EDINBURG, Texas - Pharr businessman Robert Lozano, CEO of F&P Brands, and his wife Laurie are to donate $1 million from the Robert & Laurie Lozano Family “Life Currency” Endowment to benefit Driscoll Children’s Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.

Driscoll’s leadership says the funding will ensure children in the Valley will always have access to world-class care while supporting Driscoll’s healthcare workers.

F&P Brands run the Dairy Queen franchise in the Valley. Dairy Queen RGV said:

“Together with Driscoll Children’s Hospital, we announced the $1 million Robert & Laurie Lozano Family “Life Currency” Endowment. This fund will support Driscoll Healthcare workers and ensure that local children can always access world-class medical care. A portion of the funds will provide monetary incentives to frontline staff, while the rest will support the Driscoll Way program, offering training and development opportunities.

“F&P Brands believes that “Life Currency” are those intangible gifts like learning and personal development that are provided to team members through programs like the Driscoll Way, which enrich their lives personally and professionally and extend beyond the hospital walls.

“We're incredibly grateful to our team and fans for their unwavering support. Your contributions are making a real difference in the lives of countless children and families and allows us all to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

“Together, we are Miracle Makers. Together, We Heal.”

Here is an audio recording of the remarks Robert and Laurie Lozano made at a press conference held to announce the donation.


Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

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MCALLEN, Texas - A former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico says chambers of commerce and the business community in general can help turn down ugly political rhetoric.

Antonio Garza was asked if political rhetoric hampers trade negotiations and good trade policies. He was asked this question by Cynthia Sakulenzki, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, during a recent webinar that RGVHCC organized.

“I'm kind of glad you asked that one, because I do think it gives me an opportunity to say something to the role that the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber can play, and other private sector (entities can play) as we prepare for the (USMCA) sunset review process - whether it initiates on day one of the new administration, or whether you have a more institutional process that allows for some time to think about it,” Garza said.

“I think, typically, the rhetoric coming out of really all three countries (the United States, Mexico, and Canada), at times acts as a headwind. That outsized rhetoric makes it hard for people to sit at the table and work towards solutions and the ability for the private sector to help shape the debate, drive the debate, inform the debate is very good.”

Garza said he is of the view that the notion of political leadership is almost an oxymoron.

"You get more leadership out of the private sector. And office holders, if they know that the private sector is active and engaged, are more likely to listen and more likely to be responsive. So, it can create kind of a virtuous thing, but I think it has to be driven by the private sector,” Garza said.

“Without the private sector involvement, the political rhetoric tends to be kind of loud, not as well informed, and acts as a headwind to actually getting good and constructive things done.”

Garza noted that while the question from Sakulenzki was asked in relation to trade matters between the United States and Mexico, it could just as easily apply to immigration policy.

“Immediately, the political class injects kind of a level of rhetorical excess that makes it hard, because people are locked down and take positions before you get into the nuances of, what does reform mean? What do we need in terms of our economy? what do we need in terms of our security? What do we need? And you don't have those conversations if the rhetoric gets too loud and the private sector isn't at the table saying, turn down the volume. Let's try to get something done.

“So, I do think chambers and individual businesspeople play an enormous role in offsetting or at least muting some of the potential harm that outside rhetoric can cause.”

The webinar took place just before the U.S. presidential election.


Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

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AUSTIN, Texas - Viva Benefits, which was co-founded by former Rio Grande Valley teacher Michael Barnes, has announced a $2.2 million pre-seed fundraising round led by Chingona Ventures.

Viva Benefits is a network of affordable housing partners that helps renters access essential benefits like health, education, and financial wellness.

Chingona’s motto is: Investing in the founders of tomorrow at the beginning stages of today.

Samara Hernandez, founding partner at Chingona Ventures, said the new funding will accelerate Viva’s mission to make renter benefits mainstream and help bridge the 40X wealth equity gap between renters and homeowners.

“We are excited to invest in Viva because the founding team understands the real estate and property technology market and Viva has a clear path to scale,” said Samara Hernandez, founding partner at Chingona Ventures.

With the cash infusion, Hernandez has become a member of Viva’s board of directors.

While Chingona has led the fundraising effort, additional investors include Graham & Walker, Techstars Ventures, Altari Ventures, Everywhere Ventures, Vitalize Angels, and Atlanta Technology Angels. Notable angel investors including PadSplit CEO Atticus LeBlanc, and Bob Simpson, founder of the Multifamily Impact Council.

In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Barnes, Viva’s CEO co-founder, said the median net wealth for a renter is approximately $10,000. He said this compares to $400,000 for the median homeowner.

“This is primarily due to home equity. Viva addresses the 40X disparity by empowering housing partners to offer life-changing renter benefits,” said Barnes, a former classroom teacher turned software engineer.

“We are ready to help make renter benefits as commonplace as employer benefits, and for our housing partners to reap the same rewards employers do – from increased retention to reduced expenses.”

Barnes explained that Viva enables renters — including primarily diverse, low- to middle-income families — to access essential benefits such as health, education, and financial wellness. He gave examples such as telehealth, virtual tutoring for kids, cash back in a high-yield savings account, and pre-qualification for grants to buy a home.

“This helps renters to stay healthy and happily employed, so they can pay their rent, maintain a stable home, and build wealth to make forward progress on their personal goals, like homeownership.”


Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story,

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AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Transportation Commission has appointed Teclo J. Garcia, CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, to two advisory committees.

They are the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) and the Freight Advisory Committee (FAC). Both make recommendations to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TTC Commissioner Alejandro “Alex” Meade nominated Garcia. Meade said both committees are instrumental in developing policy recommendations and initiatives aimed at streamlining trade and freight transport across Texas, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Texas needs leaders who understand the importance of a robust, efficient transportation network, and Teclo is exactly the kind of advocate who will help us build on our strengths and support economic growth across the state,” Meade said. “His expertise in economic development and deep understanding of the region’s trade dynamics brings a vital perspective to these committees, where decisions made impact the flow of goods across Texas’ highways and ports.”

Garcia said his appointment reflects Mission EDC’s commitment to positioning South Texas as a leader in efficient trade, strengthening the local economy, and addressing infrastructure needs that support business growth and public safety.

"It’s a tremendous honor to join the Border Trade and Freight Advisory Committees,” Garcia said. “This is a valuable opportunity to represent not only the City of Mission but the entire South Texas region. I look forward to working with Commissioner Meade and the TxDOT team to develop infrastructure solutions that advance economic resilience and growth for our communities. I also want to thank Secretary of State Jane Nelson and TxDOT Executive Director Marc D. Williams for their leadership in supporting Texas’ trade and transportation priorities.”

In an audio interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, Garcia thanked Meade and the Mission EDC board of directors.

Mission EDC Board President Richard Hernandez commended Garcia for his dedication to advancing public policy.

“We are incredibly proud of Teclo’s appointment and what it means for our organization and community,” Hernandez said. “This recognition by Commissioner Meade affirms Teclo’s strategic leadership and our commitment to a thriving South Texas economy.”

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PHARR, Texas - DHR Health has held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new public-private behavioral health facility it is building in north Pharr.

The hospital campus will be located at 4800 North Jackson Road in Pharr and will include a new 161,000 square foot building. The City of Pharr is providing the land.

Following an appropriation by the Texas Legislature last session, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing a $85 million dollar grant for the state-of-the-art project. The City of Pharr is providing the land.

“This morning, we are here to mark a major milestone, a very meaningful step going forward in addressing mental health needs, not only here in the Rio Grande Valley, but throughout the state of Texas,” said Marissa Castañeda, senior executive vice president, at the start of the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This day would not be possible without the invaluable support of our partners across the region. We are especially grateful for the City of Pharr. DHR Health's new behavioral hospital will soon be built. This partnership has truly helped bring our vision to life.”

Yuri Gonzalez, the City of Pharr’s news director agreed.

“I'm truly honored to be here representing everybody that works with the great City of Pharr. This project really represents our shared commitment in improving mental health services, but also building a stronger, healthier, more resilient community, and that's what we plan to do,” said Gonzalez, who shared emceeing duties with Castañeda.

“I'm truly inspired and seeing our leaders with the City of Pharr and just other great leaders coming together, making sure that this project, but most importantly, that this vision becomes a reality. So once again, congratulations to everyone involved in this great project,” Gonzalez said.

DHR Health currently operates an 87-bed inpatient behavioral hospital in Edinburg. The DHR Health Behavioral Hospital will have 100 beds, with a focus on providing a comprehensive approach to mental health care for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. The hospital will also house intensive outpatient therapy programs.

“What an honor it is for me to stand before you this morning at what I call a transformational change in healthcare that is going on at the greater bedside that is our community. We as physicians are trained to heal and to treat patients and take those powers and knowledge and wisdom to be able to assess and then properly treat an individual mind, body and soul,” said Dr. Carlos Cardenas, MD, chairman of the board of DHR Health, in his remarks from the podium.

“Today, we stand at a crossroads. DHR health has been at the forefront of transforming healthcare in South Texas. It has been a transformational journey. One point four million people deserve the same level of healthcare to any other similar sized metropolitan area. And that is us.”

Piece by piece, DHR has been adding to the jigsaw puzzle, Cardenas said.

“Today, we break ground on a tremendous piece of that puzzle that has come forth as a cooperative, corroborative, public-private venture between DHR Health, the City of Pharr, the State of Texas, and our greater community at large. This is how great things happen. It's how transformation happens.”

The new hospital is expected to open in the summer of 2026 and will represent Pharr’s first hospital. Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, MD, said the new hospital is “a transformative milestone” for Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley because it will bring critical mental health services directly to the community.

Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

MCALLEN, Texas - Dr. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, Ph.D., still calls the Rio Grande Valley home, even though she is now a professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

The renowned scholar taught for many years at UT-Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville. She came back to the region recently for two speeches. One was titled “Beyond Boundaries: A Dialogue on U.S.-Mexico Border Security.” The other was titled, “Frontera: The Rio Grande Valley Advantage.” Both were held at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus in McAllen.

In her remarks, Correa-Cabrera said the United States’ policies on illegal drug consumption, immigration, and asylum had all failed.

“More drugs are consumed in the United States than ever in the history of this country. Billions of dollars have been spent in drug prevention, in the administration and in collaboration with countries of the Americas. And we're not solving this problem,” Correa-Cabrera said.

“The same way with immigration policies. Operation Hold The Line, all the money that has been spent on enforcement on both sides and militarization of both sides of the border, spending on more on boots on the ground. And the reality is that we are still seeing that the immigration system is broken, the asylum system is broken.”

Correa-Cabrera said these issues are not being addressed in the appropriate way.

“Everything is being focused on the border, when really the problems and the root causes are not on the border. They can be solved in the places where this problem originated, such as addiction or drug consumption,” Correa-Cabrera said.

“Why do we have to focus on the border to solve a problem that originated in different cities of the United States. In a society that cannot offer the promised dream… the American Dream is not anymore for a number of people. What is driving the drug epidemic in United States are not the cartels. Therefore this proposal of declaring a war on Mexican cartels is completely out of place.”

The first of Correa-Cabrera’s presentations at STC came the day before the U.S. presidential election. The second came on Election Day morning, before the results were known. Correa-Cabrera acknowledged that the election would have far reaching implications.

"We're going to see a major change in terms of discourse if one candidate wins and some type of continuity if the other candidate wins. We know what we're talking about,” Correa-Cabrera said.

Correa-Cabrera noted that some Republican leaders have proposed direct action by the US military on Mexican soil in order to thwart the Mexican cartels. “This will have a very important effect on US-Mexico relations,” she said.

Correa-Cabrera currently lives in Mexico. “I'm doing research on human smuggling and criminal networks,” she explained. “It's really worrisome what I am observing in terms of the criminal dynamics.”

Editor’s Note: Here is an audio recording of the first of Correa-Cabrera’s presentations at STC. It was titled: “Beyond Boundaries: A Dialogue on U.S.-Mexico Border Security.”

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

HARLINGEN, Texas - Eugenio Marín, CEO of Fundación México-Estados Unidos para la Ciencia (FUMEC), gave an in-depth presentation on the semiconductor industry at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen on Nov. 5.

The "Friends of COSTEP" event was titled “Navigating the Growing Semiconductor Industry.” It was co-hosted by the Council for South Texas Economic Progress and Harlingen Economic Development Corporation and drew economic development leaders from Matamoros, Harlingen, and McAllen.

Here is an audio recording of Marín’s presentation, along with a Q&A that followed. Marín is introduced by COSTEP Economic Development Director Rick Carrera.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

MCALLEN, Texas - Former U.S. ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza recently appeared on a webinar hosted by the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

In his remarks, Garza gave his predictions about future US-Mexico relations and what the new presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico might mean. Garza also spoke about violence in Mexico and international trade.

The first question was posed by RGVHCC board member Julian Alvarez. He asked what the US and more specifically the border region can expect from Sheinbaum's administration. This audio recording features Garza's answer to this.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.