Recall of frozen blueberries categorized under FDA's highest Class I risk level
The recalled blueberries had been shipped to stores in eight states.
The McAllen
Business
Brownsville’s pocket of Italy: La Gondola serves Italian food in the Lower Valley
B ROWNSVILLE — The middle of the afternoon can often wear on the soul with its drab stillness and its quietness and the aching fatigue. The stillness and the fatigue can feel more draining when you walk into a fine and elegant Italian restaurant like La Gondola — and you’re the o...
Judge sets bond at $1 million for businessman with Gulf Cartel connections
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A businessman with Gulf Cartel connections turned himself in last week after more than three years on the run. Rigoberto Brown, 41, of Brownsville allegedly worked for Carlos Favian Martinez, the son-in-law of Gulf Cartel boss Osiel Cardenas Guill...
IVP: James Talarico discusses economic agenda, Navy to change rules after Resendiz murder
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week's episode of Inside Valley Politics, host Brian Svendsen breaks down changes to U.S. Navy policies and border wall construction and sits down with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico for a discussion. The United States Navy announc...
Commentary: The limits of power
D onald Trump has built one of the most remarkable political careers in modern American history. For decades, he has cultivated an image of personal invincibility. Business failures became evidence of resilience. Investigations became proof of persecution. Criticism became confir...
From the archives: Harlingen man smokes joint during city workshop
A s the battle against marijuana legalization as well as efforts to fight Texas’ recent ban on various hemp-derived THC cannabis products continues, there was one Harlingen man who took his commitment for legalization further 33 years ago. Charles Schoonover attended one of Harli...
Mission is transitioning into using AI. Here’s what that’ll look like.
Co-Interim City Manager Andy Garcia M ISSION — The city is planning to implement artificial intelligence into its everyday processes in an effort to improve efficiency. During a budget workshop Tuesday, Co-Interim City Manager Andy Garcia told the council following a presentation...
Commentary: The news isn’t all good
W e are accustomed to Texas topping virtually every ranking relating to the economy — most major corporate locations and expansions, top CEO perceptions, highest investment, and many others. By one measure, however, the results are more of a mixed bag. The list of top states for ...
Hot and breezy trend continues into the weekend
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Another hot day is in store for the Valley today. Temperatures will quickly start to warm up, with highs ranging from the upper 80s to the lower triple digits. The heat risk will range from a moderate level to an extreme level today, so make sur...
Boxfest XX to be televised live from Payne Arena
Giovanni Marquez will headline Red Owl Boxing’s live televised event in Hidalgo, Texas on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Courtesy: PlaceNEW Studios) R ed Owl Boxing, a promotional company dedicated to platforming the next generation of boxers, will host Boxfest XX on Sept. 11 at Payne ...
A blockbuster $12.5B deal as Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy the Los Angeles Lakers, AP source says
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to businessmen Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking price, the second such sale in a year. This sale agreement is $12.5 billion, according to a person familiar with the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on ...
A first look at 'Prometheus', a 50-foot bronze statue at Starbase
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — French sculpture group Atelier Missor has revealed the first look of its 50-foot bronze statue of Prometheus being built in Starbase, Texas. Atelier Missor, a French foundry, is a traditional metal-casting workshop that specializes in titanium s...
Beat the Heat: Enjoy food, music, shopping at the cooled Mercado District in McAllen
M cALLEN — It’s too hot. No matter what you think of why it’s so hot or if it was always like this, but Valley summers are scorching with almost 100-degree days nearly all season. With this type of heat and humidity, I get why no one wants to go outside for anything. I consider m...
Edinburg breaks ground on workforce center, clubhouse at Ebony Hills Golf Course
A nearly century-old golf course in Edinburg was the setting for a groundbreaking Monday as the city works toward modern investments in regional workforce advancement. The city and its economic arm celebrated the commencement of construction for a Workforce Resource Center and ne...
If Frederick Richard wants to make men's gymnastics fun, he knows winning has to be part of the plan
PHOENIX (AP) — The CEO and founder of Frederick Flips is a busy man. So busy it's easy to wonder sometimes how interested Fred Richard is in keeping the main thing the main thing. The underlying tone of the social media content the 22-year-old gymnast and the rest of his five-man...
Buc-ee's to open new location in San Marcos
On Aug. 12, Buc-ee's will open its newest travel center in San Marcos, marking the company’s 57th location.
Judge sets bond at $100,000 for ropa usada businessman linked to La Familia cartel
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge on Thursday set bond at $100,000 for a businessman who allegedly laundered money for La Nueva Familia Michoacana. Fernando Mireles, 32, of San Juan owned a business that allegedly laundered money for La Familia, a drug cartel based in Mich...
Proposed property tax hike among McAllen budget workshop highlights
M cAllen city leaders kicked off a series of budget workshops on Tuesday as they work toward crafting a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year, work which may include a property tax increase. As this was an introductory meeting, nothing discussed is set in stone until the b...
Mariachis, burgers, and queso fundido – a fine combination at Brownsville’s La Gardenia
B ROWNSVILLE — The mariachi singers in their black attire and bold white stitching make my arrival a joyous one and an uplifting one. The first thing I see and hear when I enter La Gardenia Restaurant and Bar is the mariachi group engaged in festive singing and playing a song cal...
Edinburg hopes to revitalize downtown with new food hall in development
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Edinburg is slated to be the next Valley city to tackle plans to revitalize its downtown area. Renovations are underway in a building on E. Cano St. to transform it into what will be called the Las Almas Food Hall. The Edinburg Economic Developme...
Behind the Flavor: Letty's Cafe
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — En el nuevo episodio de Behind the Flavor, el conductor gastronómico Ismael Martínez, pasa por Brownsville para visitar el restaurante mexicano Letty's Cafe. Letty Robles, dueña del restaurante mexicano Letty's Café, abrió sus puertas en 2019 y ...
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says Brownsville reflects Trump priorities
B ROWNSVILLE — U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivered brief remarks and took questions from media at the Port of Brownsville administration building on Tuesday. It was originally planned as a double billing, with Wright meant to accompany Vice President J.D. Vance to Browns...
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits Port of Brownsville
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited the Port of Brownsville to discuss American energy and economic growth. Vice President JD Vance was initially scheduled to visit the Port of Brownsville for the discussion. The Port of Brownsville an...
Another Dollar Tree is coming to Brownsville
A new Dollar Tree is coming to Brownsville. According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation registration filed Tuesday , the new store will be located at 1325 Ruben M. Torres. The $700,000 project’s scope of work includes a new 9,839-square-foot building shell to be c...
Garcia-Kalifa family to open $1.6M food hall in downtown Edinburg
A s Edinburg works toward developing a “downtown master plan” for the first time in a decade, a member of the city’s downtown steering committee is opening a dining destination vying to become a community gathering point in the heart of the district. On Monday, Edinburg’s Economi...
Musk likely to face tough questions during SpaceX's first earnings call as a public company
NEW YORK (AP) — Investors in Elon Musk's space company get a chance to question him Tuesday after SpaceX issues its first quarterly earnings since going public. SpaceX shares are down by half from their June peak as investors worry Musk may have oversold them on its future prospe...
‘Walk with me’: Terrence Howard explores research and development project with UTRGV
A cclaimed actor and engineering enthusiast Terrence Howard visited Edinburg last week to meet with UTRGV in regards to a potential research and development project. He is developing omnidirectional flight vehicles under his company “Lynchpin By Terrence Howard.” The company deve...
No surprise: More heat in store for Valley through September, NWS says
T he National Weather Service Brownsville/Rio Grande office has released its latest three-month outlook, which calls for — brace yourselves — hotter and drier conditions than normal for August through October, with some caveats. The greatest confidence for hotter-than-normal weat...
Pharr expressway reopens after law enforcement activity
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The eastbound expressway at Business 83 in Pharr has reopened after law enforcement activity prompted a closure, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. According to a spokesperson for the city of Pharr, a male attempted to jump nea...
Letters to the Editor | Week of Aug. 3-8, 2026
Trickle-down budget woes R oast beef or baloney — that’s the real question behind the “trickle down theory of economics” first sold in the 1980s and revived through the 2017 federal tax cuts signed by President Donald Trump. Both versions made the same promise: give large tax bre...
Commentary: Saronic brings opportunity
S aronic Technologies’ decision to build its Port Alpha shipyard at the Port of Brownsville is more than another economic development announcement. It is a signal that Brownsville is becoming a destination for sophisticated, technology-driven industries that once might have seeme...
Editorial: Texas policies create one of the world’s great economic powerhouses
T he state of Texas has one of the largest economies in the world. In fact, if it were a country it would rank as the eighth-richest in the world. Its gross domestic product, perhaps he most popular measure of economic activity, tops $2.9 trillion, placing it ahead of most countr...
Local nonprofit provides free baby supplies for Valley families
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With grocery prices on the rise, a local nonprofit organization is helping Rio Grande Valley families on a no-questions-asked basis. Hannah's Foundation, a nonprofit located at 203 E. Business Highway 83, Suite 110, in Weslaco, was founded by An...
Data center permit request withdrawn as Brownsville considers moratorium
Southwest Key’s Casa Padre immigrant holding facility is pictured Monday, June 18, 2018, in Brownsville. An unidentified company seeking a special use permit to build a data center and cold storage facility at the now-vacant building withdrew its request on Wednesday, July 29, 20...
Brownsville data center application withdrawn
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- What once was a Walmart and later a shelter for undocumented migrant children once again remains vacant. The unidentified company that filed a permit request to develop a data center near the Port of Brownsville has withdrawn its application. T...
Better Business Bureau warns of new phone scam
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Better Business Bureau is warning that scammers are impersonating well-known retailers, government agencies, or even law enforcement to obtain personal information. According to the BBB, the call starts off with the scammer claiming to be fr...
Sweet success: Pineapple Ninjaz returns to SPI as waterfront bar & grill
S OUTH PADRE ISLAND — After being the first food truck at the Island eight years ago, Pineapple Ninjaz — owned by Penitas’ Jerry Leal — celebrates its homecoming with a full restaurant and bar right on the bay. With about a month and a half of summer remaining, I finally made my ...
Female athletes surge in NIL deals as Learfield reports a 123% jump in participation
College sports marketing company Learfield saw a 123% increase in female athlete participation in name, image and likeness compensation activities over the 2025-26 fiscal year, the company revealed in a report released Tuesday. Solly Fulp, Learfield’s head of NIL, doesn’t think ...
FIFA plan for Kushner-backed $20 billion operation to run World Cup meets fury from Europe's UEFA
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to create a $20 billion company running the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family was announced Tuesday — and immediately attacked by European soccer body UEFA. “It is not FIFA’s to sell,” UEFA said in a...
Kaepernick, Springsteen receive new ACLU award for activism in arts, business, science and sports
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick received a new award from the American Civil Liberties Union recognizing contributions to American thought and culture. Kaepernick and rock star Bruce Springsteen were honored Friday night with the ACLU Ralph Ellison Award...
Formula 1 parent company reaches $3M settlement in Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 tickets lawsuit
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 parent company Liberty Media, which also promotes the Las Vegas Grand Prix, has agreed to a settlement of about $3 million to end a class-action lawsuit brought by spectators regarding the inaugural 2023 race. The opening-night practice session on Nov. ...
Brownsville evaluating permit for proposed data center
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — What was once a Walmart and later a shelter for undocumented migrant children could now possibly turn into a data center. An unidentified company has filed a permit request with the City of Brownsville to develop a data center at 7480 Padre Is...