Good morning, Mission.

Today at 1 p.m. at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, eleven high school marching bands from across the Rio Grande Valley compete in a 6A area competition, where only three bands will move on to state.

Band directors stressed that students must stay hydrated and take breaks in hot fall temperatures — they have been rehearsing their routines since summer.

Parents and officials said that if the government shutdown continues, the Hidalgo County Head Start Program may lose its federal funding and risk the education of nearly 2,500 children and the jobs of 800 employees.

The program, which offers schooling, health screenings and free meals, receives $37 million per year from the government—there is no backup funding—and lawmakers must act soon to keep it running.

Local, state, and federal leaders attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Friday in Primera to mark the completion of the federally funded Richmond Hills Drainage Improvement Project— which built a detention pond in Richmond Hills to help protect homes, businesses, and churches from heavy rains.

The U.S. citizenship test now requires 12 correct answers out of 20 questions chosen from a pool of 128 after USCIS revised the exam on October 20—applicants must also prove good character.

Local immigrant rights group LUPE is offering free citizenship classes twice a week in English and Spanish to help new applicants prepare for the tougher test.

Texas voters will decide on Proposition 14, which would create a $3 billion Dementia Prevention and Research Institute to help lower the high rate of dementia in the Valley—supporters say it will bring a decade of stable research funding while critics worry about long-term costs.

Early voting ends October 31, and the measure could transform local care if approved.

On Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, regional high school sports games showcased competitive matchups as the Mission Veterans Patriots scored 47 points while the Brownsville St. Joseph Bloodhounds and Tuloso-Midway Warriors earned 18 and 84 points respectively—other teams also finished with final scores.

Snoopy’s Picnic & Pumpkins

4-9 p.m. — Archer Park — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly evening with a movie under the stars and pumpkin patch fun.