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Laredo residents have cast their votes in the city’s first bond election since 1993, deciding on the $417 million bond package, which is divided into four key propositions addressing public safety, public health, road improvements and affordable senior housing.

“This bond was put out for the city so people could vote and decide if they want to spend that much money on what Laredo needs,” said Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino, minutes before the polls closed. “We’ve been able to handle all the core functions of the city, but it’s come to the point where Laredo is growing and has a lot of needs, so that’s the reason for the bonds.”

Unofficial voting results have been released, showing 13,222 voters — 8,866 during early voting and 4,333 on Election Day — overwhelmingly rejecting all four propositions. This decision prevented the city’s proposed projects from moving forward.

The results come after weeks of public debate and online skepticism. Some residents and city leaders expressed concerns over the bond’s timing, implementation and potential costs. City officials said the city would need to explore alternative solutions to address these issues if this was the result.

Voting results

City of Laredo response

Following the release of early voting results, the City of Laredo issued a statement thanking residents for their participation in the bond election and reaffirming its dedication to addressing community needs.

“While the bond propositions were not approved by voters, the City acknowledges that the challenges outlined in the bond — including infrastructure improvements, public safety upgrades, and public health investments — continue to affect our community. The needs remain, and so does our commitment to finding solutions,” the statement read.

City leadership emphasized their commitment to exploring alternative funding options, phased planning strategies, and public-private partnerships to advance the goals originally proposed as part of the bond package. They also underscored the importance of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and meaningful community engagement as foundational principles driving these efforts moving forward.

“This election has sparked important conversations, and the City of Laredo is committed to continuing those discussions with the public,” the statement concluded.

Voter turnout

As of 2022, Webb County had 143,148 registered voters. With 13,222 total voters participating in the bond referendum, just over 9% of the county's registered voters cast a ballot.

For perspective, the most recent general election in November 2024, which included statewide and federal races, saw a total voter turnout of 65,995 in Webb County. Of those, 46,313 ballots were cast during the 12-day early voting period.

Trevino reflected on the community’s participation, emphasizing the importance of residents having their voices heard.

“The reason the vote is there is so people can participate,” Trevino said. “The only way you can get things done in your city is to come out and vote. You can have an opinion, but if you don’t vote, your opinion falls on deaf ears. By getting out to vote, you have your opinion heard, one way or the other.”

Looking ahead

While this bond referendum focuses specifically on local projects, it marks Laredo’s first such election in over 30 years. The city's plan was to address the needs of a population that has grown from around 138,000 residents in 1993 to an estimated 257,000 today.

In the scenario that all propositions would've passed, the property taxes for homeowners with a $100,000 property would have increased as follows:

In total, the tax increase for all approved propositions amounted to $100 annually or approximately $8.33 per month. These estimates were based on current property values and do not factor in potential changes to assessed property values.

Homeowners aged 65 or older or those with qualifying disabilities who had filed exemptions with the Webb County Appraisal District would not have seen an increase in property taxes due to these bond measures. Exemptions freeze property taxes, ensuring eligible residents are unaffected by new tax rates from a bond referendum.

With the bond is ultimately rejected, none of the proposed tax increases will go into effect, leaving the city to explore alternative solutions to address its public safety, health, infrastructure and housing needs.

IndustrialLee & AssociatesMarket ReportsTexasTexas Market Reports

April 29, 2025

Laredo, Texas, has emerged as one of the largest ports in the world by volume and crossings, driven by its robust infrastructure and strategic location.

According to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Port of Laredo was responsible for handling an aggregate amount of product valued at about $320 billion, the most in the country by that metric. In addition, a 2024 article from Transport Topics, citing data from the Laredo Economic Development Corp., stated that the Port of Laredo sees more than 5.5 million truck crossings per year. The article also noted that the port is home to 660 trucking and transportation companies, 250 freight forwarders and 120 U.S. Customs brokers.

Recent analysis of freight costs conducted by LoadWise 3PL and OL Logistics found that shipping product from Laredo to several major destinations, including Detroit, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, actually yields savings compared to shipping from Houston to those cities, all other factors being held equal. The same study revealed a cost advantage when shipping westward from Laredo instead of Dallas to select markets such as Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

Freight is often cheaper to ship from Laredo than other more established distribution hubs due to the city’s status as a “backhaul” market. This means that there is more product from northern cities and states coming back to Mexico as opposed to final destinations like Dallas or Houston. The dynamic not only optimizes transportation costs and supports demand for industrial space in Laredo, but also helps ensure that labor costs are lower relative to more established Texas distribution hubs.

Visible Supply Growth

A key factor in this growth is the city’s well-developed industrial parks, which can comfortably accommodate larger warehouse facilities. This expansion has transformed supply chain dynamics, offering a cost-effective alternative for warehousing and distribution compared to traditional hubs like Houston or Dallas.

As an industrial market, Laredo has always been viewed and used as a stepping point for supply chain operators to perform customs and forwarding operations. Now, Laredo has the capability to distribute and be considered a true logistics hub that represents actual supply chain efficiency and has set the foundation for this to happen, as evidenced by almost every major third-party logistics (3PL) carrier in the country setting up shop in Laredo. In addition, the market now features Class A industrial buildings that are at par with any other major distribution or logistical hub in the country

Among the newer industrial developments that are in some stage of active development and will add new industrial product to the region within the next 12 to 18 months are:

Although smaller than major U.S. logistics centers, Laredo is rapidly evolving. In the process, the market is attracting third-party logistics (3PL) providers that are eager to streamline operations. Historically a stepping stone to larger distribution hubs, Laredo is now establishing itself as a primary distribution center. The city also offers distinct advantages for businesses.

With more freight moving southbound into Mexico from Laredo than from cities like Dallas or Houston, the city’s industrial facilities and operators remain crucial links in the supply chain. Laredo’s strategic position along I-35 provides seamless connectivity, reinforcing its status as the most efficient crossing point between the U.S. and Mexico.

Emerging Cross-Border Trade Hub

While Laredo leads the way, nearby Eagle Pass and its Mexican sister city, Piedras Negras (located in the state of Coahuila), are gaining traction as emerging trade hubs. Currently operating at less than 30 percent of its capacity, the industrial market of Eagle Pass presents a unique opportunity to ease congestion in Laredo while supporting overall trade expansion.

Infrastructure investments, such as the development of Empire Industrial Park, are positioning Eagle Pass as a viable alternative for cross-border shipments. Coahuila, a major manufacturing hub in Northern Mexico, currently routes 70 percent of its exports through Laredo. Redirecting some of this volume to Eagle Pass would not diminish Laredo’s significance but rather serve as a “pressure relief valve,” fostering sustainable growth for both cities.

Trade between the United States and Mexico should continue to expand in the long run, which will elevate Laredo’s dominance as a logistics hub. However, the current administration’s trade policies and tariffs raise questions in terms of how much trade activity — and by extension, demand for industrial space — will be impacted in the short run. While the uncertainty surrounding these policies continues to cause freight and logistics operators — and the brokers who represent them — to delay ad rethink real estate decisions, optimism remains for more situational clarity in the coming weeks.

The rise of secondary ports like Eagle Pass will complement this growth, creating a more balanced and efficient trade network. Together, these ports will shape the future of cross-border logistics, solidifying South Texas as a vital force in global supply chains.

Maridav // Shutterstock

How gas prices have changed in Laredo in the last week

Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11.

After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., with many countries facing even steeper duties, though oil and gas imports are exempted from new tariffs. On April 9, the White House announced a three-month pause on all "reciprocal" tariffs (except against China), but the baseline 10% tariffs will remain in place.

Jolted by the impact of the tariff announcement, the stock market plummeted on April 3, with U.S. oil prices dropping 7%. The double-whammy of lower prices and higher costs for crucial materials like steel pipes may have a major impact on domestic oil and gas production. Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced this month that it would increase production to help stabilize the market.

Expecting market volatility, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan thinks it is possible that gas prices have already reached their peak in 2025, which typically happens around mid-April each year.

"After oil's sharp drop over the last couple of weeks—driven by concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs and OPEC+ restoring production faster than expected—gasoline prices have posted a notable weekly decline, with nearly every state seeing prices fall," De Haan said in a recent statement. "While I do expect gas prices to continue trending lower, any abrupt change in the current tariff situation could eventually bring the decline to a halt."

Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Laredo, TX metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of April 24.

Laredo by the numbers- Gas current price: $2.68--- Texas average: $2.75- Week change: +$0.14 (+5.5%)- Year change: -$0.49 (-15.3%)- Historical expensive gas price: $4.51 (6/13/22)

- Diesel current price: $2.99- Week change: +$0.01 (+0.4%)- Year change: -$0.46 (-13.4%)- Historical expensive diesel price: $5.30 (5/9/22)

Metros with the most expensive gas#1. Salinas, CA: $5.11#2. Lihue (Kauai), HI: $5.10#3. Napa, CA: $5.08

Metros with the least expensive gas#1. Tyler, TX: $2.60#2. Lawton, OK: $2.61#3. Lubbock, TX: $2.61

This story features writing by Tim Bruns and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 371 metros.

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Two Texas residents have admitted to conspire to smuggle $2 million in fentanyl through a Laredo international bridge, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Taneka Desha Felder, 27, of Amarillo, and Gustavo Morales Aguilar, 40, a naturalized U.S. citizen living in Dumas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import fentanyl.

If convicted, Felder and Morales Aguilar face up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will sentence Felder and Morales Aguilar at a later date. Both remain in federal custody pending that hearing.

The case unfolded on Dec. 23, when Morales Aguilar and Felder arrived in a white 2015 Audi Q5 at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge.

Morales Aguilar was identified as the driver and Felder as the passenger. Each provided a negative declaration to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.

The Audi was referred for a secondary inspection. A K-9 unit then alerted to possible contraband within the Audi. Both were detained for the possible drug smuggling attempt.

Homeland Security Investigations special agents responded to take over the investigation.

In a post-arrest interview, Morales Aguilar admitted he was going to get paid $1,000 for finding a vehicle and putting it under his name, states the arrest affidavit.

“Morales Aguilar admitted that his financial gain was going to increase to $8,000 for driving Felder and two other females from the United States into Mexico and back into the United States from Mexico,” the affidavit states.

Morales Aguilar further stated he expected his payment on Dec. 28 in Dallas, court documents state.

In a post-arrest statement, Felder also admitted to having knowledge and intent of smuggling narcotics from Mexico into the United States, according to court documents.

“Felder stated that this was her second time bringing in narcotics from Mexico,” the affidavit states.

CBP officers then extracted 10 bundles from the vehicle’s center console. The bundles weighed about 25.68 pounds and tested positive for the properties of fentanyl, authorities said.

On Jan. 7, a federal grand jury indicted Felder and Morales Aguilar. HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of CBP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.

One Walgreens in Laredo will permanently close next month after its parent company announced plans in October to close more than 1,000 stores nationwide.

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., which operates more than 8,700 stores in the U.S., revealed it would close 1,200 underperforming locations over three years as part of a footprint optimization program aimed at boosting profits and cash flow during its 2024 fiscal year earnings report.

“This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term,” said CEO Tim Wenworth.

The decision follows the company's struggles with low prescription reimbursement and online competitors. Approximately 500 stores are slated to close during its 2025 fiscal year.

Among the 500 stores set to close is the Walgreens at 1119 Guadalupe St.

The store informed customers of its closure through pamphlets placed on checkout counters and automated voice messages sent via pharmacy phone calls.

“This store and pharmacy will both close at 12 p.m.,” a pamphlet stated, listing the final day of operations as April 21, 2025. “We look forward to seeing you at any of our nearby locations.”

Martha Alvarez, a Walgreens shift lead, said the company did not specify why the store was closing, but she suspected it was part of the broader plan to shut down underperforming locations.

“I think that’s part of what’s going on, but specifically, I couldn’t give you an answer,” she said.

Walgreens later confirmed with LMT that the store was indeed closing due to “increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures” that affect the company’s ability to cover costs for rent, staffing and supply needs.

“It is never an easy decision to close a store,” Walgreens said, explaining the company does everything possible to improve store performance prior to a closing. “When closures are necessary, like the one in Laredo, we will work in partnership with community stakeholders to minimize customer disruptions.”

Walgreens stated that “a majority” of team members would transfer to other surrounding stores prior to closing, leaving a minority without employment.

Those who get their medication at the east Laredo location will have their prescription transferred to the Walgreens at 2219 E. Saunders St. Patients who get their prescriptions filled at this location do not need to take any action, Walgreens added.

“We encourage patients to speak to their pharmacist to learn how to set up this service,” they said.

March 26, 2025