LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A young philanthropist is making a difference in the lives of those spending their holidays in a hospital. Ximena Luna, the current “Miss Laredo Elementary,” along with the help of Santa Claus, spent her day spreading Christmas cheer at a local hospital.

Ximena’s mission to give back is deeply personal and rooted in her challenging experience. Having undergone open-heart surgery, the young beauty queen understands firsthand the loneliness and hardships that accompany a hospital stay during the festive season.

“Ximena’s Hope,” a heartfelt project of hers, aims to inspire courage and strength in those facing similar health challenges. On Monday, December 25, Ximena dedicated her time to bringing smiles to patients’ faces, dropping off gifts, and sharing the joy of the holidays.

The “Miss Laredo Elementary” titleholder, adorned in festive attire alongside Santa Claus, made rounds through the hospital corridors, bringing warmth and holiday spirit to each room. Her efforts go beyond the superficial festivities; they carry a message of resilience and hope.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The infamous Grinch, known for his mischievous ways, traded in his trademark scowl for a day of kindness, delivering gifts to children at a local hospital. District 1 Council Member Gilbert Gonzalez successfully convinced the Grinch to embrace the spirit of the season and spread holiday cheer to young patients.

Gonzalez, sharing the heartwarming story, revealed, “I challenged Grinch, and I told Grinch, ‘You know what? I challenge you to be nice to the kids one day out of the year. Let’s go to the hospitals, let’s visit the pediatric kids in their units, and let’s bring them a little teddy bear and a hug.’ And I’m so excited that Grinch agreed to do that.”

The dynamic duo, donned in festive attire, brought joy to the pediatric unit at Laredo Medical Center by delivering Build-A-Bear gifts. The Grinch, with a transformed heart, took on the role of a benevolent gift-giver, bringing smiles to the faces of young patients who are spending the holidays away from home.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - An investigation continues after a man is stabbed over the holiday weekend following a house party in downtown Laredo.

The stabbing happened early Saturday at around six in the evening at the 1900 block of Iturbide Street.

According to Laredo police, a fight broke out at a house party and a 29-year-old ended up getting stabbed by a front door neighbor.

Authorities also mention that during the fight, a 14-year-old discharged his firearm into the air. The suspects fled the scene but were later found that morning at an address on Lee Avenue.

The suspect in the stabbing was identifed as 46-year-old Alfonso Herrera Jr. Herrera took detectives to where he tried to hid the clothes he had on during the stabbing.

Herrera was charged with aggravated assault causing bodily injury and three counts of tampering with evidence.

The 14-year-old was also found on Lee and was arrested for discharging a firearm within a municipality.

Herrera was taken to the Webb County Jail and the teen was taken to the Youth Village.

It’s unclear the relation between the suspects in the case and the victim.

The victim was in serious but stable condition.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A family comes home to discover a fire destroys part of their home over the weekend.

According to Sonia Atherton, her family entered their home on Saturday evening after being out of town for the weekend to discover their entire home full of smoke.

Atherton believes the fire began in one of the rooms towards the back of the home.

Thankfully, no one was home at the time of the incident.

Atherton thanks her church family too for helping them during this time of need with necessities.

“That bedroom was originally my dad’s office and since my dad past away six years ago, my uncle has lived with us. That was his bedroom. His bed, his clothing, his sofa, everything is gone. Thankfully, nobody was injured. Not even our animals. Because nobody was home. I’m thankful because if this had happened maybe during the night when we were sleeping, maybe my uncle wouldn’t be here” Atherton said.

Atherton was told by the fire department that the possible cause of the fire was electrical related.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man is arrested in connection to a shooting where a teen woke up and found himself with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Laredo Police charged Juan De Dios Aguero, 28, with aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault.

The incident was reported on Sunday, Dec. 17 at Santa Cleotilde where a man woke up at 1 p.m. and found out that he had been shot in the leg.

Investigators were able to identify the alleged suspect after reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.

On Dec. 22, 2023,  District Judge Joe Lopez, determined probable cause existed to charge De Dios Aguero.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - Two people are hospitalized following a multi-vehicle crash on Loop 20 early Christmas Eve.

According to Laredo Police, the three vehicle collision was reported on Sunday, Dec. 24 at around 2:30 a.m. on the northbound lane of Loop 20.

Authorities say three cars, a grey Dodge Charger, a grey GMC Sierra and a black GMC Yukon were involved in the collision.

Preliminary reports indicate the Dodge Charger was the vehicle that allegedly caused the accident.

Police say the Sierra and the Yukon were driving north on Loop 20 when the driver of the Charger was traveling southbound on the northbound lanes; driving in the wrong direction and went head on with the Sierra and the Yukon.

The drivers of the Sierra and the Yukon did not require medical attention; however, there were two occupants in the Charger that were critically injured and taken to the hospital.

The two occupants of the Charger were identified, the driver Carlos Arriaga, age 28, and passenger Mauro Castillo, age 43.

The LPD Crash Team and CAPERS are investigating the crash to see why the driver was traveling in the wrong direction as well as their condition during the time of the collision.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Christmas is the season of giving and one local group is doing their part to spread a little holiday cheer.

The L.O.V.E.D Organization will be hosting their annual Christmas food and toy giveaway.

The group and all of their volunteer work the entire year to make this giveaway possible.

The distribution is open to anyone who would like to receive a food bag and toy.

The event will take place on Saturday at the 1100 block of Chihuahua and will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.