Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A crash at I-10 West at Yarbrough closed the left three lanes Monday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. El Paso police said three people went to the hospital.

Police said the call about the crash came in at 8:39 a.m. There is no clearing time for the closures yet.

EPPD said several vehicles crashed, including a semi.

On X, police said as of 9:38 a.m., the left four lanes are closed, leaving the right lane open. Police also said there’s backup to the Zaragoza exit.

This is a developing story. Follow live traffic updates here.

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Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Fans had the opportunity to get to Southwest University Park early before Friday’s Banana Ball game between the Texas Tailgaters and Firefighters. Players signed autographs while music and merch booths kept fans entertained.

Tailgater staff made fan engagement a priority, having several mini dance contests, passing around inflatable popsicle toys and even awarding a “Top Tailgater.”

The Tailgaters’ two step team even directed choreography for the fans to incorporate dancing into the pregame festivities.

Banana Ball seems to draw in new fans as soon as they see it according to the fans that shared their story of discovering the league.

Fans like Dennis McGregory, who told ABC-7 his first time watching at the gym was enough to peak his interest and says he got his tickets through a lottery draw.

“One day I was at the gym and I saw it on TV, and I was like man this is cool, what is this,” McGregory said. “I heard they were coming to town and heard about the lotto, so I put my name in and that was it.”

Another fan, Alexander Smith, said his first exposure to the style of Banana Ball was on social media, and the fun of it drew his interest.

“I’ve always wanted to see it, it’s a different type of baseball,” Smith said. “It seems more entertaining and fast paced.”

McGregory had a similar sentiment, comparing Banana Ball to the Harlem Globetrotters.

“It’s fun, they make everything fun,” McGregory said. “Everything goes by pretty fast and gets the whole family involved, its cool. It’s like the Globetrotters of baseball, that’s why I like it.”

McGregory hesitated, but even said he prefers Banana Ball over regular baseball.

Smith agreed, saying it was more entertaining but also said regular baseball was more competitive.

“Personally, Banana Ball is more fun to watch,” Smith said. “Baseball, I think, is more competitive. I would prefer Banana Ball.”

The fan experience was shown to be a big part of the evening as Tailgaters players performed stage for the fans to entertain them before the first pitch.

Smith said it’s good for the growth of baseball as a sport that Banana Ball can exist at the same time as regular baseball.

“I think it is good for baseball, but it’s good that it’s separate. There’s normal baseball and there’s more fun Banana Ball.”

“The passion that they have for the game and that they’re out here playing it for the fun of what baseball really is. Brings you back to when you were a kid,” Banana Ball fan Yolie Zapata told ABC-7.

Watch how fans enjoyed the pregame experience on ABC-7 at 10.

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Sayra Sanchez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Community College’s Nursing Program celebrated the graduation of 81 Associate Degree of Nursing graduates, marking their official entry into the profession with a pinning ceremony held on Thursday.

The pinning ceremony, a significant tradition for nursing graduates, traces its origins back to Florence Nightingale, EPCC said. She awarded her graduates “badges of courage” to recognize their commitment to caring for the sick and the suffering.

Nightingale earned the nickname “The Lady with the Lamp” because she walked her rounds each night, her path illuminated by the glow of her lamp.

Angelina Sanchez received the EPCC Daisy Award as the outstanding student. Anna Favela was honored with the EPCC Daisy Award for faculty.

Many graduates also wore a teal and white cord, symbolizing nursing as a second career. This cord recognizes the unique courage required to pivot from a previous life path to answer a new calling in health care.

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Gabrielle Lopez

DONA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) — After an emergency meeting Friday, the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the county and YesCare Corporation to provide past-due wages owed to employees working at the county detention center.

According to the county, YesCare employees who were supposed to be paid May 8 will get their outstanding wages. The county will pay by deducting the amount from the upcoming payment planned for services for the month of May.

YesCare started providing healthcare and mental health services to the Doña Ana Detention Center when in November 2024. The company filed for bankruptcy May 8. As of Friday, employees haven’t been paid.

The county said it will start an emergency process to find another healthcare provider for the detention center. County commissioners expect an update during their May 26 meeting.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — May is Mental Health Awareness Month and ABC-7 brought you live special coverage through an extension of its initiative, “Be Mindful: Take Action.”

Viewers submitted their questions about mental health for a panel of experts to answer during live newscasts at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The panelists were Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Dr. Sarah Martin, El Paso Children’s Hospital’s Michelle Barron and Jesse Montero from La Mente Behavioral Health

They answered questions ranging from managing grief to balancing your wellbeing as a caregiver.

Launched in 2023, ABC-7’s Be Mindful: Take Action multi-platform initiative seeks to strengthen the Borderland’s mental health system by empowering its residents through information and education in order to promote a culture of resiliency, reduce stigma and improve wellness.

Watch the full segment (plus some questions that weren’t answered on air) above.

You can also browse through the hundreds of stories ABC-7 has produced highlighting challenges and solutions around mental health by clicking here.

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Yvonne Suarez

UPDATE (May 14, 2026, 1:50 p.m.) — The Horizon City Police Department said faulty wiring in the house caused the fire. A 77-year-old woman died with her four pets, police said.

Lorenzo Helguera, one of the neighborhood residents, told ABC-7 that his 10 and 11 year old nephews tried going into the house to help.

After they were unable to help though, Helguera said that they left but heard an explosion, which is when he said first responders began to arrive.

Their reaction made Helguera happy because he said they ‘acted like good human beings’ and he said people across El Paso should try to help when they can as well.

Helguera said the events of the fire left him feeling sad that this happened in neighborhood and also said he believes the first responders could have saved the woman if the home had not exploded.

Horizon Fire has not identified the woman found in the fires aftermath.

UPDATE (May 14, 2026) — Horizon City Fire Department has confirmed to ABC-7 that one person and four dogs have died. Investigators found them dead inside the home after the fire extinguished.

Horizon FD said 35 firefighters put the fire out, including help from the Socorro, Montana Vista and Clint fire departments.

They were located by fire marshals upon further investigation of the home, according to Horizon City Fire.

As of Thursday morning, El Paso Fire Department investigators are joining the fire investigation.

There is no other information about the victim. Horizon FD said no firefighters were injured.

HORIZON CITY, Texas (KVIA) – First responders are at a house near Cow Tongue and Desert Mesa in Horizon City after a fire broke out just after 7 p.m.

Horizon City Fire says the house was fully engulfed when they arrived. Thick black smoke was visible for miles and the area was closed to traffic as firefighters fought the fire and brought it under control.

No injuries have been reported.

Fire marshals are investigating, no word yet on what caused the fire.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — You can expect Pueblo Viejo Park to shine brighter soon. Thursday, the City of El Paso held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Sun City Lights program at the Lower Valley park.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured dances honoring the Mission Valley cultural heritage. City officials asked local students to hand-paint the shovels used in the ceremony.

The decorative project will make it easier to enjoy the park when it’s dark, the city said. The project investment totaled $1.29 million from a previous quality of life project. The city said the park will get:

New benches and sidewalks

A new rock wall sign

New landscaping

Illuminated paths

Interactive motion-sensor lighting

City Representative Lily Limón said, “It’s gonna have a lush area, lots of bushes, lots of flowers, some trees. It’s gonna be almost like a little oasis, a little heaven, a little piece of heaven.”

Rep. Limón also said the improved park will encourage families and kids to take a break from screens and enjoy their neighborhood park.

An opening ceremony is expected to happen in the fall, Rep. Limón said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Starting May 24, jazz music will play across Las Cruces every Sunday through August with the 2026 Mayor’s Jazz Fest.

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department announced the lineup for this year’s Jazz Fest, which runs through Aug. 30.

The free music series will feature the Leo Tizer Band, which released a new album, “Amplify.” The city said the band’s album was recorded in Hollywood.

Special guest performers include Elliott Yamin, who competed in American Idol in 2006; Grammy winner Munyungo Jackson; and Anthony Crawford, who Rolling Stone named the 2022 Bassist of the Year, the city said.

The city said the first night of Jazz Fest starts May 24 at the Plaza de Las Cruces (100 N. Main St.) at 7 p.m. It did not announce other locations and times for the rest of the music series.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Doña Ana Community College will hold two free food pantries May 28, the school said Thursday.

The first drive-thru will start at 9:30 a.m. outside the DACC Espina Campus library (3400 S. Espina St.).

The second will start at 1:30 p.m. at the East Mesa Campus (2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.) in the parking lot across from the auditorium.

DACC said availability is on a first-come, first-served basis with cars taking priority. The school said the public is welcome to the food pantries.

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Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (4:44 p.m.): All lanes reopened, according to the City of Sunland Park.

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KVIA) — A Sunland Park spokesperson said a crash closed Country Club Road between Crawford Road and Westside Drive. A man in his mid-20s has critical injuries, Sunland Park Fire said on X.

According to SPF’s fire chief, the man was flown out to UMC for treatment. El Paso’s fired department helped with the transport.

The road closure notice sent at 3:38 p.m. Thursday.

The spokesperson said drivers can use Westside Drive as an alternate route. SPF said the road closure will last one hour while it investigates the crash.

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