RGV Weekly Brief: September 28 – October 4, 2026
From September 28 through October 4, 2026, the Rio Grande Valley contended with a stretch of significant rainfall that brought both relief and disruption across the region. Accumulations ranging from three to eight inches fell over five days, and forecasters warned that additional inches remained on the way. The wet weather knocked out power and water service in parts of Starr County, where local authorities moved to distribute water to affected residents while conditions persisted.
On the public-safety front, San Juan police launched a homicide investigation after a man was fatally stabbed in a shopping center parking lot, a case that remained open as investigators worked to identify a suspect. Meanwhile, South Padre Island voters settled a contested city council race, with unofficial special election results showing Hernandez claiming the Place 1 seat. The week also brought a notable institutional visit when the president of AEP Texas traveled to the Valley for the first time, a trip that drew attention given the region's ongoing infrastructure concerns.
In education, South Texas College's nursing program earned the top ranking in the state and drew national recognition, a distinction that added to a week of varied local milestones. On the gridiron, UTRGV fell to East Texas A&M 20-17 in a close contest, while three Valley high school programs — Mercedes, Brownsville Hanna, and Brownsville Pace — were nominated for the week's Team of the Week honor. A federal announcement that $90 checks would be sent to roughly 20 million Medicare Part B enrollees carried potential relevance for the Valley's large senior population, and a McAllen food tour spotlight turned to Los Pasteles Caseros de Gaby as part of the ongoing 2026 series.
Top StoriesAcross the Valley
- Team of the Week: Mercedes, Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville PaceValleyCentral · October 4, 2026
Mercedes, Brownsville Hanna, and Brownsville Pace were named the three nominees for Valley Sports Central's Team of the Week following week six of the high school football season.
- An AEP Texas president visits Rio Grande Valley for the first timeRio Grande Guardian · October 4, 2026
The president of AEP Texas made a first-ever visit to the Rio Grande Valley, drawing attention amid regional conversations about infrastructure.
- Unofficial special election results show Hernandez taking South Padre Island City Council Place 1 seatKRGV · October 4, 2026
Unofficial returns from a special election showed Hernandez winning the South Padre Island City Council Place 1 seat.
- Starr County distributes water amid outagesValleyCentral · October 4, 2026
Starr County officials distributed water to residents after rainfall-related outages left some areas without power and water service.
- Trump: $90 checks will be sent to 20 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part BValleyCentral · October 4, 2026
President Trump announced that $90 checks would be directed to approximately 20 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part B, funded from what he described as the Medicare Improvement Fund.
- Parking lot stabbing in San Juan leaves man deadValleyCentral · October 4, 2026
San Juan police opened a homicide investigation after a man was fatally stabbed in a shopping center parking lot, with a suspect not yet identified.
- The rain isn't done yet, several more inches of rain still on the wayValleyCentral · October 4, 2026
Forecasters indicated that rainfall totaling three to eight inches over five days was not finished, with more inches still expected to fall across the region.
- South Texas College Nursing Program Ranked No. 1 in Texas, Capturing National AttentionRio Grande Guardian · October 4, 2026
South Texas College's nursing program was ranked first in Texas and attracted national attention for the achievement.
- East Texas A&M 20-17 UT Rio Grande Valley (Oct 3, 2026) Game RecapESPN · October 4, 2026
UTRGV dropped a close 20-17 decision to East Texas A&M on October 3, 2026.
- Los Pasteles Caseros de Gaby - McAllen Foodie Tour 2026KRGV · October 3, 2026
KRGV's McAllen Foodie Tour 2026 spotlighted Los Pasteles Caseros de Gaby as part of its ongoing local food series.
McAllenMcAllen
- Kokiri - McAllen Foodie Tour 2026KRGV · October 3, 2026
- McAllen Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for 2017 MurderFox Rio Grande Valley · October 2, 2026
A McAllen man, Armando Adrian Arebalo, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2017 murder of Nicholas Anthony Bazan, ensuring justice for the victim's family
- McAllen man sentenced to life in prison for 2017 murderValleyCentral · October 2, 2026
- SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM MCALLEN TO CELEBRATE EXPANSION OF ROBOTIC SURGERY PROGRAM WITH SPECIAL EVENTMyRGV.com · October 2, 2026
- Texas Oncology opens new facility in McAllen; expanding cancer care in RGVMyRGV.com · October 1, 2026
EdinburgEdinburg
- Edinburg CISD 'aware' of $3M bullying, hazing lawsuit from former studentValleyCentral · October 3, 2026
Editor's note: The video attached originally aired on Thursday, Oct. 1. HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The mother of a former student at a high school in Edinburg is suing the
- James Talarico speaks via video conference at Edinburg event – KVEO-TVValleyCentral · September 30, 2026
- James Talarico to speak with US Hispanic Business Council via video at Edinburg eventBorderReport · September 30, 2026
- Edward James Olmos headlines South Texas International Film Festival in EdinburgKRGV · September 30, 2026
MissionMission
- O’Caña Launches Campaign for Return as Mayor of MissionRio Grande Guardian · October 2, 2026
- Two Injured In Crash Involving Black Ford Mustang In North MissionFox Rio Grande Valley · October 2, 2026
- Martínez De La Torre delegation visits MissionRio Grande Guardian · September 30, 2026
- SpaceX's Starship launches on first orbital mission from TexasGeorgia Public Broadcasting · September 28, 2026
- Company Alleges Bias in Mission’s Bidding ProcessProgress Times · September 28, 2026
PharrPharr
- Pharr Police Investigate Suspected Homicide After Family DisturbanceFox Rio Grande Valley · October 2, 2026
Pharr Police are probing a suspected homicide after a man was fatally shot during a family disturbance. The incident, which unfolded Thursday morning, has led to the detention of
- Teen charged with murder in connection with fatal Pharr shootingValleyCentral · October 2, 2026
- 18-year-old charged with murder in deadly Pharr shootingKRGV · October 2, 2026
- 1 dead, 1 in custody after shooting in PharrValleyCentral · October 1, 2026
WeslacoWeslaco
- Weslaco Police Remind Residents to Keep Sidewalks ClearFox Rio Grande Valley · October 2, 2026
Weslaco Police urge residents to keep sidewalks clear for pedestrian safety and accessibility. The department's "Park Smart" campaign highlights the legal obligation to avoid
- Rep. Martinez: U.S. Army designates Weslaco as preferred South Texas aviation hubRio Grande Guardian · October 2, 2026
- Man in custody following stabbing at Weslaco H-E-BKRGV · October 1, 2026
- ‘Random and unprovoked’: Weslaco man arrested after H-E-B stabbingValleyCentral · October 1, 2026
- South Texas Grazing Lands Coalition workshop scheduled for Oct. 8-9 in Weslacoagrilifetoday.tamu.edu · September 29, 2026
BrownsvilleBrownsville
- Man arrested, marijuana seized in Brownsville drug raidValleyCentral · October 3, 2026
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested a man and seized marijuana and other THC products during a raid in Brownsville on Friday.
- WHAT’S AHEAD AT THE OCT. 7 BROWNSVILLE CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETINGCity of Brownsville · October 3, 2026
The Brownsville City Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Brownsville City Hall, 1001 East Elizabeth Street.
- WHAT’S AHEAD AT THE OCT. 6 BROWNSVILLE CITY COMMISSION MEETINGCity of Brownsville · October 3, 2026
The Brownsville City Commission will meet Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Brownsville City Hall – Old Federal Building, 1001 East Elizabeth Street.
- BROWNSVILLE CONSIDERS NEW STORMWATER UTILITY FEE TO SUPPORT DRAINAGE, FLOOD REDUCTIONCity of Brownsville · October 2, 2026
The City of Brownsville is considering a new Stormwater Utility Fee that would provide dedicated funding for drainage maintenance, flood reduction, resaca care, and stormwater
- Brownsville Longhorns Soak Up Victory Over Ohio StateTexas Exes · October 2, 2026
HarlingenHarlingen
- Student of the Week: Harlingen Collegiate High School's Cassie BandaKRGV · October 2, 2026
- Vice President JD Vance rallies in Harlingen for Republican Congressional candidate Eric FloresValleyCentral · October 1, 2026
- Vice President JD Vance Speaks at Midterm Rally in Harlingen, TexasC-SPAN · September 30, 2026
Starr CountyStarr County
- Rio Grande City vs Away - Girls Freshman Volleyball 10/03/2026 | Watch Live & On DemandNFHS Network · October 3, 2026
- Traffic Alert: Outside Lane of Northbound US 83 Closed in Rio Grande CityFox Rio Grande Valley · October 2, 2026
Drivers in Rio Grande City should be prepared for a temporary closure of the outside lane on northbound U.S. Highway 83 due to pothole repairs from recent rainfall. The lane will
- Starr County deputy hospitalized following rollover crashKRGV · October 2, 2026
- Starr County deputy in stable condition after rollover crashValleyCentral · October 2, 2026
- Las Lomas among hardest-hit areas as Starr County flooding threat continuesKRGV · October 2, 2026
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