The International Museum of Art & Science has received a grant from the PNC Foundation, allowing the museum to bring hands-on STEAM learning experiences directly to young community members at no cost to their families. The grant recognizes the museum’s commitment to providing unique, educational experiences for preschool-aged children and their families. This milestone investment culminates in two initiatives: the ongoing Young Adventurers STEAM workshop series and PNC Adventure Day,…
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Sydney Salas graduated from Texas A&M University in 2025 and immediately headed down a road less traveled. Her bachelor’s degree was in public health, but she had another field in mind. Salas flew to Denver in May 2025 with her mother, Christina Lopez, who is a State Farm Insurance agent in McAllen. Lopez was yearning to saddle up and fill an untapped niche. “I wear a lot of hats and…
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Valeo, a global automotive technology leader, will establish new U.S. manufacturing operations in McAllen. This announcement came recently through the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the City of McAllen and Hidalgo County. Headquartered in Paris, France, Valeo is a leading automotive technology company with operations in more than 30 countries worldwide, serving major automakers with advanced technologies that support vehicle safety, electrification, connectivity and next-generation mobility. Valeo’s decision…
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McAllen Public Library Director Kate P. Horan has been elected president-elect of the 2026 Texas Library Association. Her election reflects more than three decades of leadership in public and academic libraries and further elevates McAllen’s presence in library innovation and advocacy statewide. In 2025, Horan received the TLA Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of service. With nearly 35 years in public and academic libraries experience, Horan holds a BA…
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McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos gave his fifth State of The City Address in February and described his community as having “movement, energy and success.” Villalobos was exuberant in giving the address before a crowd of 1,300 at the McAllen Convention Center. The mayor walked around a large stage with a wireless headset microphone and enthusiastically ran down a list of accomplishments and projects achieved in 2025. Villalobos often cited the…
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The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has appointed Tom Castañeda as chairman, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to regional advocacy and economic growth. Castañeda, system director of marketing and public relations for South Texas Health System, brings experience in journalism, marketing and communications. A Rio Grande Valley native, he has led marketing, advertising, community engagement and public relations for the system’s 12 facilities since 2020. “The RGV Hispanic Chamber,…
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The City of McAllen has shattered its all-time sales tax record, receiving $12.6 million in February’s allocation for December collections, (2025 vs 2024) a 5.31-percent increase over the same period last year. This milestone surpasses the previous high of $11.9 million. “McAllen is no longer simply participating in regional growth. We are defining it,” said Mayor Javier Villalobos. “As more people choose to visit, invest and shop here, the numbers…
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The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation present Trade Talks on Feb. 26 with Dan W. McGrew, president and CEO of Velvac Inc., a 90-year-old manufacturing company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. Velvac is a Tier One supplier to commercial truck manufacturers and sells over 4000 aftermarket parts with its manufacturing facility in Reynosa, Mexico. McGrew has experience in all facets of operating international businesses in the…
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For the third straight year, McAllen ISD has been named a Texas Honor Roll school district. In addition, 15 McAllen ISD schools were named 2025 Texas Honor Roll schools. The list is based on data released by a non-profit organization that is part of a national effort to identify higher-performing schools and school districts. The McAllen ISD campuses include: Achieve Early College High School Brown Middle School Cathey Middle School Fossum…
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The story of Victor and Lori Arteaga is a tale of two countries. It is a tale rooted in family, tradition, food and culture. Both were born in Mexico City and moved to McAllen as pre-teens, though they did not meet until years later. At the age of 11, Victor and his family moved to McAllen, where his mother’s sister lived. “I didn’t speak any English when I moved over…
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