In the News

WASHINGTON - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez today announced that the National Institute of Aging, under the direction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute of Health, has awarded $657,603 to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Alzheimer's Disease Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research. The NIA awarded UTRGV $3,276,391 to establish the Partnerships for Progress Center. The Center is one of the AD-RCMAR's aimed to enhance the diversity of the research workforce of minority aging devoted to Alzheimer´s disease.

MCALLEN, RGV – President Trump on Monday announced a preliminary deal between the United States and Mexico to modernize trade between the two countries.

In front of reporters assembled in the Oval House, Trump called Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to congratulate him on the potential accord. Trump said the deal could replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Under the deal, at least 75 percent of the content of autos sold in the trade block must be made in North America. While 40 percent must be made by workers earning at least $16 an hour.

MCALLEN, RGV – Following a visit to Guatemala, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez says the United States can and should do more to encourage Guatemalans to avoid migrating to the U.S.

Gonzalez visited Guatemala with U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Congressmen Ruben Kihuen of Nevada. The visit included a meeting with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales. The congressional delegation also visited Mexico City.

Gonzalez said the agenda in Guatemala included discussions on alleviating the "push factors" for irregular migration by improving American foreign policy.

MCALLEN, RGV – Having had a successful meeting with Andrés Manuel López Obrador's chief of staff in Mexico City, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez feels comfortable in inviting Mexico's next president to the Rio Grande Valley.

Gonzalez was part of a congressional delegation that visited Mexico and Guatemala. The delegation included U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Congressman Ruben Kihuen of Nevada.

McALLEN — A robbery attempt at a local jewelry store here inside La Plaza Mall has ended with seven people in custody, according to McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.

Initial reports of shots being fired were incorrect and attributed to the sound of smashing glass cases during the incident, according to Rodriguez and Lt. Joel Morales of the McAllen Police Department.

Morales said there were no injuries reported, at least that police are aware of.

Amid a disaster, it's incumbent upon president, congressmen to put differences aside

Edinburg resident Guadalupe E. Aguirre recently wrote to you about how I thanked the president for issuing a federal disaster declaration for the Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend. I believe it is mine and the president's responsibility to put our differences aside and work together to rebuild our communities.

Rio Grande Valley congressmen asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Wednesday to send more Spanish-speaking workers to the area.

U.S. Reps. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, penned the letter to FEMA Administrator William B. Long requesting the agency "provide representatives that can speak Spanish."