Category Archives: e-Brief Features

Port of Brownsville Among Leading Ports for Waterborne Cargo

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Port of Brownsville

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…

Read More

STC Introduces Tuition Waiver For First Responders

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
STC Fire Science and Law Enforcement associate degree programs

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…

Read More

TWC Grants Enable Local Students To Attend STEM Summer Camps

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
STEM Camp Code grants

South Texas College and Harlingen CISD are two of 12 state-wide recipients to receive Camp Code grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. The grants enable middle-school students to attend various camps this summer for free to get a head start in science, technology, engineering and math careers. STC will provide 72 scholarships with its $44,815 award. Students in the camps will create prototypes of different electronic projects utilizing actual engineering…

Read More

Aaron Watson To Headline Texas Cook’Em

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments
Aaron Watson

Texas Cook’Em High Steaks returns June 30 to July 1 and will feature country music star Aaron Watson as its headliner. Watson will perform on June 30. On July 1, Texas Cook’Em High Steaks will feature two cover bands, the Fooz Fighters, a tribute to the Foo Fighters, and No Duh, a tribute to No Doubt. The grounds of Ebony Hills Golf Course serve as the festival’s location, also featuring…

Read More

Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments
red snapper

The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens on June 1. Red snapper fishing is open year-round in state waters. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged. The regulations for red snapper are two fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters, and four fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum in state waters. Red snapper caught in federal waters count…

Read More

Forza Steels Strengthens Operations

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Forza Steel rendering

The Port of Brownsville continues to gain strength in the steel industry as Forza Steel invests $60 million to build its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the port. The Mexican company, which specializes in the manufacturing of carbon steel pipe, plans to install equipment in July to begin rolling mill operations. For over 20 years, Forza Steel has serviced the Mexican and U.S. steel markets from their manufacturing facility located in…

Read More

STC’s Corrections Academy Graduates Guaranteed Jobs

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments

The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office will be offering jobs to graduates of the new Corrections Academy at South Texas College. Once students complete the six-week academy and pass the corresponding Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licensing examination, their careers in law enforcement can start immediately. “This is a full-time accelerated program that can help students start a career in law enforcement with a job secured. It’s a short commitment that…

Read More

Two VIDA Boosts Help Further Nurse’s Career

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Non-Profit Comments
Donna Jo Pena

When Donna Jo Pena applied to Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement in late 2021, it wasn’t déjà vu that came over her. Rather, she experienced actual memories from 2004-2005 when VIDA played a significant role in helping her become a licensed vocational nurse. VIDA, a nonprofit organization serving the Rio Grande Valley for over 25 years, provides financial assistance and support services, removing the barriers that often prevent Valley…

Read More

Texas Breaks More Labor Records in March

e-Brief Features News Comments

Texas has set new records in March 2023 with the largest civilian labor force and greatest number of people employed in state history. The seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 78,800 to reach a series-high 14,898,100 people. The unemployment rate also held steady at four percent. Texas added 28,600 positions to reach another series-high job count at 13,839,200 total nonfarm jobs. Since March 2022, 575,100 positions have been added.…

Read More

City Nature Challenge Returns to Texas

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

The City Nature Challenge is back for the eighth year, inviting Texans to explore nature in their immediate surroundings. The friendly community competition takes places April 28 – May 1 among 15 Texas metropolitan areas, including the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The program is the product of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through the Texas Nature Trackers program, encouraging people to explore outside their front doors, in their yard or…

Read More