Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A record number of students enrolled in the University of Texas at El Paso this fall, according to the school. For the first time, UTEP’s enrollment passed 27,000.

UTEP said this fall’s enrollment set an all-time record for the second year in a row. It said 27,368 new students enrolled, which is an increase of more than 4% from last year’s fall semester.

The university’s previous record stood at 26,297, UTEP said.

“Surpassing 27,000 students is a remarkable milestone, but what matters most is that record numbers of students are not just enrolling at UTEP, they are staying and finishing,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson in a statement. “That is a credit to our faculty and staff, who take seriously the job of meeting each student where they are, and making UTEP an excellent and affordable path to a better life.”

In August, Wilson said UTEP expected to set a record during UTEP’s state of the university address.

UTEP’s milestones didn’t stop with this fall semester’s enrollment. For the fifth year in a row, UTEP enrolled its largest freshman class. It said 4,695 first-time college students started their studies this fall.

When it announced its record enrollment, UTEP noted its efforts to build its student body and support. One example included UTEP’s Paydirt Promise, which covers 100% of tuition and fees for some Texas residents.

The university also credited its online education program, which offers more than 40 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

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Nina Gallegos

UPDATE (Sept. 14, 2026): The El Paso Police Department identified two 20-year-old men who died in Saturday’s shooting at Tom Lea Upper Park. Police said the shooting happened after an altercation.

Joshua Michael Himes and Francisco Javier Ignacio died, police said.

Investigators said that a group of people drank at the park when an altercation broke out between the two men and unidentified people. The unidentified people allegedly shot the men and left in a vehicle.

EPPD said anyone with information about the murders can contact police at 915-832-4400 or Crime Stoppers at 915-566-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: According to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD), two people are dead after a shooting that happened just before 4 a.m. at the 900 block of E. Rim at Tom Lea Upper Park.

When officers arrived at the park, police say they found two people dead.

According to a spokesperson with EPPD, a group of people were at the park when an unidentified vehicle showed up and at least two individuals started shooting. The vehicle then left the area, according to the spokesperson.

Police continue to investigate the shooting and ask anyone with information to call police or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of El Paso.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating a shooting at 900 E. Rim in Central El Paso.

The shooting happened near El Paso High School, according to police.

They say the call came in just before 4 a.m.

This is a developing story.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Comedian Jo Koy planned a stop in El Paso for his world tour, the University of Texas at El Paso’s Office of Special Events announced.

On April 30, he will bring his “Koy Meets World” tour to the Don Haskins Center.

Presale for tickets starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. with the code “COMEDY.” General ticket sales start Friday at 10 a.m.

You can find more ticket information here.

Koy is known for his sold-out shows and hit comedy specials worldwide. Honolulu proclaimed Nov. 24 as “Jo Koy Day” after he broke a record for the most tickets sold by a single artist at a venue in the Hawaiian city.

According to Koy’s website, he wants his comedy to educate others on Filipino traditions.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A 46-year-old man received a prison sentence Monday after pleading guilty to murder and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance in a death that happened at the Downtown El Paso County Detention Center. The 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said the sentencing is the first of its kind in West Texas.

A judge sentenced Eric Robles to 18 years in prison for murder and 15 years in prison for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. His sentences will run concurrently, the district attorney’s office said.

Eric Robles’ mugshot.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

Eric Robles is the first defendant in the region to be sentenced under Texas House Bill 6. HB 6 is a 2023 law that allows murder charges to be filed against those who manufacture, deliver or supply fentanyl that results in a deadly overdose.

Authorities executed a federal arrest warrant on Robles on May 16, 2024, at the Ysleta Port of Entry. He was housed in the same cell block as 49-year-old Jesus Hernandez at the Downtown detention facility.

Hernandez was found dead in the detention facility on May 23, the district attorney’s office said. An autopsy revealed a deadly dosage of fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.

Hernandez transferred to a federal detention facility in Sierra Blanca on May 23. The district attorney’s office said a package with more than 25 grams of fentanyl was found in Robles’ lower bowel that same day.

“Fentanyl continues to be a deadly scourge throughout the nation. Eric Robles chose to distribute a deadly drug for his own benefit, and that choice cost Jesus Hernandez his life,” said District Attorney James Montoya.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the City of El Paso said it presented an update to its “Vision Zero Program.” The city said it hopes Vision Zero will reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries across the area.

Monday’s Fiscal Year 2026 Vision Zero Program update focused on efforts to make streets safer for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and other roadway users.

“Every traffic fatality has a lasting impact on a family and our community,” said Mayor Renard Johnson in a statement. “Vision Zero gives us a data-driven approach to identify where we can make our streets safer and invest resources where they can have the greatest impact. Our goal is to continue building a transportation system that is safer for everyone.”

Current Vision Zero efforts include the Quick Build Program, which provides low-cost improvements at high-risk locations, the city said.

“Vision Zero allows us to move from identifying where serious crashes are occurring to taking targeted action,” said Joaquin Rodriguez, Capital Improvement Department Director. “By using data to guide our investments, we can focus improvements where they are most needed while continuing to pursue projects and partnerships that make our streets safer for everyone who uses them.”

The city said Vision Zero goes hand-in-hand with the city’s anti-DWI strategy, which involves enforcement, education and community partnerships.

During the city’s 90th session state legislative agenda, the city council incorporated anti-DWI and road safety priorities. The city said the action included supporting opportunities for state funding, partnerships and policies that can further strengthen safety efforts.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, Meta opened applications for a fund investing in local communities where it has data centers, including El Paso.

During Monday’s meeting on the Community Benefits Agreement, local leaders looked into how Meta is investing in the community.

The data center promises up to 300 permanent operational jobs. Community advocates are seeking binding assurances that specialized training programs will ensure these jobs go to local El Pasoans.

However, the City is still waiting for final confirmation from Meta that hiring will prioritize El Pasoans.

Leaders are evaluating how Meta’s proposed community funding aligns with El Paso’s Climate Action Plan, specifically focusing on local workforce development, energy conservation, and neighborhood development.

Officials have cautioned against terminating existing agreements, noting that walking away could expose taxpayers to significant legal and financial liabilities. City representative Cynthia Trejo emphasized that the goal remains steering the agreement to secure binding, long-term benefits for El Paso residents before the final October deadline.

Those who want to apply to the fund have until Oct. 19. You can find the application link here.

Meta said the fund is a $1 billion commitment to invest in communities where they’re building data centers.

It said applicants can apply for projects in four focus areas: community enhancement, economic vitality, education and sustainability.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office helped find a woman indicted on a child murder charge, EPCSO said Monday. Court documents said she failed to feed two children — one of whom died.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, its deputies helped find 25-year-old Glenda Marks. EPCSO worked with the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office during the investigation.

According to court documents ABC-7 found, Marks also went by “Glenda Neeley.” Documents also said she had a “legal duty to act, namely as a parent.”

Glenda Marks’ mugshot.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

Marks was recently indicted on one count of capital murder of a person under 10 years old, one count of murder and four counts of injury to a child, elderly or disabled person. Documents said the offenses happened in March 2023.

Court documents said Marks lied to a child’s parent about regularly feeding a child under 10 years of age. She allegedly starved the child and canceled an alarm system set up to ensure the child was regularly fed. Documents said she injured the child by failing to provide food.

Documents said marks also secluded the child to prevent herself from “being able to hear or see the child.”

The child’s death was “caused while [Marks] was in the course of and in furtherance of the commission or attempt of the felony,” documents said.

Court documents said Marks injured another child under the age of 14. She allegedly didn’t feed the child and caused “serious bodily injury” by failing to provide food.

Authorities found her in Montague County, Texas, and the U.S. Marshals Service took her into custody. After her arrest, EPCSO’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit transported her back to El Paso County and booked her into the county detention facility.

Her combined bond totaled $1.6 million, according to EPCSO.

In a statement released Monday morning, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte stated the following in regards to this case:

This arrest demonstrates the importance of strong partnerships among local, state, and federal agencies. By working together and sharing resources, we can locate individuals wanted for serious offenses and ensure they are brought back to El Paso County to face justice.

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Nina Gallegos

UPDATE (9:30 p.m.): The El Paso County Commissioner’s Court voted 5-0 to adopt the budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

The County adopted the No-New-Revenue tax rate, a move Precinct 2 Commissioner David Stout said required difficult financial decisions in the previous budget year.

Commissioner David Stout said the county was only able to reach the lower rate because commissioners made difficult choices last year, including a minimal tax-rate increase.

“I have seen in the past people push hard to add items to the budget,” Stout said. “They celebrate when they are included. They take credit for delivering them and then walk away when the bill comes due.”

Stout said the county’s decision last year helped make the current tax rate possible.

“We were only able to go down to the no-new-revenue rate this year because of the difficult decision some of us took last year to increase the tax rate minimally,” he said.

Under the new rate, homeowners whose property values have remained unchanged would pay about $17 less per year, according to the budget presentation.

The 2026 tax rate was at $0.451133, while the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2027 is $0.4477.

According to the county’s taxpayer impact statement, the median homeowner could see their annual property tax bill increase by nearly $70, despite the lower tax rate.

Public safety was another major focus of the budget discussion. It makes up the biggest portion of the budget at $171.8 million, or 36%.

More than $6 million was added to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office budget. The increase comes as the Sheriff’s Office faces a deficit of more than $4 million this year.

Overtime expenses are a significant part of that shortfall.

During the budget discussion, commissioners questioned why overtime costs have increased so substantially this year.

The Sheriff’s Office said staffing shortages are one factor.

Deputy Gailey told commissioners that a number of employees have left the department for other employment opportunities, increasing the need to bring in additional personnel.

“We have seen a number of people leave the department for other opportunities or employment,” Gailey said. “So that’s impacting the requirement we’re having to bring in.”

Commissioners said they will ask Sheriff Ugarte to attend their next meeting in person to provide a more detailed explanation of the Sheriff’s Office’s overtime costs.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – In Monday’s El Paso County Commissioners Court meeting, commissioners will vote whether to approve a budget amendment to the county’s 2025-2026 operating budget.

The amendment is to use funds from the Sheriff’s Office general fund in the amount of $47,975 to cover the costs of replacement doors and substation restroom cabinets.

The funds will also cover the cost of an elevator contract. The budgetary amendment won’t impact El Paso County’s overall budget of $681,614,389.50, according to the agenda.

County commissioners will also decide whether to approve and adopt the proposed El Paso County budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, beginning Oct. 1.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-The YMCA of El Paso, together with the 50th Anniversary Title Sponsor, the GECU Foundation and GECU, will officially kick off the 50th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot.

It is now the region’s biggest holiday race and marks the official start of the Sun Bowl Parade. The funds collected  support YMCA financial assistance, helping ensure children and families can access YMCA programs.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.WHERE: Houston Park 900 Montana Ave. El Paso, TX 79902

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, Tx (KVIA-TV)-Women from throughout the city and other areas will attend the ONE Conference 2026 at Abundant Church East from September 16 to 18.

The free event will run for three days and include nationally known speakers, worship services, special events, and opportunities to help women grow in their faith and confidently move into the way they were created to be.

The conference this year, presented by the ONE Sisterhood, has “She Holds the Key” as its theme and stresses the idea that women are called, purposed, and chosen.

ONE Conference Features:

Shannon Nieman, the conference host and founder of the ONE Sisterhood, will speak on Wednesday, September 16. On Thursday, September 17, Bianca Juarez, a Bible teacher, author, and lead pastor at Revere Church, will be a guest speaker, and on Friday, September 18, Zai Chandler, senior pastor of Union Church, will speak.

Registration can be obtained at theonesisterhood.com/#made_for_more

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