FEATURED: The Texas Legislature passed a resolution on Thursday, April 3, 2025, honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s upcoming 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of growth and impact in the Valley. UTRGV President Guy Bailey praised the recognition as a testament to the university’s achievements and community support. Included in this image in the front row, along with UTRGV leadership, students, staff, from left, are Dr. Maggie Hinojosa, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Student Affairs; Rep. Ryan Guillén, R-Rio Grande City; Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo; Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen; and Bailey.
FEATURED: Omar Ochoa, who has served as the Edinburg City Attorney for more than five years, will be leaving his position in the near future to dedicate his professional time as founding attorney of the Omar Ochoa Law Firm in McAllen. Reflecting on the longtime city attorney’s tenure, Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, expressed gratitude to Ochoa for his exemplary service to the city. “Omar’s leadership and legal expertise have been invaluable assets to the City of Edinburg. We are grateful for his unwavering dedication and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. The council will now explore the possibility of transitioning to an in-house full-time attorney, and this matter will be deliberated at our next city council meeting.”
FEATURED: Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, with his wife, Amanda Leticia Hinojosa. On Monday, April 4, 2022, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, asked committees of the Texas Senate to study issues during the remainder of 2022 that could affect Texas in general and the Rio Grande Valley in particular. Those topics gain increased visibility and are more likely to be on the policy agenda for the next regular session of the Texas Legislature, which returns to work in early January 2023. The District 20 senator serves on several of the committees which will consider major legislative proposals such as a state hospital for mental health in the Valley and border security.
Featured, seated from left: Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville; Dr. René Gutiérrez, Superintendent, Brownsville Independent School District; and Minerva Peña, President, Board of Trustees, Brownsville Independent School District. This image was taken on Monday, April 13, 2020, in the BISD Boardroom, as part of a virtual conference call with state and local education leaders, including from Austin, Mike Morath, Commissioner of Education, and area residents.
Photograph Courtesy BROWNSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Featured, from left: McAllen City Commissioner Javier Villalobos; McAllen City Commissioner Tania Ramírez; and Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission. Muñoz’ House District 36 includes 25 percent of the City of McAllen, 70 percent of the City of Mission, and 76 percent of the City of Pharr. This image was taken on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at the Pharr Events Center during the State of the City Address by Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernández, MD.
