AUSTIN, Tex. (KGNS) - In an announcement from Austin, Acting Governor Dan Patrick outlined the counties included in the disaster declarations, which span from coastal regions to inland areas. The affected counties are:

Aransas, Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, LaSalle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Matagorda, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Uvalde, Victoria, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Wilson, Zapata, and Zavala.

These declarations come as Tropical Storm Beryl continues to advance toward the Texas coast, with forecasters predicting potential impacts ranging from strong winds to heavy rainfall and possible storm surges.

Local officials and emergency management teams are urging residents in the affected areas to prepare for severe weather conditions and to heed any evacuation orders issued for their safety.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A 40-year-old man was found dead Friday morning in a Laredo shopping center, with police suspecting a possible overdose.

On Friday, July 5, at around 10:58 a.m., Laredo police officers answered a call about an unresponsive person in a shopping center in the 4600 block of San Bernardo Avenue. They found a 40-year-old man unconscious with no signs of life. Paramedics were called and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Investigators found drug paraphernalia near the body. There were no signs of foul play. The death is being looked into as a possible overdose, pending the autopsy report by the medical examiner’s office.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A woman is arrested after allegedly assaulting a security guard Wednesday night.

Video was sent to the KGNS newsroom of several police officers in the parking lot of a shopping center in north Laredo.

The incident occurred at the 9800 block of McPherson Road around 11 p.m. when a viewer spotted multiple police units.

The woman was identified as 44-year-old Gabrielle Marie Madrigal Pena, and she was charged with assault.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - This Thursday, millions across the nation will celebrate our nation’s independence with a bang–including those in Laredo.

Seven-year-old Krystal Castillo is one of many kids who is looking forward to the 4th of July festivities at Independence Hills Park.

“Something fun, something fun to see [like] the fireworks or we’re going to maybe buy some fireworks to do that,” Krystal shares. “We’re going to put a tent right there so we can see the fireworks.”

The festivities will be one of many events where people can come together to celebrate the red, white, and blue.

“I’m coming to this park to celebrate with my family and watch the fireworks, and I don’t know if we are going to eat out or eat at home,” Yanira Lopez, a Laredo mother, says about her Independence Day plans.

Lopez says she enjoys the fireworks show, but believes that they should be left to the professionals.

“I think the most dangerous ones are the small fireworks, the ones that the kids use but not the ones that they shoot up here,” she shares.

The City of Laredo Parks director is encouraging families to bring their food, drinks, and snacks to the parks but there are some rules parkgoers need to keep in mind.

Director J.J. Gomez says, “We have quite [the amount of] barbecue pits throughout the parks, but anything that starts a fire on the grounds is not allowed. If they bring something with little legs on it that they can help stand them up, they are allowed. Of course, no alcohol is the parks are allowed as well.”

While fireworks may be seen as an annual tradition that many look forward to, Investigator Joe Baeza, with the Laredo Police Department, says that they are prohibited within city limits.

“We do have a lot of dry areas and a lot of brush, and we do get a lot of calls regarding stray fireworks,” Inv. Baeza tells us. “You can’t control where they go, especially the aerial ones and so they [can] start fires, especially if you live near a monte, or brush.”

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The City of Laredo is closely monitoring Hurricane Beryl’s potential threat for possible rain and strong winds. The Emergency Operation Center has been at Level 3 since last week, working with the National Weather Service to track the storm.

Residents are urged to prepare:

1. Know where you are and how to leave if needed.

2. Make a family plan for emergencies.

3. Get food, water, and medicine ready.

4. Watch for updates and weather forecasts.

For updates, visit:

• National Hurricane Center

• National Weather Service

Stay tuned for further developments as the city continues to prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Beryl.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Laredo Sector Border Patrol has announced using a new Multi-Energy Portal (MEP), an inspection device for commercial vehicles, at the I-35 Border Patrol Checkpoint. This device aims to make travel safer and speed up trade.

The MEP is an x-ray machine that helps inspect commercial vehicles quickly and safely. It can scan over 150 containers per hour, matching the usual traffic flow at the checkpoint.

The new MEP is part of CBP’s ongoing efforts to boost border security and speed up trade.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two men have been arrested for child pornography following investigations by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, officials announced Tuesday.

On July 2, deputies conducted a search at the 400 block of West Zulema Street in Laredo. Javier Calixto Lopez, 25, was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography with Intent to Distribute. Lopez is in Webb County Jail awaiting court proceedings.

Also on July 2, deputies executed an arrest warrant at the 100 block of Masterson Road. Ramon Castillo Jr., 34, was arrested for possession of child pornography. He is held at Webb County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

“In the past week, our Cyber Crime Unit has arrested three individuals,” said Sheriff Cuellar. “Please report any illegal activity to our hotline at (956) 415-2878.”