Roberto H. Gonzalez

Italian singer and songwriter Matteo Bocelli will perform a special holiday concert at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Dec. 19, bringing his blend of classical training and contemporary music to the Rio Grande Valley.

The City of McAllen is moving forward with Arts for All, a community initiative designed to give approximately 900 to 1,000 Rio Grande Valley students each year access to live Broadway productions and opportunities to interact with touring professionals.

Brownsville’s expanding defense and aerospace industries are creating new demands for workforce, transportation and utility infrastructure as major companies and their suppliers increase operations in South Texas, said Jerry Briones, executive vice president of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation.

Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said Weslaco's ongoing investments in drainage, infrastructure, and economic development are intended to strengthen the city's financial future while improving residents' quality of life.

Texas is expanding power generation and transmission infrastructure as population growth, industrial development and emerging large electricity users increase demand across the state, Public Utility Commission of Texas official Mike Hoke told business and community leaders in Harlingen.

Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said Weslaco is pursuing state and federal funding to accelerate major infrastructure improvements, emphasizing that outside financial support will be essential to completing the city's long-term drainage strategy.

Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said the long-term success of Weslaco's infrastructure program depends not only on engineering and public investment but also on the active participation of residents in protecting and maintaining the city's drainage system

Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said Weslaco's long-term flood control strategy depends on close coordination with county, state and regional agencies because stormwater does not stop at municipal boundaries.

Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said the City of Weslaco temporarily halted new development early in his administration to update construction standards requiring future projects to include stormwater retention and detention infrastructure.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz and Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling visited Rio Farm Inc. in Monte Alto on Wednesday, Aug. 12, to tour the farm and discuss labor needs, agricultural workforce development and immigration policy affecting South Texas growers.