Month: May 2026

Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — With summer approaching, so are higher electricity bills. El Paso Electric shared some tips to keeping your home cool on a budget.

EPE said to keep your thermostat at a high, steady temperature throughout the day with your windows and curtains closed.

“Some of the alternatives that we recommend when it comes to the thermostat is using the ceiling fan or space fans as well. Running your AC at a constant temperature, big spikes and the temperature change can increase the energy demand,” said Michelle Lopez, a team coordinator with El Paso Electric.

It also advised doing your laundry or running your dishwasher early in the morning or late at night.

Denise, an El Paso resident, said she relies on practical strategies to beat the heat without increasing energy use.

“Just open a little bit of a window in your house,” she said. “That way your air conditioner isn’t going to be running and using a lot of energy.”

She also uses ceiling fans and tries to take advantage of cooler parts of the day.

Those are among the recommendations from El Paso Electric as summer energy demand increases.

Michelle Lopez, a team coordinator with El Paso Electric, said residents should keep their air conditioners set at a consistent temperature rather than making large adjustments throughout the day.

“We’re not saying to be uncomfortable,” Lopez said. “Running your AC at a constant temperature is important. Big spikes in temperature changes can increase energy demand.”

According to El Paso Electric, the average residential electric bill more than doubles during the summer months, increasing from about $82 during non-summer months to roughly $170 in the summer.

The utility also recommends running major appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and washing machines during the early morning or late evening, when outdoor temperatures are lower.

“We recommend running larger appliances, such as your oven, dishwasher and laundry, in the early morning or late evening,” Lopez said.

Denise said cooking earlier in the day helps keep her home more comfortable.

“I don’t feel the heat, everything is good, and the house starts smelling good,” she said.

For laundry, she recommends taking advantage of the region’s hot, dry climate by air-drying clothes outside.

“It’s a perfect excuse to put it on the patio because it’s going to dry in a few hours,” she said.

Energy experts also suggest using blackout curtains to block sunlight and reduce indoor temperatures.

While lowering the thermostat significantly after returning home may seem like a quick way to cool down, El Paso Electric says the practice can increase energy use and lead to higher bills. Instead, the utility recommends maintaining a steady, comfortable temperature throughout the day.

“I wish you to have a nice summer,” Denise said.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The season has arrived when water is released into the canal adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as into the Rio Grande; there, the El Paso Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team is raising awareness about the risks and dangers that anyone may face while in the water in that area and even on the roadways.

According to Kris Menendez, water rescue coordinator and battalion chief for the El Paso Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team, the upcoming water season will be shorter than in previous years, impacting the number of emergency calls the Fire Department receives.

The water was released from Caballo Dam into the El Paso water canal and the Rio Grande, and Chief Menendez says the misconception is that people think they can cross the canal with ease, but that’s not the case. “What they don’t understand is that the canal system is designed to move water; it is designed to get water downstream to the farmers, to other cities that are south of our location,” said Chief Menendez.

“We always advise everybody to stay out of the canal system; they are not meant to be played with. There’s a fence on both sides for a reason to keep people out of the canal system, but we still have people going through the canals and putting themselves in harm’s way,” Chief Menendez added.

According to him, over the past several years, they have seen a significant increase in water rescues, whether in the canal system or on roadways, due to the rainy season, which has caused widespread flooding.

Chief Menendez says that four years ago, the number of rescues was high, but now that number has been decreasing due to less rainfall and shorter water seasons, like this year.

“Last year was a shorter season for the canal system to flow water; this year is even going to be a slower season for the water to be in the canals and that has a huge effect on what and how we respond to calls for service for water rescues,” Chief Menendez added. “This year, experts are saying, potentially we will have a significant wet summer and if that does happen, the potential for more calls on the roadways, on those areas that we know flood, will increase, but then the calls in the canal systems will decrease because it’s going to be a shorter season.”

The El Paso Fire Department, through its Water Rescue Team, says that they are always prepared to respond to these types of emergencies and is ready to provide water rescue services.

“This is what we do and we are definitely blessed to be able to help our fellow El Pasoans that are here, our fellow people that are possibly getting or trying to cross canal systems,” Chief Menendez also told ABC-7.

Last year, they reported over 20 rescues and recoveries and they hope to see fewer this year.

Some areas across town could be dangerous for anyone, as Chief Menendez says, you should avoid those where you can’t see how deep the water is, as sinkholes have also been seen in El Paso lately.

Another tip is that if the main route is flooded, take a few extra minutes and look for alternative routes to reach your destination, even if it takes longer, because it can save your life.

The El Paso Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team has about 30 members citywide, trained and certified in various techniques, from swiftwater rescue to scuba diving, to respond to any emergency call.

Chief Menendez also states that collaboration with Border Patrol, the Emergency Services Districts #1 and #2, is essential when attempting to rescue someone in danger in the water canal or the Rio Grande.

“Having that common ground helps in regards to possibly rescuing somebody sooner and faster, because Border Patrol is on the front lines here, and if they see someone drowning or trying to cross and needs help, they’re the first responders in this case,” Chief Menendez said. “They activate 911, and we’re communicating with them, letting us know exactly where they’re at, where the person in the water is, so that we can get there quicker to help them and then ultimately rescue the individual if we have to jump in to get them out of the water.”

If you find yourself in any such situation, whether in the water canal, the Rio Grande, or any flooded area, call 911 immediately.

“Our team is very well trained, but we expose ourselves to the same hazards that you and our fellow El Pasoans might be exposed to,” said Chief Menendez.

“We might have the gear, the personal protection devices, the helmet, the gloves, the boots and the dry suits that keep us dry, but at the end of the day, we have experienced our members have gotten hurt rescuing other people, as they’ve slipped and fallen on the side of the embankments and really have caused some injury to themselves; so we’re not exempt from getting hurt,” he added. “When we put ourselves in those situations, the potential of us getting hurt is also very high and that’s one of the things I think we fail to realize is that we’re providing the service to make sure that you’re safe, but at the same time, while we’re doing that, we have the potential of also getting hurt.”

The El Paso Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team is set to start preparing and training for this summer season early next month.

“At the end of the day, we always say turn around, don’t drown. If you’re on the roadways, there’s lots of rain, avoid the known flooded areas if you can, seek alternate routes if you can, to get to where you have to go and if you don’t know how to swim, take lessons, they’re free, they’re all available throughout the City of El Paso and if we do all those things, I think we can truly minimize the impact on our community when it comes to water emergencies,” Chief Menendez added.

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Rishi Oza

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — One of the most historic buildings in El Paso will be sold for the first time in nearly 20 years after a city council vote Tuesday.

The Albert Fall House, located at 1725 Arizona Ave., is planned to be sold to a company called Edge Limited Co. for more than $800,000.

The house, built in 1907, was included on Preservation Texas’s 2004 Most Endangered Places list because it was threatened by neglect.

ABC-7 has reached out to the city for comment about the house’s history, and is waiting for a response.

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El Paso Matters

by Claudia Lorena Silva

The Socorro Independent District expects to approve a balanced budget this June for the second year in a row, as it traverses a multi-year plan to rebuild its savings after nearly a decade of spending more than it generated in revenue.

The district is planning to adopt a $465.5 million budget with a $550,000 surplus that will be used to cover the costs of operating the SISD Aquatics Center, district officials said during a board meeting presentation Wednesday.

Under the plan, the district expects to adopt a $2 million surplus next year and a $3 million surplus the following year, which will go toward its unassigned fund balance.

While SISD is trying to strengthen its savings, the county’s two other largest districts, El Paso and Ysleta ISD, will need to tap into theirs just to stay afloat. El Paso ISD is considering seeking financial exigency, which would allow them to break employment contracts and other agreements.

SISD Superintendent James Vasquez said the district may end the year with a small surplus,but will not give the amount until the fiscal year closes. Vasquez said he expects to need a short-term loan for $30 million to cover payroll costs while waiting for state funding.

“We’re proud of the work that we’ve achieved to this point. We’re not ready to celebrate just yet. These issues are not confined to the region,” Vasquez said. “There’s a statewide issue with insufficient funding, and ultimately, who suffers from this the most is our students.”

SISD employees won’t get a raise next school year, beyond what was already implemented when school funding was increased during the 2025 Texas Legislature, Chief Communications Officer Daniel Escobar told El Paso Matters.

SISD Chief Financial Officer David Solis said future raises will need to be balanced with some of the district’s other needs, including replacing outdated technology, upgrading air conditioning and bus or vehicle replacements.

“All of these priorities will continue shaping not only next year’s budget but future budget discussions as the district works to balance growing needs with the limits we shared,” Solis said.

Some homeowners living within SISD’s boundaries may also see an increase in the school portion of their property tax bill as the district prepares to adopt a tax rate for 2026 and potentially call for a voter-approval tax ratification election, or VATRE, that could generate more revenue for the district.

SISD voters last year narrowly rejected a VATRE proposal that would have shifted a portion of the tax rate used to pay its debt to pay for operations, totaling $49.2 million in revenue.

Based on preliminary property values and anticipated compression, the district expects to adopt a property tax rate of $0.91 per $100 of valuation, which would cost about $930 for the median home worth $241,600. A possible VATRE is not included in this rate, district officials told El Paso Matters.

Last year, the district adopted a tax rate of $0.93 per $100 valuation, costing $870 for the median valued home worth $232,700. 

Building savings amid declining enrollment

SISD plans to hold a public hearing and adopt a budget June 17. The district will receive certified property values in July, allowing it to finalize its tax rate calculations. The district has until Aug. 17 to call for a VATRE.

In late 2024, SISD officials were worried they had nearly depleted their savings, forcing them to take out loans to cover payroll.

Now, the district plans to start rebuilding its reserves next year, even as demographic researchers expect enrollment to decline in the coming years.

At the time, officials worried their savings would drop to $22.1 million at the end of the 2025 fiscal year, or enough to operate for 17 days in an emergency.

SISD officials said Wednesday the district now has enough funds in its savings to operate for 29 days in an emergency, or $37.1 million.

SISD policy requires the district to have enough to keep the district afloat for 75 days. Texas school districts also need to have enough to keep running for at least 75 days to get an A in the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.

The district expects to have 800 fewer students next school year and will be down 3,600 students by 2036, according to a presentation from Zonda, a demographer hired by the district.

Zonda adviser Paul Cash said the district may lose students at a faster rate depending on how the state’s new voucher-like program that allows families to send students to private schools using state funds affects enrollment, and if high interest rates deter residents from buying homes in the district.

“I will say that, as we do more and more of these reports, we learn more about vouchers and the state of education in Texas, this is probably the middle forecast. And if interest rates don’t help, something slightly lower would probably be the more practical forecasts at this time,” Cash said.

Vasquez said the district has already cut about 29% of its central office administrative staff over the last two years, while campus staff was reduced by about 9% to save money. He did not say how much this saved the district.

Even with the loss of students, the district still plans to have a $2 million surplus next year and a $3 million surplus the following year, taking it to 33 days by 2028.

EPISD is expected to end the year with a $52.8 million deficit and a $42 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year, which will reduce its savings from $101 million to $18 million or enough for 12 days if the district doesn’t take drastic measures, which could include layoffs.

YISD expects to end the school year with about $13 million in its savings.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) – MOB is bringing back its family-friendly event to help local families get ready for school with a uniform swap. It will be held on July 11th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

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