Absenteeism spiked in the pandemic. ECISD and other districts need the state’s help to keep students in the classroom.

Photo above: A student who misses 10% of the days in a school year — enough to be considered chronically absent — will lose opportunities for counseling and will have an increased risk of educational issues. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune By Pavan Acharya, The Texas Tribune “Absenteeism spiked in the pandemic. Texas schools want the state’s…

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Where the Jobs Are

Dr. M. Ray Perryman The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released data related to the employment growth by state in 2024. Texas led the way by a substantial margin, but job numbers were up for most states. Let’s explore a few interesting points. During 2024, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 33 states and was…

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Palm Valley Animal Society Seeks $1.2M From Edinburg for Expansion Project

Staff Report EDINBURG—The Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) will present a funding request to the Edinburg City Council on Tuesday night, seeking a $1.2 million investment to support the expansion and consolidation of its operations at the Laurie P. Andrews Center. Both PVAS facilities—the Trenton Center and the Laurie P. Andrews Center—are located in Edinburg,…

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Valley Teen Traffic Deaths Up as Seat Belt Use Declines

Staff Report PHARR TX – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is reinforcing the importance of seat belt safety among teenagers with its Teen Click It or Ticket campaign, as data shows a troubling increase in unrestrained teen fatalities. In 2023, Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties recorded 25 crashes involving unrestrained teen occupants, resulting in…

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Department of Justice cuts off federally funded legal aid to detained immigrants

Phot above: South Texas Family Residential Center, an ICE detention center in Dilley, on Sept. 30, 2020. The U.S. Department of Justice has halted federal programs that helped detained migrants obtain legal help. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneBy Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune “Department of Justice cuts off federally funded legal aid to detained…

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Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

Staff Report EDINBURG TX —Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. announced today, Jan. 29, that he will not seek re-election, citing his focus on health following a recent prostate cancer diagnosis. “After a routine doctors visit and subsequent tests, I have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer,” Garza explained. “While this comes as a complete surprise, I plan…

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Department of Justice cuts off federally funded legal aid to detained immigrants

Photo above: South Texas Family Residential Center, an ICE detention center in Dilley, on Sept. 30, 2020. The U.S. Department of Justice has halted federal programs that helped detained migrants obtain legal help. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune By Uriel J. García, The Texas TribuneJan. 28, 2025 “Department of Justice cuts off federally funded legal…

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Workshop to Help RGV Musicians Turn Ideas into Community Projects, Deadline Extended To Friday

Staff Report Edinburg TX – Musicians in the Rio Grande Valley looking to make a difference in their communities will have an opportunity to develop their skills and projects at the upcoming RGV Musician Changemaker Accelerator (MCA) Workshop. The hands-on training session is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interested artists…

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