Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Sunday, January 26, 2025.
We're starting with some breaking news from the past few days. On January 13th, El Paso Police arrested two young men for aggravated assault and evading arrest at 3910 Doniphan, near the Vape store. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of our local law enforcement to keep our community safe.
Moving on to the job market, we have some positive news. According to the latest economic indicators, El Paso employment increased by an annualized 0.8 percent from August through November, adding approximately 700 jobs. The education and health services sectors saw the largest gains, with 600 new jobs, followed by professional and business services with 500 new jobs. However, the government sector experienced a decline of 300 jobs, and manufacturing saw a decrease of 200 jobs. The current unemployment rate stands at 4.6 percent, slightly higher than the state and national averages.
In the realm of cybersecurity, El Paso is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected rate of 22 percent by 2024. This sector is driven by major government agencies, healthcare organizations, and financial institutions, offering average salaries of $112,199 annually, with top performers earning up to $168,226.
Now, let's take a look at the real estate pulse. While there are no major commercial or residential property sales to report, we do have some updates on new development projects. The I-10 Widening West project is ongoing, with crews working on retaining walls and conducting earth work. Additionally, the Purple Heart 375 Widening Project is progressing, with crews paving in the median and setting up material for concrete deck pours.
From city hall, we have some important updates. The City Council recently approved a resolution to adopt the City of El Paso's State Legislative Agenda for the 89th Texas Legislative Session. They also authorized the submission of an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a grant to fund the El Paso Central Business District Phase IV project, which includes roadway reconstruction and parkway improvements.
Weather-wise, we're expecting a sunny day today, with temperatures in the mid-60s. However, we do have some road closures to be aware of due to the ongoing construction projects. I-10 West will be closed at Mesa Street, with detours in place.
In terms of new business activity, we don't have any major openings or closings to report. However, we do have some upcoming community events to look forward to. The El Paso Days in Austin event is scheduled for the week of February 17, 2025, and the City Council has approved a resolution to reschedule their regular meeting to February 25, 2025, due to the event.
In local school news, we don't have any specific achievements or sports results to report today. However, we do want to mention that the University of Texas at El Paso offers robust cybersecurity programs with an 85 percent job placement rate, positioning graduates well in the workforce.
On a feel-good note, the City Council has approved a resolution to declare an amnesty period for outstanding parking citations, effective February 17, 2025, through March 8, 2025. During this time, violators who pay their citations will have their delinquency fees and collection fees reduced to zero.
Finally, in today's crime report, we want to remind everyone to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. While we don't have any significant incidents to report from the past 24 hours, we do want to emphasize the importance of public safety.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI