Author: KVIA

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) – African Heritage Week will be celebrated citywide in El Paso,February 6–8. The celebration brings together local Black leaders, designers, and organizations, alongside an International guest from Uganda, Meriam Nanasirye, founder of Rescue Women’sFoundation. Events will take place at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), the El Paso Museumof History, and Amalur at Old Sheepdog Brewery, offering the community multiple opportunitiesto engage throughout the weekend.

EVENT CALENDAR:

Friday, February 6 | 3:00–6:00 PMMexican American Cultural Center (MACC)

African Heritage Week Kickoff Cultural CelebrationSpeakers, cultural performances, African fashion showcase, and Black-owned vendor market.

Saturday, February 7 | 1:00–3:00 PMEl Paso Museum of HistoryAfrican Heritage Week Opening Reception & Fashion ShowcaseTraditional African fashion and jewelry from Uganda paired with local Black designers.Saturday, February 7 | 7:00–9:00 PMAmalur at Old Sheepdog Brewery (Mystic Desert Studio)African Heritage Week Fashion ShowRunway show featuring local and international Black designers.Sunday, February 8 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PMMexican American Cultural Center (MACC)African Heritage Week Cultural Celebration & Fashion WalkSpeakers, cultural performances, fashion walk, and Black-owned vendor market.African Heritage Weekend marks a milestone for El Paso, celebrating African culture throughfashion, storytelling, and community connection across the city. All events are free andopen to the public.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso teen is going to Hollywood after wowing judges on American Idol. 19-year-old Julián Kalel advanced past the first round Monday night.

Kalel advanced during his last audition in 2025, but took a step back to focus on his mental health. He received an anxiety diagnosis as a freshman in high school.

The song he wrote for his most recent audition is an anti-suicide anthem. He said he wrote it during a dark period in his life, and wants it to remind listeners they’re never alone.

All three judges gave Kalel a yes.

“You have all the talent of a great singer, glad you’re back,” judge Luke Bryan told Kalel. “Let’s just have fun with this thing.”

Kalel will head to Hollywood to compete on a much bigger stage.

To hear more about Kalel’s story, click here. American Idol airs on ABC-7 Monday nights at 7 p.m. You can follow Kalel’s journey to stardom.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Post Malone will be kicking off his tour in El Paso at the Sun Bowl Stadium.

It’s one of only two stops he will be making in texas on his tour across the us.”

“We’re still blessed with great weather, great pricing in real estate and now a lot of things to do,” Manager of the Sun Bowl Stadium, Jorge Vazquez, told ABC-7 during an interview.

He started as the general manager of the Sun Bowl Stadium in 2010.

Back then, he would have to sell the story of why El Paso is a good stop for big music acts. 

“Now that we have this success in our hands of many years of being able to successfully put on these events,” said Vazquez. “”I don’t have to sell El Paso anymore. I think it’s already a proven market.”

Coldplay played at the sun bowl last year. The Kpop band BTS also recently announced it’s performing in El Paso. 

Post Malone is the latest big act set to play the Sun Bowl. He’s touring across the U.S. with country artists Jelly Roll and Carter Faith.

“You could just put on some headphones and just get lost into his albums,” said UTEP student Tony Vega during an interview with ABC-7.

Tony works part time at a hotel in El Paso and witnessed how good the Coldplay tour was for local businesses. He hopes performances like Post Malone and BTS will continue to make El Paso a stop for big acts. 

“They jump from like Phoenix, Arizona, all the way to Dallas. It’s like, you know, you could just stop here for a little bit if you like,” said Vega.

Jorge Vazquez, the general manager of the Sun Bowl, believes this means there’s much more to come. 

“And now i will we will see more events coming. i really believe that because we are on the international map,” said Vazquez.

Pre-sale for the tickets starts February 6th at 10 a.m.

You can sign up for the pre-sale by visiting here.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso County is discussing its legal rights and responsibilities regarding ICE detention centers within county limits during today’s El Paso County Commissioners Court in executive session.

This comes after the potential opening of a new ICE detention center in Clint, Texas. ABC-7 previously reported that the El Paso City Council will also discuss an agenda item at tomorrow’s meeting to prevent the construction of more ICE facilities within city limits.

Today, County Commissioners Court took action on this discussion and will direct the County Attorney’s Office to deliver a public presentation within thirty days to speak about the processes, status and framework associated with immigration detention facilities.

The County will also express its opposition to the construction of more detention centers in El Paso to the state and federal delegation, including Congresswoman Veronica Escobar,Congressman Tony Gonzales, Senators Cruz and Cornyn and all other members of El Paso County’s state legislative delegation.

“The County Attorney’s Office will request, obtain, and compile any and all availableinformation concerning proposed detention facility sites within El Paso County from municipalities, planning and permitting departments, federal and state agencies and other relevant governing bodies, including elected officials and staff. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, site maps, applicable permitting requirements and processes, public notice and public comment periods, and meetings or discussions related to proposed sites,” the County said in a statement.

The Department of Homeland Security provided ABC-7 with the following statement regarding proposed new detention centers in El Paso:

“At this time, we have no new detention centers to announce. Every day, the Department of Homeland Security conducts law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe. It should come as no surprise that ICE is making arrests in various U.S. states and is actively working to expand detention capacity.

ICE focuses on the most dangerous criminals, including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and others. Seventy percent of ICE arrests involve undocumented immigrants charged with or convicted of a crime in the United States. Thanks to new funding legislation, ICE has new funds to expand detention capacity and keep these criminals off American streets before their eventual removal from our communities,” according to an ICE spokesperson.

ABC-7 also spoke with El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and Precinct 3 Commissioner Iliana Holguin about ICE detention centers in El Paso.

“It’s obvious that we’re against a new ICE detention facility and we know the impact that a detention center would have if you look at it from the economy and economic development, it would take so much of our resources and we’re concerned about resources for companies that go and they give back to the community, much less to something that’s not going to give back to the community,” said County Judge Samaniego. “We’re probably going to be one of the biggest unfunded mandates it will ever have, if it ever happens; you could imagine having 8,500 individuals there, the infrastructure that’s required, the movement of vehicles, it’s going to be an impact for the community.”

“The Commissioners Court is not in favor of any additional facilities, not only because all of the major concerns that we have with the existing facility located on Fort Bliss, where we’ve heard horror stories about detainees being fed rotten food, not having clean water, not having access to their medications, not having access to adequate laundry facilities,” said County Commissioner Holguin. “Those terrible conditions that we’ve heard about, we certainly don’t want another center that would actually be bigger, potentially holding up to 8,500 people, where we would see some of these same issues arise.”

“Aside from that, we have concerns about our resources, because a center that holds 8,500 people will strain our natural resources even more. We already know we have issues regarding water access and electricity access, especially as more and more development happens out in Far East of Paso,” County Commissioner Holguin added.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)-Widening projects aren’t only happening on the city’s westside, in today’s TxDot talks Lauren Macias-Cervantes joins us with an update on the purple heart widening project. 

Tuesday, February 3

9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Night)

I-10 eastbound between Vinton and Artcraft closed

Detour: I-10 traffic will have to exit at Vinton/Westway and travel along South Desert to re-enter I-10 at Redd entrance ramp.

Crews will be installing overhead signs at two different locations.

Monday, February 2 to Saturday, February 7

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bypass lanes east- and westbound between Redd and Mesa closed

Detour:

Traffic will continue along South Desert, through the Thorn Intersection, and enter I-10 before Mesa.

Traffic will continue along North Desert, through the Thorn Intersection, and enter I-10 before Redd

Crews will be completing construction on an ornamental fence at Thorn.

Road Repair

Monday, February 2 through Friday, February 6

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

US-62/180 Paisano eastbound alternate lane closure

Between Mesa and Sunset eastbound alternate late closure

Crews will be working on spall.

Guardrail Repair

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, February 2

I-10 westbound between Viscount and Airway left lane and off-ramp at Airway closed

Tuesday, February 3

Loop 375 (Border Highway) eastbound between Paisano and Weight Station right lane and off-ramp at Weight Station closed

Wednesday, February 4

US-54 east- and westbound between Cassidy and Montana alternate shoulder closures

Thursday, February 5

CD lanes (US-54) between Cassidy and Fred Wilson right lane closed

Friday, February 6

I-10 westbound between Geronimo and Paisano right lane and off-ramp at Paisano closed

Maintenance

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ramp N between Loop 375 East and US-54 North closed

Loop 375 (Border Highway) eastbound between Cordova Bridge and US-54 right lane closed

Delta eastbound between Cordova Bridge and Boone right lane closed

Crews will be working on bridge joints.

Artcraft

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as needed)

SH-178 (Artcraft) east- and westbound between New Mexico State Line and Doniphan alternate lane closures

Crews will be working on illumination and wall installations.

North Desert between Helen of Troy and Cheddars Restaurant alternate lane closures

South Desert between Charlie Clark Nissan and Blue Sky alternate lane closures

Crews will be loading and unloading material and equipment.

Borderland Expressway Phase 2

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

US-54 east- and westbound between Mesquite Hills and McCombs alternate lane closures

Mesquite Hills reduced to one lane between US-54 and Red Man. Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic as needed for haul trucks crossing Mesquite Hills

Flaggers will be on site directing traffic as needed for haul trucks crossing at McCombs and Stan Roberts.

Crews will be transporting earth embankment into the project.

Continuous closure beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday, February 21 to 6 a.m. Monday, February 23 (50 hour closure)

Martin Luther King (FM-3255) north- and south-bound between Stan Roberts (FM-2529) and O’Hara Road (NM-404)

Local traffic will be allowed to access businesses and residences between O-Hara Road and the Texas/New Mexico State Line.

Traffic will be detoured using NM-404, I-10, Loop 375 (Woodrow Bean/Transmountain), and US-54.

Crews will be working on a traffic switch to allow for construction of Martin Luther King new road configuration.

Safety Lighting on Mesa (SH-20) & Dyer St. (BU-54)

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mesa at Resler westbound right lane closed

Mesa at Camile westbound right lane closed

BU-54 Dyer northbound between Edge of Texas and Mesquite Hills shoulder closed

Hercules between US-54 and Railroad eastbound right lane closed

Crews will be working on lighting improvements.

Loop 375 Widening Project

Saturday, January 31

Daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Loop 375 northbound main lanes closed between Padres Exit Ramp and North Loop Exit Ramp

Crews will be working on final striping placement.

Sunday, February 1

Daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Loop 375 northbound main lanes closed between North Loop Exit Ramp and Pellicano Entrance Ramp

Crews will be working on final striping placement.

Sunday, February 1 to Monday, February 2

Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Loop 375 northbound main lanes closed between Zaragoza Exit Ramp (Port of Entry) and Pan American Entrance Ramp

Crews will be working on ride quality operations.

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Loop 375 main lanes alternating north- and southbound closures between I-10 and Padres Drive

Americas Avenue (frontage road) alternating south-and northbound lane closures between I-10 and Padres Drive

Crews will be working on installing miscellaneous items, clean-up and striping.

Tuesday, February 3 to Thursday, February 5

Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Loop 375 southbound main lanes closed between I-10 and Zaragoza Entrance Ramp (Port of Entry)

Crews will be working on ride quality operations.

I-10 Landscape and Aesthetic Project

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I-10 westbound right lane closure between Zaragoza Road and Lee Trevino Drive

I-10 westbound right lane closure between Lomaland Drive and Yarbrough Drive

Gateway West left lane closure at Zaragoza Road

Crews will be installing lighting and placing steel structures.

Bridge Maintenance Project

Sunday, February 1 to Thursday, February 5

Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

I-110 northbound connector to I-10 eastbound closed

US 54 southbound connector to I-10 eastbound closed

I-10 East exit 23A will be closed.

Gateway Boulevard East will be closed at Marr Street.

Crews will be performing maintenance work on bridge.

Horizon/Darrington Reconstruction Project

Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 6

Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Horizon Boulevard westbound right lane and shoulder closure between Rodman Street and Darrington Road

Crews will perform electrical work on islands in intersection.

Darrington Road south- and northbound alternating left lane closure between Nunda Drive and Horizon Boulevard

Crews will be working on ped poles in the medians.

Continuous closure until Friday, March 13 at 4 p.m.

Darrington Road southbound full closure between Horizon Boulevard and Homestead Drive

Crews will be working on southbound Darrington Road.

Continuous closure until March 2026

Pete La Rue Circle will follow detour entrance and exit at Roslyn Drive

Crews will be working on storm culverts, final subgrade, pavement operations and milling.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Cacao Coyatoc in El Paso brings a devotion to artisanal chocolate rooted in centuries-old techniques. 

Visitors embark on a sensory journey from the moment they taste the traditional Chiapas chocolate.

“I fell in love with teaching. But more so teaching about our traditions and the resilience that our people have had,” says co-owner of Cacao Coyatoc, Nancy Torres.

The business’ beans are sourced from Chiapas, Mexico, from the cacao plantation that has been in the owner’s family for generations. This, reflecting a sustainable, family-guided supply chain. 

The brand emphasizes cultural heritage, preserving traditional practices while inviting modern tasters to learn. Hands-on experiences through workshops teach guests how to make traditional chocolate, reinforcing the connection between process and flavor. 

By pairing education with culinary craft, Cacao Coyatoc blends storytelling with taste. Sustainability is woven into every step, from cultivation to packaging. 

Guests leave with a deeper appreciation for chocolate as a craft, not just a product.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)— Some El Pasoans have been feeling a sense of relief when pumping gas in 2026.

According to GasBuddy, 2026 is set to be the cheapest year for fuel since 2020. The national average is expected to be at $2.97 per gallon.

Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, explained that gas prices are typically lowest at the start of the year. He said that in 3 to 5 weeks from now, gas prices will begin to climb, which is normal. Gas prices increase in the spring due to a rise in demand.

GasBuddy reports that each year, American households spend $2,083 on fuel.

With the projected trend for 2026, consumers are projected to spend $100 less than in 2025.

El Pasoans said right now they spend anywhere between $40 and $70 each time they fuel up. Some said they are always in search of a good deal to help save some money.

“I have family on the east side that’ll tell me, like, “Hey, you know, gas is this cheap. Like, if you want to come over, come get it now. Like, it’s at this price,'” one El Paso resident said.

“I try to watch my speed at the same time, trying to get as much miles to the gallon as I could, just so I’m not burning all my gas in one time,” another El Pasoan added.

Another said they rely on the Circle K app to help track gas prices around El Paso.

With the news that gas will fall below $3 in 2026, some are feeling hopeful this will be a year of savings.

“It makes me feel good. I’m glad. So that way I can go on more trips, especially around the country, like road tripping. So that’s good. But I mean, the price of groceries is still up, so it kind of balances out.”

“I feel like I want to be hopeful, but at the same time, I’m like, I don’t know.”

“It gives me a lot of hope.”

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)— 12-year-old Arykah Brown has been recognized by the Recording Academy, the music industry’s highest honor.

The 7th grader at Spec. Rafael Hernando III Middle School is heavily involved in fine arts. She sings and plays piano and guitar.

She’s also a member of Sound Stage 9, which offers performance-based music education. During middle school, she was also involved in theater and choir.

“Since I was a baby, I’ve always loved music. It’s just like I’m really passionate about it,” she told ABC-7.

Arykah and her sister were invited to sing background vocals on the children’s album “Brillo, Brillo” by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band. She learned the songs in just two days and recorded the musics tracks at an El Paso music studio. Arykah said the songs were fun and entertaining.

“So me and my sister did it, and we didn’t think much of it until, like, a couple months later,”

The album would go on and win Best Children’s Music Album at the 2025 GRAMMYs. Arykah was shocked when she learned the news.

“My mom was like, ‘You won a Grammy.’ I was like, ‘Oh.’ So, like, that’s how that happened. It was like really unexpected because I didn’t know it was like that big of a thing,” she said.

The preteen already has a manager, and she even has her own stage name, Chriz-Ti.

Arykah is proud of her official Grammy certificate she received. It currently sits in her family’s home entrance.

“I’m really proud of it because I know not a lot of people get the opportunities that I do as a 12-year-old, and that I’ve done it like this soon in life, and a lot of for a lot of artists, it’s like a lifelong goal.”

Arykah also thrives in the classroom. She’s a straight-A student and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Middle school math teacher at Hernando Middle, Ruby Cervantes, said Arykah occasionally sings to the class.

“It’s so exciting. It’s exciting for her and her family. And just goes to show how hardworking she is and how self-driven she has to be at 12-years-old and go on to such a wonderful accomplishment,” she said.

She described Arykah as creative, brilliant, self-driven and humble.

“It’s so exciting. It’s exciting for her and her family, and just goes to show how hardworking she is and how self-driven she has to be at 12-years-old and go on to such a wonderful accomplishment,” she said.

Jesse Sepulveda, the principal of the middle school, said Arykah’s success can be largely attributed to her involvement with Socorro ISD’s Fine Arts Programs.

“She is going to be a big hit one day. We’re going to hear her name somewhere, and then we’re all going to remember that we had the opportunity to meet her,” he said.

Arykah said she enjoys performing and seeing the joy it brings others.

“I love being on stage, and I love performing. And a lot of times I’m performing with bands, whether it’s my band or other bands that they put together. I love that because then you can, like, look around, and you see like other people,like, enjoying it as much as you do, and you’re just surrounded by people who, like, have the same passions as you. And so it’s a great thing,” she said.

Arykah wants to pursue music after high school and become a touring artist. Until then, she’s focused on her academics and releasing new music of her own.

If you have a Good Vibes Only story idea, please e-mail rosemary.garcia@kvia.com.

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Nicole Ardila

The organization We Hike is aiming to take teens off of screens and up summits with their now free teen introduction to mountain hiking.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, they’re expecting at least 30 teens to participate in their first teen hike of the year.

We Hike says it’s taken them a couple of years but they finally created access for teens to the Franklin Mountains State Park without permit fees.

On the 3-mile hike introducing teens to mountain hiking, they’ll be discussing safety, leadership and connecting with the community.

We Hike President Lisa Enriquez shares how important this is for building lost social skills.

“I think that community connectedness is not the same as it was six, seven years ago,” she says. “We have youth who are not used to communicating, who are used to doing everything online, working in groups, giving that social connection, giving that environment, giving that nature and getting them out with what they’re using and how to expand and grow into those leadership and communicative programs.”

They’ll also be teaching teens about the desert, its flora and fauna, and about “Leave No Trace.”

It’ll give teens the chance to dig deeper into our ecosystem before temperatures get too warm later in the year.

“Our internet world today and with AI has really given us opportunities to stay behind closed doors,” says Enriquez. “Now is the time to learn, if you’re curious, come on out, put your jacket on. It is really not that cold, when you get out here it’s almost magical coming from the couch.”

Check in begins at 7:30 a.m. for quick introductions, giveaways and a safety course.

They recommend teens come layered up, with sneakers or hiking boots, and bring snacks and water.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso City Council will consider a plan to prevent ICE detention facilities within city limits, addressing concerns about human rights and public safety. The proposal involves collaboration with the County of El Paso and El Paso Water to explore legal and regulatory options.

Here’s what the City Council agenda published today:

“Item 34: Discussion and action to direct the City Manager, in collaboration with the City Attorney, to develop a plan of action to prevent the installation of any Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in the city. Additionally, to collaborate with the County of El Paso and El Paso Water to support this measure.”

ABC-7 spoke with City Representatives Lily Limón and Chris Canales, who are co-sponsoring this item.

Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 6 and 10.

ABC-7 also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), El Paso Water, the County of El Paso and to the office of Congressman Tony Gonzales for comment; they all have not responded to our request yet.

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