PlayStation Agrees to Pay $7.5 Million in Class Action Lawsuit: Who Qualifies?

PlayStation users may be eligible to claim a share of a proposed settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that consumers overpaid for certain digital games. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claimed that Sony 'illegally eliminated competition and monopolized' the market for Sony digital games, resulting in inflated prices for buyers in violation of antitrust laws. Sony denies the allegations, and the court has not determined that Sony engaged in any wrongdoing. A proposed settlement of $7,850,000 to resolve the claims received preliminary approval and remains pending before a federal court as of Monday. A hearing has been scheduled to determine whether the settlement will be approved, how the funds will be distributed among group members, and whether the lead attorney's request for payment of fees and legal expenses will be granted.

La Plaza Mall to open four new stores this summer, including PopMart

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — La Plaza Mall has announced new stores and remodels happening this summer for guests to enjoy. In 2026, La Plaza Mall will open Ulta Beauty, Pop Mart, Psycho Bunny, and Perfumania. Coach and Lids will also be freshly remodeled this summer. Ulta Beauty is a beauty retail store, where shoppers will find

BCIC Appoints Daniel Silva as Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has appointed Daniel Silva as Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, effective April 27, 2026. Silva has over 20 years of experience in economic development and entrepreneurship in the Rio Grande Valley. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the South Texas Vocational Technical Institute and held leadership roles at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership and the Mission Economic Development Corporation. In his new role, Silva will manage BCIC's initiatives like Startup Texas and the eBridge Center, aligning with the organization's Strategic Plan for 2025–2029 aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Brownsville.

The latest at SpaceX with LabPadre: May 4

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Over at pad two, the final ground-side checks are underway, with crews verifying the readiness of the tower's propellant handling systems and the launch pad's various moving parts. Liquid nitrogen was run through the pipes in the tower, chilling them to the loading temperature before the warmed gas was pushed through the

SBA Regional Leader Headlines Small Business Week Event, May 6th

On May 6, 2026, Justin Crossie, the SBA South Central Regional Administrator, will address attendees at the National Small Business Week luncheon. The event will take place from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Knapp Conference Center located at 1401 E. 8th Street in Weslaco, Texas. During the luncheon, the SBA will honor lenders and small business winners from the Lower Rio Grande Valley's 14-county area. Crossie, who oversees SBA operations in five states, is dedicated to supporting small businesses, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by enhancing access to capital and resources for growth.

Adamari Davila Joins Terracon as Project Engineer in Pharr

Terracon, a prominent engineering consulting firm, has appointed Adamari Davila as a project engineer at its Pharr office. With six years of experience in geotechnical engineering, Davila has worked on various projects across South Texas and Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Davila developed her interest in geotechnical engineering during her studies and is eager to contribute to her new role by providing design guidance and collaborating with project teams. She looks forward to learning from her colleagues at Terracon.

Texas Wins 2026 Prosperity Cup to Sweep National Rankings

Texas has been awarded the 2026 Prosperity Cup by Site Selection magazine, recognizing it as the leading state for job-creating business investment. Governor Greg Abbott highlighted Texas's favorable business climate, which is supported by pro-growth policies and a skilled workforce. This marks the second consecutive year Texas has achieved this honor, having also received the Governor’s Cup for attracting the most new and expanded business projects for 14 years in a row. Texas excelled in ten categories including capital investment and workforce readiness, solidifying its status as a top destination for businesses.

Spirit Airlines Attributes Its Shutdown to Rising Gas Prices, According to Court Documents

Spirit Airlines stated in court documents filed on Monday that it was forced to permanently ground its fleet over the weekend because "recent geopolitical events caused a massive and sustained increase in fuel prices." Although the court documents did not specify the nature of these geopolitical events, aviation fuel prices have surged in the two months since the start of the war against Iran. "The debtors and their advisors sought additional capital and any source of savings or liquidity, leaving no option unexplored," the airline noted in records submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. "By Thursday, it became clear that sufficient additional liquidity would not be found and that no viable paths remained for restructuring or continuing operations." However, Spirit waited until early Saturday to cease operations, stranding thousands of travelers en route and forcing many others to rebook with other airlines. Many passengers reported that they received no warning that Spirit was about to cease operations. In the court documents, Spirit stated that it requested the Federal Aviation Administration "to issue a flight suspension order for Spirit to ensure that no accidental departures occurred" at 3 a.m. on Saturday.

McCreery Aviation Marks 80 Years as a Pillar of Regional Growth and Aviation Excellence

McCreery Aviation celebrated its 80th anniversary on April 10, 2026, at McAllen International Airport, marking a significant milestone in the Rio Grande Valley's aviation history. Founded in 1946 by Mac and Ardath McCreery in Mercedes, the company relocated to McAllen in 1948, evolving into a key player in regional aviation services. Current leader Bob McCreery emphasized the importance of community support and the company's commitment to quality service. The event brought together past employees, business partners, and local officials, all recognizing McCreery's enduring legacy and its integral role in the growth of McAllen and the surrounding area.

'We can finally make it official': 5x5 Brewing Co. continues partnership with LNF Distributors

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The locally owned 5x5 Brewing Co. announced it is continuing its partnership with L&F Distributors. As previously reported by ValleyCentral, the brewing company announced in late January that it would close its taproom on Feb. 28, with beer available in the market while it lasted. However, on Monday, the company announced it

Workforce Solutions Jobs Update, 5-4-26

Texas Workforce Solutions is hosting several job opportunities this week. A hiring event for 7-Eleven and Stripes will take place on May 6, 2026, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Workforce Solutions Mission, located at 901 Travis St., Ste. 7, Mission, TX 78572. Additionally, a job fair is scheduled for May 7, 2026, from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Knapp Medical Conference Center, 1401 E. 8th St., Weslaco, TX 78596. For more job listings, visit www.workintexas.com.

Pharr International Bridge reports rising trade and nearing expansion completion

At the RGV Startup Week held at the Pharr Global Business Hub, Luis Bazan provided updates on the Pharr International Bridge's trade activity and infrastructure. He reported a 14-15% increase in cross-border traffic compared to last year, with the bridge facilitating 1.2 to 1.3 million truck crossings annually. Bazan noted that manufactured goods account for 75% of cargo value, while produce makes up 18%. The bridge expansion is over 90% complete and expected to be operational by May or June. Efforts are underway to enhance logistics through regional partnerships, including potential connections with air transport.

Gas prices continue to rise: national average climbs to $4.46 per gallon

The national average price of gasoline rose to $4.46 per gallon on Monday, as oil futures rebounded after three days of declines, increasing direct costs for consumers due to the war with Iran. U.S. crude jumped more than 4% to surpass $105 per barrel in midday trading, while Brent, the international benchmark, rose 5% to exceed $114 per barrel. Wholesale gasoline prices also surged by 4%. Since the war with Iran began in late February, the average price of unleaded gasoline has increased by 49%. The latest oil price spike occurred despite President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday of a plan called 'Project Freedom,' under which the U.S. would 'guide' commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. This maritime passage typically sees more than 20% of the world's oil supply transit daily, but the war has halted that traffic.

Spirit Airlines Collapses: Trump Administration Reacts to Failed Negotiations to Save the Airline

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy and suspended all operations early Saturday morning following unsuccessful negotiations with the Trump administration to rescue the airline from its financial crisis. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated during a Saturday press conference that while there was potential for an agreement with the airline, "it had to be a good deal." He acknowledged that negotiations between the airline and the government broke down due to "a creditor issue." "The final decision on whether or not to strike a deal with the government rests with them," Duffy said. "From the government’s perspective, we don’t often have five hundred million dollars sitting idle in a reserve account to allocate for rescuing an airline. As a result, creative thinking was employed to find a solution. However, none of those options came to fruition." "They had filed for bankruptcy multiple times; their business model wasn’t working," Duffy added. "They couldn’t restore their financial health." In a statement, Spirit’s President and CEO, Dave Davis, said: "Continuing operations required hundreds of millions of dollars in additional liquidity—funds Spirit simply does not have and could not secure."

Will I Get My Money Back? Everything You Need to Know About Spirit Airlines' Abrupt Shutdown

Spirit Airlines, the low-cost carrier that revolutionized the industry with its provocative ads and deeply discounted fares, announced on Saturday that it is ceasing operations after 34 years. The airline, which operated hundreds of daily flights with its signature bright yellow planes and employed around 17,000 people, stated that it has 'initiated an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.' All flights have been canceled, and customer service is no longer available, according to the company’s website.

Hidalgo County appraisal district to host property tax exemption clinics

Spirit Airlines is Shutting Down, Thousands of Employees and Travelers to Be Affected

Spirit Airlines is ceasing operations, a decision that will impact thousands of scheduled flights and nearly as many employees. The troubled low-cost airline has canceled all flights and announced an 'orderly liquidation' of its operations, effective immediately as of early Saturday morning. 'To our passengers: all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available,' the company said in a statement. 'We are proud of the impact our ultra-low-cost model has had on the industry over the past 34 years and had hoped to serve our passengers for many more years,' it added. Spirit, which has struggled to maintain consistent profitability since the Covid-19 pandemic, was attempting to emerge from its second bankruptcy in less than a year. However, those plans were derailed by skyrocketing jet fuel costs driven by the outbreak of war with Iran. Last month, Spirit sought financial assistance from the White House, and President Donald Trump initially appeared receptive. However, reports emerged Friday indicating that an orderly shutdown was imminent after negotiations between the company, its bondholders, and the White House apparently broke down. On its dedicated closure website, the airline advised passengers not to go to the airport and stated that all Spirit flights are canceled, directing them to a page where they can check refund statuses and next steps. At its peak in the mid-2010s, Spirit launched up to 28 new routes in less than a year and was valued at up to $6 billion. The airline attracted passengers with its 'bare fare' offers, where everything—from beverages to carry-on luggage in overhead compartments—came at an additional cost, while the base fare remained minimal.

SkyH2O, Water from the Air, visits the RGV

Texas Border Business By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business SkyH2O is in the Rio Grande Valley this week as part of its South Texas tour, meeting with regional stakeholders to present its atmospheric water generation technology and explore potential projects in the area. The company is not deploying systems at this time but

Bettcher Manufacturing to Expand Mission Operations with $3 million Investment and 50 New Jobs

Texas Border Business Texas Border Business Bettcher Manufacturing, LLC will expand its operations in Mission with a $3 million investment, expected to create 50 new jobs and generate an estimated annual economic impact of nearly $16 million, according to a report from Teclo Garcia, President and CEO of the Mission Economic Development office. Garcia stated,