Tagged News

• UTRGV announces increase to tuition program to help ease economic hardship

  March 23, 2020 3:37 PM

  EDINBURG – UTRGV President Guy Bailey announced Monday an increase to their Tuition Advantage program. According to a press release, beginning Fall 2020, UTRGV will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for qualified students with a family income of $95,000 or less. A $20,000 increase from their... more »

• UTRGV Tuition to Increase Starting Fall 2020 Play Video

  December 30, 2019 5:27 PM

  EDINBURG - Those planning to attend UTRGV in the Fall of 2020 should expect to pay more for tuition. The University of Texas Board of Regents is increasing tuition by 7 percent at all of its academic institutions. The increase goes into effect Fall semester 2020. Current... more »

• Nuisance Reports of Feral Hogs, Javelinas on the Rise Between 2 South Texas Cities Play Video

  December 16, 2019 10:19 PM

  MISSION – Feral hogs and javelinas are stirring trouble in communities between two South Texas cities. City leaders in Mission say they are trying to deal with an increase in reports of feral hogs bothering residents. It’s also a problem in Falfurrias, including javelinas. Melissa Landin, an administrator... more »

• Brooks Co. Officials See Increase of Smugglers Using Stolen Vehicles Play Video

  October 15, 2019 5:22 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A spike in immigration-related crime popping up just north of the Rio Grande Valley. Brooks County sheriff’s deputies are seeing an increase of stolen vehicles coming from north Texas. Many of the cars and trucks were used by human or drug smugglers. Sheriff Benny Martinez... more »

• Texas Health Officials See Jump in Vape-Related Illnesses Play Video

  October 8, 2019 3:36 PM

  WESLACO – State health officials are reporting a jump in the number of vape-related illnesses. The spike as another retailer announces to stop selling e-cigarettes. In Region 11, which covers the Rio Grande Valley, stands at seven cases; statewide, there are now 95 cases, up by 20. ... more »

• Cases of Vape-Related Illnesses More Than Doubled in South Texas Play Video

  October 2, 2019 5:14 PM

  WESLACO – New numbers on vaping cases in the South Texas region have more than doubled. In a week’s time, the state went from 54 cases to 75, compared to our region which went from six to 16 cases. Less than a month ago, Hidalgo County had only... more »

• FBI Sees Increase of Reported Virtual Kidnappings in Valley Play Video

  September 16, 2019 5:22 PM

  WESLACO – They call you claiming they have a loved one kidnapped; they are supposedly part of a cartel or another criminal organization. They are using fear to get people to give up their money. The FBI says they’ve seen about a dozen virtual kidnapping cases within the... more »

• Local Business Worried about Tariff Increase on Chinese Goods Play Video

  September 3, 2019 6:36 PM

  MCALLEN – The raised tariffs on trade between the U.S. and China continue. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump put a 15% increase on more Chinese goods. The more businesses have to pay to get merchandise on their shelves the more customers will have to pay to take... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Health Officials Issue Alert on Increase of Foodborne Illness Play Video

  August 26, 2019 12:11 PM

  EDINBURG – Hidalgo County health officials are issuing out an alert on a foodborne illness. More people are falling sick to a parasite found in leafy vegetables and fruits. It’s not just affecting Hidalgo County, but the rest of the country. Out of the nearly 300 cases... more »

• Official Highlights Measures to Prevent a Car Break-In at SPI Play Video

  June 20, 2019 4:16 PM

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Car burglaries are on the rise at South Padre Island. A Cameron County park ranger tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS due to the burglaries they have also increased patrols. The most recent call was Wednesday; luckily there was a witness in the case who gave... more »

• Local Business Finds Alternative for Imported Avocados Play Video

  June 3, 2019 5:17 PM

  PHARR – A 5% tariff increase may be implemented in a week for all products coming into the U.S. from Mexico. CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to Rio Grande Valley importer Aaron Acosta to learn about a non-tariff option for popular produce. Acosta is in corporate relations for... more »

• Hidalgo Co. Health Dept. Confirms 39 Mumps Cases Play Video

  May 7, 2019 12:09 PM

  EDINBURG – The Hidalgo County Health Department announced the number of cases of mumps has reached 39 confirmed cases. Health and Human Services Director Eddie Olivarez reported some of the cases are related to the original outbreak. “With the incubation period ranging from 14 to 24 days before... more »

• Mumps Cases Increasing: 14 Confirmed Cases Play Video

  April 30, 2019 6:13 PM

  UPDATE (9 p.m.): Another mumps case at a local school brings the total number of cases to 14. A case has been confirmed at a Weslaco Independent School District campus. Officials have not confirmed which school was affected or whether it was a student or staff member. ... more »

• Valley Sales Dropping as Wait Times Increase at Int’l Bridges Play Video

  April 8, 2019 4:53 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – Local business is being impacted by the reassignment of Customs and Border Protection officers at local ports of entry. Hundreds of officers are helping Border Patrol agents process the thousands of immigrants coming into the U.S. illegally. Shoppers coming from Mexico are now waiting hours at... more »

• High Demand of Citizenship Classes in RGV Play Video

  March 20, 2019 10:06 PM

  BROWNSVILLE – The demand for citizenship classes in the Rio Grande Valley is increasing. The Coordinator of the Citizenship Program at Proyecto Juan Diego, Paula Barrera, says they offer classes free of charge. Barrera says Proyecto Juan Diego grew to include other classrooms, more staff, volunteers, and locations... more »

• Border Patrol Reports Increase in Number of Family Apprehensions Play Video

  February 28, 2019 5:03 PM

  HIDALGO – Border Patrol agents say apprehension numbers show more families crossing the border illegally. Border Patrol Supervisory Agent Dustin Araujo explains thousands of people are coming through Hidalgo and Starr Counties. In 2014, Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 52,000 people; the numbers for 2018 show a... more »

• Valley Couple Facing Health Issues Worried about Possible Eviction Play Video

  February 25, 2019 5:31 PM

  EDINBURG – A Rio Grande Valley couple who have faced challenges with their health are now worried about getting evicted. Sally Flores is legally blind and her husband is bedridden. She says they recently received a grant to remodel their home in order to make it more accessible.... more »

• Cameron Co. Tax Assessor Making Attempts to Help Federal Employees Affected by Shutdown Play Video

  January 21, 2019 5:05 PM

  WESLACO – Property taxes are owed by more than 106,000 Cameron County property owners. Some of these property owners are federal employees impacted by the government shutdown. Cameron County Tax Assessor Tony Yzaguirre is proposing that Governor Greg Abbott declare a state of emergency and amend the tax... more »

• Local Diabetics Rationing Medication to Cut Cost Play Video

  January 15, 2019 5:01 PM

  WESLACO – The increase of insulin prices are affecting local diabetics. As a diabetic of 20 years, Santa Rodriguez says she wouldn't be able to afford medication without the help of her children. She says the cost of insulin has increased to $200, making her take drastic measures.... more »

• Local Shelters Struggle to Assist Migrants with Current Budget Play Video

  December 31, 2018 6:10 PM

  MCALLEN – The New Year holds uncertainty for shelters helping migrants in the Rio Grande Valley. Greater crowds of newly released migrants have not been met with greater budgets. A surge in families and unaccompanied children in the U.S. illegally has exceeded the numbers of 2014. Valley... more »

• City of Raymondville Cracking Down on Weedy Lots Play Video

  December 31, 2018 4:39 PM

  RAYMONDVILLE – The city of Raymondville is cracking down on weedy lots. The city is now boosting the minimum amount of the fine. Fines used to run between $25 and $200 but will now run from $75 to $200 instead. City officials say this is due to... more »

• Increased ICE Arrests Effects on Valley Immigrant Communities Play Video

  December 14, 2018 7:56 PM

  WESLACO - The fiscal year of 2018 was a record year for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They report an increase arrests and removals from the country. Immigrant communities confirm they've seen the increase. In 2018, ICE reports 158,581 arrests. It reflects an increase of 10.5-percent from last year.... more »