South Texas College, Rebuilding Futures, criminal justice reform, workforce development, Hidalgo County

Staff Report

McAllen TX - South Texas College will host “Rebuilding Futures: Advancing Second Chances through Policy, Partnership and Purpose” on April 28, 2026, at the McAllen Convention Center, bringing together public sector leaders, higher education representatives and community partners to focus on opportunities for individuals impacted by the justice system.

The event will take place from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and will serve as the public launch and formal convening of the Rebuilding Futures initiative, a project aimed at advancing second chances for individuals who were previously incarcerated.

According to event information, the program will include remarks from U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as a special announcement from Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios.

Focus on Education, Mental Health and Employment

Topics scheduled for discussion include pre-trial diversion and post-secondary education, mental health impacts, student support services and pathways from incarceration to employment.

Organizers state the initiative is focused on providing educational opportunities and workforce skills to reduce barriers to employment.

Featured Speakers

Additional speakers scheduled to participate include Hidalgo County District Clerk Laura Hinojosa, clinical psychologist Dr. Milton Gonzalez, STC Valley Promise Director Melissa Peña-Montes, State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu and McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos.

Initiative Goals

South Texas College stated the initiative is intended to support individuals previously incarcerated through higher education and workforce development efforts.

Organizers said the program is designed to help participants obtain credentials and skills that contribute to a stronger workforce and expanded opportunities for advancement.

Source - South Texas College

McAllen News, McAllen TX News, UTRGV Football, Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, youth sports, community events

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - UTRGV Football will host an open practice and free youth clinic March 28, 2026, at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium. The open practice is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m., with gates opening at 8:45 a.m. A youth clinic for children in grades 2 through 5 will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Event details

According to the announcement, fans may attend the open practice with free digital tickets. The youth clinic is open to children in grades 2 through 5 and will provide instruction following the practice session. Registration is required for clinic participation and is limited to the first 200 participants.

Participation information

Organizers said high school coaches interested in attending the practice may contact UTRGV Athletics representatives for additional information. Registration for the youth clinic is required prior to the event. The event is hosted by UTRGV Football and UTRGV Athletics.

Source -- UTRGV Athletics

McAllen News, McAllen TX News, H-E-B Youth Dance Clinic, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, McAllen Convention Center, youth programs

Staff Report

McAllen, TX - The City of McAllen will host the 2026 H-E-B Youth Dance Clinic featuring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on March 28, 2026, at the McAllen Convention Center. The clinic will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 700 Convention Center Blvd. and is designed for youth dancers of all skill levels. Participants will receive instruction focused on movement, teamwork and performance in a structured training environment.

Program details

According to the announcement, attendees will receive dance instruction and choreography guidance along with opportunities to learn cheer techniques and chants. Participants will also take part in performance activities and a show-off session. An autograph session with members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is included as part of the clinic experience.

Participation information

Lunch will be provided for registered participants during the event. Registration is currently open through the event link provided by organizers. The city indicated space is limited for the clinic.

Source -- City of McAllen

Photo above: Bobby Pulido, Latin Grammy winner and now the Democratic congressional nominee for District 15, speaks during a Texas Together Rally at Cine El Rey in McAllen on March 9, 2026. Gabriel V. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune

Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune

From Austin to Washington, D.C., Republicans were elated after the 2022 primaries when GOP turnout more than doubled in the Rio Grande Valley compared with the previous midterms and after a yearslong investment to court candidates and Hispanic voters alike in South Texas.

Four years later, Democrats are the ones finding joy along the border.

Texas Democrats more than doubled their turnout from 2024 during the primary elections on March 3 in the four counties that make up the Rio Grande Valley — Cameron, Starr, Hidalgo and Willacy — as the percentage of registered Democratic voters who cast a ballot far exceeded that of recent elections, including in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term and 2020 when he sought reelection.

That has buoyed optimism for Texas Democrats, who are striving to claim a statewide victory for the first time in more than three decades and betting that backlash to the president’s policies will win them contests up and down the ballot.

In the Valley, that energy could help spare two incumbent Democratic congressmen whose districts were redrawn to favor the GOP, and earn the state’s minority party a third congressional district as well as a statehouse district or two.

“Our participation is becoming a defining factor in elections across the state,” said state Sen. César Blanco, who sits on the board of an organization focused on the Latino voter bloc. “We are a force to be reckoned with and I think this midterm election demonstrates that.”

If the big Democratic primary turnout translates into big gains for the party in a region that is 93% Latino, it will represent a reversal from 2024, when Latino voters swung hard for Trump and he nearly swept all border counties in a historic feat. That could also signal that the state’s Latino voters are now neither reliably Republican or Democratic, but rather an independent group up for grabs.

To be sure, Republicans also saw an increase in their voter turnout in the region, although it was eclipsed by the surge of Democratic voters. Democratic party leaders are quick to note, as well, that primary elections are not necessarily predictors of what’s to come in November, especially after a primary that had a spicy race for U.S. Senate at the top.

Still, according to party leaders and analysts, the high water mark offers the latest encouraging data point for Democrats, who flipped a Texas Senate seat in North Texas during a special election in late January and have been trying to read tea leaves from local races across Texas.

“This is just the official rebuke of the Trump administration and the Republican party,” said Richard Gonzales, the chair of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, which had 61,480 voters participate in last week’s election — a roughly 114% increase from 2024.

Gonzales anticipates the party’s momentum will have staying power thanks to Trump. He pointed to a struggling local economy that’s being further battered by the war in Iran and aggressive ICE activity all over Hidalgo County, including the recent detention of a family that included two award-winning high school mariachi students who were released after their arrests sparked widespread outrage.

“I could just allow the Republicans to continue making things worse,” Gonzales said. “We’ve seen that they’re really good at doing that.”

Republicans insist there’s no reason to worry.

“I’m not concerned at all,” Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters this week. “What happened in the primaries was party versus party candidates.”

Longtime GOP operative Wayne Hamilton, who ran Abbott’s first gubernatorial campaign, has been recruiting Republican candidates in South Texas for years with the goal of earning the support of Latino candidates. He chalked up the high turnout last week to the hotly-contested U.S. Senate Democratic primary between state Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

Perhaps no race better encapsulates the ferocity of competition underway in the Valley than the contest for the 15th Congressional District.

GOP U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz won the seat in 2022, defeating a Democrat, after the district was redrawn in 2021 to help a Republican win. Now she’s fending off a challenge from Tejano music star Bobby Pulido.

In an interview, Pulido said he’s hearing concerns from voters on the campaign trail about the economy and how it has not improved under Trump’s presidency. ICE raids are depleting workforces across the region, he said.

“When the American dream is interrupted, whether that be by ICE raids or you taking the workforce or tourists are not coming to spend their money anywhere or retail is down, people will definitely vote you out,” he said. “Hispanics are not loyal to a party. They’re more loyal to the people who are more willing to make their lives better.”

After the Legislature last year redrew the state’s congressional map, gerrymandered for maximum GOP gains, Democrats will be defending the other two congressional seats in the Valley.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo will face Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, a former Democrat who cruised to victory in his GOP primary with an endorsement from the president. And Democratic U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez will be up against former federal prosecutor Eric Flores to hold onto his district, redrawn so that the president would have won by 10% instead of 4% in 2024.

Democrats’ best bet to flip a Texas House seat in the Valley might be House District 37, which Republican Janie Lopez first won in 2022. Although Trump carried the district by 11 points, the 2024 Senate contest came down to a razor thin win of 1.9 points for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

Oziel Ochoa Jr. and Esmeralda Cantu-Castle advanced to a runoff for the Democratic nomination for HD-37:. In interviews, both expressed optimism about having Talarico at the top of the ticket to flip the district and others across the state — the party needs to win 14 seats to assume control of the lower chamber.

“I really think this is our chance,” Ochoa Jr. said.

Texas Majority PAC, a George Soros-backed group run by alums of Beto O’Rourke’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign, plans to invest $3 million in the Valley between the congressional and state house races, executive director Katherine Fischer said.

Although hesitant to read too much into primary turnout, Fischer said all indications are that Democrats will have a stronger performance in November than in 2024, when the Republican party won over the Latino voter bloc that had long evaded its grasp. That could have massive implications.

“We need to see much better performance amongst Latino voters than we have seen — not just in ‘24 but in the last few cycles,” Fischer said. “There’s just no pathway for Democrats to win statewide without a lot of support from Latino voters across the state.”

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

McAllen News, McAllen TX News, courts, Valentine’s Day, Justice of the Peace, free wedding ceremonies

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - Several Hidalgo County Justices of the Peace will offer free wedding ceremonies in observance of Valentine’s Day, with services available by appointment on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 at locations across the county.

The initiative will allow couples to be married at no cost by participating justices, provided they meet state marriage license requirements.

Schedule and locations

Justice of the Peace Jaime “Jerry” Muñoz, Precinct 2 Place 2, will officiate weddings on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pharr One – French Garden, 1121 E. Nolana Loop in Pharr. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 956-787-1986.

Justice of the Peace Ramon Segovia, Precinct 3 Place 1, will officiate ceremonies on Friday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 730 N. Breyfogle Road, Suite C, in Mission. Appointments are available by calling 956-519-8422.

Justice of the Peace Juan Jose Peña, Precinct 3 Place 2, will conduct weddings on Friday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 730 N. Breyfogle Road, Suite A, in Mission. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 956-581-2124.

Justice of the Peace Charlie Espinoza, Precinct 4 Place 1, will officiate weddings on Friday, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at 1212 S. 25th Ave., Suite A, in Edinburg. Appointments can be made by calling 956-380-4473.

Justice of the Peace Jason Peña, Precinct 5 Place 1, will offer wedding ceremonies on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Elara’s Event Center, 317 N. Broadway St. in Elsa. Appointments are available by calling 956-292-7015.

Marriage license requirements

All ceremonies will be conducted by appointment only, and witnesses are not required. Couples must have a valid marriage license obtained at least 72 hours before the ceremony, unless a waiver is granted by the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Office.

When applying for a marriage license, both applicants must appear in person, present valid identification and provide their Social Security cards. Licenses may be obtained at the Hidalgo County Clerk’s Vitals and Official Records Department at the new Hidalgo County Courthouse, 100 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg.

Source -- Hidalgo County.

McAllen News, McAllen TX News, conservation, Quinta Mazatlan, book signing, authors

Staff Report

McAllen, TX - Quinta Mazatlán will host the first official unveiling of a new book documenting women-led conservation efforts in Texas on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

The event will mark the Texas premiere of “Wild Women for Good: Stories of Conservation in Texas” by Jennifer L. Bristol. The program is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at Quinta Mazatlán.

Background

The book focuses on stories of conservation leadership by women across Texas. The evening is designed as a public conversation highlighting the role women have played in land protection, environmental stewardship and outdoor advocacy across the state.

Panel discussion

The program will feature a panel discussion led by Quinta Mazatlán Executive Director Colleen Hook. Panelists listed represent a range of professional backgrounds connected to conservation and land stewardship.

Jennifer L. Bristol is the author of “Wild Women for Good” and is scheduled to discuss the research and stories behind the book. Valerie Bristol is a state leader in land protection. Joy Hester is an attorney whose work includes land conservation issues. Madge Lindsay is a birding and outdoor recreation champion. Martha G. Martinez serves as park superintendent at Stephen F. Austin State Park with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Marisa Oliva-Rodriguez is a green schoolyard coordinator with the Texas Children in Nature Network. Carolyn Vogel is a realtor and advocate for Texas lands.

Music and informal conversation are also planned as part of the evening. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the author and participate in a book signing.

Tickets and access

Admission is $5. Free offsite parking will be available, with a free shuttle provided to the venue.

Source -- Quinta Mazatlán.

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office will host a public hiring event Monday, Feb. 2, at the Edinburg Workforce Solutions Office, offering job seekers the opportunity to apply for multiple county positions.

The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2719 W. University Drive in Edinburg and is open to the public.

Edinburg hiring event details

The hiring event is part of the RGV Operation Get Hired initiative and is being held in partnership with Workforce Solutions. Representatives will be available to provide information on open positions and application requirements.

Positions available with Hidalgo County

The sheriff’s office is currently recruiting for several roles, including deputy sheriffs, detention officers, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, a carpenter and a maintenance worker.

Requirements and application process

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. Some positions may have additional requirements based on job duties and certifications.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through workintexas.com using job order number 16961767. Additional details are available at the provided event link.

Source -- RGV Operation Get Hired.

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - Hidalgo County officials announced a new federal funding opportunity this week that will make more than $1 million available to local organizations providing services to residents experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

The Hidalgo County Urban County Program is accepting applications for HOME-American Rescue Plan, or HOME-ARP, funding, a one-time federal grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOME-ARP funding details and timeline

County officials said $1,042,269.90 in HOME-ARP funds will be awarded through a competitive Notice of Funding Availability process for the provision of supportive services. The NOFA will be released Jan. 14, 2026.

Completed applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

Mandatory technical assistance workshops

Applicants are required to attend one mandatory technical assistance workshop in order to be eligible for funding. The workshops are scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. and Jan. 21, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central time. Attendance at one session is required, and applications will not be accepted from entities that do not participate.

Eligible organizations and services

The funding opportunity is open to qualified units of local government and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide supportive services directly to eligible individuals and families.

Eligible services include child care, education and employment assistance, food and legal services, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, case management, transportation, utility assistance, and short- and medium-term rental assistance.

Populations served under HOME-ARP

Organizations awarded funding must serve individuals and families who meet HUD’s HOME-ARP qualifying populations. These include people experiencing homelessness, those at risk of homelessness, individuals or families fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking, and households with the greatest risk of housing instability based on federal income and housing burden criteria.

Additional information about the HOME-ARP supportive services program, eligibility requirements and application procedures is available through the Hidalgo County Urban County Program.

Source -- Hidalgo County Urban County Program.

Staff Report,

McAllen, TX - The International Museum of Art & Science has announced a full slate of January programs ranging from youth workshops and homeschool sessions to family events and live performances, continuing its mission to connect art, science and culture for audiences of all ages.

Museum background and community role

Founded in 1967, the International Museum of Art & Science serves as a regional hub for science education, visual arts and cultural programming in the Rio Grande Valley. The museum features permanent and rotating exhibitions, hands-on science galleries, educational workshops and community events, welcoming families, students and visitors year-round.

Homeschool days focus on water engineering

IMAS will host Homeschool Days focused on water engineering, supported by McAllen Public Utility. The sessions are designed for two age groups and emphasize water conservation and science.

Students ages 7–9 will explore rainwater harvesting at the MPU Biozone Cistern from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., learning about water collection while building a take-home rain chain. A second session for ages 10–14 runs from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and introduces desalination and groundwater resources through collaborative, hands-on activities.

Youth workshop mixes physics and art

A Youth Workshop titled “Catapults & Paint” is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will design and test catapults outdoors, launching paint to create abstract artwork. The workshop includes both individual projects and a collaborative group piece for the museum’s Ann Moore Art Studio. Aprons will be provided, and participants are advised to wear clothes suitable for messy activities.

Exploring the Olmecs event

IMAS will host “Exploring the Olmecs” on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daylong event is included with general admission and free for members. Activities include presentations on Olmec culture, an Olmec colossal head community piñata build, jaguar mask decorating, Ojo de Dios weaving and other hands-on experiences highlighting Mesoamerican civilizations.

Guests can also participate in a drop-in Olmec Head air-dry clay activity for $5, sculpting their own Olmec-inspired piece while learning about the history of the ancient monuments.

Multi-sensory concert and cosmos programming

A special event, “The Stars Resonate,” will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The multi-sensory concert combines live music and visual art, featuring a newly composed work by J. Todd Frazier alongside live visuals by photographer Mark Chen. The program also includes selections from Holst, Tyzen Hsiao and Astor Piazzolla. Admission is included with general entry and free for members.

Later in the month, “Mysterious Cosmos: Cosmic Discoveries” is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., offering free admission. The family-oriented program includes hands-on activities, presentations and telescope viewing with support from the UTRGV Center of Excellence in STEM Education.

Girl Scouts workshops and live music

IMAS will also host Girl Scouts workshops, including a Brownie-level Outdoor Art session on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and a Junior-level Art and Design workshop on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both workshops combine gallery tours with guided art projects.

The month concludes with a Jazz Combo performance as part of the UTRGV Concert Series on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Source -- International Museum of Art & Science.

Staff Report

McAllen, TX - The McAllen Public Library will continue its Nature Series with a program focused on native plants of the Rio Grande Valley later this month.

The program, Exploring Native Plants of the RGV, is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Main Library Auditorium, located at 4001 N. 23rd St. in McAllen.

Program highlights

Library officials said the presentation will explore the importance of native plants in the region and provide practical, easy-to-apply tips for incorporating them into local landscapes. Native plants are known for requiring less water, supporting local wildlife and thriving in South Texas conditions.

The program will be led by Ashley Gregory, a Texas A&M expert, who will share guidance on planting, maintenance and sustainable landscaping practices tailored to the Rio Grande Valley.

Community education focus

The Nature Series is part of the library’s ongoing effort to offer educational programs that connect residents with regional environmental topics and resources. Library staff said the series is designed for adults and families interested in gardening, conservation and learning more about the natural environment of South Texas.

Event details

The program is free and open to the public. Seating will be available on a first-come basis.

For more information, residents may contact the Main Library at 956-681-3061 or visit the McAllen Public Library website.

Source -- McAllen Public Library.

Staff Report

McAllen, TX - The McAllen Public Library will hold its next Sunday Book Club meeting on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Main Library.

The group will discuss Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, a novel that will serve as the month’s shared read. Library staff said the program is designed to encourage thoughtful conversation and connection among readers.

Meeting details

The discussion will take place in the Main Library Board Room, located at 4001 N. 23rd St. Participants are encouraged to pick up a copy of the book at the library’s Information Desk ahead of the meeting.

The Sunday Book Club is open to the public and welcomes adult readers interested in literary discussion and community engagement.

Additional information

Questions about the program may be directed to the Main Library at 956-681-3060.

Source -- McAllen Public Library.

Staff Report

McAllen, TX - The McAllen Citizens League will kick off the new year with a luncheon focused on one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most pressing regional issues — water supply and sustainability.

The January luncheon, titled “The State of Water in the Rio Grande Valley: Challenges & Solutions,” is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Rio Bank, located at 701 E. Expressway 83 in McAllen.

Panel discussion on water planning and infrastructure

Organizers said the program will feature a panel of regional leaders and subject-matter experts who will discuss water planning, infrastructure investment, conservation efforts and long-term strategies for securing the Valley’s water future.

Scheduled panelists include Jim Darling of the Region M Water Planning Group, Brian Macmanus of the East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation, Isaac Sulemana of the Hidalgo County Judge’s Office, Mark Vega of McAllen Public Utility, and environmental health and water literacy advocate Joshua Morales. The discussion will be moderated by Julian Alvarez of Lone Star National Bank.

About the McAllen Citizens League

Founded in 1952, the McAllen Citizens League is one of the city’s longest-standing civic organizations. For more than seven decades, the League has brought residents, business leaders and public officials together for informed discussions on issues affecting McAllen and the broader Rio Grande Valley.

The organization is known for hosting regular luncheons and forums designed to encourage civic engagement, public dialogue and community awareness. League leaders say the goal is to provide a nonpartisan space where ideas can be shared and residents can stay informed about local and regional challenges.

Membership and participation

The January luncheon is open to members and non-members. Lunch reservations are required, with a cost of $20 for members and $23 for non-members. The RSVP deadline is Jan. 12. Reservations can be made by calling 956-681-2861, with voicemail accepted.

League officials also encouraged attendees interested in civic involvement to inquire about membership during the event. Membership offers opportunities to connect with local leaders, stay informed on key regional issues and take part in a long tradition of civic pride and public service in McAllen.

Source -- McAllen Citizens League.

Staff Report

McAllen, TX - The City of McAllen will host a recognition ceremony Monday, Jan. 5, honoring professional golfer Abraham Ancer for his contributions to local golf amenities and his continued commitment to giving back to the community.

City officials said the event will also include a major announcement focused on expanding access to golf and supporting long-term investment at Champion Lakes Golf Course, one of McAllen’s premier public recreational facilities.

Celebrating a hometown connection

Ancer, a McAllen native who was raised in Reynosa, Mexico, built an internationally recognized career competing on the PGA Tour and currently on the LIV Golf Tour. He has represented Mexico in major global competitions, including the Presidents Cup and the Olympic Games.

Despite competing on the world stage, city leaders said Ancer has remained closely connected to the Rio Grande Valley and committed to strengthening opportunities for youth and families to engage in the game of golf.

Investment in local recreation

According to the city, the ceremony will highlight Ancer’s investment in the future of golf in McAllen and recognize the positive impact his support continues to have at Champion Lakes Golf Course and throughout the community. Officials said his involvement reflects a broader effort to enhance recreational spaces and promote healthy, accessible activities for residents.

Event details and attendees

The recognition ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Champion Lakes Golf Course, located at 2701 S. Ware Road.

Those expected to attend include McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos, members of the McAllen City Commission, City Manager Isaac J. Tawil, city administrators, Champion Lakes Golf Course Director Carlos Espinosa, and Ancer.

City officials said the event underscores McAllen’s commitment to partnering with local leaders and hometown ambassadors to strengthen community amenities and invest in the city’s future.

Source -- City of McAllen.