A Texas judge denied on Monday the Center for Biological Diversity’s injunction to block a land swap between SpaceX and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Lower Rio Grande Valley Refuge. The exchange would give SpaceX 727 acres of refuge land for 683 acres of private land near Laguna Madre Atascosa, and plaintiffs say it could transfer the land to SpaceX within weeks, limiting access to a wildlife area.

McAllen Public Utilities is developing a brackish groundwater desalination plant to diversify the city’s water supply amid ongoing South Texas drought conditions, with production wells slated to go to bid in February. City Director Mark Vega said the project’s final cost is still uncertain, but if it exceeds current estimates residents could face a second rate increase after the $14‑per‑month hike that began in October.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE San Juan 1st Choice Storage facility’s notice of public sale of property to satisfy landlord’s lien. Sale will be Sunday, October 18, 2026. Sale will close at 1pm. Property can be seen at https://bid13.com/ Space is located at 120 N. Veterans Blvd, San Juan TX, 78589. Seller reserves the right to…

Indian restaurant Leo’s Grill, originally opened in Port Isabel, launched a new takeout spot on September 14 at 1554 E. Seventh St. in Brownsville, directly across from Linear Park. Owners Leo and Latha Titus said the first week has been slow but steady, offering a variety of curries that require multiple pans, and they hope to meet the local demand for Indian cuisine.

Fluidstack has started construction of a 1,100‑acre data center on the Harlingen‑Rio Hondo corridor, with a $4 billion first phase near Gomez Road and FM 1595, after Cameron County issued a worksite permit late last week. Mayor Norma Sepulveda said the project involves a $27 million investment, including a $20 million city contribution and a $7 million drainage‑improvement plan, and she has requested a town‑hall meeting to address resident concerns.

Harlingen’s Economic Development Corporation is considering asking promoter Louie Guillen to repay the $5,000 sponsorship it provided after the three‑day Frontera Fest 2026 was cancelled the day before it was to begin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Harlingen Sports Complex. Vendors and ticket‑buyers were left without refunds, and the city warned it could take legal action to recover the funds.

The Mission Economic Development Corporation appointed its financial officer, Joe Salazar, as acting chief executive officer effective Wednesday, two days before former CEO Teclo Garcia’s retirement on August 31 after more than 19 years of municipal service. Salazar, a Mission resident with 15 years of public‑sector finance experience, will oversee daily operations while the board searches for a permanent CEO, continuing the organization’s economic‑development projects and partnerships.

A developer, Fluidstack, has launched the $4 billion first phase of a 1,100‑acre data‑center project east of Valley International Airport between Harlingen and Rio Hondo. The company offered Harlingen $20 million for a storm‑water discharge permit and $7 million to widen the 90‑foot canal, while commissioners consider a town‑hall meeting. Rio Grande Valley residents will note the massive data‑center plan.

East Point Energy said its 100‑megawatt battery storage plant on a six‑acre site off Grimes Street and Loop 499, south of Valley International Airport in Harlingen, is ready to power the grid and can serve up to 80,000 homes for two hours. Officials said the plant will bring $19 million in tax revenue over its 20‑ to 30‑year life, was built with fire‑department training, and Rep. Janie Lopez urged more battery projects.

Connie Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant who moved to the Rio Grande Valley after the 2008 financial crisis, opened Café Ngon two months ago at 700 W. Ferguson Avenue in Pharr, offering authentic Vietnamese coffee, food, snacks, sugar‑cane refreshers and ramen. The cafe’s simple menu features pictures for each item, and its location next to the highway makes it easily accessible for Valley residents seeking a new coffee spot.

AGUA SPECIAL UTILITY DISTRICT REQUEST FOR SEALED BID PROPOSALS The Agua Special Utility District (District) will accept sealed bid proposals for the Materials for the Waterline Extension on Giles Road. Two (2) bound copies and one (1) USB of the bid proposal must be sealed with the service name marked in the lower left corner…

Mission Economic Development Corporation CEO Telco Garcia announced he will retire effective September 11 after more than 19 years of municipal service, will take several weeks off before exploring private‑sector opportunities, and indicated the board will manage the transition.

The Edinburg Human Resources Department sent a city‑wide email to employees on Friday with insurance premium quotes that showed large increases, but city leadership said the figures were incorrect and are preparing new rates. Mayor Omar Ochoa said he took full responsibility for the error, apologized to staff, and indicated that revised rates will be released soon, though no specific date was prov

Energy infrastructure company Performance Services Inc. agreed in June to pay the Agua Special Utility District $95,000 to settle a lawsuit from 2022 that alleged the company had defrauded the district. That lawsuit, which sought over $1 million in damages, stemmed from an over $11 million “energy savings performance contract” Agua SUD entered into…

Developers of Fluidstack propose a data center campus covering hundreds of acres between Harlingen and Rio Hondo and are asking city commissioners to approve discharge of site runoff into a major canal near Valley International Airport, with Commissioner Daniel Lopez noting the 90‑foot channel may be insufficient for stormwater. Commissioners will meet in a closed session, and Fluidstack’s website

Four senior UPS drivers in Brownsville retired after long careers, with a ceremony held at the company’s distribution center that detailed each driver’s hiring dates and service history, and noted that UPS has offered buyout options as it downsizes.

The article reports that Brownsville approved a controversial $220 million deal with SpaceX to fund water‑infrastructure upgrades, which includes clauses to refund unused portions and restart payments if milestones are missed, and was tied to the disannexation of 444.45 acres approved at a special meeting; the upgrades aim to increase water capacity by up to 22.5 million gallons per day to address

MISSION, Texas — Teclo J. Garcia, CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, has announced he will retire Sept. 11 after four years leading the city’s economic development efforts. Garcia, who became eligible for full retirement under the Texas Municipal Retirement System this month, cited nearly $400 million in new investment and about 2,000 new…

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE San Juan 1st Choice Storage facility’s notice of public sale of property to satisfy landlord’s lien. Sale will be Sunday, September 20, 2026. Sale will close at 1pm. Property can be seen at https://bid13.com/ Space is located at 120 N. Veterans Blvd, San Juan TX, 78589. Seller reserves the right to…

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board held a closed‑session meeting in which members discussed a proposed agreement with SpaceX and a position for director of Internal Audit, took no action on these items, and the board chair deferred further questions to a spokesperson, noting the board must serve any customer within its service area, including SpaceX.