Author: KVIA

Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — On Wednesday, the El Paso County Elections Department did a log and accuracy test on electronic pollbook equipment that will be used for the November elections.

The county said officials use this test to verify whether voter information has been correctly loaded into the system, whether key devices are working properly and whether ballot styles are correctly assigned to voters.

“Eerything is tested not only in the state level, but it also needs to be tested on our end so that voters are comfortable when they cast their vote at the voting site,” said Melissa Martin with the El Paso County Elections Department.

The county says they do this testing before any election.

“The results are always 100% because, again, we need to test every single precinct that is going to be serving the county. So the testing also is archive for 22 months as required by law,” said Martin.

The county follows all security protocols mandated by the state.

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Nichole Gomez

Las Cruces, NM(KVIA-TV) — The much-anticipated Coats for Kids campaign kicked off its 32nd annual drive this week, aiming to ensure that every child in Las Cruces stays warm this winter. Organized by Las Cruces Coats in partnership with Las Cruces Public Schools, the initiative plans to distribute over 1,250 brand-new winter coats to students in need before the holiday season.

This year, school counselors and social workers have identified approximately 2,500 elementary school children who could benefit from a warm coat. In response, the organization is rallying support from local residents and businesses to meet this growing need.

A unique feature of the campaign is its lighthearted “Jailbirds” fundraiser. Prominent community leaders, including the mayor, fire chief, and police chief, will be temporarily “locked up” at 1338 Picacho Hills Drive. Each Jailbird must raise bail money—with all proceeds going toward purchasing coats—to be released. Every $20 donation provides a brand-new coat for a child. Donors are encouraged to either help free their favorite Jailbird or, for fun, keep them “locked up” a bit longer by supporting the cause.

With coat purchases scheduled for mid-October, the next few weeks are critical for fundraising efforts. Organizers hope to recruit about 25 Jailbirds this year and are inviting community members to participate or support the campaign in any way they can.

The Coats for Kids program is run by the local nonprofit Love Las Cruces. To get involved, donate, or learn more about the campaign, visit the organization’s website or contact them directly. Organizers say every contribution helps ensure that no child in Las Cruces will have to face the winter cold without a proper coat.

LasCrucesCoatsForKids.com

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Downtown El Paso will once again transform into a winter wonderland for the annual WinterFest. This year, the City of El Paso said WinterFest will be “brighter and better than ever” with more than one million lights!

WinterFest kicks off Nov. 21 with the Sherr Legate Lights Parade at 6 p.m. More than 70 groups will march the Downtown route, including marching bands and dance groups. The WinterFest website said a parade route will release soon.

The city recommended going to WinterFest early on parade day to secure a spot.

Santa Claus will also make his first appearance of the season. Families can take free pictures with him throughout the WinterFest season.

After the parade, visitors can enjoy holiday magic in Downtown for six weeks.

Attractions at WinterFest include an outdoor ice-skating rink at the Convention Center Plaza. The Rink will close Jan. 3.

The city said local vendors will offer handmade gifts and food for purchase.

Visitors can also catch a movie at WinterFest. The El Paso Museum of Art and Mexican American Cultural Center organized free holiday movie screenings with the El Paso Community Foundation Plaza Classic Film Festival.

In the heart of Downtown, San Jacinto Plaza will stay lively with local musicians, dancers and other performers. At the plaza, lights will glow from 5-11 p.m. daily. The city will also set up the famous 45-foot Christmas tree.

For those wanting a fun challenge, San Jacinto Plaza will host loteria game nights on select dates in December.

In 2025, nearly 600,000 people attended WinterFest, according to the city.

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Nichole Gomez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA-TV) — A new leadership cohort is set to launch in El Paso, offering high school-aged girls the chance to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and make a tangible impact in their community.

Strive Now, in partnership with La Nube and Mija, Yes You Can®, has announced “The Collab: La Nube x Mija, Yes You Can,” a four-session program designed to empower up to 30 young women. The initiative focuses on helping participants discover their voice, lead with their values, and collaborate on a real-world community project.

Throughout the program, participants will engage in interactive workshops where they will learn to communicate with confidence, transform conflict into connection, and lead authentically. The sessions encourage teamwork and relationship-building, culminating in the development and delivery of a community project aimed at creating lasting positive change.

Those who complete the program will earn the Purpose Every Day Community Leader Microcredential, endorsed by the GECU Foundation, in recognition of their emerging leadership and community involvement.

“We are so excited to be joining forces with two powerful organizations here in El Paso,” said Iris Lopez, founder of Mija, Yes You Can. “By bringing the resources and passion of all three organizations together, we can reach even more girls and give them the tools and confidence to view themselves as leaders.”

Registration for the four-session program is $25. Sessions will be held at La Nube on four Saturdays: November 14, November 21, December 5, and December 12, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information or to register, visit: https://form.jotform.com/262714748344160

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Downtown El Paso’s Mexican American Cultural Center said its annual Día de los Muertos Desfile & Festival returns Oct. 24. The festival celebrates life and those who have departed.

The MACC’s Día de los Muertos celebration will take place in the heart of the Downtown Arts District.

The event’s signature parade features more than 60 entries of floats, dancers, musicians and community organizations. It will start at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Campbell Street and Mills Avenue and will finish on Santa Fe Street.

DDLM-Parade-MapDownload

In the days leading up to the celebration, El Paso’s museums will have themed arts and cultural activities, according to the MACC.

El Paso’s museums will offer cultural activities in the days leading up to and on the day of the festival.(Courtesy: KVIA)

The MACC said themed activities at the city’s museums are free.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Loya family announced a $20 million gift to the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation. The foundation said the gift will go into the proposed 6.5-acre park over the I-10.

According to the foundation, the proposed park would also be named after Fred Loya and his family.

“The future park will be named Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza, a tribute to Fred Loya Sr. and a family whose story is woven into the fabric of El Paso. Fred Loya Sr., who passed away earlier this year,” the Foundation said in a news release.

The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation estimates it will cost a total of $239 million to build the proposed deck plaza.

An ABC-7 rendering of the area of the proposed Downtown Deck Plaza project.

Previous reporting by ABC-7 found that building out all the amenities and adjacent buildings could cost $412 million in total.

The foundation said the “transformational” gift will “mark a historic milestone in the once-in-a-generation opportunity to Elevate the 10 and create a community space for all in the heart of El Paso.”

ABC-7 reached out to Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation CEO Tracy Yellen to learn where the proposed project stands now. ABC-7 also reached out to nearby businesses that would be impacted by the project’s construction.

Watch the full story on ABC-7’s evening newscasts.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-On October 22, 2026, women leaders, visionaries, and changemakers from across the country will gather for a transformative conference aimed at sparking dialogue, sharing authentic stories, and helping to shape a more equitable future.

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Many people here in the borderland desperately need mental health care, but can’t afford it. That’s where Catholic Counseling Services comes in, offering sliding fee scales, hoping no one is turned away.

CCS is asking El Pasoans to consider donating on this Giving Day, Thursday, Oct. 15.

Dr. Allannah Sanchez is a licensed professional counselor with CCS, which serves the community through the Diocese of El Paso. She knows her work makes a difference because she herself was once a client.

CCS has provided affordable mental health counseling to individuals, couples and families since 1938.

The key to serving so many is affordability. They don’t want to keep anyone from the resources they need. Healing hearts, restoring hope, and strengthening families is what they do every day.

To learn more, or make a donation, click here.

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Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — It’s time to wear purple and take a stand against bullying for the LGBTQ+ youth in our community, and across the globe. Thursday, October 15th is Spirit Day. It’s the world’s most visible anti-bullying movement for this group of young people, especially transgender and nonbinary youth.

Author Elizabeth Keohan, a licensed certified social worker and therapist at Talkspace, works with youth every day. She says just like any other population, the way these young people are treated has an enormous effect on them. Acceptance can make a huge difference.

According to GLAAD, a nonprofit LGBTQ organization, acceptance is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, so is discrimination, bullying and online hate. 70% of these youth report feeling unsafe at school. Nearly half report being bullied in the last year. GLAAD reports that hate speech protections are being rolled back on social media platforms.

You can learn more about GLAAD, Spirit Day, and take the pledge against bullying and discrimination by clicking here.

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Yvonne Suarez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Projected cash flow issues in the spring could result in the El Paso School District Board of Trustees getting a short-term loan.

During the board’s Monday meeting, EPISD trustees received an update on the cash flow and ending balances for the school year. A temporary cash shortfall may hit the books May and June of 2027, forcing the district to seek alternative actions for now.

The cash balance could fall below zero in May, and be about $40 million short by June.

The board discussed the financial impact if the district seeks a short-term loan. No action was taken, but the board instructed administrators to monitor the cash flow and discuss possible approval of a short-term loan, which would happen in March or April.

Administrators told the board the projections could change if state funding comes in sooner.

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