PHOTO ESSAY: Border wall cuts through wildlife refuge

ALAMO, Texas (AP) — A segment of border wall erected in late July stands incomplete along the edge of a wildlife refuge in Alamo, Texas, after a lawsuit halted work.

Lush public land in the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is a corridor for hundreds of thousands of birds and butterflies migrating to South America. Visitors glimpse rare species, walk trails and take in views from an iconic suspended bridge.

The refuge is home to armadillos, warblers, bats, snakes and two endangered cat species that run through its over 2,000 acres (about 809 hectares). An irrigation canal hugs the northern perimeter of the refuge, connecting water with farmland in this agriculture hub.

Border Patrol agents working the dense foliage patrol the park on bicycles and set up a rescue beacon with a push button that signals to them if anyone needs to be rescued, though it’s mostly used by hikers who get lost on the winding trails. Border walls are part of the landscape built under the Bush and Obama administrations to deter illegal crossings.

In late July, the Trump administration began erecting more wall — but Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2, which manages a canal near the refuge, filed a lawsuit last month saying the construction company entered its property without consent and began dumping “significant dirt” into its canal. An order paused construction until mid-October and remains in litigation.

The lawsuit is one of several attempting to stop construction along protected or public lands as the administration races ahead with efforts to build a $46 billion wall along the U.S.-Mexico border from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. A lawsuit failed last month to halt the construction in Presidio, Texas after arguing the wall could cause flooding problems.

Construction in Southern Arizona in late August pressed forward through a Native American tribe's reservation in spite of objections. In West Texas, construction in Big Bend National Park drew public outrage from both sides of the political aisle.

This is a documentary photo story curated by AP photo editors.

The sun sets over a levee at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol agent takes a picture of the sunrise next to a section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A dragonfly lands on a reed at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol vehicle sits near a new section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A bird rests in a tree at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol agent drives along a new section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol vehicle passes a new section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A bird feather rests on leaves at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A bird flies over the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol passes a construction sign for a new section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A rabbit runs through the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Moss hangs from a tree branch at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol agent passes through the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A snake moves through the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A visitor crosses a sky bridge at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol vehicle passes through the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A lizard moves through the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Traffic posts stand around a trench as part of the construction for a new section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, as a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle passes through, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A U.S. Border Patrol agent stands near a new section of border wall at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 14, 2026--

Even before the pumpkins are carved and the turkey is served, Best Buy is giving shoppers a first look at what’s ahead this holiday season — from the latest technology and top gifts to new ways to find inspiration, save big and get help from the experts. With more to discover in stores and online, Best Buy is bringing customers more opportunities to explore the season's hottest tech and find gifts for everyone.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260914689961/en/

"Technology is always at the top of holiday gift lists, and helping customers discover and experience it is what we do best," said Patrick McGinnis, chief revenue officer at Best Buy. "No matter how our customers prefer to shop, in stores or online, we're making it easier to find the right tech with the expertise and support that make all the difference, especially during the holidays."

Experience the latest in stores

Just in time for the holidays, Best Buy is updating stores with more ways for shoppers to discover new technology, try it firsthand and get help finding the right fit — from immersive experiences with leading tech brands to new products and categories they may not expect to find at Best Buy. Here are a few experiences customers can find this season:

Save all season long

As always, Best Buy is bringing can’t-miss savings events all season long with top deals across gaming, computing, home theater and more.

New this year, My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total ™ members can earn 1% back 1 in rewards on every eligible purchase — or 6% back 1 when they use their My Best Buy ® Credit Card. Plus and Total members also get access to exclusive offers and deals throughout the holiday season.

With a broad lineup of technology at every price point, and options such as trade-in and open-box products, Best Buy has shoppers covered no matter their budget.

Explore this season’s top gifts

Finding the perfect gift can take some inspiration, and Best Buy is helping shoppers discover the latest tech, get expert recommendations and more with these resources:

Disclaimers:

Best Buy brings more savings, hands-on tech experiences and ways to shop this holiday season