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Rise and shine, Brownsville! In today’s edition: Court record access changes, a Phil Collins tribute, a craft fair and car show, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Changes to court record access: Criminal case searches on Cameron County’s portal are currently unavailable after the vendor ended support. Civil records remain on the statewide court portal and iDocket, with no timeline announced — learn where to access records.
Neighbors connecting through books: Reading Buddies returns to Brownsville Public Library System in 2026, with volunteers reading to homeless children and adults. The next session at Southmost Branch will be on January 26 — see when and where.
Young fundraiser sparks change: Students in San Benito raised $3,605 for the public library, beating their $3,000 goal. Sixth-grader Victor Gonzalez led fundraising, hoping to improve children’s section and explore a summer food program — read the full story.
Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Recognition boosts site selector interest: Brownsville was ranked No. 17 overall in Area Development magazine’s 2025 Leading Metro Locations, reflecting strong workforce readiness, economic strength, and competitiveness. The 2025 U-Haul Growth Index also highlighted the area’s appeal for opportunity, affordability, and quality of life, signaling continued momentum for local growth. Learn how rankings influence decisions.
Brows, but better: Overdue for a clean-up, craving tint that actually shows, or ready for lamination that tames the wild ones? The LAB brings state-certified techs and meticulous shaping, threading, tint, and microblading that make upkeep easy, no fuss.
A wild midweek reset: Step into Gladys Porter Zoo for an easy dose of fresh air, wander 31 leafy acres, peek at AZA-accredited conservation like Kemp’s ridley turtles and ocelots, and let your brain idle for a bit, no itinerary required.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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📆 Around town this week
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎤 Vance Greek and more @ Fun N Sun RV Resort | Monday (1/12) at 7:00 PM – Vance Greek teams up with a few ringer friends for a set that feels like your favorite living room jam, only with better acoustics. Expect tight playing, familiar favorites, a couple curveballs, and no pyrotechnics, just good tunes, good company, and easygoing vibes.
👗 Costumes of the Americas Museum Exhibit: “Celebrating 20 Years” @ Costumes of the Americas Museum | Tuesday (1/13) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from Netflix and wander into the Costumes of the Americas Museum’s 20th anniversary exhibit. It’s a love letter to the women who built it, the community that kept it thriving, and costumes from Mexico, Central, and South America. Included with admission, obviously.
✂ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony @ Brownsville Sports Park | Tuesday (1/13) at 10:00 AM – Swing by for a good old-fashioned ribbon cutting as the newest spot in town opens its doors. Expect oversized scissors, polite clapping, maybe free coffee, and a chance to meet the folks behind it, support local, and snoop around before the crowds.
🐦 Garden & Birding Workshops @ Antonio Gonzalez Park | Wednesday (1/14) at 9:30 AM – Wednesday mornings at Gonzalez Garden mean one thing, dirt therapy with a side of bird gossip. We prep soil, start seeds, plant like we mean it, and let the local finches supervise. Bring gloves, curiosity, and your best small talk, coffee optional.
🌙 Encore Series: One More Night @ Sunshine RV Resort | Wednesday (1/14) at 7:00 PM – Ready for that drum fill you still crush in traffic? The Encore Series serves up One More Night, a polished tribute to Phil Collins, with big hits, slick harmonies, and serious nostalgia. Bring your inner air drummer, leave the mullet at home.
🎭 Spittin Image @ Encore Tropic Winds | Thursday (1/15) at 7:00 PM – Grab your seat for the Spittin Image Show, the kind of small-town spectacle where quick wit, tight harmonies, and just the right amount of mischief make for an easy night out. Pro tip, buy early and pocket the extra two bucks for a post-show treat.
🎨 Friday Crafternoon: January 2026 @ Harlingen Public Library | Friday (1/16) at 3:00 PM – Friday Crafternoon is your weekly excuse to slow down and make something fun, no experience required. Drop in for dot art, paper chain jellyfish, lava and secret message painting, then an open craft free-for-all, and bring the kids, the grandkids, or your inner 10-year-old.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Brownsville report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 69°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 18%
A slight chance of rain showers after 9am. Partly sunny. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 65 in the afternoon. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. North wind 3 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 9%
Mostly cloudy. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. North wind around 7 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. North wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
Built in 2021, this custom modern residence sits on a quiet cul-de-sac inside a gated Brownsville community. A split floor plan holds 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. Open living spaces pair with an office nook and a large bonus room, currently styled as a game room with a wet bar. Sliding doors pull the eye outside, linking daily life with effortless entertaining.
Out back, a covered patio overlooks a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, and built-in grill on a 0.56 acre lot. Privacy pairs with play, and custom finishes carry through for a polished, functional home in an exclusive setting.
Take a peek inside →
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