Good morning, Edinburg.

Several organizations in the Rio Grande Valley joined efforts to aid those affected by central Texas flooding; the Pharr Police Department sent two officers and three horses to Ingram for search and recovery — and the McAllen school district will host a donation drive at its central office from Monday through Wednesday. This coordinated response supports relief efforts in areas hit hard by the recent floods.

A 72-year-old man died at a local hospital after a house fire fully engulfed a building on the 2100 block of Doe Street in San Juan on Thursday morning—firefighters from San Juan, Edinburg and Pharr responded after the blaze was reported at about 10:30 a.m.

The Edinburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 4900 block of Dandelion just outside city limits on Thursday—crews quickly contained the blaze to one building and continued working to extinguish hot spots as the cause remained under investigation.

Elizabeth Batten, aged 58 from Mission and former finance director for a McAllen aviation firm, pleaded guilty to mail fraud in federal court on Wednesday after investigators found she used company checks to pay personal credit card bills from 2019 to 2023—she is scheduled to be sentenced on October 7 and must pay $1.2 million in restitution.

Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg is set to host the Palomazo Norteño concert on Saturday, July 19—featuring some of the biggest names in norteño music as noted by its digital media coordinator.

Tickets can be purchased online as the arena prepares for the major event.

Mario Reyna, coordinator of the Prosperity Task Force, said the RioPlex region will create a digital map of its manufacturing industry cluster to help draw in manufacturers and suppliers—UTRGV’s Ron Garza is set to lead the project.

Elisa Crespo gave a Spanish presentation on Tuesday at the Cambria Hotel in McAllen to show how to map an automotive industry cluster in Rio South Texas—drawing from her work in Central Mexico that helped grow a cluster from 5 to 160 companies.

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress will use her insights to help measure and boost the local auto industry.

McAllen-based attorney Ernest Aliseda has been named CEO and Associate Vice President of Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen—he will begin his role on Aug.

15, taking over from Manny Vela who retired in May. He brings over 30 years of experience in higher education, law, and public service and plans to expand Texas A&M’s impact in the Rio Grande Valley.

Region One received a $21,000 donation from Pharr Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday — funding that will cover the costs for aspiring teachers in their free Teacher Alternative Certification Program — in an effort to ease the teacher shortage in the Valley.

Palomazo Norteno

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Bert Ogden Arena — Check website for price — Experience the vibrant sounds of Latin music at this lively event.

WWE Supershow 2025

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Bert Ogden Arena — Check website for price — Experience an action-packed evening of thrilling wrestling entertainment.

Randall King Concert

7 p.m. — The Citrus Live — Check website for pricing — Experience the harmony of classic country with West Texas singer-songwriter Randall King.

Spicy & Fancy 5k Run

7-10 a.m. — Edinburg Municipal Park — Registration fees apply — Choose your team, Spicy or Fancy, and enjoy a fun-filled run.

5th Annual City of Edinburg Triathlon

7:30-10:00 a.m. — City of Edinburg Parks & Recreation Department — Registration fees vary — Compete in a challenging triathlon with medals for all finishers.