RGV get your green tracksuits ready!
We have someone from the RGV participating in Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge!

We're officially on Team Julissa Schuster and can't wait to watch her journey as she competes for $4.56 million!

See it all happen when Season 2 premieres on November 4th!

Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville foodies, get ready for a new date night spot! 🍝 The popular McAllen based Italian restaurant, Brunetta Tinto & Pasta, is officially expanding and opening its second location in Brownsville. The 1,700 square foot restaurant will be renovating an existing space in the Sabal Market Center (formerly North Park Plaza).

The renovation is scheduled to begin on November 17, 2025, with an expected completion date of February 16, 2026.

📍 800 Frontage Road, Brownsville, TX 78520

Get ready for an epic showdown! UTRGV Football is set to face off against UTSA Roadrunners on September 5, 2026, at the Alamodome in San Antonio! UTRGV Football will make history by taking on UTSA Roadrunners in their first ever FBS opponent matchup!

Partido de Leyendas : America vs Chivas

📍 Payne Arena
2600 N. 10th Street (Hwy 336) , Hidalgo, TX

🗓️ Dec 07, 2025 - 7:00 PM

🎟️ https://www.ticketmaster.c...

Edinburg, Texas

Jewelry lovers in Edinburg, get ready! ✨ James Avery Artisan Jewelry is opening its first location in the city at The Shoppes at Rio Grande Valley. The new 3,300-square-foot store involves the finish-out of an existing retail space at 427 E. Trenton Rd.

The interior build-out is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025, with a target completion date of March 13, 2026.

📍 427 E. Trenton Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539

Brownsville, Texas
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

Harlingen, Texas

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

McAllen, Texas 🎡🎠🎢🎟️

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!

Edinburg, Texas 🥖

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

Edinburg, Texas
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

Donna, Texas

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

Starbase, Texas
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).

McAllen, Texas 🎄✨
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...

Brownsville, Texas

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

Donna, Texas 🚗
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

Harlingen, Texas 🍔

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

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

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.

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

🎶 Get ready, RGV! 🎶
Stone Temple Pilots are coming LIVE in concert at Payne Arena in Hidalgo, TX this Saturday, November 8th! 🔥
🎤 Supporting Act: Toadies
📍 Payne Arena – 2600 N 10th St, Hidalgo, TX 78557
🎟️ Tickets available at: PayneArena.com
ℹ️ More info: RGVconcerts.net

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

City of McAllen Revokes Permits for Downtown Bars that Refuse to Prevent Underage Drinking

Less than 12 hours after the intense and engaging public comment at the August 29th City Commission Workshop, during which the public demanded bar operators curb underage drinking the City issued citations to over a dozen establishments that failed to take even the most basic preventative measures.

“They knew we were coming, and they made no changes,” said City Manager Isaac Tawil. “These operators have shown blatant disregard for the law and zero concern for protecting young people in our community. Based on these clear violations, the city has revoked their permits.”

To protect minors, the city is prioritizing enforcement of the two most critical safeguards against underage drinking: age-verification technology and UV ink to clearly mark patrons under 21.

On September 2, as a direct result of these establishments refusing to implement these safeguards, the City issued notices of revocation to the following establishments:
1. The Mini Bar
2. Valle Verde
3. Pasha
4. Scores Bar
5. Pecado Night Club
6. Karma/El Belicon
7. Broka
8. NY 17th Floor
9. The Lab on 17th
10. B7 Shot House
11. The White Rhino
12. Primo
13. Warehaus
14. Precopa
15. Tabu
16. Hustlerz
17. The Flying Walrus
18. Grand Central Square
19. Noxx
20. Yes Shot Bar

The age verification tools are inexpensive and effective, with age-verification systems costing as little as $250 to $500 per year, less than the profit from a single busy weekend. Other Special Use Permit requirements, including surveillance cameras, adequate lighting, and on-site security personnel, remain in place to ensure overall safety and compliance.

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