Feb 22 2025 2 mins
Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Saturday, February 22, 2025. We're starting off with some breaking news. The investigation into the Sun Metro maintenance hub explosion and fire continues, with city leaders still declining to share details about the origin of the incident. Eight Sun Metro employees were injured, with two being transported to Phoenix for burn care. Sun Metro has altered bus routes, and it's unclear when full service will resume[5].
Moving on to weather, it's been an unusually hot and dry February in El Paso. Stronger-than-normal winds have led to more dust in the air, slightly worsening air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, daily particulate matter pollution is the highest it's been for this time of year since at least 2000. We're expecting temperatures to be around 69 degrees today, with no precipitation in sight[2][3].
In local news, Socorro ISD is planning to lay off elementary fine arts teachers, sparking concern among parents. A longtime art teacher shared her devastation over the potential cuts, highlighting the importance of arts education. Meanwhile, El Paso Public Libraries have earned an excellence award for the sixth consecutive year, and they're hosting storytime events to celebrate Black History Month[1].
On the job market front, Texas schools are facing financial strain due to stagnant state funding. This could have significant impacts on local education and employment. In real estate, it's worth noting that El Paso has seen a severe drought since August 2023, which could affect property values and outdoor activities[2][1].
In sports, Bel Air High School's Swim Team Captain has qualified for the state championships. And if you're looking for something to do this weekend, consider checking out the El Paso Zoo, which recently welcomed a new donation of koi fish from an Upper Valley bar[1].
In crime news, an El Paso man was arrested for a machete attack on two pit bulls in the Lower Valley. Another El Paso man was sentenced to three years in prison for indecency with a child. And Crime Stoppers has released its list of most wanted fugitives for February 22[1][4].
Finally, a feel-good story: an El Paso dog rescuer has been saving abandoned chihuahuas and delivering them to rescue organizations. It's heartwarming to see our community come together to help those in need.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
Moving on to weather, it's been an unusually hot and dry February in El Paso. Stronger-than-normal winds have led to more dust in the air, slightly worsening air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, daily particulate matter pollution is the highest it's been for this time of year since at least 2000. We're expecting temperatures to be around 69 degrees today, with no precipitation in sight[2][3].
In local news, Socorro ISD is planning to lay off elementary fine arts teachers, sparking concern among parents. A longtime art teacher shared her devastation over the potential cuts, highlighting the importance of arts education. Meanwhile, El Paso Public Libraries have earned an excellence award for the sixth consecutive year, and they're hosting storytime events to celebrate Black History Month[1].
On the job market front, Texas schools are facing financial strain due to stagnant state funding. This could have significant impacts on local education and employment. In real estate, it's worth noting that El Paso has seen a severe drought since August 2023, which could affect property values and outdoor activities[2][1].
In sports, Bel Air High School's Swim Team Captain has qualified for the state championships. And if you're looking for something to do this weekend, consider checking out the El Paso Zoo, which recently welcomed a new donation of koi fish from an Upper Valley bar[1].
In crime news, an El Paso man was arrested for a machete attack on two pit bulls in the Lower Valley. Another El Paso man was sentenced to three years in prison for indecency with a child. And Crime Stoppers has released its list of most wanted fugitives for February 22[1][4].
Finally, a feel-good story: an El Paso dog rescuer has been saving abandoned chihuahuas and delivering them to rescue organizations. It's heartwarming to see our community come together to help those in need.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.