
https://rgv.news/mayor-cowen-and-consultant-admire-discuss-brownsville-downtown-renaissance-master-plan-20014.html
Latest at Starbase with LabPadre: August 7
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Wrapping up the rest of this week's update, block three ships are coming along in the star factory. Foundation work continues for the new gigabase site, and the Massey test site is active again. On...
https://rgv.news/latest-at-starbase-with-labpadre-august-7-20009.html
State Rep. Erin Gámez appears on CNN
The Brownsville Democrat says the current special legislative session was never about flood relief. It was about obeying President Trump's command. The post State Rep. Erin Gámez appears on CNN appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.
https://rgv.news/state-rep-erin-g-mez-appears-on-cnn-19990.html
Venezuelan men and their families share experiences after CECOT release
For months, the families of Venezuelan men sent to CECOT by the Trump administration awaited news about their loved ones. Now that the families have been reunited, they open up about the harm they experienced.
https://rgv.news/venezuelan-men-and-their-families-share-experiences-after-cecot-release-19975.html
U.S.-Mexico Border Militarization Fails to Stop Modern Drug Smuggling Industry
Just across the Texas border, in cities like Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, criminal networks are strengthening their hold on drug routes despite increased enforcement efforts by the United States and Mexico. Rather than rely on individual smugglers crossing unmanned...
https://rgv.news/u-s-mexico-border-militarization-fails-to-stop-modern-drug-smuggling-industry-19972.html
Garza: An additional 25,000 people could be living in Edinburg in very near future
As Edinburg builds a one million gallon water tower on the north side of town, the Rio Grande Guardian secures an exclusive interview with the executive director of the city's EDC. The post Garza: An additional 25,000 people could...
https://rgv.news/garza-an-additional-25-000-people-could-be-living-in-edinburg-in-very-near-future-19961.html
