Tagged News

• Adoptions taking place online for Valley foster children Play Video

  May 14, 2020 7:42 PM

  A 2-year-old foster child now has a new forever home in Hidalgo County. His parents were persistent despite the coronavirus crisis. The Sanchez's home walls were draped with a "best day ever" banner, mirroring the joy of new parents Marcos and Veronica Sanchez. Smiling more than with just their... more »

• Valley families find a different way to celebrate Easter Play Video

  April 13, 2020 9:39 PM

  Easter is typically a time where families across the Rio Grande Valley go to church and then get together with extended family. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, families had to find another way to celebrate. "We can't go anywhere or go visit family or anything so it's difficult,... more »

• Housing provider assists Harlingen family purchase home Play Video

  February 5, 2020 6:50 PM

  HARLINGEN – Several families are able to buy affordable homes in an area that was once foreclosed, thanks to the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation. Jose Trevino and his family bought their first affordable home with the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, which is also known as TSAHC. The... more »

• Santa Signs for Valley Deaf Community at McAllen Mall

  November 22, 2019 5:11 PM

  MCALLEN – Santa Claus is already making early stops in the Rio Grande Valley. The early visit is part of La Plaza Mall’s Silent Santa event. They arranged the special visit for children and adults who used American Sign Language. “It's special for us here in the sense... more »

• Fate of DACA Program to be Discussed in Court Play Video

  November 11, 2019 10:34 PM

  WESLACO - On Tuesday, the battle over DACA lands before the Supreme Court. The legal fight is likely to affect a lot of families in the Rio Grande Valley. The impact of DACA in the Valley touches one person and then it touches others. Families, and other... more »

• Prolonged Processing Times Persist at CBP RGV Facilities Play Video

  October 4, 2019 7:19 PM

  BROWNSVILLE - Fewer migrants are in federal custody in the Rio Grande Valley, but there are recent lawsuits highlighting problems with the 72-hour processing deadline. These problems are one of the main focuses in an ongoing federal injunction filed against CBP in the Rio Grande Valley. Migrants apprehended... more »

• UTRGV Free Tuition Program to Better Future Valley Leaders Play Video

  September 19, 2019 5:36 PM

  EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus is buzzing with the possibility of free tuition in the fall of 2020. The Tuition Advantage Program is working on providing higher education to low-income families. According to the U.S. Census, Cameron County’s average household earnings is $36,000... more »

• Drastic Drop in Migrant Families Released to Valley Shelters Play Video

  August 22, 2019 9:17 PM

  WESLACO – A drastic change in the number of migrant families released at shelters is visible across the Rio Grande Valley. Last October, McAllen began seeing more migrant families dropped off at the Catholic Charities Respite Center. In April, a mass release was seen across the Valley. In... more »

• Government Moves to Detain Migrant Families, Children Indefinitely Play Video

  August 21, 2019 7:56 PM

  WESLACO - Families seeking asylum in the U.S. could soon see changes to their detention. The Department of Homeland Security is considering holding families and unaccompanied children indefinitely, as a result of a final rule that will be posted Friday. It will re-interpret the Flores Settlement agreement which... more »

• State Offering Reward for Information in Brownsville Arson Investigation Play Video

  August 14, 2019 5:16 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – It’s been nearly a week since Brownsville families were left homeless due to a suspected arson fire. The state is now getting involved; posting signs around the neighborhood asking for information on the suspect, or suspects, as well as offering a cash reward. Lisa Ruiz has... more »

• Edinburg Families Concerned Over nearby Debris Burning Play Video

  May 16, 2019 6:05 PM

  EDINBURG – Edinburg families living near county crews who are burning debris say they’re concerned their health may be at risk. Hidalgo County Precinct 4 has burned piles of branches and leaves for a month on the corner of Terry Road and Davis Road. A precinct spokesman tells... more »

• Valley Families’ Homes Impacted by Straight Line Winds Play Video

  May 14, 2019 3:58 PM

  ALAMO – Severe thunderstorms ripped through the Alamo area Tuesday morning. Straight lines winds causing damage to Romeo Maldonado's home. Maldonado says when the storms roll through; his first reaction was to make sure his five kids were safe. "The most important thing for me is the... more »

• Donna Woman Living near Tent Facility Concerned for Safety Play Video

  May 6, 2019 5:37 PM

  DONNA – A Donna woman living near the temporary processing center says she feels she needs more security. Eva Munos says news of immigrants being held at a facility four miles from her home is a cause of concern for her. She says she supports the idea of... more »

• ICE to Begin DNA Testing Trial for Immigrant Family Units Play Video

  May 2, 2019 6:57 PM

  WESLACO – A federal agency will soon depend on science to help determine units claiming to be families. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will begin a pilot program to test the DNA of immigrants. A mother who is seeking asylum with her six-year-old daughter tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS... more »

• Tour of New Donna Immigrant Tent Facility Play Video

  May 2, 2019 6:15 PM

  UPDATE (5/3): Immigrants have not been transferred to tent facility in Donna. On Thursday, we were told the facility would be in use within 24 hours but that doesn't seem to be the case. The multi-million dollar facility is under contract to operate for four months. -----... more »

• Border Patrol Taking Closer Look at Family Identities Play Video

  April 29, 2019 6:55 PM

  WESLACO – As the immigrant surge continues, groups posing as families continue to be in the mix. Other Border Patrol sectors are tracking children 14 and under if they suspect the family is fake – Rio Grande Valley agents could soon do the same. Special Operations Supervisor Agent... more »

• Families Being Released due to Loophole in Immigration Laws Play Video

  April 9, 2019 5:22 PM

  PENITAS – People are coming into the country illegally but they’re not facing prosecution due to a loophole in immigration laws. If they come in as a family and claim amnesty, they must be released. Border Patrol says this is becoming a problem as word of this loophole... more »

• Salvation Army to Help Migrant Families Released from Gov't Custody Play Video

  March 20, 2019 5:05 PM

  MCALLEN - The Salvation Army says they’re opening their facilities to unprecedented amount of immigrants released from government custody. Captain Steven Correira, from the Salvation Army, says they accepted a request Tuesday to help from the Catholic Charities respite center in McAllen. Government buses continue to drop off... more »

• Researchers Assess Trauma Levels of Migrant Families Crossing into the US Play Video

  March 19, 2019 6:13 PM

  MCALLEN – Many of the families who cross the border will end up passing through the respite center. The recent influx of migrant families prompted a group of researchers to make a visit to learn about the trauma these families experience. The group found the levels of trauma... more »

• Families Still Being Separated at Border Despite Court Orders Play Video

  February 28, 2019 8:20 PM

  MCALLEN - A report from the Texas Civil Rights Project reveals family separation continues in the Rio Grande Valley, despite the June 20 Executive Order mandating it to stop. Over the summer, the federal public defenders at the McAllen courthouse were handling cases of parents who had crossed the... more »

• Temporary Closures at Eagle Pass Intl. Bridge Affecting Residents Play Video

  February 6, 2019 11:40 PM

  EAGLE PASS – The international bridge in Eagle Pass is back open after a brief shutdown. KRGV’s Christian Von Preysing spoke to Nancy Martinez, who says noticed changes in her home city Piedras Negras, across from Eagle Pass. She says she has seen more new children and families... more »

• Hundreds of Pounds of Cocaine Seized in Rio Grande City Play Video

  January 17, 2019 4:45 PM

  WESLACO – Border Patrol agents seized hundreds of pounds of cocaine in Rio Grande City Thursday afternoon. The agents were seen on video pulling an off-road vehicle, which was involved in the incident, from the river. Acting Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz says 700 pounds of cocaine came... more »

• New Respite Center Sparks Property Value Conerns Play Video

  January 14, 2019 10:22 PM

  MCALLEN – Concerned neighbors are raising questions about the location of a respite center in McAllen. Hundreds of migrant families pass through the Rio Grande Valley weekly, leading to the relocation of the center. The respite center is temporarily located on Hackberry Avenue and Second Street in McAllen.... more »

• United Way Program to Help Local Families File Tax Returns Play Video

  January 7, 2019 4:36 PM

  WESLACO – United Way’s program to help local residents with their taxes will be available again this tax season. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is free to families whose household income is less than $66,000 for year 2018. VITA is available at 20 different locations in... more »

• Utility Assistance on Hold for Some Hidalgo Co. Families Play Video

  January 2, 2019 4:15 PM

  WESLACO – Utility assistance from the Hidalgo County Community Services Agency is on hold for some local families. The program, which helps families and senior citizens pay their electric bills, will resume on Jan. 15, according to the agency’s director. We’re told the program will still help people... more »

• Santa's Enchanted Forest Brings Families Together Play Video

  December 20, 2018 11:20 AM

  MCALLEN – Once a year right before the holidays, an event called ‘Santa’s Enchanted Forest’ takes place in McAllen. Children have the chance to play in the snow, ride a pony and have their faces painted. The event is geared towards the families so that all can participate.... more »

• Cameron Co. Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing 5 Children over Course of Several Years Play Video

  December 14, 2018 6:00 PM

  WESLACO – A Cameron County man who was convicted of sexually abusing five children was sentenced to 65 years in prison. The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office says the Jose Garcia Ramirez, 25, was found guilty of sexually abusing five children all under the age of 13 from two... more »

• County Crews Assessing Damage following Storms in East Texas Play Video

  May 2, 2017 5:11 PM

  CANTON – East Texas residents are beginning the cleanup process after several tornadoes touched down over the weekend. It is unclear how many families were affected by the weekend storms. County crews are trying to get an approximate cost of damage to see whether they will qualify for FEMA relief.... more »