Good morning, Laredo.

Runners and walkers will join the KGNS+ and United Way Neon Dash 5K this Saturday, Oct.

11, at 7 a.m., enjoying a neon theme with games such as music, basketball toss, fishing booth, and coloring station — the event offers free T-shirts to the first 100 registrants — while proceeds support local nonprofits through United Way.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church will host its annual Jamaica festival this Sunday—Oct.

12, where vendors will serve enchiladas, gorditas, and aguas frescas and community games and live music will enliven the celebration at 1718 San Jorge Ave. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and will end with a raffle drawing at 8 p.m.

Webb County announced yesterday that the Mercado Festival will take place in November featuring at least 100 artisans from regions including Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León and Coahuila—promising a range of crafts and art forms for shoppers.

The festival will be held at the 1848 Event Center from November 7 to November 9 from 11 a.m.—8 p.m. with free admission and parking.

Today the Laredo Public Library hosts Poe’s Night of Darkness at Joe A Guerra Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Teenagers (grades 5 to 12) learn about Edgar Allan Poe’s life and banned book while making dark artworks like sewing plush figures of black crows and cats.

Texas public colleges and universities will waive admission application fees under Senate Bill 2231 so students can apply for free from Monday, October 13 — Sunday, October 19.

Local schools like Laredo College and TAMIU already waive fees and are working to inform students about this chance.

Texas A&M International University is celebrating its 55th anniversary today—this milestone features over 9,000 enrolled students and the appointment of Dr. Christopher Maynard as its seventh President following his September 18 appointment, with a focus on student success.

After nearly two years of planning, the Webb County Southern Fire Station will soon open on the 2400 block of Mangana Hein Rd. in south Laredo to speed up emergency responses for residents—its facility will have a fire truck, brush truck, ambulance crew, and six on-duty personnel.

Gov. Greg Abbott congratulated Laredo for earning a Tourism-Friendly Texas Certified Community designation, and local officials and the Convention and Visitors Bureau said the recognition reflects the city's strong culture and tourism efforts—officials expect more visitors in the near future.

Today, Laredo Mayor said he is concerned about increased drone activity along the riverbank and is working with law enforcement to monitor the situation.

He added that the city will review its policies to protect residents—more updates are expected.

Value and Talent Job Fair

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — Workforce Solutions for South Texas — Free to attend — Discover local employment opportunities and connect with potential employers.

Food Town Laredo

11 PM - 1 AM — 800 Garden St, Laredo, TX — Free entry — Celebrate Laredo's culinary heritage with engaging discussions and workshops on local food culture.

Laredo Coffee Fest

11 AM – 4 PM — The Shoppes at Laredo — Free entry — Celebrate local coffee culture with tastings and unique brews.

Dia De Los Muertos Art Gala & Auction

5-8:30 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Laredo — $110 per ticket — Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with an art auction, fine dining, and live entertainment.