Category Archives: e-Brief Features

McAllen Office of Communications Wins Statewide Awards

e-Brief Features Government News Comments

The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers announced the 2023 winners of its state-wide TAMI Awards Competition during a ceremony at the annual conference recently in Arlington. The City of McAllen Office of Communications earned a total of four awards for its video production work and photography series. This year, 547 entries from 70 different municipalities submitted entries for the competition. “Being recognized by a state organization for the great…

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UTRGV Launches AgDiscovery Program

Agriculture e-Brief Features Education News Comments
Cristina Villalobos, professor in the UTRGV School Of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, speaks with students during the AgDiscovery Program opening ceremony. (photo Paul Chouy, UTRGV)

UTRGV held a special event June 11 to kick off its new AgDiscovery Program, in which 12 area high school students will engage in hands-on learning workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, laboratory and field exercises, and a variety of character- and team-building activities. The event was the beginning of the free summer outreach program, introducing students to the potential of careers in plant and soil sciences, food inspection and distribution, natural resources and…

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Reaching A Greater Goal With VIDA

e-Brief Features Education Featured Healthcare News Non-Profit Comments
Victoria Rivera

In fourth grade, Victoria Rivera moved in with her grandparents. Despite financial struggles, they provided their granddaughter with a home, stability and love.  In 2017, Rivera graduated from Brownsville Early College High School. She took advantage of the opportunity to take college courses while in high school, graduating with a high-school diploma and dual-enrollment credit from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.  Unlike many high-school graduates today, Rivera did…

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Pharr EDC, LiftFund Launch New Small Business Program

Business Advice e-Brief Features News Comments
Pharr EDC and LiftFund small business program

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation has partnered with LiftFund to launch of its new small business program providing local small businesses in Pharr with assistance and debt relief. LiftFund’s mission is to provide credit and services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources and to provide leadership and innovation to the micro-lending industry. Since its founding, the organization has provided over $287…

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IMAS Partners with McAllen ISD for Summer Feeding Program

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
(photo IMAS)

The International Museum of Art & Science is participating in the McAllen ISD’s Summer Feeding Program. McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Feeding Program serves free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer. Children do not have to be a McAllen ISD student to participate in the program. Meals will be provided at several sites across McAllen, many of them twice per day,…

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Mission EDC to Host Inaugural ‘Tesla Takeover’

Community Events e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments
2023 Tesla Takeover

The Mission Economic Development Corporation will host 2023 Tesla Takeover, the Rio Grande Valley’s first Tesla car show and tech expo, on July 1. The day marks the 20th anniversary of the company’s founding. The event will also mark the first time that Tesla drivers gather for a festival-style car show in South Texas. The Takeover takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Center for Education and…

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McAllen Asks Citizen Ideas For Future Parks

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments
McAllen Nature Center

The City of McAllen will be updating the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and would like community input as to how to develop McAllen’s parks and recreation areas. The original Parks & Recreation Master Plan was created in 2018 and since, the City of McAllen has accomplished many of the the goals outlined in that document. The city says it is now time to move forward with the…

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IMAS Offers Free Military Admission

Arts e-Brief Features News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science is part of museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2023 program began on Armed Forces Day and will end on Labor Day, Sept. 4. Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with…

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U.S. Chamber Recognizes Top Small Businesses

Business Advice e-Brief Features News Comments
America's Top Small Business Awards

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is recognizing the very best in American small business. Beginning this year, its newly reimagined America’s Top Small Business Awards (formerly Dream Big Awards) will honor the achievements of small businesses and highlight their contributions to America’s economic growth. The winner of America’s Top Small Business 2023 will receive national recognition and a $25,000 cash prize. Additional non-cash prizes, including prizes for finalists, are online. To…

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TPWD Urges Boaters to “Clean, Drain and Dry”

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments
Zebra mussels

Memorial Day weekend is here, meaning Texans will be heading out to the water for holiday celebrations. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges boaters and paddlers who enjoy water recreation to do their part to protect Texas lakes from aquatic invasive species. “Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to boating season in Texas, and while we want everyone to have a great time, we also want them to…

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