LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - As many teachers and students get ready for the new school year, United ISD is continuing to its efforts to make sure that every department is fully staffed.

According to UISD Associate Superintendent of Human Resources David Canales, nationwide, school districts are struggling to fill all types of positions.

While the district looks to hire roughly 120 teachers, there is one department that is understaffed which is the transportation department.

“We are all looking for bus drivers, we are all looking for custodians there’s a big need,” said Canales. “Our school board graciously recently upgraded their pay to $15 an hour and we’re hoping that we can get some more bus drivers that way and fill in those vacancies if we do not have enough.”

UISD’s Transportation Administrator Danny Trevino said that the district is hoping to add 20 bus drivers that will operate the new buses which will be tasked with taking elementary, middle and high school students to campus in the mornings and afternoons.

Those looking to apply for the bus driver position must be 18 years or older, and will need a CDL license with a P and S endorsement which the district helps drivers acquire.

“We train them here; we also guide them on all the procedures for pre and post inspections and we help them before they go to DPS to get their license,” said Trevino.

While the district currently has 6,000 full time employees and roughly a thousand part time workers, Canales reminds jobseekers that the district is constantly hiring throughout the school year.

UISD will be hosting a job fair this Thursday, August 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the district’s Support Service Center.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A tractor-trailer was found tipped over on its side on Tuesday, July 30, at around 3:00 p.m.

The incident happened at 300 block of Union Pacific Boulevard and Laredo Police as well as EMTs were seen at the site.

Laredo Fire Department says no injuries were reported after the accident.

More information will come as the investigation continues.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Jennifer Lozano’s family has arrived in Paris ahead of her first fight in the Olympic Games on Thursday, August 1, at the North Paris Arena. Lozano, who secured her place in the Olympics last October, will be competing for a gold medal.

The top U.S. 110-pound woman boxer expressed her gratitude for having her family and coaches with her. “I feel great. I feel very proud. I feel like I wouldn’t want anybody else here,” Lozano said. “Having my family and my coaches, who are still in the hotel, but having them here is all I need. Like these are the only people I need. These are my people. They’ve seen me sweat. They’ve seen me cry. They’ve seen me bleed. They’ve seen that process that nobody else on social media or the team or anybody else has really, really seen. So having them here cheering me on and hearing them from the stands, that’s everything I could have ever dreamt or asked for.”

A special thanks to Karen Gaytan, who is in Paris working on a documentary about Lozano and helped provide some footage for this story. For updates, visit traviesadocumentary.com.

Lozano’s opponent in the round of 16 will be Finland’s Pihla Kaivo Oja, who won earlier against Zambia’s Margret Tembo. A potential match-up against Mexico’s Fatima Herrera could follow if Lozano and Herrera win their respective fights.

Lozano’s fight against Kaivo Oja will be available for streaming on Peacock and the Olympics apps on August 1.

A 31-year-old woman from McAllen, TX, could face life in prison for smuggling drugs worth more than $240,000.

Yanelli Petra Lozano pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute 124 pounds of methamphetamine through a Laredo port of entry.

The incident occurred last Sunday, the 28th, when at approximately 3 p.m. Lozano drove her Honda Odyssey vehicle over one of the entry bridges and agents discovered a secret compartment in the floor of the minivan.

After a thorough inspection, agents found 124 pounds of methamphetamine in different packages.

Lozano admitted that he was recruited to transport drugs from McAllen to San Antonio in exchange for $8,000.

Lozano was accompanied by another woman named Xochilt A. Sosa who is awaiting legal status.

Lozano could face life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.

Sentencing has been set for a later date.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department reported a rollover accident on the southbound lanes of I-35 in front of Texas Roadhouse. The accident happened Monday, July 29, at 9 a.m.

Emergency units were blocking the far left lane headed south. Drivers were advised to use caution and expect delays.

Officials with the Laredo Police and Fire departments have confirmed there were no injuries at the scene.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - It has been nearly three weeks since Carlos Contreras Jr. was last heard from. His mother, Ana Contreras, spoke exclusively to KGNS+, expressing concern for her 24-year-old son, who suffers from a mental illness that requires medication.

Contreras was last seen wearing black clothing, white Puma shoes, white shorts, and a black shirt. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has short brown hair, and has a tattoo on his right hand that reads ‘Ana.’

Ana Contreras said the family visited a home where they think he was last seen. She noted that this is not the first time her son has gone missing, but it’s unusual for him to turn off his phone. “Yes, it did happen before but for one, two, three days -- maybe hours, but he never turned off his phone. It’s very sad and frustrating because the Laredo Police Department is not helping me,” she said.

If you have seen him, call the Laredo Police Department at 956-795-2800. Please share this information to help bring him back to his family.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A search warrant leads to the discovery of drugs and a firearm being confiscated in Central Laredo on Thursday, July 25.

The incident happened at the 1900 block of Maryland Ave. when investigators from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office went inside a house.

At the residence, they found drugs such as cocaine and marijuana.

Deputies also recovered a handgun and a bulletproof vest.

The discovery led to 20-year-old Guillermo Francis Martinez being arrested for multiple charges related to this incident.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating Carlos Contreras Jr., 24, who was reported missing.

Contreras was last seen wearing black clothing, white Puma shoes, white shorts, and a black shirt. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has short brown hair, and has a tattoo on his right hand reading “Ana.”

Contreras may have difficulty seeking help due to a condition that requires medication. If you have seen him, call the Laredo Police Department at (956) 795-2800. Please share this information to help bring him back to his family.