Author: KVIA

Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Republican incumbent Texas Governor Greg Abbott campaigned in El Paso Thursday afternoon, with just five days to go before the Nov. 3 election.

Gov. Abbott’s arrival comes just one day after his Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa held multiple gatherings in El Paso. He’s seeking a fourth term as Texas governor.

The race remains close. A CNN poll conducted last week said the governor holds a narrow two-point lead.

Recent campaign developments, including Hinojosa’s push to obtain unredacted emails between Gov. Abbott and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have put more of a spotlight on the race. Gov. Abbott believes the effort is more about politics than transparency.

“She was just looking for attention. Here’s the reality. She’s lagging behind in all the polls. She sees this race slipping from her hands, and so she’s trying to do anything she can to get attention. And this is just a gimmick that she’s using. There’s no legal basis to it whatsoever,” the governor said.

Nearly 100 of the governor’s supporters gathered at Rosa’s Cantina in Upper Valley El Paso.

Wednesday, Hinojosa’s supporters rallied during her visit to El Paso. The governor’s challenger has been promoting her campaign as grassroots-driven. She said she’s focused on what she called Gov. Abbott’s “financial irresponsibility.”

“It is a people-powered, people-funded campaign, and so he’s just distracting from the fact that the vast majority of his money comes from a few very large donors to his campaign,” Hinojosa said.

Watch a recording of Gov. Abbott’s event above.

Explore voter resources and ABC-7’s voter guide on the Your Voice, Your Vote page.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso man who stole vehicles, sold land and mobile homes he didn’t own, and passed bad checks has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the El Paso County Attorney’s Office jointly said.

Thursday, officials said 31-year-old Alex Montoya pleaded guilty to:

Nine counts of theft of property valued at $2,500-$30,000 Three counts of theft of property valued at $30,000-$150,000 Two counts of forgery of a financial instrument Tampering with a government record

As part of a plea agreement, Montoya also admitted guilt in several unindicted cases.

Alex Montoya’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

On top of imprisonment, Montoya’s probation for a previous evading arrest conviction was revoked to 10 years, officials said. His sentences will run concurrently.

Prosecutors said his crimes included stealing vehicles and selling them for scrap, selling land and mobile homes he did not own, and cashing checks drawn on accounts with insufficient funds. Officials said the crimes happened from 2022-26.

In 2024, ABC-7 reported that the Socorro Police Department looked for Montoya when he was wanted for multiple fraud charges. SPD said he made fraudulent land sales and faced charges for forgery to defraud or harm an elderly person, fraudulent securing of document execution, tampering with government records, and forgery to defraud or harm another.

In 2025, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office arrested Montoya, who was wanted on abandoning or endangering a child, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, forgery, property theft and tampering with government records.

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Gabrielle Lopez

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with the accomplices’ correct ages.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 42-year-old man pleaded guilty to beating his former partner with a bat and robbery, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

The Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Kurtis Allan Dale admitted he intended to attack the victim at Burn Lake in Las Cruces in November 2025.

He pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a household member. A sentencing date hasn’t been scheduled, and the state seeks a five-year sentence.

Dale parked behind the victim’s vehicle, punctured its rear tires and left, officials said. He later returned with two people — Jacklyn Garcia and Eufemia Villa — and a baseball bat.

Kurtis Dale, Jacklyn Garcia and Eufemia Villa’s mugshots.(Courtesy: DACDC)

The women held the victim down while Dale hit the victim with the bat, officials said. The bat broke in half during the attack.

Officials said Dale took the victim’s cellphone and left.

A witness called police about the attack and checked on the victim, who lay on the ground in a pool of blood, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said.

Fearing Dale would return, the victim went home seriously injured, according to District Attorney Fernando Macias.

Garcia, who is 34 years old, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Villa, also 34, was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Their trials have been scheduled for Nov. 23.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A girl under the age of 13 died from the flu, the City of El Paso said on Thursday.

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health confirmed the first flu-related death of the respiratory season in El Paso.

Officials said the girl didn’t have underlying health conditions.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a child in our community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, City-County Local Health Authority. “This tragedy is a reminder that influenza can be serious, even for healthy children. Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. We strongly encourage everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated.”

The DPH encouraged residents to take preventive measures, including the annual flu shot. Other methods include frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick.

El Paso Community Clinics offers flu shots for children ages 6 months to 18 years who meet eligibility criteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said high-risk groups for the flu include people ages 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and people with chronic health conditions.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-In a recent segment on Bone and Joint Health, medical experts Dr.  Ikechukwu Onyedika and Dr. Ogechika Alozie addressed the prevalence of joint pain and offered clear advice on when to seek professional help. Arthritis alone affects one in five American adults, and joint pain can seriously impact daily activities such as walking and dressing, Dr. Onyedika noted.

The discussion emphasized that joint pain can stem from more than just bone issues. Cartilage, ligaments, and tendons all play a role in joint health, and pinpointing the source of pain is key to effective treatment.

Viewers were advised to contact their physician if joint pain returns frequently, swelling persists, or if symptoms interfere with sleep or daily routines. Persistent pain lasting more than two weeks also warrants a medical evaluation. “You can call sooner if it is worsening or you are concerned,” Dr. Onyedika said.

For more urgent situations, such as being unable to put weight on a joint after injury, visible deformity, or severe pain with numbness, a visit to the emergency room is recommended. Sudden, hot, swollen joints—especially with fever or feeling ill—could signal infection and require immediate care. “You do not have to have a fever for this to be serious,” Dr. Onyedika warned.

For everyday joint health, the experts advised starting with gentle activities like walking, cycling, or swimming. Gradually increasing activity, strengthening muscles, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help support joint health. If exercise results in severe pain, however, medical guidance is important.

The key takeaway: “Persistent pain deserves a conversation with your physician. Sudden severe symptoms deserve prompt attention. The goal is to help you keep doing the things that matter to you,” Dr. Alozie concluded.

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Nichole Gomez

EL PASO, TX (KVIA-tv) – For decades, the so-called “4% rule” has helped guide retirees on how much they can safely withdraw from their nest egg each year. But new findings discussed on KVIA’s “Smart Money” segment suggest that a more personalized approach could lead to better outcomes for today’s retirees.

Brian Mirau of Mirau Capital Management, emphasized that retirement planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. “The 4% rule offers a starting point, but it doesn’t account for every retiree’s unique needs, investment performance, or legacy goals,” Mirau explained. “A strategy needs to reflect the person, not just a percentage.”

The segment highlighted a recent study showing that combining different sources of retirement income—such as investments and annuities—can sometimes outperform traditional approaches. While annuities may offer predictable income, Mirau noted that they come with limitations and aren’t suitable for everyone. The key, he said, is to evaluate how various income sources can work together to meet an individual’s essential expenses and unexpected costs.

Another hot topic was the uncertainty surrounding Medicare surcharges for 2027. Higher-income retirees could see increased premiums, known as IRMAA, based on income reported two years prior. “Withdrawals from certain retirement accounts and other taxable income can influence whether someone crosses a surcharge threshold,” Mirau warned. He recommended integrating retirement income planning with tax strategies to avoid unpleasant surprises.

For those reviewing their retirement plans, Mirau’s advice was clear: “Don’t rely on a single rule. Understand your income sources, the flexibility you need, and how decisions in one area may affect another. A personalized strategy brings those considerations together.”

Viewers interested in learning more can request a complimentary consultation and retirement toolkit—including a copy of Mirau’s book, “Smart Money for the Backside of Life”—by calling (915) 233-2904 or visiting miraucapital.com/tv.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

UPDATE (Oct. 30, 2026): El Paso ISD’s Board President Leah Hanany said the district made important strides in managing its money. Friday, district leaders addressed the Texas Comptroller’s performance review in a news conference.

Hanany made it a point to emphasize that she believes the financial state of the district could soon be the best it’s been in years.

“This is district has made significant progress not just towards financial sustainability, but towards academic progress. We are poised to have the first balanced budget in five years. That is huge compared to where we were just six, seven, eight months ago,” she said.

EPISD Superintendent Brian Lusk said the full review from the comptroller’s office will be completed and released before the end of the year.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Texas State Rep. Vince Perez (D-El Paso) released a list of records requested by the Texas Comptroller’s Office from the El Paso Independent School District for a review announced as an examination of district spending.

Perez held a news conference today alongside representatives from Texas LULAC, LULAC District IV and the Save Our Schools Coalition in Downtown El Paso to announce this.

The requests included the district’s school library catalogue, board policies on parental complaints about human sexuality curriculum and counts of students enrolled using Social Security numbers versus state-approved alternative identification numbers.

According to Texas State Representative Vince Perez’s Office, staff from the Texas Comptroller’s Office were at EPISD this week for the state’s investigation of the district.

In a news release, State Rep. Perez said his office sent a letter to Comptroller Don Huffines about Governor Greg Abbott’s claims of financial mismanagement at EPISD.

The review includes requests for records on students who don’t have Social Security numbers, according to a news release.

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines said earlier this year the reviews of EPISD and three other school districts were designed to determine whether district spending complies with state law and reaches classrooms rather than contributing to administrative growth.

During the announcement, Comptroller Huffines defended the review process, emphasizing accountability in public school funding. “Texans must have confidence that their school tax dollars support educational opportunities for students, not layers of bureaucracy in central administrative offices,” Huffines said in early October.

State Rep. Perez obtained the list after filing a records request on Oct. 28 with EPISD.

Most items requested by the Comptroller’s office covered financial data, including budgets, payroll, contracts, audits and monthly staffing counts; however, three items fell outside standard spending records.

According to a news release sent by State Rep. Perez’s office, the requested records not related to central office budgets included an electronic copy of the district’s school library catalogue, despite separate requests for all purchases exceeding $10,000 and vendor payments of $100,000 or more since Jan. 1, 2021.

The Comptroller’s office also requested board policies regarding parental access and complaints about human sexuality curriculum and the Instructional Materials Review and Approval process.

Lastly, the district was asked to provide aggregate numbers of students enrolled using a Social Security number compared to those using a state-approved alternative identification number.

Perez criticized the scope of the request during the news conference, pointing out that none of the three items represent central administrative spending items.

“Comptroller Huffines told Texans this review was about ‘layers of bureaucracy in central administrative offices,’” Perez said. “Then his office asked El Paso ISD for its library catalogue, its policies on parents’ complaints about sex education and a count of children by the kind of ID number they enrolled with. No. 1 of those is a line in a central-office budget; this isn’t an audit of administrative spending, it’s a fishing expedition.”

State Rep. Perez also said:

“Texas Education Agency rules define a student ID as either a Social Security number or a state-approved alternative identification number assigned by the district when a family does not provide a Social Security number. An alternative ID number does not indicate immigration status. Under the federal Privacy Act of 1974, state and local agencies cannot deny rights or benefits when individuals decline to provide a Social Security number. Furthermore, the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Plyler v. Doe established that every child in Texas has the right to attend public school regardless of immigration status.”

Community leaders at the news conference also questioned the legal basis and intent of requesting student identification data.

Dr. Desiree Serna, representing Texas LULAC, spoke alongside Raul Lerma, president of the Austin High School Alumni Association representing the Save Our Schools Coalition and Carlos Aguilar III, LULAC District IV director.

“We are not here to obstruct legitimate financial oversight,” Serna said. “We are here to demand that it be conducted lawfully, transparently and without compromising the rights of children and families.”

State Rep. Perez also said Comptroller Huffines has previously pursued legislation regarding noncitizen student counts. As a state senator in 2017, Huffines authored Senate Bill 765 to require the certification of costs associated with educating undocumented students, though the bill died in committee. In 2023, the Huffines Liberty Foundation recommended that Texas districts report all noncitizen students and a 2025 House bill proposing student citizenship reporting failed to receive a hearing.

He argued the Comptroller’s focus on student identification numbers aligned with past policy efforts.

“A Social Security number isn’t required to go to school in Texas and an alternative ID number tells you nothing about a child’s immigration status,” State Rep. Perez said. “So what does a review of central-office spending do with a count of El Paso children who enrolled without using one? Comptroller Huffines’ foundation called for districts to count noncitizen students. Now his office is asking districts to count students by ID type; he owes El Paso families a straight answer about why.”

EPISD currently maintains an A rating for financial management from TEA and allocates 4.2% of its spending to administration, below the state agency’s 4.5% standard for districts of its size. According to TEA metrics, 79 eligible large school districts in Texas allocate a larger percentage of funds to central administration than EPISD.

“Using publicly available Texas Education Agency data, it showed the district spends less on administration than the State’s own benchmark, holds an A from TEA for financial management, and was named while 79 eligible districts that spend more were passed over. The letter asked eight questions, with written answers due in 14 days. That deadline passed October 26 without a substantive response,” State Rep. Perez said in a news release.

Perez filed a public records request under Government Code Section 552.008 seeking all requests the Comptroller’s office has made to school districts regarding student or family information, along with the legal authority for those requests and whether data has been shared with other state or federal agencies, requesting records by Nov. 4.

“Comptroller Huffines promised to conduct this review ‘professionally and transparently,’” State Rep. Perez said. “El Paso families had to learn what his office asked for through a records request. Families in Austin, Prosper and Barbers Hill have the same right to know what was asked of their districts and why.”

ABC-7 reached out to EPISD’s board of trustees for comment; board president Leah Hanany sent us the following written statement:

“During this review, the Comptroller’s Office has lauded EPISD’s progress toward financial sustainability, as well as the transparency and cooperation demonstrated by the district. These improvements reflect work that began well before the review was announced and our continued commitment to restoring public trust.

Regarding student identification, I personally registered my own children using state-issued alternative identification numbers because of my concerns about privacy and protecting their personal information in an increasingly digital world. Not sharing your child’s social security number is an option the state provides to parents who wish to exercise greater discretion over how their children’s personal information is shared.

With the review nearing completion, I look forward to district leadership returning its full attention to the work our community expects of us: educating children and improving student outcomes. We have made tremendous progress during a difficult period, and our students deserve our undivided attention as we continue moving the district forward.”

EPISD will hold a news conference tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.; ABC-7 will be there and will bring updates in our afternoon newscasts.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — New World screwworm has been detected in El Paso County, according to Texas State Representative Mary Gonzalez.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the case was detected in a dog on Tuesday. The Socorro Police Department said the dog’s owner took it to a private veterinarian.

New World screwworm flies lay eggs in wounds or openings in living tissue. After hatching, the larvae feed on living tissue and can cause serious injury or death.

SPD said it’s been working with the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Department of State Health Services to obtain information and coordinate an appropriate response.

An infested zone has been marked throughout El Paso County, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission.

SPD said residents should inspect pets and livestock for:

Open wounds that are worsening or not healing Visible maggots or larvae in wounds Foul-smelling wounds, swelling or unusual discharge Excessive Licking, biting or scratching of wounds Head shaking, loss of appetite or unusual behavior Animals appearing restless, lethargic or isolating themselves

“Even small wounds can become infested,” SPD said.

To report a suspected NWS case, call a veterinarian or the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.

Socorro residents can also contact SPD’s Animal Control Unit at (915) 858-9237.

To report a suspected case in wildlife, contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through your local TPWD wildlife biologist or call (512) 389-4505.

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Nicole Ardila

UPDATE (Oct. 28, 2026): A man from Chaparral, New Mexico, received a 15-year prison sentence for a New Year’s Day crash that killed an 18-year-old girl, the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

Forty-eight-year-old Abel Garcia pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Abel Garcia’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

The crash happened Jan. 1 around 2 a.m. at the intersection of Gateway North Boulevard and Sean Haggerty Drive in Northeast El Paso.

Investigators said Garcia ran a red light and t-boned a Chevrolet Camaro.

The passenger, 18-year-old Angelique Diaz De Leon died at the scene, according to officials. Her boyfriend and driver, 20-year-old Nicholas Ramirez was injured.

A sample of Garcia’s blood revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.139, above the legal limit of 0.08, officials said.

“Angelique was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. While no sentence can undo the loss her family and Nicholas carry every day, we were determined to hold Mr. Garcia accountable without making them wait years for a resolution,” said District Attorney James Montoya in a statement.

Update (4:30 PM): Court documents obtained by ABC-7 state that Abel Garcia, the man charged with intoxication manslaughter after the fatal New Year’s Day crash on Sean Haggerty, told police officers that he had six beers before the crash. The officers also reported seeing Garcia display signs of intoxication.

Court documents state that videos showed Garcia had run the red light and T-boned the other car.

The blood test came back almost two weeks later. The court documents state that Garcia’s blood alcohol level was 0.139.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Police arrested Abel Garcia, 48, and charged him with intoxication manslaughter after the crash on Sean Haggerty New Year’s Day that killed Angelique Diaz De Leon, 18.

Investigators say that Garcia’s pickup truck T-boned the car Diaz was riding in. The driver of the other car suffered minor injuries.

Police say that Garcia violated a red light. They add that alcohol may have been a contributing factor.

ORIGINAL STORY (January 1, 2026): ABC-7 is following a crash in Northeast El Paso that has closed all lanes on Gateway North at Sean Haggerty Thursday morning.

According to El Paso Police on X the crash happened just after 2 a.m.

Police say all lanes will remain closed until further notice.

This is a developing story and we will update you as we learn more.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The middle two lanes of Loop 375 East at U.S. 54 are closed due to a rollover crash on Wednesday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

(Courtesy: TxDOT El Paso)

TxDOT said it happened around 4:22 p.m.

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