Tuesday, September 1, 2026
DEANNEXATION CONSEQUENCES: CAN A DATA CENTER AT STARBASE BE FAR BEHIND?
MYSA
Despite massive public backlash, Brownsville city leaders approved “a really good deal” to forfeit more than 440 acres of land for SpaceX in exchange for $220 million in funding for future water infrastructure projects.
The Brownsville City Commission reached the unanimous but controversial decision late Saturday, August 29, after SpaceX issued a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum that had city leaders concerned Brownsville could lose jurisdiction over the land anyway, with nothing to show for it.
“It’s a really good deal. … I have all the trust and hope that we’re going to sort this out, but it needs to be done today,” said Sheila McCorkle, a Starbae resident and attorney who serves as SpaceX’s general counsel “for all Starbase matters,” according to LinkedIn.
Brownsville officials questioned the forced urgency, but touted the agreements as a way to safeguard the city’s water in a region where long-term droughts and binational policy failures have already threatened supplies. But the hours-long meeting drew sharp criticism from Rio Grande Valley locals, who said they’ve been “left in the dark” over decisions that benefit corporate interests over a largely low-income community.
SpaceX proposed a two-part deal — deannexing 444.45 acres of undeveloped land near the Port of Brownsville, in exchange for up to $220 million for Brownsville to diversify its water supply. City leaders approved the two interdependent deals separately.
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen called the deals “take-it-or-leave-it.” If Brownsville refused or delayed the decision, even by 72 hours, SpaceX would keep the money and scuttle the as-yet unnamed project.
“No, that’s correct,” McCorkle said. “And it’s based on our own roadmap and plans. If this were to be drawn out… we would just have to pivot the project.”
In exchange for deannexing the land SpaceX promised to provide Brownsville $220 million in funding for two major water infrastructure projects — $40 million within the next 30 days for a potable reuse project, and another $180 million over the next year-and-a-half for an expansion of the Southmost Regional Water Authority (SWRA) brackish groundwater plant.
Officials said the first $40 million would allow Brownsville to speed up the timeline for a wastewater reuse project for which the city has already received $12.7 million in state funding. Meanwhile, the remaining $180 million will allow Brownsville to double its groundwater pumping capacity. Together, the projects could produce an additional 18 million gallons of water per day.
Why did SpaceX want Brownsville to deannex the 444 acres of land?
SpaceX was already under contract to purchase the land, which McCorkle described as being between the city landfill and the port. But she declined to discuss what SpaceX planned to build at the site.
Nor did she add why SpaceX felt it was so incumbent for Brownsville to give up its jurisdiction over the land. But Brownsville City Attorney Guillermo “Will” Treviño may have provided some clue. As a part of Brownsville’s jurisdiction, a portion of the 444 acres was already zoned for industrial use; however, some 100 acres were zoned for agricultural use. SpaceX would have had to seek city approval to change that, but that process will likely be far easier in Starbase, where two of the town’s three-person commission work for SpaceX.
“Starbase, depending on their ordinances, can bring it in as whatever zoning classification they… feel necessary,” Treviño said.
Land within a city’s limits is subject to the ordinances of that city, including how a property can be developed. Cities are also obligated to provide basic public infrastructure, like roads, and other public services, like police and fire protection, within their territories. Deannexing a property means the city gives up its jurisdiction and ability to control development.
U.S. MARINE CORPS CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF SERVICE; CELEBRATE AND REFLECT
By General Eric M. Smith, Commandant, USMC
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Seventy four years ago, Army Major General Frank E. Lowe was quoted as saying, "The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight."
That testimonial rings as true now as it did then, and will remain so tomorrow. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Corps' founding, we reflect on nearly two and a half centuries of exceptional prowess, while also taking objective stock of where we are today and how we will prepare for future battlefields.
Our birthday provides us a chance to focus on the one thing common to our success in the past, present, and future: the individual Marine. Victories are not won because of technology or equipment, but because of our Marines.
Since 1775, Marines have fought courageously and tenaciously in every conflict our country has faced. Through the Revolution, the Spanish-American War, World Wars in Europe and the Pacific, conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and operations in the Middle East, Marines consistently earned a reputation as the world's elite fighting force.
Since 1775, Marines have fought courageously and tenaciously in every conflict our country has faced. Through the Revolution, the Spanish-American War, World Wars in Europe and the Pacific, conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and operations in the Middle East, Marines consistently earned a reputation as the world's elite fighting force.
We inherit and take pride in this reputation, evolved over time by Marines acquitting themselves with honor and distinction on every battlefield in every clime and place. Battlefields change, and Marines have always adapted to the environment and the changing character of war – but the reason we fight and win is immutable.
It's the individual warfighters, and their love for each other, that makes our Corps as formidable a force today as it has been for the past 250 years. It's our ethos and our unapologetic resolve to be the most capable and lethal fighting force that sets us apart from the rest.
Current events around the world remind us that peace is not guaranteed. While we are justifiably proud of our past and pay tribute to the remarkable warfighters who came before us, we understand that the stories of yesterday cannot secure our freedom tomorrow.
Current events around the world remind us that peace is not guaranteed. While we are justifiably proud of our past and pay tribute to the remarkable warfighters who came before us, we understand that the stories of yesterday cannot secure our freedom tomorrow.
We must be ready to respond when our Nation calls. It falls on Marines who are in uniform today to write the next chapter of our Corps. The solemn responsibility of maintaining our illustrious warfighting legacy rests upon your shoulders. I know that you are up to that task.
The battlefields of tomorrow are uncertain. The future characteristics of warfare are uncertain. But one thing is certain – wherever Marines are called, they will fight and win – today, tomorrow, and into the future.
Happy 250th Birthday, Marines!
Happy 250th Birthday, Marines!
And another view:
During his 34-year career, Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler participated in military actions in the Philippines, China, Central America, the Caribbean during the Banana Wars, and France in World War I. Butler was, at the time of his death, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. 
By the end of his career, Butler had received 16 medals, five for heroism. He is one of 19 men to receive the Medal of Honor twice, one of three to be awarded both the Marine Corps Brevet Medal (along with Wendell Neville and David Porter) and the Medal of Honor, and the only Marine to be awarded the Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.
His expose, "War Is a Racket" is summarized below:
"I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers.
"I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers.
"In short, I was a racketeer; a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914.
"I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in.
"I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street.
"I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902–1912.
"I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916.
"I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903.
"In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested.
"Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents."
Monday, August 31, 2026
GOOD GOVERNANCE REQUIRES BEING A GOOD LISTENER...
THE DOCTOR SAYS:
(Click on ad at right to go to Dr. Laura's website.)
THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE? DON'T NEED NO DATA, EVENTS CENTERS, GAME CLUBS, QUICK LUBES, STORAGE FACILITIES
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
The City Commission of the City of Brownsville, Texas, in accordance with Article V, Section 12, of the Charter of said City, will convene a Regular Meeting, on September 1, 2026, at 5:00 P.M., in the Commission Commission Chambers, on the Second Floor of the Brownsville City Hall - Old Federal Building, located at 1001 East Elizabeth Street, Brownsville
5) Public Hearing and ACTION on FIRST of THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS on imposing a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications for
*High-Intensity Data Processing Facilities
*Event Centers
*Private Game Clubs (maquinitas?)
*Automotive Quick Lube Facilities
*Self-Storage Facilities...
...within the City of Brownsville and its extraterritorial jurisdiction, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §§ 212.131–212.139; and ACTION on Resolution Number 2026-121 directing the City Manager to initiate the process to adopt a 90-day moratorium on the aforementioned uses and ratifying direction to the City Manager to reactivate the City of Brownsville Environmental and Conservation Task Force that was tasked with providing advice and recommendations to the City Council regarding data center policies and development regulations. (City Manager's Office/ Office of the City Attorney/ Planning and Redevelopment Department)
Hypothetical 1: If City commissioner Nurith Golonsky's family owns, or has an interest, in storage units, should she be allowed to discuss or to vote on this item? Could it be construed as a conflict of interest to limit competition for her family's commercial enterprise?
Hypothetical 2: If Mayor John Cowen operates a warehousing (storage) business, could it also be construed to constitute a conflict of interest as well and prevent him from discussing and voting on this item?
Hypothetical 3: Have any commissioners received financial or in-kind political contributions from anyone operating such businesses?
Question: Do any of the city commissioners have interests in any of the above-mentioned businesses?
Sunday, August 30, 2026
SPACEX TO CITY COMMISSIONERS: "YOU DON'T HAVE THE CARDS." CITY COMMISSION VOTE IS UNANIMOUS TO DISANNEX 445 ACRES OF SPACEX-PURCHASED LAND
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Various Sources
In the end, Elon Musk's SpaceX held all the cards.
They had:
*A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the City and SpaceX, Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB), and Southmost Regional Water Authority (SWRA), to provides an initial $40 million escrow contribution followed by six quarterly payments of $30 million, for a maximum contribution of $220 million.
* An agreement that include potable reuse and wastewater reclamation capable of increasing water supply by approximately 8 million gallons per day, as well as an SRWA plant expansion capable of increasing supply by approximately 10 million gallons per day.
* Promises that additional water capacity expected to strengthen the community’s long-term water supply, support residential and economic growth, and provide greater resilience as demand increases.
* A chance for the city to increase SRWA production from 7.5 million gallons per day to 10 million gallons per day, with a long-term goal of reaching 20 million gallons per day. The initial optimization is estimated at approximately $46.8 million, while the potential 20-million-gallon-per-day expansion is estimated at approximately $202 million.
Photo Brownsville Herald
* A warning from SpaceX to commissioners that the company would only provide money to the water infrastructure projects if commissioners passed an ordinance formalizing the disannexation of approximately 444.45 acres, along with adjacent right-of-way, from the City’s corporate and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) boundaries. The property is located in Cameron County and is in the ordinance as part of Tract A, Share 7 of the San Martin Grant. the same night.* SpaceX Vice President of Starship Legal and Regulatory Sheila McCorkle dispassionately and succinctly confirmed that the $220 million for critical water projects would be off the table unless commissioners voted for disannexation that night.
* City staff told commissioners of the difficulty of securing funding for water projects at a time when drought endangers the future of the city’s water supply and when the Texas Water Development Board has $1 billion in project grants to disperse each year but receives $50 billion worth of proposals, officials said.
* SpaceX was in the process of closing on the purchase of the disannexed area from a private land owner. The vote came a few days before the commission is set to decide on Tuesday whether to adopt a moratorium on data centers in the city. Now, since the area will be disannexed by Brownsville, it will be up to Starbase to decide whether it will approve the construction of a data center there.
Dozens of speakers during the public comment portion, both for and against the agreement and disannexation. Supporters praised SpaceX’s economic contributions to the region while opponents expressed concern over environmental damage caused by the company and what some called bully tactics to push the disannexation forward.
(Rumors circulating among local construction contractors indicate that SpaceX may be in the beginning stages of constructing a data center on the land, a move that now rests in the hands of Starbase, and outside the control of the City of Brownsville, which still supplies water to Starbase and SpaceX launches.)
“Why are we rushing this? Why are we here on a Saturday?” one resident told a local braodcaster. “Why can’t we know what they’re going to do with the land? They say Starbase is a company town, but I fear we are becoming one, too.”
“Why are we rushing this? Why are we here on a Saturday?” one resident told a local braodcaster. “Why can’t we know what they’re going to do with the land? They say Starbase is a company town, but I fear we are becoming one, too.”
And – despite the overwhelming disapproval by the majority of the audience – the City of Brownville commissioners held nothing but one vote a piece. They folded.
The result?
Commissioners voted unanimously late Saturday night to voluntarily disannex more than 444 acres of land at the request of SpaceX after a tense, six-hour special meeting resulting in the $220 million agreement with the trillion-dollar aerospace company that held them over a rapidly emptying water barrel.
FORMER CAMERON COUNTY D.A. EMPLOYEE AND INMATE CHARGED WITH PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE IN A TEXAS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY LOCATED OUTSIDE CAMERON COUNTY
Claudia Garcia (left) and Robert Jonathon Vargas (right) were arrested on a charge of prohibited substance in a correctional facility. (Photo credit: Cameron County jail records)
Valley Central
HARLINGEN — Authorities arrested a former employee with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office on Friday, according to District Attorney Luis V. Saenz.
Claudia Garcia is a former employee of the DA’s Office, according to Saenz, and was arrested Friday morning on charges of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility.
(Cameron County Sheriff Manuel "Manny" Treviño said the pair was charged with introducing and possessing the prohibited substances in a Texas Department of Corrections facility located outside Cameron County, but were being held at the Rucker-Carrizalez Corrections facility in Olmito pending arraignment and a bail hearing.
"It didn't happen in one of our facilities," Treviño said.)
Robert Johnathan Vargas was also arrested on a charge of prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility.
Garcia and Vargas faced a judge on the charges Friday.
Saenz said D.A. and sheriff office investigators assisted with the investigation and arrest of Garcia.
“Her case will now be presented to the grand jury for indictment,” Saenz said.
Robert Johnathan Vargas was also arrested on a charge of prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility.
Garcia and Vargas faced a judge on the charges Friday.
Saenz said D.A. and sheriff office investigators assisted with the investigation and arrest of Garcia.
“Her case will now be presented to the grand jury for indictment,” Saenz said.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY FETE MICHAELA SANMIGUEL AT ELKS LODGE
(Ed.'s Note: Heralded as a birthday celebration for Michael (Mikki) Sanmiguel, the celebration that took place yesterday at the Brownsville Elks Lodge started as a party and bloomed into a full-blown birthday bash that lasted well into midnight Saturday as family and friends gathered to wish her a joyous day. La festejada sat at her table for mariachis and then ventured out into the tiles as visitors took a turn at the dance floor. Happy birthday, girl!)
Saturday, August 29, 2026
BREAKING: IS CITY 444-ACRE DISANNEXATION TO MUSK'S STARBASE MEANT TO PAVE THE WAY FOR DATA CENTER THERE?
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
In what is now an open secret, city and construction industry insiders say that the proposed disannexation of 444 acres by the city commission to Elon Musk Starbase will pave the way for the construction of a data center outside the jurisdiction of the City of Brownsville.
If the second reading of the disannexation passes through today's extraordinary city commission meeting, the decision to construct a data center - recently opposed by a majority of city residents -will be out of the hands of Brownsville and in the hands of Musk's company town Starbase
To add insult to injury, the water and electricity to be used by the proposed data center will be provided by the Brownsville Public Utility Board. More importantly, the city would lose any control over the construction and safety and environmental ordinances over the proposed data center.
The second reading of the disannnexation ordinance was scheduled to be decided upon at Friday's 4 p.m. meeting, but was postponed until today at 4 p.m. at City Hall.
Rumors abound that Musk's Starbase has been in confidential negotiations with city attorneys and officials to pass the second reading of the disannexation ordinance. A figure of around $250 million is mentioned as what Musk is offering the city in return.
Critics say that the annual taxable amount that the city would receive from the data center if it is eventually built is around $22 million a year. If the land is disannexed and the data center is built, that $22 million annual tax would go to Starbase with PUB and the taxpayers of Brownsville will foot the water extension costs and provide the enormous amount of water required.
A number of city commissioners like Gustavo de Leon, Linda Macias and Pedro Cardenas have been very vocal against a data center in the city citing water and electric usage and noise pollution. Will they vote to disannex anyway? If they vote to approve on the second and final reading today, they must come back during a regular meeting Tuesday to approve it officially as a city commission.
SpaceX already buys its water for the rocket launches aa dies Starbase and trucks them in from PUB. City sources say that SoaceX has promises to build a water desalination plant for the city.
"Musk is enforcing a non-disclosure requirement on the work crews at the alleged data center construction site," said a subcontractor working in another job near there. "They won't say it's a data center, but they won't deny it either."
VFW POST # 2035: "HONOR THE DEAD BY HELPING THE LIVING..."
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
The department's annual programs provide recognition for outstanding achievements by posts in all activities. An important part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Texas is the Ladies' Auxiliary, which also has districts corresponding to the VFW districts.
Though chartered as a fraternal organization, the VFW and its Ladies' Auxiliary continue to be the leading spokesmen for veterans' issues. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been instrumental in the passage of all veterans' legislation concerning Texas veterans since 1921.
The objectives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars are fraternal, patriotic, historical, and educational. The motto is "Honor the Dead by Helping the Living."
Thus the VFW not only helps to protect veterans' entitlements but, as an organization, it works within the community through various service programs, Americanism programs, and safety programs.
Friday, August 28, 2026
JUDGE TO SCOTUS: IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE SUPREMES!
By Nate Raymond
Reuters
BOSTON - A federal judge on Thursday blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing core parts of a new rule it adopted at President Donald Trump's direction that would tighten mail-in voting requirements ahead of the November congressional elections.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a temporary restraining order at the behest of Democratic-led states and voting rights groups after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issued a ruling that led to the lifting of earlier injunctions blocking Trump's plans to restrict mail-in voting.
That decision led to a frantic effort by dozens of Democratic state attorneys general and voting rights groups including the League of Women Voters to renew their legal fight and secure an order that would prevent the USPS from enforcing a rule that was allowed to take effect on Wednesday.
In Thursday's ruling, Talwani said the rule risked preventing citizens from casting ballots by mail unless states secure the Postal Service's sign-off on the envelopes used for that purpose and upload information on each voter into an electronic portal run by the agency.
The judge said the agency had presented no evidence regarding fraudulent mail-in voting that would necessitate such a rule, which she said likely was unlawful and adopted in violation of the U.S. Constitution, which gives states the authority to administer elections.
"USPS's interest in correcting an unsubstantiated problem through likely unconstitutional means is dwarfed by the overwhelming risk of pervasive disenfranchisement of citizens who need access to mail ballots in order to vote," she wrote.
The restraining order Talwani issued will remain in place for 14 days while she considers whether to issue a longer-term preliminary injunction blocking the rule. The judge plans to consider whether to do so during a September 3 hearing.
Reuters
BOSTON - A federal judge on Thursday blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing core parts of a new rule it adopted at President Donald Trump's direction that would tighten mail-in voting requirements ahead of the November congressional elections.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston issued a temporary restraining order at the behest of Democratic-led states and voting rights groups after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issued a ruling that led to the lifting of earlier injunctions blocking Trump's plans to restrict mail-in voting.
That decision led to a frantic effort by dozens of Democratic state attorneys general and voting rights groups including the League of Women Voters to renew their legal fight and secure an order that would prevent the USPS from enforcing a rule that was allowed to take effect on Wednesday.
In Thursday's ruling, Talwani said the rule risked preventing citizens from casting ballots by mail unless states secure the Postal Service's sign-off on the envelopes used for that purpose and upload information on each voter into an electronic portal run by the agency.
The judge said the agency had presented no evidence regarding fraudulent mail-in voting that would necessitate such a rule, which she said likely was unlawful and adopted in violation of the U.S. Constitution, which gives states the authority to administer elections.
"USPS's interest in correcting an unsubstantiated problem through likely unconstitutional means is dwarfed by the overwhelming risk of pervasive disenfranchisement of citizens who need access to mail ballots in order to vote," she wrote.
The restraining order Talwani issued will remain in place for 14 days while she considers whether to issue a longer-term preliminary injunction blocking the rule. The judge plans to consider whether to do so during a September 3 hearing.
To read rest of article, click on link: https://www.newsbreak.com/news/4853641086585-judge-blocks-rule-implementing-trump-plan-to-restrict-mail-in-voting?s=dmg_local_email_bucket_3.web2_fromweb&emailId=Jj4bNka&uid=209603484&exp=nl_bucket_exp26q2_10pct-v4%2Cnl_bucket_exp26q3-v2%2Cnl_bucket_exp_26_3-v25%2Cnl_max_conversion_exp2-control%2Cs3_based_embedding_rollout-control&nl_tag=national_breaking
Thursday, August 27, 2026
LAW-AND-ORDER ABBOTT FREES ICE AGENT WHO SHOT MIGRANT IN MINNESOTA AND THEN LIED TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS
By Mitch Smith and Ernesto Londoño
New York Times
(Ernesto Londoño reported from Brownsville, Texas)
An immigration officer facing state charges in connection with a shooting in Minneapolis was released from jail on Thursday after Republican officials in Texas prevailed in an extradition battle with their Democratic counterparts in Minnesota. It is unclear whether the agent will ultimately answer those charges in court.
The officer, Christian Castro of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, had been jailed for the last three months in Cameron County, Texas, while Minnesota officials sought to have him sent north to face assault charges related to a shooting in January that wounded a Venezuelan immigrant.
Sheriff Manuel Trevino of Cameron County said Mr. Castro was released just before 7 a.m. local time.
The case has tested the limits of state powers in an era of deep political mistrust.
It is rare for federal agents to face state criminal charges for on-duty conduct, and the Trump administration has argued that the charges Minnesota prosecutors have filed against Mr. Castro are illegitimate. It is also exceedingly rare for one governor not to act on a request from another to extradite a criminal defendant, as Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has done.
Because Mr. Castro did not agree to leave Texas, where he lives, Minnesota officials needed Mr. Abbott to approve a request to extradite him. But Mr. Abbott, a Republican, has so far declined to act on the request from Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, a Democrat. Because Texas law limits detention in extradition cases to 90 days, Mr. Castro had to be freed on Thursday.
Minnesota officials have said they were worried that Mr. Castro would flee to Mexico if he was released, and they filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to force the Texas governor to act. But Mr. Abbott’s lawyers said he needed more time to determine whether Mr. Castro was eligible for extradition. The judge sided with Texas on Wednesday, finding that there was no proof that Mr. Abbott was acting in bad faith.
Mr. Castro was among the thousands of federal agents sent to Minnesota last winter as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which resulted in violent clashes between agents and residents, thousands of arrests and three shootings.
Mr. Castro was accused of shooting a Venezuelan man, Julio C. Sosa-Celis, on Jan. 14 after a long car chase and short foot pursuit with Mr. Sosa-Celis’s roommate.
State prosecutors said Mr. Castro fired through the door of a home, striking Mr. Sosa-Celis in the leg. They charged Mr. Castro in mid-May in state court in Minneapolis with four counts of assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime.
Mr. Castro, who returned to Texas shortly after the shooting, did not travel to Minnesota to face the charges. He was arrested in Texas in late May on a warrant from Minnesota.
Mr. Castro has not publicly addressed the charges against him, and he did not respond to requests for comment through a jail messaging system in recent months.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, federal officials backed Mr. Castro and accused Mr. Sosa-Celis and his roommate, who is also from Venezuela, of engaging in a sustained attack with a broom and a shovel.
Days after the shooting, Mr. Sosa-Celis and his roommate were charged in federal court with assaulting a law enforcement officer. But federal prosecutors dismissed the case in February after investigators determined, based on a video of the encounter, that agents had likely lied about the events that led to the shooting.
Federal officials have said they were investigating the agents involved in the shooting, though no federal charges have been announced.
(Ernesto Londoño reported from Brownsville, Texas)
An immigration officer facing state charges in connection with a shooting in Minneapolis was released from jail on Thursday after Republican officials in Texas prevailed in an extradition battle with their Democratic counterparts in Minnesota. It is unclear whether the agent will ultimately answer those charges in court.
The officer, Christian Castro of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, had been jailed for the last three months in Cameron County, Texas, while Minnesota officials sought to have him sent north to face assault charges related to a shooting in January that wounded a Venezuelan immigrant.
Sheriff Manuel Trevino of Cameron County said Mr. Castro was released just before 7 a.m. local time.
The case has tested the limits of state powers in an era of deep political mistrust.
It is rare for federal agents to face state criminal charges for on-duty conduct, and the Trump administration has argued that the charges Minnesota prosecutors have filed against Mr. Castro are illegitimate. It is also exceedingly rare for one governor not to act on a request from another to extradite a criminal defendant, as Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has done.
Because Mr. Castro did not agree to leave Texas, where he lives, Minnesota officials needed Mr. Abbott to approve a request to extradite him. But Mr. Abbott, a Republican, has so far declined to act on the request from Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, a Democrat. Because Texas law limits detention in extradition cases to 90 days, Mr. Castro had to be freed on Thursday.
Minnesota officials have said they were worried that Mr. Castro would flee to Mexico if he was released, and they filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to force the Texas governor to act. But Mr. Abbott’s lawyers said he needed more time to determine whether Mr. Castro was eligible for extradition. The judge sided with Texas on Wednesday, finding that there was no proof that Mr. Abbott was acting in bad faith.
Mr. Castro was among the thousands of federal agents sent to Minnesota last winter as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which resulted in violent clashes between agents and residents, thousands of arrests and three shootings.
Mr. Castro was accused of shooting a Venezuelan man, Julio C. Sosa-Celis, on Jan. 14 after a long car chase and short foot pursuit with Mr. Sosa-Celis’s roommate.
State prosecutors said Mr. Castro fired through the door of a home, striking Mr. Sosa-Celis in the leg. They charged Mr. Castro in mid-May in state court in Minneapolis with four counts of assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime.
Mr. Castro, who returned to Texas shortly after the shooting, did not travel to Minnesota to face the charges. He was arrested in Texas in late May on a warrant from Minnesota.
Mr. Castro has not publicly addressed the charges against him, and he did not respond to requests for comment through a jail messaging system in recent months.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, federal officials backed Mr. Castro and accused Mr. Sosa-Celis and his roommate, who is also from Venezuela, of engaging in a sustained attack with a broom and a shovel.
Days after the shooting, Mr. Sosa-Celis and his roommate were charged in federal court with assaulting a law enforcement officer. But federal prosecutors dismissed the case in February after investigators determined, based on a video of the encounter, that agents had likely lied about the events that led to the shooting.
Federal officials have said they were investigating the agents involved in the shooting, though no federal charges have been announced.
YOU CAN VOTE ANYWAY YOU WANT (BUT NOT BY MAIL) AS LONG AS I WIN
While the decision lifted a block that applied to some states, a nationwide block still remains.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
STOP THE LAND GRAB OF OUR BOCA CHICA LAND BY EXTREMIST MUSK
Can you attend the City meeting this Saturday at 4?
By South Texas Environmental Justice Network's Post
Elon Musk wants to take over 8,292 acres of land in South Texas to build up his dangerous SpaceX rocket facility. Right now, Elon Musk is pressuring the Federal Government to give him 715 acres of wildlife habitat land for SpaceX in South Texas.
By South Texas Environmental Justice Network's Post
Elon Musk wants to take over 8,292 acres of land in South Texas to build up his dangerous SpaceX rocket facility. Right now, Elon Musk is pressuring the Federal Government to give him 715 acres of wildlife habitat land for SpaceX in South Texas.
Elon Musk’s company town, “Starbase,” is also attempting to annex about 7,133 acres of private and public land and 444 acres of City of Brownsville land. Sign our petition to oppose giving away more land in South Texas to Elon Musk. This land giveaway must not be allowed to proceed because it would allow Elon Musk and SpaceX to destroy more wildlife, prevent families and fishermen from accessing Boca Chica Beach, and cause people to lose property rights.
Why is this bad?
Elon Musk’s company town of Starbase and his SpaceX rocket facility must not be allowed to expand an additional 8,292 acres in South Texas. Allowing this to happen would destroy pristine wildlife habitat and force longtime private landowners to live under a town controlled by Elon Musk, and potentially lose their land if SpaceX claims eminent domain to expand. 
This major land grab would be so this trillionaire can increase the size and scale of his dangerous, unnecessary SpaceX rocket launches, which are damaging people’s homes, dumping pollution on the beach and into Mexico, disrupting airplane flights, and sucking up massive amounts of wealth. NPR article with more information about the land grab: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/17/nx-s1-5910496/elon-musk-starbase-texas-spacex
Tell members of Congress and local elected officials to oppose more land for Elon Musk and SpaceX!
Starbase, TX, is a company town created in May 2025, where the commissioners and the majority of the 200 residents have developed ties to SpaceX. Starbase was formed to support SpaceX's growth, enabling it to increase the number of dangerous rocket launches at Boca Chica Beach.
Tell members of Congress and local elected officials to oppose more land for Elon Musk and SpaceX!
Starbase, TX, is a company town created in May 2025, where the commissioners and the majority of the 200 residents have developed ties to SpaceX. Starbase was formed to support SpaceX's growth, enabling it to increase the number of dangerous rocket launches at Boca Chica Beach.
Starbase is not a normal town in any way. Starbase is closed off from the general public and secretive; they’ve banned drones over their town, banned airplanes overhead, installed private security gates on their streets, and have passed harsh ordinances or state laws against the public.
One of the laws is the Texas Critical Infrastructure law, which deems the entire town of Starbase “critical infrastructure,” such that anyone entering the town could be arrested immediately and potentially face felony charges and extreme jail time.
Longtime residents of Boca Chica do not want to be forced to live in a company town led by racist, fascist Elon Musk with extreme laws, which are designed to limit free speech. Starbase has also made it difficult for affected landowners to voice their opposition during the annexation process, and it doesn’t allow the public to comment virtually, nor does it provide video recordings of the meetings.
“Why another sneaky move to take and control what is residents’ property without individual proper notifications & clear intentions to individual landowners, devaluing our properties and unconsciously destroying this unique ecosystem?” - Robin, landowner impacted by Starbase Annexation
Petition is by the South Texas Environmental Justice Network: https://actionnetwork.org/.../petition-stop-elon-musks...
Social Media: www.sotxejn.org and @SOTXEJN on Instagram and Facebook
“Why another sneaky move to take and control what is residents’ property without individual proper notifications & clear intentions to individual landowners, devaluing our properties and unconsciously destroying this unique ecosystem?” - Robin, landowner impacted by Starbase Annexation
Petition is by the South Texas Environmental Justice Network: https://actionnetwork.org/.../petition-stop-elon-musks...
Social Media: www.sotxejn.org and @SOTXEJN on Instagram and Facebook
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
2026 YEAR OF DECISION: ELECT A CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY JUDGE WITH A CARTEL-LINKED PEDIGREE, OR A PROVEN ADMINISTRATOR WITH INTEGRITY?
By Juan Montoya
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
U.S. Dept. of Justice
Reforma
Various Sources
This year, Cameron County voters are approaching a watershed moment November 3 in the election for county judge.
Will they elect Steve Guerra, the Democratic candidate with familial links to the Gulf Cartel, or will they repeat what they have done at least five other times and elect his Republican opponent – this time Mauro Garza – instead?
The Republicans were Tony Garza Jr., who was elected three times and went on to become Texas Secretary of State and then U.S. embassador to Mexico. Cascos was elected twice and followed Garza by being appointed as Texas SOS. Could history repeat itself?
Guerra beat incumbent Eddie Treviño after a nasty internecine Democratic Party runoff where his anonymous proxies used misinformation and innuendo charging Trevino sold Boca Chica Beach to SpaceX's Elon Musk, that he received shady under-the-table construction contracts, and pictured him as a rodent, or a "rata."
He is now calling upon his opponent and those of his followers he maligned for party "unity" to face his opponent Garza in the November 3 general election. Is this a case where party loyalty demands too much?
In contrast, Garza's campaign for his party's nomination refrained from maligning his competition and urges putting "county before party and people before politics."
But it is Guerra's Gulf Cartel connection that should give county voters cause for concern. This is not hearsay. It is documented across genealogy, court cases citation, and U.S. Department of Justice cases, evidence, and press statements.
There is no dispute or cause for defamation or libel (the truth is its own defense against libel) to say that Guerra:
GRANDFATHER WAS FOUNDER OF GULF CARTEL
* Is the grandson of Cartel del Golfo founder Juan N. Guerra, whose criminal organization was headquartered in Matamoros and northern Tamaulipas and used violence and coercion to gain control of smuggling routes and bribed officials at every level of government. (That's Don Juan in the white hat and Juan Abrego Garcia standing with a white Styrofoam cup in his hand). Rivals were eliminated.
HIS FATHER UNCLE OF JUAN GARCIA ABREGO, RUTHLESS GULF CARTEL BOSS
* That Steve Guerra's father is the uncle of Juan Abrego Garcia, who took over the Gulf Cartel after Juan N. Guerra retired and passed away.
García Abrego was convicted on 22 counts including money laundering, drug trafficking, intent to distribute and running an ongoing criminal enterprise. After a four-week trial, a jury needed only 12 hours to convict García Abrego on all charges. He was sentenced by the presiding judge to 11 consecutive life terms, and is currently incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary, Florence, ADMAX, (commonly known as ADX Florence) in Florence, Colorado. His rivals were often eliminated.
HIS AUNT SANDRA MEDINA GUERRA: PRICE FIXING, CONSPIRACY TO MONOPOLIZE
* That Steve is the nephew of Sandra Guerra Medina, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to fix prices and allocate the market for transmigrante forwarding agency services and one count of conspiracy to monopolize the same market. Guerra also agreed to pay fines as part of their plea agreements. According to the DOJ of the Southern District of Texas, Guerra was involved in a long-running and violent conspiracy which involved price fixing, extortion and money laundering. She joined seven others who also entered guilty pleas for their various roles in a scheme to monopolize the transmigrante forwarding agency industry in the Los Indios border region near Harlingen and Brownsville.
Some of their rivals and transmigrantes who did not comply with their enforced monopoly disappeared and were eliminated.
STEVE'S OWN LINKS TO CARTEL HUACHICOL
After months of denying any link between him and the importation of petroleum products into Mexico, documentation from the Mexican government, the Texas secretary of State, state district court records, and federal sources have linked Brownsville Navigation District chairman Steve Guerra directly to shipments between his Warrior Fuel Traders Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) and Pyrodiesel Del Cento SA de CV, named by the Federal Criminal Intelligence Center of Mexico as a principal in the smuggling of fuel by the Mexican cartels.
Guerra was first elected to the BND board in 2018 and appointed chair in 2022. He was reappointed to the position in May 2024. He beat Trevino in the Democratic Party runoff and is running against Mauro Garza in the general election this November 3.
A lawsuit in state court outlined a debt of Guerra's LLC of non-payment to Key Performance Petroleum Company of Navasota, Texas in just a month.
In that lawsuit, Key Performance president Mark Jackson filed an affidavit October 26, 2022 in support of his company's lawsuit demanding payment of an outstanding balance of $333,484.47 and attached copies of 24 invoices totaling shipments of diesel and other petroleum products they had shipped at Warrior Fuel Traders' request over a a month's period in 2020 that had not been paid. Guerra was served the next day, October 27.
In that lawsuit, Key Performance president Mark Jackson filed an affidavit October 26, 2022 in support of his company's lawsuit demanding payment of an outstanding balance of $333,484.47 and attached copies of 24 invoices totaling shipments of diesel and other petroleum products they had shipped at Warrior Fuel Traders' request over a a month's period in 2020 that had not been paid. Guerra was served the next day, October 27.
Before that, Warrior Fuels had been doing business for close to two years. Key Performance local agent Lindsay Clark, of Brownsville, was named as the local seller.
In Cause No: 2022-DCL-05154-I plaintiff Key Performance lists a systematic record of transactions that made up the outstanding balance of Warrior Fuel Traders, LLC.
Government investigations revealed that Warrior Fuel Traders/Steve Guerra was in direct business with Pyrodiesel Del Cento SA de CV. Pyrodiesel has been named as a principal in fuel smuggling activities (huachicol) of petroleum by the Federal Criminal Intelligence Center of Mexico. https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/huachicoleros-controlaban-puertos-pa%C3%ADs-060000638.html
Invoices to Warrior Fuel Traders from Key Performance indicate the diesel and petroleum products were shipped through Eagle Pass, Texas and delivered to Pyrodiesel. The Warrior Fuel Traders LLC was registered with the Texas Secretary Of State April 13, 2020 and its certification was forfeited June 24, 2022.
"The identification of the modus operandi: First modus operandi, the fuel is purchased in the United States and then imported into Mexico, where it is sold to various companies. These companies are responsible for distributing it through marketing and transportation companies, selling the fuel at a lower price than the one established in the national market.
"To this end, they use cloned gasoline and diesel import declarations to simulate the legal origin of the hydrocarbons, allowing them to legitimize the multiple sales they make," the Federal Center for Criminal Intelligence (FGR) analysis details.
"The identification of the modus operandi: First modus operandi, the fuel is purchased in the United States and then imported into Mexico, where it is sold to various companies. These companies are responsible for distributing it through marketing and transportation companies, selling the fuel at a lower price than the one established in the national market.
"To this end, they use cloned gasoline and diesel import declarations to simulate the legal origin of the hydrocarbons, allowing them to legitimize the multiple sales they make," the Federal Center for Criminal Intelligence (FGR) analysis details.
This November 3, you, the voters will decide who to entrust with the future of their families and the welfare of Cameron County.
IS GBEDC SHOOTING BLANKS IN "PIE IN THE SKY" SPACE DEFENSE "VISION" BID?
Jovanna Rangel, senior director of defense and space affairs for Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation., and GBEDC Director Gilbert Salinas.
By Juan MontoyaOn its face, it sounds like a natural next step for the fledgling space-related manufacturing and engineering hub sprouting in South Texas, specifically, Brownsville.
Since SpaceX is already here launching its prototype craft in preparation for man's return to the moon and Saronic Technologies has agreed to come to the Port of Brownsville to establish its maritime drone manufacturing plant, it seemed the natural next to pour development money to promote the "vision" to establish an "ecology" for a defense and space zone to" protect these emerging strategic assets before vulnerabilities become challenges."
In an address permeated with space-related and defense buzzwords, senior director of defense and space affairs Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC, formerly the GBIC) Jovanna Rangel, appeared before the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs to push the "vision."
"I'm here today on behalf of our president, CEO Gilberto Salinas, and our board of directors. I appreciate the committee's attention to this important interim charge and the opportunity to share what we are seeing on the ground in one of Texas' fastest-growing aerospace and defense regions.
"The Greater Brownsville EDC is a regional economic development organization responsible for attracting investment, supporting business expansion, developing industrial sites, and creating opportunities that strengthen our regional economy," she told committee members.
"Today, one of our highest priorities is building a defense and space ecosystem that positions Brownsville as a strategic asset for both Texas and our nation...We're intentionally building an ecosystem that supports aerospace, maritime, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, and national defense. That includes the planning of infrastructure necessary to support the next generation of strategic industries."
As romantic as this sounds, Rangel and her GBEDC bosses and board seem to be ignoring something. the GBEDC is the city's Type A economic-development corporation, which administers a dedicated ¼-cent local sales tax operating solely with Brownsville sales-tax revenue. It is supposed to attract industry to provide good-paying jobs to local residents, not outside scientists and engineers.
And there is a major difference between announcing a "vision" and having a project capable of attracting state or federal defense-and-space funding.
What are the taxpayers funding, a project or a dream?
Just because SpaceX is next to the City of Brownsville, its expertise does not automatically become GBEDC’s expertise because SpaceX happens to operate nearby. Likewise, Saronic's announced coming to the Port of Brownsville doesn't either. And, more importantly, who are its academic partners in research and development and defense expertise and necessary infrastructure?
In her remarks, Rangel touted the GBEDC "vision" and informed committee members of the organization's efforts to establish a defense and space zone – "a place where industry, innovation, workforce, and infrastructure come together to support both economic growth and national security objectives."
As part of that effort, she said, GBEDC has spent the last several months engaging with "partners" at every level of government.
"In Washington, D.C., We have met with the Department of Defense, including the Office of Small Business Programs, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and the National Defense of Industrial Association..."
The GBEDC, she said, is "actively engaged with growing pipelines of aerospace, maritime, and defense-related prospects, evaluating opportunities in our region. These conversations reinforce that Brownsville is becoming increasingly attractive for industries that contribute to our nation's defense and industrial base."
Putting aside the rhetoric, has Rangel and GBEDC Director Gilbert Salinas and the board compared the qualities between Brownsville and another competitor for a similar zone? Look at what's happened with El Paso's Borderplex application.
The Borderplex Alliance has operated since 2013 and has spent years building economic-development experience. And when specialized expertise was required, it used outside specialists. Its senior economic-development leadership includes engineering and manufacturing experience. Ultimately brought forward something more substantial than a vision:
El Paso's Space Innovation Hub contemplated using U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command personnel and had government, private-sector and academic participation. It also contemplated capital improvements and included plans for a specialized SCIF — a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility for sensitive/classified work.
Then Borderplex Alliance received a conditional Texas Space Commission approval of $19.758 million for its Space Innovation Hub..
El Paso's Space Innovation Hub contemplated using U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command personnel and had government, private-sector and academic participation. It also contemplated capital improvements and included plans for a specialized SCIF — a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility for sensitive/classified work.
Then Borderplex Alliance received a conditional Texas Space Commission approval of $19.758 million for its Space Innovation Hub..
El Paso had more than a decade of organizational experience, outside specialized expertise, a defined
Space Innovation Hub, a Space Force connection, a specialized secure facility, an identified use for the money, and a conditional approval approaching $20 million. Even then, the original funding mechanism didn't work.
Space Innovation Hub, a Space Force connection, a specialized secure facility, an identified use for the money, and a conditional approval approaching $20 million. Even then, the original funding mechanism didn't work.
Texas’ original Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF) request was approximately $3.4 Billion, but only $150 million was originally appropriated and committed across 24 projects to recipients include organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Axiom Space, Intuitive Machines, UT Austin and Rice University. These organizations did not compete with a vision alone. They brought combinations of engineers, scientists, technology, facilities, research institutions, federal relationships and defined projects.
Then the original award was revoked. El Paso's Borderplex had to return through a different Direct Award process before the $19.758 million grant was ultimately executed. El Paso was far beyond simply announcing an idea, and its still encountered a major funding obstacle.
That is the competition against BEDC's "vision."
What does Brownsville have?
SpaceX received up to $7.5 million from the Texas Space Commission for its Gigabay Starship facility at Starbase, not Brownsville or the GBEDC. SpaceX received the money, not Brownsville, not the GBEDC. Not the proposed Defense and Space Zone. SpaceX developed the technology, employs the engineers, built the experience. SpaceX qualified for the award. not GBEDC.
Yes, SpaceX is an extraordinary regional asset, as will be Saronic. But SpaceX’s expertise does not automatically become GBEDC’s expertise because SpaceX happens to operate nearby. And Saronic actually helps demonstrate the difference between a vision and a real project. It has a defense-technology company. It has technology. It has products. It has engineers. It has defense customers and federal relationships. And it is developing Port Alpha at the Port of Brownsville.
Having SpaceX and Saronic in the region is unquestionably an economic advantage. But their qualifications do not automatically transfer to an economic-development corporation.
Having a hospital in your city does not make the EDC a medical expert. Having a manufacturing plant does not make the EDC a manufacturing engineer. And having SpaceX and Saronic nearby does not automatically make an EDC an expert in aerospace engineering, defense acquisition, DoD contracting, cybersecurity, ITAR/export controls, classified facilities or space systems.
So the questions for GBEDC are straightforward:
What defense and space expertise does GBEDC itself possess? What qualified specialists has it hired or formally partnered with? What defense or space projects has it successfully developed? What federal mission has it secured? What contracts has it secured?
What state or federal funding has been awarded specifically to this Defense & Space Zone?
Yes, SpaceX is an extraordinary regional asset, as will be Saronic. But SpaceX’s expertise does not automatically become GBEDC’s expertise because SpaceX happens to operate nearby. And Saronic actually helps demonstrate the difference between a vision and a real project. It has a defense-technology company. It has technology. It has products. It has engineers. It has defense customers and federal relationships. And it is developing Port Alpha at the Port of Brownsville.
Having SpaceX and Saronic in the region is unquestionably an economic advantage. But their qualifications do not automatically transfer to an economic-development corporation.
Having a hospital in your city does not make the EDC a medical expert. Having a manufacturing plant does not make the EDC a manufacturing engineer. And having SpaceX and Saronic nearby does not automatically make an EDC an expert in aerospace engineering, defense acquisition, DoD contracting, cybersecurity, ITAR/export controls, classified facilities or space systems.
So the questions for GBEDC are straightforward:
What defense and space expertise does GBEDC itself possess? What qualified specialists has it hired or formally partnered with? What defense or space projects has it successfully developed? What federal mission has it secured? What contracts has it secured?
What state or federal funding has been awarded specifically to this Defense & Space Zone?
Brownsville officials themselves describe their Defense & Space Zone as a “long-term vision,” and taxpayers should treat it as exactly that until the evidence demonstrates otherwise. And how many cushy, high-paying jobs for friends and how many years will it take before a single job comes to Brownsville residents?
"Vision" is where Brownsville says it wants to go. Reality is what Brownsville can prove it has today.
"Vision" is where Brownsville says it wants to go. Reality is what Brownsville can prove it has today.
Monday, August 24, 2026
10 CANDIDATES DRAW FOR A PLACE ON THE BISD ELECTION BALLOT
(*Incumbent)
PLACE 1 (Unopposed)
*1. Carlos A. Elizondo
PLACE 2
*1.Denise Garza
2. Jorge Diaz
3. Victor M. Caballero
PLACE 4
*1. Frank Ortiz
2. Cecy Noriega
PLACE 7
1. Steve Torres
2. Nelda Rocha
3. Marisa Franco Leal
*4. Nelda Ruth Soto-Grantland
Early Voting Oct. 19-30
Election day November 3
TRUMP CONTINUES MINORITY VOTER SUPRESSION UNDER THE GUISE OF "VOTER INTEGRITY"
Peter Tucker Cartoon
Special to El Rrun-RrunThe right to vote is supposed to be exercised freely, without intimidation, pressure, or fear.
The Justice Department’s plan to deploy a large number of election monitors to heavily Democratic jurisdictions raises serious questions about how those monitors will be selected, where they will be sent, and whether their presence will protect voters — or make some voters feel watched.
The Justice Department’s plan to deploy a large number of election monitors to heavily Democratic jurisdictions raises serious questions about how those monitors will be selected, where they will be sent, and whether their presence will protect voters — or make some voters feel watched.
Election monitoring itself is not new. Politicizing it would be something very different.
Americans should not have to wonder whether the people standing outside a polling place are there to protect the integrity of an election or to influence the people walking through the door.
Free elections depend not only on accurate vote counts, but on every eligible voter feeling safe enough to cast a ballot.
That principle should be nonpartisan.
WHAT DO CPS SAN ANTONIO AND BROWNSVILLE PUB HAVE IN COMMON? MELLIE ZAMORA LANDIN!
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
MYSA, San Antonio News
Only a handful of major Texas metros are forced to use city-owned electric providers. San Antonio, Austin and Brownsville are among them, but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is now vying to take on these municipal “monopolies.”
Abbott vowed to make a legislative push next year to break up local markets and introduce private power producers to San Antonio. He expressed frustration that CPS's Energy's service area exceeds San Antonio’s city limits, yet 14 percent of the agency’s gross revenue funds nearly 30 percent of the city’s general fund budget.
In Brownsville, the Brownsville Public Utility Board transfers an average of $10 million – sometimes an additional million or two – to balance its annual municipal budget each year. Its members are appointed by the city commission. Abbot says that – if he gains reelection in November – he will take on CPS and PUB to end their "monopoly."
But when we looked at the CPS website, we noticed a familiar face. It was Melissa Zamora Landin, the Pleasanton native who first came to Brownsville as a reporter for the Brownsville Herald, a mentor at the Texas Southmost College newspaper the Scorpion, a city commissioner, public information officer for the Cameron County Judge's Office, a PIO for the District Attorney's Office and an ad agency executive, to name a few.
She also had a stint as the director of the City of Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau also served as the city’s public information officer in 2016 but left in February 2017.
Landin was fired for “insubordination or other disrespectful conduct,” according to the city’s notice of termination. Neither the city nor her office provided details for her dismissal.
In July 2019, Landin managed to get hired by the the Falfurrias Board of Aldermen to supervise city departments, support maintenance of the city budget and to represent the municipality vis-a-vis community groups and state and federal governments. She has been working in different places across the state, and now she is with CPS.
Now, she is identified as a business strategist, a "changemaker(?)," Scenario Planner, Inclusive Leader and People Advocate."
It is possible that if Abbott succeeds in getting reelected and going after CPS and the BPUB, attorneys and administrators for the utilities will work together. If so, it is very possible that Landin will work in tandem with PUB reps to defend their entities. If so, the unsinkable Mellie Z. will have come full circle.
EXCUSE ME, FOLKS! I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!
(Ed.'s Note: One of our observant readers in far-flung Edinburg sent us this photo of ECISD board candidate Sandra Avila who bears an uncanny resemblance to the well-known actor on the left. None of her supporters or advisors, apparently, noted the resemblance. But as always, someone di and there it is. Good luck to her.)
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