Author Archives: VBR

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is one of 57 nonprofits chosen as grant partners through a Texas Mutual Insurance Company development and safety training grant cycle focused on fortifying businesses to strengthen the state’s economy. These grants are part of Texas Mutual’s larger commitment of $8 million in grant funding to nonprofit organizations across the state in two categories — generational learning for working families, and workforce development and…

PNC Grant Funds Early Childhood Workshops at IMAS

January 6, 2024

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science has been awarded a grant from the PNC Foundation in support of accessible early childhood learning and play at the museum for toddlers ages 1-5 through the Young Adventurers program. Young Adventurers is an educational program with monthly weekday morning workshops available to preschool children beginning in January through May 2024, in addition to PNC Adventure Day on March 13. This program offers…

Texas Employment Growth Outpaces Nation

January 4, 2024

VBR

News Comments

Texas’ labor market achieved a new record high as the state’s seasonally adjusted job count reached 14,094,900, an increase of 26,800 positions over the month of November. Lone Star State employment set new record high levels in each of the last 26 months and added 407,100 positions since Nov. 2022, ranking first in the nation in over the year increase of seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas’ employment growth rate continued…

Causeway Run & Walk Registration Now Open

January 4, 2024

VBR

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Registration is now open for the 40th annual Causeway Run & Fitness Walk taking place April 13. offering a fitness walk and both 5K and 10K options. All who register will have the unique opportunity to cross over the famous Queen Isabella Causeway. The event follows the 6.2-mile (10K) course starting at the Port Isabel Community Center, continuing on to the Causeway over the Laguna Madre Bay and ending in…

VA Offers New Transportation Opens for Veterans

January 4, 2024

VBR

e-Brief Features Healthcare News Comments

Veterans living in the Rio Grande Valley/Costal Bend Area who need transportation to and from medical appointments now can get a ride via VA Uber Health Connect. “The VA Uber Health Connect Initiative bridges the transportation gap by ensuring veterans have reliable transportation for their health care needs,” said National Lead of VA Uber Health Connect Indra Sandal. “By offering ridesharing as an additional means of transportation, VA is helping…

UTRGV Students Win Big at Big Idea Competition

January 3, 2024

VBR

Community Education Featured News Comments

Four UTRGV students will move on to compete at the national level for a chance to win $10,000 after winning the fourth annual Big Idea Competition. This “Shark Tank”-like event, hosted by the UTRGV Center for Innovation & Commercialization, saw ambitious UTRGV students and local entrepreneurs pitch innovative ideas for businesses, products and services. The end goal of of the competition is the top prize of $1,500 and the chance…

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards VIDA $60K

December 30, 2023

VBR

IMAS Hosts UTRGV Traveling Exhibition

December 28, 2023

VBR

Arts e-Brief Features News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science is partnering with the UTRGV Community Historical Archeology Project with Schools to host its traveling exhibition “Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight” beginning Jan. 6. The exhibition explores 50 million years of geological history and 15,000 years of cultural history in South Texas. Residents and visitors of the Rio Grande Valley may step over millions of years of history that…

Plata Receives Airport Industry Recognition

December 28, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

Before assuming her new role as director of the newly created International Relations department for the City of McAllen, Daniella Plata served as the international business manager for the McAllen International Airport, where she was recognized by Airport Business Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40. Plata was chosen from among hundreds of nominations from across North America, with four other winners from Texas and throughout the United States and…

Take a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park

December 28, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments

Texas State Parks is inviting citizens to kick off resolutions to explore the outdoors in 2024 with a First Day Hike at a state park. Various parks will host ranger-guided and self-guided walks, bike rides, paddling trips and polar plunges in honor of the national initiative aimed at getting people outdoors. Last year, nearly 8,000 participants shattered the previous attendance record New Year’s Day by ringing in Texas State Parks’…