KVIA ABC-7
JUAREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Officials in Juarez captured a spider monkey.
This video from our news partners Canal 44 shows an animal control officer attempting to wrangle the monkey, which is running around the break room of an office building.
Mexico’s Attorney General for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) says that the species is endangered and that it is illegal in Mexico to commercialize the monkey.
Olivia Vara
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Today, El Paso City Council voted to oppose El Paso Electric’s proposed rate increase by 22%, or $23 per month, starting in early 2026.
At today’s meeting, El Paso Electric and the El Paso City Council discussed a proposed $93 million rate increase, primarily consisting of an $85.7 million increase in general rates and an additional $7.3 million for a retiring plant rider.
City leaders emphasize that this proposed rate increase was being asked to pass as is by El Paso Electric, without any negotiation.
El Paso Electric said that some reasons for the tariff changes include fuel factor calculation, fuel cost of service by class, and facilitating growth.
They claim that this increase is necessary to recover costs associated with investing in infrastructure.
El Paso Electric said that in regards to covering Newman 6 they have so far recovered 80%, and that they are planning to get the remaining 20% percent through this filing.
They said Newman 6 is rated at 160 megawatts, and that as people’s consumption continues to go up, they will have to address people’s consumption during peak hours.
El Paso Electric said that they had been charging at a lower cost value before this in terms of the cost of inflation and now are moving to charging at full-cost value through this proposed rate increase.
El Paso Electric says that the impact of the rate increase will be different between low income and high income households as their consumption of electricity differs.
El Paso Electric says that the load they are seeing is so atypical that they must accomadate that through this proposed bill.
Brad Trejo said that he thinks of those who are retired and those in the vulerable population, and that with such a big increase in cost, that is forcing those people to save money by turning off their air conditioners.
In response, El Paso Electric said they are not forcing anyone to join an increased rate at peak hours and that it is only an option.
Brad Trejo reiterated that it worries him how this is being portrayed to those in vulnerable populations who may suffer through the heat to save money.
El Paso Electric responded that the bill would be based on income of the household so that those in a lower income home would pay less of this cost versus those in higher income homes, and that this is a great step in recovering the cost for higher energy users.
El Paso Electric said that the demand charge stands at about $6 per KW, and that on average 3.2 kw is used per home. They said that because about half of residents in El Paso still use swamp coolers, this demand would be less, even in the summer months.
They stated that this would be cost based and not a fixed cost.
The city’s proactive interventions have saved approximately $189 million for El Paso’s ratepayers through negotiations and strategic actions.
In today’s presentation, El Paso electric stated that if any of their customers are experiencing any hardships, to please give them a call.
El Paso Electric was asked that since going private and their merger with JP Morgan, did that increase salaries for people working there, especially at the top.
They say that their average employee’s income is at market or under, and that there was an elimination of an entire level of leadership. El Paso Electric says the idea that there was an exodus of employees is untrue and they have remained steady and that they try to compensate their employees. They added that since the merger their elimination of VP’s and board of directors they are now at half the cost.
During public commentary, VJ Smith, with Western Refining, says that they are one of the top tax payers in the city. He asked that the council deny the proposal.
Another citizen, Marcy, brought her utility bills to the meeting, she said last month she paid $730 on a small home for electric.
She says she’s been questioning this amount since last year. She said in January, she paid $1000.
She says that when they disconnected her she still had the old meter, and that El Paso Electric threatened her, saying that she either pay the $730 or allow them to replace her old meter with a smart meter and then she will pay nothing.
She says she is preparing to get disconnected a second time.
The proposed rate increase still needs to go under review by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Heriberto Perez
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — La Casa del Migrante in Juárez, one of the largest migrant shelters in the city, has seen a significant decline in the number of migrants staying at the shelter since the start of the year. However, they say they feel their hands are tied over operations conducted by federal agencies in the U.S.
“It’s a huge frustration, because we definitely can’t help in any other way, right? I mean, we can’t provide them with a safe channel for them to cross,” said Father Francisco Bueno Guillén, Director of La Casa del Migrante. “Many of them are even going so far as to make decisions due to stress and other issues.”
More updates in later newscasts.
Heriberto Perez
UPDATE (June 24, 2025): The Chihuahua State Police Department just reported they have concluded with inspections and operations at CERESO 3 in Ciudad Juárez.
The operation led to the seizure of dozens prohibited objects inside of the prison, with no injuries reported.
“The intervention included a search of all areas of the prison to detect and seize prohibited objects that could jeopardize the prison’s governance. During the inspections, the corresponding protocols were applied, respecting human rights and under strict security measures,” said SSPE Chihuahua in a news release.
-As a result of the operation, various prohibited items were seized, including sharp objects, electronic devices, cell phones, and unauthorized clothing, which were:• 26 perfumes• 30 nail tips• 12 tubes• 5 nail clippers• 1 shovel• 1 machete• 7 caps• 14 cell phones• 3 extension cords• 7 scissors in total• 1 winter hat• 21 packs of cigarettes• 3 mirrors• 2 grinders• 7 sealing irons• 1 knife• 1 lamp• 1 multimeter• 8 screwdrivers• 4 watches• 6 Pliers• 1 hammer• 1 garden shears• 1 meter• 2 space heaters• 1 horn• 1 bench• 1 roll of blue wire• 11 jackets• 7 sweatshirts• 8 pants• 8 shorts• 15 T-shirts• 3 neck warmers• 1 scarf• Several packs of cigarettes from module 19.
The inspection was carried out in coordination with personnel from the Undersecretariat of the Penitentiary System and Social Reintegration, the Undersecretariat of Police Deployment, the Undersecretariat of the General Staff, and the Undersecretariat of Intelligence and Police Analysis of the SSPE, with the support of the National Guard and the Ministry of National Defense.
All operations were led by members of the Penitentiary Security and Custody Police of CERESO 3.
“The operation concluded without incident, with no injuries or major incidents, which represents a positive outcome for security and governance within the penitentiary,” the news release says.
“The SSPE calls on the families of those deprived of their liberty to reiterate that these actions are part of regular institutional procedures and are carried out with the goal of maintaining order, preventing risks, and ensuring decent conditions within the state’s penitentiary centers,” SSPE added.
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The Chihuahua State Police Department (SSPE) reported this morning a special operation inside CERESO No. 3 in South-West Juárez.
SSPE officials say a conflict broke out between inmates inside Module 1 of the prison during the early morning hours, prompting this operation.
Officials have not reported any injuries, as custody staff have managed to control the situation.
Two hundred members of the National Guard, the Ministry of National Defense, and the SSPE arrived to support prison custody staff.
“These inspection operations are part of the routine inspection work in common areas and cells throughout the prison system, with the goal of preventing the presence of prohibited objects and reducing risks for both custody staff and inmates,” said SSPE spokesman Jorge Armendariz.
Through operations led by personnel from the Chihuahua Security and Penitentiary Custody Police during the current administration, prohibited objects have been seized inside the Ceresos, which posed a risk to the population, staff, and visitors:
In 2023, 21,055 objects were seized
In 2024, 11,214 objects were seized
From January to May 2025, 7,955 objects were seized
“These operations will continue to be carried out randomly and unexpectedly to ensure the safety and security of each prison,” Armendariz added.
More updates in later newscasts.
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—On May 22, 2025, the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation will host the Border Health Innovation Summit.
Keynote Speaker:
This year’s keynote will feature an exclusive discussion by a distinguished military innovation and collaboration expert, Colonel Jarrod A. McGee (retd.). Colonel McGee is Chief Financial Officer of the Defense Health Network, Atlantic Region, overseeing financial operations and strategic planning across 13 military hospitals and clinics throughout the eastern U.S. and the Naval Hospital at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The conference will occur on August 21, 2025, in downtown El Paso, Texas.
Registration & Information
Tickets and full agenda details are available at https://www.mca-summit.com/.
Nichole Gomez
El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—Krista Rodriguez is a single mother of three in El Paso. She was recently selected as a finalist in Inked Magazine’s 2025 Cover Girl competition.
She explains, “But for me, this is about much more than a magazine cover.” Winning would allow her to fund her daughter’s early college education, secure a first home for her children, and assist her mother with her ongoing medical treatments.Krista also sees this competition as an opportunity to create lasting memories with her family through their first major trip together. She shares that every tattoo she wears tells a deeply personal story of resilience, healing, and hope through life’s most difficult moments.
In addition, the contest supports the Be Positive Foundation, which provides critical support for families of children battling cancer. This cause is deeply personal to Krista, making this opportunity even more significantVoting for Semi-Finalists ends Thursday, June 26th, at 7 PM PDT. https://originals.inkedmag.com/2025/krista-rodriguez
Heriberto Perez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Experts and professionals in children’s development say that while people often try to discipline their kids, they frequently cross the line into abuse.
According to the Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso, discipline is acceptable; parents can put their children in timeouts and help them understand that there may be negative consequences for bad behavior, teaching them to obey rules.
However, abuse occurs when any kind of harm is inflicted on a child, which is not discipline.
According to ACCEP, examples of abuse can include:
Name-calling
Threatening
Yelling or screaming
Punching
Kicking
Beating
Choking
Hitting a child with a belt or another object
Not feeding them
Abuse can stem from a desire to control or harm a child, or to release anger or frustration.
“If a child makes an outcry, we need to listen and we need to take note of that and we need to report it. If a child had been sexually assaulted, if a child had been touched, if a child had been smacked or beaten at a barbecue. You know what? We need to make that report to find out what happened,” said Susan H. Oliva, executive director of the advocacy center.
“We need to support them if they’re trying to make a disclosure; we need to listen. And I think that’s our biggest problem as adults; we’re so busy doing things—picking up the child, driving home from school—that we’re not listening when the child is actually trying to make that disclosure,” executive director Oliva said.
The ACCEP encourages anyone suspecting a child abuse case to immediately call 911 or contact the Texas Child Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.
Rosemary Montañez
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– A grandmother and granddaughter duo are celebrating a big milestone after publishing a children’s book.
Grandmother Sloan Sullivan lives in Lake Geneva, WI, and granddaughter Brooklyn Freytag lives in El Paso, TX.
The novel, The Blueberries of Life: A Book about Grandparents, was inspired by their long-distance relationship and having to say goodbye time and time again.
“So then we said ‘We should write a book.’ And all of a sudden, it became a book. After a couple of years of debating whether we were going to do it, how we were going to do it, we became very serious about it. And we started writing,” Sullivan said.
Brooklyn had a personal say in choosing the title of the book after comparing life to pancakes and blueberries to grandparents!
“We have normal pancakes, but when you get to add blueberries, they’re even more special. And it was like having my grandparents coming down to see me. It made it more special,” the child author said.
The charming book takes readers on Brooklyn and her grandparents’ adventures as they are visiting her.
“I like it, how it shows how you can be close to family, even if they’re far away,” Brooklyn said.
She said when her grandparents are in town, life is much sweeter! Both told ABC-7 the book has brought them even closer.
Sullivan hopes the novel will remind families that love knows no bounds.
“Truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever take that for granted. I get excited with every signature, every time I see a customer or they tell us a story about their lives or their grandparents or their grandchildren. I think that’s the best part of this whole thing.”
Brooklyn said in the future she would like to write her own novel.
If you are interested in buying the book, click here.
If you have a Good Vibes Only story, email news@kvia.com.
Heriberto Perez
JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The city of Juárez continues to see cases of animal cruelty throughout the area, having recently issued fines to over 60 individuals. Since September of 2024, more than 2,000 complaints have been lodged, though not all have resulted in fines.
Alma Arredondo, the Director of the Animal Care and Welfare Department (DABA), states that her department receives between 30 to 60 reports and complaints daily regarding animal abuse and even wild animals.
Most reports pertain to animals exposed to extreme heat or pets left abandoned in homes without care for weeks or even a month.
DABA frequently receives complaints about animals lacking food or medical attention.
To respond to any report, it must first pass through a verification filter to confirm the report’s accuracy, ensure it is not a duplicate, and check the home’s prior condition.
“Sometimes we find animals whose owners go to visit them once a month, and the neighbors are feeding them; we run into everything,” said director Arredondo.
The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office reported this week that they rescued 21 dogs in May, bringing the total to 92 since the beginning of the year.
Fines can range from $60 to nearly $300, depending on the criteria for animal abuse.
If you are in Juárez and would like to report a case of animal abuse or cruelty, you can send a text via WhatsApp to +52 (656)-554-33-91.
