Thirty years after Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) began helping Rio Grande Valley students pursue higher education, former scholarship recipients gathered to celebrate an organization they said did far more than help pay for college. It gave students opportunities that changed careers, strengthened families, and created a new generation committed to giving back.

The Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships celebrated its 30th anniversary Aug. 22, 2026, at Bert Ogden Arena, recognizing students, alumni and community supporters who have advanced its work across the Rio Grande Valley.

Bert Ogden Auto Group opened its BMW of Pharr dealership on Aug. 20, 2026, expanding the company’s presence in the Rio Grande Valley with a facility at the corner of U.S. 281 and Owassa Road.

Governor Greg Abbott toured the TEL Texas Technical Training and Research & Development Center in Austin. He led a roundtable discussion with students and business leaders to highlight how industry-led training programs are preparing thousands of Texans for high-demand careers and strengthening Texas’ position as America’s semiconductor leader.

The Hidalgo County Courthouse will remain closed Tuesday, September 1, 2026, as county officials continue evaluating damage caused by a vehicle that crashed into the building’s front entrance Sunday night.

A 52-year-old Michigan man has been ordered to federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 14 kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement praising the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) announcement of a $30,000,000 award over five years to The University of Texas at Austin to support a Science and Technology Center (STC), which will accelerate research and development of robotic technologies that can adapt to changing environments and people:

The Hidalgo County Courthouse will be closed Monday, August 31, after a vehicle crashed into the front entrance of the building, causing extensive damage to the entrance and front doors. Courtesy image

Governor Greg Abbott joined White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross in a roundtable discussion to launch Project Watershed 250, a joint effort that connects Texas water utility providers with cyber defense resources at no cost.

Teclo Garcia, president and CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, will retire effective Sept. 11, 2026, concluding a four-year tenure in which he says Mission attracted nearly $400 million in new investment and created about 2,000 jobs.