Tagged News

• Valley congressman details COVID-19 spending package Play Video

  March 7, 2020 10:57 AM

  EDINBURG – On Friday, President Donald Trump signed off on an $8 billion spending package to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Texas is expected to receive $950 million. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez says the Rio Grande Valley is expected to see some of those funds. Gonzalez said $61 million... more »

• Federal funds from 2015 disaster declaration to help Hidalgo County colonias Play Video

  February 18, 2020 5:33 PM

  EDINBURG – It’s a drainage project years in the making. The series of projects will help colonias in Hidalgo County. The $4.6 million project is part of the 2015 presidential disaster declaration. “It’s finally here and we’re moving as fast as we can. That’s why we have it... more »

• Farmers struggle as current drought impacts water levels at Falcon Dam Play Video

  February 17, 2020 6:39 PM

  NEAR ROMA – Last week, Hidalgo County was named a “contiguous disaster county”, meaning producers in the county are eligible for certain emergency aid, coming from the Farm Service Agency. The drought monitor shows dry to severe drought conditions running across the Rio Grande Valley. The lack of rain... more »

• Controversy Over Funding Denial for Center of Abused Children in Starr County Play Video

  January 16, 2020 10:31 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – Starr County law enforcement reports a spike in sex crimes, as controversy builds over funding denial for a center for abused children. The Butterfly Haven would have joined the Ayuda Center as the second resource facility for victims in Starr County. The governor's office... more »

• McAllen to Launch Education Program to Involved Children in 2020 Census Play Video

  January 7, 2020 5:33 PM

  MCALLEN – With the 2020 Census underway, Rio Grande Valley cities are looking for creative ways to educate communities about the importance of being counted. The census will account for the amount of people living in a particular place. The more people in your area, the more state representation... more »

• UTRGV Receive Federal Grants to Expand Economic Development Research Play Video

  December 2, 2019 8:17 PM

  MISSION – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received nearly $400,000 in federal funds to be used to expand research in economic development. On Monday, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar and Congressman Vincente Gonzalez met in Mission to announce the two grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural... more »

• Over $1M Awarded to UTRGV for Special Education Training Program

  November 21, 2019 3:13 PM

  WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced $1,243,658 in funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs for a five-year program called Project PLEASE (Program for Leaders to Educate and Advocate for Special Education) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The project... more »

• Proposition 5 Can Help Provide Funding on State Parks in the Valley Play Video

  October 28, 2019 5:24 PM

  WESLACO – State parks around Texas, including four in the Rio Grande Valley, could see steady funding but it's up to voters to decide next Tuesday. Proposition 5 is one of 10 proposals on the November 5 ballot. It would guarantee funding to state parks to help with park... more »

• McAllen Waits for Immigration Reimbursement as Charities Get Approval Play Video

  October 14, 2019 9:30 PM

  MCALLEN – Reimbursement checks are heading to the Rio Grande Valley as payback for helping during the immigration crisis earlier this year. A charity is already making plans for the more than a half million dollar refund. Last year, Catholic Charities racked up $601,000 in expenses for housing... more »

• Local Leaders Hope Senator's Tour of Valley Drainage Projects Pushes for Extra Funding Play Video

  October 14, 2019 6:31 PM

  MCALLEN – Local drainage problems are attracting the attention of top lawmakers in Washington, DC. Back-to-back summer floods have cost taxpayers in the Rio Grande Valley millions of dollars. On Monday, U.S. Senator John Cornyn took a tour of some of the Hidalgo County drainage projects, including the... more »

• $2M in Federal Funding Headed to Valley Law Enforcement Play Video

  October 3, 2019 9:40 PM

  WESLACO – More money is headed for local law enforcement. Hidalgo and Starr counties are to receive more than $2 million in federal funding. The Operation: Stone Garden funds will help cover expenses for immigration and border-related calls. Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office assisted the feds... more »

• USDA Grants $150M to Help Valley Farmers Impacted by Flooding Play Video

  September 16, 2019 5:36 PM

  MERCEDES – From too dry to too wet. Rio Grande Valley farmers and growers are saying too much rain can be a bad thing. Many local farmers are still recovering from losses due to flooding in June 2018 and June of this year. Right now, the Department of... more »

• Community Service Agency Extends Utility Assistance in Hidalgo Co. Play Video

  September 12, 2019 5:15 PM

  EDINBURG – More help is on the way for low-income families in need in Hidalgo County. The Hidalgo County Community Service Agency says they’ll be able to provide utility assistance for a longer period. Agency Director Jaime Longoria explained at the end of last year, they received about... more »

• Cameron Co. Leaders Seek Funding for New Flood Control District Play Video

  July 31, 2019 9:41 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – Flood victims are still looking for answers as Cameron County decides on how to fund their new flood control district. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino and Commissioner Gus Ruiz were sworn in to oversee the flood control district Monday. Trevino tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS they're trying... more »

• Contract for Portion of Border Wall Project in Starr Co. Announced

  June 27, 2019 12:06 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – Construction of a new section of the border wall is set to start later this year in Starr County. A contract was awarded to Southwest Valley Construction for more than $33 million Wednesday for four miles of a new border wall system. This is... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Judge, Elsa Mayor Issue Disaster Declarations

  June 26, 2019 3:47 PM

  ELSA – The city mayor of Elsa has issued a disaster declaration following Monday’s storms. In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, Mayor Alonzo Perez says sewage has backed up and is spilling into the standing floodwaters, threating public health. Elsa is the second city in the Rio... more »

• Gov. Abbott Announces $9M Grant to Law Enforcement along Border Play Video

  May 3, 2019 1:53 PM

  WESLACO – Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Friday additional grant funding to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies along the southern border. The Operation Stonegarden Grant Program will increase operational capabilities border law enforcement. Gov. Abbott announced the $9 million grant, after the previous release of $4... more »

• Local Shelters Seeing Fewer Migrants Play Video

  April 18, 2019 9:13 PM

  MCALLEN – Shelters across the Rio Grande Valley are seeing fewer migrants. The Salvation Army in McAllen told CHANNEL 5 NEWS they stopped housing migrants last Saturday. Sister Norma Pimentell says they’re staying steady at the respite center but she’s expecting the numbers to decrease soon. The... more »

• McAllen Asks Gov’t for Reimbursement of Funds Used for Immigrants Play Video

  April 11, 2019 6:30 PM

  MCALLEN – The city of McAllen is seeking reimbursement for money spent on helping immigrants. KRGV’s Christian Colón spoke with McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. He says it’s unfair for taxpayers to bear the cost of an issue that belongs to the federal government. Darling says expenses, such... more »

• City of McAllen Requesting Funding to Help with Immigration Surge Play Video

  March 24, 2019 5:00 PM

  MCALLEN- City officials are asking for help to offset the cost of caring for immigrants. City Manager, Roel Rodriguez tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS his office is in contact with Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, in addition to state legislators. CHANNEL 5's Frank McCaffrey asked Rodriguez where... more »

• House of Representatives Votes to Overturn Trump's Emergency Declaration Play Video

  February 26, 2019 6:06 PM

  WESLACO – The House of Representatives voted to overturn President Trump’s national emergency declaration on Tuesday. The veto threat, ignored by the party, overturns Trump’s bid for billions in funding for the proposed border wall. The House’s 245-182 vote to block the funding included 13 republicans. The... more »

• Pres. Trump Discusses Border Security during 1st Appearance in Valley Play Video

  January 10, 2019 6:23 PM

  MCALLEN – President Donald Trump’s first visit to the Rio Grande Valley was filled with cheers and protests, from the time he arrived to when he departed. Trump landed in McAllen at about 12:40 p.m. on Thursday for discussions on border security and to push for $5.7 billion in... more »

• Smugglers Using Tactics to Avoid Law Enforcement Play Video

  January 9, 2019 6:42 PM

  WESLACO – President Trump is requesting billions of dollars in funding for a border wall. In a speech, he said vast quantities of drugs are coming through the border. Three weeks ago, a typical situation occurred along the border as a group of men carrying bundles of drugs... more »

• Course of Events Leading Up to Partial Gov't Shutdown Explained Play Video

  January 9, 2019 3:54 PM

  WESLACO – President Donald Trump is making a monumental visit to the Rio Grande Valley and is expected to see the site for the proposed border wall. The visit will take place Thursday, amid the partial government shutdown. KRGV’s Taylor Winkel explains how the course of events led... more »

• Almost 200 RGV Border Patrol Employees Furloughed during Gov't Shutdown Play Video

  January 7, 2019 9:53 PM

  WESLACO – Almost 200 Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol employees have been furloughed during the partial government shutdown. This Friday will be the first paycheck they miss if a deal isn't made. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz says 70 Border Patrol agents arrived from the northern border. ... more »

• WIC Offices Open for Services despite Government Shutdown Play Video

  December 27, 2018 10:16 PM

  SAN BENITO – Cameron County officials say all 12 Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offices will remain open despite the government shutdown. Cameron County health administrator Esmeralda Guajardo says the recent confusion has led to a decrease in the number of patients visiting the clinic. She explains the... more »

• Santa Rosa Farmer Worried about New Farm Bill Protection Play Video

  December 24, 2018 3:31 PM

  SANTA ROSA – A local farmer wants to know if the newly signed farm bill will protect him. Santa Rosa farmer, George Rodriguez says most of his crops were destroyed by drought flooding this year. "We want this year to turn out on a good blessing and maybe... more »

• How the Government Shutdown Could Impact RGV Play Video

  December 21, 2018 4:50 PM

  WESLACO – Government shutdowns take place when Congress and the president don’t agree on how to spend the nation’s money. This shutdown is the third in the span of one year. The federal government will partially shut down at midnight; the Department of Housing and Urban Development is... more »

• $10M in Federal Funding Awarded to University to Help Fight Zika Play Video

  December 26, 2016 4:20 PM

  WESLACO – More funding is being made available to help the fight against the Zika virus in Texas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced about $10 million in federal funding for the University of Texas medical branch to study emerging and exotic pathogens such as Zika. The medical... more »