Good morning, Brownsville.

SSTASH in Mission was ranked 41st best burger place in the world by worldbestburgers.com.

Co-owner Americo Garza Castelan said the recognition underscores the restaurant’s focus on quality smash burgers made with carefully sourced ingredients (from a ranch to a New York bakery) in a minimalist setting.

Brownsville mom Stephanie Tovar published her children’s book (Make Way For Madison: The Seven Summits) Monday, July 6 through Amazon’s self-publishing service.

She will schedule local library story times and work to distribute the book around the community to encourage tech-free bonding.

Today, the UTRGV Center for Border Economic Studies released its Summer 2026 Border Business Brief that found nonfarm jobs in the valley increased by about 55,000 since 2020 and high-tech investments in aerospace are growing in Brownsville.

The brief also notes that wages for many service jobs remain below national averages.

On July 8, the Texas Shrimp Association held the Blessing of the Fleet at Port of Brownsville’s Fishing Harbor to honor shrimpers lost last year and kick off the commercial shrimp season opening today, as local officials — and religious leaders rallied behind shrimpers facing high fuel prices and visa shortages.

Pharr and Alamo received Digital Equity Project of the Year awards from NATOA, with winners to be honored at the conference in Kansas City from Sept.

14-17. Pharr was noted for its digital literacy and fiber-optic technician training, while Alamo was recognized for its free Wi-Fi in a local park.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released nearly 400 million sterile flies along the Texas-Mexico border since the start of the year to disrupt the New World screwworm’s mating cycle in counties with confirmed cases, including areas near Brownsville.

Governor Abbott has ordered the HHSC to investigate alleged birth tourism practices at Mission Regional Medical Center and Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco — after advertisements promoting childbirth packages emerged.

The inquiry follows a referral from the attorney general’s office and questions if any laws were broken.

Dr. Juan Manuel Ortiz offers expert pulmonary and sleep evaluations at his Brownsville clinic at 4770 Frontage Road, Suite 301 to help residents with breathing and sleep issues.

He uses tests such as bronchoscopy and sleep studies and accepts appointments via phone at (956) 362-3980.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is hosting four Blue Zones Community Assessment Readouts in Mission, Pharr, McAllen, and Edinburg on July 20 — 21 to share insights from local interviews and well-being data and explore non-medical ways to improve health in the Rio Grande Valley.

Talented country-Americana duo The Whites of Texas face a break from live music after Danielle White, diagnosed with medication-resistant epilepsy, is set for robotic brain surgery on Aug.

18 — the couple, who perform along the South Padre Island shoreline, now seek hope to resume shows in November.

Local health officials confirmed 10 cases of cyclosporiasis in the community — eight from Hidalgo County and two from Cameron County; experts urge residents to wash produce well to avoid infection as the CDC investigates.

Former Edinburg Vela catcher Jaime (Mito) Perez signed with the Texas Rangers on Monday, July 13 after strong seasons at Tarleton State and Grand Canyon, posting solid numbers behind the plate.

His signing follows a notable collegiate career that helped him stand out.