Camp East Montana, an ICE detention in El Paso, had an unannounced quarantine this month after 4 female detainees were exposed to chickenpox at an unnamed Arizona facility. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/21/c...

Why have animal service bills surged for communities outside El Paso? On the El Paso Matters Podcast, Elida S. Perez breaks down disputed charges, jurisdictional confusion and the consequences if municipalities end their shelter agreements. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/21/e...

A lawsuit alleges Texas Tech Health El Paso faculty were told to avoid terms like "disparity" and altered coursework on underserved communities after system directives reviewing race, gender and sexuality in classes. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/21/t...

El Paso City Council candidate Arturo Alluin spent thousands of dollars in campaign funds on clothing and restaurants, raising ethical and legal questions about the expenditures. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/20/e...

Seven reported cases of cyclosporiasis, the intestinal illness caused by a parasite that causes explosive diarrhea, are being investigated in El Paso. Five of the people believed to be infected reported recent travel to Mexico. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/20/e...

El Paso City Council adopted a set of policies calling for no new tax incentives and greater public oversight of future hyperscale data centers in the city. The policies would not apply to Meta’s data center or Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/20/m...

Some of El Paso’s smallest school districts are making tough budget decisions ahead of the new school year. San Elizario ISD is closing two elementary schools, Tornillo ISD laid off employees, and Fabens ISD is making budget cuts to avoid similar choices. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/20/t...

Higher animal shelter costs are straining some long-standing agreements between the city of El Paso and neighboring communities. The county and some municipalities have withheld payments and are reconsidering contracts with El Paso Animal Services. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/19/e...

This week in El Paso: • Historic Popular Building gets another $1 million • Two severe West Nile cases confirmed • Border Patrol dog shooting lawsuit • EPCC promotes adult diploma program Read more in our weekly news roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/17/e...

A federal judge said Thursday it doesn't appear the Trump administration is complying with a court order requiring continued funding for legal representation for unaccompanied migrant children — but stopped short of holding the government in contempt. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/16/e...

Mexico has formally requested criminal investigations into the deaths of Mexican migrants in ICE custody and enforcement operations, following the fatal shooting of a construction worker by an ICE agent in Houston. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/16/m...

Childhood obesity is a chronic disease, not a failure of willpower, writes El Paso pediatrician Dr. Lourdes Asiain. She argues Texas should require insurance coverage for evidence-based obesity treatments instead of waiting until children develop serious illnesses. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/15/o...

Dozens of people held at Camp East Montana, the ICE detention facility in East El Paso, say they were either beaten by guards or witnessed others being beaten, according to a new report issued Wednesday by Human Rights Watch and the ACLU. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/15/r...

Cyclospora, the parasite driving the multistate diarrhea outbreak, has been reported in one infection this year in El Paso. But local health authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza cautions that concern remains low in the region. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/15/e...

Catch this week’s top events across El Paso. 🎨 Third Thursdays 🤠 Party on the Plaza 🎬 Plaza Classic Film Festival 💃 El Fresco: Noche de Cumbias 🎒 Back-to-School Family Symposium 🐜 Insect Night 🌄 “Viva! El Paso” Plan your week with our roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/15/e...

El Paso's Welcome Center has connected thousands of people experiencing homelessness with shelter, healthcare and housing. John Martin argues that closing it now would dismantle years of collaboration and make the community's response less effective. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/14/o...

ICE has suspended most vehicle stops after two fatal officer-involved shootings in just over a week, including the death of a Colombian man in Maine. The directive comes as investigations continue into both cases. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/14/t...

Kermés season is back in the Borderland. Find dates for church bazaars across El Paso and neighboring communities through October, with gorditas, enchiladas, live music, carnival rides, games and more. See the 2026 schedule: elpasomatters.org/2026/07/14/k...

El Paso ISD released a corrective action plan with 14 recommendations on how to improve its financial oversight, including regular budget reporting and ending the reliance on projected payroll savings to stay afloat. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/13/e...

The Plaza Classic Film Festival rolls out the red carpet July 16-26 with Ann-Margret, Gregory Nava, more than 100 films and free events across Downtown El Paso. Explore the highlights and full schedule. 🎥 elpasomatters.org/2026/07/13/e...

UTEP and the El Paso Community Foundation are in talks about the future of KTEP-FM, El Paso's public radio station. The discussions come after federal cuts to public broadcasting funding, though officials say no decisions have been made. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/12/k...

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico kicked off his 750-mile Frontera Tour with a town hall in El Paso Saturday. He faces Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton in November. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/11/j...

Back-to-school season is almost here. We've compiled everything El Paso-area families need in one place, including: 🗓️ First-day dates 🎒 Back-to-school events 🛍️ Texas tax-free weekend 📝 Registration and financial aid information elpasomatters.org/2026/07/10/w...

This week in El Paso: • New Central Fire Station opens • City settles Daniel Villegas lawsuit for $8M • EPISD finalizes layoffs • Ascarate Park meetings continue • Kristina Mena reappointed to UMC board Read more in our weekly news roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/10/e...

Texas was the first state to let certain undocumented students pay in-state tuition when lawmakers passed the Texas Dream Act in 2001 with broad, bipartisan support. A federal appeals court decision leaves in place a ruling that ended the longstanding state law. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/09/a...

Unaccompanied migrant children are facing fast-tracked immigration hearings in El Paso, often without attorneys or adults beside them. El Paso Matters Editor Cindy Ramirez shares what she saw recently inside immigration courtrooms. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/09/e...

New changes to the WIC program could make it easier for El Paso participants to meet their mandatory appointments. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/08/w...

Catch this week’s top events across El Paso. 🏠 Magoffin Home hard hat tours 🎶 Cool Canyon Nights 🎬 Free outdoor movies 🎭 “Taming of the Shrew” at EPCC 🌶️ Salsa Tasting Fest 💃 “Viva! El Paso” 🎒 Back-to-school events Plan your week with our roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/08/e...

New STAAR scores show mixed results for El Paso schools, with students outperforming the state average in core subjects such as Algebra I, but showing gaps in biology. See how EPISD, SISD and YISD compare. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/07/s...

Estrella del Paso, one of the nation's largest providers of legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children, says more than $765,000 in delayed federal reimbursements has pushed the nonprofit to the brink of closure. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/06/f...

A 7-year-old boy told an immigration judge, "I want to go with my dad," before being granted voluntary return to reunite with his deported father. Attorneys say his case reflects the Trump administration's push to fast-track immigration cases involving children. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/06/u...

"They're still doing it everywhere, but flying under the radar." A new El Paso Museum of History exhibit shines a light on the artists behind the hand-painted signs that have shaped the visual identity of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez for generations. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/05/e...

This week in El Paso: • EPISD opens trustee applications • EPCC approves a $1.7 million occupational therapy lab • City Council candidate filing begins July 18 • Texas Tech launches physician wellness program Read more in our weekly news roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/03/e...

Is girls flag football nearing a turning point in Texas? As the UIL considers sanctioning the sport, El Paso's success on the statewide stage and growing local participation illustrate why momentum continues to build. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/02/e...

El Paso Community College lost $8 million after Texas prorated performance funding because community colleges exceeded expectations. The shortfall could mean smaller employee raises and a possible property tax increase while lawmakers push for a fix. #txlege elpasomatters.org/2026/07/02/e...

Still making Fourth of July weekend plans? Find fireworks, parades, concerts and community celebrations happening across El Paso and the Borderland through July 4 in our events guide. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/25/e...

BREAKING: The federal government will close the historic La Tuna prison complex in Anthony, Texas, as part of a nationwide Bureau of Prisons restructuring. The move will eliminate local jobs, though officials have not said when the prison will shut down. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/01/l...

The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, but UTEP student Jennifer Gomez says the decision is only one step in a longer fight. She explains why the ruling matters for border families and what comes next. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/01/o...

Can El Paso voters recall a city elected official? Yes – but only if a petition meets strict legal requirements. Here's who can be recalled, how the process works and what happens if enough signatures are collected elpasomatters.org/2026/07/01/c...

Catch this week’s top events across El Paso. ⚽️ Team USA watch party 🎆 July 4 celebrations 🎸 Cool Canyon Nights 🎭 "Viva! El Paso" 🖼️ Free Museum of Art tour Plan your week with our roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/07/01/e...

Fact check: Do you need a permit to hold a block party 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/2026/06/30/g...

BREAKING: The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a broad conception of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump's executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/30/s...

Podcast: EPISD considers a $445M bond after declaring financial exigency, YISD faces shrinking savings, and Socorro ISD may soon exit state conservatorship. Education reporter Claudia Silva explains the school districts’ financial hardships. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/30/p...

Divisions on the El Paso City Council were on full display last week. During the same meeting, council members reversed a funding decision they had made less than an hour earlier. Mayor Renard Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote, exposing growing tensions. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/29/e...

El Paso ISD outlined the appointment process to fill two vacant school board seats for the Coronado and Franklin High School feeder patterns. The new trustees are expected to take office in August before the board decides whether to call for a bond proposal. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/29/e...

A Peruvian journalist who spent about 50 days in ICE detention after being arrested for selling ceviche without a permit on a Florida beach has published a book documenting his experiences at facilities including Alligator Alcatraz and Camp East Montana. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/29/i...

El Paso County enrollment in SNAP dropped by more than 8,700 households, or 13%, in May compared to the same time last year, according to Texas Health and Human Services data. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/28/e...

This week in El Paso: • Pet fosters sought, free microchips offered before July Fourth • City ends armored car vendor contract, imposes 3-year ban • Canutillo ISD adopts balanced budget • UTEP unveils El Paso history exhibit Read more in our weekly news roundup. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/26/e...

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration can potentially revive a policy limiting how many migrants could seek asylum each day at U.S.-Mexico border crossings. The practice, known as “metering,” was used during the Obama and Trump administrations. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/25/s...

Fireworks, parades, concerts and community celebrations are returning across El Paso and the Borderland as America marks its 250th birthday. Find events happening June 27 through July 4. elpasomatters.org/2026/06/25/e...