𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐒𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐙 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒 𝐑𝐆𝐕 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑

Fired RGV Sector Border Patrol Chief Gloria Chavez, pictures from social events with Uni-Trade CEO Eduardo Garza and Tequila maker Francisco Javier Gonzalez

Brownsville, Texas – Gloria Chavez, a longtime U.S. Border Patrol official and native of Brownsville, has been removed from her position as Chief Patrol Agent of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector, following growing scrutiny over her associations with a Mexican tequila maker and a politically connected South Texas businessman.

Chavez, who had a 30-year career with Border Patrol, was escorted out of the agency’s Edinburg headquarters by internal investigators last week, according to sources familiar with the situation. Her dismissal marks a dramatic fall from grace for a career official who once held some of the highest leadership positions within the agency.

                                             

Jason E. Schneider, Acting Border Patrol Chief for RGV Sector

Jason E. Schneider, formerly the deputy chief patrol agent, has been named the acting chief for the RGV Sector.

While officials have not publicly disclosed the reason for Chavez’s termination, multiple sources have linked it to an ongoing ethics investigation by Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. The investigation centers on Chavez’s alleged failure to disclose social ties and gifts from Eduardo Garza, a prominent Laredo businessman and CEO of Uni-Trade, and Francisco Javier González, a tequila distiller from Jalisco, Mexico.

Chavez and other top Border Patrol officials, including agency-wide Chief Jason Owens, were  investigated for attending multiple lavish events hosted by Garza, both in Texas and Mexico. These events included ranch dinners, transportation by shuttle, and entertainment such as mariachi bands and comedians. Chavez reportedly also traveled to Guadalajara with Garza and later visited González’s tequila distillery, where discussions were held about launching a commemorative “Border Patrol” tequila for the agency’s 100th anniversary.

Photos from one event in February show Chavez, Owens, and Garza celebrating at the tequila facility with birthday cake and cigars. Investigators are now looking into who paid for the travel, food, and entertainment and whether proper disclosures were made, as required by CBP ethics policies. CBP employees are prohibited from accepting gifts, including hospitality, from individuals or businesses regulated by the agency, a category that could apply to Garza, whose firm operates in the customs and trade advisory space.

Garza, who has deep political and social ties in South Texas, denies having provided transportation or lodging for Chavez or Owens and says all events were personal gatherings, not official business. He maintains he has no business dealings with Border Patrol.

Still, the optics and the overlap between social and professional roles have drawn criticism from within the agency. Several rank-and-file agents have called the situation “embarrassing,” raising concerns about agency leadership and its public image.

Chavez’s departure comes less than three years after she took command of the RGV Sector, which includes over 277 miles of river border and spans 34 counties in South Texas. She had previously served as chief of the El Paso Sector and held leadership positions in California, Washington state, and CBP headquarters in Washington, D.C.

For Chavez, a Brownsville native who rose through the ranks to one of the top posts in Border Patrol, the ethics probe and sudden ouster represent a jarring end to a distinguished public service career, now clouded by allegations of questionable associations and blurred ethical lines.

       

Gloria Chavez in Brownsville in 2023

Sources: Border Report, Valley Central, NBC, CBS

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𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗠 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦

                                                           

Rodrigo Moreno, bottom left (Graphics by Diego Rot)

                              

      Rules of Journalism

Presented by Rodrigo Moreno

Pink Ape Media

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Slide 2: Rule 1 – Seek the Truth

• Verify facts before publishing

• Use credible sources

• Avoid distortion or misrepresentation

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Slide 3: Rule 2 – Support Diverse Voices

• Include multiple perspectives

• Give space to underrepresented groups

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Slide 4: Rule 3 – Minimize Harm

• Be compassionate with those affected

• Avoid sensationalism

• Handle vulnerable people with care

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Slide 5: Rule 4 – Stay Independent

• Avoid conflicts of interest

• Don’t be swayed by advertisers or sponsors

• Put the public’s interest first

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Slide 6: Rule 5 – Be Accountable

• Admit and correct mistakes

• Be open to feedback

• Expose unethical behavior

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Slide 7: Rule 6 – Be Accurate

• Double-check facts and sources

• Correct inaccuracies quickly

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Slide 8: Rule 7 – Be Objective

• Keep personal bias in check

• Present facts fairly and clearly

---

Slide 9: Rule 8 – Be Fair

• Show all sides of a story

• Avoid favoritism or prejudice

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Slide 10: Rule 9 – Be Transparent

• Identify yourself and your outlet

• Use anonymous sources only when necessary

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Slide 11: Rule 10 – Respect People & Sources

• Protect confidential sources

• Treat all subjects with dignity

• Keep social media professional

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Slide 12: Final Slide – Uphold Ethics & Trust

Goal: Maintain public trust by following ethical journalism

• Inform responsibly

• Stay true to the mission of journalism

SHORTAGE AND AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINE IN MEXICO IS DIRE

•                                                                                                           

  

  Source: El Diario de Matamoros

  
  

Mexico continues to struggle with a serious shortage of medicines and medical supplies, a crisis that has put thousands of lives at risk and sparked deep concern across the country. The issue, widely believed to be the result of poor public policy and government mismanagement, is having a devastating effect on public health, particularly for people with chronic illnesses who rely on timely access to treatment.

Despite efforts by President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration to improve the supply of medicines in hospitals and clinics at all levels, federal, state, and municipal, the problem has yet to be resolved. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and ambulance staff, continue to report a widespread lack of basic medications, surgical tools, and medical supplies. This shortage has made it nearly impossible for many patients to receive adequate care.

The consequences are dire. Many people suffering from conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, anemia, obesity, and respiratory infections have died without receiving the treatment they needed. These diseases, which affect people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, are claiming lives that might have been saved with proper care.

Official statistics paint a grim picture. During the previous six-year term, more than 20% of patients reportedly died while waiting for medical or surgical care from the government. While Sheinbaum has made efforts over the past 11 months to fix the situation, the backlog remains enormous, and critics say there’s still no real solution in sight.

The crisis has also raised concerns about violence against healthcare workers. Several doctors have been killed in different parts of the country. While not all of these murders are directly linked to the medicine shortage, some appear to be. In other cases, the attacks may be related to general insecurity in certain regions. Still, some families have accused doctors of being responsible for patient deaths, adding to public mistrust and making the medical profession even more dangerous.

𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗝𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦, 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘-𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗦

                                                                                      

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr.

As Cameron County experiences rapid population and economic growth, the demand for housing has surged. But recent immigration enforcement efforts are raising concerns about whether the region has the labor force needed to keep up with construction and development.

County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. told Inside Valley Politics that the local economy is already feeling the impact of immigration policies, especially after recent ICE raids. He said many local business owners are struggling to find workers or are seeing employees not return due to fear of deportation.

“It’s become common to hear from business owners that employees aren’t coming back or are afraid to work,” Treviño said. “This includes the construction, energy, service industries, restaurants, and hotels. They’re either short-staffed or workers are afraid to show up because they may not have the proper documentation.”

Treviño also addressed the county’s continued economic evolution, including changes brought by the recently incorporated city of Starbase. His administration has often been at the center of major developments, including handling public information during the COVID-19 pandemic and tracking SpaceX’s growing presence in the region.

Now, Treviño is officially running for re-election. A Brownsville native, he first became Cameron County judge in November 2016. Before that, he served on the Brownsville City Commission from 2001 to 2003 and as mayor from 2003 to 2007.

Since taking office, Treviño has focused on economic development, infrastructure, border trade, and tax reform. He says there’s still more work to do.

“I’m running for re-election as your County Judge because I believe our best days are still ahead,” he said. “We’ve made tremendous progress, and I’m committed to keeping us moving forward together.”

Treviño emphasized his optimism about Cameron County’s future, despite current challenges. “We are experiencing unprecedented growth,” he said. “And we have a great future with unlimited potential.”

𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗛 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗔𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗚𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬

                                                       

EDINBURG, Texas, August 1, 2025

Regional Mexican music sensation Junior H is set to bring his chart-topping “$ad Boyz Live & Broken Tour” to Edinburg this fall, with a highly anticipated performance at the Bert Ogden Arena on Saturday, September 20. The arena boasts 9,000 seats available for concerts, making it one of the largest venues in South Texas for fans eager to catch the genre-defining artist live.

At just 24 years old, Junior H, born Antonio Herrera Pérez in Yuriria, Guanajuato, Mexico, has emerged as one of the leading voices in the corridos tumbados movement, a genre blending trap, reggaeton, and deeply personal storytelling. His music, often referred to as “sad sierreño,” captures themes of heartbreak, loneliness, and ambition, resonating with a new generation of fans across the U.S. and Latin America.

The young artist’s rise to fame began humbly in Utah, where he moved as a teenager and juggled working at Wendy’s with teaching himself guitar and accordion through YouTube videos. Without telling a soul, he uploaded tracks under the name “Junior H," one of which, “No Eh Cambiado,” went viral with over 2 million views.

Since releasing his debut album Mi Vida En Un Cigarro in 2019, Junior H has rapidly climbed the ranks of regional Mexican music. He’s known for collaborations with fellow genre stars like Natanael Cano and Peso Pluma, whose duet “Lady Gaga” topped both the Mexico Songs and Hot Latin Songs charts in 2023, as well as cross-genre features with artists like Snoop Dogg and Rauw Alejandro.

Now, Junior H is hitting the road again, and fans in the Rio Grande Valley will have the chance to see him perform in one of the most intimate large-scale venues in the region. With 9,000 seats available, Bert Ogden Arena offers a unique concert experience that combines high energy with up-close connection.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, August 1 at 10 a.m. at the Bert Ogden Arena Box Office. 

𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗦 $𝟱𝟬𝗞 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗬

                                                                     

Federal immigration agencies are stepping up hiring efforts by offering major financial incentives and calling back experienced personnel.

U.S. Customs and BorderProtection (CBP) announced this week it is seeking to rehire Border Patrol agents who retired between July 2020 and July 2024. The agency is targeting several sectors in South Texas and other locations across the country. Rehired agents would be classified as "reemployed annuitants," meaning they would still receive their retirement benefits, and in some cases, also receive full salary without any reduction.

CBP says some returning retirees may qualify for a salary offset waiver, allowing them to earn both full retirement pay and a full-time salary. These waivers, also known as Dual Compensation Waivers, are granted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management but can be authorized directly by CBP under certain conditions. The agency plans to hire retirees for terms ranging from one to four years, with the possibility of extensions depending on operational needs.

The agency also promises to streamline the hiring process and provide accelerated training to get retirees back into the field quickly. The starting salary for the role is $105,383 (GS-13 level), and positions are full-time.

Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is offering up to $50,000 in signing bonuses to new agents as part of a major recruitment push. The campaign also includes student loan repayment and forgiveness programs. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the effort is meant to bolster immigration enforcement in response to what she described as "failed immigration policies" under the Biden administration.

ICE recently received nearly $30 billion in funding through a budget bill signed by former President Donald Trump on July 4. The agency plans to use those funds to hire 10,000 additional agents, aiming to grow its force to 16,000 deportation and arrest officers.

Both CBP and ICE say these efforts are critical to strengthening national security and addressing growing challenges along the U.S. border.

Agents are asked to select their preferred location for the following 5 locations:

• Rio Grande Valley Sector – Falfurrias, TX

• Del Rio Sector – Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Comstock, Brackettville, Carrizo Springs, Del Rio, TX

• Laredo Sector – Freer, and Zapata, TX

• Big Bend Sector – Marfa, Presidio, Alpine, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Van Horn, and Fort Stockton, TX

• Buffalo Sector – Wellesley Island, NY

• Grand Forks Sector – Bottineau, Pembina, Portal, ND and Grand Marais, Warroad, MN

• Havre Sector – Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass, St. Mary, MT

• Houlton Sector – Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, and Van Buren, ME

• Spokane Sector – Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, and Oroville, WA

• Swanton Sector – Beecher Falls, Newport, Richford, VT and Burke, Champlain, NY

𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦; 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔

                                   

Donald Trump, Carlos Quintanilla

Admittedly, I was flabbergasted that a majority of voters in Cameron County, 52.46%, voted in 2024 for Donald Trump, a man I considered to be a racist and con artist.

Obviously, this overwhelmingly Hispanic voting bloc did not take Trump's remarks seriously as he rode down the Trump Towers escalator in 2015 to announce his original candidacy for President, when he described Mexicans as murderers, rapists, allowing for some to "possibly be good people."  It was a difficult pill to swallow, to realize that, as an elderly Anglo from Seattle, I had more sensitivity to racism than many in Cameron County.

When Trump's obnoxious lie in the 2024 campaign, that Black Haitian immigrants were "eating the cats and dogs" of the residents of Smithfield, Ohio, failed to register among locals, I came to the realization that many Brownsville and Cameron County Hispanics had been totally conned, duped and tricked by a consummate con artist.

If Brownsville and Cameron County were enamored with Trump, New York City, where he'd been operating for many years and was known for massive lies, dishonesty and fraud, was not.

New York prosecutors found that Trump had fraudulently inflated the value of his assets on financial statements by billions of dollars to deceive banks and secure favorable loan terms and insurance coverage.  He'd also falsified business records, issuing false business statements, engaging in insurance fraud and conspiracy.

In February 2024, a New York judge ordered Trump to pay $355M in penalties, with interest totally over $450M, also barring him from doing business in New York for three years.

Trump University was also found to be simply a fraud and the courts ordered Trump to pay back $25M to students who'd paid substantial tuition with false promises.

Trump was also found to have committed election interference in the 2020 election with several documented instances of pressuring officials to change the results, creating alternate, fake slates of electors in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, then pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to count these fake votes.

Trump asked state officials in Georgia to "find" enough votes to overturn the election results there.

Then, there was the January 6 Capitol attack, although many in MAGA claim, despite obvious evidence, that an insurrection attempt did not occur. (That blocking out of the obvious constitutes either blind hero worship or irrational partisanship.)

Again, in New York, we had the hush money case, where Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and hush money payments in the 2016 election.

OK, so much for con artist Trump.

Let's now consider another flim flam man, another con artist, who tricked so many in Brownsville with several attempted scams. Carlos Quintanilla came slithering into town already with a RICO felony conviction under his belt for bilking G. Heileman Brewing Company of $800,000, was $85,000 behind in child support, had bounced $12,000 in hot checks, had numerous liens on his property for non-payment of services and multitudinous lawsuits.

Quintanilla's first attempted con job was to sell the City of Brownsville on a fake airline, Fly Frontera, proposing what was for the city a totally upside down deal.

First of all, the 4 day old "airline" wanted $1,500,000 up front for licensing, fuel, spare parts, etc.  The company had no planes.  Those would have to be rented.

Listen to this: The first 23 plane tickets NOT sold would be guaranteed by the taxpayers at $135 per ticket for the flights to Monterrey and Mexico City, the only flights the "airline" was offering.  That would incentivize the fledgling airline to fly empty planes, using less fuel and Brownsville would pay anyway.  Sounds like a sweetheart deal for someone!

As stated, the quickly thrown together company didn't even have any planes, but then Mayor Pat Ahumada kept repeating himself when some citizens became aware of Quintanilla's multi-paged criminal record:  "Don't blame the messenger!  Carlos Quintanilla has nothing to do with the deal.  He's just the messenger!"  

Former commissioner Charlie Atkinson kept trying to bring the deal back long after it was dead, no doubt because of the lure of calabaza.

Fortunately, the City Commission eventually turned down the deal, but Quintanilla was not through with Brownsville.

The con artist was retained by Ted Parker of Health smart, a firm that had overcharged the Brownsville Independent School District $14,300,000 in insurance premiums.  Quintanilla had already been successful in getting a similar lawsuit by the City of Lubbock, Texas tossed out.

Quintanilla's first order of business was to create  a DefeatCortezZayasPowers PAC, to put in place trustees who who vote to drop the $14,300,000 lawsuit against Healthsmart for overcharges.  Yes, Zayas, Cortez and Powers had to go to accomplish the primary goal, but it was not REALLY about them.  It is known that Juan Montoya, Ben Neece, Pat Lehman and Art Rendon met to work out details of the P.A.C. at Lehman's Chinese motor scooter sales floor on Central Blvd., to be joined by Argelia Miller and Mary S. Rey, who would be named the "officers" of the P.A.C. 

The plan reached fruition when Escobedo, Presas-Garcia, Saavedra and Longoria were elected and  voted to dismiss the lawsuit against Healthsmart much to the delight of Quintanilla and his benefactor, Ted Parker, the former majority owner of Healthsmart.  Quintanilla's work in Lubbock was similar, resulting in a $4,000,000 compromise settlement in their lawsuit for overcharges against Healthsmart.  

For a time, Carlos Quintanilla remained relevant because, along with BISD Trustee Cata Presas-Garcia, he came up with an elaborate plan to "feed the children." The bogus nature of his claims are now part of his bankruptcy proceedings. The entire feeding program was a con, wherein, at best, Quintanilla was table server of food paid for by the people of Texas. Later he tried to sue Texas for failing to pay him $30,000 for being a humanitarian.

                                    

The "Milk Project" with Carlos Quintanilla, unidentified woman, Cata Presas-Garcia and Bruce Carter

His partner in the feeding program was Bruce Carter, a fellow convicted felon. According to court documents Carter and his organization faced a default judgment for $508,387 for non-payment for the milk used by Carter and Quintanilla to feed the children. Quintanilla is not a named a party because, like I said, Quintanilla appears to have been merely a table server for Bruce Carter."

Whether it's Donald Trump, Carlos Quintanilla or some other fast-talking flim flammer, Brownsville seems to tolerate con artists.

𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗨𝗕𝗦

                                                                    

H. Matamoros, Tamaulipas — Seeking to ease tensions between traditional taxi drivers and digital platform operators such as Didi, city officials in Matamoros announced a new initiative to bolster safety around public transportation areas.

Beginning this week, Community Police officers will conduct routine patrols at the city’s main bus terminal and at designated passenger pick-up and drop-off zones. The patrols, organized by the Public Security Secretariat, are intended to serve as a preventative measure to maintain order and protect commuters, according to officials.

“This strategy is focused on conflict prevention and promoting peaceful coexistence in high-traffic areas,” said Eduardo Jehú Silva Capistrán, Secretary of Public Security. “It’s about ensuring that both drivers and users of different transportation services feel safe.”

Recent confrontations between taxi operators and app-based drivers have raised concerns among residents and commuters. While no serious incidents have been reported, city officials say the new patrols are a response to growing tensions.

Mayor Beto Granados affirmed the city’s commitment to upholding public safety and the rule of law. “Any dispute that arises must be reported immediately to the C4 emergency center or by calling 911,” Granados said. “The goal is to intervene swiftly and deescalate any situation before it escalates.”

Authorities hope that the visible presence of law enforcement in these areas will act as a deterrent to conflict and offer reassurance to those navigating the city’s evolving transportation landscape.

𝑪𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑷𝑳𝑨𝑵𝑺 𝑻𝑶 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑻 𝑨𝑹𝑻 𝑴𝑼𝑺𝑬𝑼𝑴 𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑶 𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑳𝑬 𝑴𝑼𝑳𝑻𝑰-𝑼𝑺𝑬 𝑪𝑼𝑳𝑻𝑼𝑹𝑬 𝑯𝑼𝑩

The Editor

BROWNSVILLE, Tex. — In a bid to reimagine its urban landscape and invigorate its cultural identity, the city of Brownsville has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform a long-dormant museum into a vibrant community arts and innovation center.

On Monday, city officials and leaders from the Mitte Cultural District announced a public-private partnership that will breathe new life into the former Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, with an initial investment of at least $2.5 million over the next 18 months.

“This is a new hub for community, art, and culture,” said Daniella Lopez Valdez, executive director of the Mitte Cultural District. “We’re committed to enriching what makes Brownsville beautiful while positioning our city on an international stage.”

The revitalized space is expected to serve as a nexus for local artists, educators, and performers. Plans include art exhibitions, live performances, music and writing classes, and a range of academic and cultural programming. The facility will also feature a multi-use event hall, catering kitchen, and visitor center.

City officials view the project as both a cultural and economic catalyst, designed to draw tourism and foster civic engagement.

“You’re going to see this facility transform into a higher-quality space,” said Mayor John Cowen Jr. “We’re activating the outdoor areas for events, showcasing our local talent, and elevating the role of the arts in Brownsville’s identity.”

                                   

Former Brownsville Museum of Fine Art

The project marks the latest evolution of the Mitte Cultural District, which encompasses a constellation of institutions including the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, the Brownsville Historical Association, Texas Southmost College, and the Gladys Porter Zoo. These organizations are expected to collaborate closely with the new center.

“For us, it’s all about collaboration,” Mayor Cowen added. “The partnership between the city, the Mitte Foundation, and our cultural stakeholders speaks volumes about the kind of leadership and shared vision driving this transformation.”

The center is slated to open in late 2026. In the meantime, organizers are calling on artists and community members to contribute ideas and proposals, ensuring the space reflects the voices and aspirations of Brownsville itself.

𝗙𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗢, 𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗦, 𝗣𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗔, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 $𝟮𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞

                          

Brownsville and Tampico, Tamaulipas may not be considered "sister cities," but they share a commonality of architecture, plus both are ocean ports on the Gulf of Mexico, just 311 millas apart.

Those of us of a "certain age" may remember Tampico as the destination place for Pat Ahumada, as Mayor of Brownsville, after depositing a $26,000 check from a vendor into a personal bank account that had been $180 in arrears.  

At the time, Ahumada claimed his Tampico trip was to "promote Brownsville" and he did eventually return the money after he'd spent about $6,000.  District Attorney Luis Saenz mishandled Ahumada's prosecution, getting tangled up in whether or not Ahumada had worn his glasses while making the deposit, and, these days Pat will tell you he was found "innocent."

                                       

Anyway, much like Brownsville, Tampico is paying attention to the condition of its downtown buildings, with the a project by the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (UAT)  to "strengthen the conservation of the heritage of Tampico's Historic Center through a project led by Dr. Rebeca Isadora Lozano Castro to technically and respectfully intervene on the façade of several historically valuable buildings in downtown Tampico, incorporating a graphic and chromatic restoration proposal that allows for their comprehensive conservation, prioritizing material authenticity, urban visual harmony, and the preservation of their heritage." 

The stated objective according to a Matamoros periodico is to "technically and respectfully intervene on the façade of several historically valuable buildings in downtown Tampico, incorporating a graphic and chromatic restoration proposal that allows for their comprehensive conservation, prioritizing material authenticity, urban visual harmony, and the preservation of their heritage value."  (That's quite a mouthful.)

The project will be developed between 2025 and 2027, using a methodology divided into three stages: situational assessment, development of training activities, and direct intervention in a representative case study, accompanied by the production of academic results, technical reports, human resource training, and participation in international conferences. Graphic design students will also be involved in this process, actively participating in research and professional application.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗜 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗

                                                                                

There are things I just don't understand, like the need for Paramount, the parent corporation of CBS to pay Donald Trump $16M for a simple edit of a Kamala Harris interview.  It was as if the media corporation was playing the role of "fake news" to appease a bully.

Since when does the entity producing "60 Minutes" worry about bullies?

Now, I'm watching as the European Union agrees to be "tariffed" 15% by the bully President and it makes no sense.  Certainly, the 27 countries of the EU, from Austria to Sweden, recognize Trump is dumber than most rocks, so why cater to him?

Yet, America is no smarter because we don't say much, despite knowing tariffs don't really generate revenue, just raise prices, or maybe it's more accurate to say they generate revenue by raising prices as businesses simply pass the costs down the supply chain.

Likely, Daddy Trump will make our boo-boo not hurt so much by sending out rebate checks to hurting Americans funded by the tariffs, checks strategically timed before the 2026 elections.  MAGA will love their idol for the monies while the rest of us simply cash the checks.

Don't look now but the average effective U.S. tariff rate on imported goods now sits at 18.2%, the highest in nearly a century, according to Yale University researchers. Economists estimate that Trump’s tariffs have led to a 1.8% rise in prices, amounting to an average loss of $2,400 in annual income per American household. Even large companies that initially held back on raising prices are now warning of inflationary pressure, which began to pick up in June.

Meanwhile, the legality of these sweeping tariffs is under intense scrutiny. Federal courts have repeatedly ruled against the administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the basis for broad tariff authority. Judges have argued that the 1977 statute was never intended to give the president unrestricted power over trade. Pending appeals and a likely Supreme Court challenge are expected to take months, if not years, to resolve. Will Trump prevail before our corrupt Supeme Court before he leaves office?

The EU agreement includes steep tariffs on cars, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors and maintains 50% tariffs on European steel, aluminum, and copper, though a quota system is expected to replace those eventually. Some sectors will benefit from zero tariffs, including aircraft parts, certain chemicals, semiconductor equipment, and select agricultural products. A separate zero-tariff deal for wine and spirits is still under discussion.

The EU has also committed to buying $750 billion in American oil, liquefied natural gas, and nuclear technology during Trump’s current term, and to invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy. However, experts doubt the feasibility of these pledges. Analysts argue that Europe is unlikely to meet the energy purchase targets, especially as it transitions to renewable energy and moves away from fossil fuels.

Critics say the deal, reached days before Trump’s tariff deadline, may lack legal enforceability and could delay Europe’s climate goals. European leaders and opposition politicians have condemned the agreement. There are also concerns that such heavy reliance on U.S. energy could create a new form of dependency, especially as liquefied gas imports carry higher carbon footprints than pipeline gas.

But, Europe is not alone as other countries like Japan have also announced massive investment pledges tied to American energy exports, though many of these deals remain similarly vague and unverified.

As legal challenges continue, tariffs rise, and international partners grapple with unclear trade commitments, the broader impact of Trump’s economic agenda remains deeply uncertain.  There's just so much we don't know, I don't know, but, based on recent history, Trump's policies will come closer to benefiting billionaire oligarchs than ordinary folk in Brownsville, Texas.

𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡, 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡 "𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗭?"

 

A legal showdown is unfolding over a new migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, where civil rights lawyers say detainees are being held without charges, denied access to attorneys, and deported without due process. The facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has drawn widespread condemnation from legal advocates and human rights groups, who accuse Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of disregarding constitutional protections.

In a federal court hearing Monday, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union argued that nearly 100 detainees have already been deported under troubling conditions. They say officers have pressured migrants to sign deportation orders without legal counsel, while bond hearings have been canceled or rerouted to courts that claim no jurisdiction.

“This is an emergency,” said ACLU attorney Eunice Cho, warning that basic rights are being ignored at the site, which opened a month ago on an old airstrip deep in the Everglades.

In court, an attorney for DeSantis acknowledged that the situation had changed since the ACLU’s lawsuit was filed. The state claims it has since allowed attorney access through video calls and in-person meetings. But federal Judge Rodolfo Ruiz was unconvinced, directing lawyers to consolidate their claims into a formal motion for a preliminary injunction and demanding more transparency about who controls the facility.

“There’s a black hole when it comes to federal and state authority here,” Ruiz said, questioning the legality and oversight of the detention center’s operation.

The judge stopped short of ordering immediate relief but allowed civil rights lawyers to request any agreements between state and federal officials that define who governs the site. That question of jurisdiction remains unresolved.

Meanwhile, environmental groups have filed a separate lawsuit alleging that the facility’s construction violated environmental laws. Lawyers for the state and federal government argue both lawsuits were filed in the wrong court district.

Despite mounting criticism, DeSantis continues to defend the center. At a press event Monday, he urged faster deportations, calling opposition to the facility a sign of support for open borders.

Kristi Noem has also backed the project, calling Florida’s initiative a model for expanding federal detention efforts. Critics see it differently, describing the site as inhumane and lawless—more punishment than policy.

As legal battles continue, detainees remain inside a facility critics say represents a disturbing erosion of civil rights under the guise of immigration enforcement.

𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗𝗬 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗔

 

Move over Gregory Peck, Bruce Springstein, Roberta Flack and Al Green.  The MAGA crowd has different tastes: Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, Lee Greenwood and 50 Cent.

There's even a push by a Republican congressman   to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.

Representative Bob Onder of Missouri introduced a bill last week that would change the name of the iconic cultural institution in Washington, D.C., to the “Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.” The bill, titled the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act,” is a nod to Trump’s well-known campaign slogan. Onder called Trump “a patron of the arts and a staple of the pop-culture landscape,” saying his influence has shaped American entertainment for decades.

The proposal comes alongside another effort from Republicans to rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House in honor of First Lady Melania Trump. That measure, introduced by Representative Mike Simpson of Idaho, passed the House Appropriations Committee by a 33, 25 vote and is now part of a broader funding bill for the Interior Department. Simpson described the renaming as a tribute to Melania Trump’s commitment to the arts. 

These efforts have drawn criticism from Democrats and legal experts, who point out that the Kennedy Center was established by law as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and that the legislation strictly limits additional memorials or name changes. According to U.S. code, no further plaques or dedications can be installed after 1983 without new legislation. Former board members told NBC News that the law clearly prohibits renaming the facility, with the exception of the Eisenhower Theater, which honors the president whose administration first authorized the center’s construction.

Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine, the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center, said Republicans cannot legally rename parts of the center without going through Congress. “If Republicans can’t pass their budget, which they usually can’t, the Melania Trump renaming provision dies,” a spokesperson from her office said. Attempting to make changes unilaterally, the spokesperson warned, would be illegal and could lead to a court battle.

The Kennedy Center, which includes the Opera House, the Concert Hall, and several other performance spaces, is known for hosting high-profile events such as the annual Kennedy Center Honors. The Opera House alone seats more than 2,000 people and serves as a symbol of national cultural achievement.

Last month, Trump and the First Lady attended a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center alongside Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The appearance drew a mixed reaction from the audience, with cheers and boos, while drag performers protested outside.

Critics, including Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg, accused Trump of trying to rewrite history for personal glorification. “Trump is obsessed with being bigger than JFK, with minimizing the many heroes of our past, as if that elevates him,” Schlossberg said.

President Trump has recently taken a more active role in the arts scene in recent months, firing several Kennedy Center board members appointed by President Joe Biden and naming himself the center’s chairman, a move without precedent. He replaced the longtime president of the institution, Deborah Rutter, and its board chair, billionaire donor David Rubenstein, with loyalists including Ric Grenell, a former ambassador and Trump ally. Trump wrote online that Grenell would help usher in a “GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture” and eliminate what he called “ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”

Although both renaming efforts still face significant legislative hurdles, they reflect a broader attempt by Trump allies to reshape key cultural institutions in line with the President’s political and personal legacy.