Author Archives: VBR

Texas is once again eclipsing records for the largest civilian labor force and greatest number of people employed in state history. The state achieved 26 consecutive months of growth in total nonfarm employment in April 2023. The seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 62,184 to reach a series-high 14,960,308 people, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.0 percent. Texas added 33,300 positions to reach another series-high job count…

Port of Brownsville Honors High School Graduates

May 23, 2023

VBR

Thirty-two local high school graduating seniors will receive $1,000 scholarships from the Brownsville Navigation District via the 2023 Port of Brownsville Scholarship. The program is in support and encouragement to the pursuit of higher education for students within the district. The scholarship winners – selected for their academic performance, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and work experience, as well as for essays penned as part of their applications – attend 16…

UTRGV Creates Local Economic Partnerships

May 22, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

With a mission to advance regional economic, workforce and business development, UTRGV’s Office of Workforce and Economic Development is expanding its network and reach to cities across the Rio Grande Valley through satellite offices. UTRGV opened its third office in the City of Mission on May 12, which will be housed in the Center for Education and Economic Development at 801 Bryan Road. “Establishing these hubs in our partner cities…

South Texas College Establishes Foundation

May 20, 2023

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

In its pursuit of innovation and growth, South Texas College has established a new Foundation and Foundation Board to continue striving at providing an affordable education for all. The mission of the new foundation is to raise funds to support student educational endeavors by means of grants and scholarships. Between 2020 and 2021, STC awarded more than $1 million dollars in scholarships. More than 80 percent of STC’s traditional students…

Port of Brownsville Among Leading Ports for Waterborne Cargo

May 18, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments

The Port of Brownsville continues to gain national prominence among the leading maritime ports in the United States. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ most recent annual report ranking 150 maritime ports nationwide, the Port of Brownsville rose to 55th position in the country for the movement of waterborne cargo in 2021, a significant leap from 66th place in 2020. Throughout 2021, 8.9 million tons of cargo were…

STC Introduces Tuition Waiver For First Responders

May 18, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Beginning fall 2023, a new state waiver will make the Fire Science and Law Enforcement associate degree programs at South Texas College more affordable and accessible. A new tuition model introduced by STC will waive 90 percent of student fees for eligible local, licensed law enforcement professionals and firefighters. The first 100 personnel who take advantage of this offer for fall 2023 will get the few remaining fees paid off…

Vendor Applications Open For Texas Cook’Em High Steaks

May 17, 2023

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

The Texas Cook’Em High Steaks in Edinburg is now accepting vendor applications for the 2023 event. Organizers state this year’s cook-off promises to be bigger and better than ever, with live music, food and fun activities for the whole family. The Texas Cook’Em High Steaks BBQ Cook-off and Festival is an annual event that celebrates Independence Day weekend. This year’s event will be June 30 through July 1 at Ebony…

IMAS Visionary Members Pay it Forward

May 16, 2023

VBR

Featured Giving Back News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science has launched a “Pay It Forward” fund with the goal of offering fully funded memberships for families in need. As an expansion of its Membership for All program, which currently serves families who qualify for WIC/SNAP, this program will provide MFA Memberships to first-time members free of charge. Supporters can fund this program in two ways; purchasing a Visionary Membership to fund three…

UTRGV Hosts Latina THRIVE Summit

May 15, 2023

VBR

Education Events Featured Comments

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will host the “Latina THRIVE Summit” for college faculty and administrators on May 18-19 on South Padre Island. This year’s summit at the Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island will focus on the THRIVE (The Healthy DepaRtment Initiative for InclusiVe Excellence) Partnership. With the support of the National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program, THRIVE seeks to remedy gender inequity in academic STEM careers. Marci…

STC Hicks Off STEM Summer Camp Season

May 13, 2023

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics summer camps at South Texas College have officially begun and recently kicked off with a Region One GEAR UP LEGO robotics camp at the college’s Technology campus. The three-day camp, which also included a tour of the campus, hosted Region One’s GEAR UP 8th grade cohort of students from Donna ISD, Sharyland ISD and Valley View ISD who built computerized LEGO models and piloted them…