LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The names of the 28 Laredoans who were killed during the Vietnam War were put on display in a special monument.

Members of The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council #14 unveiled the dedication at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In attendance were families of 28 fallen service members, the event had many of the families bringing mementos like dog tags with the names of their loved ones.

The monument also featured a special poem performed and written by Judge Oscar Hale.

When asked about the inspiration behind the poem, Hale mentioned, “They never got a welcome home, they never got a parade or even a thank you because the mood/attitude of the time towards veterans was not very favorable. This poem was written and inspired by that. The theme of the poem was that they would be welcomed home or they were welcomed home. Whether they came here to Laredo or if they didn’t make it back, they would come home in heaven.”

The event featured a 21-gun salute by the Laredo Veterans Honor Guard.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - It’s been a contentious item, council members are divided on whether or not the council should continue to enjoy the recently passed pay increase.

The debate ended with the Mayor of the City of Laredo, Dr. Victor Trevino, being asked to veto the passing of the pay increase, and promptly refusing.

The refusal to veto was received by a chorus of disapproval from community members at Laredo City Hall Chambers.

Co-Founder of Network for Opportunity, Progress, Advocacy and Liberation (NOPAL), Dana Moreno, claims she felt disheartened at the decision.

Moreno stated, “To us as the people of Laredo, we feel like we need to prioritize the constituents and the people they represent over the money that they make every year.”

At the city council meeting on November 4, Mayor Trevino explained his refusal to veto, as he saw it as undemocratic because it would override the majority vote of the sitting council members.

Trevino noted, “I do not yield to pressure from the council or any other official, I yield to the public.”

Council Members, Melissa and Alyssa Cigarroa, along with Dr. Tyler King created an online petition to gather signatures.

Moreno added that her organization, alongside other grass-roots movements, had worked to gather over 4,000 signatures petitioning the mayor to veto the item. However, many of the community members were unaware such an item was even being discussed.

Moreno mentioned, “They did not feel that city council members deserved those extra $20,000. And so, once you [Mayor Trevino] clarified to the people what was going on, and once they were able to formulate their own opinions, a majority were against that pay raise.”

Council Member, Melissa Cigarroa, stated that her efforts continue.

Noting, “We didn’t look at the salary level, so I’m bringing forth an agenda item to look at that salary level to see if we could adjust that back down to where it was.”

The base pay of council members increased by about $20k, establishing a salary of $50k for council members, and $75k for the mayor.

Current council members are already receiving the pay increase with only a few choosing to continue to receive their former salary.

It’s important to note that the issue was not legality; the council has the authority to amend language, and the mayor can choose not to veto.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - As a way to help revitalize Downtown Laredo, talks about a proposed passenger train are in the works.

The proposal to reintroduce a passenger train service to Laredo has been in development for several years. This train would cross the border from Mexico into the United States, specifically from Nuevo Laredo to Laredo. The project has received positive feedback from the community.

According to Laredoan, Richard Rodriguez, “I believe this would be a good idea, and I would ride it and give it a try.”

Before that project can become a reality, there are still many things that need to be squared away.

According to Laredo’s Mayor, Dr. Victor Trevino, his plan is to establish a bi-national passenger train that will pass through Laredo’s downtown area. Aiming to revitalize the once-bustling district and attract more visitors.

Recently, Trevino met with Mexican counterparts like Nuevo Laredo leaders along with the Governor of Tamaulipas about the project.

According to Trevino, “There has to be a lot of collaboration and there has to be a lot of the same focus. We have to be on the same page. It’s a plus-plus for the community.”

He [Trevino] says they must meet with the Kansas City Railroad state and federal leaders to come up with a plan for how this project will work.

Trevino added, “Kansas City will need to put in some money too, but it involves money from our city because we have to make amenities in that area.”

A proposal to bring back Laredo’s historic area, increase tourism and boost the economy.

Currently, it’s unknown the timeline of the project or how much money it would cost the City of Laredo.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the World Trade Bridge recently intercepted a shipment of THC products and weapon components attempting entry into the U.S.

The incident occurred last Tuesday, when officers sent a tractor-trailer for secondary inspection due to improper documentation. During the inspection, they uncovered over 40 pounds of THC products, including vape cartridges, seltzer cans, gummies, and THC roll-on gel. Weapon components were also discovered in the shipment.

CBP officers seized the products, weapon parts, and the vehicle. The case has been transferred to Homeland Security for further investigation.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two men, including one from Laredo, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a cocaine distribution operation. Gilbert Saldivar, 45, of Dallas, and Guillermo Fernando Rojo, 39, of Laredo, each pled guilty earlier this year.

Both men received 10-year prison sentences, followed by five years of supervised release. Rojo and a third man, Omar Acosta, 41, also of Laredo, coordinated a 2021 shipment involving cash and cocaine valued at $81,000, leading to their arrests. Saldivar and Rojo are the final members of the drug ring to be sentenced.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two siblings from Laredo have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a human smuggling operation. Carlos Alberto Gonzalez, 23, and his sister, Erica Yazbett Mendoza Gonzalez, 36, a Mexican citizen living illegally in Laredo, pleaded guilty in July.

In March, law enforcement uncovered a stash house holding approximately 20 undocumented immigrants, including two unaccompanied teens. The house lacked electricity, running water, and had not had active utilities since 2022, with trash piled throughout.

Carlos Gonzalez was sentenced to nearly three years in prison, while Erica Gonzalez received nearly five years and faces deportation after her sentence. Notably, Carlos was already on supervised release for a prior human smuggling conviction at the time of this offense.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The nation continues to react to last Tuesday’s election results, with former President Donald Trump reclaiming the Oval Office in a sweeping victory that shifted historically Democratic regions, including Webb County—a county that hadn’t voted Republican in over a century.

Mayor Victor Treviño Weighs In

Laredo’s Mayor, Dr. Victor Treviño, recently spoke with CNN to offer insights on the local and Latino community’s support for Trump. Mayor Treviño highlighted key factors driving the shift, including frustrations over the economy and immigration policies, as well as the community’s desire for change.

Mayor Treviño on the Election:

“Well, we’ve heard all his promises but I think that people just wanted to change. They want to focus on getting some common-sense immigration reform done. And the other thing is that the people are already not too happy with the economy and the immigration status at the same time. And remember Latinos vote their mind, they don’t vote necessarily one party or the other. So you have to understand that you can’t count on the Latino vote being one party. Latinos have a mind of their own. So, it was portrayed with this election. Sure, here, locally, we see immigrants coming in but we don’t want people coming in illegal, illegally and taking jobs that they shouldn’t take, we need to understand that we need to have an orderly immigration process and that has to be done. I mean, there’s no two ways about it. That’s one of the things that impacts the whole country, it impacts us too. So we have to look at that as one of the things that have to be done and him saying he’ll deport all those people. I mean, one of those things is to promise to say it and the other thing is to actually do it. You know, we have to understand that a lot of immigrants take jobs and these jobs are jobs that nobody wants. So they fill those jobs. So we have to understand that, you know, the majority of Latinos voting for Trump in light of the mass deportation, the rhetoric, we have to look at the possibility of, of the good that he says versus the bad that he says.”

Addressing Controversial Immigration Policies

Trump’s campaign pledges included the prospect of mass deportations—a contentious proposal that resonates deeply in border communities. Mayor Treviño spoke candidly about the potential effects of such policies, emphasizing that Laredo’s economy relies on an orderly approach to immigration that also supports job markets.

Mayor Treviño on Mass Deportations:

“Yes, we have a constant conversation with our Mexican counterparts. The mayor of Nuevo Laredo, both governors of both states coincide with Laredo, Texas, and we talk about these matters. We cannot, we have to understand that it can’t be done in that fashion. Mass deportations would actually devastate our economy. It wouldn’t probably be a functional way to do things. Although I think the reform is something that has to come about. Yes, that’s correct. I mean, it doesn’t stand to reason that you can get rid of all these people that are filling jobs, that are functional for the country. We just have to understand that this doesn’t work that way and you can, you can talk about stringent immigration reform, better immigration reform, but to deport massive amount of people that, that, that doesn’t seem to be functional. I don’t think it would work for our country and like I said, the economy would greatly be impacted.”

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - 47 is the new 45.

In a historic comeback, Donald Trump returns to the White House as the 47th President of the United States. For the second time in eight years, voters cast their ballots to give Trump a mandate to lead the nation once again.

A Historic Shift in Webb County
Perhaps one of the night’s biggest surprises came from Webb County. Long a Democratic stronghold, Webb took a stunning turn to the red. It’s a shift not everyone saw coming—but perhaps Trump himself did. In a moment captured on video nearly 10 years ago, the then-Republican candidate responded to a Laredoan with characteristic confidence: “Oh, Laredo? I love Laredo!”

Nearly a decade later, Laredo loved him back.

Unofficial results from the Webb County Elections Office.(KGNS)

A Historical and Cultural Perspective on Trump’s Win

Donald Trump’s 2024 win marks a moment of historic significance in Webb County. The last time Webb County voted red at the presidential level was back in 1912, when voters cast their ballots for William Howard Taft.

To understand just how long it’s been, here are a few defining aspects of that year:

The world looked a lot different in 1912.(KGNS)

• Gas was 18 cents a gallon: Transportation was still a luxury, with the average price of gas a fraction of what it is today.

• Tarzan was flying off the letterpress: Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan of the Apes had just hit the public eye, capturing imaginations across the country.

• Oreos made their debut: The beloved cookie we all know was brand-new, first appearing on store shelves in 1912.

• The Titanic tragedy: The RMS Titanic sank on its maiden voyage, capturing the world’s attention with a disaster that would be remembered for generations.

• Jim Thorpe was the star athlete: Thorpe, a Native American Olympic legend, dominated the sports world.

• “Celebrities” of the era: Albert Einstein and Marie Curie were among the most celebrated notable figures of their day, recognized around the world.

What Do the Voters Say?
Curious to know more, we took to the streets to hear directly from Webb County voters. Here’s what they shared:

• “Surprised Webb County turned red, but not surprised he won. I’m about to turn 22, and in the next four years, I’d like my own place. I hope housing prices come down,” a young Trump supporter told us.

• Another perspective came from a disappointed Democratic voter: “My impression was that Webb County has always been Democratic. I was surprised—and not happy about the outcome. Trump’s approach to tariffs concerns me since Laredo relies heavily on import and export.”

• One woman mentioned her family’s livelihood: “I voted Republican because of the oil industry. My family works in that field, and when the shift happened under Biden, those opportunities declined.”

Cuellar Holds His Seat
In another notable race, Congressman Henry Cuellar won re-election to an 11th term, albeit with a smaller margin than in past years. Securing victory by about 10,000 votes, Cuellar acknowledged the challenges facing his party, especially with Latino voters in Texas.

“I’ve been talking about this undercurrent tension with Hispanic voters over what’s happening at the border, and I think the dam broke this year where we saw so many Hispanics vote for Trump.” Cuellar noted. “They’re not going to be listening—with all due respect—to all the celebrities that the Democrats were bringing in."

Rounding off Election Day Results

In one of Texas’s most closely watched races, District 80 also turned red as former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin defeated Cecilia Castellano for the vacant seat. McLaughlin’s win marks the first time in over two decades that a Republican will represent District 80, despite losing Webb County by more than a thousand votes to Castellano.

Laredo City Council Races

City Council District 4
Another race drawing attention on Election Day was for City Council District 4, where current Councilmember Alberto Torres reached his term limit after eight years. The seat remains undecided, as no candidate received over 50% of the vote. The top two contenders, Rick Garza (33% of the vote) and Tannya Benavides (29%), will advance to a runoff.

City Council District 5
Incumbent Ruben Gutierrez Jr. retained his seat, avoiding a runoff by securing 58% of the vote. He defeated two challengers, Jesse Perez and Jose Ovando, demonstrating strong support across the district.

City Council District 7
In District 7, incumbent Vanessa Perez narrowly kept her position with 51% of the vote. She defeated Michelle Molina, who garnered 41%, and Felipe “Flipper” Ramirez, who finished with 7%.

City Council District 8

District 8 saw several candidates on the ballot incumbent Alyssa Cigarroa, along with challengers Horacio Palacios, Sergio Dorantes, Luxsandra Guerra, and write-in candidate Priscilla ‘La Gordiloca’ Villarreal. Cigarroa won decisively, capturing over 75% of the vote, securing her seat with a substantial lead.

Other races include the UISD school board and the Laredo College Board of Trustees, where new faces will Position 4 and 5.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Ahead of Trump’s presidency, a possible surge of migrants could be reaching northern borders.

Here at home, two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue to prepare for any changes to come.

When a different political party takes office changes are seen, especially dealing with immigration, and as the U.S. prepares for a new presidential administration, migrant caravans are on the move.

Laredo has two NGOs that help migrants, Holding Institutes and Catholic Charities. For holding, they are not expecting the high numbers being projected.

According to Pastor Mike Smith with the Holding Institute, “What’s been anticipated is a lot of the border shelters along Texas. This is just what we are planning but not really for a massive influx because I think the new administration has made it very clear what their policy is gonna be.“

Smith says many migrants they help are fleeing violence, poverty and environmental disasters.

Despite the anxiety surrounding the rumors, several NGOs like Catholic Charities say their focus is to ensure that migrants are treated humanely.

“I’m optimistic, and I hope that when migrants are served, or anybody is served, that they are served with dignity and humanitarian care,“ mentioned Rebecca Solloa with Catholic Charities.

The U.S. government has said it will closely monitor any caravans and will continue enforcing immigration laws.

Currently, the center says they require hygiene products and diapers.

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