El Paso City Council moves to draft resolution to disclose city-funded travel

KVIA on October 28, 2026

Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — On Tuesday, the El Paso City Council unanimously voted to approve an agenda item directing the city attorney to draft a resolution requiring the public disclosure of city-funded travel expenses.

In September, an ABC-7 investigation revealed members of the El Paso County Commissioners Court spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars traveling on taxpayers’ tab over the last five years.

Commissioners logged dozens of legislative trips across the U.S., while the county judge’s travel included a visit to Taiwan.

Since then, commissioners and the county judge have discussed ways to improve their travel policy to share the reasons why they travel and how it benefits taxpayers.

The El Paso City Council started that discussion, too.

City Representative Chris Canales called for members of the council to report any city-funded travel expenses once they’re back.

Backup documents on Tuesday’s meeting agenda said the recent public scrutiny of travel expenditures in other local government entities prompted the proposal.

The proposed policy would require that expenses be publicly reported on a future council agenda after travel is completed.

“We saw, in recent weeks, lots of attention on other government entities, in particular El Paso County and their travel,” Rep. Canales said. “Making sure we’re doing proactive disclosure on a rolling basis of this type of travel expenditure is just a good transparency act for the public.”

Members of the council get discretionary funds, and on top of that, they get $6,000 to travel, according to Sasho Andonoski with the Office of Management and Budget.

Click here to follow the original article.

Coachella City Council to consider funding housing program

KESQ on October 28, 2026

City News Service

COACHELLA (CNS) – The Coachella Valley Association of Governments could receive more than $300,000 to assist chronically homeless individuals in the city if the funding is approved by the Coachella City Council at tomorrow’s meeting.

City staff recommends that council members approve a memorandum of understanding with CVAG in the amount of $322,500 for the organization’s CV Housing First program.

The proposed program will provide case management and outreach services to homeless people, such as helping them qualify for benefits and connecting them to crisis stabilization units for referrals to temporary housing, including apartments and hotel rooms.

According to the staff report, the city previously participated in the program with an initial contribution of $100,000 before CVAG requested an additional $29,000 for rising costs.

If approved, the memorandum will expire on June 30, 2028 unless terminated by either party prior to July 1 of any fiscal year.

Wednesday’s meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at 1515 Sixth St.

Click here to follow the original article.

Odessa teen dies in El Paso crash involving 18-wheeler

KVIA on October 28, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A teenage boy from Odessa, Texas, died after crashing into an 18-wheeler in El Paso, according to the sheriff’s office.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said that on Monday at 3:42 a.m., deputies responded to a crash on I-10 west near Mile Marker 53 near Tornillo.

A 17-year-old teen from Odessa, Texas, died after crashing into an 18-wheeler near Tornillo.

EPCSO said a 17-year-old by from Odessa drove west and hit the rear of an 18-wheeler. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and passenger of the 18-wheeler weren’t injured.

Click here to follow the original article.

Public comment open for Imperial County’s first Lithium Valley health study

KYMA on October 28, 2026

Lynette Niebla

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Imperial County residents are being called on to shape the future of “Lithium Valley” as officials seek public input on a first-of-its-kind health study.

Imperial County and researchers from San Diego State University (SDSU) have officially released the draft Lithium Valley Health Impact Assessment (HIA).

The multi-year study looks at how direct lithium extraction (DLE) and related development could impact local living conditions, including air quality, water supplies, traffic, jobs, and healthcare access.

Because large-scale DLE is an emerging technology, researchers noted a lack of existing evidence regarding its long-term health impacts.

To address this, the project team evaluated similar projects alongside current baseline conditions in Imperial County to craft a series of long-term recommendations.

According to health officials, these recommendations lean heavily on maintaining transparent information access, building stronger local partnerships, and establishing continuous oversight as local industrial projects develop.

“Another thing that it looks at is ongoing assessment,” said Andrea Bowers, Deputy Director of Community Health. “This assessment can’t be a one and done, so we have to continue to monitor the additional information that we need and then learn how we can incorporate that information into future planning.”

Because the extraction process is so new, county leaders emphasize that community feedback is vital to finalizing an accurate assessment.

“Community input can offer perspective that the data and the research alone doesn’t show,” Bowers said. “When we, as public servants, show up to make decisions, we’re making those decisions on behalf of the entire community. So it’s so important that we hear the concerns, we hear the experience.”

Residents have until November 5, 2026, to review the materials and submit their feedback through an online portal. Comments are being accepted in both English and Spanish.

The full draft report, easy-to-read summary materials, and the online feedback survey are accessible directly through the Imperial County website.

Click here to follow the original article.

Dona Ana County sheriff race candidates speak on juvenile gun violence, trust with ABC-7

KVIA on October 27, 2026

Marcel Clarke

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — It’s your voice, your vote. Election Day is exactly one week away, and voters in Dona Ana County have an important decision to make about who will lead the county sheriff’s office.

Candidates Todd Garrison (R) and Vanessa Ordoñez (D) joined ABC-7’s Marcel Clarke to explain where they stand and make their case directly to you.

Watch the full report above.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting in New Mexico ends this Saturday, Oct. 31.

Find voter resources and ABC-7’s voter guide on our Your Voice, Your Vote page.

Click here to follow the original article.

María Guzmán runs for GESD Board

KYMA on October 27, 2026

Abigahil Padilla

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA) – Several candidates are running for the Gadsden Elementary School District (GESD) Board in San Luis, Arizona.

María Guzmán works at Arizona Western College as an Advising and Student Services Coordinator.

Guzmán said her platform is focused on supporting students’ development, helping teachers and school employees feel happy and valued at work, and continuing to serve her community.

“There is three reasons why I want to be part of the school board in Gadsden. One is I am a mother, so I know understand the perspective of what a parent wants to know about their kid’s education,” Guzmán shared. “I also care about understanding what resources are being used and how are they used.”

The midterm elections are next Tuesday, and early voting has already begun. For a list of voting locations, click here.

Guzmán is running against six other candidates for three available seats on the GESD Board. The candidates are Brian De La Hoya, Luis Marquez, Manuel Rojas, Mark Concha, Maria Luz Hoyos and Liliana Arroyo.

Click here to follow the original article.

Kirkham AMI Trail in Pocatello closed for construction through the week

KIFI on October 27, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The well-loved Kirkham AMI Trail is closed starting Tuesday, October 27 through this weekend for important and extensive upgrades. The construction will fully repave the parking lot as well as the mile-long stretch of pathway extending from the trailhead near Upper Ross Park and the Pocatello Animal Shelter.

The Portneuf Greenway Foundation says these upgrades have been a long time coming, with the old trail getting extremely cracked and bumpy for bike riders. The pavement rehabilitation project is funded in part by the Portneuf Health Trust, a supporter of Greenway. The project will restore smooth, safer travel for the runners and cyclists who use the trail throughout the year.

“We came in and crunched up the existing pavement and left it there as a base,” said Dan Harelson, President of the Board of Directors for Greenway. “Then there will be a fresh layer of gravel on top of that, before paving a fresh layer of asphalt. That crunched up asphalt and gravel will kind of insolate the new asphalt so it shouldn’t crack as bad.”

The original trail was built in 2000 and had begun showing its age. Harelson said they consistently got feedback from trail riders saying the bumps were becoming frustrating as well as the large cracks across the pavement. It became a top priority for rehabilitation.

The contractors, Iron Horse Asphalt, as well as the City of Pocatello and Portneuf Greenway are hoping to reopen the trail by Saturday, October 31. Community members have eagerly awaited upgrades to this trail, and Harelson says they won’t be disappointed.

“It’s spectacular scenery out here, especially this time of year and through the winter. It’s a great place to ride your bike, so please come out and enjoy the new trail next week,” he said.

The construction crews are asking for drivers to be aware of the truck traffic in the area throughout the week. They will be hauling in asphalt on the Avenue of the Chiefs down from the animal shelter. People are unable to park in the trailhead parking lot until it reopens next week.

Click here to follow the original article.

Collision flips vehicle after passenger experiences medical emergency on SW Bonneville Drive

KIFI on October 27, 2026

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – One individual was trapped under a Toyota Matrix, which flipped on its side on the banks of a canal after a collision with a GMC Denali on the 1000 block of SW Bonneville Drive Tuesday afternoon.

Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) confirmed that the accident resulted in no serious injuries.

IFPD spokeswoman Jessica Clements stated that a passenger in the Denali was having a medical emergency, which distracted the driver and contributed to the crash.

Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) also responded to the rollover, said IFFD spokeswoman Hayley Egbert.

The firefighters worked to free the pinned individual as fire and EMS officials assisted at the scene, she said.

One person was transported to a local hospital.

Two ambulances, two fire engines and a battalion chief responded to the call.

The wreck was reported at 3:30 PM. Drivers are asked to avoid the area.

This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information is released.

Click here to follow the original article.

Yuma man accused of alleged fraud scheme formally charged

KYMA on October 27, 2026

Jailene Aguilera

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man who the Yuma Police Department (YPD) said stole over $1 million in mechanical parts from a local business is now facing formal charges.

Alfredo Bedolla, 40, is facing three felony counts, including trafficking in stolen property, theft and fraudulent schemes.

Police said the alleged fraud happened from 2024 through the middle of this year.

YPD detectives found almost $3 million was spent without authorization, and the items were then sold at a greatly reduced price on eBay.

Bedolla is being held at the Yuma County Detention Center on a bond of $200,000.

Click here to follow the original article.

University of Arizona researchers in Yuma test products to fight soil salt

KYMA on October 27, 2026

Manoah Tuiasosopo

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – University of Arizona researchers in Yuma are testing 32 commercial products designed to reduce soil salinity, a problem that can damage crops and create additional challenges for desert agriculture.

The research is taking place at the University of Arizona’s Yuma County Cooperative Extension, where researchers are evaluating whether the products can help manage salt buildup in the soil and protect crop growth.

Soil salinity occurs when salts accumulate in the soil over time. Irrigation water, fertilizers and evaporation can all contribute to the problem.

When salt concentrations become too high, they can make it harder for plants to grow.

Robert Masson, an associate agricultural agent with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, is leading the research.

“A lot of the water that we use in agriculture is used to treat salinity,” Masson said. “The problem is that we have a high concentration of those salts, and they affect the growth of plants.”

Yuma’s dry climate makes the region particularly useful for studying the issue. The area receives less than three inches of rain annually, limiting the natural process that helps wash salts deeper into the soil.

Researchers are using a test field with underground drip irrigation to evaluate the products. They plan to increase the salt concentration in irrigation water and monitor how the different treatments affect soil conditions and lettuce growth.

The goal is to determine which products are effective and whether they offer a worthwhile investment for farmers.

Researchers said independent testing can provide growers with more reliable information about commercial treatments, helping them make informed decisions before spending money on products that claim to combat salinity.

The findings could become increasingly important as water supplies across the Colorado River Basin face continued pressure.

For farmers in Yuma and the surrounding desert Southwest, managing soil salinity is one part of maintaining productive fields while making the most of available water.

The research is expected to provide data that can help guide future testing and improve understanding of how commercial salinity treatments perform under Yuma’s growing conditions.

Click here to follow the original article.