FEATURED: Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp speaks at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station on Thursday, November 3, 2023 after receiving the Jack Donnelly Award for Excellence in Counterintelligence. The award is given by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency of the U.S. Defense Department only to entities that are cleared by the federal government to deter, detect and disrupt the theft of classified information. The award is named after John “Jack” Donnelly, who served as the Director of the Defense Investigative Service from 1988 to 1996.
FEATURED: South Texas attorneys and husband and wife Omar Ochoa and Leah Wise on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Edinburg Children’s Hospital, hosting a Valentines Day party for patients and their families. “It was a heartwarming experience getting to visit with families of patients and treat them to gifts and lunch,” said Ochoa. “During dark times there are always people willing to lend a loving hand. We were honored to be able to be a small part of why patients and their families felt loved and cared for today.”
FEATURED: Candidates hoping to become Interim Chair of the Texas Democratic Party will participate in a public forum at the Art Village on Main in McAllen on Saturday, February 1, 2025, beginning at 2 p.m., Richard Gonzales, Chair of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, has announced. “Bringing the candidates who wish to become interim Chair of the Texas Democratic Party is one of the ways the Hidalgo County Democratic Party is building bridges to our communities and creating opportunities, through bold initiatives and unwavering dedication, to serve the people of Hidalgo County,” he said.
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.
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.
