HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office is leading a death investigation after a man's body was found in a ditch in rural Mercedes. Deputies responded to a call at 7 p.m. on Monday about a report of a body found along FM 491, south of Mile 10 Road. At the scene, deputies [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Multiple Valley fire department agencies and the Texas A&M Forest Service are responding to a brush fire in Kenedy County. According to the Willacy County EMC, the Raymondville and Sarita Fire Departments are on the scene of a big brush fire at El Canelo Ranch, 12 miles north of Raymondville, west of [...]

The Pharr Police Department earned state accreditation through the Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, becoming the fourth accredited agency in the Rio Grande Valley.

Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra reported that a small Cessna 150 made an emergency landing in a field near Weslaco at about 2:20 p.m., close to the intersection of Mile 13 ½ and Mile 6 West. The male pilot escaped without injury and no other injuries were reported, and the sheriff’s office is investigating the incident.

Starr County school districts will receive $11.1M in federal Title I funding for instruction, academic support, and student achievement programs.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- First responders are at the scene of an emergency plane landing in Weslaco. Hidalgo County Emergency Management Coordinator Ricardo Saldana confirmed that the plane landed on a field off Mile 13 and 6 1/2 West on Tuesday. According to Saldana, one pilot was on board. The pilot was not injured. This [...]

Esteban Lopez, a PSJA High School grad, wrote a memoir about life in Japan and created Go Gaijin, a resource for foreigners navigating life there.

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As data centers expand across the country — including several projects planned for the Rio Grande Valley — concerns over how much water they use are growing. The facilities are designed to store and process massive amounts of information, including the computing power behind artificial intelligence. Jacob Garza, a principal engineer with [...]

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, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Willacy County Sheriff's Office is seeking help to reunite a horse with its owner after it was seen in two locations in Raymondville, according to the sheriff. A first report said the horse was seen one mile east of Expressway 77, on FM 490. Then, a second report said it [...]

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the inland areas of the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday from noon until 6 p.m. The combination of high temperatures and humidity will drive the heat index as high as 115 in some locations during the hottest part of the day. [...]

Edinburg city officials are planning to cut the street‑paving program to free up about $1 million for employee health‑insurance costs. Mayor Omar Ochoa said the city, which switched to self‑insurance last year and spent roughly $9 million on coverage, needs to reduce the $2.5 million repaving budget. Residents like Argelia Guadarrama worry the cuts will delay repairs on streets such as Ebony Lane.

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Donna Police are investigating after an adult male was found unresponsive with apparent injuries on Oak Ridge Street and later pronounced dead.

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An investigation is underway after a man was found unresponsive with apparent injuries on Tuesday, according to the Donna Police Department. Officers responded to the 500 block of Oak Ridge Street, where the man was later pronounced deceased, police said. The case remains under investigation.

On Sept. 1, Cameron County commissioners approved the 2026‑2027 budget and kept the property‑tax rate at about $0.42 per $100 valuation. The $265 million budget, a rise of over 8 percent, starts Oct. 1, and the board also reviewed Border Patrol agent Omar Vidal’s request to test a hidden rescue beacon at EK Atwood Park’s Beach Access 5, which commissioners said lacked agency markings.

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.

The South Texas Book Festival, hosted by the McAllen Public Library, announced a rebrand as the South Texas International Book Festival for its edition in 2026, emphasizing a platform for cross‑border cultural exchange. The festival is scheduled for October 24, with kickoff events beginning September 19, including a local author showcase and a library‑wide “Read Around Town” series. Organizers note the program draws families from sister cities across the U.S.–Mexico border.