Feb 28 2025 3 mins
Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for February 28, 2025.
We're still following the aftermath of the Sun Metro explosion that occurred last week. The city remains tight-lipped about the cause, with Fire Chief Jonathan Killings stating the investigation will take "a couple weeks." Eight employees were injured, with two receiving burn treatment in Phoenix. Sun Metro routes continue to be altered, and full service restoration is pending. Riders can check the Sun Metro website for updates.
In other news, the measles outbreak in West Texas is growing. The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported an increase in cases, prompting health officials to urge vaccination and vigilance.
On a brighter note, Vinton Steel has announced a major expansion project. The company will invest over $229 million and create more than 180 new jobs at their advanced manufacturing facility in El Paso County. This development is part of the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program and includes a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund.
In local sports, high school teams have been making waves in recent competitions. The El Paso Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for some exciting ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Desert Commons East will celebrate their opening on February 12, while iFly El Paso is set to launch on March 5.
Weather-wise, we're looking at a pleasant day with temperatures in the mid-70s and clear skies. It's perfect for outdoor activities, so consider heading to one of our local parks or hiking trails.
In education news, Socorro Independent School District is facing challenges. The board recently voted to lay off 300 employees and eliminate elementary fine arts programs due to budget constraints. This decision has understandably caused concern among staff and parents.
On the national stage, there's ongoing debate about making English the official language of the United States. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on this matter, which could have implications for our bilingual community.
In crime news, a migrant smuggling ring operating west of El Paso has been busted. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 14 individuals involved in this operation.
Lastly, we'd like to highlight the ongoing efforts of University of Colorado PhD student Chilton Tippin, who's working to accurately count migrant deaths in the deserts west of El Paso. His research sheds light on an important but often overlooked issue in our community.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
We're still following the aftermath of the Sun Metro explosion that occurred last week. The city remains tight-lipped about the cause, with Fire Chief Jonathan Killings stating the investigation will take "a couple weeks." Eight employees were injured, with two receiving burn treatment in Phoenix. Sun Metro routes continue to be altered, and full service restoration is pending. Riders can check the Sun Metro website for updates.
In other news, the measles outbreak in West Texas is growing. The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported an increase in cases, prompting health officials to urge vaccination and vigilance.
On a brighter note, Vinton Steel has announced a major expansion project. The company will invest over $229 million and create more than 180 new jobs at their advanced manufacturing facility in El Paso County. This development is part of the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program and includes a $1.5 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund.
In local sports, high school teams have been making waves in recent competitions. The El Paso Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for some exciting ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Desert Commons East will celebrate their opening on February 12, while iFly El Paso is set to launch on March 5.
Weather-wise, we're looking at a pleasant day with temperatures in the mid-70s and clear skies. It's perfect for outdoor activities, so consider heading to one of our local parks or hiking trails.
In education news, Socorro Independent School District is facing challenges. The board recently voted to lay off 300 employees and eliminate elementary fine arts programs due to budget constraints. This decision has understandably caused concern among staff and parents.
On the national stage, there's ongoing debate about making English the official language of the United States. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on this matter, which could have implications for our bilingual community.
In crime news, a migrant smuggling ring operating west of El Paso has been busted. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 14 individuals involved in this operation.
Lastly, we'd like to highlight the ongoing efforts of University of Colorado PhD student Chilton Tippin, who's working to accurately count migrant deaths in the deserts west of El Paso. His research sheds light on an important but often overlooked issue in our community.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.