Author Archives: VBR

The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications through March 14 for the Jobs and Education for Texans grant program. The JET program provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education courses leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. Funding may go to courses offering dual-credit and technical education programs. Grants are available for public junior, state and technical colleges; Texas…

STC Launches Corrections Academy This Summer

March 2, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Featured Government News Comments

To tackle a never-ending shortage of correctional officers in the state, South Texas College is getting ready to launch one of its newest programs – the County Corrections Academy. The program will begin this summer, expanding on the Public Safety program offerings at the Regional Center of Public Safety Excellence in Pharr. “County correction officers must be licensed through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, our program is designed to…

McAllen International Airport Awarded $1.98 Million

March 2, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded McAllen International Airport $1.98 million for HVAC and lighting improvement. The funds come via the $5-billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, providing grants for airport terminal development projects for improvements aimed at addressing the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants fund safe, sustainable, and accessible airport terminals, on-airport rail access projects, and airport-owned airport traffic control towers. “The federal funding we received…

South Texas All Hazards Conference Coming March 22-23

March 2, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Events News Comments

The ninth annual South Texas All Hazards Conference takes place March 22-23 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center and McAllen Convention Center. As the second largest training conference of its kind in Texas, STAHC and is the only conference offered at no charge to invited participants. Organizers expect more than 3,000 individuals from public health, public safety, public works, incident and emergency management, law enforcement, and educational institutions to attend.…

STC Provides Free Tax Prep at Mid-Valley Campus

February 28, 2023

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

The South Texas College Mid-Valley campus is now offering free tax preparation services to area residents who qualify. This is the first time the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program is offered in the Weslaco area, according to faculty advisor Cynthia Sanchez. “We are joining efforts with United Way of South Texas to run the VITA program here at the Mid-Valley campus,” Sanchez said. “It’s exciting to introduce the program because…

UTRGV Ranks Seventh Best Public University In U.S.

February 27, 2023

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

A new college ratings system that highlights the economic impact of institutions, as well as the return of investment they provide students, recently ranked UTRGV as the seventh Best Public University in the nation. The inaugural ratings come from Degree Choices, a team of education researchers committed to establishing honest and transparent value assessments for institutions of higher education, to help students who question whether earning a degree is worth the…

Aeromar Ceases Operations

February 25, 2023

VBR

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

McAllen International Airport partner carrier Aeromar has ceased its operations after 35 years of uninterrupted flights in Mexico, the United States and Cuba. Aeromar’s partnership with McAllen International Airport served 199,358 passengers and operated 6,982 flights to and from McAllen from 2009 to 2023. Their partnership was mutually beneficial as McAllen International Airport’s commercial airline traffic grew into one of the ten busiest airports in Texas. In 2022, McAllen International…

UTRGV Celebrating The Arts With FESTIBA

February 24, 2023

VBR

Community Events Featured News Comments

UTRGV is bringing the joy and wonder of literacy to the community with its annual Festival of International Books & Arts through March 5. The educational and entertaining event promotes literacy and appreciation of reading for all ages. Dahlia Guerra, special assistant to the dean of the College Fine Arts at UTRGV assistant vice president for Public Art & Special Projects, said each year the festival has a new theme. “We…

TYLA Seeks To Improve Public Understanding Of Texas Courts

February 23, 2023

VBR

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

A new multimedia project from the Texas Young Lawyers Association aims to help students, jurors, members of the media and the general public better understand the Texas court system. TYLA’s “How Texas Courts Work” offers short videos, resource guides and other information to help Texans navigate the courts, and understand their rights and responsibilities under the law. “The judiciary is likely the least understood branch of government and we hope…

STC Introduces New Cosmetology Program

February 23, 2023

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

In March, South Texas College will begin offering a new Cosmetology certificate program in Pharr. Touting affordability, STC states the program’s tuition will be at least half the cost of traditional programs in the region. The college is currently accepting applications for the program. The new course opens up a brand-new opportunity for students who are seeking to express their creativity, and who want to learn a skill or a…