Good morning, Brownsville.

Mary Eloise Charvat (a Harlingen entrepreneur and Texas State University student) launched her online shop Scratch That Kitchen last November to sell specialty Greek foods, and she showcased Greek olives at the South Padre Island Convention Center on Aug.

2 during the Texas International Fishing Tournament awards ceremony.

Local artist Ryan Henry launched a painted bird trail for businesses in Port Isabel and South Padre Island after his cheeky bird painting on his gallery sparked local interest.

His project, which began Wednesday, Aug. 12, has drawn support from over 15 local businesses and plans to expand further soon.

Ranchers in Raymondville are working to protect their cattle during a summer drought and heat as declining groundwater in Willacy County increases salt risks.

Mitchell Thomas said his windmills pump fresh water to keep livestock properly hydrated.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez is uniting nonprofits and food banks to fight hunger at the Hunger in the RGV: A Call to Action event on Sept.

3 at Weslaco South Texas College; the meeting will also explain upcoming SNAP benefit changes for a community facing food insecurity.

Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling visited Texas Southmost College in Brownsville on Thursday, Aug.

13 to promote the Workforce Pell Program, which offers grants for certificate courses leading to local jobs. The program provides an alternative to a four-year college path and supports local workforce development in South Texas.

South Texas Health System Behavioral offers tips for parents to ease Valley kids' back-to-school stress as the 2026-27 school year approaches.

The guidelines (such as adjusting routines and using mindfulness techniques) help ease early school year anxiety.

Los Fresnos residents in the free Diabetes Prevention Program have lost nearly 100 pounds combined halfway through the year-long initiative — a sign of the program’s positive impact — as they attend 22 educational sessions and regular exercise classes with ongoing city support.

Dr. Sridhar Allam of DHR Health said a shortage of local organ donors has forced his transplant team to rely on kidneys from far away and urged residents to register during National Minority Donor Awareness Month.

He noted that increasing local registrations could reduce transport delays.

USDA Associate Administrator Michael B.

Schmoyer said New World screwworm spread in Texas is slowing as active cases drop to three + sterile flies help control the pest, while construction on a large production facility in Edinburg will finish by Apr. 1.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, SPI officials and developers held a workshop on a $90–100 million expansion that would double the Center’s size and add exhibit hall and meeting rooms; the preferred option (Plan C) aims to preserve nearby wildlife areas.