INSIDER
Judge strikes down Biden administration program shielding immigrant spouses from deportation
Read full article: Judge strikes down Biden administration program shielding immigrant spouses from deportationA federal judge has struck down a Biden administration policy that aimed to ease a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens.
Subway rider shot in the head by police files claim accusing officers of recklessly opening fire
Read full article: Subway rider shot in the head by police files claim accusing officers of recklessly opening fireA lawyer for a New York City subway rider who was inadvertently shot in the head by police at a station has filed a legal claim against the city, accusing the officers of showing ācarelessness and recklessā disregard for bystandersā lives when they opened fire on a man holding a knife in front of a train.
Judge rejects Ken Paxtonās bid to question leader of Brownsville migrant aid organization
Read full article: Judge rejects Ken Paxtonās bid to question leader of Brownsville migrant aid organizationThe AGās office sought to depose the leader of Team Brownsville, which provides water, shelter and basic necessities to asylum-seeking migrants.
A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its libraries
Read full article: A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its librariesThe request came from a local pastor who is part of a group that trains people to ādefend their freedom and liberty.ā Other faith leaders have pushed back.
Rural communities of color across the US find new ways to get the health care they need
Read full article: Rural communities of color across the US find new ways to get the health care they needMany rural hospitals have closed in the last decade in the United States and a recent report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform says about 700 more are at risk of shuttering.
Supreme Court grants Texas man a stay of execution just before his scheduled lethal injection
Read full article: Supreme Court grants Texas man a stay of execution just before his scheduled lethal injectionThe U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of execution for a Texas man shortly before he was to receive a lethal injection in a killing decades ago.
Judge's ruling protects migrant shelter on US-Mexico border and accuses Texas of harassment
Read full article: Judge's ruling protects migrant shelter on US-Mexico border and accuses Texas of harassmentA judge has blasted efforts by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to shutter one of the oldest and largest migrant shelters on the U.S.-Mexico border in a scathing ruling.
Driver convicted in deaths of 8 people struck by SUV outside migrant shelter sentenced to 60 years
Read full article: Driver convicted in deaths of 8 people struck by SUV outside migrant shelter sentenced to 60 yearsA driver found guilty of intoxication manslaughter in the deaths of eight people struck by an SUV at a crowded bus stop outside a migrant shelter has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Democrats lean into border security as it shapes contest for control of Congress
Read full article: Democrats lean into border security as it shapes contest for control of CongressDemocrats are trying to outflank Republicans and convince voters they can address problems at the U.S. border with Mexico as immigration has become a major issue in elections that will decide control of Congress.
Vicente Gonzalez compares Latino Trump supporters to āJews for Hitlerā
Read full article: Vicente Gonzalez compares Latino Trump supporters to āJews for HitlerāThe South Texas Democrat said Latinos who support former President Donald Trump are voting against their self interest, but Republicans recoiled at the comparison.
Wanted Houston man arrested for capital murder in Brownsville
Read full article: Wanted Houston man arrested for capital murder in BrownsvilleA Houston man who was on the run for capital murder was caught and arrested by border patrol officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg says city council will look at backup funding plan for Migrant Resource Center
Read full article: Mayor Ron Nirenberg says city council will look at backup funding plan for Migrant Resource CenterSan Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg is pushing for more help with the Migrant Resource Center and said the bipartisan border security bill could bring relief.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joins President Biden, other South Texas mayors in Brownsville
Read full article: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joins President Biden, other South Texas mayors in BrownsvilleSan Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg met with President Joe Biden Thursday in Brownsville in what he called a show of support.
In two Texas border towns, Biden and Trump push for different immigration approaches
Read full article: In two Texas border towns, Biden and Trump push for different immigration approachesImmigration is a driving issue in the almost-certain presidential rematch between the Democratic incumbent and ousted Republican.
On the Rio Grande, 300 miles apart, Biden and Trump try to use immigration to election advantage
Read full article: On the Rio Grande, 300 miles apart, Biden and Trump try to use immigration to election advantageThree hundred miles apart, on the bank of the same winding Rio Grande, President Joe Biden and GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Thursday surveyed the U.S.-Mexico border.
Texas border cities offer Biden and Trump different backdrops for dueling visits
Read full article: Texas border cities offer Biden and Trump different backdrops for dueling visitsPresidential visits to the border are usually short on substance and long on political theater and symbolism, starting with the choice of location.
South Texas Pride: Brownsville native cast on season 16 of RuPaulās Drag Race
Read full article: South Texas Pride: Brownsville native cast on season 16 of RuPaulās Drag RaceAnother South Texas native is making their way to our screens on RuPaulās Drag Race ā this time from the Rio Grande Valley.
Endangered parrot species is now thriving in Texas, researchers find
Read full article: Endangered parrot species is now thriving in Texas, researchers findAn endangered parrot species is making a home in South Texas much to the delight of researchers who say itās a unique case of animals expanding into urban areas.
Mexican border city struggles to find space for migrants even with a new shelter
Read full article: Mexican border city struggles to find space for migrants even with a new shelterMexicoās immigration agency and a Catholic aid group are offering what may be at least a partial solution to squalid conditions at camps just south of Brownsville, Texas.
Texas mother dies from fungal meningitis linked to outbreak in border clinics; 10 deaths reported
Read full article: Texas mother dies from fungal meningitis linked to outbreak in border clinics; 10 deaths reportedMore deaths have been linked to a fungal meningitis outbreak at two clinics on the Texas-Mexico border, including a Rio Grande Valley mother who died this week after being hospitalized for months.
Company confirms it has found new funding to build a massive gas terminal at the Port of Brownsville
Read full article: Company confirms it has found new funding to build a massive gas terminal at the Port of BrownsvilleBrownsville is the last major deepwater port in Texas that doesnāt have large fossil fuel projects. The 750-acre facility will export Texas natural gas to other countries.
LGBTQ+ Texans move forward with Pride plans despite tense political environment and fears of violence
Read full article: LGBTQ+ Texans move forward with Pride plans despite tense political environment and fears of violenceOrganizers across Texas are balancing a focus on security and a celebration of community after state lawmakers pushed scores of bills that threatened to upend the lives of LGBTQ+ Texans.
2 more deaths linked to meningitis outbreak after surgeries in Mexico border city
Read full article: 2 more deaths linked to meningitis outbreak after surgeries in Mexico border cityTwo more people have died from fungal meningitis after having surgical procedures in Matamoros, the Mexican city across the border from Brownsville.
Gov. Abbott thanks Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers for protecting border
Read full article: Gov. Abbott thanks Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers for protecting borderGov. Greg Abbott on Friday thanked Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers for protecting the Texas-Mexico border.
Americans urged to cancel surgeries in Mexico border city after meningitis cases, 1 death
Read full article: Americans urged to cancel surgeries in Mexico border city after meningitis cases, 1 deathState and federal health officials are warning U.S. residents to cancel planned surgeries in a Mexico border city after five people from Texas developed suspected cases of fungal meningitis.
One dead as tornado hits south Texas town near the Gulf coast
Read full article: One dead as tornado hits south Texas town near the Gulf coastAuthorities say one person was killed and a curfew was imposed after a powerful tornado tore through a community near the southern tip of Texas on the Gulf coast.
āNo one feels safe anymoreā: Migrants on edge in Brownsville after deadly crash, gun incident
Read full article: āNo one feels safe anymoreā: Migrants on edge in Brownsville after deadly crash, gun incidentMigrants in Brownsville are on edge after a crash claimed several peopleās lives outside a migrant center over the weekend, and police reported a man brandished a gun at that exact location on Monday.
Driver charged with manslaughter after running red light and killing eight pedestrians in Brownsville
Read full article: Driver charged with manslaughter after running red light and killing eight pedestrians in BrownsvillePolice said itās still not known if the driver intentionally struck the crowd of immigrants waiting at a bus stop.
Gov. Greg Abbott focuses on border security in first address since Allen and Brownsville tragedies
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott focuses on border security in first address since Allen and Brownsville tragediesAbbott announced the deployment of new āTexas Tactical Border Forceā units to El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley on Monday and Tuesday.
Driver in deadly Texas crash charged with manslaughter
Read full article: Driver in deadly Texas crash charged with manslaughterPolice in Texas say the driver of an SUV that killed eight people when it slammed into a Brownsville, Texas, bus stop is charged with manslaughter, and investigators are trying to determine if the crash was intentional.
Driver in deadly Texas crash charged with 8 counts of manslaughter
Read full article: Driver in deadly Texas crash charged with 8 counts of manslaughterPolice in Texas say the driver of an SUV that killed eight people when it slammed into a Brownsville, Texas, bus stop is charged with manslaughter, and investigators are trying to determine if the crash was intentional.
Eight killed outside Brownsville migrant shelter after car crashes into pedestrians
Read full article: Eight killed outside Brownsville migrant shelter after car crashes into pedestriansThe driver has been detained, but authorities say it is unclear what caused the fatal crash at a Brownsville bus stop.
SUV driver hits crowd at Texas bus stop near border; 8 dead
Read full article: SUV driver hits crowd at Texas bus stop near border; 8 deadPolice in Brownsville, Texas, are preparing to arrest the hospitalized driver of an SUV that slammed into a crowd, killing eight people waiting for a bus Sunday outside a migrant shelter in the border city.
SUV driver hits crowd at Texas bus stop near border; 8 dead
Read full article: SUV driver hits crowd at Texas bus stop near border; 8 deadPolice in Brownsville, Texas, are preparing to arrest the hospitalized driver of an SUV that slammed into a crowd, killing eight people waiting for a bus Sunday outside a migrant shelter in the border city.
Texas troopers renew inspections of commercial vehicles at Brownsville border bridge, triggering long delays
Read full article: Texas troopers renew inspections of commercial vehicles at Brownsville border bridge, triggering long delaysTruckers have reported waiting up to 24 hours to cross the border because of the inspections. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered similar inspections last year to stop smuggling, but troopers found no contraband after checking more than 4,000 vehicles.
Mayorkas: Border is āvery challengingā as asylum limits end
Read full article: Mayorkas: Border is āvery challengingā as asylum limits endU.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says authorities face āextremely challengingā circumstances along the border with Mexico days before pandemic-related asylum restrictions end.
Federal agency failed to weigh possible environmental impacts of SpaceX rocket launch, lawsuit claims
Read full article: Federal agency failed to weigh possible environmental impacts of SpaceX rocket launch, lawsuit claimsEnvironmental groups claim the Federal Aviation Administration let SpaceX do its own environmental assessment before its rocket self-destructed above the Texas coast and debris rained down over a wide area.
āNever going homeā: Americans taken by cartel after crossing into Mexico describe days-long captivity
Read full article: āNever going homeā: Americans taken by cartel after crossing into Mexico describe days-long captivityTwo Americans who were kidnapped by cartel members shortly after crossing into Mexico from Brownsville last month are speaking out for the first time.
Gun used in kidnapping of Americans in Mexico came from US
Read full article: Gun used in kidnapping of Americans in Mexico came from USFederal court documents say the a man who admitted to purchasing firearms that he knew would be going from the U.S. to a Mexican drug cartel was arrested in Texas after the discovery that one of the weapons was linked to the deadly kidnapping of four Americans in the border city of Matamoros.
FBI creates new tip line for information about case involving 4 abducted Americans in Mexico
Read full article: FBI creates new tip line for information about case involving 4 abducted Americans in MexicoThe San Antonio Division of the FBI created a new Digital Media Tip Line to help them identify the person or people responsible for the murders and kidnapping of a group of U.S. citizens who visited Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on March 3.
Ex-Gulf Cartel boss gets life sentence for drug conspiracy
Read full article: Ex-Gulf Cartel boss gets life sentence for drug conspiracyA Mexican national who headed the Gulf Cartel from 2003 to 2012 has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty previously in a U.S. court to drug smuggling conspiracy.
South Texas Latina-owned business makes national debut at Target for Hispanic Heritage Month
Read full article: South Texas Latina-owned business makes national debut at Target for Hispanic Heritage MonthAfter years of hard work and dedication, a small South Texas Latina-owned business has made its national debut with hopes of inspiring Latinos across the U.S with its exclusive new collection at Target stores.
Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. endorses Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for reelection
Read full article: Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. endorses Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for reelectionThe endorsement comes after Patrickās Democratic opponent, Mike Collier, received endorsements from two Republicans, Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and state Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo.
Invasive Australian redclaw crayfish found in Texas; species can carry crayfish plague
Read full article: Invasive Australian redclaw crayfish found in Texas; species can carry crayfish plagueResearchers in the Rio Grande Valley discovered an invasive crayfish that can have a negative effect on native species and can also carry the crayfish plague.
Texas needs to do more to help Hispanic students graduate from college, university leaders say
Read full article: Texas needs to do more to help Hispanic students graduate from college, university leaders sayIn a Texas Tribune event Tuesday, university leaders discussed why Hispanic students finish higher education programs at a lower rate than the state average but have better performance in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso.
Bringing ācomfort and styleā into Texas homes, H-E-B introduces two new lines of home dĆ©cor
Read full article: Bringing ācomfort and styleā into Texas homes, H-E-B introduces two new lines of home dĆ©corH-E-B has announced the opening of two new product lines that company officials said will bring ācomfort and styleā into homes across Texas.
Two Democrats, two Republicans will compete in special election for South Texas congressional seat that GOP wants to flip
Read full article: Two Democrats, two Republicans will compete in special election for South Texas congressional seat that GOP wants to flipThe winner of the special election will replace former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, who resigned last month to work for Akin Gump.
State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who announced last year he would not seek reelection, to step down early
Read full article: State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who announced last year he would not seek reelection, to step down earlyThe Brownsville Democrat said his resignation will be effective Jan. 31. That sets up a potential special election to finish his term, though whoever wins would only serve for a short time.
Sara Stapleton Barrera, 2020 primary challenger to state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., announces comeback bid as he retires
Read full article: Sara Stapleton Barrera, 2020 primary challenger to state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., announces comeback bid as he retiresLucio announced Thursday that he is not seeking reelection after three decades in the Senate.
Democrat Eddie Lucio Jr., known for voting with Republicans on key issues, to retire after three decades in Texas Senate
Read full article: Democrat Eddie Lucio Jr., known for voting with Republicans on key issues, to retire after three decades in Texas SenateThe Brownsville Democrat, who made the announcement Thursday, has served in the upper chamber since 1991.
After months of store closures and layoffs, border businesses eager to welcome back Mexican customers Nov. 8
Read full article: After months of store closures and layoffs, border businesses eager to welcome back Mexican customers Nov. 8For 19 months, business owners along the Texas-Mexico border have seen a drastic drop in customers because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. With land borders scheduled to reopen Nov. 8, they are banking on a return to pre-pandemic sales.
Texas Republicans pave way for new battleground state House district in Rio Grande Valley over local lawmakersā objections
Read full article: Texas Republicans pave way for new battleground state House district in Rio Grande Valley over local lawmakersā objectionsThe likely new district comes as Texas Republicans continue to try to make new inroads in South Texas after the 2020 election.
Another Texas execution delayed on religious freedom claims
Read full article: Another Texas execution delayed on religious freedom claimsAnother Texas inmate has had his execution delayed over claims the state is violating his religious freedom by not letting his spiritual adviser lay hands on him at the time of his lethal injection.
Search underway for young girl, man wanted in connection with her abduction, officials say
Read full article: Search underway for young girl, man wanted in connection with her abduction, officials sayA search is underway for a 13-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man wanted in connection with her abduction, according to Brownsville Police Department.
Brownsville mayor responds to Elon Muskās promise of millions in donations
Read full article: Brownsville mayor responds to Elon Muskās promise of millions in donationsOn Tuesday, Elon Musk said on Twitter that he would donate $20 million to Cameron County schools and $10 million to the City of Brownsville for ādowntown revitalization.ā The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX said he would release more details next week.
U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, whose seat is targeted by Republicans in 2022, says he will not seek reelection
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, whose seat is targeted by Republicans in 2022, says he will not seek reelectionWASHINGTON ā U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, emerged as a Republican target in 2022 after President Donald Trump performed better than expected along the Texas-Mexico border. Vela was first elected in 2012 and represents much of the South Texas Gulf Coast. Ad"Filemon was extremely dedicated to the people of South Texas during the time he has served in Congress," Borjon added. Vela won reelection in 2020 by nearly 14 percentage points in a district that has generally been considered safe for Democrats. AdBorjon acknowledged that the race to replace him will likely be tougher than in the past, given Republicans' over-performance in South Texas.
Emergency sites for migrant children raising safety concerns
Read full article: Emergency sites for migrant children raising safety concernsA surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. President Joe Bidenās administration has been sharply criticized for its response to a surge in crossings of unaccompanied immigrant children. āI feel like I have to wait and try again.āThe Biden administration is not expelling immigrant children unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. But Pfluger and other Midland officials said the Biden administration wasnāt answering their questions or giving them assurance that officials would keep the surrounding community safe. HHS opened the Midland site without notifying some top local officials who say many of their questions aren't being answered.
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
Read full article: Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surgeTeam Brownsville, a humanitarian group, is helping the migrants reach their final destination in the U.S. A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. Still, the encounters of both unaccompanied minors and families remain lower than at various points during the Trump administration, including in spring 2019. They deride the policies Trump implemented to deter asylum as cruel and inhumane and an abdication of the countryās humanitarian responsibilities. "The Trump administration did everything in their power for four years to make the already broken immigration system as cumbersome and ineffective as possible. ... You leave yourself nowhere to go.āAdāTheyāre kind of stuck in a corner,ā agreed Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies think tank, which advocates on behalf of more restrictive immigration policies.
Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surge
Read full article: Republicans seize on immigration as border crossings surgeTeam Brownsville, a humanitarian group, is helping the migrants reach their final destination in the U.S. A surge of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. Still, the encounters of both unaccompanied minors and families remain lower than at various points during the Trump administration, including in spring 2019. They deride the policies Trump implemented to deter asylum as cruel and inhumane and an abdication of the countryās humanitarian responsibilities. "The Trump administration did everything in their power for four years to make the already broken immigration system as cumbersome and ineffective as possible. ... You leave yourself nowhere to go.āAdāTheyāre kind of stuck in a corner,ā agreed Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies think tank, which advocates on behalf of more restrictive immigration policies.
Gov. Greg Abbott rejects aid from Biden administration in dispute over coronavirus testing for migrants
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott rejects aid from Biden administration in dispute over coronavirus testing for migrantsAbbott and Biden have been fighting for days over coronavirus safety protocols and whose actions have been putting the health of Texans at risk. After Abbott announced this week that he was lifting Texas' statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions on businesses, Biden called that decision "Neanderthal thinking." Ad"The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing hundreds of illegal immigrants who have COVID into Texas communities," Abbott wrote in one tweet Wednesday afternoon. He argued in a statement that border security is āstrictly a federal responsibility,ā and thus the Biden administration alone should "test, screen, and quarantine" migrants who may have COVID-19. āInstead of doing their job, the Biden Administration suggested it did not have the sufficient resources and, remarkably, asked Texas to assist them in aiding their illegal immigration program,ā Abbott said.
Woman accused of sending Trump ricin charged in Texas
Read full article: Woman accused of sending Trump ricin charged in Texas(Hidalgo County (Texas) Sheriff's Office, via AP)BROWNSVILLE, Texas ā A Canadian woman accused of mailing packages containing the deadly poison ricin to the White House and several Texas law enforcement agencies has been indicted on new federal charges of making interstate threats and violating prohibitions on biological weapons. A grand jury in Brownsville, Texas, on Monday handed up sixteen counts against Pascale Ferrier, court records show. In September, Ferrier pleaded not guilty to making threats against President Donald Trump by mailing a package containing ricin to the White House after she was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border. Ferrier is also alleged to have sent ricin to six detention centers and law enforcement agencies in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. The package was intercepted before it reached the White House.
New Tesla location coming to Brownsville, mayor confirms
Read full article: New Tesla location coming to Brownsville, mayor confirmsBROWNSVILLE, Texas ā Brownsville will get a new 14,000-square-foot Tesla location, Mayor Trey Mendez confirmed on Sunday. Mendez said the announcement was the culmination of āmonths of secrecyā and that the project shows that āBrownsville is undoubtedly the innovation capital of the RGV.ā The Tesla location will feature a service area and showroom. After several months of secrecy, we can finally reveal that we are getting a Tesla location in Brownsville. The city of Brownsville is nearest to SpaceX founder Elon Muskās Boca Chica launch facility. Related: Tesla seeks to sell $5B in stock; CEO Elon Musk moves to Texas
U.S. Supreme Court will hear cases on border wall funding, "remain in Mexico" policy
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court will hear cases on border wall funding, "remain in Mexico" policyIn the border wall funding case, the high court will consider a challenge to the Trump administration's use of about $2.5 billion earmarked to pay members of the U.S. military to instead fund construction of part of his long-promised wall on the southern border. That case, Sierra Club v. Trump, was brought by the ACLU on behalf of the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition. Gloria Smith, managing attorney at the Sierra Club, said the Supreme Court will hear the larger case that challenges the use of both types of Pentagon funding. "Stopping this wasteful and irreversible damage is long overdue, and we look forward to making our case before the Supreme Court,ā she said in a statement. Implemented as a way to deter migrants from seeking asylum, the policy has sent about 60,000 asylum seekers, most of them from Central America and Cuba, across the southern border.
Mexican army finds unfinished tunnel under Rio Grande
Read full article: Mexican army finds unfinished tunnel under Rio GrandeMEXICO CITY The Mexican army said Thursday that soldiers patrolling along the Rio Grande river have found an unfinished tunnel that was apparently dug under the river bed in a bid to reach U.S. territory. The army said a small pump was found at the mouth of the structure and was apparently used to clear water from it. The army said the tunnel was found earlier this week near the city of Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas. The tunnel was apparently used for illegal activities. The river, known in Mexico as the Rio Bravo, is a frequent crossing point for drugs and migrant smuggling.
Texas county threatened with lawsuit over COVID-19 order
Read full article: Texas county threatened with lawsuit over COVID-19 orderBROWNSVILLE, Texas ā Efforts by officials in one South Texas county to delay the start of face-to-face classes due to the coronavirus pandemic could face a legal challenge on claims of religious freedom. But attorneys for two private religious schools have told the county that the order is unlawful and goes against Republican Gov. Cameron County Judge Eddie TreviƱo Jr. said First Liberty is misconstruing the countyās order regarding schools as an attack on religious freedom. The number of reported coronavirus cases in Texas increased by 3,493 and there were 104 more deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, Texas health officials reported Sunday. State health officials reported 114,391 active cases of the virus and that 451,776 people have recovered.
This Day in Weather History: August 10th
Read full article: This Day in Weather History: August 10thIt was on this day in 1980 that Hurricane Allen made landfall just north of Brownsville. The hurricane achieved Category 5 status three separate times (the only Atlantic hurricane to do so). It also ranks as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes with sustained winds near 190 mph at its peak. When Allen made landfall, it had weakened to a Category 3 storm. Still, it brought damaging winds and torrential rainfall.
SpaceX's Mars test rocket makes 1st flight, landing upright
Read full article: SpaceX's Mars test rocket makes 1st flight, landing uprightCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. SpaceX launched a prototype of its Mars rocketship hundreds of feet into the air, then landed it upright in a successful test flight. Mars is looking real, SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk tweeted after the short hop. Progress is accelerating.Musk said several more short hops are planned before a test version of Starship aims for a high altitude. On Sunday, SpaceX safely returned two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station following a two-month test flight. We're going to send people to Mars and make life multi-planetary," Musk said following splashdown.
Hanna's rain remains biggest threat to virus hot spot Texas
Read full article: Hanna's rain remains biggest threat to virus hot spot TexasChris Headen battles with his umbrellas as Hurricane Hanna begins to make landfall, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Some areas in South Texas had already reported receiving up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain, including Cameron County, which borders Mexico and where Brownsville is located. First responders in Corpus Christi proactively placed barricades near intersections to have them ready to go if streets began to flood, Mayor Joe McComb said. More than 43,700 people throughout South Texas, including Corpus Christi, Harlingen and Brownsville, were without power Saturday evening, according to AEP Texas. Other counties and cities throughout South Texas had also opened shelters, with many requiring face masks.
Longtime Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. leading over challenger from his left
Read full article: Longtime Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. leading over challenger from his leftSen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, spoke during during a Senate State Affairs committee hearing on July 23, 2017. According to early returns from the Texas Secretary of State, Lucio was leading Stapleton-Barrera 54%-46%. Another Senate runoff that drew considerable attention was the Democratic race to go against state Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton. Flores fell short in his bid to upset state Sen. Carlos Uresti for the seat in 2016. As of late Tuesday evening, the special election to replace former state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, remained fluid.
Julin and Joaquin Castro criticize Gov. Greg Abbott for reopening Texas too soon
Read full article: Julin and Joaquin Castro criticize Gov. Greg Abbott for reopening Texas too soonFormer Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, in Brownsville in 2018. "If we'd had a better federal response and state response, perhaps we would have already been around the quarter on this," Julin Castro said. Joaquin Castro said the number of beds, hospitals, and infections could have also been significantly reduced. "We're not saying that there would have been no consequences," Joaquin Castro said. All of the money that has been used is been money that's come from the federal government," Joaquin Castro said.
Exotic bird discovered during human smuggling attempt in Texas, officials say
Read full article: Exotic bird discovered during human smuggling attempt in Texas, officials sayBROWNSVILLE, TX U.S. Border Patrol announced Monday that they seized an exotic bird while taking a group of people illegally smuggled across the board into custody. As agents arrived to the location, they discovered evidence of several of people who entered the country illegally, CBP said in a statement. Additionally, agents noticed a plastic bag carried by one of the aliens with a live bird inside.After agents inspected the bag they determined the bird to be a toucan. CBP officials stated that while it is uncommon for exotic animals to be discovered in human smuggling attempts, agents rescued a tiger cub stuffed in a duffel bag near Brownsville two years ago. Related: CBP: Agents at World Trade Bridge in Laredo seize over $11 million in narcotics
Report: Massive fire destroys condominium complex on South Padre Island
Read full article: Report: Massive fire destroys condominium complex on South Padre IslandPublished: May 16, 2020, 10:10 am Updated: May 16, 2020, 2:06 pmSOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas ā A massive fire completely destroyed a condominium complex on South Padre Island Saturday morning, according to a report from KRGV. The Valley Star reported firefighters were working to extinguish the flames by spraying water from a nearby parking garage. Firefighters from South Padre Island, Port Isabel, Los Fresnos and Brownsville were called to the scene to assist in the fire response, per KRGV. Praying it wonāt spread šš¼ Posted by Alvaro Costilla on Saturday, May 16, 2020The building was deemed a total loss with damages estimating around $7 million and no injuries were reported, according to KRGV. SAFD: Family of four loses home in massive fire on West Side
Watch all of KSATās coverage from the 1,700-mile journey along the U.S.-Mexico border
Read full article: Watch all of KSATās coverage from the 1,700-mile journey along the U.S.-Mexico borderKSAT is traveling 1,700 miles along the U.S., Mexican border from Brownsville to San Diego to tell the stories about the people who live there and what the recent political climate has done to their day-to-day lives. Our team is also interviewing law enforcement officials, nonprofits and migrants who have crossed the border. Want to know more? Follow along each day as we update these stories:DAY 1See where Tiffany Huertas and Adrian Garcia are headed on the mapImmigrant surrenders to Border Patrol on camera; officials commend āzero tolerance policyāREAD: Migrant father pens heartfelt letter after separated from daughterAdDAY 2Rio Grande Valley landowners living along the border share experiences with immigrantsDAY 3Undocumented mothers say they left violence; now fearing deportationFear of violence, deportation back in hometown haunts undocumented immigrantsDAY 4Deadline nears for migrant children to be reunited with parentsAdBillboards pushing for migrant family reunifications as deadline nearsDAY 5Deadline arrives for US to reunite migrant families following āzero-tolerance' policyEl Paso shelter offers hospitality to reunited migrant familiesCatholic Charities CEO: Reunification of separated families has been learning experienceAdDAY 6How Border Patrol is combating drug cartels, illegal activity from Ciudad JuarĆ©zHow officials identify deceased immigrants found along US-Mexico borderPICS: Arizona Sheriff shares images of drug cartel tunnels found in border townDAY 7Nonprofit organization receiving teddy bears for migrant children separated from familiesAdVolunteers hike deadly desert mountains to place water for migrantsFamilies separated at border reunite briefly in San Diego parkā
Undocumented mothers say they left violence; now fearing deportation
Read full article: Undocumented mothers say they left violence; now fearing deportationBROWNSVILLE, Texas ā The stories of two undocumented mothers from separate countries may be different, but the constant emotion of living in fear is the same. She said the violence in her hometown has continued with her niece and cousin recently being kidnapped. āMe procupa que me separen de mis hijas (I'm worried about being separated from my daughters),ā Heidi said. Heidi said she left her country to not only escape the violence but also poverty. āQue dios no los abandone (May God not abandon them).āAdAccording to the Center for Immigration Studies, the undocumented population was 10.8 million in 2016.
READ: Migrant father pens heartfelt letter after separated from daughter
Read full article: READ: Migrant father pens heartfelt letter after separated from daughterEileen Blessinger said she has collected more than 30 letters written by parents being kept in the Port Isabel Detention Center. Blessinger shared one of the letters from a father who told his daughter that he loved her and not to lose faith. AdBlessinger said she and her five colleagues have been meeting with over 200 men and women who have been separated from their children. āThe emotional toll that is taking on everyone is really extreme; not just the parents but the children as well,ā Blessinger said. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw imposed a series of deadlines for the administration to reunite hundreds of children.