EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Dionne Mack came to El Paso in 2011 to become Director of the city's libraries. In 13 years, she's moved through the ranks, becoming a Deputy City Manager in 2017 and eventually being selected last month as City Manager. Mack is the third person, second woman, and first African-American to take the top job.

Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, host Mark Ross has a one-on-one interview with Dionne Mack. Ms. Mack will discuss her career path, two things she hopes to implement that would make City Hall more transparent under her leadership, and why she decided to skip one perk that her predecessors took.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m. right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Like many other school districts across Texas, the El Paso Independent School District is facing challenges ranging from declining enrollment to budget deficits and plans to shutter some elementary schools.

How EPISD is facing those challenges and others is the topic of this Sunday's ABC-7 Xtra with Mark Ross. Joining Mark are three key members of the superintendent's leadership team - Chief Operating Officer S.B. Pierson, Chief Financial Officer Martha Aguirre, and Chief of Organizational Transformation and Equity Marivel Macias. Macias is overseeing the Destination District Redesign, which is the plan that will, in part, determine whether certain elementary school campuses will be shuttered.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- As UTEP and NMSU begin the fall semester, there are new programs and services for students at both universities. There's also a look ahead to changes on the UTEP campus.

Sunday night on ABC-7 Xtra, host Mark Ross visits with UTEP's vice president of student affairs, Dr. Catie McCorry-Andalis, and the interim president of the New Mexico State University system, Dr. Mónica Torres. 

Topics include UTEP's 10-year master plan, NMSU's plan for its community colleges, and events to welcome students back to campus.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 pm, right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Local businessman Ricardo Mora has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer of the El Paso Chamber. Mora takes over the job from Andrea Hutchins, who left the Chamber in June.

Mora is the co-founder of the Technology Hub Business Center in Juarez and was recently principal at RM International, an asset management company.

Mora is this week's guest on ABC-7 Xtra Sunday. He will discuss how his business background will help him in his role as CEO. Mora will also talk about the Chamber's position on local initiatives like the Multi-purpose Center downtown, and the upcoming El Paso County bond issues on the November ballot.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday with Mark Ross airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso has seen a number of long-term road projects going on across the city, from I-10, to Montana, to Loop 375 and places in between. These are state projects overseen by TXDOT. But, we haven't seen the last of them.

Even though our population has decreased slightly, there seems to be more traffic on our roads. And that means more road projects are coming that in the long term will make your drive easier. This week on ABC-7 Xtra Sunday, Jennifer Wright with TXDOT will talk about the projects currently underway, and what's coming down the road. 

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 pm, right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Next Saturday August third marks the fifth anniversary of the darkest day in El Paso's history. Twenty-three people lost their lives in a mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart. Another 22 were injured.

As we remember the victims, this week's ABC-7 Xtra Sunday edition focuses on how resilient El Paso has become since 2019. We'll hear from Deputy City Manager Mario D'Agostino about the steps the city's first responders have taken to be prepared should we ever have another mass casualty event. Eric Pearson, the president and CEO of the El Paso Community Foundation, will discuss how his organization has helped the victims and the funds still available to those who were affected by the mass shooting. We'll also hear from Alberto Ruiz with the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center about their mission to not only help shooting survivors and their families heal, but also the resources available to assist with the mental health of everyone in the community.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- School begins this Monday for students in the Clint Independent School District, and Tuesday for San Elizario district. Classes resume for the remaining districts in El Paso county over the next two weeks.

Whether your child is beginning their education in Pre-K, or moving from elementary school to middle school, or even if they are brand new to a school in El Paso, they are probably feeling different emotions. It could be excitement or it could be anxiety or stress.

Your child's mental health is critical to their success at school. As parents, you need to watch for signs that your child may be dealing with emotions they are not prepared to deal with on their own.

This week, as part of KVIA's Be Mindful mental health initiative, ABC-7 Xtra Sunday focuses on back to school mental health. Guests include Krista Wingate, chief of child and adolescent services for Emergence Health Network, and Dr. Brenda Chacon-Robles, Chief Academic Officer for the Ysleta Independent School District. Both women will offer tips to help parents and students.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday with Mark Ross airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Despite interest rates hovering around seven percent, people are willing to pay higher prices for a home in El Paso.

New data from the Texas Real Estate Research Center shows that, as of May, home sales in El Paso have already surpassed last year.

And last month, the median price of homes in El Paso was 263-thousand dollars, according to the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors.

Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, host Mark Ross and his guests will discuss what is happening with El Paso's housing market and whether a recent government report will lead to lower interest rates.

Joining Mark are Tony Delgado, the chief executive officer of the Greater El Paso Association of Realtors, and the organization's current president, Shy Rodriguez, who is with Century 21 The Edge realtors, and Doctor Tom Fullerton, professor and Trade in the Americas chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at UTEP.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday edition airs at 10:35 p.m., Right after ABC-7 at Ten weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Nothing can spoil your summer fun faster than getting sick. Whether it's a sunburn, a stomach bug, cold, flu or something more serious, knowing the signs and symptoms and how to prevent some illnesses is key.

Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, ABC-7 medical contributor Dr. Ogechika Alozie from Sunset West Health joins host Mark Ross to talk about various summer illnesses and what you can do to stay healthy.

Watch ABC-7 Xtra Sunday with Mark Ross at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- These are challenging times for school districts across Texas, and El Paso is no exception. The three major school districts -- El Paso, Ysleta and Socorro -- are all facing declining student enrollment and budget deficits.

Local school districts have been discussing budgets for the upcoming school year for the past few weeks. On Monday, the El Paso district approved its budget for the 2024-25 school year with a 18.5 million dollar deficit that will be covered by money from the district's reserve fund.

Last week, the Ysleta school district approved the budget for next school year and plans to use 17.2 million from its reserves to balance the budget, while the Socorro school district has an expected 41 million dollar shortfall for the next school year they must cover.

This Sunday on ABC7 Xtra, we'll discuss the budget crisis for local school districts from three perspectives. First, we'll hear from Ysleta district superintendent Doctor Xavier de la Torre. Later in the program we'll be joined by Ross Moore, president of the El Paso American Federation of Teachers, and State Representative Mary Gonzalez, a member of the higher education committee in the Texas House, who will share with us the battle over education funding at the state capitol.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday with Mark Ross airs at 10:35 pm, right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - When a wildfire burns, like the Salt and South Fork fires near Ruidoso, NM, we see the response by fire crews on the ground and in the sky. But how does that response come together? Who helps coordinate that response? What happens when the fires are eventually contained and residents are allowed back in the fire zone?

This Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, host Mark Ross gets additional perspective from George Ducker, the communications coordinator for the New Mexico Forestry Division, and Sean Peterson, the center manager for the National Interagency Coordination Center. Both men will discuss how the resources to fight the wildfires are coordinated, both during and afterwards.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

If you are interested in making a monetary donation to help residents and responders in need, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation has established the Wildfire Relief Fund.  The emergency fund will provide financial resources to support immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people, animals, and places affected by the devastating wildfires in partnership with the Community Foundation of Lincoln County and their shelter fund, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and their Greatest Needs Impact Fund for Lincoln and Otero counties, and the Albuquerque Community Foundation and their emergency action fund. You can make a donation here: https://pdnfoundation.org/give-to-a-fund/wildfire-relief-fund

If you need information on the wildfires, the state of New Mexico has a 24-hour wildfire hotline, providing the latest information on the status of the wildfires. Call 833-663-4736. That's 833-NMFIRE6.

If you or someone you know is trying to locate family or friends, the reunification hotline is 800-733-2767, that's 800-REDCROSS.

If someone in the fire zone needs prescription medication or other medical support, call 833-796-8773, that's 833-SWNURSE.

And for mental health counselors, the New Mexico crisis and access line is 855-NMCRISIS, or 855-662-7474.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- This Sunday, UTEP President Heather Wilson is the guest on ABC-7 Xtra. She is joined in the first segment by the head of UTEP's Special Events Office, Jorge Vasquez to discuss the Sun Bowl Uplift project. The project would make infrastructure enhancements to the Sun Bowl to better accommodate A-list touring acts.

UTEP wants voters to cover the $99 million cost of the project through a bond. That bond still needs to be approved by El Paso County Commissioners before it appears on the November ballot. Dr. Wilson and Vasquez will explain the project in more detail and why voters, not the University of Texas system, must help pay for the project.

Dr. Wilson will also discuss other topics, including the status of the grant for the UTEP Aerospace Center and a recently awarded $4.5 million grant from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation for UTEP's health programs.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday with Mark Ross airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at 10 Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A man who isn't a baseball fan became one of the most successful owners and general managers in Minor League Baseball.

Native El Pasoan Jim Paul purchased the El Paso Diablos in 1974 for $1000 and assumed $52,000 in debt. Over the next 22 years, Paul set attendance records by creating things that entertained thousands of baseball fans who came first to Dudley Field and then to Cohen Stadium, not necessarily for the ballgame, but for the experience. Things like "Official Diablo Rallies," fans giving dollar bills to Diablo players who hit a homerun, cheerleaders dancing on the top of the dugout, and handing out tissues to fans to wave goodbye to the opposing team's pitcher when they were taken out of the game. The Diablos were also the first minor league baseball team to welcome the San Diego Chicken for performances during games.

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Diablos baseball, and Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, Jim Paul shares stories of his time as owner and general manager. We'll also share memories from Diablos fans who reached out to ABC-7 on our Facebook page.

Watch Jim Paul on ABC-7 Xtra Sunday night at 10:35 after ABC-7 at 10 Weekend. You can also tune in to ABC-7's Good Morning El Paso Weekend Sunday morning from 6 to 7 a.m. to see Xtra content from the interview.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal is retiring on June 7th after serving since 2009. Taking her place is Christina Sanchez, who has been in the office since 2007 when she started as an intern.

A native El Pasoan, Sanchez becomes just the third County Attorney in 31 years. This Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, Mark Ross talks with Sanchez to learn what she plans to do on her first day in office, the different jobs she's held in the office's different divisions, and how she intends to build on the legacy of Jo Anne Bernal.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday edition airs at 10:35 pm, right after ABC-7 at 10 Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Election day is this Tuesday, May 28, and voters in El Paso have three critical runoff races on the ballot - El Paso County Sheriff, El Paso District Attorney, and State Representative District 77.

On this week's ABC-7 Xtra Sunday Edition, host Mark Ross talks with the two Democratic candidates in the runoff for District Attorney, Alma Trejo and James Montoya. The winner of this race will face Republican challenger and current District Attorney Bill Hicks.

Mark discusses a number of topics with Trejo and Montoya, including staffing issues in the DA's office, transparency with El Pasoans, and how they plan to handle the State's case against the Walmart Shooter.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday Edition with Mark Ross airs at 10:35 pm, right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Early voting begins this Monday for the Democratic runoffs in three major races in El Paso - Sheriff, District Attorney, and State Representative District 77.

This Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra will be the first of two shows dedicated to speaking with the candidates in those races, to give you the opportunity to hear their positions on issues important to you.

We'll talk to Norma Chavez and Vince Perez, who are in the runoff for State Representative, and Bobby Flores, who is in the runoff for El Paso County Sheriff. Flores' opponent Oscar Ugarte declined to participate.

Next Sunday, May 26, we'll speak with the two Democrats in the runoff for El Paso District Attorney, James Montoya and Alma Trejo. ABC-7 Xtra Sunday edition with Mark Ross airs at 10:35 p.m. immediately following ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Since New Mexico legalized cannabis for adult and medicinal use in April 2022, sales have totaled more than a billion dollars, according to the state's Regulation and Licensing Department. And sales tax revenue has topped $75 million, according to a statement in March from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office.

This Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra with Mark Ross, we look at how communities like Sunland Park are benefiting from their share of the tax revenue. Mayor Javier Perea is one of the guests, along with Ben Lewinger, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, who shares how his organization is helping cannabis dealers and other cannabis-related businesses.

El Paso state representative Joe Moody is also a guest. Representative Moody has been an advocate for lowering the penalty for marijuana possession in Texas. He'll talk about the challenges of passing legislation in Austin to make the penalty for possession of less than an ounce a Class C misdemeanor, and whether Texas will ever follow the lead of New Mexico and a number of other states and legalize marijuana.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at 10 Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- In March and April, large groups of migrants allegedly rioted and breached border barriers near Gate 36 at the U.S.-Mexico border. Each group of migrants was arrested and charged with a Class B misdemeanor of Riot Participation.

On April 22nd, a hearing was held where the El Paso County Public Defender's Office challenged whether it was legal to detain those migrants. County Court at Law #7 judge Ruben Morales ruled there was no probable cause to detain the migrants. But El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks took the 141 cases to a grand jury, who did determine there was probable cause to believe the migrants started a riot to enter the country illegally.

How do the district attorneys in El Paso and Las Cruces prosecute cases involving migrants? What are the legal differences between the states? Bill Hicks and Dona Ana District Attorney Gerald Byers appear on the Sunday edition of ABC-7 Xtra to answer those questions. Watch Sunday night at 10:35 p.m., right after ABC-7 at 10 Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- In just about two years, a state-of-the-art 12,500 seat amphitheater will open in Northeast El Paso on the site where Cohen Stadium once stood. This project stems from a Cohen Entertainment District master plan by the city that was approved in 2018 by then-mayor Dee Margo and City Council.

Now, six years later, the master plan has been revived with the announcement on Tuesday by the city and Colorado-based Notes Live that the Sunset Amphitheater will be built. The $30.9 million dollar venue is expected to generate $5.4 billion dollars in revenue and provide approximately 2,000 jobs.

This Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, we'll get extra perspective on the project from JW Roth, the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Notes Live, and El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser. We ask how the deal came together and why El Paso was chosen for the amphitheater, among other questions.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday edition airs at 10:35 p.m. after ABC-7 at 10 Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - College football's bowl season is still 8 months away. But earlier this week, representatives from the country's 43 bowl games were in El Paso for the first time ever to discuss the upcoming season.

The Bowl Season conference brought together bowl game executive directors and their staffs to talk about everything from how to promote the game to the fans, to securing title sponsorships, even how to best run the event on game day.

This Sunday on ABC-7 Xtra, we'll go in-depth on the conference with our guests, Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the College Football Playoffs Bill Hancock, and Executive Director of Bowl Season Nick Carparelli.

ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m. immediately following ABC-7 at 10 Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - April is National Donate Life Awareness Month. In the U.S., more than 100,000 people are waiting for life-saving organ transplants, according to Donate Life America. Sadly, 5,600 will die waiting for a new organ.

Sunday night, ABC-7 Xtra explores organ donation. Guests include an El Paso woman who has received a new liver and is now waiting for a new kidney. She'll share her journey. We'll also hear from the Intensive Care Unit director at University Medical Center. He'll share what you need to know about organ donation, and how simple it is for you to become an organ donor. ABC-7 Xtra Sunday airs at 10:35 p.m. right after ABC-7 at Ten Weekend.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The UTEP Miners, coming off two home game wins, have the first of two road games this Thursday night against Louisiana Tech, followed by a matchup with Sam Houston State on Saturday. ABC-7 Sports Director Adrian Ochoa sat down with head coach Joe Golding for a preview.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Next week is National Passenger Safety Week, and it's not about drivers keeping their passengers safe, but rather passengers taking an active role in their own safety. Jennifer Wright with TXDOT has details on this national road safety initiative in this week's segment on ABC-7 at 4.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- January is International Quality of Life Awareness Month. This month-long event was first created in 1994 with the purpose of promoting and encouraging people around the world to take steps toward improving their quality of life.

During this month, people are encouraged to focus on what is important to them and make positive changes, like getting more exercise, eating healthier and finding ways to reduce stress. ABC-7 medical contributor Dr. Ogechika Alozie with Sunset West Health was on ABC-7 at 4 to discuss some things you should know about your health and how it affects your quality of life.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- It's four words everyone seems to love hearing - Girl Scout Cookie Time. The annual event begins this Sunday, as Girl Scouts flex their entrepreneurial muscles and acquire important life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. All proceeds from cookie sales stay with Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest and troops to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round.

This year’s theme, Unbox the Future, aims to remove social barriers that often keep girls boxed in. When bold, goal-getting Girl Scouts sell a package of cookies, they do much more than what’s seen at face value. Girl Scouts are entrepreneurial powerhouses creating a more equitable future for themselves and the world.

Sales begin this Sunday and continue through Sunday, March 3. Girl Scouts will have their Cookie Booths set up at various locations around the city beginning Sunday, January 20th. You can use the Cookie Finder at www.gsdsw.org to find a Cookie Booth location near you.

Each box is $6. This year's flavors include Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Lemonades, Trefoils shortbread cookies, Adventurefuls, Toast-Yay, and, new this year, Gluten Free Caramel Chocolate Chip.

Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest CEO Patty Craven appeared on ABC-7 at 4 to talk about this year's program. She was joined by Girl Scout Cadette Italia Tellez, Girl Scout Senior Jane Rayas and Girl Scout Ambassador Toni Marie Gonzalez.

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EL PASO, TX (KVIA) -- The I-10 Widening West Project is connecting fast-growing neighborhoods in Northwest El Paso by adding an overpass, ramps and a new intersection at Los Mochis Drive, about one mile north of Transmountain Road. This will bring major changes to traffic patterns in the area during and after construction.

Jennifer Wright with TXDOT shared details about the Los Mochis plans on ABC-7 at 4, and also provided an update on a new bridge project beginning on I-10 near Fabens.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Financial analysts say persistent inflation and the possibility of living a long time in retirement are two of the biggest factors to consider if you're planning to retire in 2024. ABC-7's financial contributor Brian Mirau with Mirau Capital Management appeared on ABC-7 at 4 to discuss how potential retirees can approach these challenges.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Glaucoma is called "The Sneak Thief of Sight." January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and ABC-7 medical contributor Dr. Ogechika Alozie with Sunset West Health explains what you need to know to protect your eyesight in the video on this page.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- County Judge Ricardo Samaniego appeared Wednesday on ABC-7 at 4 to discuss how county leaders want to explore using general obligation bonds for capital improvements. General obligation bonds are those that allow the voters to approve the project or projects. Watch his remarks here.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) --We are less than six weeks away from this year's Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon on Sunday, February 18. The annual event brings together hundreds of marathoners who take on the 26 mile course, starting at San Elizario High School and ending at the El Paso County Coliseum. ABC-7 is a proud supporter of the El Paso Marathon. Race director Mike Coulter appeared on ABC-7 at 4 to discuss this year's event, along with the Raiz Federal Credit Union half marathon and the Spine & Rehab Specialists 5k run/walk. Register or get more details right now at http://www.elpasomarathon.org

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the biggest technology event of the year, where attendees can expect to find the latest high tech innovations.

ABC-7 at 4 got a sneak preview of some of the new products that you'll find in stores in the months ahead from technology expert Stephanie Humphrey. There's products for your home, your family, and your computer.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- With major weather changes coming this Sunday evening, TXDOT announced today that this weekend's 33-hour-long closure for the I-10 Widening West project has been expanded to 48 hours and will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday. The extension will allow construction crews to pour concrete sooner and give it more time to cure.

Traffic will detour onto North Desert from the Artcraft/Paseo del Norte offramp to Westway. This closure is the first in a series of 33 to 48-hour-long closures for the project. The next one is schedule for Saturday, January 13 at 6 a.m.

In other news from TXDOT, preliminary statistics were released showing how many fatal crashes happened in El Paso County during 2023. The data also includes the time of day most of the crashes occurred and the contributing factors. TXDOT's Jennifer Wright shared the details during her weekly segment on ABC-7 at 4, which you can watch here.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The recent case of Kate Cox who was blocked by the Texas Supreme Court from terminating her non-viable pregnancy is not the only instance of pregnant women who have medical emergencies in states with laws restricting abortions and the physicians caught in a legal web when trying to provide essential health care. 

ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott and ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer sat down with 18 women who faced that very issue. Their stories are in a new ABC News Nightline and Impact original report "On the Brink" which airs Friday night at 7:00 on ABC-7. It's currently streaming on Hulu.

Rachel Scott talked about the special Thursday on ABC-7 at 4.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The I-10 Widening West Project is adding a third lane to I-10 between Mesa and Vinton. The 3 1/2 year project started at the end of May 2022 and is projected to be completed by the end of Summer 2025.

In order to add that third lane, bridges have to be extended towards the center. This will take a series of 6 33-hour closures of the westbound lanes of I-10 between Artcraft and Vinton. TXDOT's Jennifer Wright has the details in this interview from ABC-7 at 4.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Dog lovers, take note. ABC-7 is bringing you the annual American Kennel Club National Championships at noon on Sunday, December 31. We brought you a preview of this year's event on ABC-7 at 4 with co-hosts Carolyn Manno and Gina DiNardo, along with a couple of special four-legged guests.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Over the holidays, we like to celebrate with family, friends and co-workers. But these celebrations can turn tragic when someone gets behind the while while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

TXDOT's Jennifer Wright appeared on ABC-7 at 4 today to highlight the agency's "Drive Sober, No Regrets" campaign. See her interview in the video below.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Whether you're traveling or holding a big holiday gathering, keep in mind that respiratory viruses like the flu, RSV and COVID-19 are on the rise. Our medical contributor Doctor Neha Sharma, medical director of The Hospitals of Providence Northeast and Horizon City, appeared on ABC-7 to talk about the symptoms, the treatments, and ways to protect yourself and your family.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Grandparents often have a hard time saying no to their grandchildren, which is something scam artists know all too well.

Scammers can easily can create storylines to prey on the fears of grandparents by searching social media or even just blindly calling without giving a name of a relative.

John Morales, Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso office of the FBI, appeared on ABC-7 at 4 to discuss how "Grandparent Scams" work and how senior citizens can avoid falling victim to the scam.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Friday, December 1 is World AIDS Day, and the theme this year is "Let Communities Lead," a call to action for cities and towns across the US to enable and support in the fight to end AIDS.

We spoke with ABC-7 medical contributor Dr. Ogechika Alozie with Sunset West Health, who is an infectious disease doctor. He appeared on ABC-7 at 4 to talk about the progress being made in the fight. In the last 33 years, there has been quite a bit of progress made to understand and most importantly help people who are living with AIDS live a normal life.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Retired Officers Wives Club invites the wives and unremarried widows of officers and warrant officers from any military branch to join their organization. The club meets for lunch and a program on the third Thursday of every month (the second Thursday in December) at the Centennial Club on east Fort Bliss (Biggs Army Airfield).

The club also helps the community through various philanthropic efforts, including Operation Santa Claus, Wreaths Across America and providing help to Fisher House at William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso invites our Borderplex community to its campus as it concludes its 10-year anniversary with the Lighting Campus for Hope event on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Local title company Lone Star Title is the presenting sponsor of Lighting Campus for Hope.

The free event on campus will include a fireworks extravaganza, food trucks, photos with Santa and friends, a musical light show, mascot dance-off and more. Wells Fargo Bank is the Hope Light Show sponsor.

The event is also a celebration of breast cancer warriors and funds raised since October will go toward breast cancer screenings for women in our Borderplex community. TTUHSC El Paso invites breast cancer warriors throughout the region to attend and be recognized during the event.

Lighting Campus for Hope will commemorate not only TTUHSC El Paso's decade of service to our community but also highlight its next chapter of providing world-class, comprehensive cancer care in the future Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center.

Lone Star Title’s commitment to enhancing health care in our region inspired the company to sponsor several past university initiatives, including last year’s 10th-anniversary campaign for the Hunt School of Nursing. Both Lone Star Title and TTUHSC El Paso share a vision for advancing world-class education, research and patient care within our community.

Additional Lighting Campus for Hope sponsors include Freeport-McMoRan Inc.; JPMorgan Chase Bank; Raiz Federal Credit Union; RM Personnel; Sandy Messer & Associates/Wendy Sudimack; Subaru El Paso; National Restaurant Supply; Sunflower Bank; and Broaddus & Associates.

Lighting Campus for Hope will commemorate not only TTUHSC El Paso's decade of service to our community but also highlight its next chapter of providing world-class, comprehensive cancer care in the future Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center.

Learn more about Lighting Campus for Hope at: ttuhscepimpact.org/hope

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- As temperatures drop, so does the peril for the elderly and needy families in our community. That's why the Extreme Weather Task Force holds an annual blanket drive and winter safety campaign. The effort kicked off last week.

“Our goal is not simply to collect and distribute free blankets, we want to check on people and educate the community on how to stay safe in cold weather,” said Grace Ortiz, Extreme Weather Task Force Chair and Community Engagement Specialist with Adult Protective Services (APS.)

“Some of the poorest families we’ve seen, especially in the Colonias, don’t have any heat source in their homes,” said Ortiz. “It’s the elderly and the children who suffer the most.”

During the past two years, the Extreme Weather Task Force has collected and delivered 1,176 free blankets to the elderly and needy families in our community.

“Currently, we have only 200 blankets in stock,” said Ortiz. “"Our inventory is low. To fulfill the blanket requests, we are asking the community to donate new blankets. We still need help from our great community. And we thank El Paso Electric for generously donating $5000 in new blankets to help. We've also welcomed in United Way as a campaign partner."

To help save lives, the Extreme Weather Task Force stresses use of the “Buddy System.” This simply involves having a trusted relative, friend or neighbor check in daily with an elderly or disabled person during a cold wave. A Buddy encourages an at-risk individual to stay warm by wearing layers of clothes, to eat well, drink plenty of fluids and heat their home safely. If there are errands to be done, the Buddy does them, or makes sure they get done.

Those most at-risk for hypothermia include: elderly people with inadequate food, clothing or heating; babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; children left unattended; adults under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs; mentally ill individuals; people who remain outdoors for long periods, including the homeless, hikers, and hunters.

New blanket donations can be dropped off any time at local fire stations or El Paso County Sheriff sub-stations. Corporate and monetary donations are welcome payable to the APS Silver Star Board. The mailing address is: Attention - Grace Ortiz, Adult Protective Services, 401 E. Franklin, Suite 350, El Paso, TX, 79901.

Those in need of a blanket (who meet EWTF criteria) should call 211.

For more information contact: Grace Ortiz at 915-834-5772.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Funko has made POP! vinyl figures for TV show and movie stars, comic book heroes, science fiction characters, you name it. Now, the company is fulfilling the wishes of long time POP! fans by giving them the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind figure of themselves.

Dave Beré, Vice President of POP! Yourself at Funko, was on ABC-7 at 4 today to talk about the unique gift idea. "It's really listening to fans and being able to bring it to life, just in time for the holiday season. We're super excited about it."

Beré explained the process. "All you have to do is go to funko.com You're brought into a 3d builder where you get to pick your hairstyle, your skin tone, your fashion, your accessories, which are your interest points, and you can add a pet, you can add your name to the box. It's a sequence-to-build experience. Super easy, super intuitive, and it comes, it ships to you in about a week."

At $30, it's an affordable gift for the holidays.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Christmas Street, the annual fund raiser for the Paso Del Norte Children's Development Center, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The center is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023.

For five decades, Christmas Street has been a beacon of hope and festive joy during the holiday season, providing beautiful designer Christmas trees for rent to the El Paso community. The funds raised through the tree rental program are the lifeblood of Paso del Norte Children's, an organization dedicated to providing essential services for children with special needs.

Choose from a stunning array of 65 designer Christmas tree designs that will truly capture the essence of the holiday season. Paso del Norte takes care of everything, from the setup of your chosen tree in late November to its takedown in January, allowing you to focus on enjoying the festivities.

The designer Christmas trees are priced between $800 and $1100, making them an elegant addition to any home, business, or nonprofit. Trees can be set up in residences, businesses, or donated to charities, spreading the joy of the season throughout our community. The deadline to place your order is November 10th, and the trees are in high demand, so don't delay! Visit their website at christmasstreet.org to explore the tree designs and place your order.

In addition to the Christmas tree rental program, Paso de Norte Children's invites you to their grand gala event on Tuesday, December 5, at the prestigious El Paso Country Club. This gala promises to be an enchanting evening filled with holiday spirit and community togetherness.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Kemarah's Chasing Rainbows is holding a fund raising gala "Deep in the Heart of Texas" on Saturday, November 4 at 6 pm at The Summit Ballroom, 120 North Festival Drive.

Kemarah’s Chasing Rainbows is a non-profit organization created in honor of a very special little girl, Kemarah Cager. Kemarah was diagnosed with an incurable heart disease at the age of 2. She was treated at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, where she spent months at a time in the hospital. In May of 2013, Kemarah received a heart transplant and began a brand-new lease on life. Unfortunately, her suffering was not over and in December of 2014, Kemarah died due to complications from her transplant. Kemarah’s Chasing Rainbows was created to honor and inspire children (both big and small) who are facing or have faced “stormy” times in their lives. There is always hope, and the key is to look for the rainbow at the end of the storm.

Each year, Chasing Rainbows helps hundreds of families through our hospital outreach programs in El Paso and Houston. We support families through a scholarship program at a local El Paso Private school, and we are even able to provide a temporary housing solution (our Happy Heart House) for families receiving treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. We also partner annually with the North Texas chapter of Make-a-Wish to grant the wish of a local Wish Kid in the El Paso area. Without the support of our community and sponsors, Kemarah’s Chasing Rainbows cannot operate in all these areas.

Tickets for the event are $75 with all proceeds going directly into the organization. To purchase tickets and for more information about Chasing Rainbows, visit their website at http://kemarahschasingrainbows.org.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) –– The City of El Paso and Better Business Bureau (BBB) El Paso have launched the Buy El Paso Rewards program, a new initiative aimed at supporting local businesses by enhancing customer loyalty and providing valuable insights into customer behavior.

Buy El Paso Rewards is a groundbreaking program designed to assist local businesses in fostering customer loyalty through exclusive promotions – encouraging customers to return frequently and providing valuable data to make informed business decisions. Business owners who join this program will have the opportunity to easily communicate with their customers, provide incentives for repeat business, and gather essential data to optimize business operations, including business hours, staffing, and marketing strategies.

There are only 500 spots available for businesses to sign up for Buy El Paso Rewards and participation in this program is entirely free thanks to the generous support of the City of El Paso and BBB El Paso. To be eligible for the program, businesses must have a physical storefront and be located within the city limits of El Paso.

Learn more and sign your business up today at EPBusinessStrong.org/business-rewards.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The first annual Officer Jacob Arellano Golf Tournament is set for Saturday, November 3 at the Horizon Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Blue Guardian Foundation. Founded as part of the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization (NLLEO) and its Greater Dallas Chapter, the Foundation provides financial assistance throughout the United States to law enforcement officers and their families who have faced the loss of life or income due to a serious injury, life threatening illness, or other catastrophic event.

Arellano, an El Paso native and Dallas Police Department officer, died October 12, 2022, of injuries he sustained the day before in a head-on collision. Arellano was on his way to work when a drunk driver traveling in the wrong direction struck his vehicle.

Arellano, a Socorro High School graduate, and NMSU football player was 25. He is survived by his parents, twin brother, who is also a police officer with the Dallas Police Department, brother, sister, fiancé and 2- year-old son.

The 1st Officer Jacob Arellano Golf Tournament will raise money and awareness for the Blue Guardian Foundation, and promises to be a day of friendly competition, networking, and philanthropy, all in support of law enforcement officers and their families, whom the Foundation assists. The inaugural event will also include raffles and door prizes. To register for the tournament, click on this link: https://forms.office.com/r/64NpjwxVd6

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of disabled workers. For over 55 years, PRIDE Industries has given workers with different disabilities the opportunity to succeed. That includes businesses in El Paso and on Fort Bliss.

Don Nelson, the vice president of government service for PRIDE was interviewed today on ABC-7 at 4.

"Not only is this month a time to celebrate all the great accomplishments people with disabilities do every day on the job across the country with lots of employers," Nelson said, "it's also a time to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities on their teams, and we should concentrate on people's abilities and not their disabilities. People with disabilities make great team members and great employees."

PRIDE Industries has been working with Fort Bliss since 2007. "We do all the face maintenance support services for the base, and we have carpenters and electricians, plumbers, doing all the Building Operations and Services to maintain the base," Nelson explained.

He added he was particularly proud of one group of PRIDE employees.

"One team that stands out in my mind is our team that runs our aircraft arresting barrier system at Biggs Airfield. They've successfully caught two aircraft, two fighter jets that had emergencies in flight, they were able to stop those aircraft similar to what you see on an aircraft carrier with the arresting barrier wire. And then they were able to get the airplanes, you know, repaired and off on their mission. So that's a pretty cool accomplishment for a team that's made up of people with disabilities as well."

Nelson encourages business owners in El Paso to reach out to PRIDE Industries at http://www.prideindustries.com. "We love to help other employers create opportunities for people with disabilities," said Nelson. "And we can provide that that outreach to employers to show them how to do it, what kind of accommodations can they put in place, what kind of support systems should they put in place to help people disabilities. People with disabilities have a lot of capability and I think we just need to provide that opportunity for them to be successful on the job."

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Pasoan Tom Lea is an artist who may be one of Texas' best kept secrets. Now not only El Pasoans, but people across Texas can learn more about the history of Texas through the art of Tom Lea, thanks to the Tom Lea Mobile Tour, created by the Tom Lea Institute in El Paso.

It is the first Texas heritage trail in a dozen years and the only one named for an artist. The tour is formatted for easy use by people at home, students in a classroom, and travelers from afar and can be found here.

Tom Lea was a regional painter, interested in deepening a community’s understanding of its own traditions and the character of its own land. Every Tom Lea painting tells you something about the place you visit. 

There are 12 communities and 24 locations to explore, drawing travelers to different regions of the state either virtually, or in person. Actual travelers can pick and choose what interests them, taking a week or two on an itinerary that includes: El Paso, Odessa, Alpine, Seymour, Dallas, Waco, Bryan/College Station, Galveston, Austin, Fredericksburg, Kingsville, and Hebbronville.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Insights Science Discovery is presenting 2023 El Paso Space Festival, a week-long celebration of space exploration, innovation, and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. The fifth annual event kicks off this Friday, September 22nd and runs through Saturday, September 30th.

Nestled near the birthplace of the U.S. space program, the White Sands Missile Range, and surrounded by a burgeoning commercial space industry in the U.S. Southwest corridor, El Paso is the perfect setting for this cosmic event. The festival showcases the rich history of local, regional, and global space endeavors while highlighting the region's significant contributions to space exploration. With key landmarks such as the Blue Origin Launch site in Van Horn, the Midland Spaceport, Virgin Galactic at Spaceport America in Truth or Consequences, NM, and the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, TX, the festival will spotlight the remarkable developments in the space industry that have been occurring in the Southwest.

This year's festival promises an immersive experience for attendees, featuring a diverse array of hands on activities, highly interactive exhibits, and simulation experiences. While rooted in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), the festival will also explore the artistic and literary aspects of space exploration, demonstrating how "space" has inspired creativity and imagination. Beyond the mysteries of outer space, the festival will delve into the profound impact of space innovations on Earth. From communication and imaging satellites to their role in connecting us to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the festival will emphasize how space technology has transformed our daily lives and influenced global sustainability efforts. One of the festival's focal points will be the increasing opportunities for anyone interested in becoming an active "space" explorer. Insights Science Discovery invites the local community to join in the discussion about what it means to be part of the future of space exploration.

The complete festival schedule is available at https://www.insightselpaso.org/space-festival.

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