Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Thursday, June 12, 2025.

We start with breaking news downtown, where protestors once again gathered outside the Richard C. White Federal Building. Community members rallied against the latest ICE arrests following migrant court hearings. Many are concerned about swift deportations immediately after dismissal of court cases, a practice that’s drawing national attention. We’re seeing heightened police and National Guard presence today as Governor Abbott directs extra resources to ensure protests, both here and across the state, remain peaceful. The debate continues as local leaders and advocates raise concerns about due process and migrants’ willingness to attend future hearings.

Meanwhile, on the border near Sunland Park, military involvement has escalated. Troops are now detaining immigrants in a designated national defense zone, part of the new federal approach to border security. This is a significant development, and we’ll continue monitoring how this affects our border communities and daily crossings.

Now, let’s shift to the weather. The National Weather Service has issued a Weather Warn for El Paso and the entire Borderland today. We’re bracing for scorching heat, with temperatures soaring between 105 and 108 degrees. If you have outdoor plans or need to run errands, drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, and try to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours.

From City Hall, leaders are looking at new rules for how El Paso manages its rainy day reserve fund. With several major projects underway, including new police and fire stations, street repairs, and park improvements, council members are wrestling with whether to tap into these reserves to address budget challenges. The hot topic is whether using these funds should only be for emergencies like the deep freeze back in 2011. Some council members say the city may have to dip into reserves again this year to handle possible shortfalls.

On the crime front, a significant update from far East El Paso. Juan Del Valle Ferrer, an active-duty Fort Bliss soldier, was denied a request for bond reduction. Ferrer is accused of causing a deadly drunk driving crash at Rojas and Eastlake last November, which claimed the lives of teacher Dalia Olivas and her fiancé. The case continues, with a trial set for December. The families of the victims are calling for justice and have been present at every court hearing.

Switching to the business scene, Downtown El Paso’s ongoing revitalization gets a boost as the city finalizes the purchase of two buildings across from the convention center. This move supports future expansion plans, and city officials say it’s part of a broader push to energize both the business and cultural landscape.

Coming up this weekend, Music Under the Stars returns at Cohen Stadium with family-friendly concerts, and the El Paso Downtown Art and Farmers Market will be in full swing on Saturday morning. On the high school front, Socorro ISD’s robotics team just earned a top spot at the Texas State Championship, bringing pride to our local schools.

Finally, a feel-good story to start your day: West Side neighbors organized a water drive, delivering hundreds of bottles to shelters and cooling centers as temperatures spike. It’s a perfect reminder that when El Paso heats up, our community steps up.

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