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

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

Edinburg, TX 🌯
Construction update 😁
Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming to 4112 S Business Highway 281!

The project is expected to be completed by February 9, 2026.

📍 4112 S Business Highway 281, Edinburg, TX 78539

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.

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...

The Hunchback of Notre Dame
September 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 2025
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Peter Parnell
Originally Developed by Disney Theatrical Productions
📍 Camille Playhouse
1 Dean Porter Park
Brownsville, TX 78580
📞 956-542-8900
🎟️ https://buy.ticketstotheci...

Starbase, Texas 🚀
SpaceX is gearing up for Starship Flight 10. It is set to launch Sunday, August 24, 2025. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m!

Progreso, Texas

Circle K is building a new convenience store in Progreso, located at the northeast corner of Military Highway 281 and International Boulevard. The project involves the new, ground up construction of a 5,641 square foot store with a quick service restaurant, a large gasoline canopy with six pumps, and a separate diesel canopy with four pumps. The estimated cost is $1,500,000.

Construction is scheduled to begin on December 8, 2025, and is expected to be completed by June 8, 2026.

📍 NEC Military Hwy 281 & International Blvd., Progreso, TX 78579