RGV LEAD partners with the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association to give high school students hands-on trade training and job certifications to address the local labor shortage.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley men’s soccer team opened the 2026 season unbeaten, with two wins and a draw, highlighted by junior forward Elias Taj’s two‑goal, two‑assist performance against South Florida. Taj earned national Offensive Player of the Week honors, and the Vaqueros will travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to face Oral Roberts on Tuesday at 7 p.m., a game local fans are eager to follow.

Port Isabel commissioners voted on Wednesday to label Long Island Village an industrial district, a decision that sparked anger among the community’s property owners who gathered at City Hall to oppose it. Residents like Bruce Redfield, a retiree since 2019, fear the change will hurt home values, while City Manager Jared Hockema says the designation merely permits tourism‑related uses and opens further negotiations with landowners.

Palm Valley Animal Society broke ground on a $6.1M climate-controlled expansion in Edinburg, adding three buildings and preparing to consolidate its facilities by 2028.

Planned Parenthood in Harlingen offers free HPV testing and Pap smears on Saturday, Sept. 12, marking 60 years of service in the Rio Grande Valley.

Pharr launches the Safe at Home program, offering free smoke detectors, home safety visits, and fire prevention tips for elderly residents and individuals with disabilities.

Candidate Melody Saldana is suing the city of Edcouch after officials blocked her from the Nov. 3 ballot over disputed 2018 tickets, securing a temporary restraining order ahead of a court hearing.

CHANNEL 5 Sports is featuring senior high‑school football players in its “Playmaker of the Week” segment that airs on CHANNEL 5 NEWS every Tuesday at 10 p.m. during the football season. This week’s lineup spotlights athletes from Lyford, La Villa, Edinburg, PSJA North, Brownsville Hanna and McAllen High across the Rio Grande Valley. The program is supported by the Charlie Clark Auto Group, a detail of local interest.

Brownsville’s Space Fest returns Sept. 24–26 at Linear Park, expanding with new student robotics competitions, a Maker Faire, and interactive STEM events designed to inspire local careers.

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Incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar and Republican challenger Tano Tijerina clash over federal funding, tariffs, and local infrastructure in a redrawn, highly competitive South Texas congressional district.

Channel 5 Sports is featuring high‑school senior athletes in its “Playmaker of the Week” segment, which airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on Channel 5 News. The weekly highlights showcase standout performances from football games across the Rio Grande Valley, with sponsors including Charlie Clark Auto Group. Local fans can watch the full segment online and see the listed players’ stats.

The UTRGV Vaqueros volleyball team won their home opener, defeating Texas Southern in three straight sets. Harlingen native Julianna Bryant led with nine kills and four blocks, while Ema Petkovic contributed a team‑high 17 kills and 13 digs, and Carmina Tijerina delivered a crucial ace in the second set. The Vaqueros return home on September 26 to host Nicholls, with additional tournaments in Lubbock and Illinois before conference play begins.

Cameron County Drainage District No. 6 has started an $11 million drainage overhaul north of Santa Rosa, installing new crossings and pumps to resolve severe flooding.

Hidalgo County has launched five free Narcan vending machines across Edinburg, McAllen, Weslaco, and Elsa to expand access to the life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug.