“Texas Privacy Act” overturned after judge rules it is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, reports attorney Omar Ochoa
FEATURED: Billy Calzada, a photojournalist and FAA Part 107 drone pilot with the San Antonio Express-News, was making photographs with a drone on July 24, 2018, of the aftermath of a fatal apartment fire when he was approached by ATF agents and the San Marcos police and told to stop the activity because it was illegal. Lawyers for the National Press Photographers Association sued the state of Texas seeking to overturn the law, and won on Monday, March 28, 2022.
Photograph By ADÁN CALZADA
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read more…Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr., who passed away on April 5, 2022, remembered for his public service career by Congressman Henry Cuellar and Sen. Juan Hinojosa
FEATURED: Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr., 68, who had been mayor of that community for more than than 23 years, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. His death was announced by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.
Photograph Courtesy CITY OF PALMHURST FACEBOOK
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read more…South Texas College must establish campuses in more Hidalgo County communities, says STC trustee candidate Prisciliano “J.R.” Treviño
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Prisciliano “J.R.” Treviño, Executive Director, Hidalgo Economic Development Corporation, and Ángela Santana and Luis Flores, owners of Perro Cafe, 1016 Jackson Road in Hidalgo. They were participating in ribbon-cutting ceremonies of the new business on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. https://cityofhidalgo.net/economic-development-corporation.
Photograph Courtesy CITY OF HIDALGO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FACEBOOK
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read more…Gov. Abbott appoints Mario Lizcano, Administrator of Corporate Affairs, DHR Health, to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Mario Lizcano, Administrator of Corporate Affairs, DHR Health, and Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernández, a pediatric (general) surgeon, also serves as Member, Board of Managers, DHR Health, as Chief Compliance Officer, DHR Health, and as Medical Director of Surgical Services, Driscoll Children’s Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
Photograph Courtesy CITY OF PHARR
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read more…Valley lawmakers secure $16.7 million to help DHR Health continue preparing region for COVID-19 and any future public health emergencies
FEATURED: Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, one of the coauthors of Senate Bill 8. Senate Bill 8 provided roughly $13.3 billion from money received by the state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. Both of those funds were established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Senate Bill 8 went into effect on Monday, November 8, 2021.
Photograph Courtesy DRISCOLL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FACEBOOK
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read more…Rep. Martínez, Rep. Canales endorse Michelle Vallejo for Congressional District 15 Democratic Party nomination in May 24, 2022 runoff election
In this graphic posted on her Facebook, Michelle Vallejo – who along with Ruben Ramírez – are in the Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Democratic Party primary runoff election for Congressional District 15, recently announced that she has been endorsed by Rep. Armando “Mando” Martínez, D-Weslaco, and Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg. The winner will face off against Mónica De La Cruz, the Republican Party nominee, in the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 general election.
Graphic Courtesy MICHELLE VALLEJO FOR CONGRESS FACEBOOK
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read more…Paul R. Rodríguez announces reelection bid for South Texas College Board of Trustees
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Danny Guzmán, Member, Board of Trustees, South Texas College; Ricardo Solis, Ph.D., President, South Texas College; Paul R. Rodríguez, Member, Board of Trustees, South Texas College; John Quiñones, ABC News Correspondent; Gary Gurwitz, Member, Board of Trustees, South Texas College; Rose Benavides, President, Board of Trustees, South Texas College; and René Guajardo, Member, Board of Trustees, South Texas College. Quiñones was a keynote speaker on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 for this year’s National Summit for Dual Credit Programs, held at South Padre Island, where he inspired educators in attendance with his story of struggle and success.
Photograph By BENJAMIN BRIONES
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read more…2nd Annual “Wipe Out Colon Cancer” 5K Run/Walk, set for Saturday, March 19, 2022, being hosted by DHR Health Advanced Care Center, receives support from Edinburg City Council
FEATURED, FROM LEFT: Edinburg City Councilmember Jason DeLeón; Edinburg City Councilmember Dan Díaz; Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza, Jr.; Edinburg Mayor Pro Tem Johnny García; and Edinburg City Councilmember David White. De León, Díaz, and Garza were sworn in to their respective four-year terms during ceremonies held on Monday, December 20, 2022, outside of Edinburg City Hall.
Photograph Courtesy CITY OF EDINBURG FACEBOOK
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read more…KRGV-TV News named “Finalist for Overall Texas Excellence” by Texas Association of Broadcasters, and earns four other journalism honors, reports attorney Omar Ochoa
FEATURED: Cecilia Gutiérrez, a journalist and meteorologist who is a granddaughter of the late Rep. Roberto Gutiérrez, D-McAllen, is part of the KRGV Television News team which was recently named as a Finalist for Overall Excellence by the Texas Association of Broadcasters, reports attorney Omar Ochoa.
Photograph Courtesy KRGV-TV
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read more…UTRGV Foundation allocates $1 million for expansion of spirit programs, establishment of football, marching band, women’s swimming and diving
FEATURED: The proposed symbol, color scheme, and design of the football helmet and marching band hat for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The “V” stands for Vaquero, which in Spanish usually means “cowboy”.
Images Courtesy THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
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UT System Board of Regents authorize negotiations to buy The Monitor’s home facility in McAllen as newspaper plans to downsize and relocate, reports South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa
Texas Legislature approves measure by Sen. Juan Hinojosa to help create new source of drinking water from potential floods in deep South Texas
Open Government Hotline that provides Texans with information about open records laws would be improved under House Bill 4990 by Rep. Canales, says South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa
News media outlets want authority from Texas Legislature to allow journalists to use aerial drones for video and photographs as part of their news gathering, reports South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa
Kendall Scudder, new Chair, Texas Democratic Party, to meet with Valley residents and news media journalists at McAllen Public Library from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley honored at Texas Capitol ahead of its 10-year anniversary
Valley’s three state senators vote for $3 billion Dementia Prevention and Research Fund, which is supported by DHR Health; measure now before the Texas House of Representatives for its action
At least two proposals by Valley State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would increase government transparency, reports South Texas attorney Omar Ochoa
Sen. Hinojosa credits Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp for influencing University of Texas System to create UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Proposed purchase of more than 26 acres for future UTRGV campus expansion in Edinburg, which may include more parking for Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, set for action by the UT System Board of Regents on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, reports attorney Omar Ochoa