IT’S OFFICIAL: The 2026 UTRGV Football Schedule is Here! 🏈

Mark your calendars, RGV! The 2026 schedule just dropped, and it is packed. 🗓️🔥

🚨 THE BIGGEST NEWS: We are taking the 956 to the 210! 🚗💨 Sept 5 vs. UTSA at the Alamodome. Start planning the caravans now!

Harlingen, Texas

After years of planning, Harlingen is officially building its gateway to the Arroyo! 🛶🌊

The City has filed permits to construct the long-awaited McCullough Park Kayak Launch at the intersection of Ed Carey Drive & S. 25th Street.

Construction is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2026, with a target completion date of December 31, 2026.

📍 Intersection of S 25th St & Ed Carey Dr, Harlingen, TX 78550

Donna, Texas

DONNA WALMART GETTING A FACELIFT: The Supercenter on Salinas Blvd is about to get a major upgrade! 🛒🏗️ Walmart has filed permits to begin a $2,000,000 renovation of its Donna location.

The project involves a comprehensive refresh of the store at 900 N Salinas Blvd.

Construction is scheduled to begin on April 24, 2026, with a target completion date of July 30, 2026.

📍 900 N Salinas Blvd, Donna, TX 78537

Mission, Texas
Get ready, Mission! Teriyaki Madness is officially opening its doors THIS FRIDAY!🥣🔥

If you’ve been waiting for this one, here is everything you need to know to snag the deals:

📅 WHEN: This Friday, January 9th
⏰ TIME: Doors open at 10:00 AM
📍 WHERE: 118 E. Griffin Pkwy, Mission (Corner of N. Conway & Griffin, right next to H-E-B)

The Top 20 Alcohol Sellers in the RGV for 2025

The numbers are in from the State Comptroller.
We dug into the official 2025 data from the State Comptroller, and we have the results for you.

Twin Peaks McAllen takes the crown as the undisputed King of the 956, selling over $3.4 Million in alcohol alone.

THE TOP 20 LIST:

Twin Peaks (McAllen) — $3.41M

Clayton’s Beach Bar (SPI) — $2.84M

Longboard Bar & Grill (SPI) — $2.59M

Oak Texas Bar & Grill North (McAllen) — $2.58M

Yard House (McAllen) — $2.34M

Hidalgo Arena (Hidalgo) — $2.29M

Howling Rabbits Beer Works (McAllen) — $2.20M

Buffalo Wings & Rings (McAllen) — $2.20M

Tequila Sunset (SPI) — $2.14M

Suerte Bar & Grill Uptown (McAllen) — $2.13M

Oak Texas Bar & Grill South (McAllen) — $2.11M

Margaritaville Beach Resort (SPI) — $1.95M

Quarterdeck (SPI) — $1.90M

Louie's Backyard (SPI) — $1.80M

'76 Bar and Kitchen (McAllen) — $1.75M

Lucky Barrel (Brownsville) — $1.71M

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina (McAllen) — $1.70M

Tipsy Tavern (Harlingen) — $1.68M

Bar Louie (SPI) — $1.66M

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina (Brownsville) — $1.62M

Enjoy being "Puro 956" while you can... a new area code is coming. 📱

It’s officially 2026, and this might be the last full year that the Rio Grande Valley/Laredo is exclusively "The 956."

According to the latest federal reports (NANPA), the 956 area code is projected to officially exhaust (run out of new numbers) by early 2027.

What this means for us this year: State regulators are expected to announce the new "Overlay" area code sometime in 2026 to prepare for the switch.

If you have a 956 number: You keep it.

After the numbers exhaust you will likely get the new area code (whatever they decide to call it).

If you got a "956" tattoo not sure what to tell you.

There are already threads online predicting the new code could be 449 (unconfirmed!), but we won't know for sure until the state makes the official announcement.

CBP Officers in Laredo intercepted over 67 pounds of undeclared chorizo this week.

CBP Officers & Agriculture specialists with
the Laredo Field office intercepted 67.5 Ibs of chorizo concealed by a U.S. citizen known for agricultural violations. According to CBP, pork from Mexico poses significant risk for introducing foreign animal diseases & severely impacting U.S. agriculture.

McAllen, Texas – We have confirmed the very first construction permit for McAllen’s massive "Boeye Reservoir" redevelopment! 🏗️🌊

While the fancy water amphitheater and hotels are coming later, the project is officially kicking off with a Commercial Center on S. 23rd Street.

This building will serve as the retail "Gateway" to the new district, likely housing the shops and restaurants that will anchor the entrance. While details are still scarce (no official timeline just yet), we are monitoring this closely and will update you as soon as we see more movement.

This is just the beginning of the 70-acre transformation of 23rd & Expressway 83.

📍 1901 S. 23rd St, McAllen, Texas

Mission, Texas

COFFEE WARS: The "Sharyland Showdown" is officially on! ☕🥊 7 Brew Coffee has filed permits to open its first location in Mission, landing right on the busy Shary Road corridor.
This new location will be near the Panda Express.

The $1.25 million project involves the construction of a 541-square-foot drive-thru coffee stand at N. Shary Road.

Construction is scheduled to begin on March 23, 2026, with a target completion date of July 30, 2026.

📍 N. Shary Rd, Mission, TX 78572 (Sharyland Corridor)

McAllen, Texas

FIRST IN THE VALLEY: The wait is finally over. Nordstrom Rack is coming to the RGV! 🛍️👠 Nordstrom Rack has filed permits to open its first-ever store in McAllen, anchoring the Las Tiendas Shopping Center.

The $3,600,000 project involves the major renovation of a 30,561-square-foot retail box at 700 E Expressway 83.

Construction is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2026, with a target completion date of December 7, 2026, aiming for a Holiday 2026 grand opening.

📍 700 E Expressway 83, McAllen, TX 78503

The RGV FTP Alliance (FTPA) is hosting a massive Candidate Forum in McAllen! This is your chance to hear directly from local leaders and candidates about border policy, health access, and the economic future of our region.

The evening kicks off with LIVE MUSIC followed by a no-script, no-filter dialogue with local candidates.

🗓️ Sunday, January 18, 2026 🕓 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM 📍 Cine El Rey, McAllen, TX (311 S 17th St)

Featured Musical Performances:

Amani

Niccale

Orpheus Bloom

Hypnoticss

🎟️ Admission is FREE, but registration is required! Scan the QR code on the flyer or use the link below to secure your spot.

✨ RGV CONCERT ALERT! ✨

Relive the 90s with the Latin Pop Queen! Fey is bringing her Hits Tour: 30 Aniversario to McAllen to celebrate three decades of hits like “Azúcar amargo” and “Media Naranja.”

Here are the details for this nostalgic night:
🗓️ Thursday, March 19, 2026
🕗 8:00 PM
📍 McAllen Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Tickets are available now!

Don't miss the chance to see this undisputed classic live!
🎟️ https://www.ticketmaster.c...

🚨 MCLOVIN IS COMING TO THE RGV! 🆔😎

It’s official! South Texas Comic Con just dropped a massive guest announcement. Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin from Superbad, Red Mist from Kick-Ass, and Fishlegs from How to Train Your Dragon) will be in McAllen!

🗓️ When: April 24-26, 2026
📍McAllen Convention Center
📸 Appearing: All 3 Days!

McAllen, Texas - Major Updates Coming to Nolana Avenue! 🚗

Traffic on Nolana Avenue is expected to jump to 30,000 vehicles a day soon, prompting the City of McAllen and TxDOT to propose major improvements between Ware Road and 23rd Street. The project aims to reduce congestion and improve safety by widening the road from four to six lanes, installing a raised center median, and adding a sidewalk and shared-use path for pedestrians.

The estimated cost for this project is approximately $10 million, with the city currently working to secure full funding. If approved, construction is tentatively set to begin in August 2027 and will take about 18 months to complete. Public comments are officially open until January 2, 2026, for those wanting to voice their opinions.