Nichole Gomez
KVIA-TV (El Paso, TX) – Brian Mirau of Mirau Capital Management joined me to talk about a recent report analyzing U.S. Census data that shows many Americans may be falling short in retirement savings.
Nichole Gomez
KVIA-TV (El Paso, TX) – March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Ellen Wicker Dr. Evelyn Kachikwu from Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso talks about the importance of raising awareness, encouraging screenings, and supporting research for the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. https://www.ttuhscepimpact.org/fox-cancer-center
Rosemary Garcia
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Thirty-six teams from across the area recently competed at the Texas Region I V5RC High School State Robotics Championship: Pushback in El Paso.
Top teams were able to showcase their driving and autonomous skills while improving their engineering design process skills.
Robotics is a hands-on, competitive activity that promotes engineering and programming. But it also goes beyond the fundamentals and promotes teamwork!
ABC-7 spoke to several local high school students at the competition who said robotics introduced them to their closest friends!
“I love being able to communicate with my team and make good improvements in the overall, and grow as a team together,” one student said.
“It feels amazing, especially since it’s the first year and we’re at a championship. So it’s super, it’s super, super amazing seeing all the different teams grow within each other,” said Maria Luisa Martinez, a student at Americas High School.
Some students said their school teams had been preparing for months. One group of competitors from Hanks High School said that thanks to robotics, they’ve been able to forge relationships with people they wouldn’t have met otherwise.
“All of these girls that I’ve met are of my closest friends, and I did meet them through robotics as well. And it’s been a great opportunity to meet all these amazing people. They’re all very welcoming,” explained Laila Moreno, a student at Hanks High School.
Despite the competition, students said it’s all about connecting with others and perfecting their craft for a chance to move to the next level.
“We’re like a family because we are always together. We spend a lot of time preparing for the robotics team, and also, like, getting to know all of these people that are from different schools comes from people that are from different parts of Texas,” said another Americas High School student.
“We made goodie bags beforehand to hand out to all the different teams. And we’ve also been cheering on the sidelines with the teams. So it really is exciting to see everyone collaborate with everyone and just coming together in this big competition,” Martinez said.
Students said they believe the skills they learn in robotics will help them in their future careers.
If you have a Good Vibes Only story idea, please e-mail rosemary.garcia@kvia.com.
Joseph Montero
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department responded to an aggravated assault call early Friday morning in Northeast El Paso at a DK convenience store at 4413 Dyer.
Police say one female was sent to the hospital and no arrests have been made at this time.
This is a developing story and we will continue to bring you updates.
Heriberto Perez Lara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has changed the start and substantial completion dates for the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) Modernization project, with construction set to begin in early 2028 and be completed by summer 2031.
ABC-7 reported last year that the GSA planned to begin construction in spring 2027 and substantially complete by summer 2030, but the timeline and project have been slightly delayed.
“GSA remains committed to the successful execution of this critical and complex modernization project at the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry. Due to acquisition delays beyond our control, the extended 2025 government shutdown and careful due diligence, we have adjusted the estimated project timeline.”
ABC-7 requested further comment and an interview with GSA, a spokesperson said: “that it cannot be supported at this time.”
The project’s description says that the construction of the project could take up to 1,610 calendar days to complete, which is over four years.
Binational industry and maquiladora leaders have previously expressed concern about the proposed closure of commercial traffic once the project is completed.
Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 5 and 6.
Paul Schulz
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)confirmed to ABC-7 Tuesday morning that the Camp East Montana will remain open.
The spokesperson shared the following statement with ABC-7:
“Camp East Montana is NOT closing, quite the opposite. Rather, ICE has contracted with a new provider following Secretary Noem’s termination of the old contract inherited from the Department of War. ICE is always looking at ways to improve our detention facilities to ensure we are providing the best care to illegal aliens in our custody.
This new contractor will allow Camp East Montana to continue abiding by the highest detention standards WITH the ability to provide MORE medical care on-site. This contract also allows more on-site staff and a PRECISE quality assurance surveillance plan. ICE will have even more oversight of the contractors at this facility. Far from closing, Camp East Montana is upgrading.”
ABC-7 also spoke with the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), a migrant advocacy group and legal firm that has attorneys who have visited Camp East Montana multiple times since it opened in August of last year.
“Some detainees are not receiving the medication that they need at all or are receiving that medication late, which exacerbates their symptoms,” said staff attorney Charlotte Weiss. “Individuals are subject to excessive force, including when they ask for basic necessities such as prescription medication or food that is not spoiled; the quantity of food that individuals are given is about the size of a fist and the food, overwhelmingly, we’ve heard from individuals, causes them to vomit and to have diarrhea.”
Staff attorney Weiss said they’ve also been speaking with individuals for the last few months who have been subject to forced ‘third-country’ removals, which means that these individuals are being forced by the federal government or the government attempts to remove them to Mexico or to a country where they are not from and where they have no ties to, according to Weiss.
“I’ll start by reiterating that the ultimate thing that we want and that we need is for the facility to be shut down,” said staff attorney Weiss. “If the facility isn’t shut down, what is needed is for there to be no more use of third-country removals, which means that the government does not try to remove someone to Mexico who is not from there.”
“It’s also important that individuals receive adequate medical care, which means that once they request to speak with a doctor, they speak with the doctor immediately. It’s important for individuals to be given food that fills their stomach, that does not leave them hungry, and for them to be given food that does not make them sick,” attorney Weiss added.
Heriberto Perez Lara
UPDATE– ICE responded to ABC-7’s request from Tuesday, a spokesperson said the department does comply with the National Environmental Policy:
“Let’s be honest about this. This isn’t about the environment. It’s about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again. The left didn’t care about the mountains of litter that illegals aliens dropped on ranches and riverbeds during Biden’s border crisis. They’re feigning concern now because they want those same illegal aliens to stay forever and vote here.
“ICE fully complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as implemented by DHS directives and policies when planning and executing all ICE actions, including real estate acquisitions. Prior to purchasing this site, ICE carefully evaluated the use of existing facilities to help minimize environmental impacts, including potential impacts to protected species, sensitive natural resources, and valued cultural resources.”
SOCORRO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso County, through the County Attorney’s Office, did a presentation during Monday’s Commissioners Court on the proposed new ICE detention center planned to be opened in Socorro, Texas.
County Attorney Christina Sanchez presented a legal overview, asking her office to present the process, status, and framework associated with detention centers within the county amid concerns recently raised by local communities.
According to the presentation, the County was made aware of the potential ICE detention facility on January 20 due to local media reports.
In response to community concerns, El Paso County says it has taken several actions, including:
Sending letters to the region’s congressional delegation requesting transparency and oversight regarding detention facilities.
Sending letters to the state delegation requesting opposition to this detention facility.
Requesting that federal officials ensure all environmental review requirements are followed before any project proceeds.
Submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to DHS, ICE, and CBP seeking records related to the planning, construction, or operation of any proposed detention facility in El Paso County.
EP COUNTY DETENTION CENTER LEGAL OVERVIEWDownload
ABC-7 reached out to the El Paso County Attorney’s Office for comment.
El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez says County Commissioners directed her office to review any standards to process information they could come across at the proposed ICE detention center in Socorro.
“This is a matter of public concern that a lot of the information regarding the lead-up to this site has not been forthcoming from the federal government and this really was in response to the 200-plus members of the public who showed up to Commissioners Court to express their concern and for us as a governmental entity and as public servants, to provide any information that we can to the public on the issue,” said County Attorney Sanchez.
“There are implications for this: who bears the costs of ensuring that the infrastructure is in place? who bears the cost of ensuring that the roads are up to par to transport individuals back and forth? who incurs the costs for medical services that may need to be adhered to by individuals who are in the facility? Presumably, they would go to our public hospital for care,” County Attorney Sanchez added. “So it’s all a trickle-down effect in terms of the cost that would potentially be imposed on this community, of course, and not to mention the other concerns that El Paso County commissioners have in terms of the public health, safety and welfare of this community.”
At the end of the Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, County Commissioner for District 3, Iliana Holguin, who represents that portion of Far East El Paso County, said that due to the lack of communication from the federal government, they are incumbent to try to gather as much information and provide it to El Paso residents, especially those who submitted their public comment a couple of weeks ago.
“One of the many, many, many disturbing things about this entire situation has been the complete lack of information and transparency that we’ve received from the federal government,” said Commissioner Holguin. “Just to reassure the residents of El Paso County that our work on this issue is not done and I think we all certainly understand how important this issue is to our residents.”
According to Commissioner Holguin, El Paso Water is set to have its board meeting on March 11; she encourages all residents and community members who are concerned about the proposed ICE detention center in Socorro and the use of the County’s water resources by this facility to speak up in front of El Paso Water officials as well.
“County officials have also met with stakeholders, including the City of Socorro, Lower Valley Water District, Emergency Services District #2, members of the state and federal legislative delegation, and residents who have voiced concerns about the proposed facility,” El Paso County said in a statement.
While immigration detention facilities are operated by federal agencies, El Paso County stated it will continue monitoring developments, advocating for transparency, oversight, and community engagement as more information becomes available.
ABC-7 reached out to ICE and DHS again today for comment; we are still awaiting a response.
Yesterday, an ICE spokesperson told ABC-7 the following:
“There is nothing new on Socorro at this time. Yes, ICE has purchased property in Socorro, Texas. However, these will not be warehouses — they will be very well-structured detention facilities meeting our very robust national detention standards. As a federal law enforcement agency, ICE uses detention space across the country to meet its operational needs. ICE continues to seek new detention space across the United States to meet the needs of our mission and when a contract is finalized and a new facility is operational, that information will be available on ICE.gov.”
According to ICE, the Socorro, Texas, facility and its construction are expected to bring 4,907 jobs to the area and would contribute $851.1 million in GDP. It’s also projected to bring in about $153.4 million in tax revenue.
Nichole Gomez
National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is observed annually during the third full week of March (March to highlight the dangers of accidental poisoning and promote safety. Salvador Baeza, the Director of West Texas Poison Center at University Medical Center of El Paso, shares helpful tips to keep your family safe.
Key Safety Measures & Actions:
Store Safely: Keep medicines, cleaning products, laundry pods, and pesticides in their original containers, locked up, and out of sight of children.
Save the Number: Call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or visit poisonhelp.org for expert, confidential advice.
Preventive Action: Ensure child-resistant closures are used, check expiration dates, and keep products in original packaging.
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-Love on Repeat, El Paso’s Official Couple’s Night, returns March 20. Headlining the evening is a special live performance by Yoshihana, who will set the tone for a night centered around intimacy, nostalgia, and connection. The event will also feature a D’Angelo tribute experience, honoring the legendary R&B icon. It is an environment where couples are encouraged to slow down and reconnect. The evening will include a hosted program, chef-curated dining, specialty cocktails, and a high-energy after-party.
Tickets are available at https://LoveOnRepeat1.eventbrite.com
Joseph Montero
SOCORRO, Texas (KVIA)- Fire crews in Socorro responded to a mobile home fire early Tuesday morning.
The fire happened near Jo Way and Supima Road just off of Horizon Blvd.
ABC-7 has reached out to the City of Socorro for more information.
This is a developing story and we will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.
