The U.S. Customs and border Protection (CBP) officers here at the Pharr International Bridge conducted a search Friday that resulted in a seizure of $634,000 worth of alleged cocaine.
By P.J. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
The Texas Education Agency — which is the statewide entity that oversees primary and secondary public education — recently released its 2026 Accountability Ratings on Friday for public school systems, districts and campuses.
By Staff Report | Advance News Journal
EDINBURG — Do you have a passion for dancing? Well, the RGV Snake Charmers has the opportunity for you.
By P.j. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
EDINBURG — The UTRGV football season is set to start in 10 days as the Vaqueros will host UT Permian Basin in Edinburg at the Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium.
Today's News
The City of Mercedes released an announcement Friday stating that its city manager — Alberto Perez — has resigned.
By P.j. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced that his agency is pausing construction work in Big Bend National Park while he conducts an “on-the-ground evaluation,” reversing course after heavy machinery had begun moving dirt.
By Gabby Birenbaum | The Texas Tribune
Here are the latest headlines around the state.
By Gary Borders | Texas Press Association
News
PHARR— The U.S. Customs and border Protection (CBP) officers here at the Pharr International Bridge conducted a search Friday that resulted in a seizure of $634,000 worth of alleged cocaine.
The CBP said in a release that the alleged narcotics was found concealed in a commercial tractor-trailer.
By P.J. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines said many cities and counties can reduce property taxes due to increased sales tax revenue as local governments will receive $1.4 billion in sales tax allocations for August, 13.6% more than in August 2025.
These allocations are based on sales made in June by businesses that report tax monthly and on sales made in April, May and June by quarterly filers.
By Staff Report Advance News Journal
Pharmacist guilty in $20M healthcare kickback scheme HOUSTON — A 54-yearold Spring resident has been convicted of conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks.
The jury deliberated for more than a day before returning the guilty verdict against Tronown Thomas following a five-day trial July 11.
Thomas, a licensed pharmacist, owned and operated Rayford ACP Pharmacy in Spring.
Sports
EDINBURG — The UTRGV football season is set to start in 10 days as the Vaqueros will host UT Permian Basin in Edinburg at the Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium.
The athletics program over at the university announced Thursday the UTRGV football games will be broadcast in the Rio Grande Valley, as well as Laredo.
By P.j. Hernandez | Advance News Journal
EDINBURG — Do you have a passion for dancing? Well, the RGV Snake Charmers has the opportunity for you.
The Snake Charmers, which is the dance squad for the RGV Vipers basketball team, will host auditions for the upcoming season on Aug. 29.
The audition will be at 8 a.m. at the DHR Health Sports and Wellness Center in Edinburg.
If you are interested in trying out, there are a few requirements for females who must meet the criteria.
By Staff Report | Advance News Journal
With the summer coming to an end, that means the sports season is right around the corner for local athletes.
To help parents gear up for the football, volleyball seasons and more, South Texas Health System Children’s hospital will host a webinar to help educate on sports-related injuries and the prevention of them.
By Staff Report | Advance News Journal
Opinion
An old lawyer joke: What’s the difference between a good attorney and a great attorney?
A great attorney is a friend of the judge.
By Gregg Wendorf Advance News Journal
In case you haven’t noticed, the continents are slowly moving and grinding against each other. As a result, we’re experiencing earthquakes extending all the way from Japan to the west coast of North and South America.
By Tom Haughey Advance News Journal
When someone breaks a bone, experiences chest pain or is diagnosed with diabetes, we don't expect them to navigate a fragmented healthcare system on their own. We recognize that health conditions exist on a spectrum and that people need different levels of care at different points in their lives.
Mental healthcare should be no different.
By Brenda Ivory Special To The Advance
Lifestyle
In the Old Testament book of Daniel, the third chapter, is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
These three young Jewish men were captive in King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian empire, which existed 600 years before the birth of Jesus. The king sent out a royal decree that all his subjects would bow down and worship the idol the king had made of himself. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the idol of the king.
By Chris Voss | First Christian Church
This week, Cinderella Pet Rescue is featuring two active senior dogs, Mabella and Brandi.
We’d like to remind our readers that even though a dog grows older, their ability to love whole-heartedly doesn’t.
Both Mabella and Brandi have lots of loving years left in them and each would be a great companion to a person or family looking for a very good dog.
Meet Mabella
By Cory Raymond Cinderella Pet Rescue
This week, Cinderella Pet Rescue is featuring two very good dogs in need of homes to call their own–Bistro and Cafe–big dogs with big hearts and lots of love to share with a person or family of their very own.
Both dogs are German Shepherd crosses, but each has an unusual colored coat.
Bistro, the good boy
Bistro was born in March, 2024. His main color is fox red, highlighted with black and white. Like a fox, he has a beautiful bushy tail.
By Cory Raymond | Cinderella Pet Rescue
Obituaries
Joe is survived by his wife, Elida C. Garcia; three children, Belia (Ramiro) Zuniga, Joey (Maritza) Garcia, Albert (Monica) Garcia; ten grandchildren, Sergio Vidal Martinez, Landen Suarez, A.J. Garcia, Joey Ryan Garcia, Adysen Garcia, Liam Garcia, Brianna Garcia, Elliana Garcia, Christian Garcia, Gianna Garcia; and a great-grandchild, Sebastian Andrew.
— Roberto Paz, 36, passed away Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Moorhead, Minnesota.
He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Joel Delgado Sr.
Roberto is survived by his mother, Cristina Cantu; step dad, George Gonzalez; three sisters, Karina (Kevin Cruz), Jacqueline, Mariana Cantu; grandmother, Juanita Delgado; uncle, Joel Delgado Jr., Aunt, Elizabeth (Vijay Raju) Wuertenburg; and cousins, Romeo Delgado, Anastasia Raju and Izrael Raju.
Norma Irene Espinoza, 62, passed away Wednesday, Aug, 12, 2026, at her residence in Edinburg.
Photo Galleries
SAN JUAN — The PSJA Bears, who are arguably the best team in the RGV, won their first postseason game against the Harlingen Cardinals on Thursday by the score of 13-0.
The second game is set for Harlingen on Friday. If there is a third game needed, it will be on Saturday in San Juan at 1 p.m.
The UTRGV Vaqueros (5-8. 0-3) took a regular season series against the Texas Southern University Tigers during a home stretch in Edinburg.
On Wednesday, the Vaqueros took the commanding win, 10-4. The night before that, they won 5-3.
This weekend, starting on Friday, UTRGV will host a Southland Conference three-game series against New Orleans University.
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