Author Archives: VBR

South Texas College, with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program and awarded by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, received a $2.8 million National Institute of Standards and Technology grant to increase digital capabilities for its students. “Thanks to this grant and Henry Cuellar, it is possible for South Texas College to continue upgrading and transforming the college to be in the 21st century in terms…

UTRGV To Offer Physical Therapy Doctoral Program

August 10, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Healthcare News Comments

UTRGV will offer a new Doctor of Physical Therapy program starting summer 2025 to increase the number of trained therapists in the Rio Grande Valley and access to therapy services. The program, under the UTRGV Department of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions, will have an anticipated cohort of 40 students per year. The 113-hour program was approved by both Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and…

Texas State Bankshares Announces Definitive Agreement with Estrada Hinojosa & Company

August 9, 2023

VBR

Finance/Banking News Comments

Texas State Bankshares Inc., the registered bank holding company for Texas Regional Bank headquartered in Harlingen, announced this week it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dallas-based investment banking group Estrada Hinojosa & Company Inc. pending receipt of all required regulatory and shareholder approvals. TRB’s acquisition of Estrada Hinojosa will add a team of 48 individuals and offices in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Edinburg, Miami, Chicago and New…

McAllen Named to Great Places To Live

August 4, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

McAllen is one of the top seven great places to live in Texas, according to an article on Kiplinger.com, a personal finance website. The author of the article, Brittany Leitner, a Texas native, points out the features of Texas which makes it attractive to new residents. She then lists seven cities, which includes Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, McAllen, San Antonio and Waco, and highlights the unique characteristics for each…

UTRGV Receives Another PhD Program Approval

August 3, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved the first Ph.D. program for the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science. The new Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Materials Science and Engineering is the ninth doctoral program to be approved for the university since its inception in 2015. It is also the seventh to be implemented in the past two years. Overall, the new program bumps the number of Ph.D. degrees…

De Hoyos Becomes McAllen ISD Acting Superintendent

August 3, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Last week, McAllen ISD‘s Board of Trustees unanimously selected longtime educator Rosalba De Hoyos as the acting superintendent of Schools at a Special Meeting. Outgoing Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez made the recommendation. “She has done a phenomenal job,” Gonzalez said. “She’s a tremendous educator. I have all the confidence in the world of her.” During her 29-year career, De Hoyos has served as a teacher (both elementary and secondary), counselor, dean…

IMAS Invites McAllen Residents To Back To School Bash

August 3, 2023

VBR

Arts Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science and McAllen Public Utility host the Back to School Bash on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The immersive event celebrates the new school year with a fusion of art, science and community engagement, and will feature a wide range of activities and community partner booths for attendees of all ages. In addition to the engaging activities, the Back to School…

STC First In Nation To Offer RN Apprenticeship

August 2, 2023

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

In a historic moment for South Texas College, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship, in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission, recently announced that the college is the first in the nation to be approved to implement a newly formed Registered Apprenticeship Program in the occupation of Registered Nurse. “This heralds a new era in nursing education and solidifies STC’s standing as a state and national leader in…

City Of McAllen Launches Ask McAllen

July 30, 2023

VBR

Community Government News Comments

The City of McAllen now has a new customer service platform, Ask McAllen. The additional customer service tool includes a text message feature and an accessible web chat assistant on the City of McAllen’s website. This new feature is part of the City of McAllen’s well established 3-1-1 Customer Service Call Center and its mobile app. To start a conversation via text message, text the word “Hello” to MC311 (62311).…

Edinburg Chamber Seeks New Board Member

July 29, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for a new board member to join the organization. “We are seeking dedicated individuals who are enthusiastic about serving their community and effectively serving our 500+ business members,” stated Ronnie Larralde, executive director of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Board members are required to adhere to the following criteria: A member or an employee of a business who is a chamber…