INSIDER
Leader of San Antonio-based human smuggling operation sentenced to 30 years in federal prison
Read full article: Leader of San Antonio-based human smuggling operation sentenced to 30 years in federal prisonA federal judge in Del Rio sentenced a man this week behind a human smuggling operation headquartered in San Antonio.
Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues
Read full article: Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continuesThe death toll from Hurricane Helene has inched up to 227 as the grim task of recovering bodies continues more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the U.S. Southeast.
Former NISD teacher sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse images
Read full article: Former NISD teacher sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse imagesA San Antonio man was sentenced Friday in federal court in Del Rio to 192 months in prison for distribution of child sexual abuse images.
Man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for coercing minor
Read full article: Man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for coercing minorA man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pressuring a minor to engage in sexual acts on multiple occasions, according to the United States Department of Justice.
Odessa’s mayor ran to help the West Texas city “repent.” Now he wants a second term.
Read full article: Odessa’s mayor ran to help the West Texas city “repent.” Now he wants a second term.Under Javier Joven’s leadership, his critics say, the Odessa City Council has lost focus on municipal issues like roads and water infrastructure.
15 people arrested in Uvalde on charges of distributing and possessing meth, DOJ says
Read full article: 15 people arrested in Uvalde on charges of distributing and possessing meth, DOJ saysFifteen people were arrested in Uvalde on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine, according to the United States Department of Justice.
Data shows Rio Grande water shortage is not just due to Mexico’s lack of water deliveries
Read full article: Data shows Rio Grande water shortage is not just due to Mexico’s lack of water deliveriesDrought conditions in South Texas have brought increased pressure on Mexico to make good on its commitment to deliver water to the U.S. under a 1944 treaty. But an analysis by the agency that enforces that treaty shows that water from U.S. sources has significantly diminished over the years.
Corpus Christi man sentenced to federal prison for chase while transporting undocumented migrants
Read full article: Corpus Christi man sentenced to federal prison for chase while transporting undocumented migrantsA Corpus Christi man was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for leading law enforcement on a chase while transporting undocumented migrants.
Migrant apprehensions are down at the Texas border. Have state policies had an impact?
Read full article: Migrant apprehensions are down at the Texas border. Have state policies had an impact?Abbott has credited his Operation Lone Star for a recent drop in migrant encounters on the Texas-Mexico border.
Light pole installation blamed for many of the 911 outages that hit Texas, 3 other states
Read full article: Light pole installation blamed for many of the 911 outages that hit Texas, 3 other statesWorkers installing a light pole in Missouri cut into a fiber line, knocking out 911 service for emergency agencies in Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota.
Uvalde man sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse videos
Read full article: Uvalde man sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison for distributing child sex abuse videosA Uvalde man was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison for distribution of child pornography.
Texas border cities offer Biden and Trump different backdrops for dueling visits
Read full article: Texas border cities offer Biden and Trump different backdrops for dueling visitsPresidential visits to the border are usually short on substance and long on political theater and symbolism, starting with the choice of location.
Texas border cities scramble to shelter thousands of newly-arrived migrants
Read full article: Texas border cities scramble to shelter thousands of newly-arrived migrantsThousands of migrants have crossed the border into Eagle Pass and El Paso in recent days, the highest number since the emergency health order known as Title 42 expired in May.
Effort to fix payroll error for state National Guard troops falls short in Texas Senate
Read full article: Effort to fix payroll error for state National Guard troops falls short in Texas SenateThe mistake meant about 7,400 soldiers sent to the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star were hit with higher-than-expected federal income taxes.
3 migrants dead among 24 found trapped inside multiple train cars in Del Rio area, Border Patrol says
Read full article: 3 migrants dead among 24 found trapped inside multiple train cars in Del Rio area, Border Patrol saysThree people died after migrants were found trapped inside multiple train cars, according to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector.
Texas DPS scraps plan for $1.2 billion active-shooter training facility
Read full article: Texas DPS scraps plan for $1.2 billion active-shooter training facilityThe Texas Department of Public Safety is instead asking lawmakers for $381.5 million to upgrade its current facilities with better technology, dormitories and cafeteria for trainees from across the state.
Afghan soldier arrested at border while seeking asylum has new lawyers, meets with FBI
Read full article: Afghan soldier arrested at border while seeking asylum has new lawyers, meets with FBIAbdul Wasi Safi’s physical and mental health are deteriorating as he waits at a detention center near the border.
Veterans groups plead Afghan soldier’s asylum case in letter to Biden
Read full article: Veterans groups plead Afghan soldier’s asylum case in letter to BidenAfter surviving the fallout from a war in his home country and a global trek, Abdul Wasi Safi was arrested at the Texas-Mexico border on a misdemeanor charge, delaying his chance for asylum.
Nonprofits not equipped for a spike in border crossing, prepares for a change in weather
Read full article: Nonprofits not equipped for a spike in border crossing, prepares for a change in weatherThe cold weather concerns migrants lining up to seek asylum at the border. Some are seen wrapped up in blankets as they wait to cross into El Paso. The same concern is also happening in Del Rio.
San Antonio, Dallas men indicted for attempting to smuggle weapons, ammunition into Mexico, DOJ says
Read full article: San Antonio, Dallas men indicted for attempting to smuggle weapons, ammunition into Mexico, DOJ saysA San Antonio man and a Dallas man are facing a lengthy prison sentence and a large fine after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Del Rio for allegedly trying to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Mexico.
Police searching for Del Rio man wanted for robbery, kidnapping
Read full article: Police searching for Del Rio man wanted for robbery, kidnappingA search is underway for a Del Rio man who is considered “armed and dangerous” and is facing charges of robbery and kidnapping, according to Del Rio police.
Mexican government says train poses no threat to skeleton
Read full article: Mexican government says train poses no threat to skeletonMexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History says a prehistoric human skeleton found recently in a flooded cave system along the country’s Caribbean coast was actually discovered and registered by the institute in 2019 and will not be threatened by a nearby tourist train project.
Feds make largest methamphetamine seizure in Del Rio Port of Entry’s history
Read full article: Feds make largest methamphetamine seizure in Del Rio Port of Entry’s historyU.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry seized methamphetamine valued at $11.9 million, the largest in the port’s history, according to CBP officials.
San Antonio woman threatened to shoot ex-boyfriend, his students at Del Rio school, police say
Read full article: San Antonio woman threatened to shoot ex-boyfriend, his students at Del Rio school, police sayA San Antonio woman was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot her ex-boyfriend and the kids he teaches in Del Rio, according to police.
Maya village's water, future threatened by Mexican train
Read full article: Maya village's water, future threatened by Mexican trainMexico’s ambitious Maya Train project along the country’s Caribbean coast it is threatening the indigenous Maya people it was named for and dividing communities it was meant to help.
‘This is the way it’s going to be’: Man arrested after stealing more than $400 worth of beer, threatening store employee
Read full article: ‘This is the way it’s going to be’: Man arrested after stealing more than $400 worth of beer, threatening store employeeSan Antonio police have arrested a man who they say stole more than $400 worth of beer and threatened a convenience store employee with a handgun.
Supreme Court certifies ruling ending Trump border policy
Read full article: Supreme Court certifies ruling ending Trump border policyThe Supreme Court has certified its month-old ruling allowing the Biden administration to end a cornerstone Trump-era border policy to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court.
KSAT’s Alicia Barrera goes inside tractor-trailer to experience dangers migrants often face at hands of smugglers
Read full article: KSAT’s Alicia Barrera goes inside tractor-trailer to experience dangers migrants often face at hands of smugglersRescue simulations at border aimed at providing better understanding of dangers as crossings of migrants don't slow down. Over the weekend, Border Patrol Del Rio apprehended more than 2,500 migrants.
Border Patrol opens new processing facility in Eagle Pass, influx of migrants continues
Read full article: Border Patrol opens new processing facility in Eagle Pass, influx of migrants continuesLess than 24 hours after opening new processing facility in Eagle Pass, Border Patrol agents say its almost at capacity.
Report finds ‘unnecessary’ force by Border Patrol agents at Rio Grande
Read full article: Report finds ‘unnecessary’ force by Border Patrol agents at Rio GrandeBorder Patrol agents on horseback engaged in “unnecessary use of force” against non-threatening Haitian immigrants but didn’t whip any with their reins, according to a federal investigation of chaotic scenes along the Texas-Mexico border last fall.
Migrants cross into US amid Governor Abbott’s visit to Eagle Pass
Read full article: Migrants cross into US amid Governor Abbott’s visit to Eagle PassMinutes before Governor Greg Abbott arrived to Eagle Pass’ International Bridge II Wednesday, a group of undocumented immigrants defied Operation Lone Star efforts and crossed the Rio Grande River into the U.S.
Jack Del Rio fined $100K for comments about Capitol riot
Read full article: Jack Del Rio fined $100K for comments about Capitol riotWashington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has been fined $100,000 by the team for his comments about protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Clear Alert issued for 44-year-old man in Del Rio
Read full article: Clear Alert issued for 44-year-old man in Del RioThe Del Rio Police Department is searching for a missing 44-year-old man whose disappearance poses a credible threat to his safety, according to a CLEAR Alert from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Collaborative effort at the border ahead of Title 42 ending
Read full article: Collaborative effort at the border ahead of Title 42 endingLess than a week after Governor Greg Abbott announced "aggressive action" at the border ahead of Title 42 ending, the busing of migrants has begun, as has mass migrant response rehearsals by the Texas Military Department.
TribCast: Operation Lone Star and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week
Read full article: TribCast: Operation Lone Star and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad weekGov. Greg Abbott’s controversial border mission was subject to a slew of bad news this week, including a major shakeup at the Texas Military Department, whose top leader Abbott replaced.
National Park Service makes an ‘unfortunate’ discovery at Southwest Texas lake: a new invasive mussel
Read full article: National Park Service makes an ‘unfortunate’ discovery at Southwest Texas lake: a new invasive musselThe quagga mussel — a close relative of the zebra mussel that’s already invaded 33 state lakes — was detected in Texas for the first time.
Texas seeing ‘one of the most significant icing events’ in decades, governor says
Read full article: Texas seeing ‘one of the most significant icing events’ in decades, governor saysGov. Greg Abbott will hold a news conference following a briefing about the severe winter weather bearing down on Texas.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges state’s power grid will be ready for winter weather
Read full article: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges state’s power grid will be ready for winter weatherTexas Gov. Greg Abbott said demand for power won’t surpass supply during this week’s winter weather after a briefing with state officials.
Three arrested in connection with fatal shooting of 11-year-old boy, Del Rio Police say
Read full article: Three arrested in connection with fatal shooting of 11-year-old boy, Del Rio Police sayThree people were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy in Del Rio, according to police.
TribCast: A legal snag for Gov. Greg Abbott's border initiative
Read full article: TribCast: A legal snag for Gov. Greg Abbott's border initiativeIn this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jolie and Alexa about a potentially influential court case in Gov. Greg Abbott’s effort to arrest migrants at the border and a high rejection rate among applicants seeking to vote by mail.
Man drowns in gravel pit after fleeing Texas National Guard soldiers near border
Read full article: Man drowns in gravel pit after fleeing Texas National Guard soldiers near borderA man drowned in a water-filled gravel pit after he ran from Texas National Guard soldiers along the U.S.-Mexico border last week, according to federal authorities.
How did a little-known provision in federal law upend the immigration system? KSAT Explains
Read full article: How did a little-known provision in federal law upend the immigration system? KSAT ExplainsWe dive into the difference in how the U.S. handles asylum seekers versus those who cross the border illegally and try to go undetected.
Army Times investigation finds suicides, morale crisis in wake of Operation Lone Star at Texas border
Read full article: Army Times investigation finds suicides, morale crisis in wake of Operation Lone Star at Texas borderRecent reports from the Army Times into poor conditions and an uptick in suicides among Texas National Guard soldiers tied to Operation Lone Star has state lawmakers concerned over how the soldiers are being treated.
A look back: Best of South Texas Pride in 2021
Read full article: A look back: Best of South Texas Pride in 2021In late 2021, KSAT revamped the South Texas Pride series to bring viewers more long-form content full-length Q&As. We highlighted some stories that made a difference to the local LGBTQ+ community, as well as state, national and even international communities.
11 Haitian asylum seekers part of lawsuit against federal government
Read full article: 11 Haitian asylum seekers part of lawsuit against federal governmentEleven of the thousands of Haitian migrants who set up camp under the international bridge in Del Rio in September have filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The documents filed allege physical abuse, racial discrimination and failure to process asylum claims.
Pilot killed in runway crash at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio identified by Air Force
Read full article: Pilot killed in runway crash at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio identified by Air ForceA pilot who was killed after two military jet trainers collided at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio has been identified by military officials.
Pilot dead, 2 others injured after planes crash on runway at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio
Read full article: Pilot dead, 2 others injured after planes crash on runway at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del RioA pilot is dead and two others are injured after two military planes crashed on the runway Friday morning at Laughlin Air Force Base, east of Del Rio, military officials said.
South Texas Pride Q&A: Del Rio mayor gives performance of a lifetime for community on HBO’s ‘We’re Here’
Read full article: South Texas Pride Q&A: Del Rio mayor gives performance of a lifetime for community on HBO’s ‘We’re Here’The town of Del Rio was shaken up by drag performances from their very own mayor and LGBTQ+ community members who were part of the Emmy-nominated HBO show “We’re Here.”
2 border agents are fired for offensive Facebook posts
Read full article: 2 border agents are fired for offensive Facebook postsCongressional investigators say two Border Patrol agents were fired from among 60 found to have committed misconduct for participating in a private Facebook group that mocked migrants and lawmakers.
Illegal border crossings fall in September but hit year high
Read full article: Illegal border crossings fall in September but hit year highU.S. authorities say illegal border crossings from Mexico fell in September for only the second time in 17 months, but the federal fiscal year ended with the highest count ever.
Second expected surge of Haitian migrants not surprising, San Antonio pastor says
Read full article: Second expected surge of Haitian migrants not surprising, San Antonio pastor saysThe foreign minister of Panama, Erika Mouynes, has alerted the U.S. government that as many as 60,000 mostly Haitians could be heading to the border.
"We suffered a lot to get here": A Haitian migrant's harrowing journey to the Texas-Mexico border
Read full article: "We suffered a lot to get here": A Haitian migrant's harrowing journey to the Texas-Mexico borderAfter witnessing fellow migrants swept away in a Central American river and a sexual assault by armed men, one man wants to put the traumatic journey in the past and find stability for his family in Ohio.
'Amistad' binds Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña amid migrant crisis
Read full article: 'Amistad' binds Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña amid migrant crisisThe “amistad,” or friendship, that Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, celebrate with a festival each year has been important in helping them deal with the challenges from a migrant camp that shut down the border bridge between the two communities for more than a week.
Port of Entry in Del Rio to resume travel, trade operations Saturday, officials say
Read full article: Port of Entry in Del Rio to resume travel, trade operations Saturday, officials sayTravel and trade operations will resume at the Del Rio Port of Entry starting Saturday afternoon, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Uncertain future for some as Haitian migrant camp closes
Read full article: Uncertain future for some as Haitian migrant camp closesAn Ohio man is among those who made their way to the Texas border city of Del Rio, where thousands of Haitian migrants set up camp near a border bridge, including many seeking asylum.
Uncertain future for some as Haitian migrant camp closes
Read full article: Uncertain future for some as Haitian migrant camp closesAn Ohio man is among those who made their way to the Texas border city of Del Rio, where thousands of Haitian migrants set up camp near a border bridge, including many seeking asylum.
A Texas border community put politics aside to come together to serve those in need
Read full article: A Texas border community put politics aside to come together to serve those in needWhen law enforcement and migrants descended upon the small town of Del Rio, the community came together to serve despite their political beliefs.
Haitian activists helping migrants reach final destinations
Read full article: Haitian activists helping migrants reach final destinationsVal Verde County commissioners say the migrants who were camping out in Del Rio are now cleared, just days after almost 15,000 people, most of them Haitians, were seeking asylum.
Haitian asylum seekers being offered pro bono legal help
Read full article: Haitian asylum seekers being offered pro bono legal helpOn the ground with the 4,000 Haitian arrivals who remain in Del Rio was Carlos Moore, the president of the National Bar Association, the largest organization of 65,000 African-American lawyers, judges, law students and professors.
US special envoy to Haiti resigns over migrant expulsions
Read full article: US special envoy to Haiti resigns over migrant expulsionsU.S. officials say the Biden administration’s special envoy to Haiti has resigned, protesting large-scale expulsions of Haitian migrants to their homeland as it is wracked by civil strife and natural disaster.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s closure of Del Rio bridge disrupts businesses and jobs on Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border
Read full article: U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s closure of Del Rio bridge disrupts businesses and jobs on Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico borderFederal officials have halted traffic so they can process thousands of Haitian migrants seeking asylum. The closure has made it difficult for the Texas city’s binational employees and business owners to keep normal operations going.