Good morning, Brownsville.

7th grader Benito Rangel received a back-to-school shopping spree from Channel 5 News, H-E-B, and Communities in Schools that allowed him to buy school supplies and groceries for his family.

He even grabbed extra items for his sister, easing the start of the school year.

Families enjoyed the Labor Day holiday on South Padre Island Monday, Sept.

7 as local businesses reported strong sales with restaurants like Meatball Cafe extending hours and hiring extra staff. Many beachgoers used the break to relax and plan future visits.

A Brownsville shrimp captain reported that an underwater object eight miles off Boca Chica Beach damaged his fishing gear last Wednesday, costing $12,000 in nets (SpaceX debris is suspected) as the Coast Guard reviews the report.

RioPlex, a cross-border economic initiative, will attend a two-day summit at the Hilton Mexico City Reforma on Sept.

9-10 to showcase the region’s growing manufacturing capacity & attract global investors.

At a forum held on Sept.

3 at STC's Mid-Valley Campus in Weslaco, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez explained over 20% of RGV residents face food insecurity & urged local nonprofits, food banks and community groups to combine efforts so families can access healthy food.

Channel 5 Sports Director KJ Doyle interviewed UTRGV Head Football Coach Travis Bush to recap the Vaqueros vs. UTSA Roadrunners game on Sept.

6 — providing local fans with key insights into the team’s performance.