Author: KVIA

Nichole Gomez

EL PASO, Texas(KVIA-TV) — This Halloween, El Paso welcomes a new tradition as the inaugural Día de los Muertos 5K, presented by Flowar and organized by Hive Production Company, debuts on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The event will take place at Eastwood (Album) Park, inviting participants of all ages and backgrounds to run, walk, and remember loved ones in a festive, community-centered atmosphere.

Scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m., the race encourages runners and walkers to honor the memories of friends and family by writing their names on race bibs. The event is designed to blend movement, cultural tradition, and celebration, and will precede the 41st Annual KLAQ Halloween Parade, making it a meaningful addition to the city’s holiday lineup.

“Día de los Muertos is such a meaningful part of our culture. It reminds us that remembering those we love can also be a celebration of life,” said Ofelia Dominguez, Race Director. “We’re excited to bring our community together in a way that combines movement, tradition and remembrance.”

Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, and the first 500 registered will receive an inaugural race shirt and commemorative medal. Leading up to the race, a Pre-Race Expo and Packet Pickup Celebration will be held at Chapoteo Water Park on Friday, October 30, from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring music, food, and activities, thanks to a partnership with El Paso Water Parks.

With support from sponsors such as Flowar, El Paso Water Parks, Perches Funeral Home, and Jason’s Deli, organizers hope to establish the Día de los Muertos 5K as an annual event celebrating life, legacy, and the city’s rich cultural heritage.

For more information and registration, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ElPaso/HiveDiaDeLosMuertos5K

Race: Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. | Eastwood (Album) Park, El Paso Pre-Race Expo: Friday, October 30, 2026 | 4–8 p.m. | Chapoteo Water Park

Run. Walk. Remember. Celebrate.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso drone operators are being impacted by new drone restrictions issued Friday.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of War, and Department of Homeland Security announced restrictions on drone activity up to 400 feet above ground level and 1.15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The restriction impacts major areas of El Paso like San Jacinto Plaza, most of the University of Texas at El Paso, the Sun Bowl, and El Segundo Barrio.

For local drone operators, it’s a reminder that they need to always check the airspace before flying.

“I understand the security threat and safety concerns for the region, but it impacts businesses and drone drone owners and operators across El Paso,” co-owner and Founder of From Above Droneworks said.

Schofield says with Winterfest coming up, the restrictions are going to have a major impact on local drone operators.

“Most people get out to fly to cover those events like Winterfest, Downtown San Juan, Sito Plaza, things with the Paso Star,” Schofield said.

The restrictions were put in place by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of War, and Department of Homeland Security as a push to defend the U.S. from national security threats.

“For too long, cartels have taken advantage of gaps along our southern border. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump, those days are over. By restricting unauthorized drone activity, we are giving commanders greater awareness, greater decision space, and more options to defend the Homeland. Equipped with cutting-edge technology—including Directed Energy Weapons—our warfighters will shoot down any cartel drone that threatens America’s sovereignty,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said.

Drone pilots now face the risk of being fined by the FAA for flying in these restricted areas.

“El Paso is one of the first cities in the United States to have remote ID. Remote ID pretty much says that airport operator operators can pick up your signal that you’re broadcasting, so there could be FAA fines that come along with anyone that’s not aware of the airspace,” Schofield said.

Schofield recommends drone pilots to download an app like Air Aware. It shows all the flight restrictions in your area, including the one affecting the border. It also provides resources to reach out to air and marine operations if you do need to fly in the area.

This restriction will be in place until October 2027.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — An El Paso woman tried to take drugs into a New Mexico prison, according to court documents ABC-7 obtained.

Sixty-six-year-old Tommie Kay Cooper has been charged with possession of a controlled substance; bringing contraband onto prison grounds; conspiracy to commit bringing contraband onto prison grounds and tampering with evidence. These are felony charges.

Tommie Kay Cooper’s mugshot. (Courtesy: DACDC)

On Friday, an officer with the New Mexico State Police received a report of contraband into a prison at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility near Las Cruces.

Documents said Cooper tried to dispose of the contraband as authorities detained her. She allegedly had concealed needles, strips of suboxone and methamphetamine. Documents said she hid the contraband in her underwear.

Cooper told authorities she conspired with her son, who was incarcerated, and an unknown man outside the facility, according to documents. The group conspired to take contraband into the prison and transfer the contraband to Cooper’s son, investigators wrote.

Documents said the unknown man gave Cooper the suboxone. She allegedly admitted to trying to get rid of the evidence by throwing it away to avoid prosecution.

Authorities transported Cooper to the Dona Ana County Detention Center for incarceration. She was booked without bond.

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Yvonne Suarez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Wyatt Cornelius, a former middle school teacher and coach, pleaded guilty to child solicitation Monday afternoon. 

The Dona Ana County District Attorney announced Cornelius pleaded guilty to child solicitation by electronic device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The change of plea hearing was held in Judge Richard M. Jacquez courtroom. 

Cornelius was a teacher and coach at Camino Real Middle School is Las Cruces. Las Cruces Public Schools hired him on July 1, 2006, and terminated him on May 22, 2026.

Authorities arrested Cornelius on April 22 after a teenage student reported an improper relationship with him. He was charged with criminal sexual contact of a minor, child solicitation by an electronic device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 

In July, two additional counts of criminal sexual contact were added after a second teenage victim came forward. The abuse happened between September 2025 and February 2026.

A judge denied bond or release due to the severity of the charges. Cornelius has been at the Dona Ana County Detention Center since his arrest. 

His jury trial had been scheduled to begin in November, prior to today’s plea hearing. 

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Amigo Airsho takes flight Saturday and Sunday at Biggs Army Airfield.

The airshow celebrates the spirit of aviation and salutes the armed forces. This year, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team will take the skies. The Blue Angels haven’t been in El Paso for more than 10 years.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels last performed in El Paso in 2011. ABC-7 photographer Armando Ramirez took the picture above when he was 11 years old.(Courtesy: Armando Ramirez, KVIA)

On the ground, there’s plenty of family fun planned for the weekend. Guests can explore food vendors, and see the F/A-18 Hornet — the legendary jet made famous by Top Gun!

ABC-7 will have live coverage with a first look at the high-flying action on Friday. Here’s what you need to know before heading to Fort Bliss for the two-day event.

Tickets: Who enters for free

Last year’s Amigo Airsho was cancelled due to a government shutdown. Some tickets from last year’s show can be used at this weekend’s event, the website said. The event website said 2025 tickets will be honored if someone “purchased a ticket online last year and did NOT request a refund.”

Those who received a new ticket will get an updated ticket through email. Tickets that have a 2025 date won’t be accepted at the gate. The website said any promotional or complimentary tickets from 2025 won’t be valid for this year’s airshow.

Some groups can save money on admission. The website said active military and their dependents receive free general admission when they show their ID at the military check-in lane at the gate.

Kids who are 12 and under enter for free, according to the website. However, families must pick up a Rocky’s Boarding Pass ticket at any Peter Piper Pizza location in El Paso and Las Cruces.

General admission tickets start at $40. Explore the Amigo Airsho’s ticket bundles here.

According to the event website, every ticket includes a free water bottle and refills.

Bag Policy

The Amigo Airsho has a clear bag policy. Bags must be clear and may be no larger than 12x6x12 inches. Small clutch purses or similar are allowed but must be smaller than 6.5×4.5 inches.

Here’s a list of what’s allowed at the event. Find more information here.

Allowed Prohibited Reusable water bottle (non-glass) Firearms or explosives Foldable lawn chairs Drones Umbrellas 45 inches or less in diameter Pop-up tents Tobacco-based products Coolers and lunch bags Service animals Outside food (except for non-glass baby food)

The airshow is an all-day outdoor event. The airshow website suggested taking sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and ear plugs.

Where to Park

Tickets come with free parking and a free shuttle service from parking lots to the airshow grounds.

General admission ticket holders should enter through the Old Ironside Gate (Old Ironsides Avenue) and park in either the Blue or Red Lot.

Those who need ADA parking can enter through the MSG Peña Gate – park in the Purple Lot adjacent to the Centennial Banquet & Conference Center (11199 Sgt. E. Churchill St.). Guests using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft should enter through here too.

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Armando Ramirez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Anime Mundo brought anime, gaming, and pop culture to the El Paso Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18.

The event featured voice actors from a variety of shows, Q&A panels, workshops, cosplay opportunities, and family-friendly activities.

Attendees were able to meet the guests and obtain signatures during the event, buy merchandise from vendors, and dress in cosplay representing characters from a variety of shows and movies.

The convention hosted more than 100 vendors inside the El Paso Convention Center. Featured guests included voice actors Brandon Rogers, Ben Diskin, Luci Christian, and Emi Lo.

For more information on the event, click the link here.

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Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – The Lee and Beulah Moor Children’s Home brought back it’s ‘Operation Pumpkin’ fundraiser for the 25th year on Saturday.

The children’s home is hosting the event at the Coronado Country club and sold out tickets for the second year in a row according to CEO Renee Tanner.

One by one the doctors who agreed to participate filled their seats and broke the seal of the carving tools to get started even using their own accessories with each pumpkin showing the creativity translated from the doctor’s heads to the skin of the pumpkin.

This was not the only way the Children’s house raised money, with silent auctions also used to give away tables full of items and even various gift baskets.

The doctors who agreed to carve their pumpkins made the most of the time they were given before one by one each was sold to the highest bidder with all the proceeds going toward continuing the Children’s Home.

Tanner said the organization relies on the money from fundraisers like this because it doesn’t receive federal or state funding.

For the people that participated in the carving like Pediatric and Fetal Cardiologist Dr. Fernando Molina Berganza, it was a good way to mix a fun afternoon with a good cause.

“I think that’s what community means,” Berganza said. “It’s getting together with these events and having fun and at the same time doing something for the people in our community that are most in need and doing it in a fun way.”

Berganza said this was the first time he had done something like Operation Pumpkin, and had such a good time he plans on returning next year already making plans on what he’ll make.

As the time expired and the finishing touches were added the auction phase helped the Children’s Home with every raise of a paddle from a member of the sold out crowd willing to make an offer.

One pumpkin went for $700, another for $350, and each time the word ‘sold’ came from the auctioneer’s mouth the room filled with applause.

The fact that the fundraiser has had enough support to continue for 25 years shows Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Tom Alost, another carving participant, this is something he’s proud to have been a part of for 10 years.

“I think the most important thing is that somebody had an inspiration back in the day, Lee and Beulah, to come up with a place to take care of children that needed help,” Alost said. “That gradually has built up to a situation where now we have El Pasoans across the city, not just what we do, but everybody that’s over here right now does this to support children that need love, need support. They need to have a place to sleep, a place to live, a place to grow. It’s a beautiful thing.”

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Armando Ramirez

UPDATE (Oct. 19, 2026): A 36-year-old man died in a Northeast El Paso crash on Saturday morning, according to police. The El Paso Police Department is asking for the public to share any information they may have about the crash.

It happened at 12000 Gateway North Blvd. just after 6:30 a.m., according to police.

EPPD said the man drove a Lincoln Town car at a high rate of speed. At the same time, someone drove a 2017 Fontaine T880 Truck Tractor in the lane next to the Lincoln.

The driver of the Lincoln lost control and slid sideways, crashing into the rear of the tractor truck, police said.

Police said a third car, a red sedan, was possibly involved and didn’t stay on the scene.

Investigators asked the public for information. The public can send information to the El Paso Police Department at 915-832-4400 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-TIPS (8477).

Police said this is the 54th traffic death of 2026.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– The El Paso Police Department says its Special Traffic Investigations Unit STI responded to a crash in Northeast El Paso.

Officials say the crash occurred at Gateway North and Mesquite Hill involving a semi and a vehicle around 6:31 a.m.

Officials have not released any information regarding the condition of the drivers or any passengers involved in the crash.

Once we learn more information, we will update you on air and online.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX(KVIA-TV) — The city is gearing up for its 9th annual Día de los Muertos Desfile & Festival, set to take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the heart of the Downtown Arts District.

The beloved celebration honors the lives of those who have passed and the rich traditions that keep their memories alive. This year’s event promises a full day of family-friendly activities, including free arts and cultural exhibits, vibrant altars, live performances, local vendors, and more.

A highlight of the festivities is the iconic parade, proudly presented by GECU, which will wind through Downtown El Paso and showcase 60 entries featuring colorful floats, local organizations, and talented performers.

Organizers, including the MACC, MCAD, the City of El Paso, and Visit El Paso, emphasize that the entire event is free to attend.

Festival activities will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the parade beginning at 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to join in honoring the legacy of loved ones and celebrating El Paso’s vibrant culture.

Below is the map for the event:

https://www.epmacc.org/documents/DDLM-Parade-Map.pdf?1792430306

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — With early voting kicking off Monday in Texas, ABC-7 is sitting down with candidates in local races to help keep voters informed.

For El Paso County Commissioner Precinct 2, voters will see two candidates on their ballot. The race is between Republican Matt Sistrunk and Democrat Miguel ‘Mike’ Teran.

As ABC-7 has reported, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office currently faces a $5.9 million budget deficit. ABC-7 spoke with both candidates about how they would address the shortfall while ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

The candidates were also asked what they would do to reduce property taxes in El Paso County.

You can watch the full debate Monday on ABC-7 at 4. To visit our full voter guide, click here.

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