Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 13th of November.
Good morning, McAllen.
🏘️ Community
AAF-RGV will host its fourth annual 'Keep It Ugly' Charity Bowling Tournament at Flamingo Bowl in McAllen on December 3 with check-in at 5:30 a.m.; teams of five will pay $300 to help raise funds for Food Bank RGV and the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
Donations and sponsorships will provide meals and holiday gifts to local families in need — a timely boost for those facing food insecurity — and support community aid.
💼 Business
Snooze Mattress Company will hold its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at 7913 N.
10th St. in McAllen — the event will introduce its Dream Mapping® technology and preview a Grand Opening Celebration on November 15 with over $30,000 in product giveaways.
🎭 Culture
Rio Bravo will host its fair from Dec.
5 through Dec. 28 featuring an ice skating rink, carnival rides, a circus, and a show by Grammy Award winner Gloria Trevi. State police will secure the route from Rio Bravo to Nuevo Progreso Bridge—free admission is offered on Mondays and Tuesdays.
🎓 Education
Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen hosted an Open House on Saturday, Nov.
8, where local high school and transfer students toured the facility, met faculty and staff, and explored ten undergraduate programs. The event offered insights into campus services and application assistance — showing how students can earn a Texas A&M degree close to home.
A big celebration was held Wednesday for some of the Valley’s brightest students at a banquet at Bert Ogden BMW in Pharr as part of KRGV's Student of the Week event.
Channel 5 News highlighted the students over several weeks, with Tim Smith and Sandra Rodriguez present — marking a special honor for local youth.
🌲 Environment
Armando O’Caña said his planned seawater desalination plant will turn seawater into drinking water by starting with 3 million gallons a day in Cameron County and growing to 75 million gallons daily to ease water shortages in the Rio Grande Valley.
The project will use a 250-mile pipeline—spanning Willacy, Hidalgo, Starr, Zapata, and Laredo—to deliver water to several counties.
The Texas Water Foundation hosted its two-day Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Binational River Symposium at Embassy Suites by Hilton in McAllen, where a panel on 1950–2050 Binational Water Planning featured former commissioner Maria-Elena Giner and was moderated by Carlos Rubinstein.
The discussion included an audience Q&A — offering local insight on future water management between the U.S. and Mexico — which set the stage for further planning efforts.
A new committee in Mission is promoting native drought resistant plants by offering a designation for homeowners who meet set guidelines after botanist Betty Perez helped draft an ordinance when her plants were mistaken for weeds last November.
Biologist Angela Rojas is among the members who will protect local wildlife and reduce temperatures in the area.
🏛️ Government
First responders in the Rio Grande Valley participated in a mass casualty simulation in San Benito on Wednesday to test new methods for faster response and improved hospital communication.
The exercise, which used a colored wristband system and a barcode app to quickly share patient information, revealed some issues—leading officials to plan further adjustments—ensuring better disaster readiness in the future.
🎉 McAllen Events
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The Inaugural Heartbeat Gala
6-10 p.m. — Casa De Palmas, Trademark Collection by Wyndham — Individual: $100, Couple: $150, Table of 10: $1,000 — An elegant gala raising funds for healthcare services in the Rio Grande Valley.
Joshua Aaron Concert
7-10:30 p.m. — Iglesia Camino del Rey Upper Valley — $0.50 service fee — Experience an uplifting Night of Worship with Joshua Aaron in McAllen, TX.
C Street Brass Quintet Performance
7:30-9:00 p.m. — McAllen Performing Arts Center — Starting at $47 — Experience an upbeat evening of jazz from the renowned C Street Brass Quintet.
Clave Especial Concert
8:00 – 9:30 p.m. — McAllen Performing Arts Center — Ticket info available — Enjoy an evening of special musical performances in McAllen.
Yandel - SINFÓNICO
8:00-9:30 p.m. — McAllen Performing Arts Center — Ticket info available — Enjoy a captivating performance by the renowned Puerto Rican artist Yandel in a unique orchestral setting.
3rd Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
8 AM – 2 PM — Firemen's Park — Proceeds benefit young mothers — Participate in a festive 5K with custom medals and event shirts.
Mcallen Holiday Parade 2025
6-7:30 p.m. — McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium — Free entry — Experience the largest holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas with a vibrant parade route.
Mariachi Christmas Celebration
7-9 p.m. — Rowe High School, 2101 N Ware Rd, McAllen, TX — Entry to be determined — Celebrate the Christmas season with vibrant mariachi music and traditional Mexican dance performances.
Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl
4:30-9 p.m. — El Divino Dining & Cocktails — 25% off tickets with code UGLY25 — Celebrate the holiday season in your ugliest sweater while enjoying drinks, games, and photo contests.
🏠 McAllen Real Estate
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