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Wednesday, January 29, 2025 FREE
Trump’s Immigration Policies & Their Nationwide Impact
State and local leaders across the country are preparing for a wave of aggressive immigration policies and potential mass deportations as President Donald Trump begins his term. Trump has pledged to issue “close to 100” executive orders on Day 1 of his presidency, at least 10 of which will directly address immigration, a cornerstone of his campaign promises. According to an incoming White House official, these actions aim to drastically reshape U.S. immigration policy, generating both significant support and fierce opposition.
Within hours of taking office, Trump signed a series of immigration-related executive orders that signal an intensified crackdown. Among these actions was an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship, a deeply controversial move that would require either a constitutional amendment or a Supreme Court ruling to take effect. Trump also declared a national emergency at the southern border, enabling the deployment of Pentagon resources and armed forces to accelerate construction of the border wall.
During his inaugural speech, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to mass deportations. “We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came,” he declared. These announcements have created widespread uncertainty,
particularly in cities and states with large immigrant populations. Communities across the nation—from school administrators and local business owners to religious leaders— are grappling with how to respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct mass raids or detentions.
The legal challenges to Trump’s executive actions began almost immediately. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s decision to disable CBP One, an app that allowed migrants to seek asylum. The ACLU argued that shutting down the app deprives migrants of their right to request asylum and violates existing legal protections. The organization also joined other civil rights and immigration advocacy groups in suing the Trump administration over its attempt to end birthright citizenship, claiming that the move violates both federal law and constitutional rights. The lawsuit seeks both temporary and permanent injunctions to block the order.
State and local governments are responding in a variety of ways. In some regions, officials are actively preparing to support immigrant communities by providing legal resources, sanctuary protections, and public education campaigns. These efforts are designed to mitigate the fear and disruption that may arise from federal immigration enforcement. In contrast, other states have embraced Trump’s pol-
icies enthusiastically. Last month, dozens of Republican governors released a joint statement endorsing the president’s hardline approach. Leaders such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo have indicated their readiness to mobilize National Guard resources to assist with federal immigration operations.
The divide among state and local leaders underscores the broader polarization surrounding immigration in America. Cities with significant immigrant populations, such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, are bracing for the potential social and economic fallout of increased enforcement measures. At the same time, rural areas and states with strong Republican leadership are likely to see more cooperation with federal authorities.
For communities directly affected by these policies, the uncertainty is palpable. School districts are preparing for the possibility of decreased attendance as families fear deportation. Restaurants, construction companies, and other industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor face potential disruptions. Faith-based organizations are stepping up to provide sanctuary and moral support to those at risk, but these efforts may be limited by federal crackdowns on sanctuary policies.
The broader implications of Trump’s immigration agenda remain to be seen, but early indications suggest a period of intense legal battles and community unrest. Civil rights advocates argue that many of the administration’s actions are not only morally objectionable but also legally dubious. The courts are likely to play a critical role in determining the scope and sustainability of these policies. Meanwhile, immigrant communities are organizing to resist, and state and local governments will continue to navigate their roles in this complex and contentious landscape.
Ultimately, the aggressive push to reshape U.S. immigration policy could redefine the relationship between federal, state, and local authorities while testing the resilience of the nation’s legal and moral frameworks. Whether Trump’s vision for immigration reform will prevail depends not only on legal challenges but also on the capacity of communities to adapt and advocate in the face of sweeping change.
“Paintings from the Thoma Collection” Exhibition
McAllen, Tx - The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) announces the upcoming exhibition, “Paintings from Spanish America (1600-1800) which will be on view from February 8, 2025, to May 25, 2025.
Local News
School of Medicine team reveal breakthrough in cancer cell survival
The fight against cancer is making strides globally, but some of the most important breakthroughs are happening locally in the Rio Grande Valley.
Page 6
The countdown has begun for one of the most highly anticipated events in the Rio Grande Valley: the David Chavana 10k Walk/Run!
DAVID CHAVANA 10K WALK/RUN IN ALLAMERICA CITY
UTRGV
Spiders of the Rio Grande Valley: A Closer Look
SDate: January 30
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Quinta Mazatlán, 600 Sunset Dr, McAllen, TX 78503
Get ready to uncover the captivating world of spiders in the Rio Grande Valley! Whether you’re a spider enthusiast or simply curious, this event is your chance to learn about the unique species that call this region home. Discover fascinating facts, learn about their behaviors and adaptations, and find out where to spot these often misunderstood creatures.
Leading the exploration is Joseph Connors, a lifelong Valley resident and passionate wildlife photographer. As a member of the South Texas Border Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program, Joseph dedicates his time to sharing the hidden beauty of South Texas’ wildlife. His macro photography and expertise on spiders will guide you on a fascinating journey into their world.
Joseph is also an active contributor to the citizen science platform iNaturalist, where he documents the incredible diversity of nocturnal creatures in the region. Don’t miss this chance to hear from an expert and engage with the natural world in a unique and exciting way.
What to Bring: Your curiosity, questions, and enthusiasm!
For more details:
Phone: (956) 681-3370
Let’s dive into the fascinating lives of these eight-legged wonders and gain a newfound appreciation for the wildlife of South Texas!
tep back in time and explore the rich history of Brownsville on a guided walking tour of the Historic Hebrew Cemetery. Founded in 1868, this sacred site holds more than just gravestones; it’s a window into the stories that shaped our city.
Join BHA Board Member Larry Holtzman, your guide for this unique experience, as he brings history to life through the tales of those buried at the cemetery. From pioneers to community leaders, each story weaves a deeper understanding of Brownsville’s heritage.
Event Details
Dates:
Thursday, February 6, 2025 Friday, February 7, 2025
Location: Historic Brownsville Museum 641 E. Madison St. Brownsville, TX
Admission: $10.00 for BHA Members $15.00 for Non-members
Important Information
The tour is limited to 10 people per group, so RSVP today to secure your spot. This event will take place rain or shine—come prepared for the weather! Please note that no refunds will be issued.
To reserve your spot, call (956) 548-1313.
Don’t miss this chance to uncover the fascinating history of Brownsville through the lens of the Historic Hebrew Cemetery. Join us on this journey of discovery and connection.
“Paintings from the Thoma Collection” Exhibition
McAllen, Tx - The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) announces the upcoming exhibition, “Paintings from Spanish America (1600-1800) from the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation Collection,”
which will be on view from February 8, 2025, to May 25, 2025. This exhibition features 16 masterworks that present a comprehensive panorama of artistic creativity from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Cuba, dating from the 17th and
18th centuries.
Co-Curated by Suzanne Stratton-Pruitt and Verónica Muñoz-Nájar, the exhibition examines the dynamic character of viceregal art, illustrating how European artistic traditions were transformed and reinterpreted in Spanish Colonial America or the American Colonies of Spain. Visitors will encounter a collection of oil paintings on canvas and copper, showcasing devotional iconography and intricate details that defined the period. These works, which once adorned churches, convents, and private homes, reflect the cultural identity of their regions and portray complex allegories, unique styles, and narratives of lineage and status.
The exhibition is on loan from the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, a grantmaking and art collecting organization committed to supporting pivotal initiatives in the arts. The Foundation’s Arts of the Spanish Americas collection includes more than 210 paintings, making it one of the most significant private collections of its kind. “Paintings of Spanish America (16001800)” is also supported by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Associate Professor, School of Art and Design, Director, Center for Latin American Arts and Marialice Shary Shivers Chair in Fine Arts at UTRGV.
IMAS will host an exclusive Member Opening Reception on February 6, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This complimentary, after-hours event is offered as a special acknowledgment of IMAS Members’ continued support. Pre-registration is encouraged. Members may bring one non-member guest per membership, while additional Member guests may attend for a $10 admission fee. Memberships are available for purchase online or at the door.
An Art History Roundtable titled “Dialogues of Collecting and Display: Art of the Spanish Americas in the Rio Grande Valley” will take place on February 21, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The roundtable will feature prominent experts, including Dr. Verónica Muñoz Nájar, Dr. Katherine McAllen, Dr. Tom Cummins, Dr. Rosario Granados, Dr. Kristopher Driggers, Dr. Adam Jasienski, and Dr. Carmen Fernández-Salvador. Participants will discuss the historical and cultural significance of viceregal art, its modern appreciation, and its relevance to cultural institutions like IMAS.
The museum invites the community to explore the rich history and artistry of Spanish America through this exceptional exhibition. Additional information about the exhibition, events, or membership is available at www.imasonline.org.
About the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS)
Located in the Rio Grande Valley, the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) inspires visitors of all ages to explore the world of art and science. Through its diverse exhibitions, collections, and educational programs, IMAS empowers learners to pursue their passions and discover new interests. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a Smithsonian Affiliate, IMAS is located at 1900 W. Nolana Avenue in McAllen, Texas.
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information on admission, events, and programs, visit theimasonline.org or call (956) 681-2800.
Pop Up Book Sale
Event Details:
Date: February 1
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: McAllen Public Library, 4001 N 23rd St, McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: (956) 681-3000
Get ready for the Pop Up Book Sale at the MPL Book Store! This special event offers a fantastic opportunity to discover a wide selection of gently used books, including:
Bestselling authors
Select non-fiction
Children’s books
Romance novels
Paperbacks
Libros en Español
Pricing:
Hardbacks: $1.00
Paperbacks: $0.50
Payment Methods: Credit cards and debit cards only.
All proceeds from the sale go directly toward supporting library services and programs, helping the McAllen Public Library continue its mission of serving the community. This event is proudly sponsored by the McAllen Public Library Volunteer Advocates.
Important Notes:
No previews prior to the sale. All sales are final.
Don’t miss this chance to stock up on great books at unbeatable prices while supporting a great cause! Mark your calendar and visit the McAllen Public Library on February 1st for this exciting event.
Abbott Calls On U.S. Congress
To Reimburse For Historic Border Security Efforts
Governor Greg Abbott sent letters to U.S. Congressional Leadership and the entire Texas Congressional Delegation requesting the federal government reimburse Texas for the more than $11.1 billion in Texas taxpayer money spent to secure the border due to the Biden Administration’s refusal to do its job for the last four years.
“President Biden’s policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented infiltration of violent criminals, known terrorists, and other hostile foreign actors, like the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua,” reads the letters. “I launched Operation Lone Star (OLS) to combat these threats to all
Americans. Over the past four years, OLS efforts successfully reduced illegal immigration into Texas by 87%, demonstrated the ongoing effectiveness of President Donald Trump’s border measures, and shone a spotlight on a national crisis. In total, Texas has spent over $11.1 billion to protect the nation and secure the border. Accordingly, I am formally requesting that the federal government reimburse Texas for these costs in full.”
These letters follow the Governor’s meeting with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol last Friday, where they discussed the ongoing border crisis and working together to undo the damage done by the Biden Administration.
Abbott sends state troops to U.S.-Mexico border to work with Border Patrol
By Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune
“Abbott sends state troops to U.S.-Mexico border to work with Border Patrol” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said he’s sending more than 400 soldiers from Houston and Fort Worth to the U.S.-Mexico border to collaborate with Border Patrol agents “to stop illegal immigrants from entering our country and to enforce immigration laws.”
Abbott said he will also send C-130s, an aircraft that can take off and land on rough terrain, and Chinook helicopters. The troops, part of a unit called the Texas Tactical Border Force, will join those already deployed to the border through the state’s border security mission, Operation Lone Star, that Abbott started in 2021 in response to the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
Through Operation Lone Star, the state has deployed thousands of state National
UTRGV School of Medicine team reveal breakthrough in cancer cell survival
Students make significant contributions to cancer studies
By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga
The fight against cancer is making strides globally, but some of the most important breakthroughs are happening locally in the Rio Grande Valley.
At the UTRGV School of Medicine’s South Texas Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, Dr. Manish Tripathi, assistant professor in immunology and microbiology at the UTRGV School of Medicine, and his team are breaking new ground in understanding how cancer cells survive and spread.
Their research focuses on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their role in regulating glucose metabolism, a key pathway for cancer cell survival and metastasis.
“Cancer cells rely heavily on glucose metabolism, often using it to evade treatments and thrive under harsh conditions,” Tripathi said. “By identifying specific lncRNAs that regulate this pathway, we aim to disrupt cancer cells’ energy supply, limiting their growth and ability to spread.”
Tripathi said this research, funded through grant support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), can potentially develop new treatment strategies for aggressive cancers, such as liver and colorectal.
A CRITICAL LIFELINE
Guard troops to the border, though it is not clear how many are actively deployed. The Trump administration last week also sent 1,500 active duty U.S. soldiers to the border.
“Texas has a partner in the White House we can work with to secure the Texas-Mexico border,” Abbott said in a statement.
“I thank President Donald Trump for his decisive leadership on the southern border and look forward to working with him and his Administration to secure the border and make America safe again.”
The move is the state’s latest effort to help the Trump administration with its immigration crackdown. Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has offered the administration a Starr County ranch to be used as a staging area for mass deportations — which an administration official previously accepted.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/27/texas-abbott-soldiers-border-patrol/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
The National Institutes of Health finds that cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are approximately 55% higher in the Valley – which faces socioeconomic challenges and limited healthcare access – contributing to significant cancer health disparities compared to national averages.
This research could offer a critical lifeline as cancer remains a leading cause of death in Texas.
Support for the region is growing thanks to groundbreaking research like this and the upcoming UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center, slated to open this year.
The state-of-the-art $145 million facility will provide the space for advancing research into new cancer treatments and improving patient outcomes for those battling the disease.
Tripathi said the research being conducted today in the Valley has the potential to transform cancer treatment strategies worldwide.
“By understanding the factors driving stress-associated cancer progression and drug resistance, particularly liver cancers which is among the most prevalent in the Valley, we can develop targeted treatments that reduce metastasis and improve outcomes for underserved patients,” said Tripathi. “This work can lead to new, more
effective therapies tailored to our community’s needs.”
NEXT GENERATION
This research also aims to advance the fight against cancer and empower the next generation of scientists through mentorship and hands-on experience.
“Currently, my research team includes three students who are making important contributions, and I’m proud to help them reach their academic potential,” said Tripathi.
Ricardo Pequeño Bracho, a UTRGV student pursuing a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and part of Tripathi’s research team, credits his experiences in Tripathi’s lab with shaping his academic and professional growth.
Bracho grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and witnessed the region’s healthcare challenges firsthand.
“I saw how many people delay seeking healthcare because they simply can’t afford it or find it too expensive,” Bracho said. “That fueled my motivation to pursue a medical career. Our research provides valuable insight into therapies that could combat cancer progression and metastasis, especially for at-risk populations in South Texas.”
Bracho has presented the lab’s findings at the UTRGV School of Medicine research conferences and plans to showcase their latest work at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in April. The AACR is the largest cancer research organization in the country and brings together researchers from all around the world to discuss the latest advancements in cancer treatment and prevention.
Dr. Michael Hocker, UTRGV School of Medicine dean and senior vice president for UT Health RGV, said these opportunities highlight the school’s commitment to fostering a new generation of scientists to address local healthcare challenges.
“There is a shortage of doctors not only in the Valley but across Texas, and we owe it to our community to help bridge that gap,” Hocker said. “By providing hands-on research experiences and mentorship, we’re ensuring that the next generation of medical professionals is well-equipped to make a lasting impact on the health of our region.”
Looking ahead, Tripathi’s team aims to translate their findings into clinical applications, targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells to develop more effective treatments.
“Every breakthrough we achieve in the lab brings us closer to reducing cancer-related mortality and health disparities in the RGV,” Tripathi said. “And just as importantly, we are building a pipeline of young scientists who will carry this work forward and make a lasting impact on our community.”
Texas Breaks 2024 Records For Jobs, Texans Working
Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott | Press Release
Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas as America’s job creator with record-breaking highs for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and the size of the Texas labor force based on December 2024 employment data. Texas has now added more than 2.5 million jobs under Governor Abbott’s leadership.
“Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes creating good-paying jobs,” said Governor Abbott. “As we break record after record for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and our labor force, we begin the new year as America’s job creator. Jobs are growing here, businesses are growing here, the future is growing here. Texas partners with businesses to help them grow and succeed, providing career training for high-demand industries and cutting burdensome regulations. Working together, we will continue to lead the nation and build a brighter future for all Texans.”
Year-end employment data released by the Texas Workforce Commission shows, as of December 2024:
• Texas reached a new historic high with the largest labor force ever in the state’s history at 15,575,900.
• Texas reached a new historic high for Texans working, including self-employed, at 14,922,200.
• Texas reached a new historic high for total nonfarm jobs at 14,318,700.
• Texas added 284,200 nonfarm jobs from December 2023 to December 2024 and grew jobs at a faster annual rate than the nation.
• Since 2015, Texas has added more than 2.5 million jobs under Governor Abbott’s leadership.
Last week, Governor Abbott participated in events celebrating President Donald Trump’s inauguration in the nation’s capital, including the Texas Business Conference, where he touted the strength of the Texas economy and the state’s leadership in innovation and job creation.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room At STHS Children’s Reports Banner Year
Offering support, compassion & rest, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at STHS Children’s served more than 6,800 guests in 2024, an 88% increase from the previous year
A source of anxiety, depression and stress, a child’s illness and hospitalization can be particularly difficult and most often an unpredictable situation for a family. The emotional and mental well-being of a parent during their child’s illness or hospitalization, per the National Library of Medicine, depends on several factors: psychological characteristics of the child and the parent, the child’s health condition and, most importantly, the level of support offered for the family.
Support for parents with a hospitalized child is essential as it can mitigate emotional and psychological distress and improve emotional well-being, per the American Academy of Pediatrics. If a parent’s ability to participate in their hospitalized child’s care is compromised by any sort of distress, it can take a toll on the child’s recovery.
Services designed to provide support to parents of sick children can help families experience lower stress levels and better participate in a child’s medical care, leading to improved results for a child’s health.
Housed on the third floor of South Texas Health System Children’s, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Texas’ Ronald McDonald Family Room offers families with hospitalized children a supportive, comforting environment where parents and caregivers can rest and regroup just steps away from their child’s bedside.
“Having a sick child can be an overwhelming experience full of uncertainty and anxiety,” says Kimberly Davis, pediatric administrator, STHS Children’s. “Our promise to deliver quality, compassionate care goes far beyond medical care. With support from community partners like Ronald McDonald House Charities, STHS Children’s can offer parents a quiet place away from the medical space to recharge while remaining close to their sick child.”
Equipped with a kitchen, living room area, shower, laundry facilities and three quiet rooms where parents can relax, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at STHS Children’s provides a home away from home.
Since its inception and after hosting a grand reopening in 2023 following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family Room has served thousands of families through services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing. In 2024, the Ronald McDonald Family Room served 6,832 total guests, an 88% increase from the previous year, with 1,535 families able to benefit from the space and the services within it.
“As an organization, it is our priority to keep families close to the healthcare they need and to each other, says Michelle Horine, Chief Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas. “We’re grateful we have been able to provide a comforting supportive space to families in Edinburg and the surrounding communities.”
In all, 5,679 visits were made to the
Family Room in 2024, an 82% increase from the previous year. Whether taking a few minutes to rest and relax, answer emails or conduct work or pick up snacks provided by pantry partners like Veritum Law Group; Leah Wise Law Firm, PLLC; the Law Offices of Michael M. Guerra and Atlas Electrical, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Plumbing Services Incorporated, parents and caregivers were able to receive support while remaining close to their child’s bedside.
“Through our partnership with South Texas Health System Children’s we were able to help ease the stress of a hospital stay by offering a quiet retreat where families can relax, recharge and support one another while remaining close to their child’s bedside,” adds Horine.
To learn more about the Ronald McDonald Family Room at STHS Children’s, visit www.southtexashealthsystemchildrens. com. If you’re interested in supporting RMHC of South Texas’ mission to provide comfort and support for families with hospitalized children, you can visit rmhcstx.org.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www. southtexashealthsystem.com. Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
OPINION
BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER
Trump’s dismissive comment about Latin America will hurt U.S. interests
President Trump’s reaction when asked about his government’s future relations with Latin America — “we don’t need them” — was a needless display of political arrogance that will do
little to help advance U.S. interests in the region.
Instead of saying that there is a great opportunity for Latin American democracies to become U.S. partners and help relocate American factories from China to the Western Hemisphere, which would help eliminate poverty, reduce migration and lessen America’s economic dependence on China, Trump needlessly snubbed the region.
He sounded like French Queen Marie Antoinette, who, during the French Revolution, was famously quoted as saying, “let them eat cake” when told that the people had no bread.
For the record, Trump was asked by a Brazilian reporter Monday night during his executive orders’ signing ceremony, “How do you see our relationship with Latin America and Brazil?” Trump responded, “Great. They need us much more than we need them. We don’t need them. They need us. Everybody needs us.”
His statement fell like a cold shower on many of my Trumpist friends in the region, because they had high hopes that his administration would be the most focused on Latin America in recent decades.
In a way, that may still be the case. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a former Cuban-American senator from Florida, will be the first Spanish-speaking top U.S. diplomat in recent memory. He has always been focused on Latin America.
Rubio’s No. 2 at the State Department
will be former ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau, who is also a fluent Spanish-speaker and whose father was U.S. ambassador to Paraguay, Chile and Venezuela.
Although there are many questions on how much power Rubio will have in the new administration — Trump has appointed several close friends as special envoys and ambassadors — there have never been such high-ranking Latin American experts at the helm of the State Department in recent memory.
That’s good news for the region, but the problem is that Trump himself has a negative agenda for Latin America: he sees the region only as a problem, rather than as an opportunity.
Trump’s inaugural address centered on the evils of an alleged “invasion” of immigrants — although the flow of immigrants fell by nearly 70% last year — Latin American drug cartels and his vow to take over the Panama Canal, despite the fact that it has been very well managed by Panama for the past 25 years.
The new president did not unveil a positive agenda for Latin America. He could have offered U.S. allies in the region the opportunity to explore investments promoting “nearshoring,” as economists refer to the trend of U.S. multinationals moving some of their factories out of China to reduce their dependence on America’s top geopolitical rival.
Many big U.S. corporations have already been moving part of their supply operations out of China, mostly to Vietnam and India, for fears that U.S.-China tensions will cause an interruption of their supply chains.
But most have gone to Vietnam or India, rather than to Latin America, which is much closer to the U.S. market and in the same time zone.
Some senior officials in the new Trump administration, such as newly appointed Special Envoy to Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone, have a track record of advocating for an ambitious U.S.-Latin American “nearshoring” alliance with like-minded democracies.
I would bet that Rubio, Claver-Carone and others in the new administration will try to convince Trump to propose a positive agenda for Latin America, alongside his current immigration, drugs and tariffs threats.
But I wonder whether they will prevail over Trump’s nationalist-xenophobic extreme right wing allies. Even though they don’t represent the majority of U.S. public opinion, Trump relies heavily on them to fill the venues at his rallies. That allows him to claim a supposedly unprecedented popularity, despite the fact that he won only 49.8% of the popular vote.
Trump would have done himself a favor by pushing a positive agenda for Latin America. He still can do it, but he missed a precious opportunity to do so when talking about the region on his first day in office.
Dr. Annabelle Lopez Performs 1st Robotic Gynecology Surgery in Weslaco Area
Minimally-invasive surgery performed with da Vinci Xi robot at Knapp Medical Center
Annabelle Lopez, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, has performed the first robotic gynecology surgery in the Mid-Valley area, utilizing a state-of-the-art da Vinci Xi surgical robot at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.
Dr. Lopez performed the ground-breaking, minimally-invasive surgery on January 14 at Knapp Medical Center. The surgery went well and the patient, a woman from Mercedes, went home the very same day.
“The patient is doing amazingly well,” Dr. Lopez said following the surgery. “We are excited to bring this state-of-the-art technology to the Mid-Valley, so patients don’t have to go to other hospitals further away from home and their family support system.”
By utilizing the da Vinci Xi surgical robot at Knapp Medical Center, Dr. Lopez can perform minimally-invasive procedures such as hysterectomies through much smaller incisions than traditional surgery.
“Patients have a faster recovery time, with less possible complications, in many cases,” Dr. Lopez added.
This means that in many cases, patients may have a shorter hospital stay — along
Abbott Urges Texans To Report Winter Weather Damages
storm.”
When it is safe to do so, Texans can report storm damage to homes and businesses using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. iSTAT surveys can be filled out in English and Spanish by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking “January 20th Winter Weather.”
By filling out the iSTAT survey, impacted Texans provide key details that enable emergency management teams to assess the severity and scale of the damage caused by ice, snow, and excessive rains. This data also supports efforts to determine whether the state qualifies for various forms of federal disaster assistance.
with less pain, less loss of blood, less scarring, and less risk of infection.
In addition to gynecological surgery, the da Vinci robot can also be used for general surgeries, such as appendectomies, as well as for urology, thoracic, cardiac, and gastrointestinal surgery. In October, Dr. Ernesto Garza, Jr., performed the Mid-Valley’s first general surgery using with the robot, also at Knapp Medical Center.
The surgeon controls the robotic-assisted system at all times. The robotic system translates the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body.
The da Vinci Xi robot also features a 3DHD vision system, which provides surgeons with a highly-magnified view — virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.
Knapp Medical Center’s Women Center has received many awards for care of its patients, including being named a “5-Star Recipient for Gynecologic Procedures” (for three years in a row) by Healthgrades, a national company which specializes in research about healthcare.
For more information on robotic-assisted and other minimally-invasive surgical options, please contact your physician and visit www.KnappMed.org.
Governor Greg Abbott urged Texans impacted by this week’s winter weather to document and report any property and agricultural damages sustained from ice, snow, and freezing temperatures by utilizing the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s online, self-reported damage assessment tool.
“The State of Texas continues to deploy all necessary resources to help Texans respond to and recover from ice, snow, and freezing temperatures this week,” said Governor Abbott. “As communities begin the recovery process, I urge Texans to report damages to their homes or businesses or any agricultural losses through the iSTAT damage survey. This will help the state determine if we qualify for federal assistance. Texans should continue to monitor local weather forecasts and road conditions to keep yourself and your family safe. I thank Texas emergency management officials as they work around-the-clock to help Texans across the state recover from this winter
Using the iSTAT tool is voluntary and is not a substitute for reporting damages to your insurance provider and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance. Resources, including video tutorials on how to complete the survey, are available at damage. tdem.texas.gov.
The Texas State Operations Center remains activated at Level II (Escalated Response) to support local officials with requests for state assistance as response and recovery efforts continue. State officials are working with utility regulators to ensure electrical providers quickly restore power to Texans who have been impacted by localized outages.
Hazardous road conditions may still persist in some areas due to overnight refreezing of snow that melted on Texas roads. Texans are encouraged to avoid travel if possible and follow directions from local officials. Texans can find winter weather resources, including a map of licensed plumbers and warming center information, in the Texas Disaster Portal.
Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott | Press Release
The countdown has begun for one of the most highly anticipated events in the Rio Grande Valley: the David Chavana 10k Walk/Run! This iconic race has become a cornerstone of community pride and health-focused fun, and this year, we’re making it even more special with an exciting Health Fair on January 31st.
Health Fair Highlights
David Chavana 10k Walk/Run in All-America City Healthier Texas Community Challenge
Before you hit the pavement, join us at the Health Fair happening from 10 am to 3 pm. It’s the perfect opportunity to gear up for race day while focusing on your health and wellness. Here’s what you can look forward to:
• Race Packet Pickup: Beat the last-minute rush and collect your race packet in advance.
• Wellness Checks: Take advantage of free health screenings to ensure you’re in peak condition for the big day.
• Health Tips: Learn valuable insights on how to prepare, stay energized, and recover like a pro.
• Vendor Connections: Meet with local businesses and organizations offering products and services to enhance your well-being.
Why Participate?
The David Chavana 10k Walk/Run isn’t just a race—it’s a celebration of our community’s resilience and spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or someone just looking to cheer from the sidelines, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s make this year the biggest and best yet! Grab your friends, lace up those running shoes, and don’t forget to swing by the Health Fair to make the most of this incredible experience.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Let’s come together to create unforgettable memories, promote healthy living, and show why Edinburg truly is an All-America City. See you at the starting line!
The Healthier Texas Community Challenge is back, and it’s time to show everyone which city is one of the most vibrant and active communities in the state. This free, eight-week wellness initiative encourages individuals, organizations, and entire communities across Texas to embrace healthier lifestyles—and we need YOU to help us rise to the top!
How to Get Started:
Register Now: Head to www.txcommunitychallenge.org and sign up today. Download the App: Track your progress and earn points for healthy habits, from eating nutritious meals to staying hydrated and getting active.
Set Your Goals: Focus on areas like healthy eating, physical activity, and water consumption to make meaningful lifestyle changes.
Why Join?
This isn’t just a competition; it’s a movement to create healthier communities. Last year, the City of McAllen TX Government earned first place in the Large Community Category, and McAllen ISD secured second in the Large School District Category. Every healthy choice you make helps earn points, and together we can make a real difference. From individuals to local organizations, everyone has a role to play. Let’s aim to outshine the competition while creating a healthier, happier city.
Challenge Details:
Duration: Eight weeks Cost: Free to participate
Join the Movement:
Visit www.txcommunitychallenge.org for more information and to sign up. Don’t wait—let’s get moving! Together, we can achieve greatness. Let’s make healthy living the heart of our community and show everyone what Texas is made of!
Football to Host WalkOn Tryouts Feb. 19
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros football team announced on Thursday that they are hosting walk-on tryouts for full-time UTRGV students on Feb. 19 on the UTRGV football practice fields behind the construction of the Vaqueros Performance Center.
The tryout will be preceded by a mandatory meeting for all participants on Feb. 12. Those who are interested in trying out for the UTRGV football team must meet the following requirements:
• Full-time UTRGV student enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours for the fall semester.
• NCAA eligibility center number from the NCAA eligibility center.
• Completed and submitted physical form.
• Completed and submitted tryout form.
• Completed and submitted participation waiver form.
• Completed and submitted tryout questionnaire.
• Submit proof of insurance by sending pictures of front and back of insurance card.
The completed physical form and copy of the insurance card can be submitted via the tryout questionnaire.
All necessary forms and proof of insurance must be submitted via the tryout questionnaire by Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. If any of the necessary information is not received by the deadline, interested participants will not be able to tryout.
Participants will receive confirmation of clearance to participate prior to the mandatory meeting. Participants will have to wear their own workout gear and cleats.
Prospective participants with questions regarding the tryout are asked to reach out to UTRGV Director of Football Operations & Administration John Simmons at John. Simmons1@utrgv.edu.
Men’s Basketball Battles
Back in Second Half to Defeat Incarnate Word
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s basketball team battled back after being down 12 points in the second half to defeat the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals 85-78 on Monday at McDermott Center.
The Vaqueros (12-7, 4-4 SLC) had five players score in double-figures while posting a season-best 69.8% (37-53) from the floor. Senior Kwo Agwa led the way with a career-high 23 points and four blocks. Senior Cliff Davis scored 16 points with three steals and two blocks. Redshirt junior Howie Fleming Jr. scored 17 points with fifth year K.T. Raimey scoring 13 points and junior Trey Miller scoring 12 points with six assists.
Davion Bailey led the Cardinals (910, 2-6 SLC) with a game-high 28 points with Jayden Anderson adding 18 points of his own. Dylan Hayman scored 14 points and Jordan Pyke chipped in with 11 points.
The Vaqueros found themselves trailing 56-44 with 12:32 left to play but a Fleming Jr. layup kick started a 16-5 run that saw them go 7-of-7 from the floor as they got within 61-60 after a Davis three-pointer. Later, Raimey knocked down a couple of free throws that gave the Vaqueros their first lead since the 4:54 mark in the first
Harris Sets Indoor Track & Field Program Record
The 2025 indoor track & field season started with a bang as junior Nayla Harris set a new program record in the women’s 60-meter dash to headline a strong opening meet for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Friday at the LSU Purple Tiger at the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse.
Harris tied the then-program best time of 7.44 in the 60 prelims to punch her ticket to finals. There, she lowered her personal best time to 7.35 to claim the new No. 1 spot in the UTRGV record books and take third in the event.
half.
A three-point play by UIW’s Marcus Glover gave the Cardinals their final lead of the night at 66-64 but Agwa knocked down a couple of buckets that started an 11-4 UTRGV run that gave them the 75-70 lead with 2:23 left to play.
After the Cardinals got a three-pointer from Hayman that got them within 81-78, Agwa came up with a huge block on their next possession to put the game away.
The Cardinals had control most of the first half but Agwa scored 11 of his 26 while Miller scored his 10 points in the first half to keep the Vaqueros within reach setting up the comeback in the second half.
The Vaqueros will be back in action on Saturday when they host the McNeese Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at GoUTRGV.com/Tickets. Current UTRGV students receive free general admission with their student ID. All fans need to follow the clear bag policy, details of which can be found at GoUTRGV.com/ ClearBag. The party starts in Schlotzsky’s Vaquero Village at 5:30 p.m.
Fans unable to attend in person can watch domestically on ESPN+ or internationally via Southland International.
Harris was one of four individuals to make entries into the indoor program record books Friday, along with sophomore Keamonie Archie, junior Aaron Cooper, and junior Corin Burns. Archie recorded the No. 2 men’s long jump in program history as he jumped a personal-best 7.45 meters to take third in the event. Cooper notched the fourth-best jump in UTRGV history and a new personal best with his mark of 14.91 meters in a second-place finish. Burns also made two entries with his men’s 60-meter dash prelim and finals races. He ran 6.78 in prelims, tying the No. 5 time in history, and ran 6.79 in finals to take second and the No. 7 spot in the record books.
The men’s 4x400-meter relay team of junior Sam Johnson II, junior Cerrone Thompson, junior Jamari Harts, and freshman Richard Young capped the big day with one final record book entry. The quartet took second at the meet in 3:17.49, the No. 8 time in program history.
Senior Zoë Adams won the women’s 200-meter dash in 25.92, followed by junior Aja Johnson in fifth. Young was second in the men’s 200-meter dash, adding to his solid collegiate debut.
UTRGV racked up seven personal bests on Friday. Freshmen Trezur Connley and Krystan Bright looked sharp in their
collegiate debuts as they both advanced to the finals of the women’s 60-meter hurdles. Connley finished seventh and Bright was eighth, while Connley ran a personal best 8.79 in the finals, improving her prelim time by .07. In the men’s 60-meter hurdles prelims, sophomore James Voss was ninth and junior Jaylen Critton took 12th and matched his personal record of 8.36. Among the distance crew, senior Brownsville Porter alum Estrella Medellin and junior Abraham Morales ran personal bests in the women’s mile and men’s 3,000-meter run, respectively. Morales finished fifth in his event.
Senior Efe Latham had a strong UTRGV debut as she finished sixth in the women’s weight throw with a mark of 16.03 meters and took seventh in shot put with a mark of 12.33 meters. Junior Hannah Hilding was fifth in women’s shot put after throwing 13.23 meters. The Vaqueros jumps squad added to the field events success as graduate student Ja’Carrius Demmerrittee was third in the men’s triple jump, junior Jedidiah Udunna took fifth in men’s long jump, and graduate student Gabrielle Thomas finished fifth in women’s triple jump.
The mid-distance duo of junior Lilliana Guerrero and sophomore Kailey Salazar took second and third, respectively, in the women’s 800-meter run. Thompson and Harts picked up fifth-place finishes in the men’s 600-meter and 60-meter races, respectively. Junior Brownsville Hanna alum Aliyah Castillo added a fifth-place finish in the women’s 400-meter dash.
Castillo, freshmen Jizzale Davis and Azayla Smith, and senior Trinity Kirk combined to take third in the women’s 4x400-meter relay in 3:55.62.
UTRGV’s next meet will be Texas Tech’s Stan Scott Invite & Multi running Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 in Lubbock.
In Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a push for residents to lose weight and curb diabetes
By Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune
“In Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a push for residents to lose weight and curb diabetes” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
BROWNSVILLE — It was an unusually cold Saturday morning in the Rio Grande Valley but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from forming a line that wound throughout the south side of the Brownsville Farmers Market.
Maria Ibarra and her son, Jesus, were among those waiting in line to have their
measurements and blood pressure taken. They were signing up to take part in
“The Challenge,” the city’s annual fitness initiative that encourages residents to eat healthier and be active.
The mother-son duo were motivated to participate for the first time this year for different health reasons. Jesus, 15, said he has struggled to maintain a healthy weight. He wants to eat healthier and be active like his mother was.
Maria, 53, had taken up walking and eating healthier options, partly out of fear of developing diabetes, a disease that disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic populations and which her mother developed.
“It could potentially become a problem
in the future for me if I don’t start exercising now,” Jesus said. “I’m taking this as an opportunity to improve my health before it gets any worse.”
About 11% of adult Texans have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Though the disease is partly attributable to genetics, it is largely believed to be caused by a person’s lifestyle such as diet and exercise.
Plagued by annual surveys listing the region as the “fattest” in the country, city officials in the Rio Grande Valley have adopted various fitness initiatives throughout the years. However, the needle has not moved much during that time. However, researchers are hopeful they can identify
new solutions as cities continue to invest in infrastructure that enables residents to engage in physical activity.
The Challenge, launched in 2008, is held annually by UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and the city as part of the university’s efforts to address obesity and chronic illness in the community.
The university expanded the fitness challenge to the other parts of the Rio Grande Valley including Edinburg. They also collaborate with other neighboring cities to provide access to free gyms, nutritional information along with other resources through a program called “Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta!” which translates to “Your Health Counts.”
Over the years, 15,000 people have participated who have collectively lost more than 23,000 pounds, according to Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, senior project manager at UTHealth Houston.
The program does not encourage extreme weight loss. Instead, participants are encouraged to lose about 5% of their weight over three months which can lower the risk of developing diabetes.
“It’s really kind of about well-being and energy and healthier habits,” Mitchell-Bennett said.
The average weight loss among the participants who return for the final weighin at the end of the three-month period is 4.8%, Mitchell-Bennett said.
But how successful the Challenge and other weight loss programs are in turning the tide on a regional level is unclear.
The university collects data from a group of more than 5,000 Hispanic residents from Cameron and Webb counties who provide personal health information for research purposes.
Mitchell-Bennet said the data collected from these residents showed the region had seen a drop in obesity and diabetes rates between 2004 and 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The obesity rate sits at 50% — down 1.5 percentage points. The rate of Type 2 diabetes is 25%, down from 30% in 2010, according to Joseph McCormick, professor of epidemiology at UTHealth Houston.
Measurements taken by the University
of Texas Rio Grande Valley are higher. About 60% of the Mexican-American adult residents in the Valley are obese and 85% are classified as overweight, according to Dr. Sarah Williams-Blangero, director of the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute and chief of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s Division of Human Genetics.
Thirty percent are diabetic and 25% are classified as prediabetic.
Despite the progress reported by UTHealth Houston, Williams-Blangero said there is still a struggle to move the needle dramatically comes down to a reality everyone knows all too well –– losing weight is hard.
Research shows that about 50% of changes in body mass index can be linked to genes as well as 50% of changes in a person’s blood-glucose levels. Those levels can determine whether a person is diabetic.
But that’s only part of the story, according to Williams-Blangero who added that obesity and diabetes are increasing at a rate that cannot be accounted for by genetics alone.
What likely accounts for that increase are environmental factors like diet and exposure to pollutants, which can be common in agricultural communities. A study is currently ongoing to identify those pollutants.
“It’s hard to lose weight, It’s hard to get exercise routinely integrated into your day and so it’s just a difficult problem to address,” Williams-Blangero said.
Through UTRGV’s newly launched Center for Human Genetics, Williams-Blangero said the intent is to find out what other
biological factors increase the risk of disease and to assist in developing new drugs to prevent or treat diabetes.
Combating diabetes
This year is the third time that Deborah De Leon and her sister, Falisha De Leon, signed up to participate in the Challenge.
They don’t consider themselves to be physically active but, through the Challenge, are motivated to check out local gyms and be more conscious about what they eat by checking nutrition labels.
Deborah, 25, has begun cooking more for their family to try to find healthy substitutions which can be a challenge within carb-heavy Tex-Mex cuisine.
“I’m still making our authentic foods, just in healthier ways,” Deborah said.
Members of their family were diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure including their mother and grandfather, who lost his eyesight due to diabetes.
Seeing what their grandfather went through, both Deborah and Falisha, 30, knew something needed to change when they discovered they were pre-diabetic.
“It was very scary,” Deborah said, especially because of her young age. She made changes and both were successful in getting their blood-glucose levels to drop.
Not everyone manages to make those positive changes in time and severe consequences can follow, said Dr. Pedro Mego, an interventional cardiologist.
Mego specializes in the treatment of peripheral artery disease which develops when arteries are blocked, reducing blood
their eating habits and believes that people who participate in community health challenges at least start thinking about making positive changes for their health.
“In individual cases, I feel like I have seen more but as a whole community, probably, definitely, is not at the level that we would like,” Mego said.
And while fitness challenges haven’t had a major impact on the rates of obesity and diabetes in the Valley, Williams-Blangero said they have an impact for some people. Her advice would be to implement longer-term changes like healthy cooking and adding exercise classes to their daily routine.
McAllen, the second-most populous city in the Valley behind Brownsville, has been working to implement more recreational spaces and programs for their residents over the years including expanding their 34 miles of walking trails and developing a campground that will include an archery range and a mountain biking trail. The city has also held a marathon run every winter since 2013.
“We’re extremely proud of that, knowing that people here in McAllen, people here in the Rio Grande Valley, love to exercise, love to get out, love to be active,” said Denny Meline, director of McAllen Parks and Recreation.
flow to the legs or arms.
In some of the worst-case scenarios, the disease can lead to leg amputations. In 2023, Texas reported 5% of every 10,000 hospital discharges were for diabetes related amputations and each Valley county exceeded that rate: Hidalgo reported 6.8%, Cameron reported 7.8%, Starr reported 11.% and Willacy reported 12.9%, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Being aware of the high prevalence of amputations, Mego opened his clinic, the Mission Vascular and Vein Institute to treat patients with blocked arteries to avoid unnecessary amputations.
“The Valley has one of the highest incidence of amputations in the whole country,” Mego said, estimating about two to three amputations a week at each local hospital. “I was overwhelmed, everybody was overwhelmed.”
The constant drumbeat of headlines referring to Valley residents as obese or otherwise unhealthy motivated him to become board-certified in obesity. He launched a weight-loss program and began producing educational YouTube videos, though both were discontinued due to time constraints.
Changing trends
Getting an entire region to take advantage of recreational activities and change their habits is a giant endeavor, but Mego is encouraged by positive changes at the individual level.
Patients of his who were classified as obese were able to lose weight by changing
He pointed out that despite the negative perception when it comes to obesity, McAllen has come out on top for the last seven years in the large group category of the annual Healthier Texas Challenge, a statewide competition held annually.
Meline also highlighted the efforts of officials from neighboring cities and Hidalgo County who have launched their own fitness initiatives and are collaborating with McAllen to connect their walking trails.
“We definitely identify that there is a concern here,” Meline said regarding the unflattering labels the city has received as being the “fattest” in the nation. “Taking those initiatives and putting those out in the community is how we help try to curb that.”
Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Disclosure: American Diabetes Association, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and UTHealth Houston have been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/23/rio-grande-valley-texas-health-diabetes/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.