Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Monday, December 30, 2024.

We're starting the week with a look back at some major developments from the past few days. Renard Johnson was elected as El Paso's new mayor in the recent runoff election, marking a significant change in the city's leadership. Johnson will be sworn into office in January alongside the newly elected City Council members[3].

Moving on to the job market, El Paso has seen steady employment growth with a 1.6% increase over the past year, adding approximately 5,500 jobs. The mining, logging, and construction sector expanded by 4.1%, while education and health services grew by 2.7%. However, the unemployment rate has risen slightly to 4.5%, surpassing both the state and national averages. The average hourly wage stands at $22.07, marking a 4.7% decrease from the previous year[2].

In real estate news, the median home price in El Paso remains stable at around $260,879, reflecting a balanced real estate market. Housing inventory levels have also increased, providing favorable conditions for potential homebuyers.

From city hall, we have updates on decisions that affect daily life. The city is opening warming shelters around town for residents who need a safe and warm place during the winter season. Additionally, Sun Metro offered free rides on Christmas Day as a sign of appreciation towards customers.

Weather-wise, it's a chilly morning in El Paso, but we're expecting a sunny day ahead. If you're planning to attend any outdoor events, make sure to bundle up.

Speaking of events, there's a lot happening in the next few days. The first-ever midnight ball drop on New Year's Eve is being organized by Lotus, and it's definitely something to look forward to. Also, don't miss the final light show of the season at the Fred Loya El Paso Christmas Lights attraction, which concluded on Christmas Day but was a highlight of the holiday season[1][5].

In local school achievements, we don't have any specific updates today, but we'll keep you informed about any notable achievements or sports results in the coming days.

For a feel-good community story, an El Paso car club recently raised $60,000 for local cancer patients, showcasing the city's spirit of giving[5].

Moving on to the crime report, the El Paso Police Department has identified the 23-year-old man killed in a Northeast El Paso shooting as Jose Rufina Melendez. The police department is also increasing traffic enforcement during the holiday season after receiving a grant.

Finally, in business news, we don't have any major openings or closings to report today, but we'll keep you updated on any significant changes in the local business scene.

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