Latest local news, weather, high school sports in the Rio Grande Valley

Yesterday at 6:17 PM  Governor Rick Perry signs a bill for mandatory drug testing for some unemployment recipients.

Friday, June 14, 2013  The changes already approved by the Texas House and Senate would require workers who lose their jobs to fill out state questionnaires. Answers considered suspicious lead to drug tests. Anyone failing a test would lose their benefits.

Sunday, May 26, 2013  Workers who lose their jobs would have to clear a drug screening to qualify for unemployment compensation

Wednesday, May 22, 2013  More than an hour of delaying tactics from House Democrats has blocked a vote on a hotly debated bill that would have mandated drug testing for some welfare applicants.

Monday, April 15, 2013  A bill that would require some applicants for unemployment benefits to take a drug test is a step closer to becoming law.

Friday, April 05, 2013  Convergys is having trouble finding qualified applicants to fill positions even though Hidalgo county has an 11 percent unemployment rate.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013  A Texas lawmaker is demanding financial evidence to support a plan for government-sponsored drug-testing for people receiving unemployment benefits.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  Research conducted by the Texas Workforce Solutions states that Hidalgo, Starr County and Willacy County remain the highest in unemployment, a rate of 12.1%.  Despite the alarming numbers, Workforce Solutions says the jobs are here.

Friday, March 08, 2013  The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area currently has a jobless rate of 11.6 percent.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  One move or lack thereof by Congress could threaten to change Hidalgo County's unemployment rate.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013  Harlingen gets to keep its title as the “Cheapest City in the United States" for another year.

Monday, February 04, 2013  The unemployment rate is still high. In the Valley the unemployment rate is at about 10.3% as of December 2012. In this competitive market it’s a fight for survival.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012  When you live pay check to pay check and you're boss can't pay you five weeks in a row, wallets get really tight, not knowing where to turn one family turned to Action 4 News.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012  About 80 percent of businesses require a drug test before an employee is hired—and sometimes random checks are done throughout the year to make sure they are in compliance.

Sunday, October 21, 2012  Texas Workforce Solutions said that the unemployment rate in Texas dropped to 6.8 percent in September.