Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Cool Canyon Nights Music Series returns to McKelligon Canyon Thursday, according to Townsquare Media. For the 16th season, 12 artists will perform live music.

This year’s lineup starts with Mariachi Los Arrieros and closes out with Fungi Mungle.

Each Thursday, performances start at 6 p.m. The main stage performances in the amphitheater start at 7 p.m. Beyond music, Cool Canyon Nights has food trucks, vendors and giveaways, according to Townsquare Media.

Here’s what you can expect this summer at McKelligon Canyon:

Courtesy: Townsquare Media

The venue has a clear bag policy, Townsquare media said.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

UPDATE (May 13, 2026) — Congresswoman Veronica Escobar released a statement in response to the lawsuit for possession of part of the land at Mount Cristo Rey:

“Mt. Cristo Rey’s cultural and religious significance is central to our region. Seizing this community asset in order to build a border wall is consistent with the Trump administration’s blatant disregard for what communities like ours value.

“There are a number of other ways to provide border security. Instead, the Trump administration prefers to destroy this sacred site.

“I support the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces in their opposition to the federal government’s actions to degrade a site so significant to our shared identity, and I have reached out to my New Mexico colleagues so we can collaborate on ways to save this site.” 

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) — The U.S. government is seeking to expand the border wall construction and security presence south of Mount Cristo Rey, and wants to use eminent domain to take the land for it.

ABC-7 obtained court documents stating the U.S. federal government is suing the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces and the Doña Ana County Treasurer over 14.259 acres of land, “more or less,” located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

Eminent domain is a power of the government to take private property for public use. As stated in the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment, “just compensation” or fair market value must be paid for any property taken this way.

Court documents also state, “this is a civil action” brought by the federal government, at the request of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Markwayne Mullin.

This is also through the Acquisition Program Manager, U.S. Border Patrol Program Management Office Directorate, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection: “for the taking of property located in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, under its power of eminent domain and through a Declaration of Taking, and for the determination and award of just compensation to the owners and parties in interest,” the federal filing says.

Maps show that the strip of land would be about 190 feet wide, starting at the border.

“The public purpose for which said property is taken is to construct, install, operate, and maintain roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors, and related structures designed to help secure the United States/Mexico border within the state of New Mexico,” the court filing also says.

ABC-7 reached out to the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, the Mount Cristo Rey Restoration Committee, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for comment.

A CBP spokesperson sent us the following written statement:

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is working across the Southwest border to acquire land necessary for the construction of Smart Wall, to include a steel bollard wall, along with roads, detection technology, cameras, and lighting. It is always CBP’s preference to obtain real estate interests voluntarily, however, if CBP is unable to acquire the necessary access voluntarily within a reasonable timeframe, CBP refers the matter to the Department of Justice to acquire any necessary property interest(s) through eminent domain.”

Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 5 and 6.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office needs help finding a man allegedly involved in an aggravated assault investigation.

EPCSO said the suspect is believed to be a truck driver described to have a light complexion and 5’9″ tall.

The sheriff’s office also shared these photos of the suspect:

Courtesy: EPCSO

The sheriff’s office said it doesn’t know what truck company the man possibly works for. Anyone with information can call EPCSO at (915) 832-4408.

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-T)-It’s time for Celebration of Bagpipes IV. The event was announced that May 16th will be proclaimed by the City of El Paso, the County, and the State of Texas as the official Celebration of Bagpipes Day at Bel Air High School. This year’s event theme is “Be a Bagpipe Warrior.”

This year in particular, we are honoring that legacy and will feature a salute to our military, soldiers, veterans, and first responders.

The 1st Armored Division’s Brass Band from Fort Bliss will join the program and lead that salute. This year, in addition to CoB IV, the BA Classes of 1966 and 1971 will be celebrating their 60th and 50th Reunions with us. Those details, along with all the information about the event, can be found here: Bel Air Classic Highlander Clan – Home.

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Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Fifty-six-year-old Guadalupe Ornelas, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant, went missing over the weekend after traveling from El Paso to Santa Ana, California, to visit his family for Mother’s Day weekend.

According to Ana Rose Ornelas, Guadalupe’s wife, the last time she spoke with her husband was last Saturday after the Frontier Airlines incident in Denver, Colorado, and she received a phone call this morning from a hospital in Denver saying he had been found and was stable.

Ornelas’ family issued a missing person alert saying that on May 8, Guadalupe boarded his flight that departed at 10 p.m. from the Denver Airport when a Frontier Airlines plane ran over a pedestrian and killed one person, according to reports.

The family also said that Guadalupe fainted on the plane due to shock and was rushed to the hospital.

“Once discharged, but sounding disoriented and with none of his belongings, he called his wife and let her know part of what had happened. Unfortunately, his cell had no battery and the cell phone died,” Guadalupe’s family said. “He never arrived to California or back to Texas.”

According to his wife, Guadalupe is still at the hospital in Denver, where he is set to undergo several medical tests and examinations before being released again; she hopes he can come back home soon.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Banana Ball is coming to Southwest University Park this weekend, and with the entertainment comes an economic boost for El Paso, according to El Paso Chihuahuas spokesperson Angela Olivas. The Texas Tailgaters and the Firefighters will face off in a “baseball spectacle.”

The Savannah Bananas said Banana Ball includes choreographed dances and “epic scoring celebrations,” including running through the crowds.

“When we score, you never know what will happen next,” the Savannah Bananas said on its website.

The two sold-out games, set for May 15-16, is expected to attract thousands of people, including from Mexico, Olivas said. Tickets sold out within just a couple of hours.

Olivas said the Banana Ball experience includes a street party before the game at 3:30 p.m. exclusive to ticketed guests.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the event starts at 6:30 p.m., according to the ballpark.

Courtesy: Southwest University Park

You can find a full guide, including parking info, here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Fire Department is asking residents to “fill the boot” to help families affected by neuromuscular diseases, EPFD said Monday.

EPFD’s boot drive will last through May 16. Firefighters will collect donations across the city to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A QR code will be available on the boots to scan with donation instructions.

Firefighters kicked off the first day of the drive at Chester E. Jordan Elementary School in Far East El Paso during pick-up time.

At the campus, El Paso Association of Firefighters (Local 51) Captain Jay Nicholson said the donations go to research and treatment.

“Another part of it too is over the last few years we’ve seen a large uh uptick in the number of Lou Gehrig’s disease cases amongst firefighters,” Captain Nicholson said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — GECU announced it appointed a new president and CEO Monday. Alex Rascón, who has been with the company more than 20 years, will take on the role effective immediately, GECU said.

The current CEO, Crystal Long, retired May 1, according to officials.

 “Crystal Long was a true visionary and extraordinary leader shaping who GECU is today, and I am excited to build on that legacy,” Rascón said.

Rascón recently worked as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GECU. He’s been with GECU for 28 years.

GECU said Rascón’s new leadership role comes as the credit union announced its intent to acquire Bank of the Southwest, which needs approval.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Texas Tech Health El Paso is hosting its graduation ceremonies all day Saturday.

The ceremonies, which take place May 16, are at the Plaza Theater in Downtown El Paso, the school said.

Hunt School of Nursing: 8 a.m.

Hunt School of Dental Medicine: Noon

Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences: 3:30 p.m.

Foster School of Medicine: 7 p.m.

The school said 124 students will walk the stage after completing nursing programs at Texas Tech Health El Paso.

This year’s graduating class at the dental school is only the second since it opened in 2021, the school said. Just 61 dental students are graduating.

Texas Tech Health El Paso’s graduate school will honor 32 students.

Lastly, the medical school will honor 106 students receiving their Doctor of Medicine degrees.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — With graduation season around the corner, El Paso Community College announced its 2026 commencement schedule. Three ceremonies will take place at the Don Haskins Center, EPCC said.

The following ceremonies will take place May 18 at the Don Haskins Center:

9 a.m.: Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science and Certificate of Completion

1 p.m.: Associate of Arts (not Multidisciplinary Studies) and Associate of Arts in Teaching

5 p.m.: Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies

EPCC said more than 2,300 students will walk the stage, including 948 high school students taking college credit classes.

According to EPCC’s website, general parking is free at these UTEP parking lots:

SB7

GR1

GR2

Disabled parking at SB8 (permit required)

Find the UTEP parking map here.

Additionally, EPCC said its ceremonies will comply with UTEP’s clear bag policy. You can find a list of the types of bags you can bring in here.

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