You saw it here first! Plans have been submitted for the city's first HTeaO location. This project involves the new construction of a 1,923-square-foot tea bar at 301 America Dr, located near the 7Brew Coffee located on Paredes Line Road. This joins a growing list of new HTeaO spots planned for the RGV, including locations in Harlingen, Edinburg, and Port Isabel.
A timeline for construction has not yet been announced. We will provide updates as they become available.
Looks like we are just missing the west side of the RGV.
📍 301 America Dr, Brownsville, TX 78526
Daycare workers indicted in death of 4-year-old boy left in Brownsville hot van
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two women accused in the death of a 4-year-old boy found inside a hot daycare van have been indicted, Cameron County court records indicate. On Oct. 1, Karen Silva and Sendy Ruiz were formally charged with...
https://rgv.news/daycare-workers-indicted-in-death-of-4-year-old-boy-left-in-brownsville-hot-van-21391.html
Get ready Harlingen! 🥤
HTeaO is officially bringing its first location to the city, with plans to build a new 1,865-square-foot store at 1219 W. Tyler Ave. This adds to the brand's rapid expansion in the Rio Grande Valley, with other locations coming soon to Edinburg and Port Isabel.
Construction is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, with completion expected by October 1, 2026.
Where else in the RGV do you think HTeaO should open? Let us know!
📍 1219 W. Tyler Ave., Harlingen, TX 78550
Election officials ask Texas to halt rollout of updated voter registration system
With early voting just days away, counties say they’re running out of time to get their complaints addressed. The post Election officials ask Texas to halt rollout of updated voter registration system appeared first on The Texas Tribune.
https://rgv.news/election-officials-ask-texas-to-halt-rollout-of-updated-voter-registration-system-21383.html
After more than two weeks in jail, McAllen city commissioner posts bond
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — McAllen City Commissioner Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo posted bond Tuesday after more than two weeks in jail. Castillo signed the bond paperwork Tuesday morning and was released less than 30 minutes later. “He looked tired. Exhausted....
https://rgv.news/after-more-than-two-weeks-in-jail-mcallen-city-commissioner-posts-bond-21373.html
A new South Texas data center will rely on untapped renewable energy
WILLACY COUNTY — Scattered across the acres of open fields, dozens of wind turbines stood tall one morning last month, some moved their blades with the wind as designed. Others didn’t move at all. The inactivity at the Las...
https://rgv.news/a-new-south-texas-data-center-will-rely-on-untapped-renewable-energy-21371.html
Brownsville's new Dave's Hot Chicken: Opening in 2026
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Chicken and spice and everything nice! Brownsville is getting its first Dave's Hot Chicken location. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the new franchise's location will be at 1165 FM 802 Rd. Brownsville...
https://rgv.news/brownsville-s-new-dave-s-hot-chicken-opening-in-2026-21370.html
Border Report Live: New buoys warn of National Defense Area in Rio Grande
The warning buoys were recently put in the water, months after the Department of Defense announced that 250 miles along the Rio Grande in the South Texas border counties of Hidalgo and Cameron were now National Defense Areas.
https://rgv.news/border-report-live-new-buoys-warn-of-national-defense-area-in-rio-grande-21364.html
Updates to Texas Cottage Food Law benefits home-vendors
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The state is giving more freedom to home-based food vendors, thanks to recent updates to the Texas Cottage Food Law. The law allows home bakers to prepare and sell low-risk food items straight from their...
https://rgv.news/updates-to-texas-cottage-food-law-benefits-home-vendors-21359.html
We have more exciting news for Mission! ☕ We've been tracking the new Chipotle coming to North Sharyland Crossing, and now we can confirm a neighbor: 7Brew Coffee!
While no official construction permits have been filed for 7Brew yet, Kimco, has officially added the coffee shop to the site plans right next to the upcoming Chipotle. This will be the first 7Brew location in Mission!
We will keep an eye out for official timelines and let you know as soon as they are announced.
Olive Garden to open first Edinburg location
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Food lovers are in for a treat as Olive Garden is preparing to open its first Edinburg location. The Italian-American food chain, widely known for its pasta dishes, unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, is scheduled...
https://rgv.news/olive-garden-to-open-first-edinburg-location-21356.html
Man who planned to shoot up Atlanta's airport is arrested in a terminal following a tip, police say
ATLANTA (AP) — Police arrested a man at Atlanta's bustling airport on Monday after getting a tip from his family that he was planning to shoot up the place, and found an assault rifle and ammunition in his truck...
https://rgv.news/man-who-planned-to-shoot-up-atlanta-s-airport-is-arrested-in-a-terminal-following-a-tip-police-say-21355.html
The McAllen Fall Carnival is back!
🌟 October 23 - November 9, 2025
📍 Expwy 83 & Ware Rd, McAllen, TX
🕠 Open 5:30 PM Daily (Closed Tuesday’s!)
💲 $35 Unlimited Ride Wristbands
🍦 FOOD 🤤 🎡 OVER 25 RIDES! 🎢
The best McAllen Fall Carnival is HERE!
🌟 Enjoy over 25 thrilling rides, including:
🔥 Pharaoh’s Fury – Swing high above the midway!
🎡 Downdraft – A wild ride like no other!
🔥 Ring of Fire – A heart-pounding 360-degree loop!
🎡 Rockstar – The best view in town!
🔥Arctic Express – Family fun at its finest!
ICE Still Won’t Answer Questions About Prosecutor with White Supremacist X Account
Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey made an unannounced visit to a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility on Monday in an effort to demand accountability from the agency, which has failed to respond to multiple inquiries from the...
https://rgv.news/ice-still-won-t-answer-questions-about-prosecutor-with-white-supremacist-x-account-21349.html
Case reset for former Brownsville Rivera teacher accused of student relationship
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A former Brownsville Independent School District teacher accused of having an improper relationship with a student appeared in court last week. On Oct. 16, Julio Ricardo Trujillo, who is charged with three counts of improper...
https://rgv.news/case-reset-for-former-brownsville-rivera-teacher-accused-of-student-relationship-21347.html
Here's an update on the new Taco Bell coming to 408 W Griffin Pkwy! 🌮 Construction on the $1.1 million, 2,494 square foot restaurant is wrapping up. The project ran slightly behind its original October 1st target, but it looks like it's almost done. We will announce an official opening date as soon as it's confirmed.
We'll also be keeping a close eye on the upcoming Chipotle and Teriyaki Madness projects planned for Mission, so stay tuned!
📍 408 W Griffin Pkwy, Mission, TX 78572
Trump’s ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
When immigration agents detained Douglas Menjivar in June, it wasn’t his first time. Menjivar, a 50-year-old master mechanic originally from El Salvador, had lived in the United States for most of the last twenty years. A decade prior, he’d...
https://rgv.news/trump-s-ice-arrested-a-whistleblower-who-exposed-sexual-assault-in-detention-now-he-s-left-the-country--21340.html
SNAP benefits will soon be tied to error rates. These states are in the biggest trouble
Starting with the 2028 fiscal year, states with an error rate of higher than 6% will start losing federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. If the reform were to take effect immediately, only eight states...
https://rgv.news/snap-benefits-will-soon-be-tied-to-error-rates-these-states-are-in-the-biggest-trouble-21336.html
FINAL SCORE: Lamar: 23 UTRGV: 21
Jensen Huang the CEO of Nvidia personally hand delivered a supercomputer to south Texas. This visit solidifies South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley as a true, critical hub for the future not just for launch, but for the cutting-edge R&D that will get humanity to Mars. The world’s biggest rocket and the world’s newest tech right here in the RGV.
Get ready for unlimited breadsticks! Olive Garden is officially bringing its first location to the city, with plans for a new $3 million, 7,825-square-foot restaurant at 605 E. Trenton Road.
Construction is scheduled to begin on February 16, 2026, with an anticipated completion date of October 12, 2026.
📍 605 E Trenton Rd, Edinburg, TX 78539
McAllen residents, you may have noticed higher water bills recently.
On October 13, 2025, the City Commission and Public Utility Board (PUB) approved over $33 million in initial bond funding to finally establish a drought proof water supply for the city’s future.
This funding officially launches the massive $180,000,000 Brackish Groundwater Treatment Plant project. This facility is key to reducing reliance on the Rio Grande and build an independent water source for McAllen.
The planned location for the Brackish Groundwater Treatment Plant is the site of the existing Northwest Water Treatment Plant on North Bentsen Road.
Stripes is planning to build a new $1.2 million, 4,746 square foot convenience store at the corner of Chapin and McColl.
Construction is scheduled to begin on February 15, 2026, with an expected completion date of October 13, 2026.
📍 Chapin & McColl, Edinburg, TX 78539
Latest at Starbase with LabPadre: Oct. 16
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) —This week at Starbase, SpaceX notched another major step towards making its Starship system fully reusable. The latest test flight, Flight 11, launched Monday afternoon from right here in our backyard. The massive reused Super Heavy...
https://rgv.news/latest-at-starbase-with-labpadre-oct-16-21311.html
Screwworms near Texas border; high-tech solutions emerge
New World Screwworms, an invasive species that can cause deadly damage to livestock and people, have been spotted 70 miles from the U.S./Mexico border, prompting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to push for...
https://rgv.news/screwworms-near-texas-border-high-tech-solutions-emerge-21306.html
Sheriff's Office: Day care employee followed safety protocols in Donna murder-suicide
A female employee at the Donna day care where a deadly shooting took place on Wednesday followed safety protocols and may have prevented further harm, the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. Investigators determined the employee swiftly secured all...
https://rgv.news/sheriff-s-office-day-care-employee-followed-safety-protocols-in-donna-murder-suicide-21303.html
Man found not guilty in "El Gallito" murder case sues over trial
A man who was found not guilty in his uncle’s murder last year is now suing the agencies involved in his arrest and trial, according to documents obtained by ValleyCentral. Salomon Campos Jr. was found not guilty in the...
https://rgv.news/man-found-not-guilty-in-el-gallito-murder-case-sues-over-trial-21301.html
Heads up, North McAllen! A new taco spot is moving in. 🌮 Taco N Todo is officially coming soon to the former Thirsty Monkey location on North 10th street.
An official opening date has not yet been announced, but it is expected to open before year end.
📍 3424 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78501
Demonstrators across the Rio Grande Valley and the nation are continuing to voice fierce opposition to President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration enforcement and other policies they view as authoritarian.
Events will be held on October 18th in
Brownsville, Weslaco, Harlingen and McAllen.
