Business & Technology

SISD Superintendent Jose Espinoza steps down at special board meeting

SISD Superintendent Jose Espinoza stepped down from his role Wednesday a special board meeting.
El Paso International Airport sees best month in year, but pandemic still hampers traffic

Airlines are adding El Paso flights for summer months as demand slowly grows. March traffic got a bump from spring break travelers, increasing 19.6%.
Radioactive waste storage bill derailed in the Texas House on a technicality

Some saw the legislation as a "Trojan horse" that would bring high-level radioactive waste to Texas. But the bill's author disputed that argument.
El Paso Catholic priest Trini Fuentez dies at 69, parish rector of St. Patrick Cathedral

The El Paso community is mourning the loss of Catholic priest the Rev. Trini Fuentes. Services are pending.
Deal will let parents of graduating students from Mexico attend UTEP commencement

The agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection lets parents with valid tourist visas cross to El Paso, despite ongoing border restrictions.
Socorro ISD trustee Paul Garcia resigns, is replaced by former SISD trustee Michael Najera

Socorro ISD at-large trustee Paul Garcia, who resigned in late April, has been replaced by former SISD trustee Michael Najera.
Free COVID-19 vaccinations and health event set for Cleveland Square Park on Thursday

El Paso city Rep. Isabel Salcido and city organizations will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic and wellness event at Cleveland Square Park Thursday.
El Paso fugitive in family violence case arrested on the West Side

A man sought for more than five months was arrested by El Paso County sheriff's deputies in West El Paso.
Little orphan doggy: El Paso man arrested, accused of abandoning pet on street

El Paso police animal cruelty investigators arrested a man accused of dropping a dog out of a vehicle and speeding away.
Vehicle crash into electric pole shuts down Montwood Drive in East El Paso

Lanes on Montwood Drive in East El Paso were shut down after a vehicle crashed into an electrical pole.
New shelter for unaccompanied migrant children expected to open in El Paso

San Antonio-based nonprofit BCFS will run Casa Mariposa on the Westside with 104 beds for girls age 12 to 17.
Vehicle crash into electric pole shuts down Montwood Drive in East El Paso

Lanes on Montwood Drive were closed off Wednesday, May 5, 2021, after a vehicle crashed into an electric pole.
Need the COVID-19 vaccine? CVS announces same-day appointment for doses

CVS Health announced Wednesday that it is now accepting walk-in COVID-19 appointments at CVS Pharmacy locations across the country.
El Paso coronavirus update: 11 new COVID-19 deaths, 46 cases reported Wednesday

Here is the latest news on the coronavirus in El Paso. We'll be updating this story throughout the day. News tip? Email [email protected]
Photos: Look inside Casa Mariposa, a new shelter for unaccompanied migrant children

San Antonio-based nonprofit BCFS is preparing to open a new shelter for unaccompanied migrant children in El Paso, Casa Mariposa with 104 beds.
Murder or self-defense? Violent night in far East El Paso neighborhood leaves man dead

Juan Carlos Castro Jr. was shot multiple times and died. The accused shooter, Juan Angel Ramirez, claims it was a case of self-defense.
El Paso driver dies after crashing car into traffic-light pole in Lower Valley

A 52-year-old driver died after crashing into a traffic-light pole Monday in the Lower Valley.
Texas House votes to end 'law of parties' in death penalty cases

A Republican state lawmaker says it's time for Texas to have a "broader and deeper conversation on the very existence of the death penalty."
El Paso officials pass on first-dose COVID-19 vaccine delivery this week as demand drops

A decrease in vaccinations in the city of El Paso means no new, first-dose COVID-19 vaccine shipments this week.
Mexico worries about scorn if drug lord Hector 'El Güero' Palma is released

Hector "El Güero" Palma was nearly free after a judge's secretary sent a letter saying the government had to release him after acquittal in a case.
El Paso County plans free community cleanup event this Saturday on far East Side

El Paso County residents can dispose of tires and bulk trash at a community cleanup event this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at 14698 Van Lane.
Former Fort Bliss soldier sentenced in LSD-fueled attack on sons in El Paso home

A former Fort Bliss soldier was convicted of punching and throwing his young boys in their El Paso home in an LSD-fueled rampage.
Tow truck driver dies, was run over by semitruck on North Mesa Street in West El Paso

A tow truck driver died after being run over by a semitruck on North Mesa Street in West El Paso.
Texas DPS arrests fugitive sought by US Marshals after car chase in El Paso's Upper Valley

A fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service was captured after a Texas DPS car chase in El Paso.
'I knew this was gonna happen': Court documents detail FBI sting on those targeting minors for sex

A man said 'I knew this was gonna happen' as he was arrested allegedly trying to have sex with an underage boy he met online, court document states.
Gunshots reportedly fired during brawl in West El Paso, police say

El Paso police were investigating reports of gunshots while as many as 50 people were fighting on the West Side.
Wind gusts expected to reach 36 mph and bring more dust to El Paso Monday

The city of El Paso is bracing for another windy and dusty day, Monday. Possible wind gusts up to 36 mph are expected to last until 8 p.m.
El Paso school board elections bring new blood into EPISD, Socorro school districts

With more new faces than incumbents, EPISD and SISD elections will bring new blood into two of El Paso County's biggest school boards.
Texas lawmakers hope to exclude places of worship from emergency closures

Texas lawmakers hope to exclude places of worship from emergency closures after COVID-19 pandemic shuttered doors
See El Paso's Most Wanted fugitives, week of May 2, 2021

Photos of fugitives sought by the El Paso Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff's Office.

Texas House advances bill that would ban homeless encampments in public May 6, 2021
The bill still needs final approval by the House — usually a formality after it's passed in the chamber's first vote — and then will head to the Senate.
Karen Brooks Harper and Duncan Agnew
Protesters who obstruct emergency vehicles could face felony charges under bill advanced in Texas House May 6, 2021
The bill is in response to nationwide protests against police brutality last year.
Jolie McCullough
Permitless carry of a handgun in Texas nearly law, after Senate OKs bill May 5, 2021
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.
Sami Sparber and Shawn Mulcahy
Texas GOP gears up for contentious runoff in TX-6 congressional race as Democrats grapple with being shut out May 5, 2021
The runoff pits Susan Wright against fellow Republican Jake Ellzey after Democrats failed to advance a candidate in the Saturday special election.
Patrick Svitek
Fetal “heartbeat” bill, that could ban abortions at six weeks, nears passage in the Legislature May 5, 2021
The legislation must still get another vote in the lower chamber before it’s sent to the governor’s office to be signed into law. Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has signaled that he is looking forward to signing the bill.
Shannon Najmabadi
Federal judge vacates CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium May 5, 2021
The Washington D.C. judge's ruling is the latest on the eviction moratorium, which some judges have upheld while others said it goes too far. The Biden administration is appealing the decision.
Kyle Swenson, The Washington Post
GOP lawmakers want to ban "woke philosophies" like critical race theory in Texas schools May 5, 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott has called for expanding the state's civic education curriculum, but the House and Senate are quickly advancing bills that would restrict the discussion of current events and public policy in the classroom and prohibit critical race theory in public schools.
Duncan Agnew
Local Texas Democratic party declines to accept resignation of chair who called U.S. Sen Tim Scott an “oreo” May 4, 2021
Representatives of the Lamar County Democrats met Tuesday to consider the resignation of Gary O’Connor, the local party chair. O'Connor called U.S. Sen. Tim Scott an "oreo" following his rebuttal to the president's congressional address.
Megan Menchaca
Texas Senate bill restricting transgender students’ sports participation stalls in House committee, casting doubts on its fate May 4, 2021
The bill would prevent transgender Texas children from joining school sports teams that match their gender identity.
Megan Munce
Tensions boil at UT-Austin over "The Eyes of Texas," where students are refusing to work and a man with a gun crashed a virtual event May 4, 2021
A student group was hosting an event with a UT-Austin professor about the song when a man entered the online Zoom call with his face covered, holding what appeared to be a large gun.
Kate McGee