Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Saturday, July 5th, 2025.

We hope everyone had a safe and joyful Independence Day. As we head into the weekend, city operations are bouncing back to their regular schedules after yesterday's holiday closures. Most city offices, libraries, museums, and recreation centers were closed for the Fourth, but garbage collection and animal services ran as usual, and our local spray parks stayed open for families to cool off. The Greater El Paso Landfill and collection stations are closed today in observance of the holiday weekend, so plan ahead if you need to drop off anything bulky.

Turning to our top story from City Hall, we saw unanimous action last week from the city council. Leaders rejected a ninety-three million dollar rate hike request by El Paso Electric, saving residents an average of twenty-two dollars a month. The decision underscores the city’s stance on protecting working families from sudden cost increases, but negotiations with the utility are ongoing. If no deal is reached in the coming weeks, the state utility commission could get involved, so we’ll keep watching for updates as summer demand stretches our power grid.

Weatherwise, it’s shaping up to be a classic El Paso summer day. We’re starting out with clear skies, and temperatures will climb to the upper eighties by late afternoon. If you’ve got outdoor plans, especially near the Franklin Mountains, be prepared for gusty afternoon winds that could stir up some dust. Otherwise, it’s a great day for the pool or a trip to the El Paso Zoo, which is open until five.

On the events front, the El Paso Tejano Music Festival is the big highlight today at Ascarate Park from two to eleven thirty. Local artists and headliner Ruben Ramos are taking the stage, and expect plenty of food trucks and dancing. If you’re more in the mood for a concert, Cool Canyon Nights continues this Thursday with a throwback rock show at McKelligon Canyon. Admission is free and perfect for families.

Home sales across El Paso remain strong, with average prices up about five percent compared to last summer. The legacy of downtown developer Stuart Meyers, who recently passed away, has been a topic of reflection, as his work has shaped the look of San Jacinto Plaza and several skyline landmarks.

For job seekers, new retail openings along Zaragoza and Mesa are adding about a hundred new positions this month, a promising sign for those reentering the workforce or seeking summer employment.

In sports, the El Paso Locomotive are gearing up for a Copa Tejas showdown against San Antonio, with kickoff at Southwest University Park tonight. Local schools are quiet for the summer, but Franklin High’s robotics team just placed third in the statewide competition, a great achievement for our students.

Turning to public safety, the sheriff’s office stepped up patrols at Red Sands to keep the holiday crowds safe. One notable arrest was reported on East Yandell, where a man faces charges for allegedly submitting false documents in a court case. No major incidents were reported overnight, and our first responders are urging everyone to stay safe as holiday celebrations continue into the weekend.

For a feel-good story, we’ll close with a shout-out to the volunteers at our city animal shelters, who worked extra hours yesterday to ensure every stray picked up during fireworks found a safe spot and a little comfort.

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