Author: KVIA

Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—Law N Paws continues to fight to prevent animal cruelty in the El Paso community. The organization takes in abused, neglected and abandoned dogs from around El Paso, and together with East El Paso Animal Hospital, we work to rehabilitate these dogs and prepare them for their “fur-ever” homes.

The Laws N Paws Luau adoption event will be held to bring the El Paso community closer together, raise funds for the rescue, and get some of the deserving dogs into a home.

The event will be held on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at Rad Retrocade East, 9910 Montana Ave, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

https://www.lawnpaws.org/

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Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Chihuahua state authorities have closed five daycare facilities south of the border due to allegations of child sexual abuse cases.

The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office (FGE) announced on Friday that five childcare centers are under investigation.

During a news conference, the State Attorney General, César Jáuregui Moreno, and the Specialized Prosecutor for Women Victims of Gender-Based Crimes and the Family, Wendy Chávez, provided detailed information on the investigation files being conducted for suspected sexual abuse committed in daycare centers in Ciudad Juárez.

The head of the Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the investigations are very exhaustive and are being carried out following all protocols to clarify these events and find those responsible.

Prosecutor Wendy Chávez specified that five daycare centers are currently under investigation, including:

“Guardería mi mundo de colores,” located on Camino Viejo a San José Street in the Partido Doblado neighborhood, where the victims range in age from two to four. Following medical and psychological examinations of 107 children, 34 investigation files have been opened. Rosa Iveth V.G. and Sonia Yasmín C.L. have been identified as the probable perpetrators. One investigation is being prosecuted, linked to a lawsuit, with a precautionary measure of pretrial detention. The other investigation is being prosecuted, pending an initial hearing date (due to an injunction). The daycare center is temporarily closed.

“Guardería Loon,” located on Antonio J. Bermúdez Avenue in the Antonio J. Bermúdez Industrial Park, the victims range in age from two to four years old. 53 medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, 15 investigations have been opened, and the probable perpetrator, Lurdes Z. M., is in pretrial detention, and the daycare is temporarily closed.

“Guardería Niñito Jesús,” located on Suterm Street in the Puente Alto neighborhood, the victims range in age from one to three years old. Two medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, two investigations have been opened, and the daycare is temporarily closed.

“Guardería Mi Pequeño Tambor,” located on Tizoc Street in the Lino Vargas neighborhood, the victims range in age from two to four. Eight medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, two investigation files are open, and one judicial investigation with an executed arrest warrant has been executed against Teresa Johana T. R., whose legal status will be resolved next Monday. The daycare is provisionally closed.

“Guardería Ebdi # 32 (ISSSTE),” located on De la Américas Avenue in the Américas neighborhood, the victims range in age from two to four. Forty-eight medical and psychological examinations have been conducted, 18 investigation files are open, two files have been turned over to the Attorney General’s Office, and the daycare is provisionally closed.

Some of these daycares are affiliated with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and ISSSTE as well.

More updates in later newscasts.

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Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week in favor of the Trump administration to use the Alien Enemies Act to keep conducting mass deportations, which has raised concerns over the migrants’ due process rights to have their cases reviewed before being deported.

“The due process is an important principle; of course we support that and we have to give Customs and Border Protection agents and everybody involved in the process, the resources they need to get the job done.” said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

On Friday, Rep. Veronica Escobar, (D) Texas, said they’ve gotten zero information on what the administration is doing with mass deportation since President Trump took office.

“We are getting zero information, there’s zero transparency, and the administration is effectively creating a police state within the United States of America,” Escobar said.

For Rep. Escobar, not only is this threat against legal immigrants paying their taxes but also the Trump Administration is now creating an incentive for immigrants legally here not to pay their taxes.

ABC-7 also spoke with the Executive Director of Estrella del Paso, Melissa M. Lopez, who said all these individuals should be allowed to go through the immigration court process. This is the due process system that’s been created to evaluate claims and determine whether people should or should not be deported from the United States.

“People are scared of being caught up in the system and then not having an opportunity to speak to an attorney, the biggest thing that this is causing is a lot of confusion and a lot of fear for people.” “We try and do our best to keep them informed, but at the end of the day, each case is so different that it’s really hard to provide general information to the public that’s going to be applicable to people in their individual cases,” executive director Lopez said.

“We are going to continue to comply with the law, and we are wholly confident that every single person that has been deported under the Alien Enemies Act, every person that will continue to be deported under the Alien Enemies Act qualifies for that deportation,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

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Heriberto Perez

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) — The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector, in collaboration with the Department of Defense’s Joint Task Force Southern Border, will discuss the operational capabilities of the M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicles, also known as Strykers.

These Strykers were recently deployed at the El Paso and Big Bend Sectors.

“It is a force multiplier that will allow us to detect and track faster and more accurately any illegal entry into the United States,” said Agent Orlando Marrero-Rubio, Border Patrol El Paso Sector spokesman.

The Secretary of Defense authorized U.S. military personnel additional authorities to support CBP on March 20, enabling service members “to conduct mobile ground-based monitoring support to detect, track, and monitor movements of suspected illegal activity using military tactical vehicles, including the use of Strykers, or foot patrols within sectors assigned by CBP.”

More updates in later newscasts

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Today at Eastlake High School, elementary students are proving that math can be both fun and rewarding as they compete in the annual Math Bee.

Kindergarten through 5th grade students competed in their 8th annual district Math Bee and tested their mental math skills. 

During timed rounds, students answered math problems to advance to the next level with the goal of becoming the district Math Bee champion for their grade. 

Preparing for the Math Bee provides students with the chance to improve their math skills, contributing to better grades in the classroom and making learning more enjoyable. 

Isabella Martinez

EL PASO, TX (KVIA) — The planned Sunset Amphitheater in Northeast El Paso is back before City Council this week, as officials review an amendment to the land transfer agreement with Venu, the company behind the 12,500-seat entertainment venue.  

According to agenda documents, the proposed amendment increases the land transfer from 17 to 20 acres. Officials say the expanded footprint allows for a new design capable of hosting events year-round. The amendment also clarifies parking responsibilities and updates the official closing date of the land sale.  

The project has faced previous delays. The land transfer, initially expected to be finalized in December 2024, was held up due to title concerns. At the last council meeting in early December, Karina Brasgalla, the city’s economic and international development director, said a “clean bill of title” was necessary to secure investors.  

Despite missing its expected groundbreaking last year, Brasgalla said the project remains on track, though it may not be ready in time for the start of the 2026 concert season.  

As part of the agreement, Venu is required to secure a venue operator and bring in at least 40 national touring acts per year. The project is expected to generate a $5.4 billion economic impact over 20 years, including direct revenue from sales taxes and indirect benefits from visitor spending at local businesses.

The city has committed nearly $31 million in incentives for the project, which is projected to provide a 28.8% return on investment.  

City Council is set to discuss the amendment during its regular meeting on Tuesday.

Nicole Ardila

The Texas Senate is proposing to double it’s current incentive for filmmakers to $500 million, aiming to become the next powerhouse in film production.

ABC-7 spoke with local filmmakers on how this could bring opportunities to the industry in El Paso.

Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program currently has a $200 million package, now legislators want to significantly increase it to attract production crews to the Lone Star State.

“Hollywood might disappear, I’m hoping it will, because there’s a chance for a new industry,” said filmmaker Paco Ibarra, who founded Lemur Creative Studio. “I feel that part of the things that Texas and El Paso benefit from is the fact that most of its culture is very culture driven, is society driven, and it’s not an individualistic society.”

SB 22 proposed in March explains certain requirements in order for productions to receive grants — For example, 60% of the film has to be filmed in Texas, films cannot not portray Texas negatively, and no obscene material is allowed.

Netflix’s Tex Mex Motors star and creator Marcos “Scooter” Carrera supports that and wants to erase the stigma that the southwest is full of crime. 

“El Paso is already on the map, we just need the spotlight… If I’m going to do something for my community, I’m going to try to portray it as best and as good as I can. Why would I want to talk bad about El Paso, Juarez, or Las Cruces when I’ve spent all my life here?”

The filmmakers say this incentive will create more jobs, attract tourists, and boost the economy. 

“People will be surprised who comes through here,” said Gilbert Jorgensen, founder of Star Central Studios. “So, last year, we had HBO several times, we had the History Channel, we had Netflix, Amazon films, you name it.”

Last year, Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio was in El Paso filming for Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming project, “One Battle After Another.”

Jorgensen says producers have told them they want to come back to El Paso for more projects, not just because of the landscape, but because of the welcoming community. 

“It’s growing and there are positive changes, and we do have all the resources and talent now, recently. So as that word spreads, more projects will come here,” says Jorgensen.

Cinematographer Raul Hernandez is from El Paso and has worked in Los Angeles for over a decade. He’s made over 500 music videos for renown artists like Pitbull and songs “Like a G6” by Far East Movement.

 He now works in the borderland, and hosts monthly workshops to unite the local film community. 

“We’re working to build a film community, so we’re already setting up monthly meetings where we can bring all the filmmakers together to not only network, but also provide an opportunity where they can come and and showcase their work,” said Hernandez.

Production companies currently get reimbursed between 5% to 20% of what they spend in the state.

Right now, film productions are eligible for grants if 55% of their crew are Texas residents, but if passed, SB 22 would reduce that requirement to 35% for the next two years.

Isabella Martinez

EL PASO, TX (KVIA) — As strong winds kick up dust across the Borderland, health officials are reminding residents about a rare but serious fungal infection known as Valley fever.  

The disease is caused by the Coccidioides fungus and thrives in desert soil. When disturbed by wind or construction, the spores become airborne and can be inhaled.  

ABC-7 spoke to El Paso Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza who said while Valley fever is not common in the region, it does exist in desert areas, including Arizona, California, and West Texas.  

“There’s no way to prevent it,” Dr. Ocaranza said. “Your best prevention is to stay away from all the dust starts to cover your face with the mask and control your chronic conditions.”

Valley fever symptoms often mimic the flu and include fatigue, fever, cough, and chest pain. 

Dr. Ocaranza emphasizes those with chronic conditions are more vulnerable to the disease, “Somebody that has uncontrolled chronic conditions like diabetes, then that might be something that gives a higher index of suspicion.”

In severe cases, Dr. Ocaranza said the infection can even be deadly, “If the body’s already weak and we are infected with some of these fungal infections or some other infections, people can succumb to this kind of infection.”

Testing for Valley fever requires antibody screenings, which may take multiple tests to confirm. Dr. Ocaranza said treatment can also vary. 

“Treatment is challenging because there is no specific medication that is going to be given here,” he explained. “Your physician may choose different medications to help combat this infection.”

There is currently no vaccine for Valley fever. Dr. Ocaranza emphasizes and recommends wearing a mask in dusty conditions, staying indoors when possible, and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.