Subscribe | Get featured

Hi Brownsville, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: A $3.2B military shipyard proposal, a new Texas Game Wardens boat, and a Mardi Paws dog parade + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Brownsville protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Blueprint set for unveiling: Downtown Brownsville hosted a Master Plan Revitalization mixer where Doroteo Garcia Jr. outlined major street rebuilds and park upgrades. Public sessions wrapped, with the Downtown Master Plan nearing public presentation — see what’s planned next.

Protecting wildlife and anglers: Texas Game Wardens added a new boat to target illegal fishing near South Padre Island, reaching Gulf waters faster. In 2025, Cameron County wardens removed 15 miles of illegal nets — learn how the boat helps.

Major proposal gains traction: GBEDC’s Gilberto Salinas says a $3.2 billion high tech military shipyard could come to the Port of Brownsville. A March 24 hearing will consider tax abatements, and jobs are envisioned — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

All the crowd favorites:

• Raise a glass to Texas history
• Enroll kids in spring pickleball camp
• Enjoy family-friendly fun at Poké Fiesta
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Where treasures resurface: If your closet or coffee table craves a little history, swing by Antique & Artisan Emporium, with aisles of vintage finds, local makers, and a cozy record nook in back. It’s a slow-browse haven where curiosity pays off and “just looking” often becomes a new favorite thing.

Twirl-worthy pasta night: Whether you’re craving a cozy bowl of spaghetti and meatballs in house-made marinara or silky, from-scratch fettuccine Alfredo, Colletti’s Italian Restaurant nails weeknight comfort. Pair it with a glass from the wine list, exhale, and let dinner practically take care of itself.

Neighborhood burger fix: Some nights only a hand‑formed patty will do. In Brownsville since 2001, Spanky’s Burgers serves juicy, never‑frozen burgers and, if you’re bold, the legendary 5‑lb SpaceX burger. Best shared with a friend or two… consider it a mini victory lap.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

🧾 Free Tax Prep @ Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville | Monday (3/9) at 8:00 AM – Skip the shoebox panic and let BHA do your taxes for free, if you make $67,000 or less. It’s a no-nonsense, weekday operation, the kind locals quietly swear by. Bring your W-2s, your patience, and that receipt from 2009, just in case.

🍷 Sip & Stroll @ Harlingen Public Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 10:00 AM – Think you can outwalk the Valley sun? Meet at the Harlingen Public Library courtyard for a friendly stroll to Girl of All Trades Cafe, caffeine at the finish line. Bring a stroller or wagon for kiddos and coffee hauls, plus water, obviously.

🎨 Tacos & Paint @ La Playa Mexican Cafe (Harlingen) | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Trade your to-do list for Tacos & Paint at La Playa in Harlingen, a low-key art night with four street tacos, a drink, and a mixed media canvas for $45. Seats go fast, so hit $Martfulwander via the QR, and call it self-care.

🤠 Historical Happy Hour: Texas History Month @ Laureles Ranch House Museum | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Break out your boots and pretend your high school Texas history finally paid off at a happy hour at the Laureles Ranch House. Sip Texas wine and beer, swap tall tales, and maybe snag a Texan-themed raffle basket. Free for BHA members, cheaper if you RSVP.

🎸 Sham-Rock The Park @ Lon C. Hill Park (Harlingen) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Green gear season calls for a jog and a jig at Sham-Rock the Park, with a Kids 2K, a 5K, and the 5K Lager Jogger for pint-friendly runners. Expect live music, local eats, and a costume contest, because dignity is optional.

⛺ Tents at Texican @ Texican BBQ Company (Olmito) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Patio weather calls for brisket, a cold one, and a lap around the local maker tents at Texican. Live music, shopping, and dancing, all with that smoky perfume we pretend isn’t cologne. Call it community support, leave happily sauce-stained, and maybe attempt a two-step.

🐶 Mardi Paws 2026 @ Morningside Park | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Parade season is going to the dogs, in the best way, at the new Morningside Park dog park. Think 1-mile trot, a costume parade and contest, music, and Mardi Gras snacks, all for a $10 household registration. Leashes required, dignity optional, bragging rights probable.

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.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Brownsville report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 87°F – Low: 71°F – Precip: 38%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind 5 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

—

Tomorrow – High: 86°F – Low: 72°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 6 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

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 outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

This exquisite new construction features 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, gleaming tile floors, and chic quartz countertops. Sunlit living spaces feel crisp and inviting. A huge fenced backyard expands the fun, complete with a sprinkler system for easy care landscaping. Smart layout, modern style, and turnkey comfort define this standout home.

Take a peek inside →