Author: KVIA

Andrew J. Polk

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — It’s a crime that shocked the El Paso community: three students stabbed at the start of the school day.

In the aftermath of what happened at Americas High School, there’s an increasing focus on what measures are being taken for school safety. Several sets of school laws have put new requirements into place in the past few years. They include more planning, equipment and training mandates, among others.

What are local school districts doing to ensure that students are safe when they are in class or on campus — and what still needs to be done?

Sunday, night, join ABC-7’s Andrew J. Polk as we hear from the police chiefs and public safety officials at four major districts in our area on their perspective.

Tune in Sunday at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at 10.

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Yvonne Suarez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A judge issued a decision in a hearing Friday where David Leonard Wood’s attorney requested testing on evidence from the 1987 serial killings.

During the hearing, visiting Judge Dick Alcala stated that even though the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals had ruled against the defense’s request for DNA testing back in 2024, he would grant the current motion.

Wood, who is 69 years old, is one of the oldest death row inmates.

David Leonard Wood’s mugshot.

He was convicted of capital murder in 1992 for the deaths of six young girls and women whose bodies were dumped in the desert area of Northeast El Paso in 1987.

(KVIA/File)

At the time of his original trial, DNA testing wasn’t widely used. In 2011, Wood’s attorneys requested DNA testing on three pieces of evidence. A piece of clothing that was tested excluded Wood as a contributor to the DNA evidence. The other two tests were inconclusive.

Several subsequent requests for DNA testing were filed in court and denied.

His executive has been delayed twice. The last time was in March 2025, where the court of criminal appeals sent the case back to the original court and stayed his execution.

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Miroslava Lem Quinonez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – This year National Food Bank Day falls on Sept. 4. It is observed annually on the first Friday of September.

It recognizes the critical role food banks play in collecting, sorting, storing and distributing food to individuals and families facing hunger.

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger serves as the regional food bank across El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties. They say about 40% of El Paso County residents experience food insecurity.

The organization distributes food directly to neighbors through its onsite Mercado and Food FARMacy while also supplying a network of community partners, including churches, schools and nonprofit organizations. The national day recognizes the staff, volunteers, donors and community partners who makes that possible

September is also Hunger Action Month, with various events planned to raise money and awareness:

Sept. 11: Villalobos Pest Control Golf Tournament benefiting El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. Sept. 14–26: Chick-fil-A cookie fundraiser at participating Mesa Street, Remcon and Desert Boulevard locations. Sept. 24: Fourth annual Noche de Estrellas Reverse Gala and the opening of the Hunger Action Month silent auction. Sept. 25: El Paso Locomotive FC fundraising game, with members of the EPFH team serving as honorary conductors. Sept. 29: Hunger Action Day and plans to light El Paso’s Star on the Mountain orange. Sept.30: Final day of the Hunger Action Month silent auction.

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger says people can get involved by volunteering, donating or organizing a food drive.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A delayed bus failed to return students at Charles Murphree School on time, according to the El Paso Independent School District. The district said it was because of a “technology outage” and a substitute driver.

EPISD said the bus arrived more than two hours later than scheduled.

One parent told ABC-7 said the delayed bus route left them wondering where their child was.

“I’m panicking because I don’t know where my child is,” said Primavera Cabrera, whose 12-year-old son was on the bus.

One of the students on the bus said the driver got lost. The driver allegedly drove into the Mesa Hills neighborhood without warning.

“I said, ‘Do you know where you’re going?'” said Kincaid Pinon, a seventh-grade student at Murphree. “He said he does not know where he’s going. So I thought he was like joking around. But he was not actually.”

Twelve-year-old Kincaid Pinon took this photo while riding a delayed bus.(Courtesy: Kincaid Pinon)

EPISD released a statement about the incident.

“Yesterday, a Murphree PK-8 bus route experienced an unexpected delay due to a substitute driver covering the route and a technology outage that affected navigation and communication systems.

At no time were students in danger, and student safety was never compromised. The driver was fully licensed and met all state and district requirements.

Transportation officials met with affected parents this morning to answer questions and apologize for the inconvenience. The district is reviewing the incident to improve communication and help prevent similar disruptions in the future.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our Murphree families.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso’s City Council completed annual performance evaluations of the city manager and city attorney.

The city’s manager and attorney report to the mayor and city council. The annual evaluation allows the council to assess performance, recognize accomplishments and provide feedback and expectations for the next year.

The evaluations score the city manager and attorney on a scale of 1-5 for several performance factors.

City Manager Evaluation

City Manager Dionne Mack’s evaluation addressed leadership, implementation of council policy, financial stewardship, operational efficiency, risk management, workforce development, communication and delivery of public services.

The city said Mack received a rating of 4.07 out of five. Her highest scores were in professionalism, leadership and financial management.

Documents said her lowest score (3.82) was in communications. The evaluation notes said communication between the city manager and council improved under Mack.

“I appreciate Council’s feedback and remain committed to fiscal discipline, transparent reporting, community engagement and modernizing City services,” said Mack in a statement. “Our focus will remain on anticipating challenges and delivering measurable results for El Paso residents.”

2026 CM Evaluation (Signed)Download

City Attorney Evaluation

City Attorney Karla Nieman scored 3.81 out of five. Her highest scores were in management skills, leadership and communication, documents said.

Her lowest score (3.31) was in fiscal management. The evaluation notes said she “demonstrated fiscal management that clearly meets and at times exceeds expectations.”

Council recognized her leadership of “an increasingly mature legal organization,” strategic oversight of the city’s litigation portfolio and responsible stewardship of public resources.

“Effective legal leadership requires independent professional judgment, timely advice, and early identification of risks that could affect the City’s finances, operations, or ability to serve the public,” said Nieman in a statement. “The City Attorney’s Office will continue working to protect the City’s interests and support lawful, informed, and fiscally responsible decision-making.”

2026 CA Evaluation (Signed)Download

New Expectations

El Paso City Council established expectations and priorities for the next evaluation period. The new expectations support a focus on responsive and reliable leadership, efficient government and long-term financial stability, the city said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (12:50 PM) — The El Paso Police Department confirmed Tuesday that 41-year-old Angelo San Roman Perez is the person who died in the crash that occurred on Friday, September 4, in Northeast El Paso.

The El Paso Police Department Special Traffic Investigators responded to a traffic fatality, initially reported as a multi-vehicle crash, to determine the cause of the crash.

According to police investigation, a Chevy Impala was traveling south on Alcan, approaching the intersection when a Toyota Corolla was traveling at high speeds and entered the intersection on a red light.

Police say the Corolla T-boned the Impala in the middle of the intersection, causing the Corolla to roll over.

The driver of the Corolla, who was later identified as Perez, died at the scene. Police say that the passenger in the Corolla was ejected from the vehicle and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to officials, the driver of the Impala was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

This is the 41st traffic fatality in El Paso, compared to 41 at the same time last year.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Two vehicles crashed in Northeast El Paso Friday, according to the El Paso Police Department. The El Paso Fire Department said two people were injured.

Police said it happened around 3:19 p.m. near Woodrow Bean Transmountain and Alcan Street. That’s near Dyer Street.

One of the vehicles involved in the crash seen behind a bush.(Courtesy: TxDOT Cameras)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Nineteen schools in the Ysleta Independent School District earned Texas’ Purple Star designation, the district announced Thursday. The schools joined 329 campuses across Texas with designation for military family support.

YISD said it created the HERO Military Program, which provides military-connected families with a “welcoming, supportive path into the district and the El Paso community.”

The HERO program helps families through the enrollment process and connects them with campus and community resources.

Purple Star campuses host special programs and events throughout the school year, YISD said.

To earn the Purple Star honor, a Texas public school must demonstrate commitment to supporting military families. Requirements include a webpage with resources, a campus transition program and a military family assistance initiative.

“Military-connected students and their families make significant contributions to communities across our state,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath in a statement. “Purple Star campuses are leading the way in making sure these students feel welcomed, supported and connected to their communities.”

The newest Purple Star campuses at YISD are:

Alicia Chacon International Desertaire Elementary Dolphin Terrace Elementary Eastwood High School Eastwood Knolls International Eastwood Middle Glen Cove Elementary J.M. Hanks Middle North Star Elementary Parkland Elementary Parkland High School Parkland Pre-K Center Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle Pebble Hills Elementary REL Washington International Scotsdale Elementary Tierra Del Sol Elementary Vista Hills Elementary Young Women’s Leadership Academy Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Keep your eye on the Star on the Mountain on Friday. As Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G takes over the Sun Bowl Stadium this weekend, the star will shine blue.

Live Nation and the El Paso Chamber organized the special lighting for the concerts set for Saturday and Sunday.

“The tribute recognizes the excitement surrounding her highly anticipated shows while highlighting El Paso’s growing presence as a destination for major live entertainment,” the El Paso Chamber said.

The Chamber and Live Nation previously collaborated to change the star’s colors for other concerts in the Sun City. The star shone rainbow for Coldplay, purple for K-pop group BTS and gold and white for Usher and Chris Brown’s upcoming concert.

When Karol G announced her tour dates included a stop in El Paso, the star’s color turned orange.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)-It’s the holiday weekend, and for many, that means taking one final summer trip. Lauren Macias-Cervantes with TxDOT El Paso says it is still important to get your vehicle in order if you choose to drive. More than 400,000 drivers requested roadside assistance on Labor Day week for typical problems such as dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts, and towing.

Before leaving, drivers should:

Check tire pressure and tread

Test the battery

Inspect fluid levels

Pack water, snacks, and emergency supplies

Carry a flashlight and jumper cables

Maybe a blanket, a towel and additional clothes or shoes

Traveling with children and/or pets will require additional preparation

If you are planning your route, make sure to check the weather conditions. One thing most people fail to consider is using a paper map. There are certain gaps in the service, and using maps is a good way to plan where to stop, take breaks, and stay overnight.

They are available at our travel information centers and also cover the parks. With Labor Day holidays, travel is usually packed into a shorter period, causing heavy congestion as holiday travelers mix with normal commuter traffic.

The worst times to travel are expected to be:

Friday, Sept. 4: noon to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 5: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

On Monday, 7th September, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Specifically, for I-10.

AAA advises drivers to leave early, take extra time for their journey, and, if at all possible, avoid setting off in the afternoon.

Closures to keep an eye on:

Artcraft Project

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Sept. 11

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Redd exit ramp on I-10 eastbound full closure

Crews will be placing form work for caps.

Thursday, Sept. 10

9 p.m. – 6 a.m.

I-10 east and westbound between Transmountain and Artcraft full closure

Crews will be placing concrete bridge deck.

Upcoming Closure

Thursday, Sept. 17

9 p.m. – 6 a.m.

I-10 east and westbound between Transmountain and Artcraft full closure

Crews will be placing concrete bridge deck.

Loop 375 Rehabilitation Project

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Thursday, Sept. 10

8 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Nightly)

Loop 375 (Border Highway) west and eastbound between Fonseca and Oregon full closure Loop 375 (Border Highway) westbound exit ramp to Paisano (Exit 20) full closure Loop 375 (Border Highway) westbound exit ramp to US-54 East and I-10 West one lane closure

Crews will be working on milling, paving, and guardrail.

Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10

6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Daily)

Loop 375 (Border Highway) westbound off ramp to US-54 eastbound and I-10 westbound one lane closure

Crews will be working on guardrail.

I-10 Landscape and Aesthetics Project

Tuesday, September 8 – Friday, September 11

Daily, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

I-10 westbound right lane closure between Lee Trevino Drive to Yarbrough Drive

Crews will be sealing joints and working on landscaping.

Montana Widening Project

Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11

Nightly, 9 p.m.-5 a.m.

Montana Avenue eastbound right lane closure from Leticia Street to Joe Battle Boulevard The northbound to southbound U-turn along Joe Battle Boulevard will be closed.

Crews will be placing Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).

Purple Heart 375 Widening Project

Tuesday, September 8 – Friday, September 11

Daily 5 a.m.- 5p.m.

Loop 375 north- and southbound alternating lane closures between Montana Avenue and Spur 601

Crews will be doing shoulder work.

Road Repair

9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Night)

Tuesday, Sept. 8

I-10 east between Copia and Raynolds two right lanes closed Copia entrance Ramp to I-10 east closed

Wednesday, Sept. 9

I-10 eastbound between Viscount and Hawkins alternate lane closure

Thursday, Sept. 10

I-10 westbound between Viscount and Hawkins alternate lane closure

Concrete Work

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Sept. 11

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

I-10 westbound between Schuster and Executive right lane closed

Crews will be pouring concrete rip rap.

Guardrail Repair

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 8

Loop 375 westbound (Transmountain/Woodrow Bean) at Railroad right lane closed

Wednesday, Sept. 9

Loop 375 (Border Highway) between Fonseca and US-54 right lane closed

Thursday, Sept. 10

SH-20 Doniphan westbound between La Union and Chanate right lane closed

Friday, Sept. 11

Loop 375 (Transmountain) eastbound at Northwestern left lane closed

Maintenance

Tuesday, Sept. 8– Sunday, Sept. 13

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Ramp C at US-54 North to I-10 West closed

Crews will be trimming trees.

I-10 East between Mesa and Resler left lane closed

Crews will be cleaning.

5 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 13

US-54 South two right lanes closed Exit 21A closed I-10 East between US-54 and Raynolds right lane closed Raynolds exit closed

Sunday, Sept. 20

US-54 South two right lanes closed Exit 21A closed US-54 North between I-10 and Yandell right lane closed

Crews working on bridge joints.

Closure Links:

West Area Project Closures

I-10 Widening West Closures

East Area Project Closures 

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — For four long years, 20-year-old Ezra faced a fight against two aggressive forms of cancer that spread from his brain to his bones. He undergoes exhausting chemotherapy almost every day. Through the darkest stretches of his treatment, one light has kept his spirits up: music.

Whenever the pain grows heavy, Ezra turns to the vibrant, upbeat pop rhythms of Karol G.

With the superstar performing at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium this weekend, his care team decided to surprise him.

Recognizing what the concert would mean for Ezra’s spirit, his doctor made a rare medical exception and cleared him for travel.

Behind the scenes, his family, medical team, and the team at Reach for a Star secretly joined forces to pull off a miracle. Together, they surprised Ezra with tickets for his entire family to see Karol G in El Paso Friday.

To make the night as seamless as possible, Reach for a Star secured seats for Saturday’s show, carefully chosen by Ezra’s father.

For one unforgettable night, Ezra will be in the crowd, surrounded by family, singing along to the music that helped save his heart.

ABC-7 will meet Erza at the hospital Friday for his big surprise.

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