The city agreed to deannex roughly 445 acres near the Port of Brownsville at SpaceX’s request in exchange for funding for water and wastewater projects.
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
Economy
Brownsville faces rising home values after the arrival of large employers like SpaceX, Saronic
SpaceX and other large employers have brought a surge of new wealthy homebuyers in the region. As home values grow, Brownsville officials plan for future housing.
Posted in
Immigration
ICE officer in Minnesota-Texas extradition fight is freed from jail
Christian Castro was released a day after a federal judge rejected Minnesota’s bid to keep him jailed while Gov. Greg Abbott decides whether to sign extradition papers.
Posted in
Screwworm in Texas
Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.
The New World screwworm poses a multibillion-dollar threat to the state’s cattle industry. We’re keeping track of where these cases are reported.
Posted in
Demographics
Rio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.
Rio Grande Valley residents are unhappy with the economy, salaries, and other factors. That could sway their political views, according to political watchdogs.
Posted in
Immigration
Federal judge extends pause on border wall construction at South Texas wildlife refuge
An irrigation district claims border wall construction is damaging its property and canal.
Posted in
Immigration
South Texas Republican builders warn of voter backlash in November if aggressive ICE tactics continue
Republican business leaders said immigration raids on the Latino community would be top of mind at the ballot box in the midterm elections.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas crime rate continues to drop, with McAllen seeing its lowest levels in decades
Despite ICE crackdowns, experts say immigrants are less likely to commit crimes. Deportation fears might also make them less likely to report them.
Posted in
Immigration
South Texas nun detained by ICE faces uncertain future in U.S.
After being detained by ICE last month, Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja, a 56-year-old nun from Nigeria, could be detained again or subjected to constant monitoring.
Posted in
Politics
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez takes steps to prevent renaming Boca Chica Beach
A SpaceX superfan proposed changing Boca Chica Beach’s name to reflect its significance to space travel.