Alerts VMS

A new book about the U.S.-Mexico border is seeking to give readers an intimate look at an area of the country that has long been displayed in national media as a region dominated by border wall, immigration crises and cartel violence.

RAYMONDVILLE — After years of planning, the Raymondville school district is launching a program offering graduating seniors two-year scholarships aimed at helping more low-income students earn college degrees.

Eight Valley teams in the NASA HUNCH program this year are advancing to showcase their projects for a final design review at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston on April 16 and 17.

HARLINGEN — At Valle Vista Mall, the tall glass doors were shut Wednesday, with most of its remaining stores closed after the city cut off utilities when its owners failed to pay the bill — again.

HARLINGEN — Fermin Zamorano in his white lab coat and stethoscope moved from one table to another, exploring all the opportunities within his reach.

McALLEN — Mikhuna, a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in McAllen brings a one-of-a-kind taste to the Valley with a mix of traditional South American dishes and Nikkei, a fusion of Peruvian ingredients shaped by Japanese techniques.

ALAMO — The loud clang of wood and metal and early 2000s hip-hop music seeped out through the large opened garage door and into the parking lot of the New Breed School of Wrestling in McAllen.

BROWNSVILLE — Just like other college sport dynasties such as Nick Saban’s Alabama football or Geno Auriemna’s University of Connecticut Women’s basketball, the UTRGV Chess Program has established itself as a powerhouse in the sport and is looking to add another title competing in this year’s Final Four of Collegiate Chess this weekend.

SAN BENITO — A year after the San Benito school district’s shutdown of a $40 million bond-funded project, an insurance company is taking over construction after the school board placed its contractor in default of its contract.

With last November’s passage of a constitutional amendment that more than doubles the state’s homestead tax exemption, there’s more reason than ever for eligible homeowners to take advantage of it.