The Hidalgo County Appraisal District (HCAD) is officially moving operations to a new facility in Edinburg. The district has registered a major construction project to renovate the 62,000-square-foot space at the Edinburg Town Center on Closner Blvd, which locals will recognize as the former Teleperformance location next to the Echo Hotel. The renovation is scheduled to begin this February and aims to be completed by September 2026, marking a significant shift from their current offices on Professional Drive.
📍 1701 S. Closner Blvd, Edinburg, Texas
The Texas A&M College of Nursing officially launches its inaugural cohort in the Rio Grande Valley today, January 12, with 25 students beginning classes at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen (HECM). This long-awaited expansion offers the same rigorous Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) curriculum and "Aggie Ring" available at the main campus, allowing local students to serve their community while staying close to home. The program is anchored by a major infrastructure investment, including the new $49.9 million Nursing Education and Research Building, which features a 10,000-square-foot clinical simulation center to help address the region's critical health care needs.
📸 Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen
The Mission City Council is considering a new ordinance that would significantly restrict where new car washes can be built in the city. If approved, the new rule would prevent any new car wash establishment from opening within a one-mile radius of an existing one, effectively putting a cap on how close these businesses can be to one another.
Several cities in the Rio Grande Valley and across the U.S. have already passed similar "anti-clustering" laws to stop car wash saturation.
$1 BILLION MEDICAL POWERHOUSE HEADED TO WALLACE (SHARY) AND MONTE CRISTO
A massive $1 billion healthcare development is set to transform the northern outskirts of McAllen as the Texas General Medical Center prepares to break ground. Located at the intersection of Shary Road and Monte Cristo Road, this 300-bed acute care hospital will become a regional hub for advanced surgery and medical research. The project is expected to create 4,000 clinical and support jobs while anchoring a new surgical innovation campus. With construction beginning this year and a target opening in 2028.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to deliver his third major "Arsenal of Freedom" speech at SpaceX's Starbase on Monday, January 12, 2026. Hegseth has been using this nationwide tour to promote a "wartime footing" and a move toward rapid, commercial-first defense manufacturing. Tomorrow's visit will see him address the SpaceX workforce and leadership, likely including Elon Musk, to emphasize the facility's critical role in American "peace through strength".
San Juan City Commission Meeting Agenda Analysis
The San Juan City Commission will be holding a regular meeting to discuss various city business, including departmental reports, ordinances, appointments, and contractual agreements. The meeting will also include a public hearing and consideration of resolutions and grants. 📄 View Official Agenda: https://sanjuantx.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=4078,plainText=false)
https://rgv.news/san-juan-city-commission-meeting-agenda-analysis-23618.html
Mission City Council Regular Meeting Agenda Analysis
The Mission City Council will hold a regular meeting on January 13, 2026, to consider various matters, including presentations, public hearings, consent agenda items, approvals, and authorizations. The meeting will also include discussions on unfinished business and executive session items. 📄 View Official Agenda: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/missiontx-pubu/MEET-Agenda-c446e121bb0c429cb74a464a6d76a4d4.pdf
https://rgv.news/mission-city-council-regular-meeting-agenda-analysis-23616.html
Investigative Report: Upcoming Weslaco TIRZ #2 Board of Directors’ Meeting
The Weslaco TIRZ #2 Board of Directors will convene on January 13, 2026, to discuss and take action on several important items, including a Development Agreement, a Final Project Plan and Financing Plan, and a HUB/MBE/WBE Program. The meeting will be open to the public and will have a significant impact on the city’s development plans. 📄 View Official Agenda: https://weslacotx.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=6234,plainText=false)
https://rgv.news/investigative-report-upcoming-weslaco-tirz-2-board-of-directors-meeting-23617.html
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda Analysis
The Mission City Council will hold a regular meeting on January 13, 2026, to consider presentations, public hearings, consent agenda items, and executive session matters. 📄 View Official Agenda: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/missiontx-pubu/
https://rgv.news/city-council-regular-meeting-agenda-analysis-23615.html
McAllen City Commission Regular Meeting on January 12, 2026
The McAllen City Commission will hold a regular meeting on January 12, 2026, to discuss various agenda items, including rezoning requests, conditional use permits, contracts, budget amendments, and fee updates. 📄 View Official Agenda: https://mcallentx.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=17035,plainText=false)
https://rgv.news/mcallen-city-commission-regular-meeting-on-january-12-2026-23610.html
McAllen Board of Commissioners Workshop Meeting Analysis
The McAllen Board of Commissioners will be holding a workshop meeting to discuss various items, including the new city hall concept, street light repairs, and updating fees at the Champion Lakes Golf Course. The meeting will also include an executive session to discuss real property transactions, economic development, and legal aspects of contracts and newly effective legislation. 📄 View Official Agenda: https://mcallentx.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=17023,plainText=false)
https://rgv.news/mcallen-board-of-commissioners-workshop-meeting-analysis-23609.html
🌮👑 Eddie’s Tacos (filed as Eddie's Taqueria) has filed permits to build a brand-new ground-up restaurant on Griffin Parkway.
The $1,344,576 project involves the new construction of a 3,251-square-foot standalone restaurant.
Construction is scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026, with a target completion date of August 21, 2026.
📍 1730 W Griffin Pkwy, Mission, TX 78572
HARLINGEN RESIDENTS UNITE AGAINST POSSIBLE DATA CENTER
A wave of concerned citizens dominated the public comment section of the January 7 City Commission meeting to oppose a rumored AI data center project. Citing fears of secret land deals and non-disclosure agreements, speakers warned that the proposed facility could consume millions of gallons of water daily and threaten the local power grid. Residents urged city leaders to reject what they termed "extraction sites," arguing these projects would offer few permanent jobs while putting the community's health and resources at significant risk.
Among the speakers was Dr. Etienne Rosas, a candidate for Congress in Texas’ 34th District, who argued that Harlingen is already a water stressed community where residents and farmers face rationing while a single data center could guzzle over a billion gallons annually. He cautioned that such projects often privatize profits while socializing losses, leaving taxpayers to fund the infrastructure needed to support them.
Despite the impassioned testimony, the Mayor and Commissioners were unable to respond to the speakers' concerns or questions, as the Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits officials from discussing items not listed on the official agenda.
Engineering firm constructing new facility in Harlingen
https://rgv.news/engineering-firm-constructing-new-facility-in-harlingen-23509.html
Residents in Edinburg took the opportunity at Tuesdays Commission meeting to voice that they do not want data centers in their city. During the public comment session, speakers Joe Rodriguez and Marilyn Lara urged the council to reconsider development, citing serious concerns about increased cancer risks, grid instability, and water scarcity in the Rio Grande Valley. Drawing comparisons to the "Colossus" supercomputer in Tennessee and the environmental impact of Starbase in Brownsville, residents questioned who would bear the financial liability for potential grid failures and emphasized that the promise of tech innovation should not come at the expense of community health.
Despite "closed-loop" cooling claims, fears remain that data centers will tap into the scarce RGV water supply, alongside concerns of rolling blackouts and rate increases to support the crypto/AI load.
Notably, because this feedback was delivered during the public comment section, the City Council was legally restricted from responding to the speakers during the meeting.
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!
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 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
Editor’s Letter: Introducing Our January/February 2026 Issue
https://rgv.news/editor-s-letter-introducing-our-january-february-2026-issue-23456.html
Texas’ largest public transit system may come undone in 2026
https://rgv.news/texas-largest-public-transit-system-may-come-undone-in-2026-23455.html
First trial over law enforcement’s delayed response to Uvalde school shooting set to begin
https://rgv.news/first-trial-over-law-enforcement-s-delayed-response-to-uvalde-school-shooting-set-to-begin-23454.html
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)
Dallas County sues Trump administration over clawback of public health funds
https://rgv.news/dallas-county-sues-trump-administration-over-clawback-of-public-health-funds-23452.html
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
Texas’ newest state park gives visitors a sneak peek ahead of planned 2026 opening
https://rgv.news/texas-newest-state-park-gives-visitors-a-sneak-peek-ahead-of-planned-2026-opening-23450.html
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.
Austin police officer Christopher Taylor acquitted in 2019 shooting by appeals court
https://rgv.news/austin-police-officer-christopher-taylor-acquitted-in-2019-shooting-by-appeals-court-23445.html
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.
