Diana Padilla has spent a decade teaching Rio Grande Valley residents how to farm and was set to expand across the rest of the state, first in Kaufman County.
Berenice Garcia
Berenice Garcia is a regional reporter covering the Rio Grande Valley. She works at the Tribune as a corps members with Report for America. She previously covered local government, crime, healthcare and general assignments for The Monitor in McAllen where she was born. Though she's spent the majority of her life in the Valley, she traveled east to attend New York University where she studied journalism and politics. While there, she interned at the New York Daily News, the Daily Beast and NBC News. When she’s not working, she enjoys fighting for her life at the gym. Berenice is based in McAllen.
Posted in
Immigration
McAllen area residents push back against any ICE detention facility in their community
Monday’s remarks from residents comes after a list of potential ICE facilities included a McAllen warehouse.
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Economy
After years of pushing for better jobs, Rio Grande Valley leaders land high-skilled manufacturing plant
McAllen leaders hope the new Valeo manufacturing plant is a sign that the region, one of the most impoverished in the state, can attract better-paying jobs for its college graduates.
Posted in
Congress
After Monica De La Cruz helps migrant teen in ICE custody, Texas man seeks similar aid for fiancée
The Republican in Congress helped a migrant teenager she previously knew get released from federal custody. Scores of migrants are in similar situations with no clear exit.
Posted in
Immigration
Teen mariachis and family from McAllen released from ICE custody
The detention of the family of asylum seekers after a routine check-in with immigration officials had caused an uproar in their community.
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Courts
Legal fight over SpaceX beach closures hits Texas Supreme Court
The justices are considering the constitutionality of a 2013 law in a lawsuit brought by environmentalist and indigenous groups against the General Land Office and Cameron County.
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Criminal Justice
Austin downtown shooting: What we know about the gunman, victims and motive
Three people were killed and 13 wounded in a West Sixth Street attack. Police say the shooter fired from an SUV before getting out and continuing on foot.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas House candidates in South Texas face allegations of lying about their party affiliation
Republicans hope to flip the Rio Grande Valley state House seat, long held by Democrats.
Posted in
Economy
Texans are demanding their local governments push pause on data centers. Can they?
Texans from Waco to Harlingen are raising concerns over how much energy and water data centers are poised to use. Local officials, some enticed by a tax boon, say they have little power to stop the rush.
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Economy
“We are ready”: Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says U.S., Texas ready to fight parasitic fly
The New World Screworm fly poses a billion-dollar threat to the state’s economy.