Editorials

Even with recent developments in retail, finance and aerospace, agriculture remains the biggest part of the Rio Grande Valley’s economy, and three crops have dominated our agriculture market: citrus, cotton and sugar cane.

New York City’s mayor Eric Adams canceled a trip to the Rio Grande Valley this past weekend over concerns of cartel-related violence here. Guess he hasn’t read FBI reports that consistently show this is one of the safest regions in the United States.

Robert and Janet Vackar have long made a name for themselves in running and expanding the Bert Ogden Auto Group across the Rio Grande Valley; it's named after Janet Vackar's father, who founded the business decades ago. The Vackars' name also will live on as a result of their continued generosity to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

A major element of the Rio Grande Valley’s economy is used car sales. Some local streets might have a dozen or more lots selling pre-owned vehicles. The used-car market is big everywhere — they outnumber new car sales nearly 4-to-1 nationwide — but it seems to be even more pronounced in low-income areas such as ours. It’s no surprise: A lot of people just can’t afford a new car.

People who have been to the U.S.-Mexico border, and even crossed into Matamoros, Reynosa or other northern Mexican cities, probably have seen a major demographic change. More people approaching our border, or waiting in Mexico to see if they are admitted into this country, are from Haiti; creole French is becoming increasingly common here.

It’s never been easier to access information; we can simply tap our phones and open uncountable amounts of information through the internet. Of course, it’s just as easy to post information as it is to read it, and people have used the resource to spread information that isn’t true, either by accident or by design.

After more than a half century as one of the Rio Grande Valley’s biggest cash crops, injecting up to $100 million into the region’s economy every year, the South Texas sugar industry has come to a bitter end — unless creative growers opt for alternative sweetening sources such as sugar beets or even stevia.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has announced his desire to replace the retiring Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader. We hope his efforts — and tenure as the Senate’s top Republican member — are successful.

Public school districts across the country are dealing with revenue shortfalls, and the Rio Grande Valley is no different. McAllen is looking to end cooperative agreements with the city of McAllen and other entities, and cancel planned construction of theaters at McAllen, Memorial and Rowe high schools.

When you’re in trouble it’s best to ask for help. McAllen public school board members should do just that, and not be so hasty to bail out of promising cooperative agreements with the city of McAllen and other entities.