UTEP Theatre & Dance Season Opener I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
Lauren Romero
Performance DetailsLocation: Wise Family TheatreDates: October 24, 25, 30 & November 1 at 7:30 p.m. | October 26 & November 2 at 2:00 p.m
Harmony School of Innovation Elementary to host Trunk-or-Treat event
Lauren Romero
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- Harmony School of Innovation Elementary will be hosting a Trunk or Treat for families and the community on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The event will feature food and craft vendors, along with an opportunity to learn more about Harmony School of Innovation Elementary.
SNAP benefits in November could be delayed due to the government shutdown
Olivia Vara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Texas Health and Human Services says SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued in Texas if the government shutdown continues past October 27.
This following disruptions to funding and delayed data processing tied to the shutdown.
Without a funding resolution, the USDA indicated that there may be insufficient funds to cover full November SNAP benefits.
SNAP benefits are administered federally but distributed by states through EBT vendors.
In past shutdowns, the USDA distributed benefits early to prevent gaps in coverage.
City of Juárez battles hundreds of animal cruelty cases
Heriberto Perez Lara
JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The City of Juárez’s Animal Care and Welfare Department (DABA) recently rescued 528 animals in five different operations, marking hundreds of cases they have worked on this year. The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office has assisted them in dozens of cases as well.
After five operations carried out last Tuesday in different areas of the city, the Animal Care and Welfare Department (DABA) rescued 528 animals that were in poor condition and suffering abuse.
The head of the agency, Alma Edith Arredondo Salinas, reported that the animals found in several homes were dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks.
The interventions were carried out by the State Attorney General’s Office and the State Investigation Agency, in collaboration with DABA.
The first search was carried out in the Pradera de los Oasis neighborhood, where a dog was rescued, while the second operation was in the Independencia II neighborhood, where seven dogs and 16 cats were rescued.
Later, they went to a home in the Reforma neighborhood where they located 492 chickens, three ducks, two cats, and one dog. The fourth operation was in the Morelos I neighborhood, where six dogs were rescued, while the fifth search was carried out in the Eco 2000 neighborhood, however, no pets were located.
Director Arredondo Salinas indicated that the 528 animals were transferred to DABA, where they are already being cared for.
“The owner of the chickens and ducks will have to move the animals to another location, as they cannot keep them in a home,” Director Arredondo said. “The owner will be subject to a fine from the municipal administration, as they are also a repeat offender.”
DABA Juárez is asking citizens to take care of their pets and provide them with adequate spaces.
“DABA continues to work on the care and protection of animals on this border, so that they are not mistreated,” Director Arredondo added. “We also seek to raise awareness and promote a culture of respect for pets.”
More updates in later newscasts.
Barricaded subject dies after fire burns in Las Cruces apartment
Gabrielle Lopez
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) — A person died while barricading themselves from Doña Ana County deputies late Thursday night.
DASO deputies attempted to contact a person with multiple felony warrants inside the Telshor Apartments near Mesilla Valley Mall.
The barricaded subject refused to leave the apartment. During the standoff, a fire started inside the building, and all units evacuated, according to DASO.
Firefighters knocked down the fire. The barricaded subject was found and pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
DASO is handling the investigation and will remain on the scene throughout the night. It’s asking the public to avoid the area.
More improvements for local ports of entry
Heriberto Perez Lara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — City-owned ports of entry, such as Ysleta-Zaragoza, Stanton, and the Paso Del Norte bridges, continue to undergo improvements and planning for future expansions.
ABC-7 reported on Tuesday that the El Paso City Council approved a $5 million investment for a feasibility study at the Zaragoza Bridge to expand commercial traffic lanes.
The City’s Director of the International Bridges Department confirmed they are exploring the possibility of adding an additional lane for commercial vehicles next to the current bridge.
“That way we can increase the capacity for commercial vehicles,” Director Tinajero said. “So, essentially, if there is a possibility of expanding capacity on the southbound side for commercial vehicles, we would like to focus on commercial vehicles first because of the potential closure of the Bridge of the Americas.”
It was also confirmed that the city is considering building a new plaza at the Zaragoza Bridge, which will include a pick-up and drop-off area for pedestrians crossing from Juárez. The plaza will feature improvements at all intersections, landscaping, canopies, and public restrooms, among other amenities.
These pedestrian improvements are based on a $12 million grant the department received, along with an additional $3 million from the city. Director Tinajero also confirmed beautification projects such as painting fences, striping, and replacing lane dividers.
Another main project for all the city-owned bridges is upgrading their toll collection systems and improving the Intelligent Transportation System. The implementation phase for Ysleta-Zaragoza is set to start in January next year; BOTA’s project is already underway, led by TxDOT.
Trade and commercial leaders south of the border believe expanding the cargo crossing could be beneficial if commercial traffic is removed from BOTA, but they insist these projects must be completed before the modernization of the South-Central El Paso bridge begins in fall 2027.
“During that time, the impact we’re going to have on the industry is going to be tremendous; I’d like a different approach,” said Manuel Sotelo, vice president of CANACAR in northern Mexico. “That is, as soon as we finish building or expanding the other crossings, we’ll start the BOTA project, which isn’t where that dialogue exists.”
There are 19 commercial lanes across the Santa Teresa-Tornillo bridges, six of which are part of BOTA, and losing a third of those crossings could pose risks to the industry, according to Sotelo.
“How are we going to manage to get the third part that’s going to be closed? There may be many plans, there may be many studies, but by the time the closure happens, we won’t have one more toll booth; we’ll have six fewer toll booths,” Sotelo said.
The Ysleta-Zaragoza bridge handles 70 to 80% of the total imports and exports across the El Paso area, and it operates from 6 a.m. to midnight.
“I think a smart decision would be to start the Córdoba project when we have more infrastructure at the other bridges,” Sotelo added.
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s 95th season underway
Armando Ramirez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)- The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is celebrating it’s milestone of 95 years in bringing performances to the borderland.
Their series began with the gold medal winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Pian Competition, Aristo Sham who joined the they orchestra for Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor.
“I am excited to invite you to the El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s 95th Anniversary Season—a significant milestone that celebrates our shared love for music. Music has the unique ability to bring us together, creating moments of connection that resonate long after the final note has played,” Music Director Bohuslav Rattay says.
The symphony orchestra is set to bring their next program titled “Space Odyssey” to the Plaza theater this coming Friday and Saturday, October 17-18. Pieces like John Williams’ Adventures on Earth from E.T., followed by Eric Whitacre’s piece, “Deep Field: The Impossible Magnitude of Our Universe,” are set to be apart of the program.
The Symphony Orchestra will also continue its film series by bring “Jurassic Park in Concert” November 8 at 7 pm, bringing the score from the film to life.
“A Christmas Fantasia,” the symphony’s Christmas concert will be the end of the first half of the season and will be featuring the UTEP Choral Union. The concert takes place 7:30 PM on December 5-6.
For more information on ticket prices and future programming go to the El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s website at https://www.epso.org/.
County Commissioner to hold public hearing on Fire Code, Outdoor Business Order
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- El Paso County Commissioners will consider a countywide fire code and outdoor business order proposed by Commissioner Jackie Butler. Since 2019, there have been 14 fires at outdoor businesses, such as salvage yards, scrap metal facilities, and recycling plants, according to the Office of Commissioner Butler.
“El Paso County is one of the only major counties in Texas without a unified fire code. That current system leaves our Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) and our public works teams with uneven tools to prevent and enforce safety standards,” said Commissioner Jackie Butler.
Residents, business owners, and first responders are encouraged to attend the Oct. 20, 2025, public hearing to share their opinions and ask questions about the proposed fire code and outdoor business order.
ABC-7 at 4: Financial Planning Month – Time to Strengthen Your Retirement Strategy
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV) October is Financial Planning Month, and it’s a great reminder to check in on your financial goals — especially if you’re nearing retirement. I’m joined today by fiduciary financial advisor Brian Mirau, President of Mirau Capital Management.