Artificial reef to be built using materials from demolished 1954 causeway
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The original 1954 Queen Isabella Causeway is under demolition as part of a newly initiated project by the General Land Office of Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Material from the...
https://rgv.news/artificial-reef-to-be-built-using-materials-from-demolished-1954-causeway-21261.html
SpaceX wraps up year with successful 11th flight test
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX launched its 11th Starship rocket on Monday evening from Starbase. The launch window was scheduled to open at 6:15 p.m.; however, at 6:23 p.m., Starship lifted off from Starbase on its 11th and possible...
https://rgv.news/spacex-wraps-up-year-with-successful-11th-flight-test-21260.html
R&B legend D'Angelo dies at 51: reports
While the private star only released three albums in his lifetime, he's widely considered among the best R&B artists of all time.
https://rgv.news/r-b-legend-d-angelo-dies-at-51-reports-21257.html
McAllen unveils plans for Boeye Development project
MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of McAllen is set to unveil a major announcement on Tuesday regarding the Boeye Development, a transformative project focused on smart, sustainable development and economic momentum. The announcement will take place at the...
https://rgv.news/mcallen-unveils-plans-for-boeye-development-project-21255.html
Instagram says it's safeguarding teens by limiting them to PG-13 content
Teenagers on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won't be able to change their settings without a parent's permission, Meta announced on Tuesday. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos...
https://rgv.news/instagram-says-it-s-safeguarding-teens-by-limiting-them-to-pg-13-content-21253.html
Dallas boosted police numbers before Trump’s crime rhetoric. Now the city is feeling the effects.
The nonprofit Dallas HERO argued the city was descending into anarchy despite falling violent crime rates. Locals fear the push could be used as a playbook.
https://rgv.news/dallas-boosted-police-numbers-before-trump-s-crime-rhetoric-now-the-city-is-feeling-the-effects--21251.html
Stuck in jail, city commissioner can’t attend McAllen meetings
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen City Commission had big decisions to make on Monday afternoon. Whether to borrow $30 million for a water treatment plant. Where to build electrical substations. How to classify more than 100 pieces of...
https://rgv.news/stuck-in-jail-city-commissioner-can-t-attend-mcallen-meetings-21245.html
Traffic backed up on causeway following Starship launch
PORT ISABEL, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameras from the Texas Department of Transportation show traffic is backed up on the Queen Isabella Causeway on Monday evening. The traffic comes as SpaceX launched its Starship, Flight 11, at approximately 6:24 p.m....
https://rgv.news/traffic-backed-up-on-causeway-following-starship-launch-21244.html
Ulta is opening its doors to the public officially Friday, October 31st at 10am. They will have their grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 7th at 10am.
📍 1600 Murphy Ave, Donna, TX 78537
SpaceX's 11th Starship test focuses on engine shutdown dynamics
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — SpaceX is preparing for its anticipated 11th Starship test flight, with its primary goal to test the vehicle's dynamics as the engines shut down while it transitions through its different phases. The launch window is...
https://rgv.news/spacex-s-11th-starship-test-focuses-on-engine-shutdown-dynamics-21228.html
SNAP changes: Here's who could lose benefits in November
States are warning SNAP recipients their eligibility for food assistance could change as a November deadline to comply with the One Big Beautiful Bill approaches.
https://rgv.news/snap-changes-here-s-who-could-lose-benefits-in-november-21226.html
Edinburg EDC breaks ground on new entertainment district
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and Los Lagos Development broke ground Friday on Plaza Guerlain, a mixed-use development project. Plaza Guerlain will feature retail, dining, multifamily housing, and electric vehicle infrastructure, representing a $22.6...
https://rgv.news/edinburg-edc-breaks-ground-on-new-entertainment-district-21224.html
Starship Flight 11 is scheduled for launch on Monday, October 13! 🚀
The launch window from Starbase, Texas, opens at 6:15 PM CT (Central Time).
Reports show rise in cartel recruitment via social media
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Recent studies show an increase in recruitment tactics by cartels on various social media platforms. These studies report that various cartel leaders are actively recruiting kids to steal vehicles across the border for money in...
https://rgv.news/reports-show-rise-in-cartel-recruitment-via-social-media-21221.html
It's Bo Time in the RGV! 🍗
Bojangles is officially making its Rio Grande Valley debut, with its first location planned for The Parke At Nolana shopping center in McAllen.
Official construction permits have not yet been filed. As always we'll provide updates as soon as a timeline is announced.
📍 NEC of Nolana Ave & N. 34th St, McAllen, TX 78504
Hollywood icon Danny Trejo will be joining this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade! 🤩🎅
Get ready for a spectacular night filled with lights, music, and holiday cheer on Saturday, December 6! 🌟
🎟️ Grab your tickets now at 👉 www.mcallenholidayparade.c...
South Texas students have a new chance to taste the race for space
In the shadow of SpaceX, Rio Grande Valley students will have a chance to build their own rockets and launch them 11,000 feet in the air, under a program that hopes to spark interest in aerospace jobs
https://rgv.news/south-texas-students-have-a-new-chance-to-taste-the-race-for-space-21178.html
UTRGV unveils new state-of-the-art cancer and surgery facility
McAllen, Texas (ValleyCentral) - Dozens of people gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's most recent medical milestone. UT Health Rio Grande Valley Cancer and Surgery Center is a new, $145 million state-of-the-art facility....
https://rgv.news/utrgv-unveils-new-state-of-the-art-cancer-and-surgery-facility-21176.html
The spicy chicken craze is officially coming to Brownsville! 🔥 Dave's Hot Chicken is opening its first location in Brownsville at 1165 FM 802. The 2,866-square-foot project involves a complete tenant finish out for the new restaurant.
The renovation is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025, with a target completion of May 1, 2026.
📍 1165 FM 802, Brownsville, TX 78521
CCSO: Son,58, admits to physically abusing 89-year-old mother
LOS FRESNOS, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A son is facing felony charges after he allegedly confessed to physically abusing his 89-year-old mother, the Cameron County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. Hugo Garza Leal, 58, was arrested Tuesday on charges of injury...
https://rgv.news/ccso-son-58-admits-to-physically-abusing-89-year-old-mother-21173.html
AutoZone is planning to build a new 7,382-square-foot retail store at 8040 N. Val Verde Road.
Construction is scheduled to begin on March 7, 2026, with a planned completion date of August 6, 2026.
📍 8040 N. Val Verde Road, Donna, TX 78537
Trials of two Uvalde school officers see delays amid federal lawsuit, venue change
Pete Arredondo, the district’s former police chief, and ex-officer Adrian Gonzales face charges over the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 school shooting.
https://rgv.news/trials-of-two-uvalde-school-officers-see-delays-amid-federal-lawsuit-venue-change-21151.html
A new Whataburger is coming to town!
A $1.2 million, 2,816 square foot restaurant is planned for the northwest corner of Expressway 83 and Dilworth Road. The project includes the new restaurant with a drive thru and all related site work.
Construction is expected to begin on January 19, 2026, and is scheduled for completion by June 15, 2026.
📍 W. Expressway 83 & Dilworth Rd., Harlingen, TX 78552
“Why Sergio?”: Deportation ends 36-year dream for celebrated Waco chef
Sergio Garcia built a wide following for his regional Mexican cuisine over the decades, becoming a favorite of the White House press corps visiting Waco during the Bush presidency. Then in March, ICE came looking for him.
https://rgv.news/-why-sergio-deportation-ends-36-year-dream-for-celebrated-waco-chef-21137.html
Businessman with links to Rio Grande Valley politicians pleads not guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A businessman with links to Rio Grande Valley politicians pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges on Monday. Armando Adan Aguilar Jr., 45, of Mission smuggled “thousands of kilograms of cocaine” through...
https://rgv.news/businessman-with-links-to-rio-grande-valley-politicians-pleads-not-guilty-to-drug-trafficking-money-laundering-21133.html
‘I Got a Lot of People Believing in Me’: Robert Roberson Stares Down Death, Again
What are set to be the final days of Robert Roberson’s life will be busy. He has lots of people to see before his October 16 execution date. He’ll meet with his pro bono lawyer Gretchen Sween and others...
https://rgv.news/-i-got-a-lot-of-people-believing-in-me-robert-roberson-stares-down-death-again-21123.html
Supreme Court won’t hear Ghislaine Maxwell sex-trafficking conviction appeal
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider throwing out the 2021 sex-trafficking conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after she was found guilty of conspiring...
https://rgv.news/supreme-court-won-t-hear-ghislaine-maxwell-sex-trafficking-conviction-appeal-21119.html
Burden of Proof
Editor’s Note: This is part 2 of a series on Medicaid Estate Recovery Program collections in Texas. For part 1, see our July/August 2024 issue. In April 2024, Anne-Marie Boyd got a call from her brother, who sounded frantic...
https://rgv.news/burden-of-proof-21118.html
Introducing the Austin Current: A new voice for Central Texas
Our new community newsroom will be focused on providing Austin-area residents with the knowledge and context they need to navigate a region transformed by explosive growth.
https://rgv.news/introducing-the-austin-current-a-new-voice-for-central-texas-21116.html
