Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast
Official podcast for the Rio Grande Guardian, the first online newspaper to launch on the South Texas border, starting out in July, 2005. The Rio Grande Guardian has an excellent reputation for accurate and thorough news reporting, with a specialty for border business, legislative, political, healthcare, environment, and education issues.
Morales: On a good day, Democrats can flip the Texas House
MCALLEN, Texas — State Rep. Christina Morales (D-Houston) believes that "on a good day," Democrats can flip the Texas House of Representatives in the upcoming Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Speaking with the Rio Grande Guardian following a Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus "People's Hearing" at the historic Cine El Rey in McAllen, Morales expressed optimism about her party’s chances of reclaiming the state legislative chamber despite steep structural hurdles following mid-census gerrymandering.
Morales, who serves as chair of the House Democrats Campaign Committee, acknowledged that while internal modeling conservatively predicts picking up five to eight seat...
Remarks from the podium at Garver's ribbon-cutting ceremony
Civil engineering firm Garver joined forces with local community and business leaders on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of its new regional office — a $5 million investment expected to spur further economic development across the Rio Grande Valley.
City and regional officials, including Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda and Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) CEO Orlando Campos, gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the new 25,000-square-foot facility.
The state-of-the-art office consolidates Garver’s operations in Harlingen and serves as a regional hub to support infrastructure projects throughout South Texas and beyond.
Garv...
Morales: On a good day, Democrats can flip the Texas House
MCALLEN, Texas - Three members of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus held a “People’s Hearing” in McAllen on Sunday, October 11.
It was held at the historic Cine El Rey.
The group was on a fact-finding mission, looking to hear from community leaders and residents about the challenges the Rio Grande Valley currently faces and what issues they would like addressed in the next legislative session.
TLPC has held similar hearings in other parts of Texas.
The three members were state Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, the group’s Chair, state Rep. Chr...
New AEP Texas president testifies before Senate committee
Adrian Rodriguez, the new president of AEP Texas, testified before the Texas Senate Committee on Business & Commerce at the State Capitol in Austin in late July, 2026.
Addressing state lawmakers, Rodriguez emphasized that rapid economic development across AEP Texas's 97,000-square-mile service territory in South and West Texas is pushing existing transmission infrastructure to capacity.
"It's not just the Permian Basin that is experiencing growth," Rodriguez testified before the Senate committee. "In our own service territory for AEP Texas... we're experiencing extraordinary growth. We have coastal refineries that are expanding, in the Rio Grande Valley we have...
Previewing I-LinCP and Harlingen EDC's big event
HARLINGEN, Texas — As the Rio Grande Valley continues its rapid economic expansion, regional leaders are gathering this week to tackle two of the most critical factors underpinning future growth: infrastructure readiness and human capital development.
The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) RGV Chapter, in partnership with the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC), will host "Powering Texas and Regional Growth: Infrastructure + Workforce Exchange" on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Harlingen Convention Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Setting the stage for the event, Carol Warkoczewski, founder of I-LinCP, highlighted the cr...
Rick Salinas announces he is running for mayor of Mission
MISSION, Texas - Veteran trial attorney Ricardo “Rick” Salinas officially entered the race for mayor of Mission, Texas, filing his candidacy paperwork and outlining an ambitious campaign platform focused on City Hall transparency, urgent infrastructure repairs, and fiscal accountability ahead of the November election.
Salinas, who has practiced law for 33 years, framed his run not as a career move, but as an “affair of the heart” aimed at addressing core municipal issues that he contends current leadership has neglected.
Salinas gave an interview to the Rio Grande Guardian just before filing his paperwork to run for mayo...
Saronic chooses Brownsville for its next generation Port Alpha shipyard
AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Greg Abbott and Dino Mavrookas, co-founder and CEO of Saronic Technologies, made an announcement about manufacturing investment at the company’s headquarters in Austin.
Saronic was founded in 2022 and specializes in unmanned maritime vehicles. Mavrookas announced a $3.2 billion investment at the Port of Brownsville for the company’s next generation Port Alpha shipyard. The project is focused on the production of autonomous surface vessels for defense and commercial applications.
Here is an audio recording of their remarks.
Editor’s Note: To read the full story go to riograndeguardian.com.
G...
Harlingen city commissioners discuss naming a park in honor of Sgt. Arturo Treto Garza
HARLINGEN, Texas - The City of Harlingen is to name a new park after Arturo Treto Garza, an influential leader in the movement to bring a Veteran's Hospital to the Rio Grande Valley and longtime columnist for the Rio Grande Guardian.
Garza, a decorated U.S. Marine who fought in the Vietnam War, died in November 2012 aged 86. A former co-chair of the Veteran’s Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley, Garza edited the Guardian’s influential Veteran Voice column from 2007 right up until his death.
Garza was a strong-willed and outspoken in the causes he beli...
An interview with Judge Aurelio Guerra and LRGVDC Executive Director Manuel Cruz
WESLACO, Texas - The four county judges in the Rio Grande Valley have asked the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council to be part of a new water management plan for the region.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Management Plan aims to advance regional water solutions for the Valley. The plan is being funded by the North American Development Bank with Halff brought in as lead organizer.
“We were recruited to participate in the RGV Water Management Plan advisory committee and the first meeting was held yesterday at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership,” said Manu...
An interview with Region M Planning Group Chairman Jim Darling
WESLACO, Texas - The four county judges in the Rio Grande Valley have asked the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council to be part of a new water management plan for the region.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Management Plan aims to advance regional water solutions for the Valley. The plan is being funded by the North American Development Bank with Halff brought in as lead organizer.
“We were recruited to participate in the RGV Water Management Plan advisory committee and the first meeting was held yesterday at th...
Garcia: McAllen EDC is being 'very strategic' with its visits
MCALLEN, Texas - McAllen Economic Development Corporation is being very strategic on the visits it is making to secure new opportunities for the region, the group’s chief operating officer has explained.
Ralph Garcia gave a very brief update on MEDC’s work at their quarterly stakeholders committee meeting on June 18.
“We have some projects on the Mexico side, but the majority are US-side projects,” Garcia said. “We continue to see new leads developing, and then also, as we're doing some of our visits, we're being very strategic on our visits...
Howell: City of Mercedes to name a street after civil rights hero Hector P. Garcia
A few months ago, an idea sparked in my heart: to honor Dr. Hector P. Garcia with a street designation in his hometown of Mercedes.
Tonight, I’m happy to share that the initiative has officially been approved.
This effort has been a true community project. What began as a proposal grew into meetings, letters of support, public input, a committee process, and ultimately a community conversation about how we honor one of our hometown heroes.
Dr. Hector P. Garcia was a World War II veteran, physician, civil rights leader, founder of the Ameri...
New World screwworm has reached Texas. Agriculture Secretary Rollins responds.
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has responded to news that the New World screwworm has reached Texas.
She said she has sent a strike team to the South Texas border to assist.
The parasitic fly could put Texas’ $15 billion cattle industry in jeopardy.
The USDA tested a sample from La Pryor in Zavala County at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, lowa. It was at the laboratory that the infestation of a three-week old calf, was confirmed, Roll...
An interview with Dr. Bricia ElAwar, an environmental leader with Rotary International
WESLACO, Texas - The city of Rio Bravo in Tamaulipas has more than 250 illegal dumping sites, says an environmentalist with Rotary International.
Dr. Bricia ElAwar, chairwoman of the environmental committee for Rotary District 5330 in Riverside, California, has led efforts to clear the dumps.
She first visited the city 18 months ago and returned this past weekend with over 100 volunteers to help Mayor Miguel Ángel Almaraz Maldonado with his clean-up efforts.
“Mayor Almaraz has been doing amazing things. He has already cleaned up over 100 illegal dumps."
“The beautiful thing is he is working in the...
RGV leaders educate the public about New World screwworm
WESLACO, Texas - In an effort to educate and inform the public, the county judges from Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy and Cameron counties held a joint press conference about the New World screwworm.
The press conference took place Monday, May 18 at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council offices in Weslaco.
The county judges present were Richard Cortez of Hidalgo, Eddie Treviño, Jr., of Cameron, Eloy Vera of Starr, and Aurelio ‘Keter’ Guerra of Willacy.
Joining them were experts and representatives from state agencies and partner organizations that will be on the front lines...
Allison: RGV Desal will be largest water infrastructure project ever built in South Texas
HARLINGEN, Texas - Doug Allison, a board member and regulatory counsel for US Desalination, has given an in-depth interview about plans for the largest water infrastructure project ever built in South Texas.
“We’re partnering with communities, agencies, and industry to ensure a reliable water future for generations to come,” Allison told Ron Whitlock Reports, following a news conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Harlingen.
Allison said US Desalination has partnered with IDE Assets to form RGV Desal, LLC.
“RGV Desal, LLC. represents the larges...
Farris: If God had not put that tractor in front of me, we would never have seen the fire
HARLINGEN, Texas - Rio Grande Valley banker and philanthropist Bobby Farris has recalled an incident earlier this year where he and his wife Robin were referred to by the City of Rio Hondo as “good samaritans.”
On Valentine’s Day, the couple rescued a six-year old girl and an elderly man from a house that was ablaze. Along with an off duty Sheriff deputy, they were first on the scene. Robin Farris called emergency services.
Bobby Farris, chairman of Texas Regional Bank’s wealth management division, told Ron Whitlock Reports t...
Fuentes: Unused flood repair monies should be used for flood mitigation
MONTE ALTO, Texas - Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes says if federal money sent to the Rio Grande Valley to repair homes after a flooding event is not claimed, it should be made available for flood mitigation work.
“We're not going to minimize that people need assistance when they encounter or endure catastrophic flooding. That's not what we're saying. But what we found was, 70% of that mitigation money (that was supposed to be spent) on rebuilding wasn't used. It was returned back to HUD, it was given back to the federal government as unused grant monies,” Fuentes said...
Torres discusses USMCA, tariffs, at McAllen EDC stakeholders committee meeting
MCALLEN, TEXAS - Hopefully, a revised USMCA will allow Mexico to avoid being impacted by the new tariffs President Trump is trying to impose - in which case the new tariffs on steel from Mexico would be eliminated.
This is the view of Jorge Torres, president of Rio Grande Valley-based Interlink Trade Services. Torres gave an update on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiations at a recent meeting of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation Stakeholders Committee.
“The USMCA revision is happening right now. Mexico’s Secretary of the Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Gree...
Executives: At Saronic, our welders have the opportunity to become engineers
PORT ISABEL, Texas - Saronic Technologies, the Austin-based defense technology startup that is considering building a shipyard at the Port of Brownsville, places a big emphasis on developing a young workforce.
So says Chris Johnson, director for the company’s shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana.
“Saronic is really, really good at is bringing on younger talent and training it,” Johnson said, during a presentation he and three of his colleagues made to Point Isabel ISD.
By way of an example, Johnson told the story of the shipyard in Franklin.
“Louisiana has long had a pro...
La Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos anula los aranceles de la IEEPA, abriendo caminos inciertos
MCALLEN, Texas - Durante un seminario web el 4 de marzo, el presidente de Interlink Trade Services, Jorge Torres, explicó que la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos declaró ilegales los aranceles impuestos bajo la Ley de Poderes Económicos de Emergencia Internacional (IEEPA), lo que abre la puerta a posibles reembolsos estimados en unos $133 millones, aunque aún no se ha establecido un mecanismo claro para su devolución.
Torres advirtió que la eliminación de los aranceles de la IEEPA fue seguida por la implementación de la Sección 122, que introduce un recargo inicial del 10 % que podría aum...
Hinojosa writes to Valley irrigation districts
EDINBURG, Texas - State Sen. Juan Hinojosa has urged Valley irrigation districts to work on plans to line their canals.
And he welcomed new funding from NADBank, saying it augments the money the Legislature has committed through the Texas Water Development Board.
“We (the Legislature) set aside a billion dollars for grants, not for loans, just straight out grants. And the staff of the Water Development Board recommended that $100 million of their billion dollars be set aside for just the Rio Grande Valley irrigation districts. And the reason for that is that they want the can...
Cornyn makes final campaign swing through the Valley
EDINBURG, TEXAS - U.S. Sen. John Cornyn made his last campaign swing through the Rio Grande Valley in the company of the National Border Patrol Council.
“The Border Patrol Council, they have become like brothers and sisters,” Cornyn said, as he acknowledged the council’s endorsement.
“It was heartbreaking to see how our professional law enforcement, who dedicate their lives to this nation, were abandoned by the administration during the previous four years, by the Biden administration.
“I continue to do everything that I can make sure that our...
U.S. Senate candidates make final campaign swing through the Valley
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The top Democrats running for U.S. Senate have made their final campaign swings through the Rio Grande Valley ahead of the Primary Election on March 3.
U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett had an event at Brownsville Public Library.
Texas state Rep. James Talarico appeared on stage with other Democratic candidates at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium.
Here is an audio recording of part of Crockett’s speech.
Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news...
Willis reports on the manufacturing sector in the RGV and northern Tamaulipas
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - SpaceX will be hiring another 4,000 workers this year at its Starbase rocket launching facility at Boca Chica, says the executive director of South Texas Manufacturers Association.
Mike Willis gave an overview of the manufacturing scene in the Rio Grande Valley and northern Tamaulipas in his monthly report for February. After running through a number of plant closures over the past two years he ended on a very positive note.
“There's a lot going on. I think we're going to see a lot of announcements in the ne...
STBA: Construction loans in RGV down 30 percent in January
MCALLEN, Texas - There was a 30 percent decrease in loans for construction companies in the Rio Grande Valley in January, the executive director of the South Texas Builders Association reports.
Mario Guerrero visited Washington, D.C., recently to urge the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to stop ICE from conducting raids at construction sites. Those meetings in D.C. were set up by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.
“We need to protect our economy. Right now in South Texas, we're being dramatically affected. In January, there wa...
I-LinCP to host mixer in Brownsville
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley chapter of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects is hosting a mixer in Brownsville on the evening of February 18.
It is titled: “Downtown Brownsville - A Master Plan Revitalization Mixer. It is being held at Boqueron Food & Wine Bar on E. Washington Street, starting at 5:30 p.m.
To learn more about I-LinCOP and the mixer, the RGG Business Journal met up with Oscar Garcia, regional vice president for Broaddus & Associates, and vice president for I-LinCP-RGV, and Doroteo Garcia, Jr., assistant city manager for the City of Brownsville.
...Astrid Salazar gives Prosperity Task Force an update on RioPlex's current workload
MCALLEN, Texas - RioPlex is planning to visit Asia and Europe later this year in order to drum up business for the region.
The trade missions will likely take in the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Japan. There will also be a number of visits to Mexico and different parts of the United States. A signature event, much like the group did in Houston last year, will be held in Mexico, most likely in Mexico City.
Confirmation that the group was making such arrangements came from Mario Reyna, in an...
Cortez: RGV cities are stores within a mall. They are not the mall itself.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez today begins a charm offensive as he seeks to bring the larger cities and economic development organizations in the Rio Grande Valley under the RioPlex umbrella.
Cortez plans to meet with all the EDCs, both individually and collectively. The first meeting takes place today with an unnamed city.
Asked what the feedback has been so far, Cortez said: “The response that we're getting from people we've contacted is very positive. The response that we've gotten from individual cities is they're still unsure.”
Smaller c...
VAMOS is celebrating its 30th Anniversary
EDINBURG, Texas - The Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) is celebrating 30 years of service to first-generation, low-income students across the Rio Grande Valley.
In recognition of this year’s anniversary, VAMOS has a goal of raising $1 million in scholarship funds.
The organization’s largest fundraiser each year is a golf tournament. The 30th Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament takes place on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen, Texas. Proceeds from the tournament will directly support four-year renewable scholarships, with awards of up to $20,000 over four academic years for students from H...
Everything Cameron County Commissioner Joey Lopez said at the State of the County Address
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Cameron County held its State of the County Luncheon in Harlingen last month and Precinct 2 Commissioner Joey Lopez spoke about La Esperanza Community Park’s all-inclusive renovations.
The park reopened in July 2025, with the addition of an inclusive splash pad for children. According to Lopez, the park has been utilized by several children and families that are wheelchair-bound.
“The area is well shaded,” Lopez said. “The renovations that have happened within this past year (are worth) about $2.3 million. We added a huge splash pad that was put in, we updated the walking trail an...
An interview with Dr. Rashmi Chandran, president of AltaCair
MISSION, Texas - AltaCair Foundation’s top event of 2025 was its Accelerator Conference. This was the third year in a row AltaCair has held an Accelerator Conference. It was billed as the largest health summit in South Texas. During the conference, the group’s president, Dr. Rashmi Chandran, gave a series of interviews. Here is one of them.
Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website for the full story.
Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.
RioPlex Executive Director Mario Reyna gives presentation
MCALLEN, Texas - RioPlex plans to hold meetings every month across the region to explain to communities what the group is doing to bring in more investment and better paying jobs.
Mario Reyna, RioPlex’s executive director, spoke about the group’s vision, mission statement, core values, and strategic direction at a leadership gathering, held recently at McAllen Country Club.
“We're going to have engagements every month throughout the region to tell people what it is that we're trying to do,” Reyna said. “People have to understand, the community has to understand, what it is that we're...
How Pharr Police Department assists the victims of crime
Josie Arellano is crime victims liaison for Pharr Police Development. Arellano sat down for an in-depth interview with Rio Grande Guardian anchor Mari Regalado to discuss her work. She said it is important for the victims of crime to come forward and report a crime, no matter what their legal status. She said Pharr Police Department can help. Here is the interview.
Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.
Cómo el Departamento de Policía de Pharr ayuda a las víctimas de delitos
Josie Arellano es enlace para víctimas de delitos en el Departamento de Desarrollo Policial de Pharr. Arellano conversó a fondo con la presentadora del Rio Grande Guardian, Mari Regalado, para hablar sobre su trabajo. Regalado comentó que es importante que las víctimas de delitos se presenten y denuncien, sin importar su estatus legal. Añadió que el Departamento de Policía de Pharr puede ayudar.
Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.
Cuellar, South Texas builders strategize over ICE raids at construction sites
PHARR, Texas - Mario Guerrero, CEO of the South Texas Builders Association, says the region’s banks are also being impacted ICE’s raids on construction sites in the Rio Grande Valley.
Guerrero called a meeting recently with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar to discuss the economic impact the raids are having on the building industry. More than 20 construction company owners attended.
The building industry representatives said jobs are being delayed because workers, undocumented or otherwise, are not showing up at the construction sites. He said ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers are rounding up all t...
Lucio celebrates his 25th anniversary giving away turkeys for Thanksgiving
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Former state Sen. Eddie Lucioo, Jr., has not been able to give away as many turkeys to the less fortunate this year, in part because federal funding to the food banks has been cut.
Normally, Lucio would purchase the turkeys at a competitive price from local food banks and distribute them to those in need in Cameron, Willacy, and Hidalgo counties. This year, however, the 25th year he has been doing it, he has had to pay for them from the large distributors at the normal price.
And so, he has had...
Garcia gives update on McAllen EDC's current projects
MCALLEN, Texas - Ralph Garcia, interim chief operating officer for McAllen Economic Development Corporation, has given a brief update on the various projects the group is working on.
“Right now, the EDC is working with about 25 active projects. This represents a total of about three million square feet of space. Estimated jobs are about 8,000 and the economic impact of that is roughly about $5 billion dollars,” Garcia said a quarterly stakeholders meeting.
“Primarily, our companies are coming from France, Sweden, Mexico, the US and Japan. Those are the activities that we're seeing right now.”
Garcia sa...
Santoscoy gives update on McAllen International Airport passenger numbers
MCALLEN, Texas - McAllen International Airport continues to capture the biggest share of the passenger market in the Rio Grande Valley, the city’s director of aviation reports.
Jeremy Santoscoy gave an update on airport activity at a recent McAllen Economic Development Corporation stakeholders meeting.
“Through Quarter 3, we’re at about 863,000 total passengers, which is a slight decrease year-over-year, (a drop of) about two and a half percent,” Santoscoy said.
“We continue to see the majority market share, the value is about 48 percent, with Harlingen following at 40 percent and Brownsville at 12 percent.”
Harlingen i...
Alfaro gives presentation on Hidalgo County RMA projects to McAllen EDC
MCALLEN, Texas - Ruben Alfaro, development engineer for Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority, gave an update on the group’s strategic plan when he spoke at a McAllen Economic Development Corporation stakeholders meeting.
That strategic plan includes the long-awaited Hidalgo County Loop. Alfaro said HCRMA is making good progress.
“The key point I wanted to get across is the progress that we are making in terms of construction and where we are going as an RMA,” Alfaro told the RGG Business Journal, at the end of the meeting.
“We need everyone in the county ti...
