FEATURED: South Texas College Trustee Rose Benavídez has made history as a Latina leader, most recently being recognized for her vital role in placing South Texas on the national map by earning the Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) Outstanding Leadership Award. Presenting her with the distinguished honor is Paul Rodríguez, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, South Texas College.
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Col. Steven C. McCraw, the recently retired Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin during an event honoring McCraw for his 45 years of service in law enforcement. “Col. McCraw’s service as DPS Director set a high standard and exemplifies honor, duty, and leadership,” said Hinojosa. “He has been a skilled administrator, a tireless leader, and a strong advocate for the agency. His ability to manage difficult and complex situations demonstrated his commitment to serving and protecting our state.”
Photograph Courtesy TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
FEATURED: The Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg, partially shown in this artist’s rendition, is awaiting consideration and final approval for $55 million in improvements when the University of Texas System Board of Regents meets in Austin on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 and Thursday, November 21, 2024, according to South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa. The stadium is the home for the UTRGV Vaqueros football team, which will begin its first season of competition as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in the fall of 2025. A vaquero is an expert horseman who could adeptly herd cattle and whose skills with a lasso were legendary.
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.
