On The Border with George Altgelt

09/27/26 OTB W/ "George & friends come and join us" - Please welcome Laredo's own, the talented and heartfelt Rob Castillo and his father, Don Roberto Castillo. The Co-Hostess with the mostest, the real brains of the operation, my favorite person on Earth, Mrs. Rosy Altgelt, and I interview Rob and his father about their musical roots, Prince and Grupo Fantasma, Selina and Ricky Munoz, and what allhe learned directly from Ramon Ayala. Come for the jam session and stay to learn what makes Laredo's newest rising star tick!

08/26/26 OTB W/ "George & friends come and join us" with Valentin Ruiz, Jesse "The Dude" Herrera, and Alberto Guajardo to discuss how Mayor Trevino's family has co-opted the City of Laredo's Council Meetings, public comments, and photo ops at the expense of the public, who are forced to wait hours just to be heard at city council meetings while "Mayor Jr." and "Mrs. Mayor" give themselves awards and recognitions instead of getting down to the business of securing our water and protecting our privacy.

Lawyers by day, do-gooders by night. Meet the dynamic duo that are leveling up the already great work and legacy of Laredo’s best bang for your buck charity. From regional expansion to surrounding communities to integration of STEM programs for teens, have a listen to how this organization operates. Come for the hope, stay for how they might even integrate into the City of Laredo’s Recreation Centers.

Join Sergio Mora, Hammrod News, Carlos Mariano Guerra for our first 2026 episode!

• Vanessa Perez' $6M Boondoggle: What's the real cost?

• Webb County Judge race: Can Tano E. Tijerina take down Henry Cuellar?

• Venezuela under Trump Admin: Mission accomplished?

Tune in for thought-provoking Laredo politics discussions!

After 12 years of distinguished service on the bench, Judge Monica Notzon leaves the 111th District Court better than she found it and career prosecutor, adjunct professor, and public servant Joaquin Rodriguez intends to do the same.

Learn about Joaquin’s stellar career as an Assistant District Attorney and his leading role as a civil litigator on behalf of the City of Laredo — and why he believes his years of experience make him the right person for the job.

https://youtu.be/03s7PFOgPcE

New Episode Alert! Just dropped: "On the Border with George Altgelt and Friends" featuring Laredo's own trailblazing Dr. Melissa Martin! We're diving deep into lifestyle medicine, root-cause health solutions, and her innovative Axis Direct primary care model right here in Laredo. From growing up on a South Texas ranch to building personalized health plans that go beyond pills-- think nutrition, sleep hacks, stress-busting tips and even a shot of olive oil?

https://youtu.be/5psU2FbNPyc

After the Laredo Citycouncils fouled a $417 million dollar bond, Eliseo Valdez shared his view on how the city invested in projects that would yield economic development return on investment vs. the city's new model of maxing the credit card just because we can. Join us for insight into how a heart of service, faith, and vision can help lift everyone and not just the powers that be.

Laredo's own Karen Gaytan brings home an Emmy as a producer for 'Stories of Hope and Ingenuity' in National Geographic's Science Fair: The Series. On the Border visits with Karen regarding her purposeful steps and the exercise of true grit along the uphill road to living out her purpose on earth

Keith Franklin is a successful attorney, philanthropist, and community leader. He joins us to share his journey—from his work with the Boys & Girls Club and the Laredo Area Community Foundation to his father’s artisanal craftsmanship.

Join us in this engaging episode with Keith Franklin as we dive into topics of philanthropy, community service, and adventure. This episode is a mix of heartfelt conversations, insightful reflections, and a celebration of giving back.

(00:00) Introduction and Casual Banter

(01:13) Starting the Podcast: Drinks and Cigars

(03:10) Guest Introduction: Keith Franklin

(05:42) Keith's Background and Family

(11:06) Board Games and Poker Stories

(17:11) Philanthropy and Boys & Girls Club

(31:57) Challenges of After-School Programs

(33:12) Boys and Girls Club Partnerships

(34:04) City and School District Collaborations

(35:59) Funding and Maintenance Issues

(41:15) Community Engagement and Improvements

(43:55) Personal Reflections and New Year's Resolutions

(45:40) Travel Adventures in Patagonia

(01:06:13) Motorcycle Travel and Wanderlust

(01:13:34) Exploring the Blanco River

(01:14:15) Human Nature and Exploration

(01:14:38) Climate Change

(01:16:45) Finding Happiness in Service

(01:19:03) The Dr. Lance T Fox Memorial Organization

(01:27:50) The Laredo Area Community Foundation

(01:29:38) Setting Up Endowments and Scholarships

(01:38:52) Managing Nonprofit Funds

(01:43:48) Reflections on Long-Term Impact

(01:47:17) Cotulla and Laredo Connections

(01:52:24) Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

In this engaging episode, Tanya Benavides shares her journey from growing up in Laredo to becoming a community organizer and political candidate. Tanya discusses the issues facing Laredo, including infrastructure, leadership, and the misallocation of taxpayer dollars. She highlights her vision for District 4 and the importance of grassroots efforts in combating political machines and big money influences. Tanya also emphasizes the significance of transparency, good governance, and community involvement in making sustainable changes. The conversation covers her work as a teacher, community organizer, and her motivation for returning to Laredo, aiming to create a thriving city for future generations.

(00:00) Introduction

(00:25) Grassroots vs. Big Money: The Political Landscape

(01:00) Meet Tanya: A Journey Back to Laredo

(02:35) Community Challenges and Aspirations

(03:13) Returning Home: The Call to Serve

(03:54) Teaching and Organizing: Shaping Policy from the Ground Up

(08:27) The Power of Community Organizing

(10:39) District 4: Core Issues and Concerns

(14:17) Election Dynamics and Grassroots Campaigning

(19:37) City Council and Policy Challenges

(27:43) Navigating Political Challenges

(29:27) Building Consensus and Negotiating

(35:10) Transparency and Integrity in Politics

(40:25) Vision for District 4

(48:14) Encouraging Voter Participation

(49:36) Podcast Tradition: Olive Oil Shots