HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Drug Enforcement Administration announced Thursday that agents in McAllen seized over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within a shipment of cabbage. "This major seizure is part of a Homeland Security Taskforce Investigation, conducted jointly with HSI, FBI, CBP, USB, and TXDPS," the DEA Houston office posted on social media. The [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The DEA McAllen office seized over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine, the DEA Houston office announced Thursday. According to the DEA Houston office, the methamphetamine was found hidden within a shipment of cabbage. "This major seizure is part of a Homeland Security Taskforce Investigation, conducted jointly with HSI, FBI, CBP, USB, and [...]

Fluidstack has broken ground on a $4 billion data center campus in Cameron County near Harlingen, promising over 2,500 jobs, closed-loop water cooling, and full property tax contributions.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego visited Harlingen on Thursday to host a lunch for all Veterans. The lunch was held at VFW Post 2410 and served as a token of appreciation to all Veterans. "I should say to all of our family members and service members that served, [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Vendors from across Texas arrived in Harlingen on Thursday morning ready to set up for Frontera Fest. Instead, they found an empty venue and a festival that had been canceled. Some vendors say they are now out thousands of dollars in merchandise, travel expenses and other costs. Marilu Rodriguez, owner of Powder [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- A celebration was held in Harlingen on Thursday to officially unveil the Gloria G. Canales Auditorium. Formerly known as the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium, the building was renamed after the late Folklorico dancer and instructor known for her teachings at the Gloria Canales School of Dance. Founded in 1975, the Gloria Canales School [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Locals have reported seeing a large alligator in Port Isabel near the Long Island Village; however, gator experts say the animal was probably passing through the area. ValleyCentral spoke with educator, alligator expert and licensed nuisance alligator trapper with the South Padre Island Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary, Jacob Reinbolt, who [...]

The Cameron County permit leaves Harlingen out of the project. The city loses a 20 million investment and there are concerns about drainage.

Promoters canceled Frontera Fest 2026 in Harlingen. Tickets and vendor spaces will be automatically refunded using the original method.

A 73-year-old Rancho Viejo cyclist hit by a driver in Brownsville returned to Valley Regional Medical Center to thank the doctors, nurses, and therapists who saved his life.

Fluidstack has broken ground on a $4 billion data center campus in Cameron County near Harlingen, promising over 2,500 jobs, closed-loop water cooling, and full property tax contributions.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Officials of Frontera Fest have announced the festival has been cancelled. According to a news release, the Frontera Festival 2026 has been canceled due to what officials say are "circumstances beyond the control of the promoters." ValleyCentral has spoken with the Frontera Fest President, Louie Guillen, who said, "We tried hard for [...]

A developer, Fluidstack, has launched the $4 billion first phase of a 1,100‑acre data‑center project east of Valley International Airport between Harlingen and Rio Hondo. The company offered Harlingen $20 million for a storm‑water discharge permit and $7 million to widen the 90‑foot canal, while commissioners consider a town‑hall meeting. Rio Grande Valley residents will note the massive data‑center plan.

Harlingen school trustees are using a state disaster‑relief program to raise the district’s property tax rate by about 3.17 cents for one year, from 0.9182 to 0.9499, to pay for repairs after the March 2025 flood. City commissioners are also proposing a half‑cent increase, from 0.5260 to 0.5310 per $100 valuation, with a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Tropical moisture may sneak back in along the weaker edges of an upper‑level ridge, just enough to spark sea‑breeze thundershowers Thursday and Friday afternoon. These will be the last scattered showers before a noticeably drier trend settles in for the weekend. That same high‑pressure system keeps temperatures running above average through [...]

Planned Parenthood in Harlingen offers free HPV testing and Pap smears on Saturday, Sept. 12, marking 60 years of service in the Rio Grande Valley.

Planned Parenthood South Texas will offer free Pap smears and HPV testing this Saturday, September 12, from 8 to 11 a.m., walk‑in, in Harlingen.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Families across the Rio Grande Valley are invited to get active while supporting a local cause during Sunny Glen Children's Home's 12th annual Incredible Kidz 5K, 1-Mile and Color Run later this month. Amanda Lucio, director of marketing for Sunny Glen Children's Home, joined us Wednesday morning to share details about the [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A local photographer and videographer collaborates with the well-known metal band Walls of Jericho to film their latest music video in Harlingen. Mateo Torres has worked in the rock/metal music industry for nearly 20 years, including with bands such as Close Your Eyes, who were signed to Victory Records, among others, as [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The forecast continues to be a broken record with similar conditions on tap again Wednesday afternoon. Hot and mostly sunny with some afternoon passing clouds, a warm breeze from the southeast and a chance of isolated sea breeze showers. The heat ridge anchored over the southern US keeps the Valley close [...]

East Point Energy said its 100‑megawatt battery storage plant on a six‑acre site off Grimes Street and Loop 499, south of Valley International Airport in Harlingen, is ready to power the grid and can serve up to 80,000 homes for two hours. Officials said the plant will bring $19 million in tax revenue over its 20‑ to 30‑year life, was built with fire‑department training, and Rep. Janie Lopez urged more battery projects.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Will the Rio Grande Valley change area codes? The National American Numbering Plan, also known as NANP, has filed a relief plan for area code 956. According to the NANP, a relief plan is a strategy to introduce a new area code when an existing area code runs out of phone numbers. [...]

Harlingen Independent School District announced that Superintendent Veronica Kortan will serve under a new contract extending to June 30, 2029, with a salary of $260,100, up from $255,000. The agreement adds a $700 monthly transportation stipend, a $200 phone and internet allowance, and a $1 million term‑life insurance policy, while retaining benefits. Kortan, who was appointed in March 2025 after a two‑month internal search, will continue leading the district through its financial recovery.