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Business news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
BusinessWith the reopening of the border crossing for Mexican cattle, doubts arise about price drops
The United States plans to reopen a border crossing in Arizona on Monday for the entry of cattle from Mexico in an attempt to reduce beef prices, although economists doubt the measure will significantly impact grocery store shoppers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has indicated that concerns over the spread of the New World screw-worm have diminished enough to allow cattle movement from Mexico at a crossing in Douglas, Arizona, about 230 miles southeast of Phoenix. Over time, it hopes to reopen other crossings in New Mexico and Texas. Beef prices are clearly a concern for President Donald Trump, who announced on Friday that he would allow the duty-free entry of up to 331,000 tons of imported ground beef to be sold below market prices for the next 90 days. In February, the White House stated that banning cattle imports from Mexico over a year ago was 'essential' to contain the screw-worm, but it has exacerbated the shortage of cattle for slaughter in the U.S. 'The government obviously has many incentives to say they are doing something about high meat prices in particular,' said Derrell Peel, an agribusiness professor at Oklahoma State University. 'Beef has been highlighted because it is an expensive product and because it has a lot of visibility.' The Trump administration closed the border to cattle imports in May 2025 as part of its response to the screw-worm, a parasite with larvae that devour flesh and can infest and even kill cattle or other animals. This measure came when the U.S. was already struggling to meet beef demand due to a cattle herd that has been shrinking for five years and is now the smallest in decades. Although the Department of Agriculture plans a gradual reopening of the border, it will take months before Mexican imports return to traditional levels, Peel explained. Mexico has traditionally supplied 1.1 million head, or about 3% of the U.S. cattle supply. 'I do not expect to see any measurable impact on cattle or beef prices anytime soon,' Peel added. The smallest herd in decades in the U.S. has driven prices up. The Department of Agriculture reported that as of January 1, the cattle herd had fallen to 86.2 million head, the lowest figure in 75 years. Beef prices have skyrocketed over the past five years, rising significantly faster than overall food prices, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average price of a pound of ground beef increased nearly 57% from July 2021 to July 2026, from $4.39 to $6.89 — reaching a peak of $6.90 in May — with a 10% increase from the previous year. Food prices have risen about 25% in total over those five years, according to the bureau's figures. The price of a pound of raw steak rose 35% in the past five years, reaching a record $13.06 per pound in July, also 10% higher than a year earlier. However, Glynn Tonsor, an agricultural economics professor at Kansas State University, explained that the effect on beef prices from the lower cattle supply has been mitigated because the U.S. beef industry is more efficient and has been able to extract more meat from each animal than in previous years. The U.S. says the reopening begins at a safe point. Government and industry officials in the U.S. consider the New World screw-worm fly a major threat to the country's $113 billion livestock industry. It was an annual scourge during warm weather for U.S. ranchers from at least the 1930s to the 1960s until the U.S. largely eradicated it. The fly had been contained for years near the Panama Canal but returned to southern Mexico in late 2024 and advanced into the U.S., with the first case in Texas since 1966 reported on June 3. Since then, more than 40 cases have been confirmed in South Texas and southeastern New Mexico, with infestations in cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs. In her July announcement regarding plans for a gradual reopening of the border, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that it was possible to start with a crossing in Arizona because the northern states of Sonora and Chihuahua had stronger animal health programs than other parts of Mexico. She also stated that each animal would be inspected and declared free of the parasite before crossing the border. The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, John Boozman, pointed out that the Department of Agriculture is taking a 'careful, science-based' approach to reopening the border and imposing strong animal health protocols. 'This is an important step for U.S. cattle producers, especially for our feeders in the border states,' Boozman, a Republican from Arkansas, said in a statement. 'Restoring this trade is essential to strengthen our cattle supply and support a healthy and competitive beef industry.' Drought and low prices led to the smallest herd in 75 years. Drought in the cattle-producing regions of the U.S. is a major reason why the national herd is so small, said David Anderson, an agricultural economics professor at Texas A&M University. If grass does not grow, cattle have nothing to graze on, forcing ranchers to sell them. Low cattle prices over the past two decades are also a factor. 'What we have today is, in a way, the culmination of about 18, 19, 20 years of very low cattle prices,' Anderson explained. 'That forces us to reduce our herds. Drought forces us to reduce them even further.' The cattle shortage has also left beef processing plants operating below capacity. Tyson Foods, one of the largest meat processors in the country, announced in November that it was reorganizing its beef operations and closing a plant in Lexington, Nebraska, about 220 miles southwest of Omaha. Earlier this month, it announced plans to close a plant in Utah, just outside Salt Lake City, and another in Illinois, about 150 miles southeast of Chicago. In June, another major processor in the U.S., JBS USA, announced plans to close beef plants in Memphis and just outside Philadelphia, although it later said it would maintain some operations at the Pennsylvania plant to preserve 400 jobs there. Rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd — and ultimately lowering prices — will likely take years, largely because a cow typically has only one calf a year, Peel assured. Additionally, raising a heifer keeps it out of the food supply, further tightening it while the herd is rebuilt. Peel stated that prices will remain high for some time and, for elected officials, 'There is nothing that can be done.' This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. A Telemundo Digital editor reviewed the translation.
BusinessWorkforce Solutions Jobs Update, 8-24-26
Texas Workforce Solutions is hosting several job events this week. A job fair will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Pepe Salinas Civic Center in Pharr, TX. Additionally, there will be a hiring event for D's Discounts on Wednesday, August 26, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Workforce Solutions Edinburg. Finally, Fox Packaging will hold a hiring event on Thursday, August 27, also from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Workforce Solutions Edinburg Annex. For more job opportunities, visit www.workintexas.com.
Business$17 Million Settlement Related to Kroger Pharmacies: Who May Receive a Payment
The $17 million settlement, presented in an Ohio court, alleges that Kroger did not account for the lower prices of the Savings Club for prescription medications, causing customers to pay inflated amounts for drugs at the store pharmacies. Kroger denies any wrongdoing and claims it accurately reported its retail prescription prices. According to the settlement website, anyone who paid for prescription medications at any Kroger store between December 9, 2018, and August 23, 2026, may be eligible to receive a payment. Here’s how to file a claim and what you could receive: How much could you receive? Those who submit valid claims will receive a portion of the $17 million settlement, but payments will vary. According to the settlement administrator, the fund will also be used to cover legal costs, and payments to each claimant are not expected to exceed $5,000. Payments will be calculated based on how many people file valid claims and how much a claimant paid for prescription medications at Kroger between December 9, 2018, and August 23, 2026. To qualify for a portion of the payment, customers must have used prescription insurance benefits to pay for the medication. Payments would be distributed within 120 days if the court grants final approval of the settlement and once any appeals, if there are any, have been resolved.
BusinessHow to Claim a Payment from the $17 Million Settlement Related to Kroger
Have you used Mariano's pharmacy for prescription medications in the past nine years? If so, you may be entitled to a portion of a multimillion-dollar settlement with Kroger, the parent company of Mariano's. The $17 million settlement, filed in an Ohio court, alleges that Kroger failed to account for the lower prices of the Savings Club for prescription medications, causing customers to pay inflated amounts for drugs at the store pharmacies. Kroger denies any wrongdoing and claims it accurately reported its retail prescription prices. According to the settlement website, anyone who paid for prescription medications at any Kroger store between December 9, 2018, and August 23, 2026, may be eligible to receive a payment. Here’s how to file a claim and what you might receive: How much could you receive? Those who file valid claims will receive a portion of the $17 million settlement, but payments will vary. According to the settlement administrator, the fund will also be used to cover legal costs, and payments to each claimant are not expected to exceed $5,000. Payments will be calculated based on how many people file valid claims and how much a claimant paid for prescription medications at Kroger between December 9, 2018, and August 23, 2026. To qualify for a share of the payment, customers must have used prescription insurance benefits to pay for the medication. Payments would be distributed within 120 days if the court grants final approval of the settlement and once any appeals have been resolved, if applicable.
BusinessDisney Offers Early Retirement to Longtime Executives Amid Wave of Layoffs
The entertainment giant Disney is offering early retirement plans to long-serving executives as part of a strategy amid a wave of mass layoffs aimed at reducing costs. On Monday morning, Disney's Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Sonia Coleman, sent an internal memo announcing the program, which aims to provide eligible executives the opportunity to retire with a package 'that acknowledges their service and contributions,' according to the digital outlet Deadline. The plan includes severance pay of up to one year and the right to maintain medical coverage for the same duration as company employees.
BusinessHarlingen Water Works announces increase in bill
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Harlingen Water Works System announced that there will be a water and wastewater rate increase, which will raise residents' water bills. According to a news release from HWWS, in April 2024, the city approved a phased rate increase. However, the additional rate increases were delayed while they looked for other funding
BusinessBuc-ee chain draws outcry in Ohio for launching fight over a mini mart beaver logo
Buc-ee's, the Texas convenience store chain, is facing backlash in Ohio after filing a trademark infringement lawsuit against Beaver's Mini Mart in Beavercreek. The lawsuit claims that the mini mart's beaver logo resembles Buc-ee's iconic beaver mascot. This has sparked a boycott of Buc-ee's, with supporters rallying around Beaver's Mini Mart, which has been part of the community since 2017. The Beavercreek City Council has even passed a resolution to recognize the beaver as part of the city's history. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $69,000 to help cover legal fees for Beaver's Mini Mart, highlighting community support against Buc-ee's actions.
BusinessMexican ranchers prepare to resume livestock sales to US under tight controls over screwworm risk
Mexican ranchers are preparing to resume livestock exports to the U.S. after a year-long ban due to the New World screwworm parasite. The U.S. will reopen its border for cattle imports starting August 24 at the Douglas, Arizona crossing. Initially, only 700 cattle per day will be allowed, increasing gradually to 1,300. Ranchers like Martín Alfonso Ibarra express cautious optimism, as the ban significantly impacted their income. The screwworm outbreak has been largely contained in Mexico, with 1,969 active cases reported. However, new U.S. regulations may slow down shipments, frustrating some ranchers who seek a quicker resolution to supply shortages.
Business“Spider-Man” Could Surpass “Avengers: Endgame” as the Second Highest-Grossing Opening
In its fourth weekend, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" maintained its top position at the box office, earning $39 million across 4,006 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The film has grossed over $854.9 million in North America, positioning it to potentially surpass "Avengers: Endgame" as the second highest-grossing domestic release ever. Meanwhile, "The Odyssey" became Christopher Nolan's highest-grossing film to date, with $19.5 million in its sixth weekend, bringing its total to nearly $539.1 million domestically. The summer box office has generated approximately $4.4 billion, marking one of the most successful seasons in history.
BusinessWalmart and Sam's Club Introduce New Payment Method
Walmart and Sam's Club are set to introduce a new contactless payment method called 'Tap to pay' starting August 24. Customers will be able to use their smartphones or smartwatches with apps like Google Pay and Apple Pay at select locations. This new option adds to existing payment methods such as cash and physical cards. The company aims to roll out this feature across all Walmart and Sam's Club stores by the end of 2026, with gas stations expected to follow by mid-2027. The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance payment flexibility for customers.
BusinessChick-fil-A to launch limited-time fall menu item; Chicken & Waffles sandwich
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Chick-fil-A is expected to launch a limited-time fall menu item starting Monday at Rio Grande Valley locations. The new items include a regular and spicy chicken or waffles sandwich, along with a s’more milkshake and s’mores frosted coffee. Local owner and Operator of the Mercedes Chick-fil-A, Michael Kandler, said the new
BusinessInternational Economic Development Council Honors Pharr Global Business Hub
The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (Pharr EDC) has received international recognition from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for its Pharr Global Business Hub Partnership Initiative. This initiative was honored in the Regional or Cross-Border Partnership category of the 2026 IEDC Excellence Awards, which celebrate innovative economic programs. The initiative focuses on enhancing international business opportunities and economic ties between South Texas and Mexico through partnerships with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and other stakeholders. Pharr EDC leaders emphasize the importance of collaboration in driving economic growth and positioning Pharr as a leader in international trade.
BusinessJuly Texas Upstream Employment Drops, but Talent Demand Stays Strong
In July 2026, Texas experienced a decrease in upstream employment in the oil and natural gas sector, losing 1,200 jobs compared to June. This decline included 300 jobs in extraction and 900 in the service sector, marking the first back-to-back monthly job losses of the year. Despite this, employment remains up 3,400 jobs since January. The Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) reported strong job postings, with 10,951 unique listings in July, indicating ongoing demand for talent. Tax revenues from oil and gas production also rose, with producers paying $567 million in oil taxes, a 31% increase from the previous year.
BusinessGeorge Cardenas Takes Expanded Commercial Banking Leadership Role Across South and West Texas
George Cardenas has been appointed as the executive vice president and commercial banking president for South and West Texas, leveraging over 25 years of banking experience. He has a history of collaborating with business owners and financial leaders to foster growth and operational efficiency. Cardenas aims to enhance commercial banking initiatives across the region, which encompasses a variety of industries. In addition to his banking role, he is committed to community service, supporting education, youth development, and environmental initiatives, while mentoring future leaders and contributing to local organizations.
BusinessTexas Leads All States For Annual Job Gains
Texas has emerged as the leader in job creation, adding 165,600 nonfarm jobs over the past year, according to July labor market data released by Governor Greg Abbott. This growth rate of 1.2% surpasses the national average by a full percentage point. The total number of nonfarm jobs in Texas now stands at 14,468,000. The state’s labor force has also seen an increase, reaching 15,915,600. Key sectors contributing to this growth include Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Construction. Under Abbott's leadership, Texas has gained over 2.6 million jobs and is now home to 57 Fortune 500 companies.
BusinessInternational Economic Development Council Honors BCIC with Four 2026 Awards
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has been awarded four 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). These awards highlight BCIC's achievements in strategic planning, economic equity, public reporting, and business education. The honors include a Gold Award for the BCIC Strategic Plan 2025-2029 brochure, two Silver Awards for economic equity initiatives and the annual report, and a Bronze Award for a special event series. BCIC will be recognized at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans, bringing its total awards to 17, solidifying its status as a leader in economic development in the Rio Grande Valley.
BusinessDid You Buy a House in Texas? You Could Receive Money from a Million-Dollar Settlement
If you purchased a house in Texas, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation as part of court settlements totaling $28.5 million resulting from a federal lawsuit. According to the announcement, the lawsuit was filed against real estate companies Keller Williams and RE/MAX. According to the settlement information, individuals who bought a residential property in Texas from January 25, 2019, to April 14, 2026, may qualify, provided the home was listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
BusinessMexican Consul Jesús Cano Sees Pharr’s Commercial Missions as Two-Way Road for Trade
Mexican Consul Jesús Cano highlighted the importance of commercial missions in Pharr for enhancing trade between Mexico and the U.S. During a recent mission, organized by the City of Pharr and the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, Mexican producers received crucial information on U.S. market entry requirements. Cano noted that these missions facilitate direct communication between businesspeople and officials, fostering a two-way trade relationship. He emphasized that Pharr is evolving into a significant commercial hub, comparable to Laredo, and that the Mexican Consulate is committed to supporting businesses in both countries by providing essential resources and guidance.
BusinessBMW of Pharr Celebrates Grand Opening and New Chapter for Bert Ogden Auto Group
Bert Ogden Auto Group celebrated the grand opening of BMW of Pharr on August 20, marking a significant milestone for the dealership, which officially opened in July 2025. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by company leaders, BMW representatives, and local officials. Located near U.S. 281 and Owassa Road, the new facility reflects the group's long-standing relationship with BMW, dating back to 1990. CEO Natasha del Barrio praised the support from Pharr officials and emphasized the dealership's commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience. The Vackar family has a history of community support, including contributions to local educational institutions.