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Happy weekend, Brownsville! 

In today’s happening-today edition: Gold and silver are hot, someone Googled you this week, and a St. Patrick’s murder mystery dinner + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.

Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

State-funded shoreline upgrades unveiled: Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham visited the Rio Grande Valley to highlight coastal projects, including beach and habitat restoration and bay health efforts, chosen through the competitive grant process — get details on coastal projects.

Regional growth and collaboration: Brownsville Mayor John Cowen met with Sen. John Cornyn to discuss water security, plans for a future desalination plant, regional mobility, and USMCA trade, advancing Valley infrastructure and priorities — read the full story.

Researchers examine cardiovascular-cognitive ties: A Feb. 18 UTRGV study using 24-hour monitoring suggests bigger blood pressure swings may signal higher dementia risk, underscoring why steadier pressure could help protect brain health across the Valley — learn what researchers found.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Tour the historic Laureles Ranch House Museum
• Join a St. Patrick’s murder mystery dinner
• Join FPC’s Spring Break soccer camp
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor Money.com

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I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

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🫶 We got your back

Color you can’t miss: Downtown’s Welcome to Brownsville mural is a cheerful hometown remix… mariachis, zoo critters, and a wink at rockets. Painted by local artist Jesse James Lopez with community help, it turns quick errands into brighter moments and doubles as an effortlessly shareable backdrop.

Project rescue, anyone? Locally rooted since 1965, Burgess Fabrics and Upholstery Supplies keeps Harlingen DIYs rolling with the fabrics and supplies you actually need. Refresh a chair, sew cushions, or finally tackle that make‑it‑yourself fix… your project just found its rescue.

Fresh pints, local vibe: Downtown’s homegrown taproom, Pluton Brewing Co pours its own lineup, from crisp Vienna-Venidos and Terra Nova Brown Ale to roasty Singularity Stout, plus easy drinkers. Flights make exploring simple, and discovering a new go-to pint happens without leaving Brownsville.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town today & tomorrow

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🚴 35th Henry Roberts Memorial Jalapeno 100 @ Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 AM – Whether you’ve ridden since Henry Roberts’ day or you’re here for the snacks, the 35th Jalapeño 100 rolls from Harlingen to Raymondville and Port Mansfield, then back. It’s a tour, not a race, with Valley wind, country roads, and the best rest stops in Texas.

🏃 Ocelot Run 5K/1 Mile @ Gladys Porter Zoo | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 AM – Trade your morning walk for the Ocelot Run at Gladys Porter Zoo, 5k or 1 mile, and actually help RGV ocelots, fewer than 100 left. You get zoo admission, a finisher medal, a bib, and the exclusive t-shirt. Coffee first, hero later.

🎉 Gentry Gym Grand Reopening & Community Celebration @ Gentry Gym (Harlingen) | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – After a year in the shiny new facility, Gentry Gym is finally throwing the grand opening we somehow skipped. Expect fitness, fun, and community done right, with plenty of sweat, smiles, and a nod to how far we’ve come, and where we’re headed.

🤠 Ranch Days @ Laureles Ranch House Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Trade your errands for a peek inside Laureles Ranch House Museum in Linear Park, where Texas History Month gets VIP treatment. Every Saturday in March they open for guided tours, stories, and creaky floors, all for five bucks. Bring curiosity, leave with bragging rights.

🐾 Big Tent Event @ PetSmart | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Swing by the big tent at PetSmart on Morrison, every first Saturday, and meet a whole pack of adoptable pups ready to upgrade your daily walk. All sizes, all personalities, all vetted, vaccinated, fixed, and chipped, which is more paperwork than most dates.

⛳ Wine & Women Golf Tournament @ Tony Butler Golf Course (Harlingen) | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – If your swing is more Summer Nights than tour-ready, this 9-hole, three-lady scramble at Tony Butler serves mimosas, wine, and Grease vibes. Bring your Pink Ladies or roll solo, nobody’s policing handicaps. Proceeds support the Family Crisis Center, which is the real win.

🍽 Electric Reign Plate Sale @ Security Plaza | Sunday (3/8) at 4:00 PM – Brownsville’s first cheer team to snag a bid to nationals is hustling a BBQ plate sale, and lunch can help send them to Orlando. Twelve bucks gets you a chicken quarter, creamed corn, rice, jalapeño, bread, sauce, cookie, and a drink. Chew, cheer, repeat.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/7 Leslie Blasing @ Tropic Winds RV Resort (Harlingen) – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Brownsville Chamber Orchestra @ First Presbyterian Church – 7:30 PM
• 3/12 Fresh Breath @ Upper Deck Hotel & Bar (South Padre Island) – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Ali Musa and more @ Isla Grand Beach Resort (South Padre Island) – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Tents at Texican @ Texican BBQ Company (Olmito) – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Jenuine Cello @ Jackson Street Cork N Craft (Harlingen) – 7:00 PM
• 3/14 That Mexican OT and more @ Cameron County Amphitheater (South Padre Island) – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Brownsville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 88°F – Low: 72°F – Precip: 4%

Partly sunny. High near 88, with temperatures falling to around 83 in the afternoon. South southeast wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 71°F – Precip: 53%

A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This vintage Brownsville beauty overlooks the resaca, pairing historic charm with serene water views. The 4-bed, 3-bath layout offers generous living areas, classic details, and large windows that flood rooms with light. Multiple flex spaces suit entertaining, guests, or a home office. Minutes to dining, shopping, and schools, it blends character, comfort, and convenience.

Take a peek inside →