š± Why Laredo honored this North American business leader with its key
Laredo, Texas Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings Laredo! Weāre your go-to source for whatās happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! āļø
In today's newsletter:
- Why Laredo honored this North American business leader with its key
- What sentence a former LBJ High teacher received in Laredo case
- What Laredo patients can expect from Mercyās new ministry president
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? š¤ (Answer below!)
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- Wednesday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 92 and low of 74 degrees. š¶ Hot!
- Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 90, low: 75.
- Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 74 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. Decades of work leads to business leader earning one of Laredo's highest honors (lmtonline.com) ā Laredo has awarded the Key to the City to Mexican business leader Francisco Cervantes DĆaz for decades of work strengthening cross-border trade and cooperation. Local, state, and Mexican officials praised his role in supporting Laredoās position as the nationās largest inland port and in fostering binational partnerships that impact local jobs, infrastructure investment, and public health collaboration. 
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2. Former LBJ teacher gets 180 days in jail, probation for student relationship (lmtonline.com) ā A former Lyndon B. Johnson High School teacher connected to Laredo has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, probated for 10 years, plus 180 days in Webb County Jail for an improper educatorāstudent relationship. Laredo police and UISD officials detailed how the 2022 allegations surfaced, the ensuing investigation, and the districtās response to protect students. Ā Ā Ā
3. Mercy Names New Laredo Ministry President (mercy.net) ā Mercy Ministries of Laredo has appointed Evelin Manzanares as its new president, effective immediately, following the retirement of longtime leader Libbie Casso. Manzanares brings more than a decade of experience expanding care for underserved patients and will now guide Mercyās outreach and health services for Laredo families in need of accessible, compassionate support. Ā Ā Ā
4. JIATF-401 Awards $13.8 Million Contract to Enhance Counter-UAS Capabilities Along the Southern Border (einpresswire.com) ā New counter-drone technology is headed directly to operational sites in Laredo as part of a $13.8 million federal contract to combat cartel drones along the southern border. Over the next nine months, JIATF-401 and DroneShield will roll out detection and mitigation systems in Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley to help Customs and Border Protection better secure local airspace. Ā Ā Ā
5. The Happy Ending Romeo and Juliet Didn't Get (newyorker.com subscription) ā A New York Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo and Juliet draws creative inspiration from a research trip to Laredo, where the director studied the nearby border wall and local culture. That visit helped shape a borderland staging and even inspired onstage real-life weddings after each performance, blending fictional tragedy with hopeful, modern love stories. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Laredo
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š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- In my journey as a full-time writer, I have come across every industry one could think of.
I have written articles for a company that makes gravestones to honor their departed loved ones, restaurants where people have joyous reunions, andā¦ (Nextdoor W Village Blvd) - Inicia Temporada de Ciclones Tropicales 2026 en el AtlĆ”ntico;
ProtecciĆ³n Civil Tamaulipas mantiene vigilanciaĀ permanente Inicia Temporada de Ciclones Tropicales 2026 en el AtlĆ”ntico; ProtecciĆ³n Civil Tamaulipasā¦ (Nextdoor Heights)
- Expeditors International of Washington posted a job opening for Brokerage Agent, Imports in Laredo. Apply here.
- FedEx Corporation posted a job opening for Material Handler - Part Time (Warehouse like) in Laredo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Laredo here.
Ok Laredo! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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