Category Archives: e-Brief Features

VA Offers New Transportation Opens for Veterans

VA Uber Health Connect

Veterans living in the Rio Grande Valley/Costal Bend Area who need transportation to and from medical appointments now can get a ride via VA Uber Health Connect. “The VA Uber Health Connect Initiative bridges the transportation gap by ensuring veterans have reliable transportation for their health care needs,” said National Lead of VA Uber Health Connect Indra Sandal. “By offering ridesharing as an additional means of transportation, VA is helping…

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IMAS Hosts UTRGV Traveling Exhibition

UTRGV CHAPS Ancient Landscapes

The International Museum of Art & Science is partnering with the UTRGV Community Historical Archeology Project with Schools to host its traveling exhibition “Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight” beginning Jan. 6. The exhibition explores 50 million years of geological history and 15,000 years of cultural history in South Texas. Residents and visitors of the Rio Grande Valley may step over millions of years of history that…

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Plata Receives Airport Industry Recognition

Daniella Plata

Before assuming her new role as director of the newly created International Relations department for the City of McAllen, Daniella Plata served as the international business manager for the McAllen International Airport, where she was recognized by Airport Business Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40. Plata was chosen from among hundreds of nominations from across North America, with four other winners from Texas and throughout the United States and…

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Take a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park

Texas First Day Hike

Texas State Parks is inviting citizens to kick off resolutions to explore the outdoors in 2024 with a First Day Hike at a state park. Various parks will host ranger-guided and self-guided walks, bike rides, paddling trips and polar plunges in honor of the national initiative aimed at getting people outdoors. Last year, nearly 8,000 participants shattered the previous attendance record New Year’s Day by ringing in Texas State Parks’…

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VIDA Changes Setbacks to Comebacks

Samuel Arguelles

Samuel Arguelles had excellent role models and grew up witnessing the importance of higher education. Unfortunately, that provides no guarantee. “I am a second-generation college student; however, I lost my parents at a very young age and have been trying so hard to make them proud,” Arguellas said. His parents passed away from different forms of cancer, his dad while working on a PhD and his mom while working on…

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MFE Receives Nonstop Service to Austin

Delta Air Lines is now selling tickets for three daily nonstop flights from McAllen International Airport to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport beginning April 22. The new year-round route will operate three daily flights connecting McAllen via MFE with an essential destination for business and education. With the addition of this new route, McAllen International Airport will now serve seven nonstops. In Delta’s recent announcement, Joe Esposito, Delta’s S.V.P. – Network Planning,…

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Campirano to Leave Port of Brownsville

Port of Brownsville CEO Eduardo Campirano. (courtesy)

Longtime Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano will leave the Port of Brownsville effective Dec. 31. Campirano became the eighth port director and CEO in the Port of Brownsville’s 87-year history when he was appointed to the position in 2007. Under his leadership spanning 16 years, the port has grown into a major international multimodal transportation hub for Texas and the United States, consistently setting records for the volume…

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TSTC Breaks Ground on Campus Transformation

TSTC Vice Chancellor of External Relations in Harlingen Cledia Hernandez talks about new facilities and programs of study that are scheduled to open in spring 2026 during a recent groundbreaking ceremony at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. (Photo TSTC)

Representatives of Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 7 for two new facilities and renovation of one existing building. The new additions will provide space for two programs new to the campus: Diesel Equipment Technology, and Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology.  The Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs will share nearly 50,000 square feet in one building. In addition, the Electrical Lineworker and Management…

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VA Holds Free Drive-Thru Food Pantry for Veterans

VA Drive-Thru Food Pantries

VA is working to eliminate food insecurity among veterans and their families with a free drive-thru food pantry on Dec. 14 at Harlingen Health Care Clinic. The drive lasts from 9-11 a.m., or while supplies last, at the clinic’s location at 2601 Veterans Drive. Veterans must be enrolled in health care at the VA Texas Valley Costal Bend Health Care System and present a valid VA identification card to confirm their veteran status.…

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Quinta Mazatlan Hosts Holiday Night Shopping

Holiday Night Shopping with Local Artists features an exhibition by Jessica Monroe.

Quinta Mazatlan invites the public to experience the spirit of the season at the “Holiday Night Shopping” with music and local artists selling their works inspired by nature on Dec. 14 from 6-8 p.m. The one-night free event features the award-winning South Texas artist Jessica Monroe known for her oil paintings inspired by the natural world. Her paintings bring awareness of environmental issues and celebrate the beauty of nature. Monroe…

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