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El Paso Matters
@elpasomatters.bsky.social
We provide in-depth and investigative reporting about the El Paso Borderland. | Sign up for our free weekly newsletter: http://elpasomatters.org/subscribe/
Ysleta ISD and Socorro ISD hope to lower their electric bills by subscribing to El Paso Electric’s Texas Business Solar Power program.https://elpasomatters.org/2026/01/22/socorro-ysleta-isd-el-paso-electric-business-solar/
elpasomatters.org
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 PM
An El Paso family court judge recused herself from cases involving unaccompanied migrant minors after attorneys alleged bias and mistreatment. The judge said her recusal was to save time and resources, not for the reasons alleged. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/21/e...
El Paso judge’s recusal in migrant child cases raises broader concerns about her courtroom - El Paso Matters
Estrella del Paso last month asked that El Paso District Court Judge Marlene Gonzalez recuse herself from cases involving unaccompanied migrant minors. The judge declined comment, referring El Paso…
elpasomatters.org
January 21, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Fact check: Did freezing temperatures cause a major El Paso Water pipeline break? Here’s our latest fact brief, which we produce in partnership with Gigafact to correct misinformation and amplify factual information. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/20/g...
Fact check: Did freezing temperatures cause a major El Paso Water pipeline break? - El Paso Matters
Questions circulated online after a main El Paso Water pipeline broke in Northeast El Paso following a cold January night.
elpasomatters.org
January 20, 2026 at 6:36 PM
El Paso nonprofits that provide mental health and addiction services were scrambling last week after the Trump administration yanked away millions of dollars the night before – only to reinstate funding two days later in a brief email notification.
elpasomatters.org/2026/01/20/s...
January 20, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Dr. King’s legacy was never comfortable or silent. David Stout connects his moral urgency to today’s ICE actions from Minnesota to the border — and what it means for justice and democracy. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/19/o...
elpasomatters.org
January 19, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Births to El Paso County residents fell again in 2025, marking the 15th decline in the past 20 years. The long-term drop is already affecting schools and likely will reshape the region’s future. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/19/e...
January 19, 2026 at 2:05 PM
El Paso Electric wants state approval to build a $473M natural gas power plant for Meta. Meta would pay for it – and get exclusive electricity from the plant for five years. Regulators must decide whether to allow the deal. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/18/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 18, 2026 at 2:05 PM
An ICE detainee’s death in El Paso may be ruled homicide, the Washington Post reports, as immigration enforcement intensifies throughout the borderland. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/16/m...
ICE custody death, immigration raids in El Paso spark calls to action, pleas for enforcement without cruelty
As federal authorities face questions over a recent death inside an ICE detention facility in El Paso, community and religious leaders joined human rights groups to condemn the alarming escalation of…
elpasomatters.org
January 17, 2026 at 12:12 AM
This week in El Paso:
• MLK Day events, service projects, closures
• Senior Games registration opens
• UTEP study finds high parasite rates in kissing bugs
• Ysleta ISD adds new holiday
• UTEP opens Texas Western Hall

Read more in our weekly roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/16/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:05 PM
A proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates may sound consumer-friendly, but it could sharply reduce access to credit and push vulnerable borrowers toward predatory lenders, an El Paso credit union leader writes. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/15/o...
Opinion: Why a nationwide 10% credit card rate cap could backfire on consumers
While intended to protect consumers, a rigid 10% interest rate cap would weaken credit unions and reduce safe, affordable credit options in underserved communities.
elpasomatters.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:12 PM
El Paso Water approved its annual budget, raising water bills by 12% for average households – about $10 more a month starting in March. Utility leaders say the increase is needed for infrastructure and rising costs. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/14/e...
El Paso Water adopts $1.2 billion budget with rate increase - El Paso Matters
El Paso Water approved its annual budget, raising water rates by 12% for average households as the utility plans ongoing infrastructure improvements and operational costs.
elpasomatters.org
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Several appeals in some of Texas' highest-profile capital punishment cases – including El Paso “desert killer” David Wood – are set for 2026 as the state continues to maintain a historically low number of executions. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/14/t...
El Paso serial killer David Wood among Texas death row appeals looming in 2026
David Leonard Wood’s case was halted and remanded back to trial court in July after being granted a stay in March. He’s accused of killing and burying six girls near El Paso in 1992.
elpasomatters.org
January 14, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Catch this week’s top events across El Paso.

🐰 Miffy visits La Nube
🎻 Zuill Bailey opens festival week
🏛️ Third Thursdays Downtown
💍 Bridal & Quince Expo
🎼 Symphony, opera & exhibitions

Plan your week with our events roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/14/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Fact check: Do El Paso area police departments utilize Flock license plate readers? Here’s our latest fact brief, which we produce in partnership with Gigafact to correct misinformation and amplify factual information. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/13/g...
Do El Paso area police departments utilize Flock license plate readers?
Questions about surveillance cameras have circulated online. Here’s what we found about Flock Safety cameras in El Paso.
elpasomatters.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Global K-pop superstars BTS are coming to El Paso. The band announced a May Sun Bowl stop as part of their 2026 world tour, which marks their return to performing after a nearly four-year hiatus. Tickets go on sale Friday. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/13/b...
Global K-pop superstars BTS announce Sun Bowl Stadium concerts in El Paso for 2026 tour
BTS announced a new album and world tour that includes a May stop at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium, marking a major milestone for the city and the band’s return to touring after completing mandatory…
elpasomatters.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
In several El Paso primary election races, candidates face no opposition and move straight to November — some without a general election challenger at all. See which races are uncontested. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/12/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 12, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Health insurance premiums are straining El Paso families as the cost of health care services and drugs go up, while Affordable Care Act enrollees wait for the federal government to extend tax credits. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/11/h...
elpasomatters.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:05 PM
This week in El Paso:
-City looks to toughen dog attack penalties
-Eastside Sports Complex renamed
-Beast Urban Park expansion moves forward

Read more in our weekly news roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/09/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Fact check: Is a neurological virus outbreak affecting horses in El Paso? Here’s our latest fact brief, which we produce in partnership with Gigafact to correct misinformation and amplify factual information. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/08/g...
elpasomatters.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:05 PM
We want to know how increasing health insurance costs are impacting your life. Did you drop coverage all together? Are you delaying medical care? Do you plan to seek health care in Mexico? elpasomatters.org/2026/01/07/h...
Are health insurance increases delaying or impacting your care? Tell us your story
El Paso Matters is looking for borderland residents, particularly in Texas, who have been significantly impacted by rising health care costs for an upcoming story.
elpasomatters.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Catch this week’s top events across El Paso.

🎭 Jewel Box Series returns
🏀 UTEP men’s basketball opens 2026 at home
🥾 Desert hikes
🎼 Symphony and opera

Plan your week with our full events roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/07/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:05 PM
This week’s Canutillo ISD board meeting, where trustees were expected to vote on a contract for superintendent finalist Josue Borrego was postponed. Here’s what’s next. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/06/c...
Canutillo ISD board postpones superintendent finalist Josue Borrego contract vote
The meeting was canceled as some residents and board members raised concerns about the selection of a finalist who is not from the El Paso region.
elpasomatters.org
January 6, 2026 at 11:41 PM
A new CREEED initiative is recognizing teachers at Glenn Cove, Vista Hills, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte, Cactus Trails and Hawkins elementary schools, and the Harmony School of Excellence for their high-achieving economically disadvantaged population. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/06/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:05 PM
With 2025 behind us, The Texas Tribune’s politics team has compiled five of the top political stories we are watching in 2026. elpasomatters.org/2026/01/05/t...
Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026
The Texas Tribune’s politics team has compiled five of the top stories we're watching this year, when voters will have their first chance to make their opinions known on the events of 2025.
elpasomatters.org
January 5, 2026 at 9:39 PM
As flu activity peaked in El Paso, the city's vaccination numbers fell. An update on this season’s respiratory illnesses: elpasomatters.org/2026/01/05/e...
elpasomatters.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM