Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Friday, January 17, 2025. We're starting off the day with a look at the latest road closures around the city. If you're planning on driving on I-10, be aware that there are alternating lane reductions between Vinton Road and Transmountain Road, as well as between Mesa Street and Redd Road, due to construction work on retaining walls and hauling dirt. Additionally, North Desert Boulevard will have a single lane open between Northern Pass Avenue and Trade Center Avenue for metal beam guard fence installation[1].

In other news, the city council has approved a minimum wage increase for city employees, raising it from $13.61 to $15.75 an hour, effective February 23. This change is expected to benefit many city workers and is seen as a significant step forward for the city's workforce[3].

Looking at the job market, El Paso has seen a slight increase in employment, with an annualized growth rate of 0.8 percent from August to November, adding about 700 jobs. The education and health services sectors have seen the largest gains, while government and manufacturing have experienced declines. The unemployment rate has edged up to 4.6 percent, slightly higher than the state and national averages[2].

In the realm of cybersecurity, El Paso is experiencing rapid growth, with a projected rate of 22 percent by 2024. Professionals in this field can expect average salaries of $112,199, with top earners making up to $168,226. The University of Texas at El Paso offers robust programs with an 85 percent job placement rate, positioning graduates well in the workforce[5].

Moving on to real estate, there are no major updates on notable property sales or new development projects. However, it's worth noting that the weekly median home prices and inventory levels remain stable.

From city hall, the recent decision to increase the minimum wage for city employees is a significant development that will impact many workers. Additionally, the city is continuing to work on various infrastructure projects, including the US-62 Rehabilitation Project and the North Mesa Street Lighting Improvement Project[1].

Weather-wise, today is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high of 58 degrees and a low of 34 degrees. There are no significant weather alerts for the day.

In new business activity, there are no major openings or closings to report. However, the city's cybersecurity sector is seeing significant growth, with major players like Microsoft investing in the area[5].

Upcoming community events include various activities at local parks and cultural centers. Be sure to check out the El Paso Museum of Art's latest exhibitions and the El Paso Zoo's weekend events.

In local school achievements, several schools have been recognized for their academic excellence and extracurricular activities. We'll have more on these stories in the coming days.

On a somber note, the city has seen its third traffic death of 2025, with a 31-year-old man dying in a crash at the intersection of Gateway North and Sean Haggerty. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the victim[4].

Finally, in today's crime report, there have been no significant incidents or arrests in the past 24 hours. However, the El Paso Police Department is still investigating the recent traffic fatality and urges all drivers to exercise caution on the roads.

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