Wednesday, December 17OUR UPCOMING MARCH EDITION WILL BE HERE SOON

Author: Staff/Guest

Spring graduation falls shy of fall semester
Academia, Business, Health, News, On Campus

Spring graduation falls shy of fall semester

Spring graduation falls shy of fall semester By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Monday, May 11, 2020  This spring’s graduation occurs at the beginning of the fall semester on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Sames Auto Arena, due to the pandemic. On April 17, Texas A&M International University President Pablo Arenaz, appeared in a video in full regalia, in front of the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts organ, speaking to the 50th graduating class in TAMIU history. He said the graduation ceremony, along with summer commencement exercises, would be postponed until mid-August before the start of the fall semester because of the coronavirus pandemic affecting day-to-day routines. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on life as we know it,” Arenaz told viewers of ...
$4.75 million TAMIU CARES Program grants emergency funds to students
Academia, Education, Finance, Health, News, On Campus, Web Exclusive

$4.75 million TAMIU CARES Program grants emergency funds to students

$4.75 million TAMIU CARES Program grants emergency funds to students By Jessica RodriguezDirector of PhotographyPublished Monday, May 4, 2020 On April 24, TAMIU announced it will give emergency grants to students thanks to the TAMIU CARES Program. These funds could begin disbursing to applicants as early as May 8. As one of the many universities which received this emergency grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act approved by the Department of Education, Texas A&M International University was awarded $9 million. This amount was based on the number of students enrolled who qualify for the Pell Grant and those who do not. According to the CARES Act, the money would be split in half so $4.75 million will go to the university and the other half provided to...
OPINION: Following an amazing editor
In Our View, Opinion

OPINION: Following an amazing editor

OPINION: Following an amazing editor EDITOR'S VIEWBy David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Monday, May 4, 2020 I, David Gomez Jr., am the latest editor-in-chief of The Bridge student newspaper at TAMIU. Many of you who have already seen my articles and editorials knew I had some great big shoes to fill. David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chief Matt, the editor-in-chief before me, was a shining example of what it took to run a campus student newspaper. He had the will, the fortitude, the social skills and the natural talent to find a story. Among our own reporters, photographers and editors, he is talked about fondly and they reminisce of his managing and straightforward advice. He was absolutely one of a kind. “I remember when Matt would…,” someone in The Bridge staff would say as I...
Stimulus package falls short for many college students
Business, Finance, News, On Campus, Politics

Stimulus package falls short for many college students

Stimulus package falls short for many college students By Alejandro HernandezBridge Staff WriterandBy Jessica RodriguezDirector of PhotographyPublished Monday, May 4, 2020 On March 26, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The CARES Act bill secured $1,200 for U.S. citizens ages 18 and older and $500 for every dependent child 16 years and younger as a stimulus payment in April. While some received their checks through direct deposit, a large population still awaits theirs. Many college students became disappointed to find out they would not receive financial assistance through the stimulus. The bill did not guarantee a payment made for those claimed as a dependent on a federal tax return; this includes a significant number of college ...
Features, Health, Life & Arts, News

PHOTO GALLERY: Pandemic life

PHOTO STORY: Pandemic life By Jessica RodriguezDirector of PhotographyandAlejandro HernandezBridge Staff WriterPublished Monday, May 4, 2020 Residents shopping for essentials at a local grocery store on April 19. Jessica RodriguezAn abandoned swing set at 3 Points Park amid COVID-19 emergecy orders on April 19. | Jessica RodriguezBuilding a mask. Jessica RodriguezResidents shopping for essentials at a local grocery store on April 19. Jessica RodriguezAn empty street in downtown Laredo due to the closure of nonessential businesses on April 19. | Alejandro HernandezBuilding a mask. Jessica RodriguezResidents shopping for essentials at a local grocery store on April 19.Empty Sears parking lot due to closure of nonessential businesses amid COVID-19 pandemic on April 19. Jessica Rodrigue...
BUSINESSES & VIRUSES: Local business owners adjust to trying times – Part 1
Business, Finance, News

BUSINESSES & VIRUSES: Local business owners adjust to trying times – Part 1

BUSINESSES & VIRUSES: Local business owners adjust to trying times Laredo funeral home follows ordinances By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Monday, April 27, 2020 [Editor's note: This is the first in a series of stories on local businesses and how they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.] The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause disruption for most local businesses, which are  adjusting to the times and new ordinances. Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services made adjustments to observe the nation’s quarantine and city ordinances to further prevent the spread of coronavirus at public events. This Laredo business operated under different names, and management, since the 19th century. Bridge | Jessica RodriguezFred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Ser...
Business, Finance, News

BUSINESSES & VIRUSES: Local business owners adjust to trying times – Part 2

BUSINESSES & VIRUSES: Local business owners adjust to trying times Korean BBQ keeps same tastes By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Monday, April 27, 2020 [Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories on local businesses and how they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.] Korean BBQ continues to serve Laredo one meal at a time, despite the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on its business. Owner Carrie Park started the business at the Shiloh location under the name BBQ Park, but since then changed the name to Korean BBQ to avoid confusing potential customers. The restaurant currently sits on Del Mar Boulevard, not far from Alexander High School. The change added new customers, including those from nearby Texas A&M International University. Bridge |...
Education, Features, Humans of TAMIU, Life & Arts

QUARANTINE CORNER: Dealing with the pandemic – Part 2

QUARANTINE CORNER: Dealing with the pandemic - Part 2 By Jessica RodriguezDirector of PhotographyPublished Monday, April 27, 2020 [Editor’s note: The following is the second installment in a series of articles about different Texas A&M International University students, faculty and staff who are working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope their stories can be as inspiring to you as we found them to be.] Staying at home 24/7 during an almost catastrophic pandemic can be daunting. However, for Texas A&M International University art student Elkin Cortez, he sees this as an opportunity to get back to his creative ventures. Cortez possesses multiple talents, including art, photography and even a knack for making YouTube videos in his spare time. He says that ...
Espinosa reflects on season
Men's Basketball, Sports

Espinosa reflects on season

Espinosa reflects on season By Julynne da Silva SaBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 27, 2020 Coach Jeremy Espinosa took over coaching responsibilities for the men’s basketball team, following the absence of coach Joel Taylor. On the transition from assistant coach to calling the shots, he talks about the challenges he overcame in order to be seen differently by his players. “The biggest challenge was changing the vibe of the team in a positive way,” Espinosa said. “At the same time not being too soft on the players. Creating that balance took time, but now it's at a place where I can have fun with the players off the court and be strictly business once it's time to get to work.”  Before he started coaching, Espinosa played junior college ball in Oklahoma an...
Chasing ‘black gold’
Business, Features

Chasing ‘black gold’

Chasing ‘black gold’ By Tiffani De La OBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 27, 2020 Three hours North of Laredo lies one of many oilfield drilling rigs. These rigs run around the clock without any means of stopping, which makes this profession one of the most demanding in the world.  Working in the oilfields backtracks to 1859 when the first American oil well was discovered. OPEC started up in 1960 in order to coordinate and create a union between 14 of its members, all foreign countries—the U.S. not among them. Under the guidelines of that organization, crude oil is being drilled every day, worldwide, to produce energy, gasoline and other resources used on a daily basis. Each barrel, which contains about 40 gallons of crude oil, makes 19 gallons of gasoline....
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