Author: KVIA

Rosemary Montañez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– An El Paso figure skating champion is taking her knowledge on the ice and helping train the next generation of figure skaters. 

17-year-old Anna Genna-Hiroi is a junior at Coronado High School. Most of her downtime is spent on the ice. Anna told ABC-7 she started skating at just eight years old.

“After watching the Sochi Olympics, where I was inspired by a lot of the skaters. And when my parents found out that we had a rink here, I just, I tried it out, and I had a lot of fun,” she explained.

Anna is the only skater in her family. She said she loves how skating makes her come alive.

“I feel free and you’re able to express your emotions, like through figure skating, and I really enjoy that part. I also really enjoy performing a lot,” she said.

She’s a double gold medalist. She’s the first and only one from El Paso. Anna said the biggest challenge has been the lack of ice rinks in our area—her only option being the El Paso Rhinos Arena.

However, recent injuries interrupted her competitive figure skating run. 

“I definitely went through, like, a rough patch, and it was a long journey, but now I’m just focusing on myself, and I enjoy it a lot, and I’m happy. I’m happy to be someone that can represent El Paso.”

Now, she’s sharing her wisdom with others. She’s a coach with the El Paso Blades Skating Academy.

“I started coaching others because I’ve always liked helping people and like teaching little kids about skating, and I just found it fun, and so now I just enjoy being the culture and being able to help other skaters out so that they can reach the level they want to.” 

Anna said after graduating high school she wants to pursue a career that helps others. She also said she would like to coach others in college. 

If you have a Good Vibes Only story, email us at news@kvia.com.

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Nichole Gomez

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout the month, EHN will host multiple awareness events to educate the El Paso community about the importance of caring for the mental health of our friends and families. Noreen Jaramillo, EHN Director of Communication, joins us to discuss how EHN is teaming up with the El Paso Zoo for a day dedicated to children’s mental health.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and Community Resource FairWHEN: Saturday, May 5, 2025WHEN: 9 am – 1:00 pmWHERE: El Paso Zoo

Free face painting 9 am – 1 pmFree carousel rides 9 am – 1 pmFree magic show 10 am – 11 amFree acrobatic show 11:30 – 12 pm

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Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Department of State issued a statement warning foreign citizens planning on giving birth in the U.S. about abusing the country’s immigration system through birth tourism.

“It is unacceptable for foreign parents to use a U.S. tourist visa for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain citizenship for the child, which also could result in American taxpayers paying the medical care costs,” the Bureau of Consular Affairs stated. “This is known as birth tourism, and U.S. consular officers deny all such visa applications under U.S. immigration law,” the Department of State said in a statement.

The Department of State also said that consular officers are working to prevent “birth tourism” and foreign visitors from exploiting the country’s immigration system. “Those who abuse our immigration system through birth tourism may be ineligible for future visas or travel to the United States.”

ABC-7 reached out to CBP, the Bureau of Consular Affairs and local immigration legal organizations to learn more about this recent announcement.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– Dust storms pose public health and safety hazards in El Paso and surrounding regions, affecting visibility and contributing to motor vehicle accidents.

Local efforts are underway to reduce dust emissions and restore the environment, particularly through the Lordsburg Playa dust mitigation project led by High Desert Native Plants LLC.

The Lordsburg Playa features dry, friable soils that can contribute to dust storms when disturbed by wind.

Michael Gaglio, the owner of High Desert Native Plants LLC, is leading initiatives to stabilize these soils by restoring native vegetation.

The project aims to reduce dust emissions from the Playa through the reintroduction of native plants, which may improve safety for motorists on nearby highways and contribute to better air quality.

Techniques employed include water harvesting, planting native grasses, and methods such as keyline plowing and rock structures to enhance soil health.

These strategies address dust concerns and aim to promote biodiversity and ecological stability in the region.

The project emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainability in addressing the effects of dust storms.

As efforts to revitalize the Lordsburg Playa continue, collaboration between local contractors and community members may serve as a model for future environmental restoration projects in the area.

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Isabel Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Nearly 3 years after the Pellicano Widening Project was supposed to be completed, the 3 mile stretch of road between Loop 375 and Darrington Rd. could soon have upgrades begin again thanks to a new court ruling.

The construction project is managed by the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA). 

The CRRMA contracted J.A.R. Construction, Inc., Which filed for bankruptcy in March of 2023. That move left the CRRMA unable to finish the project.

The CRRMA issued a Notice of Default to the contractor, and tried to have it’s surety continue to work on the project.

J.A.R. Construction, Inc did not continue the project, claiming the default was improper.

Now, the United States Bankruptcy Court ruled in favor of the CRRMA, saying the move to default the contractor was justified.

The ruling will now remove the surety’s stated reason for not restarting the work.

“The residents of Far East El Paso deserve infrastructure that matches the rapid growth of ourcommunity,” said El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego in a press release. “This ruling is more than just a legal victory—it’s a meaningful step toward rebuilding trust and honoring the promises made to this community.

The completion of the project was originally set for July 2022.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order requiring all commercial truck drivers in the United Stated to demonstrate English proficiency.

The order directs the department of transportation to enforce English literacy tests for truckers.

The White House says drivers who fail to meet literacy criteria will be placed out of service.

This policy follows a March 2025 executive order by President Trump declaring English as the official language of the United States.

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Marcel Clarke

After nearly six years, the case that shook El Paso and the nation has finally reached a resolution. In his first local TV interview, Judge Medrano opened up about the emotional toll and lasting impact of overseeing the Walmart mass shooting case—the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history.

“Five years, eight months, and 16 days.” Judge Medrano said, that is how long he has lived with this case.

“People say five and a half years, others say six—but it was five years, eight months, and 16 days,” he said. “This case could’ve gone on for three or four more years depending on rulings I would’ve had to make.”

Judge Medrano revealed this was his first sit-down with local TV media. Until now, he had remained quiet—bound by the role of a judge who listens but does not speaks. But the moment the case resolved, he felt it was time to say something. The judge also did something unprecedented during sentencing: he addressed the defendant directly.

“I’ve never spoken to a defendant after a plea or a jury sentence. But this was different. Everyone in this community was a victim. I felt someone needed to speak for the first responders and every person shocked that this happened.”

When asked if justice was truly served, Judge Medrano paused.

“I see both sides. Some wanted this resolved. Others wanted the ultimate punishment,” he said. “Neither side is wrong… and neither is right. That’s a hard question. Was justice served? I hope it was.” Having served nearly three decades on the bench, he added that in capital punishment cases, victims’ families may not live to see the final sentence carried out.

Judge Medrano acknowledged the case—once one of the most nationally watched trials—raises larger issues about hate crimes, mental health, and access to weapons.

“This is the biggest mass shooting case in U.S. history that was supposed to go to trial,” he said. “Whatever hate crime laws we have—they aren’t working. Most mass shooters are young, and the access they have to things online and weapons is overwhelming.”

While he noted that legislative solutions lie with lawmakers, he stressed the importance of deeper conversations around prevention.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)- This year marks a major milestone for the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation.

 Tracy Yellen, the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation CEO, and Jana Renner the senior program officer, join us to talk about the major milestone.

https://pdnhf.org

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Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Department of State, along with the Mexican federal government, announced they reached an agreement that involves Mexico sending more water from their shared Rio Grande basin to Texas.

This is part of the 1944 U.S.-Mexico treaty, which Mexico has not complied with its water sharing obligations since the previous administrations.

“Mexico has committed to make an immediate transfer of water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle.  These steps will help American farmers, ranchers, and municipalities in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley get much-needed water and reduce shortfalls in deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty,” the State Department said in a statement.

Both countries also committed to developing a long-term plan to meet treaty requirements while addressing water debts, including additional monthly transfers and regular consultations on water deliveries that take into consideration the needs of Texas ranchers, farmers, and municipalities.

Several Texas lawmakers have pushed Mexico to comply and deliver its water debt to the U.S.

“Mexico’s failures to uphold its water obligations have been devastating to Texas farmers and cities. I have been fighting for years to secure those deliveries, including by advancing sanctions legislation in the United States Senate and by emphasizing to both American and Mexican officials that the U.S.-Mexico relationship cannot proceed productively unless Mexico meets its obligations. Recently, I worked with Secretary Rollins to secure a $280 million grant to provide critical economic relief in the Rio Grande Valley, but that was only, and explicitly, a stopgap measure,” said Sen. Ted Cruz when the agreement was reached.

Under the 1944 water treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle.

“South Texas has been devastated by Mexico’s repeated refusal to deliver the water it has owed the United States for far too long, and I commend the Trump administration for securing this critical deal for Mexico to finally send water to the region,” Sen. Cornyn also said.

Now, Mexico has a deadline that is at risk of not being met, since the end of the current five-year cycle approaches in October of this year.

“We deliver the maximum amount of water possible, because we must first guarantee human rights, including agricultural irrigation in several areas of the country,” said the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum in a news conference.

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