Author Archives: VBR

More than five years in the making, South Texas College Digital Learning has become the only online program in the state of Texas to earn an “Exemplary Program” designation indicating the highest level of achievement for all its online courses. The designation awarded by Quality Matters, an international leader for quality assurance in online and digital environments, came about through a college-wide effort where STC met rigorous standards of online…

Texas Labor Market Growth Continues

January 30, 2025

VBR

e-Brief Features News Comments

The Texas labor market achieved a new record-high level for jobs and the civilian labor force in December 2024. The state added 37,500 positions over the month, reaching a total of 14,318,700 nonfarm jobs. Texas added 284,200 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to two percent, which outpaced the U.S. growth rate by 0.6 percentage points. December marks the 12th consecutive month of…

Living History Day Brings the Past into the Present

January 30, 2025

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Texas Southmost College will host its latest installment of its Living History Day on Feb. 1 at the TSC South Hall Lawn. The event is free and open to the public. Since 2017, Living History Day has been an event of sights and sounds of the past, celebrating the impact of both global and local historical eras. Visitors are encouraged to wear their best historical time-period costumes, meaning that it’s…

Grant Funds IMAS Early Childhood Workshops

January 23, 2025

VBR

Arts e-Brief Features News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science is continuing its Young Adventurers program, thanks to funding from a PNC Foundation grant. The program provides accessible early childhood learning opportunities to children ages 1 to 6 with an accompanying adult, emphasizing the importance of play and exploration in fostering early STEAM skills. Young Adventurers is an educational program offering monthly weekday morning workshops from 10-11 a.m. Each session introduces a unique…

McAllen Seeks Feedback to Name New City Park

January 23, 2025

VBR

Community e-Brief Features Featured Government News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The City of McAllen’s Parks & Recreation Department is seeking public input to name a new 23-acre nature park located at 8701 N. 23rd Street. This addition to McAllen’s extensive park system will offer activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing, walking trails, an archery range and a campsite. Other features include boating and fishing piers, a gazebo and a multi-purpose meadow. “The ‘Name Our New Park’ survey represents a unique…

UTRGV Names New Liberal Arts Dean

January 23, 2025

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Dr. Jose Dávila-Montes, professor of Translation and Interpreting in the UTRGV Department of Writing and Language Studies, is the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective Jan.1. Dávila-Montes has been at UTRGV and legacy institution UT Brownsville since 2005 and has served as interim dean of Liberal Arts since June 2024. He holds bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Translation and Cross-Cultural Studies from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,…

McAllen Creates Traffic Department, Names Director

January 16, 2025

VBR

e-Brief Features Government News Transportation & Travel Comments

As the City of McAllen looks to enhance mobility for the safe, efficient and orderly movement of people and goods throughout the city, it has selected Marlen Garza to lead the newly created Traffic Department. Garza most recently served as the assistant director for Traffic Operations in the Engineering Department, where she led key projects related to roadway and traffic improvement projects. “The creation of the Traffic Department reflects McAllen’s…

Texas Conference for Employers Coming to Mission

January 9, 2025

VBR

e-Brief Features Government News Comments

The Texas Workforce Commission has announced the dates and locations for the 2025 Texas Conference for Employers series, with a stop coming to Mission on Feb. 21. Sponsored by TWC’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers, the TCE series provides businesses with a wealth of resources. Attendees can learn about the latest employment laws, earn education credits, network with their peers and speak with employment attorneys. The TCE offers practical,…

STC Dual Credit Receives National Representation

January 9, 2025

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Moving On Up News Comments

South Texas College Associate Vice President of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships Rebecca De Leon is making history as the first from STC to be appointed as president-elect on the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships board of directors. “This was unexpected. I’m still taking it all in, but it is exciting and I’m honored. It could not have come at a better time, as we kickoff 25…

TPA Releases New Economic Impact Study

January 9, 2025

VBR

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments

Texas ports contribute more than $713.9 billion in economic activity for the state accounting for 28 percent of Texas’ gross domestic product, further advancing ports as a catalyst for state economic growth and job generation, according to a recent economic impact study by the Texas Ports Association. TPA’s most recent economic impact study was conducted by Martin & Associates, using data from fiscal year 2023. Since the association’s last report,…