FEATURED: Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortéz will be hosting the Open Government Seminar on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, which will feature expert advice on the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act, reports South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa. “The Open Government Seminar, which is free and open to the public, not only will provide people the know-how and ability to more clearly understand and better use the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act, but also is an excellent occasion for journalists, social media influencers, government, business and community leaders, and people from all walks of life to bring their own ideas on how to improve those two very important foundations of transparency in government,” Ochoa said.
FEATURED: Sen. Morgan LaMantia, D-South Padre Island, speaks with journalists on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Institute of Neuroscience in Harlingen. The Senate District 27 state lawmaker was on hand to announce that the LaMantia family is pledging $1 million to initiate programs at universities in south and west Texas, including UTRGV, to help increase skilled mental health professionals, such as Licensed Clinical Social Workers. These professionals are authorized to assess, diagnose and treat individuals and families of all ages and economic groups in the Rio Grande Valley for behavioral disorders, addictions, severe mental illness and serious emotional disturbances.
FEATURED: As a result of a legislative measure known as an amendment in 2023 by Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, all Texas governmental organizations – from the smallest local special district up to the governor’s office – face a 10-business day deadline for government officials to release public records requested by citizens – or those bureaucrats and politicians could be punished by (1) a fine of no more than $1,000; (2) jail time for no more than six months; or (3) both a fine and jail time, according to South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa. Canales is shown here in 2023 addressing his colleagues on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives in the State Capitol in Austin.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Two University of Texas Rio Grande Valley seniors – Matthew Rodríguez from Pharr and Anthony Hernández from Edinburg – spent their final undergraduate semester during 2024 in Washington, D.C., as part of the Archer Fellowship Program, interning for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, D-Brooklyn, New York. Jeffries has served as House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023. The Archer Center provides students in the University of Texas System opportunities to develop their skills in local, state, federal and international public service, through internships and experiential learning.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Dr. Carlos Cárdenas, President, Board of Managers, DHR Health; Dr. Phillip Mason, Medical Director for Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; and Dr. Andrew Phillips, Medical Director, ECMO Program, and Associate Medical Director, Intensive Care Unit, DHR Health. On Wednesday, March 7, 2024, Cárdenas, Mason and Phillips were joined by other medical professionals and community leaders at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance to mark the one-year anniversary of its EMCO Program, which is featured at DHR Health. The ECMO Program is the most advanced life support system in the world for critically-ill patients with cardiac or respiratory failure.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Dr. Kelly M. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen; and John Sharp, Chancellor, Texas A&M University System. On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Miller, Hinojosa, and Sharp were major speakers at the university campus to break ground for the university’s new $81 million, 85,000-square-foot Arts and Media Building. The three state leaders are displaying the “Shaka” hand signal, which is the universal university greeting. It can be used as a greeting or goodbye, a sign of approval or praise, as well as a symbol of school spirit.
Photograph Courtesy TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI
FEATURED: Dr. Fred Farías III of McAllen, Chairman, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, speaks during the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Spring 2024 Commencement on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Edinburg. On that day, UTRGV President Guy Bailey presented Farías with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley President Medal of Honor – the university’s highest tribute – bestowed upon those whose extraordinary contributions and exemplary dedication have profoundly impacted the university.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Letty Flores, Member, Board of Trustees, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District; Dr. Luis “Louie” G. Alamia, PT, DPT, Secretary, Board of Trustees, ECISD; and Carmen González, President, Board of Trustees, ECISD. Alamia has announced that Edinburg could see more advancements in construction, sports and medicine when the UT System Board of Regents meets in Austin on Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9, 2024, to consider approving for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg a $135.5 million Student Housing and Dining project, $9 million in field renovations of the recently-acquired Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, and plans to seek state approval for an optometry program, reports Dr. Luis “Louie” G. Alamia, PT, DPT. This image was taken at the Edinburg CISD Scholarship Golf Tournament held in late April 2024.
FEATURED: Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, is featured on the floor of the Texas Senate in 2023. Her committee has been assigned by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to study major topics relating to the following major health-related issues: Children’s Mental Health; Access to Health Care; Health Insurance; Cancer Prevention; COVID Vaccine Mandates; Five-Year Plan for Family Support Services; Nursing Education, Scholarships; Mental and Behavioral Health Programs; Background Checks on Certain State Employees; Medicaid Fraud; and Medicaid Managed Care. The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will submit a report with its specific findings and policy recommendations to Patrick before December 1, 2024, according toDHR Health.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission; Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen; and Julián Álvarez, Executive Vice President-Director of Community Relations, Lone Star National Bank, on Monday, February 19, 2024, at an event in the Jackson Medical Plaza in McAllen. Improving border security, stopping child predators from using deepfake and artificial intelligence to harm or exploit minors, further cutting property taxes, and improving broadband infrastructure in Texas are among the major state legislative issues to be examined by Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and other state senators during the coming weeks and months.
