Episode Details

Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Saturday, August twenty third, twenty twenty five.

We start our day with breaking news from police, as the search continues for a dark-colored pickup truck linked to a deadly crash on Martin Luther King Drive. This collision involved a Ford F one fifty swerving into oncoming traffic, causing a multi-car accident that claimed one life. That marks the thirty ninth traffic fatality in El Paso this year. Police are asking anyone with information to call their non-emergency line. In another somber update, investigators are looking into a fatal industrial accident at the Jobe facility on Fred Wilson Avenue in Northeast El Paso. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation, and officials have not yet released further details.

Turning to city news, the El Paso City Council hit pause on new rules that would have made it easier to build “casitas,” or small backyard homes, and relax parking requirements in the downtown core. Many residents voiced concerns that these changes could worsen congestion or change neighborhood character, while advocates said they would ease El Paso's housing crunch, especially around Montana and Kansas where recent developments have been forced to reduce apartment numbers due to parking mandates. City leaders say they’ll do more outreach and revisit the plans soon.

Regarding major infrastructure, El Paso will receive up to seven point four million dollars from the State Infrastructure Bank to help pay for the Sean Haggerty Extension Project, one of several approved loans aimed at improving local roadways and keeping up with the county’s growth.

Homeowners within El Paso ISD boundaries might see some relief on property taxes next year. The school board approved a new tax rate, and if Texas voters pass a statewide amendment this November, the average homeowner could see a yearly reduction of more than four hundred dollars on school property taxes.

We’re seeing big changes in our utilities as well. El Paso Electric will issue a refund to Texas customers, averaging about twenty five dollars per household over the next three months. This should lower the average September bill to about one hundred twenty dollars, a needed break as temps and prices soar.

Now for weather, another steamy day is in store with highs pushing past ninety seven degrees. It’s going to stay hot all weekend, with temperatures holding in the mid-nineties and little relief in sight, so let’s keep hydrating and check on our neighbors and pets.

In the community, El Paso County’s only licensed overnight shelter for homeless teens announces it will have to close indefinitely starting September first. With back-to-school season here, this is a tough blow, and local organizations are working to fill the gap.

Sports fans have something to look forward to tonight as El Paso Locomotive FC wraps up their homestand against Sacramento Republic FC at Southwest University Park. Kickoff is at seven, and the first fifteen hundred fans receive a special Harry Potter scarf. The team’s last home match ended in a dramatic two-two draw, with Christian Sorto named to the league’s Team of the Week for his two-goal breakout.

In feel-good news, students at several El Paso high schools have posted record results in the latest round of STAAR testing, with Jefferson High seeing the biggest jump in math scores. Congratulations to those hardworking students and teachers.

Before we close, a quick note on public safety. With two fatal incidents this week and a heat wave in effect, let’s stay alert, keep safe on the roads, and look out for each other.

Thank you for tuning in to El Paso Local Pulse. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends and neighbors. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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