Weslaco sees boom in retail development

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — New housing and retail developments have been breaking ground across Weslaco, and city officials and developers are crediting the city’s central location and quality of life improvement projects for the boom. Alex Velasco is one business owner who recently expanded to Weslaco. He started Fork to Fit in McAllen in 2018

Check out what's new at SpaceX with LabPadre: April 30

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starting this week with our fabrication updates, in the early hours of Monday morning, Ship 41's nose cone emerged from Star Factory. A little less than two hours later, the article was taken into Mega Bay 2 as SpaceX prepped to start stacking operations on this latest Block III Starship. By

Texas Smashes Employment Records with 46,800 Jobs Added in March

Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas’ skilled workforce as a magnet for business investment as the state set a new record of 14,403,500 total nonfarm jobs with a gain of 46,800 jobs over the month of March and a gain of 117,200 jobs from March 2025 to March 2026.

Pharr Showcases Growth Strategy and Workforce Pipeline at RGV Startup Week

At RGV Startup Week on April 30, 2026, local officials, educators, and economic development leaders presented a coordinated strategy to position the city as a center for business growth and workforce development in the Rio Grande Valley.

Trump: U.S. presents 'final proposal' to Spirit amid reports airline may shut down

President Donald Trump announced that the White House had presented Spirit Airlines with a 'final proposal' for a federal bailout aimed at saving the airline, amidst reports suggesting the struggling low-cost carrier is laying the groundwork to liquidate its operations. Separate reports from 'The Wall Street Journal,' 'The New York Times,' and 'Bloomberg News' indicate that Spirit is preparing for liquidation after the sharp rise in jet fuel costs made its planned exit from bankruptcy nearly impossible. A company spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing discussions but told NBC News that Spirit continues to operate as usual. Meanwhile, American Airlines issued a statement announcing immediate fare caps on its 'main cabin' tickets for routes where Spirit also offers direct flights to the same cities.

High gas prices eating into Texan budgets, fueling inflation

Commercial Flights Between the U.S. and Venezuela Resume This Thursday After 7 Years

After nearly seven years without direct flights between the United States and Venezuela, American Airlines is resuming its Caracas-Miami route this Thursday. This milestone not only eliminates layovers for travelers but also marks a significant step in the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, now focused on facilitating capital flows into Venezuela's mining and energy sectors. American Airlines, which has been a major player in the Venezuelan market for decades, will formalize the restart of operations with a flight departing Thursday afternoon from Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, serving Caracas, and returning Friday from Miami. Starting in May, the airline will operate two daily flights using an Embraer 175 aircraft, operated by Envoy, a subsidiary of American Airlines, with a capacity of fewer than 100 passengers. This resumption comes nearly seven years after the airline ceased operations in Venezuela, coinciding with the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two nations. These relations have now been formally reestablished following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. military forces in January and the subsequent appointment of former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.

Pharr Lands Major Semiconductor Investment with Avant Technology Expansion

Texas Border Business Texas Border Business PHARR, Texas — The City of Pharr is taking center stage in Texas’ booming semiconductor industry following Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement of a $4.83 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) to support Avant Technology’s expansion in the city. The project will bring approximately 250 high-skilled jobs to

The Evolving Influence of OPEC in a Changing Global Market

In 1960, five major oil producing countries (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela) formed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Faster Filings for Texas Entrepreneurs as Secretary of State Grows Express Options

The Office of the Texas Secretary of State today announced the expansion of Texas Express, the agency’s expedited business filing service, to include business formations and other registration services.

Cementing Tech Leadership with $20 Million Grant to Applied Optoelectronics

Texas Border Business AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced that a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant of $20,852,518 has been extended to Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) for an expansion of their manufacturing capacity in Sugar Land. The expansion represents more than $279 million in capital investment and is expected to create 500 jobs. “Texas is

Interlink Trade Services adopts AI to address customs complexity

Texas Border Business By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business Jorge Torres, President and Licensed Customs Broker at Interlink Trade Services, said his company is integrating artificial intelligence into its operations to address the increasing complexity in the customs industry. In an interview with Omar Abuhashish, Co-Founder & CEO of Reform, based in San

Costco Makes a Change to Its Iconic $1.50 Hot Dog Combo

Costco is making a change to its famous $1.50 hot dog combo, which has maintained the same price for decades — but don't worry, the food won't be more expensive. The $1.50 combo is one of the most iconic items at Costco's food courts, with the company keeping its price unchanged since the 1980s despite inflation. Instead, the modification affects what customers can choose to accompany their meal. For over 40 years, the combo has been served with a 20-ounce soda, including free refills. Now, the chain is allowing customers to opt for a new choice: a 16.9-ounce Kirkland Signature bottled water. The traditional hot dog combo with soda remains available.

Traveling This Summer? TSA Offers Special Deal for PreCheck Enrollment

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has launched a limited-time promotion aimed at new TSA PreCheck applicants aged 30 or younger. From May 1 to May 31, eligible travelers can save $20 on their first five-year membership. The offer is available through TSA PreCheck’s three authorized enrollment providers: CLEAR, IDEMIA, and Telos. Travelers can sign up at any of the 1,300 TSA PreCheck locations nationwide, including community retail stores, not just airports.

Gasoline Prices Reach $4.23 Per Gallon, Setting a New Annual High

Gasoline prices in the United States have hit a new record since the start of the conflict with Iran, rising to a national average of $4.23 per gallon this Wednesday, according to AAA. This milestone comes as oil prices have surged significantly over the past week amid a dual blockade — by the United States and Iran — of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint in the region for the transit of crude oil and petroleum products from the Persian Gulf. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark that influences U.S. gasoline prices, is now priced at $114.60, marking an increase of nearly 25% from its recent low on April 17 and just a few dollars shy of its recent peak of $118.

Data center boom strains Texas homebuilder need for electricians

Strengthening the Local Economy: Join the Pharr City Official Roundtable, May 7th

he Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), will host Doing Business in Pharr, an upcoming business roundtable.

Desalination Project Proposed for South Texas Gains Momentum

During an interview conducted by Sergio Sanchez on KURV 710 AM, Mark M. Ellison outlined details of a proposed billion-dollar desalination project for South Texas, describing it as a long-term solution to regional water shortages.

Capital One Reaches $425 Million Settlement: Here's How You Can Claim Your Share

A federal judge has approved a $425 million settlement with Capital One in a class-action lawsuit concerning its savings accounts. The approval was granted on April 20, and if no appeals are filed, payments from the settlement are expected to be distributed around July 27, 2026. If an appeal is filed, payments will be delayed until the case is resolved. The $425 million settlement involves the bank's popular 360 Savings accounts, which were allegedly marketed deceptively, costing millions of customers over $2 billion in lost interest. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) accused Capital One of keeping interest rates on its 360 Savings accounts artificially low while rates were rising nationwide. Capital One denied the allegations but agreed to settle. Anyone who held a 360 Savings account between September 18, 2019, and June 16, 2025, is eligible to participate in the settlement. Payments will be calculated based on the difference in interest earned between the 360 Savings account and the higher-paying 360 Performance Savings account during that period. Attorney fees and administrative costs, which could total up to $63.75 million, will be deducted from the settlement fund before distribution.