LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - Frequent flyers in Laredo will start to see some new changes at the Laredo International Airport.

Renovations are expected to start at the airport, which includes an automated air conditioning system.

Airport officials say the renovations are part of a 17-million-dollar project.

According to Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez, the remodeling of the terminal will come with a new roof and escalators.

Sanchez adds that a new plane will also be arrive in Sept. that will offer more capacity for travelers.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The Laredo Police Department is looking to the community for help in tracking down a man who may have stolen a gun.

According to reports, it happened on Thursday, as a man was allegedly looking through several vehicles in the Vineyard and Winfield subdivisions.

Reports say after coming across an unlocked vehicle, he stole a gun that was inside.

Police are now hoping the community can help identify him.

If you have any information on this man’s identity or whereabouts call 956-727-TIPS or 956-795-2800.

All calls will remain anonymous.

HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — A new vehicle inspection system is being installed at the busiest commercial port for truckers on the Southwest border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced.

The system is being constructed at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas, as part of a modernized pre-primary inspection area to scan trucks for contraband and to quickly move vehicles to facilitate trade with Mexico, the agency said.

CBP says the project involves putting in non-intrusive inspection equipment that will scan vehicles that have crossed the border before they cross U.S. primary inspection booths.

The World Trade Bridge “is the most important truck crossing on the United States/Mexican border,” according to a 2020 report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

In Fiscal Year 2022, over 2.3 million trucks crossed the bridge. So far in Fiscal 2023, nearly 2.5 million trucks have used this port of entry, according to data from the City of Laredo.

Construction of the NII Multi Energy Portal began this week, and the project is expected to be completed in April.

“Once complete, the MEP portals will scan commodities arriving from Mexico. CBP officers will adjudicate the images and in turn detect contraband and similar security threats promptly,” Laredo Port Director Alberto Flores said in a statement. “The goal of this newly implemented technology is to enhance border security, all while facilitating the efficient flow of trade into the U.S.”

Last month, a group of Texas lawmakers asked the White House to expedite approval for the expansion of the World Trade Bridge without having to wait for environmental assessments to be completed. They say expansion of this popular port is necessary to keep trade flowing with Mexico.

While construction is underway on the non-intrusive inspection equipment, CBP says empty commercial trucks will be re-routed to FAST lanes.

LAREDO, Tx. (KGNS) - After nearly three years, the man accused of killing his girlfriend who was carrying their unborn child at the time was found guilty and received his sentence.

After just four days of trial and roughly an hour of deliberations, Joel David Chavez III, 26, was found guilty of killing his pregnant girlfriend Gracy Espinoza.

On Friday, at the 111th, District Court Judge Monica Notzon read Chavez the jury’s guilty verdict of capital murder and sentenced him to life in prison without parole.

The state used their last chance to tell jurors that Chavez wanted to control Gracy wanting power over her actions such as who she was able to talk to and where she was at all times.

The relationship ended in revenge with Chavez strangling Gracy and stabbing her once she was dead.

It was an emotional sense of closure for Gracy’s sister Maria Teresa Espinoza who read her impact statement to Chavez saying that he not only killed her sister but her best friend.

“Because if only one of us had her at that night *inaudible*. None of this would’ve happened, and we wouldn’t have been here today. We would’ve been celebrating her baby’s birthday: 2 years and 5 months, but we can’t because of you,” said Espinoza.

ENCINAL, TX . (KGNS) - Encinal Police and Border Patrol agents are involved in a chase after a driver disregarded the I-35 checkpoint.

The incident happened on Thursday, Aug. 10, when a vehicle heading north attempted to avoid Border Patrol agents until they got stopped at mile marker 38.

It was there that eight people jumped out of the vehicle in an attempt to flee.

Police managed to track down seven of them but the driver was not found.

The case remains under investigation.