Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — McDonald’s recognized six El Paso leaders during the 25th Anniversary of the Triunfadores Awards Luncheon on Tuesday.

The luncheon is a longstanding tradition honoring professional leaders’ dedication to community service in El Paso.

This year, McDonald’s partnered with the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to present the Triunfadores Awards Luncheon.

Proceeds from the luncheon go to EPHCC, according to a news release. The money will support the chamber’s efforts to help El Paso’s businesses, entrepreneurs, and economic growth.

This year’s recipients are:

Ramon Villa – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) for arts and entertainment. Leila Melendez – Workforce Solutions Borderplex for business. Cecilia Ochoa Levine – U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership for community service. Manny Soto Jr. – Council on Regional Economic Expansion & Educational Development (CREEED) for education. George N. Rodriguez – Retired Attorney for government service. Jorge A. Lopez – UTEP for STEM.

“It’s a great honor to be an awardee amongst all the awardees over the last 25 years, people with very accomplished careers that have given back to El Paso and making our our home city a much better place to live,” said Manny Soto from CREEED.

Click here to follow the original article.

Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — It has been nearly two months since the start of the school year for the El Paso Independent School District, and one new initiative entering the classroom has become a talking point this fall: the central office substitute program.

According to EPISD, the new initiative requires administrative employees in the district’s central office who do not work on a campus to substitute classes four days a semester and eight days during the year in addition to their regular duties.

“First and foremost, it gets our administrators in the classroom,” said Leah Hanany, EPISD Board of Trustees president. “Secondary to that is going to be that there are some cost savings associated.”

Those cost savings in question are because EPISD substitutes earn $100-$125 a day, according to the district.

The 255 administrative employees in the substitute program, including members of EPISD’s communications and HR departments, will be paid on their normal salary.

“A lot of the comments that we received was that it was about time,” Norma De La Torre, the president of the El Paso Teachers Association, told ABC-7. “They need to be here simply because all of the decisions that are made about what teachers do in the classroom are done through people here that work here at Central Office.”

While most teachers support the new program, De La Torre warned that regular substitutes at EPISD won’t have as many work opportunities.

“For a lot of our substitutes, that’s been the only job that they’ve ever had,” said De La Torre. “Because they’ve not wanted to do anything else…That’s been their only source of income.”

Board President Hanany told ABC-7 that regular substitutes shouldn’t expect fewer opportunities with administrators joining the substitute pool.

“The administrators make up roughly 5% of our sub pool,” said Hanany. “Ninety-five percent of our sub pool on a daily basis is going to be filled by our substitutes.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KVIA) — An Otero County jury convicted a man of first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

On June 10, 2023, Ernesto Robles, Vanessa Renteria, Samantha Martinez and Luis Balderas abducted a woman from her home in Alamogordo, the D.A.’s office said. The woman used to be friends with the group, officials noted.

Investigators learned the group physically beat her during transport, threatened her with a gun and took her to Robles’ home, according to the D.A.’s office. The office said they gagged and tied the woman to a wheelchair.

The group also continued to beat her, the D.A.’s office said. They also partially shaved her head.

Threats against the victim and her family left her afraid to report the crime, the D.A.’s office said.

Two of the co-defendants pleaded guilty. Renteria pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping and bribery of a witness and received a 21-year prison sentence on July 14. Martinez pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping and received an 18-year prison sentence on July 29.

Robles faces a maximum sentence of 27 years. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.

Click here to follow the original article.

Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Suicide is a leading cause of death for U.S. troops, accounting for nearly 40 percent of active duty deaths.

Thousands of soldiers at Fort Bliss and around the world have seen a suicide prevention play performed by their peers – fellow active duty soldiers. Onstage, they bring one man’s emotional story to life. It tells of his rise in the ranks, to his fall, when he gets a DWI and hits rock bottom, before taking his life. For one of those actors, First Class Alon Humphrey, who plays the leading role, it’s personal.

 “I was able to tap into the past  I was on the verge of failing and somebody lifted me up,” Humphrey says.

The cast has put in hours rehearsing. The play explores substance abuse, suicide ideation, and what to do if someone near you expresses a desire to end their life. Scott Jackson is another actor who takes the responsibility seriously.

“I’ve seen suicide impact personal friends, soldiers, and when he invited me to be a part of it, it’s siomply an effort I couldn’t say no to,” Jackson says. He plays the role of a leader dealing with the aftermath of the suicide. He says the role has impacted him on stage.

“Anyone inmpacted by these incidents feels it diff whether in rehearsals or productions you’re hit by those experiences from your own life in random and unexpected moments,” Jackson says. He adds that learning about such an important subject from peers is more impactful than reading about it from a textbook.

Before each performance, the cast joins hands praying their message reaches those who need it. Director Russell Jordan says it’s making an impact, and tens of thousands of servicemen of all ranks have watched the production. One conversation can open the door to help. One person can make a difference.

“When we’re talking people’s hearts, from D1 to 3 star generals, this had an impact.  That’s why it’s going across the world right now,” Jordan says. As a Specialist in the Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, he’s attended far too many funerals for others who have taken their own lives.

” Even though things seem overwhelming…that we’ll never get out of our life situation.  that’s just temporary.  People don’t know how much you know only how much you care.   That’s what we’re doing today.  We’re showing that we care,” Jordan says.

You can watch “Second Chance,” click here.

If you have suicidal thoughts or need someone to talk to, call 988, and press 1 for the Military Veterans Crisis Hotline.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mia Tricarico

SOCORRO, Texas (KVIA) — Tuesday, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the CDC came to Socorro to explain its initiative of free health examinations to assess the health and nutritional status of people living in the United States.

The survey’s Mobile Examination Center (MEC), a fully equipped medical clinic on wheels, travels across the country collecting health data that help inform important public health policies and programs, including dietary guidelines, chronic disease research, and environmental health protections.

The press conference on Tuesday featured medical professionals from Texas Tech, UTEP and elected officials, including Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, Socorro Mayor Rudy Cruz, County Commissioner Iliana Holguin.

Alexa Ortiz, NHANES Health Communication Strategist said that only 20 locations throughout America were selected, and Socorro was one of them. She said they will have their mobile medical clinic set up in Socorro until mid-December.

NHANES randomly selects households to ask to participate in the survey. If the household agrees, they go to the mobile medical center at the Rio Vista Civic Center (901 N. Rio Vista Rd.). There, households go through a medical exam and receive results later. The exam includes a vision test, hearing test, urine, blood and bone density exam.

NHANES said participants may be eligible for compensation and transportation.

The primary goal of NHANES is to gather data to better understand the nation’s overall health status. Officials noted that the findings directly inform national health policy, support local medical research, and empower individuals to make well-informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their families.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nina Gallegos

DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KVIA) – Tuesday, Project Jupiter representatives was set to present project updates to Doña Ana County Commissioners.

20 minutes before the meeting, Project Jupiter sent out three press releases detailing information about a $13 billion economic impact on New Mexico, a $1 million flood recovery commitment to Doña Ana County and a proposed agreement with El Paso Electric to offset utility costs for New Mexicans.

While Commissioners asked for the full presentation a week prior to the meeting, all three of those press releases were sent out the morning of with no time for Commissioners to prepare questions on those specific items. Several commissioners said Oracle has done this several times, calling it disrespectful and against Oracle promises of transparency and being a good neighbor.

Project Jupiter Job Update

To date, Project Jupiter has employed 4,393 construction workers, 1,230 of whom are New Mexicans. The number of New Mexicans has gone up 24% from the last report on September 8, at 988 New Mexican workers.

However, the total number of construction workers has also gone up from 3,686 in September to 4,393. The ratio of New Mexicans to total workers has gone up from 26.8% in September to 27.9% in October, an increase of only 1.1%.

When asked where the non-New Mexican workers are coming from, Executive Vice President of Oracle Mahesh Thiagarajan says while the number of New Mexican workers on site is self-reported, project partners are not able to share that specific information with Oracle in order to protect the privacy of employees.

“We’re only self-reporting the numbers of the people who elected to say that. But we also believe that the greater area of like, having over 3000 people tells a different story,” Thiagarajan said. “That there’s lots of workers in the region who are actually getting jobs, who are actually living here, who are back home, right?”

For LiUna! worker Raul Retana that holds true. Retana says he is from New Mexico and is grateful for the opportunity to move back here after leaving to another state to find work.

“So when I saw my people somewhat prospering, somewhat having hope, I wanted to come over here and be that push and kind of one of the big reasons I moved out here,” Retana said.

He says the trainings Oracle is offering have helped push forward his career and will help out young people looking to get into the workforce.

“What they’re offering people nowadays, are you kidding me? I mean, three weeks full tools, Milwaukee everything, and then put you in the in the center, pulling wires. I mean, it’s a dream job for some of these kids,” Retana said.

Thiagarajan says Oracle is making a conscious effort to do training.

“What we’re going to do is for all of the workers that are actually at the site, the programs either made available by our contract partners or Oracle, will enable them to apply for training program or an apprenticeship program,” Thiagarajan said. “And those programs is how people can graduate, apply for those jobs, get full time jobs at the site,” he continued.

Project Jupiter opponent Sierra Edmister says the jobs Oracle promises to provide aren’t worth the risk.

“This is built on so many promises, along with so many outs and very written down outs of how to get out of those promises. All I know is, if I’m making a promise, I’m not going to hold my fingers crossed in front of you as I’m making the promise and be like, this is just standard procedure, but I promise,” Edmister said.

In public comment, one proponent of Project Jupiter criticized Edmister’s public comments, saying “they have no idea what the future of this project is going to bring.”

In response to those comments, Edmister said, “A very common tactic of data centers nationwide is pitting the activists or the people crying out about very real threats, pitting them against union workers. And it’s one of the more sad aspects about this fight, because most of the people that are fighting these data centers come from the same, like are cut from the same cloth as like what unions came from.”

Economic Impact on New Mexico

Oracle made the announcement today they will generate $13 billion in economic impact for New Mexico. That number is up from $4.7 billion in September.

Thiagarajan says that number has changed because when Oracle initially did the analysis, the project details weren’t finalized. He says the primary change is the number of full-time jobs estimated to have on site over a 17 year period.

In the news release, it says:

The more than $13 billion figure was calculated using annual estimates of the total projected economic output during construction from 2025 through 2028 and the direct impacts of the first 17 years of full operations. Once fully operational, Project Jupiter is projected to support approximately $560 million in direct economic output in Doña Ana County each year. This figure does not include the more than 1,600 indirect and induced jobs expected to be created by local suppliers, contractors, service providers, and employee spending. All dollar estimates in the analysis are in 2026 dollars.

Oracle gives $1 million in funding for flood recovery

In a second press release sent out this morning, Oracle announced a $1 million commitment to support residents and communities affected by recent flooding in Doña Ana County.

That funding will be given to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) through its Greatest Needs Impact Fund for Doña Ana County.

“This is a very small donation that enables the county to do the work to to upgrade the infrastructure or help out the families that are in most need. So we’re working with the officials because we do not want to we want to actually follow the due course process of making the money available to the county and not do it ourselves,” Thiagarajan said in an interview.

Oracle proposes an Energy Service Agreement with El Paso Electric

In a third press release sent this morning, Oracle announced a proposed Energy Service Agreement with El Paso Electric for Project Jupiter to support late-stage construction, initial commissioning, emergency backup power at the site and to meet life safety needs for New Mexican workers at the data center.

Thiagarajan said Oracle wants to “do it right” by paying for their own way with energy.

“Oracle is proposing, and we’re proposing to do $55 million annually for three years, and that could deliver up to $155 million of benefits to offset these bill credits towards these customers. So one, we’re protecting, you know, offering life safety backup power for workers at the site to we’re actually paying for the shared infrastructure,” Thiagarajan said.

Thiagarajan said he doesn’t have specific numbers on how much a typical household could save when it comes to offsetting those rate hikes.

Click here to follow the original article.

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) – Destination El Paso is inviting the community to take part in the traditions, culture and spirit of Día de los Muertos by holding its first free Día de los Muertos event at the Downtown Visitor Information Center, the event beginning with a press conference and the cutting of a ribbon on Friday, October 16 at 6:30 pm.

Every weekend will have a different theme and a varied selection of activities, offering the community a fresh experience as the celebration progresses. Visitors will be able to take part in live music and entertainment, eat food, meet local vendors, have drinks and also engage in other activities inspired by Día de los Muertos.

All the events will be free and open to the public, so that families, residents and people of all ages among both locals and visitors can take part. More details about the theme of each weekend, the entertainment schedule, the vendors taking part and the programming will be posted on social media at @VisitElPaso.

· WHAT: Destination El Paso Día de los Muertos Press Conference & Ribbon Cutting

· WHEN: Friday, October 16, at 6:30 PM

· WHERE: Downtown Visitor Information Center & Pedestrian Pathway 1 Civic Center Plaza, 79901

·

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENT DATES

· October 16 to 17 | Weekend One: Pawprints on Our Hearts. Remembering the pets who brought us joy and served as companions in our lives.

· October 23–24 | Weekend Two: Stars Remembered. A look at the stars who inspired us, entertained us, and made a lasting impact on our lives.

· October 30–31 and November 1 | Weekend Three: Always with Us. A celebration of family, friends, and those we love who have died.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

CANUTILLO, Texas (KVIA) — Law enforcement will conduct training at a Canutillo school, according to the Canutillo Independent School District. The district issued a reminder to the public that there will be a heavy law enforcement presence, but no emergency.

The Canutillo ISD Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will train at the Lone Star Building (7000 5th St.). The Lone Star Building is near Canutillo Elementary School, Alderete Middle School and Canutillo Alternative School.

Community members may see uniformed officers and marked law enforcement vehicles in the area.

“There is no emergency at the site. Should an emergency arise, we will coordinate and share additional information with the community as needed,” the district said on social media.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (5:55 p.m.): ABC-7 reached out to the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department to ask about today’s incident; they sent the following written statement:

“CYFD extends our deepest condolences to the child’s family in the aftermath of this tragedy. CYFD is working closely with the family to provide support and access to essential services and is supporting state and local police with their investigations.

The child was in a relative placement with her maternal grandmother. Both she and her sister were placed into care mid-September due to lack of supervision and alcohol abuse by their mother.

CYFD provides essential services throughout New Mexico to support all families in need of assistance. For information and contacts, visit cyfd.nm.gov/familyservices.”

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): ABC-7 also reached out to Las Cruces Public Schools to learn if the girl was a student at any of the district’s schools. Kelly Jameson, the Director of Communications for LCPS, sent us the following written statement:

“Las Cruces Public Schools is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our student Nancy, who attended University Hills Elementary School. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family, friends and the entire University Hills school community during this incredibly difficult time.

The district is providing counseling and support resources for students and staff as they process this devastating news.”

UPDATE (2:55 p.m.): ABC-7 reached out to BNSF about the incident. It sent the following statement:

“At approximately 2 a.m. mountain time today, an eastbound train struck an individual at a crossing in Las Cruces, NM. There were no reported injuries to the crew. The individual was fatally injured. Additional questions should be routed to NM state police.”

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 9-year-old in Las Cruces died Tuesday morning after a train hit her, according to police.

After 2 a.m., Las Cruces fire and police went to the railroad tracks near the intersection of South Main Street and Conway Avenue. They found the young girl, identified as Nancy Harvey, dead.

Police said Harvey, who has autism, wandered from her home on Conway Avenue. Her family reported her missing shortly before authorities found her near the tracks.

Police said the BNSF train came to a stop after it hit her. The investigation is ongoing.

Las Cruces Police posted a news release last month about safety and awareness near trains and tracks.

These are the suggested tips from LCPD, along with other rail industry partners, to keep people safe:

Stay alert, listen and watch for trains when traveling near railroad tracks. Stay clear of tracks when trains are approaching. Never walk, run, stand, or play near railroad tracks and rail bridges. Railroad tracks and trains are private property and trespassing is forbidden. Never try boarding or dismounting a moving train. Never drive around, under, or through a lowered crossing gate. Never try racing or beating a moving train to a crossing. Watch for the blue and white signs, flashing lights and crossing gates at rail crossings. For rail crossings with no gate, approach the tracks with caution and be ready to stop if necessary. Buses and vehicles transporting hazardous material are required by law to stop at railroad tracks before crossing. Slow down and use caution when approaching any vehicle stopped at a rail crossing. Know your vehicle’s ground clearance and its ability to safely cross when roadways have different elevations on each side of the tracks. If a vehicle becomes stuck on or close to a rail, immediately have all passengers exit and move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle and toward the direction of the approaching train. For example: if the train is traveling south, run north at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks. This helps keep you from being struck by flying debris if the train hits the vehicle. Immediately call 911 to report any damaged railroad tracks, crossing gates, or vehicles stalled on or near rails.

“Sounds like she wandered away from her home, which is somewhat close by. So, the family was looking for her; we believe the conductor of the train may have seen her and it was too late. Obviously, it takes a long time for a train to stop, even if it’s going somewhat slowly,” said Dan Trujillo, Public Information Officer for LCPD.

“It’s a very sad situation. We have heavy hearts for the family and for any friends of this young child,” Trujillo added. “It’s always good, I think, to talk to your kids, let them know that the tracks are no place to play or to walk and again, we have very heavy hearts right now for the family and friends of this young child,” Trujillo added.

Click here to follow the original article.

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Rosa Olson, the wife of active-duty soldier Jacob Olson, is facing potential deportation following government allegations that she entered the United States illegally.

Her family denies the claim, stating she originally entered the country legally on a student visa.

The couple married about one year ago and subsequently began the legal process for Rosa Olson to obtain a green card. Several months ago, she received a notification that she was at risk of deportation.

According to her, she previously attended El Paso Community College under a student visa and never entered the country illegally.

The couple’s lawyer, Caroline Silva, said the presiding immigration judge has refused to terminate the deportation proceedings against Rosa Olson.

“The chances of her having to take voluntary departure at this point are very high because if there’s no lawsuit in place at this point, then this will be her only option,” Silva said.

Rosa Olson, who comes from Tabasco, Mexico and has family in Juarez, spoke about the emotional strain of facing potential separation from her husband.

“It’s frustrating, I feel scared, I don’t want to be far from him,” Rosa Olson said.

The Olson family explained that the pending legal case creates deep uncertainty about their life together.

“I’m hesitating, you know, what is in the future for us,” Rosa Olson said. “If I’m going to be with him (Jacob) after, you know, next month, I just can be in Mexico again and not see him for the next three years, or never again.”

Rosa also described the distress caused by the immigration court proceedings:

“Well, I feel scared, I feel a lot of scared, I feel pain in my heart; it feels horrible,” Rosa Olson said. “They don’t want me to be welcome anymore, I don’t know, I feel like a criminal, like if I did something wrong.”

Jacob Olson also described the complications his military career presents if his wife is forced to leave the country.

“My biggest fear is if the judge issues the removal order and then let’s say that happens, right?” Jacob Olson said. “Then my wife will be forced to go to Mexico and, you know, I’m in the military, so I’m going to get stationed somewhere else and move away and then I’m not going to be able to see her for like maybe four years.”

Jacob Olson remains hopeful for a favorable legal resolution.

“The situation is frustrating, but I’m hoping, you know, with our legal processes and everything, that the correct decision will be made and hopefully that they will favor us in the future,” Jacob Olson added.

Rosa Olson’s second immigration court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22.

The Department of Homeland Security sent ABC-7 the following statement on Olson’s immigration status:

“On August 3, 2026, USCIS issued Rosa Emilia Olson, an illegal alien from Mexico, a notice to appear before an immigration judge. On July 13, 2025, she legally entered the country on a temporary basis but illegally overstayed her lawful admittance in violation of our laws. She has never been in ICE custody.

“To be clear: pending applications do NOT confer legal status in the U.S.

“DHS and USCIS value the contributions of all those who have served in the U.S. military. U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws.

“Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation’s laws. Military service by an immediate relative does not automatically grant parole, lawful status, or immunity from immigration enforcement; if you are in the United States illegally, you are subject to enforcement. Programs like Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP) are NOT automatic— we will not ignore the immigration laws of our country.

“Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $3,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”

Click here to follow the original article.