LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are reminding the public to adjust travel plans if crossing the border on Saturday morning.

Bridge Two will begin closing northbound and southbound lanes at 5 a.m. in anticipation of the International Bridge Ceremony, which will take place around 7:30 a.m. The ceremony will see representatives from both sides of the border come together to celebrate the partnership between the United States and Mexico.

For those needing to cross, CBP has provided alternative options. The Columbia Solidarity Bridge will open at 6 a.m., and individuals who are part of the SENTRI program can use Bridge One. Pedestrians can also utilize the pedestrian lanes at Bridge One.

Traffic at Bridge Two is scheduled to reopen at 9 a.m.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested a Honduran man wanted for sexual assault in Harris County during a traffic stop in Laredo.

DPS arrested 49-year-old Junior Adalid Montoya-Alvarez during an Operation Lone Star (OLS) traffic stop on February 12 just after 7 a.m.

Alvarez was driving an international truck tractor when he was stopped for a traffic violation on South Zapata Hwy. and Riverhill Loop.

Once stopped, Alvarez and several others inside the truck ran out and toward the nearby brush. After a multi-agency search, seven illegal immigrants and Alvarez were found.

Alvarez was arrested for human smuggling as well as a sexual assault charge after it was confirmed that he was wanted in Harris County.

Additionally, all seven illegal immigrants, who were found to be from Guatemala and Mexico, were referred to Border Patrol.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - This weekend will be playing host to one of the biggest attractions of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA).

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wants the public to be aware of a temporary halt in traffic at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge on Saturday, February 22, as it is the site for the Abrazo Ceremony.

The ceremony features representatives from both sides of the border coming together as a sign of unity. Because of this, CBP will halt all north and southbound vehicle traffic at the bridge beginning at 5 a.m.

Traffic is set to resume four hours later at 9 a.m.; however, people are asked to make arrangements to cross before or after that window of time or use one of the other ports of entry.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A victim of alleged hazing at United High School and two victims' parents are expressing their frustration with how the school and the district handled the case.

The three spoke to KGNS about their side of the story, as well as what the district is saying about the allegations.

One student, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his his high school experiences, stating that he had been a victim of bullying and hazing since the first day of his freshman year, but never felt safe coming forward.

“I never went to go tell anybody because I never felt comfortable going up to an administrator, a teacher or even a counselor,” he said.

The student, who is involved in athletics, claims he experienced hazing on a nearly daily basis but didn’t feel comfortable sharing until the issues came to light from another victim.

Meanwhile, the parent of another alleged victim, Reginald Best, claims his son has been the subject of racial slurs and harassment since his freshman year and is now a junior.

“These acts have been going on for years, and it was in the early part of October when we found out the main details and the severity of everything,“ Best said.

Once Best and his wife found out what was happening, they went to United ISD where they were told by UISD Police that an investigation would take place, but reality had other plans.

“My wife was told that it would still be under UISD taking care of both sides. That was the information that she was given, so we never went to the Laredo Police Department to go ahead and file a report. It wasn’t until months later that we found out that UISD doesn’t take care of anything outside of school premises. That’s when we went ahead and went and filed a report with LPD,“ Best added.

Best is not the only parent speaking out, during a UISD Board Meeting on December 18, 2024, Edward De La Garza echoed similar concerns.

Stating, “I’m here today as the father of a previously happy and carefree child who enjoyed attending school and being part of the team. That has all been taken away from me as I’m now a father of a victim.“

Now, De La Garza continues to share the same sentiment, mentioning how he feels like it wasn’t until the issue became public that the district started to listen.

Mentioning, “It has become as public as it has due in part to the arrest. They are more willing and open to handling the issue. In the first two to three months that have passed since the beginning of October, we first became aware of it when we first notified the school. They didn’t follow the procedures that they should have.“

De La Garza reached out to UISD but says he was given a similar response to Best.

On December 20, UISD issued a statement saying two United High School students were taken into custody following an off-campus incident.

KGNS reached out to the district if Best, De La Garza and the anonymous student’s claims were connected to the December 20 case. In response, the district said they could not disclose the identities of the people involved in the investigation.

De La Garza added, “Three of them are the ring leaders, and for arrest purposes, those three have always been together, we feel that there’s a definite conflict of interest.”

He encourages parents to speak up and enact change. However, according to UISD Board Member for District 4, Ramiro Veliz, the administration followed the proper procedures.

Mentioning, “We had a police investigation that got initiated and they went through the various processes and procedures that we have in place. Both school and district administration noted that there were some findings that the district did some action to go ahead and correct some of the issues with the student population, and there was some discipline that was handed out as well.”

When it comes to hazing on campus, or in any UISD athletic activities, Veliz empathizes with the victims and family members and encourages others to speak out regardless of the situation.

Adding, “The district as a whole understands the situation, and we are here to protect you.”

UISD released a statement saying that it remains committed to ensuring every student feels valued, safe and supported. Additionally, the district stands firmly against all forms of bullying, violence or harassment.

All allegations that have been brought forth to United High School administration have been reviewed and appropriate disciplinary action was taken under the UISD Student Code of Conduct and Texas Education Code, Chapter 37.

UISD continues to provide supportive measures to all parties involved.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Federal and state authorities arrested a 42-year-old Mexican man, suspected of being a member of the Mexican Mafia.

According to officials, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) collaborated in the operation.

Authorities say the suspect had entered the U.S. illegally for the second time. During the arrest, agents discovered a fake immigration card and narcotics.

“We announce the arrest of a dangerous gang member, achieved through the joint efforts of ICE HSI and local law enforcement partners. This collaboration highlights our unwavering commitment to community safety and justice. We will continue working tirelessly to combat gang-related crime and protect our citizens,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge, Craig Larrabee. Larrabee added, “Transnational gang members pose a significant threat to our communities by engaging in a variety of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crimes. We are committed to dismantling these criminal organizations through strategic operations, intelligence-driven investigations, and close cooperation with international, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. By leveraging our collective resources and expertise, our goal is to disrupt the operations of these dangerous gangs and bring their members to justice.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Thousands of Mexican National Guards have set up checkpoints along the U.S.-Mexico border, causing mixed feelings among travelers.

After President Donald Trump agreed to pause tariffs on Mexico, in exchange, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum kept her promise to send guardsmen to reinforce the border and crack down on fentanyl smuggling.

This morning, February 18, National Guards were seen inspecting several cars and trucks on the Mexican side of the International Bridge before crossing into Laredo.

Drivers say the inspections can take several minutes, causing two to three-hour delays.

The inspections have caused mixed feelings among drivers crossing from Nuevo Laredo to Laredo. Drivers from other border cities, like Reynosa, claim the inspections have caused up to four to six-hour delays.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KGNS) - Sources say the CIA is flying covert drone missions over Mexico to watch drug cartels, as part of a plan by the Trump administration to treat these cartels as terrorist groups.

The drones are not armed but can carry equipment for precision strikes if needed.

The Trump administration has informed Congress about the drone flights, but the sources say the reports did not mention working with Mexican authorities. In the past, the CIA has worked with Mexican officials when using drones to track cartels.

The Mexican government did not respond to requests for comment.

ZAPATA COUNTY, Tex. (KGNS) - A lane has reopened after law enforcement and emergency teams responded to an incident near the Webb-Zapata county line on Tuesday morning, February 18.

Several ambulances were seen at the scene of what looked like an accident. U.S. Border Patrol, Webb County Fire, Webb County Sheriff’s Office, and Zapata County Fire responded to the scene.

The Webb County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the situation was related to a medical assistance call. The sheriff’s office added that the call is no longer active, and no further details are available at this time.