Category: kvia-local-news

Marcel Clarke

After nearly six years, the case that shook El Paso and the nation has finally reached a resolution. In his first local TV interview, Judge Medrano opened up about the emotional toll and lasting impact of overseeing the Walmart mass shooting case—the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history.

“Five years, eight months, and 16 days.” Judge Medrano said, that is how long he has lived with this case.

“People say five and a half years, others say six—but it was five years, eight months, and 16 days,” he said. “This case could’ve gone on for three or four more years depending on rulings I would’ve had to make.”

Judge Medrano revealed this was his first sit-down with local TV media. Until now, he had remained quiet—bound by the role of a judge who listens but does not speaks. But the moment the case resolved, he felt it was time to say something. The judge also did something unprecedented during sentencing: he addressed the defendant directly.

“I’ve never spoken to a defendant after a plea or a jury sentence. But this was different. Everyone in this community was a victim. I felt someone needed to speak for the first responders and every person shocked that this happened.”

When asked if justice was truly served, Judge Medrano paused.

“I see both sides. Some wanted this resolved. Others wanted the ultimate punishment,” he said. “Neither side is wrong… and neither is right. That’s a hard question. Was justice served? I hope it was.” Having served nearly three decades on the bench, he added that in capital punishment cases, victims’ families may not live to see the final sentence carried out.

Judge Medrano acknowledged the case—once one of the most nationally watched trials—raises larger issues about hate crimes, mental health, and access to weapons.

“This is the biggest mass shooting case in U.S. history that was supposed to go to trial,” he said. “Whatever hate crime laws we have—they aren’t working. Most mass shooters are young, and the access they have to things online and weapons is overwhelming.”

While he noted that legislative solutions lie with lawmakers, he stressed the importance of deeper conversations around prevention.

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Heriberto Perez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The U.S. Department of State, along with the Mexican federal government, announced they reached an agreement that involves Mexico sending more water from their shared Rio Grande basin to Texas.

This is part of the 1944 U.S.-Mexico treaty, which Mexico has not complied with its water sharing obligations since the previous administrations.

“Mexico has committed to make an immediate transfer of water from international reservoirs and increase the U.S. share of the flow in six of Mexico’s Rio Grande tributaries through the end of the current five-year water cycle.  These steps will help American farmers, ranchers, and municipalities in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley get much-needed water and reduce shortfalls in deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty,” the State Department said in a statement.

Both countries also committed to developing a long-term plan to meet treaty requirements while addressing water debts, including additional monthly transfers and regular consultations on water deliveries that take into consideration the needs of Texas ranchers, farmers, and municipalities.

Several Texas lawmakers have pushed Mexico to comply and deliver its water debt to the U.S.

“Mexico’s failures to uphold its water obligations have been devastating to Texas farmers and cities. I have been fighting for years to secure those deliveries, including by advancing sanctions legislation in the United States Senate and by emphasizing to both American and Mexican officials that the U.S.-Mexico relationship cannot proceed productively unless Mexico meets its obligations. Recently, I worked with Secretary Rollins to secure a $280 million grant to provide critical economic relief in the Rio Grande Valley, but that was only, and explicitly, a stopgap measure,” said Sen. Ted Cruz when the agreement was reached.

Under the 1944 water treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle.

“South Texas has been devastated by Mexico’s repeated refusal to deliver the water it has owed the United States for far too long, and I commend the Trump administration for securing this critical deal for Mexico to finally send water to the region,” Sen. Cornyn also said.

Now, Mexico has a deadline that is at risk of not being met, since the end of the current five-year cycle approaches in October of this year.

“We deliver the maximum amount of water possible, because we must first guarantee human rights, including agricultural irrigation in several areas of the country,” said the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum in a news conference.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)- This year marks a major milestone for the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation.

 Tracy Yellen, the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation CEO, and Jana Renner the senior program officer, join us to talk about the major milestone.

https://pdnhf.org

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Nicole Ardila

National Youth Violence Prevention Week begins this week and is is observed every year for communities for kids and teens across the U.S. to stand against violence.

This initiative started in 2001 to raise awareness on stopping youth violence all around the country to make their neighborhoods and schools safer.

ABC-7 spoke with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office who oversees 25 school campuses in the county.

Sergeant Jesus Acuña says they’ve seen an increase of assaults reported on campuses.

And while he says they haven’t seen an increase in gun violence, they are concerned about a new prank among students.

“The ‘senior assassin,’ where we have students that are bringing replica firearms,” said Acuña. “So they’re going to be plastic guns that shoot out plastic projectiles. And it’s a game that they’re playing where they’re going around and trying to kill each other.”

While it’s common to see girls committing gun violence, Acuña says most reports are about males.

According to the sergeant, national statistics show that in 4 out of 5 school shootings, someone knew about the shooting beforehand.

“I think the biggest advice that I can give to parents and guardians, family members, is go out with your child, talk to them, ask them what’s going on in the schools,” said Acuña. “Ask them what’s going on with their friends, just have that communication open with them.”

If parents are aware that something is going on, and it leads to a law enforcement response, Acuña says that the parents can be held criminally liable.

The sergeant also says one of the leading causes of youth violence is domestic violence and exposure to it.

This week, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will be working hand in hand with Emergence Health Network to talk about mental health and domestic violence awareness in schools.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Texas Tech Health El Paso held its annual Days of Service from April 23 to 26 in recognition of National Volunteer Month.

Students, residents, faculty, and staff participated in 33 volunteer projects across the Borderplex region.

One project took place at Compadres Therapy in Anthony, New Mexico, where volunteers assisted with cleanup and support tasks.

The event reflects the university’s service-focused mission and its ongoing partnerships with local organizations.

Texas Tech Health El Paso students contribute more than 20,000 volunteer hours each year.

Participation in Days of Service continues to grow annually, expanding its regional impact.

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Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Inc.’s annual Best Pet Pawty brought pets and people together Saturday at Ascarate Park.

The free community event featured a mega adoption with 10 local rescues.

Families enjoyed pet-themed activities including a costume contest, talent show, and K-9 demos.

Expert panels shared helpful tips on training and pet care.

Attendees also had access to free microchipping and local pet services.

The event wrapped up at 2 PM, with many leaving with new furry family members.

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Rosemary Montañez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)–One Borderland teenager and his mother continue to honor the memory of their late friend, Belen. The Neessen raises money each year for childhood cancer.

Renee Neessen explained to ABC-7 that Belen’s mother and she both went to Mesita Elementary School. They have been friends since they were five years old. So there was no doubt their own children would grow up alongside each other and even become best friends.

“She was my best friend. And she, we do this lemonade to honor her name,” Graham Neessen said.

Belen was diagnosed with leukemia. In 2020, she died just days before her 15th birthday.

The Neessen family helps keep her memory alive with a lemonade stand, hosting it each year on Belen’s birthday.

“Belen was their best friend, and it just raises awareness for, you know, kids with cancer. And it shows them compassion and love towards, you know, all these children that have to fight this battle and yeah, it just raises their awareness towards it,” Renee said.

This year the family is also supporting their friend, Logan, who has been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma five times. He began his own charity, Logan’s Lighthouse, that raises money and collects toys for kids with cancer.

“I have supportive friends, supportive family. Everyone around me is really helpful,” he told ABC-7.

Renee said the lemonade stand has helped start important conversations.

“So throughout the years, my kids have always been so open about their story, about Belen. And I think it’s opened up a lot of kids’ eyes that there that is their age, like today, just bringing their little community out to come and sell, just bring awareness towards these kids.”

She said Belen’s life continues to inspire others. Their hope is this lemonade stand can be a catalyst for change in the fight against cancer.

“I believe she is happy and proud of us for doing this for her,” Graham said.

The family said they have hosted this lemonade stand for 12 years, raising over $30,000.

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Nicole Ardila

April is recognized by Congress and most states across the U.S. as National Safe Digging Month, including Texas.

It’s the time of year when temperatures increase in many parts of the country and spring digging projects begin.

“In Texas, it is a pretty big problem. Last year, 46% of all of the excavation damages to underground facilities happened because 811 was not contacted,” said Safeena Khanmohamed, a spokesperson of Texas Gas Service. “So we’re really trying to raise awareness and keep people safe.”

Khanmohamed emphasizes the importance of calling 811 at least two days before putting a shovel in the ground, no matter the size of the digging project.

“So whether that’s installing a new funds or a sprinkler system, planting a tree, whatever it is, there is likely to be underground facilities in your area,” she said.

She says calling before starting your digging could prevent damaging underground pipelines, electric cables, waterlines and injuries.

“You can also potentially cause a service outage in your area and even if you aren’t sure whether you did cause any damage, even a small ding or a scrape could lead to a bigger problem down the line,” said Khanmohamed.

Line locating technicians from Texas Gas Services use radio-magnetic line locators, which makes high-frequency sounds when it is above underground pipelines.

They then mark the areas with flags and paint so diggers can start their projects safely and avoid those areas.

“But if you do need to work in that area, use hand or soft digging techniques,” she says. “And some soft digging tools you can use are ones that use water or air pressure to break up the soil or rock, but certainly not any heavy duty equipment.”

Khanmohamed says placing a ticket with 811 to check your area before digging, is completely free of charge.

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Heriberto Perez

JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Late Pope Francis will always be remembered as the first Pope to visit the El Paso—Ciudad Juárez border region in 2016.

Longtime priest in Juárez Father Javier Calvillo, told ABC-7, when Pope Francis came to Juárez, all he wanted to do was to be at the border wall and oversee the border with the U.S.

Pope Francis arrived at the Juárez International Airport, then visited Chihuahua state prison CERESO 3, then the Juárez seminar, and then the U.S.-Mexico border, where he held a mass at “El Punto.”

During that mass, Pope Francis sat in a chair that was made at a local Juárez furniture store called “Muebles Coloniales y Rústicos.”

ABC-7 spoke with Father Calvillo and with one of the owners of that furniture store and will have a full story in later newscasts.

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Nicole Ardila

Historical war veterans were escorted to El Paso International Airport by police, with bikers, and were welcomed by saluting soldiers and several volunteers to embark on an honor flight to Washington, D.C.

Rio Grande Honor Flight transports America’s World War II, Korean and Vietnam War veterans to the nation’s capital, where they will visit the memorials built to honor and remember those who served for the country.

They also did a prayer and sang the National Anthem in the lobby of the airport.

ABC-7’s chief meteorologist, “Doppler” Dave Speelman is joining one of the veterans — George Want, his neighbor and a Vietnam War air crew veteran who served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years.

From El Paso and Las Cruces, 31 veterans are taking part of the honor flight.

Among those, there’s one Korean war veteran, and the rest are Vietnam War Veterans — And one of them is a lady.

The veterans will also be visiting the American History Museum and Arlington Cemetery.

“Doppler” Dave is joining as George’s guardian.

The veterans are scheduled to return on Saturday.

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