Tagged News

• TXDOT to host virtual meeting regarding widening U.S. 83 from Starr County to Zapata County Play Video

  March 20, 2026 11:13 AM

  Rio Grande Valley residents who use Highway 83 to get to Laredo, the Texas Department of Transportation wants to hear from you. They're going to have a virtual meeting to discuss multiple projects in Zapata County. The program is called the Rural Transportation Improvement Program. One of the... more »

• Trump’s pardon of Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar leaves local Republicans surprised and disappointed

  December 15, 2025 4:43 PM

  Zapata County Republican Chairwoman Jennifer Thatcher was shocked when she learned earlier this month that President Donald Trump had pardoned Rep. Henry Cuellar, freeing him from legal peril for the federal corruption charges he faced. By pardoning Cuellar, she said, Trump removed the Laredo Democrats’ main vulnerability, which Republicans... more »

• New association to represent South Texas school districts in Austin created Play Video

  September 19, 2025 10:31 PM

  School board trustees across the Rio Grande Valley said they want their voice heard in Austin. School districts depend on lawmakers in Austin, and they’re hoping the newly-formed South Texas School Board Association ensures local needs are met. Edinburg CISD School board Trustee David Torres leads the association... more »

• TxDOT project in Zapata County no longer going through historic ranch Play Video

  June 4, 2025 11:10 PM

  A Zapata County rancher said a highway expansion project will now go around his property, and keep his home intact. Rene Ramirez of El Milagro Ranch first spoke with Channel 5 News in March 2025 to discuss how a Texas Department of Transportation project to expand Highway 83 would... more »

• State Health Services Airdropping Rabies Vaccine Bait for Wildlife along Border Play Video

  January 9, 2020 6:33 PM

  ZAPATA – This week, state health services is airdropping rabies vaccine in an effort to distribute to wildlife over nearly the entire border. In Texas, that’s 1,256 miles. A large target. Small airplanes at the Zapata County Airport are going in and out, dropping baits containing the vaccine over... more »

• Drought Worsens as South Texas Officials, Ranchers Wait for State’s Approval for Disaster Declaration Play Video

  August 21, 2019 5:27 PM

  NEAR HEBBRONVILLE – The worst drought conditions in the continental United States is affecting four nearby South Texas counties. A drought map reveals big problems for people in Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg and Duval counties; especially for ranchers. With the lack of rain for months, the reservoirs are... more »

• Residents Hopeful, Concerned with Rise in Water Levels

  September 28, 2017 9:55 PM

  SAN YGNACIO – Falcon Dam is bearing the brunt of floodwaters headed towards the Rio Grande Valley, as the Rio Grande River crests in Laredo following days of rain. The dam operated outside of Zapata is the only obstacle between flooded Laredo and homes in the Valley. In Falcon Lake,... more »

• Aviso de Hervir Agua para Residentes del Condado Zapata Play Video

  May 22, 2017 7:45 PM

  ZAPATA - A los residentes en el condado de Zapata se les aconseja hervir su agua antes de consumirla. El aviso viene después de los daños por la tormenta en una de las estaciones de bombeo de la ciudad. El daño, se debió a debido a una relámpago el lunes... more »

• Some Zapata Co. Residents Waiting for IBWC’s Next Move Play Video

  March 7, 2017 6:53 PM

  ZAPATA COUNTY – The deadline has passed for veterans and retirees in Zapata County to get off the government’s land. The International Boundary and Water Commission said they’re too close to Falcon Lake and the government said more property owners could get the same notice. The homeowners said they’re waiting... more »