Pharr, Texas

IKEA’s grand opening is tomorrow (October 1st)!
The store will open at 10am!

Palmview, Texas

Buffalo Wild Wings GO is opening its first Palmview location in the Palmview Plaza. The new 2,000-square-foot restaurant, focused on takeout and delivery, involves a complete interior upfit of an existing tenant space.

Work is scheduled to begin on November 10, 2025, with an expected completion date of February 9, 2026.

📍 1350 W Palma Vista Dr, Palmview, TX 78572

Pharr, Texas
Lucha Libre is coming to the Avocado Festival! 💥🥑

Experience the thrill of high-flying action, dramatic entrances, and jaw-dropping moves as some of the biggest names in lucha libre take the ring! ⚡🎭

🔥 Featuring stars like Laredo Kid, El Simbolo, Imagen 2, Hijo de Arkangel, La Barby, and more, this is a show you won’t want to miss!

📅 Friday, October 11th
🕑 FREE ENTRY: 2 PM – 5 PM (perfect for early family fun!)
💵 $5 ENTRY: After 5 PM
🕕 Main Event: Lucha Libre at 6:00 PM
📍 Downtown Pharr

Mercedes, Texas

Marshalls is coming soon to Mercedes. The new 26,001 square-foot store will be located at The Shops at Mercedes retail center.

Construction is scheduled to begin on October 15, 2025, with an expected completion date of February 15, 2027.

📍 6001 E. Expressway 83, Suite G, Mercedes, TX 78570

Harlingen, Texas

Burlington is remodeling its store at 2721 West Expressway 83 in Harlingen. The 43,623 square-foot project involves a complete interior renovation of the existing retail space.

The renovation is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025, with an expected completion date of August 1, 2027.

The official filing indicates an extended 20 month timeline for the renovation, suggesting the work may be completed in phases to allow the store to remain open.

📍 2721 West Expressway 83, Harlingen, TX 78552

Weslaco, Texas
Texas is investing $26 million into expanding the Weslaco Mid-Valley Airport.
Governor Greg Abbott says this project will bring more jobs, more commerce, and more opportunity to one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas.

McAllen, Texas

The Target store at 3600 Nolana Avenue in McAllen is scheduled for $4 million dollar interior and exterior remodel.

The remodel is scheduled to begin on March 2, 2026, with an expected completion date of August 14, 2026.

📍 3600 Nolana Avenue, Mcallen, TX 78504

Brownsville, Texas

A new 7 story Embassy Suites hotel is being built at 3301 Pablo Kisel Blvd in Brownsville.

Construction is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2026, with an expected completion date of November 6, 2026.

📍 3301 Pablo Kisel Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78526

Edinburg, Texas

HTeaO is building a new 2,156-square-foot location at 4017 S. McColl Road in Edinburg. This will be the second HTeaO tea bar announced for the RGV!

Looks like this will be next to the Walmart on Trenton and Mccoll road.
Construction is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025, with an expected completion date of May 29, 2026.

📍 4017 S. McColl Road, Edinburg, TX 78539

Pharr, Texas

The RGV’s first IKEA store will opening its doors on October 1st!
We will keep you updated with any changes!

📍 500 N Jackson, Pharr, Texas

📸 Rick Grimaldo (thank you for the pic)

Texas Attorney General Announces Arrest in Starr County for Illegal Ballot Harvesting

Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced the arrest of Modesta Vela in Starr County for allegedly operating an illegal ballot harvesting scheme during the 2022 general election.

According to a press release, a years-long investigation found evidence of a ballot harvesting operation that specifically targeted Texans over the age of 65. Following the investigation, a grand jury issued an indictment against Vela for intentionally and knowingly influencing a Texan’s vote in the presence of the ballot during the voting process. The offense is a state jail felony.

Vela was arrested in Starr County on September 4, following the indictment.

Tejano music legend Bobby Pulido has officially announced he is running for Congress.

He will be running as a Democrat in Texas' 15th Congressional District. In his announcement, he stated his goal is to bring the same pride and "corazón" to Washington that he has always brought to his music.

Pulido is focusing his campaign on key issues for the community, including tackling rising costs, fighting corporate greed, and working toward comprehensive immigration reform to support the local economy.

McAllen, Texas ⚕️🩺

The South Texas College Nursing & Allied Health Center campus is scheduled for a $6 million dollar renovation and expansion. The project will update a total of 29,663 square feet within a neighboring building.

The renovation is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025, with an expected completion date of October 1, 2026.

📍 2101 Vermont Ave., Mcallen, TX 78503

Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Education Agency is investigating over 100 teachers for allegedly calling for or inciting violence following the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Abbott stated that those educators will have their teaching certifications suspended and will be ineligible to teach in Texas public schools.

Edinburg, TX
Charlie Kirk mural in Edinburg Texas.

📸 James Hahn

McAllen, Texas
Lights Out in McAllen’s Entertainment District
The City of McAllen cut power to more than a dozen establishments in the Entertainment and Cultural Overlay District for operating without the required certificate of occupancy.
City officials say the move is about safety ensuring exits, wiring, and fire systems meet code. Power will be restored once businesses comply.
Mayor Villalobos emphasized: “We will continue to support responsible operators and keep our vibrant nightlife safe for everyone.”

Brownsville, Texas

Sprouts Farmers Market has a new location coming to 3457 Old Highway 77.
The 31,543-square-foot project includes the new grocery store along with attached space for four additional retail tenants.

Construction is scheduled to begin on May 4, 2026, with an expected completion date of August 9, 2027.

📍 3457 Old Highway 77, Brownsville, TX 78520

Edinburg, Texas

Space Monkey Barrcade, is coming soon to Edinburg, located at 1204 E. Canton Rd. across from the AMC theater.

It will be a free play arcade where guests pay one price to play all day and will feature a full bar and kitchen. The venue will be open to all ages, but will be strictly 18 and over after 9 p.m..

📍 1204 E. Canton Rd., Edinburg, TX

Pharr, Texas
The IKEA store at the Pharr Town Center!
This new location will be one of IKEA's new "small-format" stores, designed to bring the IKEA experience closer to customers in the Rio Grande Valley.

According to IKEA's official announcement, the new Pharr store is slated to open in the Fall of 2025.

📍 500 N Jackson Rd, Pharr, TX 78577

📸 Rick Grimaldo

Starbase, Texas

A new restaurant and bar named Chompy's is being built at 50520 Rio Grande Dr. to serve the growing Starbase community. The project involves the new, ground up construction of a 2,929 square foot building, including a full interior fit out. The estimated cost for the new build is $2,000,000.

Construction is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2025, and is expected to be completed by August 4, 2026.

📍 50520 Rio Grande Dr., Starbase, TX 78521

McAllen, Texas

Get ready for an authentic international experience! Sala De Despecho, an established restaurant and bar concept with locations across Latin America, Spain, and major U.S. cities like Miami, New York, and Las Vegas, is making its Texas debut in McAllen.

Known for its vibrant atmosphere and focus on "música de despecho" (heartbreak music), Sala De Despecho is set to bring a unique cultural and entertainment experience to the Rio Grande Valley.

📍 4037 Expressway 83, Suites 185-190, McAllen, TX 78501

McAllen, Texas

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen located at The District will be opening in October. The grand opening is planned for October 27, 2025.

📍 7701 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78504

Donna, Texas

A new food truck park, the Backyard Eatery, is celebrating its grand opening in Donna this Saturday, September 6th.

Located at 2112 Redskin Ave, the new park will feature a wide variety of food options, including tacos, burgers, Korean corn dogs, coffee, elotes asados, and a snack shop. A full bar will also be on site, serving mixed drinks and other alcoholic beverages. For the opening weekend, the park will also host local vendors.

📍 2112 Redskin Ave, Donna, TX

Former Rep. Mayra Flores has officially launched her bid to return to Congress, announcing she will run in Texas’ 34th Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in 2026.

Flores, who briefly held the seat after a 2022 special election, said the district is now one of the GOP’s top pickup opportunities following recent redistricting approved by the Texas Legislature. She credited the leadership of President Trump, Governor Greg Abbott, and Texas Republicans for positioning the party to compete in South Texas, adding:
“Now is the time to run with endurance, to fight the good fight, and to complete the work that God has placed before me. By His grace, we will finish it.”

Mayra Flores won’t be the only Republican in the race. Eric D. Flores, an Army veteran and lawyer, has also entered the GOP primary.

The contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in Texas, as Republicans continue their push to flip South Texas districts and Democrats fight to hold their ground.

Palmview, Texas
The Palmview Police Department is currently investigating a case of illegal dumping involving a deceased dog. This incident took place on July 7, 2025, on Two Mile Line, specifically between Bentsen Palm Drive and Minnesota Road.

The entire incident was captured on newly installed cameras, which the City of Palmview recently purchased to combat the issue of illegal dumping.

Palmview PD is eager to speak with the two males observed in the photo regarding this incident. Their insights could prove invaluable to the investigation.

Anyone who has information related to this incident is encouraged to reach out to Palmview Crime Stoppers. You can contact them at (956) 584-TIPS (8477). Your assistance could play a pivotal role in resolving this case.

All calls made to the tips line are anonymous and if the information you provide leads to an arrest and conviction, you could earn a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Rio Grande Valley, Texas
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has signed a waiver to ensure the expeditious construction of approximately five miles of new 30 foot tall border wall in Starr and Hidalgo Counties in the U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector in Texas.

The Secretary’s waiver authority allows DHS to waive any legal requirement, including environmental laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, to ensure the expeditious construction of physical barriers and roads.

McAllen, Texas

Bricks & Minifigs, a retail store specializing in new and used LEGO® products, is opening its first Rio Grande Valley location. The 3,000 square foot space will undergo a full interior renovation that includes building a new mezzanine, with an estimated cost of $180,000.

Construction is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2025, and is expected to be completed by November 30, 2025.

📍 4100 N Colonel Rowe (2nd St.), Suite 200, Mcallen, TX 78504

McAllen, Texas
Jorge Lozano H. is bringing his "Libera La Fiera" tour to the McAllen Performing Arts Center on October 24th!
🎤 Prepare for a night of laughter, motivation, and inspiration. You don't want to miss this! Tickets are on sale now!

🎟️ https://www.ticketmaster.c...

Starbase, Texas
SpaceX Scrubs Starship's 10th Test Flight Due to Weather

SpaceX has called off the planned test flight of its massive Starship rocket, designated Flight 10, from its Starbase facility in Texas this evening. The decision to scrub the launch was attributed to unfavorable weather conditions.

This marks the second consecutive day a launch attempt for this mission has been aborted.

Donna, Texas

Get ready for Cheddar's! The popular restaurant is opening its first Donna location on September 8th, 2025.

📍 1510 E Interstate Hwy 2, Donna, TX 78537