Entries will be judged in three age categories: 5 to 8, 9 to 13 and 14 to 18. Submissions open Monday, August 3, 2026, and must be received by Friday, October 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. Official entry forms are available at all McAllen Public Library (MPL) locations and online at www.southtexasbookfestival.com.

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation / Pharr Global Business Hub, in partnership with UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the APEX Accelerator, hosted a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program Seminar at the Pharr Global Business Hub.

South Texas Builders Association CEO Mario Guerrero urged elected officials, business leaders and residents to pursue practical workforce solutions and bipartisan cooperation during a forum focused on immigration, construction and the regional economy.

Rio-South Texas Education & Community Development Foundation is pleased to announce it has awarded over $2.2 million to community partners in 2026. Initiatives include last-mile scholarships to students of low-income families, college internships in construction science, workforce training, and updating training equipment to increase program capacity.

As financial fraud continues to affect consumers and businesses across the country, Texas Regional Bank Chairman and CEO Michael Scaief is urging Texans to make fraud prevention part of everyday life, arguing that protecting financial accounts is no longer solely the responsibility of banks but also of every household and workplace.

"Texas is America's produce gateway," said Dante Galeazzi, President and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA).

n grand fashion, the City of McAllen unveiled “Wild Christmas,” the theme for the 2026 McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden, along with “Wildbright,” the companion theme for the South Pole Illuminated Festival (SPIF) presented by H-E-B Helping Here.

Economic development leaders from across Rio South Texas told business representatives from the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster that regional collaboration, transportation infrastructure and workforce development position South Texas as a strategic partner for Mexico's expanding automotive industry.

Representatives from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to accept the donation and celebrate 7 Brew’s expansion to Mission. 

At a roundtable event with small business owners, Governor Greg Abbott’s revealed a plan to expand access to affordable health insurance.