Category Archives: News

Discover the Hidden World of Plants

Community Community Events News Comments
Joey Santore

Quinta Mazatlán invites the community to deepen their understanding of the plant world during a special extended Thursday Night Live presentation, “Concrete Botany,” with naturalist, author, and educator Joey Santore on April 23, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. In this 90-minute program, participants will learn how to identify plants and their key features, recognize plant families, and discover why grouping plants this way reveals so much about their ecology…

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UTRGV and South Texas ISD Expand Early College Pathways

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
UTRGV and South Texas ISD celebrate the continued partnership with a group photo that included students from the district. (Photo by South Texas ISD)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and South Texas ISD announced on Tuesday an enhanced partnership to explore the development of a new Collegiate High School. This collaboration expands on what began four years ago between UTRGV and South Texas ISD – the Expanded Collegiate Partnership, a dual-credit program developed to increase college accessibility for students across South Texas. Through the partnership, UTRGV has invested more than $6 million…

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Four Local School Systems Awarded $1.9 Million Combined

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
Community Partnerships Grant

Mercedes ISD, Progreso ISD, Santa Rosa ISD and Vanguard Academy recently received a combined $1,940,000 in state funding through the Texas Education Agency’s Community Partnerships Grant. According to TEA, the funding supports significant improvements in educational and developmental outcomes for children by expanding access to wraparound services, strengthening family and community partnerships, and increasing access to academic supports. “Communities will soon have access to local and regional resources that will…

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RGV Startup Week Announces Lineup

Business Advice Community e-Brief Features News Comments
RGV Startup Week

RGV Startup Week has announced its lineup, featuring six flagship programs scheduled across the week of April 24 through May 2, with events hosted in Brownsville and partner cities throughout the Rio Grande Valley. More premiere events will be announced. In addition, dozens of panels, workshops, networking sessions, and community-driven programming will be held throughout the week across Brownsville and partner cities. Keynote: Ramón Soler Mallet, Commercial Director of Dr.…

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TWC Announces Adult Diploma Workforce Program

Community e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
diploma completion

The Texas Workforce Commission is now accepting applications for its Workforce Diploma Pilot Program. This funding opportunity is intended to support programs that help adult learners in Texas obtain a high-school diploma, earn industry-recognized credentials, and develop employability skills. The Workforce Diploma Pilot Program is designed to create new career pathways for adult learners. The program connects adults who have not completed high school with education providers that offer a…

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Free STEAM Learning Coming to RGV’s Youngest Minds

Community News Comments
IMAS

The International Museum of Art & Science has received a grant from the PNC Foundation, allowing the museum to bring hands-on STEAM learning experiences directly to young community members at no cost to their families. The grant recognizes the museum’s commitment to providing unique, educational experiences for preschool-aged children and their families. This milestone investment culminates in two initiatives: the ongoing Young Adventurers STEAM workshop series and PNC Adventure Day,…

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Film Commission Designates Mercedes as Film Friendly

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
Mercedes

The Texas Film Commission has designated the City of Mercedes as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community after completing the multi-step training and certification process. “Congratulations to Mercedes on joining more than 200 Film Friendly Texas Certified Communities,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The Texas Film Commission partners with communities in every region of the state to market their unique appeal and attract new investments in media production. Through ongoing Film…

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Texas Valley Coastal Bend VA Wins Best Patient Experience Award

e-Brief Features Healthcare News Comments
VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System

VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System in Harlingen has been awarded the 2025 Veterans Health Administration Customer Experience Award for Best Patient Experience Award for facility complexity level 2. This national recognition honors VATVCBHCS demonstrating the Under Secretary for Health’s Veterans First priority by delivering exceptional patient experiences and exemplifying VHA’s mission to build trust, improve access and provide high‑quality, veteran‑centered care. The VHA CX Awards recognize facilities that…

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Mother/Daughter Duo Find A Niche

News Retail Comments
Christina Lopez, left, and her daughter, Sydney Salas, opened Johnston’s Hat Co. in McAllen in October 2025. (Courtesy Johnston’s Hat Co.)

Sydney Salas graduated from Texas A&M University in 2025 and immediately headed down a road less traveled. Her bachelor’s degree was in public health, but she had another field in mind. Salas flew to Denver in May 2025 with her mother, Christina Lopez, who is a State Farm Insurance agent in McAllen. Lopez was yearning to saddle up and fill an untapped niche.  “I wear a lot of hats and…

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Park Brings Nature To City’s Backyard

Community News Recreation & Tourism Comments
A pedestrian walkway makes its way through lush native flora at the Olmito Nature Park.

Joey Lopez took office in 2019 as Cameron County’s Precinct 2 commissioner.  He took office with $500,000 for park development as made available from a successful 2012 bond vote. The funds, Lopez said, were just sitting there and not being utilized in his northwest county precinct.  Lopez began scouting for landowners who could donate tracts of land to the county for park development. The county commissioner set his focus on…

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