Rio Grande Guardian
Jaime Wesolowski
- Title
- Jaime Wesolowski
- Runtime
- 7:16
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries recently held four Blue Zones Ignite Community Keynote Events in the Rio Grande Valley. They were held in McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Pharr. The idea was to see if any or all of those cities want to participate in a readiness assessment to determine if Blue Zones are right for them. “Methodist Healthcare Ministries is bringing together civic and community leaders to work with Blue Zones to make healthy choices easier and more accessible for all who live in and visit Rio Grande Valley,” the nonprofit stated. “Through community well-being enhancements, we are working to help the region’s citizens thrive and reach their full potential for health and for life. MHM added: “Blue Zones is the proven innovator for improving the well-being of large populations, with remarkable success in cities, businesses, and states across America.” Here is an interview with Jaime Wesolowski is president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.
- Title
- Dr. Ada Cuellar, MD
- Runtime
- 2:44
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Dr. Ada Cuellar, the medical doctor from Weslaco, lost her bid to represent the people of Texas Congressional District 15 in Congress. According to the unofficial numbers, Cuellar, a Democrat, secured 17,698 votes, or 32.5 percent. Her opponent, Texan singer Bobby Pulido picked up 36,820 votes, or 67.5 percent. Pulido now faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz in the general election in November. In an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Cuellar said she has no regrets about running. "We didn't really get help from the establishment, or really many organizations. I had to self-fund a lot of this in order for us to have a decent shot at maybe winning. But there was a lot of excitement. We built a movement. I met a lot of great people. I got involved with community activists. And so I'm really happy about the way things went."
- Title
- Dan Buettner, Jr.
- Runtime
- 6:45
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries recently held four Blue Zones Ignite Community Keynote Events in the Rio Grande Valley. They were held in McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Pharr. The idea was to see if any or all of those cities want to participate in a readiness assessment to determine if Blue Zones are right for them. “Methodist Healthcare Ministries is bringing together civic and community leaders to work with Blue Zones to make healthy choices easier and more accessible for all who live in and visit Rio Grande Valley,” the nonprofit stated. “Through community well-being enhancements, we are working to help the region’s citizens thrive and reach their full potential for health and for life. MHM added: “Blue Zones is the proven innovator for improving the well-being of large populations, with remarkable success in cities, businesses, and states across America.” Here is an interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Dan Buettner, Jr., JD, executive vice president and chi...
- Title
- Pete Delgado
- Runtime
- 7:05
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries recently held four Blue Zones Ignite Community Keynote Events in the Rio Grande Valley. They were held in McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Pharr. The idea was to see if any or all of those cities want to participate in a readiness assessment to determine if Blue Zones are right for them. “Methodist Healthcare Ministries is bringing together civic and community leaders to work with Blue Zones to make healthy choices easier and more accessible for all who live in and visit Rio Grande Valley,” the nonprofit stated. “Through community well-being enhancements, we are working to help the region’s citizens thrive and reach their full potential for health and for life. MHM added: “Blue Zones is the proven innovator for improving the well-being of large populations, with remarkable success in cities, businesses, and states across America.” Here is an interview with retired healthcare executive Pete Delgado, who helped implement Blue Zones in Salinas, C...
- Title
- Jorge Torres
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- At the start of the year the RGG Business Journal secured an end-of-year review with Rio Grande Valley-based customs broker Jorge Torres. The president of Interlink Trade Services hoped 2026 would be quieter than 2025. Why? Because President Trump's Liberation Day Tariffs caused so much disruption and confusion for companies importing goods and services into the U.S. in 2025. That disruption and confusion has not relented in 2026, Torres said, in part because the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of IIEPA to impose tariffs. IIEPA stands for the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Torres recently spoke at a Trade Talks session hosted by the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. Afterwards, the Business Journal secured a fresh interview with Torres. In the interview, Torres said tariffs are here to stay and predicted Trump will find other ways to impose one of his key economic policies.
- Title
- Arrieta discusses foreign direct investment
- Runtime
- 21:18
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Judith Arrieta Mungia is Mexico’s Consul General in Brownsville. Twice a month she sits down for an in-depth conversation with the RGG Business Journal about different economic topics. The latest discussion focused on direct foreign investment (FDI). During the conversation, Arrieta pointed out that in 2024, Mexico captured nearly one-fourth of all FDI in Latin America and the Caribbean. She also pointed out that in the third quarter of 2025, Mexico broke an FDI record, reaching nearly $41 billion, which represents a 15 percent increase compared to the third quarter of 2024. Arrieta discussed FDI with Business Journal editor Steve Taylor.
- Title
- Teclo Garcia
- Runtime
- 1:15:01
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Mission Economic Development Corporation recently hosted the Rio Grande Valley Partnership at their Center for Education & Economic Development. It was the Partnership’s inaugural RGV Connect event. A panel discussion focused on trade and transportation. At the conclusion of the event, Mission EDC CEO Teclo Garcia spoke about a new tech district his organization is launching called MI2D. Garcia said MI2D has been created “not just to handle today’s global business, logistics and technology challenges, but to create solutions going forward as international trade, advanced manufacturing and global logistics become more sophisticated, demanding and tech forward.” Here is a video recording of his remarks.
- Title
- Governor Greg Abbott
- Runtime
- 25:15
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a Get Out the Vote event at a restaurant in Harlingen on Monday, March 2 - the day before the primary election. He was joined on stage by Acting Comptroller candidate Kelly Hancock, Texas Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nathan Sheets, state Sen. Adam Hinojosa, and state Rep. Janie Lopez. All are Republicans and all but Hinojosa are on the ballot this year. In his remarks, Abbott said Texas had just been recognized as the best state in the nation to do business - again. He promised property tax relief and said he wants to make Texas the best state in the nation for education.
- Title
- Gina Hinojosa
- Runtime
- 10:04
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- One of the Democratic Party candidates for Governor of Texas made her final campaign swing through the Rio Grande Valley before the March 3 primary election. Gina Hinojosa, born and raised in Mission, Texas, appeared at a Get Out the Vote rally held at Edinburg Municipal Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 27. Here is her speech in full.
- Title
- Manuel 'Manny' Cruz
- Runtime
- 7:08
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The next U.S. Census is not until 2026. However, that is not stopping the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council from preparing for it. Recently, LRGVDV Executive Director Manuel 'Manny' Cruz visited Austin for an important planning meeting about the 2030 Census. He updated his board of directors on Feb. 26. The Rio Grande Guardian interviewed Cruz about the Census and how LRGVDV is preparing.
- Title
- Arrieta analiza la inversión
- Runtime
- 18:34
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Judith Arrieta Mungia es la Cónsul General de México en Brownsville. Dos veces al mes, conversa a fondo con el RGG Business Journal sobre diversos temas económicos. La última conversación se centró en la inversión extranjera directa (IED). Durante la conversación, Arrieta señaló que, en 2024, México captó casi una cuarta parte de toda la IED en América Latina y el Caribe. También señaló que, en el tercer trimestre de 2025, México batió un récord en IED, alcanzando casi 41 mil millones de dólares, lo que representa un aumento del 15 % en comparación con el tercer trimestre de 2024. Arrieta conversó sobre la IED con Daniela Capistrán del Business Journal.
- Title
- RGVP discusses trade and transportation
- Runtime
- 1:11:54
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Rio Grande Valley Partnership held its first ever RGV Connect forum at the Center for Education and Economic Development in Mission. The group plans to hold such events around the Valley in order to seek input for its agenda for next year’s legislative session. The focus at the first event was trade and transportation. The four panelists were: Maricela Gonzales, bridge operations manager for the Donna International Bridge, Jesús R. Reyna, interim city manager for the City of Donna, Walker Smith, port director for the Port of Harlingen, and Pete Sepulveda, Jr., Cameron County Administrator and executive director of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. The moderator was Ron Garza, associate vice president for workforce and economic development at UT-Rio Grande Valley. Here is a video recording of the event.
- Title
- Mark Murray
- Runtime
- 33:48
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- South Texas College professor Mark Murray is running for McAllen City Commission. If elected by the voters he will fill the unexpired term of Commssioner Seby Haddad, who is now running for State Representative. Murray sat down for an in-depth discussion on his candidacy with the Rio Grande Guardian. He explained why he thinks he is the best candidate, his platform and what he is hearing from voters. Towards the end of the interview he went slightly negative against his two opponents.
- Title
- James Talarico
- Runtime
- 25:58
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Texas state Rep. James Talarico is running for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic Party primary. He made his last stop in the Rio Grande Valley before the election on Friday evening, appearing on stage with other Democratic candidates at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium. Election Day is Tuesday, March 3. Here is a video recording of his speech.
- Title
- Desarrollo económico en el condado de Cameron
- Runtime
- 46:15
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- El Consejo para el Progreso Económico del Sur de Texas (COSTEP) organizó recientemente un foro de dos días para líderes con Index, la asociación comercial de maquiladoras en México. El foro reunió a líderes de Index de todo México. El primer día del foro se celebró en la Casa de Palmas en McAllen. El segundo día se celebró en Crosshatch BTX en Brownsville. En el evento de Brownsville, COSTEP organizó una mesa redonda sobre el desarrollo económico en el condado de Cameron. Los tres panelistas fueron Gilberto Salinas, presidente de la Corporación de Desarrollo Económico del Gran Brownsville; Orlando Campos, director ejecutivo de la Corporación de Desarrollo Económico de Harlingen; y Ramiro Alemán, director del departamento de desarrollo económico del condado de Cameron. El moderador fue Rick Carrera, director de desarrollo económico de COSTEP. Toda la discusión se desarrolló en español.
- Title
- Paco Sanchez
- Runtime
- 5:30
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Rio Grande Valley Partnership recently held a forum on trade and transportation at the Center for Education & Economic Development in Mission, Texas. The event was called RGV Connect. One of the panelists was Pete Sepulveda, Cameron County Administrator and executive director of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. During his remarks, Sepulveda made a startling claim: the Texas Department of Transportation has paused development of the I-69 Connector. This east-west corridor would connect Edinburg to Harlingen. Eventually it would connect to a 2nd Causeway for South Padre Island. Sepulveda said TxDOT’s decision was lamentable. He said the I-69 Connector is a crucial highway for connectivity, pointing out that most of the visitors to SPI are from Hidalgo County. If TxDOT will not build the I-69 Connector, Hidalgo and Cameron counties should do so, Sepulveda said. He urged the RGV Partnership to work on bringing local stakeholders together to ensure the connector is built. A...
- Title
- Pete Sepulveda
- Runtime
- 6:53
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Rio Grande Valley Partnership recently held a forum on trade and transportation at the Center for Education & Economic Development in Mission, Texas. The event was called RGV Connect. One of the panelists was Pete Sepulveda, Cameron County Administrator and executive director of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. During his remarks, Sepulveda made a startling claim: the Texas Department of Transportation has paused development of the I-69 Connector. This east-west corridor would connect Edinburg to Harlingen. Eventually it would connect to a 2nd Causeway for South Padre Island. Sepulveda said TxDOT’s decision was lamentable. He said the I-69 Connector is a crucial highway for connectivity, pointing out that most of the visitors to SPI are from Hidalgo County. If TxDOT will not build the I-69 Connector, Hidalgo and Cameron counties should do so, Sepulveda said. He urged the RGV Partnership to work on bringing local stakeholders together to ensure the connector is built. A...
- Title
- Doroteo Garcia Jr.
- Runtime
- 6:03
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects recently held a mixer at Las Ramblas at Market Square in downtown Brownsville. The event aimed to attract professionals in the construction and design sector. The event gave City of Brownsville leaders a chance to explain in detail the City’s downtown revitalization project. Assistant City Manager Doroteo Garcia Jr. highlighted the City’s $215 million Capital Improvement Plan. Before doing so he gave an interview to news reporters.
- Title
- Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez
- Runtime
- 6:16
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The economic development department of Hidalgo County recently held a meeting at UT-Rio Grande Valley’s Center for Innovation & Commercialization in Weslaco, Texas. Randy Perez, who heads the department, invited economic development organizations from across the Rio Grande Valley. Many attended. Among the speakers were Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Nestor Lopez, an economic development analyst with Texas Workforce Commission, Ron Garza, associate vice president for workforce and economic development for UTRGV, Julian Alvarez, director of business development for Lone Star National Bank, and Gilberto Salinas, president and CEO of Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation. After the meeting had concluded, the RGG Business Journal secured an exclusive interview with Judge Cortez.
- Title
- Trade Talks focuses on tariffs
- Runtime
- 46:20
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- McAllen Economic Development Corporation hosted a timely discussion on tariffs at its latest Trade Talks event. The two experts were Dan W. McGrew, president and CEO of Velvac, and Jorge Torres, president of Interlink Trade Services. Ralph Garcia, COO of McAllen EDC, moderated the discussion. Here is a video recording of their discussion.
- Title
- Economic Development in Cameron County
- Runtime
- 46:15
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) recently held a two-day forum for leaders with Index, the trade association for maquiladoras in Mexico. The forum drew Index leaders from across Mexico. The first day of the forum was held at the Casa de Palmas in McAllen. The second day of the forum was held at Crosshatch BTX in Brownsville. At the Brownsville event, COSTEP had a panel discussion about economic development in Cameron County. The three panelists were Gilberto Salinas, president of the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation, Orlando Campos, executive director of Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, and Ramiro Aleman, director of Cameron County’s economic development department. The moderator was Rick Carrera, director of economic development for COSTEP. The entire discussion was in Spanish.
- Title
- Pete Sepulveda, Jr.
- Runtime
- 4:47
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Pete Sepulveda, Jr., wears two hats as a public servant. He is Cameron County Administrator and Executive Director of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority. On Feb. 25 he appeared as a panelist at a Rio Grande Valley Partnership event that focused on trade and transportation. The event was held at the Center for Education & Economic Development in Mission. During his remarks, Sepulveda voiced criticism of the Texas Department of Transportation. He said the agency had stalled on working on the I-69 Connector project. This is the big east-west corridor that would go from I-69 Central, north of Edinburg, to I-69 East, north of Harlingen. It is a key part of the bigget project to connect Hidalgo County to the 2nd Causeway on South Padre Island. Sepulveda said the I-69 Connector is vitally important project that should not be delayed. If TxDOT is not making the project a priority the Valley should go ahead and do it regardless, Sepulveda said.
- Title
- Josue 'Josh' Vasquez
- Runtime
- 9:28
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Josue 'Josh' Vasquez is director of workforce development for McAllen Economic Development Corporation. The RGG Business Journal caught up with Vasquez at a recent meeting called by Hidalgo County's economic development department. It was held at UT-Rio Grande Valley's Center for Commercialization & Innovation in Weslaco, Texas. In the interview, Vasquez spoke about the value of the meeting, a big jobs fair McAllen EDC recently held, McAllen EDC's partnerships with schools and colleges to develop a skilled workforce, and two upcoming MEDC events.
- Title
- Gilberto Salinas
- Runtime
- 9:04
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Gilberto Salinas is president and CEO of the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation. Until recently, the group was known as the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, or GBIC. Salinas was recently recognized as part of the Texas 100: Influential Pros to Know for 2026, an annual list curated by Texas Business Journals. Salinas gave the RGG Business Journal an exclusive interview at a recent event hosted by the Council for South Texas Economic Progress and held at Crosshatch BTX in Brownsville. Salinas spoke about the big projects GBEDC is working on. He said he is confident the group will land many of them. If so, they will have brought 12,000 to 13,000 new jobs to Brownsville. He said this figure could rise to 23,000 if GBEDC succeeds in landing all the projects on its list.
- Title
- Sid Miller
- Runtime
- 8:36
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recently held a press conference at the Texas Department of Agriculture's San Juan office. The subject was the recent outbreak of violence in Mexico that followed the killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, commonly referred to by his alias "El Mencho." The Mexican Army killed the Mexican drug lord, who led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an organized crime group based in Jalisco. Miller said Texas farmers that grow crops in Mexico are having to pay drug cartels in order to operate in the country.
- Title
- A walk around Brownsville's historic Market Square
- Runtime
- 11:27
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects recently held a mixer at Las Ramblas at Market Square in downtown Brownsville. The event aimed to attract professionals in the construction and design sector. The event gave City of Brownsville leaders a chance to explain in detail the City’s downtown revitalization project. The event included a walk around historic Market Square.
- Title
- Revitalizing Downtown Brownsville
- Runtime
- 29:55
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects recently held a mixer at Las Ramblas at Market Square in downtown Brownsville. The event aimed to attract professionals in the construction and design sector. The event gave City of Brownsville leaders a chance to explain in detail the City’s downtown revitalization project. Assistant City Manager Doroteo Garcia Jr. highlighted the City’s $215 million Capital Improvement Plan, while Planning Director Daniel Leal outlined the 15-year Downtown Renaissance Master Plan, which focuses on expanding housing and retail, improving walkability, and enhancing mobility to create a more vibrant downtown. Here is their presentation.
- Title
- PSJA Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias
- Runtime
- 18:05
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Dr. Alejandro Elias, superintendent of Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, recently sat down for a podcast with the Rio Grande Guardian. The topic was: “College Before High School Graduation: How PSJA ISD Redefined What’s Possible for Public School Students.” Elias pointed out that there were more than 180 Early College graduates in December, 2025. He also explained why PSJA is a nationally recognized Early College High School model. He noted that students earning associate degrees and certifications can do so tuition-free. He spoke about the impact PSJA has on first-generation students and workforce readiness, and how PSJA scaled the early college model districtwide and sustained it.
- Title
- Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr.
- Runtime
- 10:30
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., recently gave an in-depth interview to the Rio Grande Guardian about his re-election campaign and the big projects happening in his county. On the economic development front he spoke about a big project potentially coming to the Port of Brownsville. He said he could not mention the name of the company involved because of a non-disclosure agreement. However, he did say there would be a public hearing in March to consider giving the company a tax abatement. He also spoke about the growth of SpaceX, liquefied natural gas export terminals at the Port, a second causeway for South Padre Island, and a new arena for sports and entertainment. On the campaign front he said his two primary election challengers are not showing up at campaign events.
- Title
- Etienne Rosas
- Runtime
- 10:16
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- How many national security experts live in the Rio Grande Valley? How many were born and raised here? Etienne Rosas, currently a candidate for the 34th Congressional District, is one. The Brownsville native, a former lecturer at Princeton University, has a PhD in public policy. "The area of interest or expertise that I developed was the interaction between organized crime and terrorist organizations, or extremist organizations," Rosas said. In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Rosas also discussed his platform for the congressional election and what he is hearing from voters. He describes himself as a Democratic Socialist.
- Title
- Erin Hernandez Garcia
- Runtime
- 1:09
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Attorney Erin Hernandez Garcia is running for the 107th state District Court in Cameron County. Due to a retirement, it is an open seat. If elected Hernandez Garcia would be the first woman judge of the 107th District Court. In this interview the candidate explains why she is running and what she is hearing from voters.
- Title
- Gerardo 'Gerry' Schwebel
- Runtime
- 31:16
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Gerardo 'Gerry' Schwebel, executive vice president of IBC Bank, spoke about the 2026 USMCA review at an event hosted by the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP). His audience? Business leaders and executives from across Mexico who are part of Index, the maquiladora trade association. Schwebel said he is often asked why a banker travels to Washington, D.C., Ottawa, and Mexico City for discussions about trade. His answer: trade is part of the lives of everyone living on the border.
- Title
- Arrieta discusses international trade
- Runtime
- 20:52
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Judith Arrieta Mungia is Mexico’s Consul in the country's Brownsville, Texas, Consulate. Arrieta recently sat down for an in-depth interview with the Rio Grande Guardian about international trade. This is a key year for international trade because the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for review. In the interview, Arrieta pointed out that USMCA connects nearly $2 trillion in trade across a 500 million consumer market, with about $3 million traded every minute in North America. Arrieta said this is clear evidence of deep, real-time economic interdependence among the three countries. “Mexico is part of the solution, not the problem,” Arrieta said.
- Title
- Meet the Candidate: Michael Lange
- Runtime
- 9:32
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Financial expert Michael Lange is running for Texas Comptroller. In this wide-ranging interview, Lange explains why he is best qualified to be Comptroller, and why this election is really about kitchen table issues.
- Title
- Thomas Ray Garcia
- Runtime
- 4:56
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Thomas Ray Garcia is an educator, author, and entrepreneur. A native of the Rio Grande Valley; Garcia is running for the State Board of Education, District 2. In this video, Garcia explains what the role of the State Board of Education; what his platform is, and what the voters are telling him.
- Title
- Mayor Ochoa discusses Edinburg's growth
- Runtime
- 23:24
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- The Rio Grande Guardian recently sat down for an in-depth interview with new mayor of Edinburg, Omar Ochoa. Much of the discussion centered on Edinburg's growth. The four-time All America City is the fastest growing city in the Rio Grande Valley and one of the fastest growing in Texas. Ochoa said the healthcare sector was driving much of the growth. In addition to talking about residential, retail and industrial growth, Ochoa spoke about his city's work to cultivate a better quality of life for its residents, including building a better nightlife scene, and its efforts to attract more investors from Mexico.
- Title
- Mayor Gonzalez discusses Weslaco’s growth
- Runtime
- 19:05
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez sat down for an in-depth interview with the Rio Grande Guardian. One of the topics discussed was the growth of the northwest side of Weslaco. During the interview he discussed the growth of the retail and industrial sectors; the importance of the two nearby international brides - in Donna and Progreso; the need for a third industrial park; and future plans for the city’s airport.
- Title
- Samuel Zapata discusses his RioPlex presentation
- Runtime
- 6:10
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Samuel Zapata is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics stationed at the Texas A&M Higher Education Center at McAllen. In January, Zapata gave a presentation to RioPlex titled: “Agriculture Challenges and Opportunities.” The event was held at South Texas College's Mid-Valley Campus in Weslaco. The RGG Business Journal wanted to ask Zapata about that presentation. So, we caught up with him at an “Aggieland Saturday” event held at A&M’s Education Center in McAllen.
- Title
- Arrieta habla sobre comercio internacional
- Runtime
- 15:53
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Judith Arrieta Mungia es la Cónsul de México en el Consulado en Brownsville, Texas. Arrieta concedió recientemente una entrevista a fondo al Rio Grande Guardian sobre comercio internacional. Este es un año clave para el comercio internacional, ya que el Tratado entre Estados Unidos, México y Canadá está en revisión. En la entrevista, Arrieta señaló que el T-MEC conecta casi 2 billones de dólares en comercio en un mercado de 500 millones de consumidores, con aproximadamente 3 millones de dólares negociados cada minuto en América del Norte. Arrieta afirmó que esto es una clara evidencia de la profunda interdependencia económica que existe en tiempo real entre los tres países. "México es parte de la solución, no del problema", afirmó Arrieta.
- Title
- Mayor Gonzalez discusses the Mid-Valley Mayors Alliance
- Runtime
- 6:11
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez sat down for an in-depth interview with the Rio Grande Guardian. One of the topics discussed was the Mid-Valley Mayors Alliance. Gonzalez set up the group as soon as he was first elected mayor. He said the communities of the Mid-Valley can achieve greater success if they work together.
- Title
- Mike Willis discusses tariffs
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Mike Willis, executive director of the South Texas Manufacturers Association, discussed tariffs in his monthly report for February. STMA met at the Brownsville Events Center on Feb. 12. Willis pointed out that the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to release its decision on reciprocal tariffs. He then explained what a reciprocal tariff is and why, in his opinion, the Supreme Court should rule that the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are unconstitutional. Willis said that based on historical precedent and the Constitution, the House and the Senate are supposed to initiate any legislation that has to do with spending, taxes, and tariffs. “The way it is now, the President is launching the tariffs, and the House has no input into that. This, in my mind, is sort of upside down.” He added: “I’m not knocking the idea of tariffs. I’m just saying to me, it's supposed to be deliberated, debated, discussed, and everyone weigh in on it in the House and Senate.”
- Title
- I-LinCP to host mixer in Brownsville
- Runtime
- 23:16
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- I-LinCP stands for the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects. It is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings together contractors, architects, and engineers to improve the planning, design, and delivery of capital projects. The group started a chapter in the Rio Grande Valley at the start of 2025. It held two events in the Valley last year, one in McAllen and one in Weslaco. Now it is working to expand in Brownsville. To further that goal, I-LinCP-RGV is hosting a “Downtown Brownsville Master Plan Revitalization Mixer” on Wednesday, February. 18, 2026. It takes place at Boqueron Food & Wine Bar on E. Washington Street in Brownsville, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In this video, the RGG Business Journal previews the event. The video features interviews with Oscar Garcia, regional vice president for Broaddus & Associates, and vice president for I-LinCP-RGV, and Doroteo Garcia, Jr., assistant city manager for the City of Brownsville.
- Title
- Mayor Gonzalez discusses the South Texas Alliance of Cities
- Runtime
- 9:52
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez sat down for an in-depth interview with the Rio Grande Guardian. One of the topics discussed was the South Texas Alliance of Cities. Some members of the group (but not Gonzalez) recently visited Washington, D.C., to promote their legislative agenda. It includes immigration reform. Mayor Gonzalez discusses that agenda and why the group matters.
- Title
- LULAC Juan Rivera Sr. & Veterans Council
- Runtime
- 47:02
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) chapter in San Benito, otherwise known as the Juan Rivera, Sr. & Veterans Council (Council 22347), held a Meet the Candidates forum on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. The candidates that attended and spoke were: David Betancourt, who is running for re-election as Cameron County Treasurer; Sylvia Garza-Perez, who is running for re-election as Cameron County Clerk; Esteban 'Steve' Guerra, who is running for Cameron County Judge; Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Stephany Bauer, both of whom are running for Texas House District 37; Etienne Rosas, who is running for U.S. Congressional District 34; Thomas Ray Garcia, who is running for the Texas Board of Education, District 2; and Deborah A. Morales, who is running for re-election to San Benito City Council, Place 2. The moderator was Elias Cantu, Jr., a local LULAC leader. Here is a video recording of the event.
- Title
- Rashmi Chandran
- Runtime
- 22:18
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Rashmi Chandran is CEO of AltaCair Foundation. It was recently announced that she has won the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Community & Social Leadership Award. The Rio Grande Guardian sat down for an interview with Chandran to learn about the group’s current projects and plans for 2026. One of the group’s projects is a community health fair taking place in San Carlos on March 10. She also looked ahead to the group’s top fundraising event. Havana Nights - Bet on AltaCair takes place in Mission on April 24.
- Title
- US Rep. Henry Cuellar
- Runtime
- 39:44
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- US Rep. Henry Cuellar recently hosted a webinar with reporters to discuss his efforts to get the South Texas Builders Association an audience with various federal agencies, including ICE and the White House. The STBA wants to know why the farming industry is getting a free pass from ICE, with no raiding of agricultural fields, while the construction industry is not. The STBA says its members are losing projects because ICE is decimating the available labor pool for work on construction sites. Cuellar held the webinar in his office at the Capitol. He was joined by leaders with STBA and Laredo Chamber of Commerce.
- Title
- Kelly Hancock
- Runtime
- 39:06
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock was keynote speaker at a Texas Talks luncheon hosted by Brownsville Chamber of Commerce. His presentation was titled Fiscal Futures Briefing. The event took place at the Brownsville Events Center. In his remarks, Hancock said Texas was fast becoming the finance capital of the U.S. Looking at the state’s economy he said there are “encouraging numbers” for 2026. He also spoke about data centers, school vouchers, and encouraging entrepreneurialism.
- Title
- Mario Reyna
- Runtime
- 20:14
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Mario Reyna, executive director of RioPlex, has given an update on the group’s plans for 2026. They include trade missions to different continents around the globe to secure more companies, investment, and jobs for the region. In the interview, Reyna spoke about RioPlex expanding the size of its board of directors and how one of the new slots will be occupied by former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos. He also spoke about the support the group is getting in Tamaulipas.
- Title
- Sandra Martinez
- Runtime
- 3:55
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., and Blue Zones, a global leader in longevity research and community well-being transformation, has announced a partnership to launch a Blue Zones IgniteTM assessment in the Rio Grande Valley. Sandra Martinez, a vice president at MHM, says the effort will begin with an in-depth readiness and feasibility assessment of the Valley that will help determine how to make the region a healthier place to live, work, and play. Here is an exclusive interview with Martinez.
- Title
- Teclo Garcia
- Runtime
- 10:44
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Telco Garcia, CEO of Mission Economic Development Corporation, has been named Honorary Representative of the State of San Luis Potosí. The appointment was made by the Honorable Jesús Salvador González Martínez, secretary of economic development for the State of San Luis Potosí, on behalf of the Governor, José Ricardo Gallardo Cardona. A ceremony to mark the appointment was held at the Center for Education and Economic Development. It was attended by regional, state, and international leaders. The State of San Luis Potosí has opened an office in the CEED building. “This appointment reflects Mission’s growing role in advancing binational economic development and strengthening cross-border collaboration between Texas and Mexico,” said Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza.
