🌱 Patch AM: What free meal change is coming to IDEA Harlingen students this year?

Hey hey Harlingen! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What free meal change is coming to IDEA Harlingen students this year?
• Why jury selection in a Harlingen capital murder case could take months
• How a UT program is sending future teachers back into Harlingen schools

Also on today's calendar: Frontera Fest: Kevvo & Vale Pintos - Saturday.

Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Hot; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 102 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, breezy and warm, temps: high: 101, low: 78.
• Thursday: Sunshine, breezy and warm, with a high of 99 and low of 79 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. IDEA Public Schools across the Valley to offer breakfast, lunch to all students (krgv.com) — Families with students at IDEA Harlingen College Prep and other Valley campuses will now see breakfast and lunch provided free to every student under a new federal meal program, with no applications required. The change coincides with the new school year, as IDEA Palmview and IDEA Harlingen—now full K‑12 campuses—welcome their first-ever senior classes, the future Class of 2027.
   

2. Jury selection still underway in Martinez capital murder trial (valleycentral.com) — Jury selection is still underway in Harlingen for the capital murder trial of Rogelio Martinez Jr., accused in the 2023 shooting death of San Benito Police Lt. Milton Resendez. Because prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, potential jurors face an especially lengthy and detailed screening process that could last weeks or months. The trial itself will not begin until 12 jurors and two alternates are seated.
   

3. Hook 'Em Here 2026: Interns Work, Learn and Grow (utexas.edu) — College of Education students are returning to Harlingen classrooms as paid Hook 'Em Here teaching interns, supporting HCISD teachers with extra reading and math help for local kids. Many, like Harlingen native Natalie Garcia, are using lessons from their university coursework to better connect with students and families. The program also gives interns a deeper appreciation for the teachers who shaped them here.
   

4. Harlingen EDC Co-Sponsors Regional Forum on Power, Water and Workforce Demands (texasborderbusiness.com) — Harlingen recently hosted a major regional forum where utility, education, and industry leaders tackled whether South Texas has enough power, water, and skilled workers to support booming industrial growth. Harlingen EDC helped organize the event, which highlighted big projects, grid upgrades, and training efforts at TSTC Harlingen. Speakers stressed that coordinated planning is crucial as the Valley competes for large new investments.
   

📸 Around Harlingen

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Harlingen

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★ Featured events ★

Sunday August 23
• Texas License to Carry Handgun - Harlingen →
  Hilton Garden Inn Harlingen Convention Center, 751 Harlingen Heights Dr, Harlingen
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday September 12
• Frontera Fest: Kevvo & Vale Pintos - Saturday →
  Harlingen Soccer Complex, 4515 E Harrison Ave, Harlingen
  2:00 pm

📣 Harlingen Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday September 3
• Women Empowering Women: Abby Elizondo →
  Greater Chamber of Harlingen, 311 E Tyler Ave, Harlingen
  12:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Monthly Meeting →
  Reyna's BBQ & Cocina - Harlingen, 2410 TX-54 Spur, Harlingen
  11:30 am
Thursday September 24
• 100 Couples Who Care 2026 →
  TSTC - Harlingen, Cultural Arts Center, 2425 Boxwood St, Harlingen
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We found this sweet boy, Scout, yesterday near the Harlingen Post Office at 1502 New Combes Hwy, Harlingen, TX 78550, near N.
  1st Street. Scout is a 13-year-old male and was found wearing a PetLink tag that is registered to an owner named Richard. I contacted PetLink, and… (Nextdoor Camelot Drive)
• Has anyone seen me or my sons cat he's been outside for about a day and we are very worried.
  He would spend his time in the ally behind our house. I have put an image I apologize I've it's hard to see what he looks like but he has white marks… (Nextdoor Treasure Hills)

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Harlingen. Apply here.
• Envoy Air, Inc. posted a job opening for Airport Agent - Ramp and Customer Service in Harlingen. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harlingen here.

Ok Harlingen! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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