Category Archives: News

UTRGV Researcher Warns Against Excessive Smartphone Use

News Technology Comments
Dr. Murad Moqbel, assistant professor in the UTRGV Department of Information Systems

Smartphones have evolved into all-in-one devices, replacing calendars, navigation systems, music players and entertainment consoles. But UTRGV’s Dr. Murad Moqbel warns there can be harmful effects as excessive smartphone use becomes normalized. “The first thing many people do when they wake up is get on their phone, and they’re on it until the last moment that they go to bed,” said Moqbel, assistant professor in the UTRGV Department of Information Systems. “Excessive, or…

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VA Holds Free Drive-Thru Food Pantry for Veterans

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments
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

Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments
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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Harlingen EDC Relaunches Grant Program

Community e-Brief Features News Comments

The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation has relaunched its small business matching grant program, Revitalize Harlingen. An incentive grant, Revitalize Harlingen provides up to $10,000 for facade improvements made by eligible commercial businesses or property owners.  The program first began in January of 2023 as the brainchild of Mayor Norma Sepulveda and the City of Harlingen to rejuvenate targeted areas in the city. The program encourages reinvestment by small businesses to…

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STC and Roma ISD Partner for Early College Academy

Education Featured News Comments
Roma early college academy

In partnership with leadership from South Texas College and STC’s Dual Credit Programs, Roma Independent School District launched its first-ever early college academy this week. Two years in the making, the new academy will enable students to earn at least 40 hours of college credit once they graduate high school, the equivalent of taking their core classes before they even graduate. “For the students, I want to be sure they…

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UTRGV Purchases Majestic Theatre

News Comments
Majestic Theatre

UTRGV now owns one of downtown Brownsville’s most iconic buildings – the Majestic Theatre. Built in 1948, The Majestic will be renovated to serve as a much-needed Performing Arts Center for the Brownsville Campus. UTRGV officially closed on the building Nov. 15, purchasing the facility from The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation. The UT System Board of Regents had granted purchase approval earlier this fall. Jeffrey Ward, dean…

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Wind Energy Gives Students New Challenges

Education Featured News Technology Comments
Dolores Delgado has left behind being a dental assistant for new opportunities in the wind energy industry.

Andrew Garza spent over a decade in the fast-food industry, rising to management positions at Chick-fil-A and Pizza Hut. He enjoys working in teams and helping to lead them. Garza figured there was another industry where his experience would prove valuable. “The green energy field is growing, here in the Valley and around the world,” Garza said. “I see really good opportunities in wind energy technology. Hopefully, at some point,…

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SPI Hopes Spurs Link Builds Brand

News Recreation & Tourism Comments
Promotional materials were plentiful during an event announcing a marketing partnership between SPI and the Spurs.

Blake Henry had his fingers crossed last summer when the NBA held its annual player draft. Henry, as the chief executive officer of the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, was seeing the draft more as a marketing professional than a sports fan. In his just over a year on the job, Henry has been active in seeking partnerships to build greater state and national awareness of the Island.…

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StartUp Events Feature Local Entrepreneurs

News Professional Services Comments
BCIC CEO Cori Pena makes a check presentation to one winner at a recent StartUp Texas event. (Courtesy)

The 36,000-square-foot eBridge Center in downtown Brownsville was envisioned as a space where aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners could experiment and test new ideas. After a year of operations on East Adams Street, eBridge is proving to be just that and more. Its StartUp Texas innovation competitions feature enterprising businesses from a variety of industries representing food, research and emerging technologies. Just in recent months, presenters offered judges in…

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Knapp Medical Extends Services In Mid-Valley

Healthcare News Comments
Knapp Medical Center of Weslaco is bringing some of its hospital services to a family health center in Mercedes. (Courtesy)

The Mid-Valley has a new healthcare option with Knapp Medical Center extending urgent care at a Mercedes clinic it jointly operates with the UTRGV School of Medicine. Knapp Medical of Weslaco recently added urgent care to the services offered at the UT Health RGV/Knapp Family Health Center at Expressway 83 and North Mile 2 W Road. A wide range of essential medical services are offered by UTRGV staff during daytime…

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