LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - On Monday, July 23, the City Council held a Special Meeting to discuss the Laredo City Charter with several City Council positions up for vote in the November ballot.

The subject of discussion being, should the mayor hold the power to veto and be allowed to vote on City Council matters.

Currently, the mayor is only assigned a vote in the case of a tie between councilmembers.

The proposed change to the Charter would allow the mayor to vote even in the case where there is no tie.

The mayor also currently has the veto power that may be overridden by five votes. The proposed change would raise that power to override a vote to six votes.

Councilmembers such as Alyssa Cigarroa of District 8, and Melissa Cigarroa of District 3, voiced their disagreement stating the mayor should either keep the power to vote or be allowed to vote in City Council matters, but not both.

The Council settled on:

• Keeping the power to override at 5 votes

• Giving the Mayor the power to vote on City Council matters

• Allowing the mayor to keep their veto power

However, any decisions made would still have to go through City Council to eventually be placed on the ballot in November.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Operation Border Health Preparedness is on its second day of a week-long event.

For the past 20 years, South Texas cities partner up with the state to offer free medical, dental, and vision services to the community.

The Texas State Guard invites the public to take advantage of the health screenings and services, which include:

• Behavioral health

• Blood pressure screenings

• Diabetes screenings

• General medical exams

• Haircuts

• Hearing screenings

• Immunizations

• Nutrition education

• Social Services

• Sport physicals

• Tobacco cessation education

• Vision screenings

Texas State Guard, Col. Daniel O’Neill commented, “It’s a way for us to integrate with the community and help them in an exercise form but actually delivering care and services to those in need. There’s other sites down in McAllen, Brownsville for example and there are State Guard members there providing similar services to what we have today.”

Anyone interested can go or visit the United South high 9th Grade Campus located on 3819 Aguanieve Drive.

Those wanting services must take a valid form of ID.

For more information on Operation Border Health Preparedness services and locations, click here.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A man has been indicted for his role in a conspiracy involving the importation of what is believed to be the largest amount of fentanyl precursors ever found in the Southern District of Texas and one of the largest in the country.

So far this year, first responders in our community have reported 27 deaths related to fentanyl poisoning. While that number continues to rise, federal officials have announced a recent bust they are calling a significant step forward in the war on fentanyl.

On Tuesday, Minsu Fang, also known as Fernando, appeared before Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo. Fang is accused of importing enough fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to kill millions of Americans. According to U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani, Fang allegedly imported over 2,000 kilograms (more than two tons) of raw materials from China, destined for various locations in Mexico for the manufacture of fentanyl.

The unsealed charges allege that Fang and his associates shipped the chemicals from China into the U.S. and then to Mexico in roughly 100 separate shipments between August and October of 2023. Some of the chemicals were found in various UPS shipments. Agents also seized a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet provided by Fang, which contained the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and tracking numbers of the packages expected to be shipped to Mexico, thus preventing the substances from reaching the streets of Laredo.

Hernan Martinez from the Laredo Fire Department knows firsthand the signs and symptoms that a person might have consumed fentanyl. “Fentanyl is being found in all types of drugs, whether it would be cocaine, any type of pill form, or any illegal drugs. We’re finding that most people are not trying to do fentanyl, but it just happens that the drugs they are trying to consume have fentanyl, and that’s when overdoses happen,” Martinez explains.

Martinez described the signs of fentanyl overdose: “Some of the signs and symptoms are pinpoint pupils, so you look at the part of their eyes; if it’s very, very small, that’s one of the major signs we look for. Other signs include unconsciousness, slow respiration, or gurgling sounds, especially when the person doesn’t snore. It’s best to check them, and of course, being unconscious.”

Local agencies continue to promote awareness of the deadly consequences of fentanyl and ways to help someone who has overdosed. “The only thing that would help that person would be Narcan. We have multiple locations available for the community that are completely free here at our administration building, and I know the south side has a Narcan cabinet, and there are 8 rec centers in the city that have Narcan cabinets available,” Martinez added.

If convicted, Fang could face life in prison and a $10 million fine. His next court hearing is set for Tuesday, July 30th, at the Laredo federal courthouse.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department asks the local community for help with identifying a man wanted for invasive visual recording.

The recording took place on Tuesday, June 23, at a retail store located by 1600 block of Water Street, also known as The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect should call Laredo Crime Stoppers at (956) 727-TIPS (8477).

You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers P3 App under “subject ID” and reference #24-0708 when submitting.

Anyone with information may be eligible for a cash reward.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Laredo Border Patrol agents worked together with the Encinal Police Department to stop a human smuggling attempt involving 17 undocumented citizens.

The undocumented individuals had been locked inside a tractor trailer before authorities arrived, and included people of various ages along the sides of the trailer.

Once the trailer had been opened and the individuals had been removed, they were all taken into custody and processed accordingly.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The recent decision by President Joe Biden to step aside from the 2024 presidential race has sparked a wave of reactions locally and nationally.

In 2020, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris secured over 40,000 votes in Webb County. As Biden’s announcement not to seek reelection reverberates, local officials and experts are weighing the potential impact on the upcoming presidential election.

Dr. Simon Zschirnt, a political science professor at Texas A&M International University, called Biden’s decision unprecedented. “This would be the first example of a president dropping out after participating in the primary process and winning the nomination. It hasn’t happened previously at this late date,” Zschirnt said.

He also noted the risks involved, stating, “Historically, parties with divisive processes rejecting their nominee have not done well in November. If you’re not unifying your party early, there’s a chance of substantial defections, and people may not get on board.”

Local reactions vary. Many KGNS viewers on social media expressed that Biden’s decision does not impact their vote. Some continue to strongly support former President Donald Trump, while others, like Webb County Democratic Chair Sylvia Bruni, are rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

Bruni believes Harris will energize the party. “She’s going to bring a lot of energy. She comes in as a woman, and I think she’ll strengthen support among various constituencies, especially minorities,” Bruni said.

On the Republican side, Webb County Republican Chair Jose Salazar warns against overconfidence. “Republicans cannot be overconfident. It’s going to be a tight race, regardless. It depends on who comes out to vote,” Salazar said.

Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino, who met with Biden three times last year, praised the president’s decision to step down. “This is very important. To see what type of person he is, to step down and not put his personal needs first, shows his character. I admire him for doing that,” Trevino said.

With less than a month until the Democratic Convention on August 19, the party has a crucial task ahead in selecting their nominee.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A child with special needs was found crying and lost Sunday night, July 21, in North Laredo.

The incident happened when Laredo Police where called out to the 7400 block of Michigan Avenue.

The caller reported trying to look for the child’s guardian but was unsuccessful which lead them to contact the police.

While LPD was on the scene, a man identified himself as Gerardo Garcia and told police he was the child’s father.

Police say when officers tried to speak to Garcia, things turned violent leading Garcia to allegedly assault an officer.

Garcia was then arrested for leaving his child and for assaulting a police officer.