The article reports that Dr. Pat Burchfield, director of the Gladys Porter Zoo, described the opening of phase two of the El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco exhibit, which adds species such as ocelots, howler monkeys, cotton‑top tamarins, white‑faced saki monkeys and prehensile‑tailed porcupines, and noted that the animals have begun using the new outdoor habitats, including an ocelot named Iggy crossin

The article reports that the UTRGV football team drew a record crowd of 13,698 to Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, secured a 44‑0 shutout win, and details the parking, shuttle services and tailgating activities, highlighting Mayor Omar Ochoa’s tailgate that provided free tacos, drinks and other food to fans.

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

A 39‑year‑old man with schizophrenia was charged with homicide after stabbing his aunt, Anna Maria Hidalgo, in the chest and assaulting his grandmother, Guillermia Hidalgo; police entered the home, found the aunt unresponsive and arrested the suspect.

The article reports that Mission Police Union president Javier Lara was placed on indefinite suspension and effectively terminated after allegedly failing to submit evidence, with his attorney arguing the allegations are time‑barred; it also notes that the Texas Municipal Police Association warned the city of possible legal action over alleged retaliation and misconduct by Police Chief Cesar Torre

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

A brush fire burned roughly 1,500 acres of farmland in northern Hidalgo County on Saturday, was 75% contained by Monday, and officials are investigating the cause while warning residents about the region’s dry conditions and urging fire‑prevention precautions.

The La Joya ISD school board extended Superintendent Marcey Sorensen’s contract through 2031, noting her leadership since 2024, previous salary terms, district academic improvements, balanced budgets, a financial integrity rating of A, and a 3% pay increase for employees.

A BMW traveling southbound on Closner Boulevard in Edinburg crashed into the front entrance of the Hidalgo County Courthouse around 11:35 p.m. on Sunday, causing extensive structural damage and leading to the courthouse’s closure on Monday while repairs and cleanup began.

Emergency personnel extracted the driver, identified as 49‑year‑old Jesus Maria Alaniz Jr. of Edinburg, who was taken to a hospital in critical condition after the BMW crash into the courthouse entrance; investigators suspect alcohol involvement, the driver will be charged with DWI, and the courthouse remains closed Tuesday pending safety assessments.

Brownsville city commissioners voted unanimously to voluntarily disannex more than 444 acres at SpaceX's request, in exchange for a $220 million agreement to fund water‑infrastructure projects. The decision was made during a six‑hour special meeting after public comments both supporting and opposing the deal.

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.

A Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley analysis of 8,388 unemployment claims from January to March shows most unemployed workers are aged 25‑44, with a median age of 36 and 63% holding a high school diploma or less, and highlights construction as the sector with the most claims while recommending targeted up‑skilling and affordable childcare.

UTRGV announced a record first‑day fall 2026 enrollment of 36,466 students, including 7,373 freshmen, 790 doctoral students, and 3,933 master’s students, marking the seventh consecutive year of enrollment records.

Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville installed bi‑plane imaging equipment to treat stroke patients on site, reducing the need for hour‑long transfers to Harlingen and enabling faster, more precise thrombectomy procedures.

The McAllen International Airport runway and taxiway improvement project experienced a delay of roughly 1,000 days instead of the contracted 415 days, prompting a supplemental agreement that adds $977,987 for consultant KSA, with the city saying the cost will be covered by liquidated damages despite the mayor’s uncertainty.

The Weslaco Fire Department and Knapp Medical Center have launched a grant‑funded Community Healthcare Program that offers home visits and follow‑up calls to patients in Weslaco and Progreso who meet specific medical criteria, with the pilot year being fully covered by a $100,000 grant.

Harlingen officials announced a plan to revamp municipal lighting and seek International Dark Sky Community certification, aiming to cut light pollution, protect wildlife and promote eco‑tourism, with the effort requiring homeowners and businesses to transition to downward‑directed fixtures but no new regulations have been enacted yet. The city commission said the designation would improve public

The school board approved by a 4-3 vote a three-year contract for new superintendent Angela Domínguez, with an annual salary of $335,000, while the debate focused on the serious $15 million budget deficit and other financial problems facing the district.