Rio Grande Valley

An Obama Presidency was greeted with great enthusiasm by Europeans and other foreigners during his campaign but now many world leaders are wondering about his intents toward world trade. The Democratic initiative, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(H.R. 1), mandates the use of American steel and iron in infrastructure projects with few exceptions. The United States is currently ranked 3 rd in world steel production behind China and Japan. China produces more than twice as much steel as the United States. India, China, and South Korea have the fastest growing sectors. Throughout the world some protectionist measures have been started by countries ... Read Full Story

Like most Hispanic kids in the early 70s I was most familiar with Texas as seen through the the eyes of the Valley. We knew that to the north was a different world where our culture was thought of as foreign by some. Most everyone who left the Valley for college usually chose the Catholic universities of San Antonio or the University of Texas in Austin. Although many in the Valley at that time had family histories of serving in the military, usually as an enlisted, it was very rare for anyone to attend Texas A&M University. McAllen High School had an experimental advanced ... Read Full Story

You would think that a Hispanic Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas with a military record would be a cinch to gain wide Hispanic support in Texas right? The bizarre situation of Rick Noriega shows the disconnect that is present between the National Democratic Party and local Hispanic democrats and other lessons. The southern most region of Texas called the Rio Grande Valley has the highest percentage of Hispanics at 90% of any region in the United States yet early in this year, many Hispanic mayors and state officials endorsed incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn instead of Rick Noriega even after Senator Cornyn ... Read Full Story

Spanish colonists originally settled the Rio Grande Valley in the 1700’s. The RGV as we know it today has vastly changed, while still retaining much of its Spanish heritage. The RGV has been known as one of the least financially sound areas of the United States. However, over the past 10+ years due to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) southern Texas has begun to flourish. Bordering the Gulf Coast, South Padre Island is one of the top 10 vacation destinations for spring break. South Padre Island is known for their annual Polar Bear Dip, Golf Classic, bustling night life, and even one ... Read Full Story

TEXAS FILM ROUND-UP TRAVELS TO LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, MAY 2009 The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) brings its new statewide traveling educational program, the Texas Film Round-Up, to the Cine El Ray in McAllen on Friday, May 15th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., the Historic Brownsville Museum in Brownsville on Saturday, May 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and to the Rialto Theatre in Harlingen on Sunday, May 17th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Working to preserve Texas-related film and video, TAMI will be on-site at all locations to offer free film and video digitization, to screen unique ... Read Full Story