Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Monday, January 13, 2025.

We're starting off the week with some breaking news from the past few days. On Sunday, a tragic crash occurred in northeast El Paso, resulting in one fatality. The incident happened at the intersection of Gateway North and Sean Hagerty around 7 a.m. and involved three vehicles. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this incident.

In other news, the tech industry in El Paso is booming, with major players like Microsoft creating over 1,000 new positions. According to recent studies, the tech sector generated over $2.3 billion for the local economy, with salaries going through the roof. Full Stack Developers are leading the charge with a 27% projected job growth and median salaries hitting $92,000. Cybersecurity Engineers are also in high demand, earning around $125,000 annually. This growth is not only exciting for tech professionals but also for the local economy as a whole.

On the job market front, we're seeing a significant increase in hiring announcements and new job postings from top local employers. The Department of Information Technology Services just received a $26.5 million budget boost, creating even more opportunities. With the city's affordability and expanding infrastructure, El Paso is becoming a hub for tech startups and professionals alike.

In real estate news, median home prices are expected to reach $260,000 by the end of 2025, making El Paso still an affordable option for tech workers compared to other major tech hubs. There are also several new development projects and construction updates around the city, including the recent approval of a $1.7 million grant for street improvements in Socorro.

From city hall, we have some positive news for city employees. The city council recently approved an increase in the minimum wage paid by the city from $13.61 to $15.75 an hour, effective February 23. This is a significant milestone for the city's workforce and a direct result of strong leadership and collaboration.

Weather-wise, we're expecting a chilly day today with temperatures in the mid-50s. The cold temperatures have caused some disruptions, including school delays and cancellations on Friday. We urge everyone to stay warm and safe.

In new business activity, we're excited to announce the reopening of iFLY Indoor Skydiving in El Paso in 2025. This is a great addition to our city's entertainment options.

Looking ahead to the next few days, we have several community events lined up. The UTEP vs. NM State game sold out the Don Haskins Center for the first time in 9 years, and we're expecting a lively atmosphere at the "Battle of I-10."

In local school achievements, UTEP fans are celebrating the first sellout in 20 years for the Aggies matchup. We're proud of our local teams and their dedicated fans.

On a feel-good note, we'd like to highlight the recent Make-a-thon hosted by Fab Lab El Paso, which focused on accessibility innovation. It's great to see our community coming together to make a positive impact.

In today's crime report, we have a few incidents to mention. A vehicle fire injured 3 people and closed Gateway East near Trowbridge. Additionally, CBP officers seized 41.6 pounds of cocaine at the El Paso port and arrested a 21-year-old driver. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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