Author: KVIA

Mia Okubo

Harmony Public Schools

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — All Six Harmony Public Schools Campuses have been recognized in El Paso to earn a National PLTW Distinguished School Recognition.

Project Lead The Way is a national nonprofit organization that provides transformative learning experiences in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, helping students develop real-world knowledge and skills for future careers.

The national recognition from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) during the 2025-26 academic year for their commitment to expanding student achievement and access to high-quality STEM education.

Dr. Kamil Yilmaz, West Texas Superintendent for Harmony Public Schools said “This achievement reflects the dedication of our educators, the hard work of our students, and our district’s continued commitment to preparing students for success through STEM-focused education. Through programs like PLTW, we are building future leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.”

The following campuses earned PLTW Distinguished School honors:

Harmony School of Excellence El Paso — PLTW Distinguished Launch School

Harmony School of Innovation Elementary El Paso — PLTW Distinguished Launch School

Harmony School of Science Elementary El Paso — PLTW Distinguished Launch School

Harmony School of Innovation El Paso Middle/High — PLTW Distinguished Gateway School and PLTW Distinguished High School

Harmony School of Science Middle/High El Paso — PLTW Distinguished High School

Harmony Science Academy El Paso — PLTW Distinguished High School

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Students at the University of Texas at El Paso are closer to having a new on-campus housing option. Thursday, with pickaxes in hand, university officials broke ground for a new $102 million dorm called “Miner Crossing.”

The dorm will have 507 beds in rooms made for for one to two students to live in, UTEP said. The five-story dorm will be next to Kidd Field.

Beyond bedrooms, the new dorm will have a dining room that will serve 1,400 meals a day, including pizza, salads and desserts, according to UTEP. Students can expect study spaces, gaming area and a fitness center too.

Miner Crossing will be a “traditional freshman dorm,” according to UTEP President Heather Wilson. She said she expects a lot of student athletes to live in the building.

She said by working with UTEP’s athletics department, she expects all student athletes to have a high-protein meal plan, even if they don’t live in Miner Crossing.

The outside of the building will match UTEP’s Bhutanese architectural style, the campus said.

Construction will take about two years, UTEP said. Students can start living in Miner Crossing in the 2028 fall semester.

UTEP said it has had a waiting list to live on campus for the last four years.

Wilson said a new dorm is necessary since the university is getting more applicants from people living outside of El Paso.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 53-year-old man was arrested and charged for allegedly crashing into an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit, EPCSO said Thursday. The sheriff’s office also said the man drove while intoxicated.

The sheriff’s office said deputies used a patrol unit with its emergency lights on to block Montana Avenue at Krag Street to investigate a motorcycle crash May 24.

At 10 p.m., Amado Vasquez Burrola allegedly drove past the road closure and crashed into the deputies’ unit. One of the deputies had to run out of the way to avoid being hit, EPCSO said.

After an investigation, deputies took Vasquez Burrola into custody and charged him with DWI with an open alcohol container and possession of marijuana, EPCSO said. They booked him into the county detention facility on a $10,100 bond.

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El Paso Matters

by Claudia Lorena Silva

More than 400 El Paso Independent School District jobs, including teachers and central office staff, may be cut as the Board of Trustees will vote Tuesday whether to declare financial exigency and implement a massive savings plan that includes layoffs.

EPISD Superintendent Brian Lusk is recommending the board make the declaration and approve a plan to reduce its staffing levels by 410 positions, which could also include retirements, resignations and vacant job openings, according to the agenda posted Thursday to the district’s website.

This includes 250 campus level positions and 160 central office positions, which will save the district $17 million and $11 million a year, respectively, according to information provided as part of the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.

EPISD currently has over 4,700 employees and 3,500 teachers, according to Texas Education Agency staffing reports. Eliminating 410 jobs would be a 9% workforce reduction.

If approved, it would be the deepest job cuts ever enacted by an El Paso school district that will impact the vast majority of its campuses.

EPISD officials said in a statement that they are currently reviewing the staffing and budget recommendations reflected in the agenda materials. 

“As noted in the agenda backup, the district anticipates a reduction of 400+ positions overall; however, not every reduction will result in an immediate reduction in force of current employees.

“Some reductions will come from eliminating or not filling vacant positions, while other actions may include reassigning staff into roles where there is a continued need and where the district can best support students.

“Throughout this process, El Paso ISD’s priority is to protect classroom instruction and limit impacts to students,” district officials said in a statement.

A public school consultant on May 19 recommended the district declare financial exigency as it faces a $52.8 million budget shortfall this fiscal year after discovering significant systemic issues in tracking its finances. EPISD estimated that without significant cuts, it would face a $42 million deficit next school year.

READ MORE: El Paso ISD may declare financial emergency, large-scale layoffs after review puts budget deficit at $52.8 million

Employees affected by the layoffs can request a hearing with the board and superintendent to make a case for their job.

Lusk is also recommending the district reduce the contribution it makes toward its employees’ health savings accounts from $1,000 to $500, saving the district $1.3 million; reviewing employee stipends for potential reductions; reducing the central office travel budget;  and reviewing coding and data collection to ensure it sends accurate information to the state.

PODCAST: As EPISD looks to ‘extreme measures’ to avoid financial exigency, imminent layoffs create anxiety, uncertainty

El Paso Federation of Teachers President Ross Moore said he expects the board to approve Lusk’s plan.

“EPISD is in dire financial straits. Yes, it is necessary,” Moore said. 

The district can also consider salary reductions, furloughs and other unspecified methods of cutting staffing costs, according to the presentation posted on the agenda. It is not clear based on the agenda documents if Lusk will make these recommendations.

If the board approves Lusk’s plan, EPISD will have 20 days to notify the Texas Education Agency. It will be the 19th district in the state to declare financial exigency over the past 10 years.

LEARN MORE: What financial exigency means for EPISD: layoffs, budget cuts, broken contracts

In the proposed financial exigency declaration, the district states that its savings per student has decreased by more than 20% in the past two years. That’s one of the developments that allows a school district to declare financial exigency under state law.

Exigency is similar to a bankruptcy filing, in that it gives local governments the power to break contracts, including employment agreements.

The declaration will expire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Mia Okubo

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Community College’s Summer and Fall Mobile Food Pantry is preparing to return June 2.

EPCC said it’s teaming up with El Pasoans Fighting Hunger to host a grocery pick up every Tuesday through November from at EPCC campuses across the city.

Organizers ask residents to bring their own bag or wagon to take their groceries home.

According to EPCC, here are the dates each campus will have the grocery pick up:

Mission del Paso campus (10700 Gtwy Blvd. E near Far East El Paso)

June 2, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

July 7, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Aug. 11, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Sept. 15, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Oct. 20, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Valle Verde campus, Parking Lot L (919 Hunter Dr. in the Lower Valley)

June 9, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

July 14, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Aug. 18, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Sept. 22, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Oct. 27, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Transmountain campus, Parking Lot B (9570 Gateway N Blvd. in the Northeast)

June 16, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

July 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Aug. 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Sept. 29, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Nov. 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Rio Grande campus, Parking Lot C (100 W Rio Grande Ave. in Sunset Heights)

June 23, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

July 28, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Sept. 1, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Oct. 6, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Nov. 10, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Northwest campus, Parking Lot A (6701 S Desert Blvd. near Canutillo)

June 30, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Aug. 4, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Sept. 8, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Oct. 13, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Nov. 17, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (June 1, 2026) — Investigation revealed the explosion and fire was an accident, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department.

The explosion came from the trunk of a car in the garage, LCFD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives learned.

An acetylene cylinder in the trunk fueled the explosion, LCFD said. Acetylene is a highly flammable gas used for welding, LCFD said.

The cylinder was in the car because it was being borrowed, Las Cruces fire reported.

Carbon monoxide alarms in the garage activated earlier the morning of the explosion, LCFD said. Investigators can’t determine if the alarms were tied to the acetylene leak. Some combustible gases can cause carbon monoxide alarms to go off, according to the fire department.

LCFD said compressed gas cylinders should be stored and moved in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and industry safety standards. Acetylene cylinders should stay upright, in well-ventilated areas and away from heat and ignition sources.

The person who died after the explosion hasn’t been identified, according to LCFD. Their remains went to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, which will look into the official cause of death.

Residents who lived in the neighborhood are able to go back to their homes, LCFD said.

The aftermath of the explosion and fire at the duplex.(Courtesy: LCFD)

UPDATE (2:25 p.m.) — Las Cruces police said firefighters found a body inside the duplex.

Police said the victim’s body will go to the New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office in Albuquerque for an autopsy. The victim hasn’t been identified.

Firefighters are looking through the debris from the fire to look for other possible victims, police said.

Investigators are helping find out what caused the fire.

Police said part of the duplex’s garage collapsed because of the fire. Two cars were inside.

Besides smoke damage, police said there was little damage done to the other half of the duplex. Residents who lived in the other half are getting help from the American Red Cross while they’re temporarily displaced, police said.

ABC-7 is sending a reporter to the scene to learn more.

(Courtesy: Las Cruces Police via Facebook)

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces firefighters are putting out what the department called a “sudden” fire at a duplex home after a reported explosion Thursday.

The Las Cruces Fire Department said it happened on the 2600 block of Fairway Drive near CanAm Highway. Someone reported the explosion after 11 a.m., according to LCFD on Facebook.

Firefighters don’t know what caused the explosion. The fire that happened after damaged part of the duplex.

A part of the duplex collapsed.

LCFD said Fairway Drive between Telshor Boulevard and Don Roser Drive closed.

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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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