Author: KVIA

Gabrielle Lopez

MESCALERO, N.M. (KVIA) — The Mescalero Apache Tribe removed a councilmember due to an ongoing investigation involving a child, the tribe announced Tuesday.

Secretary Robert Rice sent a letter to tribal members announcing the council removed Krystal Enjady June 12.

Leaders learned about a shooting at a graduation party that happened May 30, the letter said. Enjady was at the party, prompting the council to meet June 1 to discuss what happened. The council later scheduled a hearing to consider her removal June 6, according to the letter.

Enjady learned about her pending removal June 1 and appeared at removal hearings June 6 and 12, the letter said.

The council decided Enjady was “guilty of acts of moral turpitude, malfeasance in office and conduct reflecting on the dignity and integrity of the Tribal government,” according to the letter.

Rice said the tribal council can’t share more details about Enjady’s removal because of the ongoing investigation and because it involves a child.

You can read the full letter tribal members received below.

Courtesy: Mescalero Apache Tribe

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso nonprofit is one of 27 programs from Texas to earn competitive grants, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Tuesday. The Texas Workforce Investment Council administered more than $7 million for programs helping Texans find jobs, he said.

Project ARRIBA (Advanced Retraining & Redevelopment Initiative in Border Areas aims to help people find education, training and living wages in El Paso, according to its website.

The nonprofit earned $200,000 in grants for its Educare: Elevating Nursing and Education in El Paso project, according to Gov. Abbott. According to the grant website, that’s the maximum amount of money Project ARRIBA could have gotten as a third year applicant.

Educare helps participants by training them to succeed in school for nursing, education and healthcare, he said.

The nonprofit’s website said it focuses on training for in-demand career paths like nursing, therapy, computer science, welding, medical technology and education majors in STEM.

The Texas Talent Connection grant awards totaled $7,002,965, Gov. Abbott said.

“The Texas economy soars to new heights because of the hard work and dedication of our young and skilled workforce,” said Governor Abbott in a statement. “These grants will allow more Texans to acquire the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers. As we train our future workforce, Texas will remain the economic engine of the country.”

Additionally, the governor said the grant money came from federal funds allocated to his office by the U.S. Department of Labor to “encourage innovation in workforce training and job placement services.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Today El Paso Water held an event to celebrate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ investment in two key environmental infrastructure projects.

The day began with a groundbreaking at 9:00 A.M. at the Clardy Fox Pump Station, south of the Cesar Chavez Border Highway.

The project intends to increase stormwater capacity by collecting runoff from upstream streets.

These upgrades also intend to help prevent the discharge channel from being overwhelmed during heavy rain.

A signing ceremony this morning helped finalize the agreement between EPWater and the USACE for the first phase of the El Paso Flood Warning System.

The goal for the system, eventually, is to provide flood forecasting and warnings for El Paso and parts of the county.

Speakers at today’s event included EPWater President and CEO John Balliew, Lt. Col. Matthew Miller of the USACE Albuquerque District, and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Saddle up for the rodeo this weekend. Starr Western Wear’s Rodeo El Paso will bring more than 250 professional athletes to compete against each other from June 19-21.

Participants from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association will show off their grit, skill and culture at the El Paso County Coliseum.

Crowds can expect iconic rodeo acts, such as bull riding and barrel racing, Starr Western Wear said.

There will also be bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping and other acts, the company said.

Ticket prices range from $15-$90, Starr Western Wear said. People who buy certain tickets early can save $5, it said. Otherwise, you can buy tickets at the coliseum’s box office.

Online tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

The June 19-20 shows start at 7:30 p.m. while the June 21 show starts at 2 p.m., according to Starr Western Wear.

“Starr Western Wear has always believed rodeo is more than a sport — it’s part of the culture and tradition of our community,” said Enoch Kimmelman of Starr Western Wear. “We are proud and excited to continue supporting Starr Western Wear’s Rodeo El Paso and to be part of a lasting tradition that brings families together while celebrating the authentic spirit of rodeo and cowboy heritage.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – The Ysleta Independent School District’s general fund could become financially insolvent within one to two fiscal years, according to an audit obtained by ABC-7.

The audit warned there is “a significant rise of financial insolvency and a possibility of needing to declare a financial exigency.”

The recently completed audit, conducted by YISD Internal Auditor Amy Sanchez, was obtained by ABC-7 after we filed an open records request with the district under the Texas Public Information Act on June 3. It covers financial transactions for fiscal years 2023–24 through 2025–26, as of February 28, 2026.

The report cites declining state revenues, the likelihood of a multimillion-dollar deficit in the health plan fund, continued enrollment declines, and the rapid depletion of the general fund’s unassigned balance as reasons for the significant risk of financial insolvency.

It is unclear when district and board members were first made aware of the audit, which is dated May 7. However, on May 20, the Board of Trustees received a presentation from Sanchez where she went over the status of various audits conducted by her office.

Although Sanchez did not discuss the audit’s findings, titled General Fund Financial Observations, during the meeting, the report prompted questions from Trustees Chris Hernandez and Shane Haggerty.

Hernandez asked whether the district could face insolvency in the next fiscal year, and Sanchez said it could unless expenditures are significantly reduced from current projections. Haggerty said he was frustrated that the board had repeatedly requested budget workshops and insurance updates but had not received them, adding that despite earlier discussions with insurance representatives, he was not aware of any follow-up updates.

ABC-7’s review of the May 20 meeting minutes shows that several audits were completed, though the reports were not included as supporting documents and it’s unclear why.

The audit stated if YISD continues on its current path, the general fund’s unassigned balance could be depleted by the end of the 2026–27 fiscal year.

The risk of general fund insolvency is rated at the priority level, the highest risk category in the audit’s rating system. According to the audit, this designation means that if the issue is not addressed, it could critically affect the District’s ability to meet its goals.

The district has relied on short-term loans to meet cash-flow needs, including a $49 million loan in June 2025, and an anticipated loan exceeding $50 million in May 2026, according to the audit.

The audit shows the district narrowly avoided receiving an “F” rating in the Texas Education Agency’s School Financial Integrity Rating System (FIRST) because of the short-term loan. Without such loans, the report says the district would not have enough cash on hand to meet rating requirements, further highlighting the severity of its financial situation.

The district’s unassigned fund balance has decreased by 75% over the past five years. According to the audit, the balance fell from $78.9 million in fiscal year 2021 to a projected $18.8 million in fiscal year 2026.

After accounting for losses in the health plan fund, the report shows the available unassigned fund balance could drop to as low as $12.1 million by June 2026.

The audit says that if the 2026–27 budget includes a deficit greater than $12 million, the district would not be able to meet its financial obligations for that year.

According to the audit, the YISD Board may declare financial exigency if one or more of the following conditions exist:

A decrease of more than 20% in unassigned fund balance per student over two years (actual decrease: 41% in FY24-25, projected 45% in FY25-26).

A decline in enrollment by more than 10% over the last five years (actual decline: 11% in FY24-25).

Superintendent Xavier De La Torre addressed the budget at Monday’s Board of Trustees Workshop.

“The only reason I have not been as open and transparent or as aggressive as has been suggested…I need — I don’t need to create anxiety. I don’t need to create fear. I don’t want our teachers and employees going to work every day worrying about that instead of worrying about the kids. And we have time,” Superintendent De La Torre said. “Don’t believe for a minute there isn’t a plan. I just don’t need my plan being forwarded to other people and other places until I’m ready to execute. And that’s the truth.”

ABC-7 requested an interview with Superintendent De La Torre about the audit and its findings. His office said he’s not available to speak until Wednesday.

ABC-7 has also reached out to school board members and internal auditor Amy Sanchez.

The district is expected to present its proposed budget to the board Wednesday, June 17.

Read the full audit below.

2026-26 General Fund_Risk Report to the BoardSDownload

Click here to follow the original article.

Paul Schulz

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Ysleta Independent School District leaders are weighing a series of measures to address a multimillion dollar budget deficit while trying to avoid layoffs and minimize impacts on students and employees.

As ABC 7 reported, the district is facing a budget deficit of $16.7 million after losing approximately $11 million in state revenue because of changes tied to appraisal district calculations. District officials have also cited declining state funding and cash flow challenges.

During Monday’s board workshop, trustees and administrators discussed long-term solutions to address what officials described as a structural deficit that extends beyond a single budget cycle.

Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said the district has reduced its projected deficit and is pursuing several strategies before considering workforce reductions.

“We plan to present the budget before you on Wednesday,” Superintendent Xavier De La Torre said. “What we don’t want to do is have an adverse employee action unnecessarily.”

De La Torre said closing campuses would provide limited financial relief because employee contracts are already in place and most personnel would need to be reassigned elsewhere in the district. He estimated campus consolidations would save roughly $1 million in utility costs.

District leaders are also exploring the sale of district properties, employee retirement incentives, staff attrition and a potential voter approved tax ratification election to generate additional revenue.

Trustees questioned whether the district is moving quickly enough to address the deficit and requested additional information about staffing levels and school operating costs.

De La Torre said district officials have developed a plan that extends through the next school year and are monitoring several factors that could improve the district’s financial outlook, including property sales, employee attrition and potential increases in state education funding during the next legislative session.

He said the district typically sees between 120 and 160 teachers leave each year through normal attrition, creating opportunities for savings without immediate layoffs.

De La Torre also emphasized that district leaders are working to avoid creating unnecessary concern among employees and families.

“I don’t need to create anxiety. I don’t need to create fear,” De La Torre said. “We have time.”

The superintendent said students and families should not expect immediate changes to academics, athletics, fine arts or extracurricular programs as the district works through its financial challenges.

The district is expected to present its proposed budget to the board this Wednesday.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said Monday it arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of a theft at a gas station in 2025.

According to the sheriff’s department, deputies went to a Speedway gas station at 280 Canutillo La Union Ave. off Doniphan Drive on Dec. 22, 2025. The store manager alleged the assistant store manager stole money over several months, EPCSO said.

Deputies identified Eduardo Aleman as a suspect. They obtained a warrant for theft of property and arrested him Sunday, EPCSO said.

EPCSO booked him into the county detention facility on a $10,000 bond.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Fifteen Girl Scouts will spend the week learning how to repair and handle home emergencies. The annual SHEBuilds ‘n Drills Workshop teaches girls how to act during home flooding, fires and fix appliances.

The workshop is part of Rebuilding Together El Paso’s SHEBuilds project, which teaches women basic home maintenance and safety skills. As a whole, Reubuilding Together repairs homes for low-income homeowners, seniors, veterans and people with individuals.

“Our goal is to build confidence, encourage problemsolving, and inspire interest in technical careers,” Executive Director Roger de Moor said in a statement.

Christina Zuniga with SHEBuilds said the repairing side of the workshop teaches Girl Scouts basic repair skills like leaky faucets, woodwork and patching drywall. She said these skills can help the girls and their families save money.

“You could take care of a leaky faucet, for example, at your home instead of having to pay hundreds of dollars for a plumber,” Zuniga said. “You know how to do it at home and it’s simple.”

Beyond repairs and emergencies, the girls will learn the principles of electricity through experiments, Rebuild Together El Paso said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rishi Oza

UPDATE: The EPISD Board of Trustees voted to cut 55 contracted positions during their meeting Monday night.

The board approved 94 jobs to be cut, but they were able to get the number down with retirement incentives and placing some into other positions.

“we just want to assure parents that we’re doing everything we can, literally everything that we possibly can as a district and as a board to make sure that we’re taking care of the classroom,” said Board President Leah Hanany.

The board was able to keep school psychologists at their current positions despite being listed on the agenda. Some psychologists gave public comment during the meeting and they were relieved to know their jobs were safe.

“This was a very agonizing three weeks knowing that we were on a list,” said Renee King Rivera, a psychologist with the district. “My trust in the district has been restored in the sense that I know that we are looking in the best interests of students.”

The board will meet again on Tuesday to finalize their budget agenda.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees will vote on hundreds of job cuts during its meeting Monday night.

The district filed for financial exigency two weeks ago, which allowed them to make these cuts without the Texas Education Agency intervening. EPISD faced a $53 million deficit, and these cuts will get them to a deficit of around $4 million.

They will vote on its budget agenda Tuesday night.

To find the full meeting agenda and which jobs the board will be discussing below.

Special-Board-Meeting-Agenda-and-Materials—June-15,-2026_4469675747661207365Download

ABC-7 will have a full report on the vote and which jobs are on the line on ABC-7 at 10.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Twelve people have been arrested after U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations found a stash house in El Paso. CBP said Monday it found the house in May.

On May 27, agents found a stash house used for human smuggling, CBP said. They found 11 adults in the staying in the U.S. illegally and one unaccompanied child in the house. Agents arrested and sent them to the Ysleta Border Patrol station.

CBP said 10 of those found were from Mexico and the other two were from Guatemala.

The adults faced charges and the child was administratively processed, CBP said. They were sent to the Processing Transport Detention Unit.

Courtesy: CBP

CBP said the investigation is still ongoing.

Click here to follow the original article.