ongressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), announced over $116 million in preliminary federal education funding for public schools across South Texas. The projected investments, part of the latest round of federal support for local school districts, will help ensure students in low-income communities have the tools and resources they need to succeed. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), announced over $116 million in preliminary federal education funding for public schools across South Texas. The projected investments, part of the latest round of federal support for local school districts, will help ensure students in low-income communities have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
“These are your tax dollars at work, coming back home to help our kids,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This funding will support teachers, reduce class sizes, and strengthen early education programs across South Texas. I’m proud to have secured these federal investments that will uplift our classrooms and empower the next generation of Texas leaders.”
The $116,935,226 in projected funding supports public school districts in Atascosa, Bexar, Duval, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, Zapata, and McMullen counties. Please see below for a county-by-county breakdown of projected education funding in TX-28:
Atascosa County – $2,973,154
Jourdanton ISD – $273,334
Pleasanton ISD – $1,019,457
Lytle ISD – $694,019
Charlotte ISD – $280,741
Poteet ISD – $705,603
Bexar County – $59,076,343
Judson ISD – $9,110,821
San Antonio ISD – $37,388,941
Randolph Field ISD – $13,752
Harlandale ISD – $6,342,337
Southside ISD – $3,025,616
East Central ISD – $3,194,876
Duval County – $1,879,708
Benavides ISD – $237,851
Freer ISD – $546,356
Ramirez CSD – $25,070
San Diego ISD – $1,070,431
Guadalupe County – $1,911,415
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD – $1,721,632
Marion ISD – $189,783
Jim Hogg County – $637,172
Jim Hogg County ISD – $637,172
Starr County – $10,390,199
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD – $5,919,492
Roma ISD – $4,322,136
San Isidro ISD – $148,571
WebbCounty – $37,021,846
Laredo ISD – $15,471,036
United ISD – $21,384,392
Webb Consolidated ISD – $166,418
Zapata County – $3,020,919
Zapata County ISD – $3,020,919
McMullen County – $24,470
McMullen County ISD – $24,470
Total: $116,935,226
These federal funds are part of the Title I, Part A Grants to Local Educational Agencies program, which directs resources to school districts serving high numbers of students from low-income families. The funding supports everything from additional teachers and academic specialists to technology upgrades and after-school programs.
Final dollar amounts will be released this summer and formal grants will be awarded starting July 1, 2025. Congressman Cuellar will continue working to maximize federal support for South Texas schools as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
“When most Texans think about border crime, they picture drugs or weapons—not fuel. But in recent years, a different kind of smuggling has taken hold across the Texas-Mexico border.” Senator Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinjosa. Image: Office of Senator Hinojosa
Texas Border Business
By State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, May 2025
When most Texans think about border crime, they picture drugs or weapons—not fuel. But in recent years, a different kind of smuggling has taken hold across the Texas-Mexico border: fuel theft and tax evasion through transloading operations, increasingly linked to Mexican cartels and enabled by unregulated fuel depots. In 2024, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick assigned the Senate Committee on Border Security to do a deep dive into this issue. What I learned is that this is not just a regional issue. It affects statewide tax integrity, environmental safety, and the security of our international trade routes.
Image: Office of Senator HinojosaImage: Office of Senator HinojosaImage: Office of Senator Hinojosa
During committee hearings the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Comptrollers’s Criminal Investigation Division testified that what started as isolated schemes has evolved into a coordinated system to export fuel to Mexico without paying taxes. Known in Mexico as huachicol, the black-market fuel trade once referred to thefts from Pemex pipelines. But today, a new variant has emerged—huachicol fiscal—where fuel purchased tax-free in Texas is smuggled into Mexico, bypassing both U.S. and Mexican fuel tax systems.
Unregulated Fuel Depots: The Hidden Infrastructure of Huachicol According to DPS and the Comptroller’s Office, these transloading facilities known as fuel depots operating near ports of entry and mostly connected by designated overweight corridors are the key for smuggling operations. Trucks carrying tax-free loads of fuel intended for export pull into nearby depots to shift fuel from U.S. trucks to Mexican tankers or offload it into above-ground storage tanks to manipulate load weights and bypass tax regulation. Fuel intended for export is often blended, resold, or smuggled across the border using false shipping documents and unlicensed transporters. The result: millions in lost tax revenue, increased environmental risks, and a black-market infrastructure that enables cartel-linked actors to profit at the state’s expense.
Many of the workers at these facilities are untrained in dealing with hazardous materials and use pumps, hoses, and other equipment not safe for the handling of fuel. DPS and the Comptroller’s Office reported that the use of overweight three-axle trucks to carry up to 140,000 pounds, far above the standard 80,000-pound limit, are an integral part of the scheme to get the fuel across to Mexico. While some trucks operate on permitted overweight corridors like the route from the Port of Harlingen to the Los Indios Bridge, many others illegally use roads not designated as overweight routes under state law leading to the Pharr International Bridge—posing serious safety and enforcement challenges. These activities are occurring in residential areas creating dangerous situations for our families.
Law enforcement reports show these operations routinely violate environmental and hazardous material laws. Spills seep into the soil. Fumes escape into neighborhoods. Some depots sit just blocks from schools, homes, and international bridges—turning border communities into staging grounds for cartel-linked fuel crime.
Federal Action and the Texas Response This is not theoretical. On May 1, the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a warning about fuel smuggling operations run by Mexican cartels. These groups exploit our border infrastructure and weak regulations to move stolen crude oil into the United States, often disguised as waste oil shipments. Through American associates using shell companies appearing to be legitimate businesses in the fuel industry, the cartels are enabled to launder billions of dollars in illegal profits nationwide, harming our communities and economy.
Last month, four people were arrested in a crude oil smuggling case connected to a Rio Hondo facility. This followed months of investigations by federal agencies, DPS, and the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigation Division into tax fraud, illegal transloading, and unlicensed tanker operations in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties.
SB 2949: Closing the Loopholes, Protecting Texas In response, I filed Senate Bill 2949, which passed the Senate unanimously last April and is now in the House. The purpose of this legislation is to shut down fuel depots in border counties, where the risk of smuggling and fraud is greatest. The bill establishes strong civil and criminal penalties, tightens motor fuel transporter licensing requirements, and enhances fuel export tracking, specifically targeting undocumented transloading, fraud, and illegal fuel transport. By improving state oversight, we can stop fuel tax evasion at the source and eradicate the infrastructure supporting illegal fuel trade.
What sets SB 2949 apart as passed in the Senate, is its clarity: it does not create new loopholes or regulatory confusion. It targets unregulated infrastructure while protecting lawful IRS-registered terminals, refineries, and exporters. It holds both the operator and the licensed supplier accountable for any misuse of tax-exempt fuel. And it gives state and local authorities the tools they need to shut down dangerous fuel depots.
What to Watch For Texans should be alert for signs of this growing trade:
Three-axle fuel trucks from Mexico using local roads not designated for overweight travel.
Above-ground tanks on vacant lots or near ports of entry with no visible signage or safety barriers.
Frequent fuel transfers between trucks using hoses and portable pumps without proper documentation.
These are not harmless logistics hubs—they are hubs for tax fraud, smuggling, and criminal activity.
The Stakes We cannot allow cartel-linked fuel crime to take root on Texas soil. The economic impact is real, the public safety risks are rising, and the credibility of our tax system is on the line. SB 2949 strikes the right balance: strong enforcement, protection for legitimate commerce, and a clear message that Texas will not tolerate black-market fuel routes—northbound or southbound. Texas cannot compromise its security or lawful commerce in the face of this growing threat. We must work together to fight against huachicol (fuel theft) and huachicol fiscal (tax evasion) to work toward a safer future for our communities.
Brian Tello, his family and South Texas College President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., after receiving an Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. STC image
Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
For Brian Tello, receiving an associate degree wasn’t just a personal victory, it was a moment that carried the weight of sacrifice, love and resilience.
Tello received an Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from South Texas College, however, his journey to graduation was anything but easy.
Just four months before he was set to begin college and only two weeks from finishing his service in the U.S. Navy, Tello received devastating news from home while stationed in Japan – his father had suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke that left him non-verbal and entirely dependent on care.
“I got the news about my father while I was serving out of the country,” said Tello. “I was in the middle of being discharged, moving back home and at the same time needed to get documents together regarding my father’s care.”
At 22-years-old and the eldest of six siblings, Tello was forced to become “the man of the house” overnight. He stepped into the role of caregiver, mentor and father figure for his younger brothers and sister.
“I would help feed him, change him, move him around. We all would. I also needed to help with the things he used to handle such as bills, fixing things and guiding my family. That was my responsibility now,” he said.
He took on these responsibilities while ensuring his siblings stayed on track in school and pursuing his own dream of earning a college degree, a dream his father had always encouraged.
“My dad was always a big supporter of education,” said Tello. “He wanted me to go to school, but I felt I should serve my country first, so I enlisted right out of high school,” Tello said. “Graduating means everything to me because I did it not just for myself, but for him and for my siblings. I want them to know they can achieve anything, no matter what life throws at them.”
Despite all the responsibility, Tello never lost sight of his goal and on graduation day, as he looked into the audience, despite bound to a gurney, he saw his biggest inspiration, his father.
“He can’t speak, but when we asked him if he wanted to go to the graduation, he smiled,” said Linda Tello, Tello’s stepmother. “Before his stroke, he would always try and be there for anything school related the kids had going on and always encouraged them to do their best. We knew this meant everything to him. He’s proud of Brian. We all are.”
Now at 25-years-old and with his degree in hand, Tello is ready for the next chapter in his career and staying close to home where his heart is.
“I want to work as a wastewater treatment plant operator so I can stay near my family. They’ve been my rock through it all,” said Tello
To others facing unimaginable challenges, Tello has a message of hope grounded in experience, sacrifice and unwavering determination.
His message, “Strength is found in perseverance. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, you can still move forward.”
For Tello, achieving his degree wasn’t just about personal accomplishment, it was about proving to himself and his family that no matter the obstacle, you can rise above it.
Volunteers from DHR Health will be painting the home of Dora E. Braham at 908 S. 16th Street on Saturday, May 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
Keep McAllen Beautiful (KMB) is proud to kick off this year’s Paint McAllen Beautiful program with the first home painting of the season. Volunteers from DHR Health will be painting the home of Dora E. Braham at 908 S. 16th Street on Saturday, May 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This community-driven initiative provides free exterior home painting for qualifying McAllen homeowners, funded by grants and coordinated by KMB. The goal is to beautify neighborhoods and support residents in need.
KMB is still seeking applicants for this year’s program.
To qualify, applicants must:
Be a McAllen resident and homeowner
Be low-income,
Be 60 years of age or older, or
Have a permanent disability
A freshly painted home not only enhances curb appeal—it brings pride and renewed hope to the homeowner and their neighborhood.
“Apprehensions of persons wanted for alleged sexual crimes involving children are among the most heinous that we encounter at Brownsville Port of Entry,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry detained a fugitive at the Veterans International Bridge who had an outstanding felony warrant for indecency with a child by contact.
“Apprehensions of persons wanted for alleged sexual crimes involving children are among the most heinous that we encounter at Brownsville Port of Entry,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “Apprehensions like these help keep our border communities safe and underscore the importance and necessity of our border security mission.”
On Thursday, May 14, CBP officers at Veterans International Bridge referred vehicle driver Ibis Gutierrez, 40, a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent U.S. resident, for secondary inspection. During the secondary examination, CBP officers–utilizing biometric verification and federal law enforcement databases–verified his identity and confirmed he was the subject of an outstanding felony warrant issued by the Brownsville Police Department for indecency with a child by contact.
CBP officers turned Gutierrez over to the custody of Brownsville Police Department.
The National Crime Information Center is a centralized automated database designed to share information among law enforcement agencies including outstanding warrants for a wide range of offenses. Based on information from NCIC, CBP officers have made previous arrests of individuals wanted for homicide, escape, money laundering, robbery, narcotics distribution, sexual child abuse, fraud, larceny, and military desertion. Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
CBP officers (enforcement), task force officers and Special Response Team operators take a 47-year-old previously deported Salvadoran national into custody without incident at a McAllen residence. USCBP image
Texas Border Business
HIDALGO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the Hidalgo Port of Entry, including Special Response Team operators and task force officers apprehended an undocumented, previously deported Salvadoran citizen with a lengthy criminal record without incident at a local residence in McAllen.
“Our frontline CBP officers and SRT operators formed a tactical team and successfully served an administrative warrant on a previously deported Salvadoran citizen unlawfully present in the U.S.,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo Port of Entry. “This enforcement action away from the port highlights the versatility of our CBP officers (enforcement), our SRT operators and their tactical skill to take a sought individual into federal custody without incident or injury.”
The apprehension occurred on May 15 at a local residence in McAllen. CBP officers (enforcement), SRT operators and task force officers served an administrative arrest warrant and apprehended without incident an undocumented 47-year-old male citizen of El Salvador. They transported the individual to the Hidalgo Port of Entry, where records checks confirmed the identity and citizenship of the man, who was discovered to be unlawfully present in the U.S. after previously being deported in April 2023. The man has a criminal record dating back more than 20 years with arrests and convictions for a range of offenses to include assault, driving while intoxicated, cocaine possession, forgery and firing a weapon.
CBP officers (enforcement) arrested the man on U.S. immigration law violations for alleged re-entry after prior deportation.
In-person auditions will be held on Wednesday, May 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the STC Cooper Center for Performing Arts – Main Stage at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. All STC and Rio Grande Valley community members, ages 18 and over, are welcome to audition. These stage readings will be performed with a live audience. Courtesy image. Person for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – South Texas College (STC) Theatre & Dance will hold auditions for the 4thAnnual South Texas New Play Festival’s stage readings.
In-person auditions will be held on Wednesday, May 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the STC Cooper Center for Performing Arts – Main Stage at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. All STC and Rio Grande Valley community members, ages 18 and over, are welcome to audition. These stage readings will be performed with a live audience.
The three stage readings for this year’s festival are The Password by Karin Diann Williams, Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes by Franky D. Gonzalez and Miriam’s Song by Robert Paul Moreira.
Friday, June 27, 2025 – 4 p.m.
Miriam’s Song
by Robert Paul Moreira
SYNOPSIS:MIRIAM’S SONG follows three Cuban American siblings in their tragic attempts to find harmony in the throes of broken promises, addictions, the death of their patriarch and false ambitions. Told from the perspective of Raquel Vargas, a former singer returning home to her father and brothers in Los Angeles after a 10-year absence, the play follows Raquel on her quest through the biblical, the magical and even the musical, as she endeavors to compose a new song alongside those she loves the most; a song that will finally lead them well beyond the dissonance that continues to tear them
apart.
Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 1 p.m.
Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes
by Franky D. Gonzalez
SYNOPSIS: Amidst the unforgiving confines of a federal prison, several inmates navigate decades of systemic oppression, shattered family bonds and fleeting hope, finding redemption, connection and the enduring resilience of the human spirit in the bleakest of place over a period of 25 years.
Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 4 p.m.
The Password
by Karin Diann Williams
SYNOPSIS: “Divorced and bankrupt, Marcus is at the end of his rope – and he’s forgotten the password to his backup plan: a 10-year-old Bitcoin wallet. So, he turns to the women in his life – his mother, his daughter, former business partner and various exes. Will reopening old wounds spark his memory? Or will it trigger a conspiracy to steal his fortune?”
The staged readings are scheduled to run at the STC Cooper Center for Performing Arts – Black Box on June 27 & 28, 2025 as a part of the South Texas New Play Festival.
IDEA Public Schools will be hosting its annual Dinner and Auction Scholarship Gala at the Mission Event Center on Thursday, May 22, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s celebration, themed “Silver Milestones, Golden Future,” commemorates IDEA’s 25 years of transformative impact in public education and looks ahead to the promise of an even brighter future. Images: Mission Event Center and IDEA Public Schools Facebook
Texas Border Business
IDEA Public Schools will be hosting its annual Dinner and Auction Scholarship Gala at the Mission Event Center on Thursday, May 22, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s celebration, themed “Silver Milestones, Golden Future,” commemorates IDEA’s 25 years of transformative impact in public education and looks ahead to the promise of an even brighter future.
The evening will bring together IDEA supporters, partners, alumni, and community leaders to honor a quarter-century of student achievement and educational innovation. Guests can expect an inspiring night filled with powerful stories, an exceptional dinner, and both silent and live auctions—all aimed at raising crucial funds to support graduating seniors and alumni.
“For 25 years, IDEA has remained committed to breaking barriers and building futures,” said Jeff Cottrill, Ed., CEO & Superintendent of IDEA Public Schools. “This gala is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action to continue supporting the dreams of our students.”
IDEA’s mission is to transform education by preparing graduates to succeed in college and life. Founded in 2000, IDEA serves over 87,000 college-bound students in 145 schools nationwide, including across Texas, Southern Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida. For 17 consecutive years, nearly 100 percent of IDEA Public Schools graduates have been accepted into college, with many being first in their family to go to college.
The net proceeds from the gala will support scholarships for IDEA students and alumni, both through immediate awards and through the Al and Judy Lopez Endowed Scholarship Fund, ensuring financial need is never a barrier to their success. This year’s gala marks a turning point as it concludes its longstanding run in the Rio Grande Valley, IDEA’s founding region, before transitioning into a national celebration that will rotate across Texas in future years.
What: IDEA Public Schools is excited to host its annual Dinner and Auction Scholarship Gala at the Mission Event Center on Thursday, May 22, 2025. This year’s celebration, themed “Silver Milestones, Golden Future,” commemorates IDEA’s 25 years of transformative impact in public education and looks ahead to the promise of an even brighter future.
When: Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mission Event Center 200 N. Sharry Rd. Mission, TX 78572
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Librarian Linda Martinez was recently named Regional Innovative Librarian by the Region One Education Service Center and recognized as a 2025 Library Journal Mover & Shaker by Library Journal. Image curtesy of PSJA ISD
Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD Librarian Linda Martinez was recently named Regional Innovative Librarian by the Region One Education Service Center and recognized as a 2025 Library Journal Mover & Shaker by Library Journal.
These well-earned recognitions reflect her outstanding contributions to her students and school communities.
Martinez says that when she received the email notifying her of the Library Journal Mover & Shaker award, she was overwhelmed with excitement. Her passion for her profession stems from the opportunity to help students and watch them flourish.
“Innovation in librarianship is about more than books—it’s about opportunity, support, and connection,” Martinez shares. “If I can make a difference by adapting, creating, and saying ‘yes’ to what students need, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
Martinez serves at multiple campuses. She continuously transforms library spaces to reflect these unique needs, turning them into engaging learning spaces that spark curiosity, independence, and discovery. By repurposing materials into engaging literacy décor to incorporating technology into interactive projects, she ensures that libraries remain centers of inspiration and growth for students.
This year, she took on a multi-campus librarian role at Buell Center DAEP, PSJA CCTA, and Pathways Toward Independence (PTI), where her resourcefulness and flexibility have been instrumental to her success. Always seeking innovative ways to engage students, she recently led PTI students on visits to elementary libraries, where they gained hands-on experience shelving books, checking in materials, and organizing library spaces.
Her impact goes beyond books—she is committed to meeting students’ needs in all areas, from teaching life skills and offering support to creating meaningful opportunities for their growth and success.
Her recognition at both the regional and national level reflects the dedication and passion that PSJA librarians bring to education. Join us in celebrating Linda Martinez’s incredible achievement and thanking her for her commitment to our students and schools.
Aldo and Arianna Hernandez, owners of RGVino. Courtesy image
Texas Border Business
What began as an idea for a magazine to promote wine culture and the culinary scene in the Rio Grande Valley has evolved into RGVino—a wine bar and shop offering a carefully curated selection of wines exclusively from Texas and Mexico.
RGVino (a playful nod to the RGV, the acronym for the Rio Grande Valley) is located in the birthplace of Hidalgo County, nestled within the scenic historic Pumphouse Park.
The space is the brainchild of Aldo Hernández and Arianna Vázquez Hernández, a couple with a deep passion for wine culture who aim to bring the kind of experiences they enjoy while traveling to renowned wine destinations right here to the RGV.
The Hernández Family and guests celebrating RGVino’s ribbon cutting on May 2nd. Courtesy image
“This is a passion project—we truly enjoy sharing the wine experiences we’ve had with our friends, family, and now, our community,” said Aldo, a WSET Level 1 Sommelier candidate. “We want to offer a new perspective on a world that, we understand, can sometimes feel intimidating.”
Both communication professionals by trade, Aldo and Arianna discovered their love for wine through their travels and countless tastings. Encouraged by friends and fellow wine enthusiasts they met along the way, the idea of RGVino was born—a place to celebrate and share that passion locally.
“Wine is more than just a drink—it’s a journey. Every bottle, every glass, tells a story,” said Arianna. “We’ve found joy in sharing those stories and want to pass that joy along.”
The decision to feature only wines from Texas and Mexico came naturally. RGVino is located on Texas soil just steps from the Mexican border. Arianna is from Texas, Aldo from Mexico—both proud of their heritage and excited to spotlight regions that are producing some of the best wines they’ve ever tasted.
The new wine bar/shop features several Texas and Mexican wine brands.
Looking ahead, RGVino has ambitious plans: from weekend markets and winemaker-led tastings to chef-paired dinners and, soon, a festival celebrating the best of Texas and Mexican wine.
Daily tastings are available, and guests can enjoy a glass on-site, share a bottle, or take one home.
RGVino is located at 902 S 2nd St, Suite 3, in Hidalgo, and is open:
Wednesday–Friday: from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saturday: 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The space is family-friendly and pet-friendly, and while walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended.
You can find more about RGVino on the most important social media platforms under @rgvinotx.
