by Carina Cione, Deziree Jackson, Abby Ferdinando, Jhamiel Prince, Sarah McCarthy, Ernesto Castañeda, and Emma Vetter The coronavirus pandemic has been racialized since its emergence in the United States with some leading political figures, including the President, referring to it as the “Chinese virus.” The conversation thus far has primarily focused on African Americans, and… Read More Health Disparities and the Coronavirus and Why This Matters for El Pasoans

By Cheryl Howard, Ph.D. There is a city that doesn’t love itself. To be clear, there are many ardent residents who do love the city, and many who are homesick from afar.  It is a city full of potential, but many talented people have left it because they see no opportunity for themselves here, or… Read More THERE IS A CITY

Writer and author Debbie Nathan has published an incredible piece of history on how former City Manager Joyce Wilson engineered the creation of the arena in the Quality of Life Bond Projects. Nathan first posted her article on Chucopedia and after wide interest she posted it on her Medium account. This important piece of history… Read More Card Tricks: How El Paso’s 2012 “Quality of Life” Bond Election Got Riddled With Flimflam

By Rogelio Sáenz, Professor, Department of Demography, University of Texas at San Antonio Below you will find the link to my latest monthly blog which I write for the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB).  The analysis examines employment loss among Latinos throughout the country. The analysis shows that the pandemic has really… Read More Latino Job Loss in the Last Few Months of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Last week, the Texas Democratic Party held elections for several offices in the runup to the November national elections. Because of Covid-19 concerns, the convention and the votes were held virtually. El Paso, which is in SD 29, elected several party stalwarts. Among several known candidates was Jaime Abeytia, a party operative with a criminal… Read More Texas Democrat Convention Election Results

Memorial Day is the day that we stop, just for a moment, and honor those men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice for us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today and to remember those that have passed during the past year. This Memorial Day will be a quiet day of remembrances… Read More A quiet Memorial Day 2020

The orgins of Memorial Day orginally began as Decoration Day on May 30th 1868 in remembrance of Civil War Soldiers. Over the years it became a National Holiday to remember our service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives. In El Paso, much like other parts of the country there will… Read More Memorial Day El Paso

So, sitting in my recliner this morning with my coffee and my orange for breakfast, followed by a bowl of Honey Nut Bunches of Oats with pieces of fresh strawberries and milk, I started to wax nostalgia over the breakfasts that I have had in my lifetime. Now THAT was a snake sentence for the… Read More Waxing Nostalgic for Breakfasts that I have known

Immigrants are a drain on the American economy, they say. We seek America for benefits. We are takers and give nothing back. That is what the anti-immigrants say. That is what the anti-immigrants want you to believe. Never mind that immigrants have made America great for generations. Immigrants have have proven this repeatedly, but today… Read More Immigrants Are A Drain on The American Economy, So They Say

I was born and raised in my beloved hometown of El Paso, Texas. I am the fourth oldest of five children. When I was 17-Months-Old, I had a seizure that put me in a four-hour coma. As a result of that trauma, growing up was not easy for me. I was different from other kids… Read More Meet Candidate Shawn Nixon: I’m Running to Be Your Next District 4 Representative

In an article titled: “La pandemia sigue el rastro de la desigualdad en México,” El Pais describes how Covid-19 is affecting workers Mexican workers. The article states Covid-19 crossed over from the United States but it doesn’t mention how other countries contributed to the spread of the virus. https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020-05-19/la-pandemia-sigue-el-rastro-de-la-desigualdad-en-mexico.html?fbclid=IwAR1_IjD4vkGSAJ95FHu5l3NLKGC5mK4GmrDbWnfch9laLbU-XZkfd65JRkk

There is an ongoing debate on whether mandatory lock downs are hurting the economy, or they are not. Part of those who are advocating for their right to remain open support the idea that Americans are a free people and that government should not interfere with their basic rights. The problem with this thinking is… Read More June is The Pivot Point

Happy Tuesday!  I hope this email finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of ICON Custom Home Builder, and want to share some great news! ICON Custom Homes is giving away another home to a deserving El Paso family in need and we need your help to get the word out to families in our… Read More Press Release: Brand New, $200,000 El Paso Home to Be Given Away in June

By Verónica Carbajal Beginning in March, a number of orders were passed to protect tenants from becoming homeless during the pandemic.  Some of those orders have expired.  Below is an explanation of the eviction process during the pandemic. Evictions Self-help evictions are not allowed in Texas, even if you only have a verbal agreement to… Read More Evictions: What happens if you have not been able to pay your rent during the pandemic? (Updated)

By Roberto José Andrade Franco   My uncle made a mess of himself while trying to live clean. It wasn’t the first time that week he’d made a mess and it was far from the first time in his life he had tried to get clean. On that day, he immediately jumped in the shower.… Read More Eulogy for my Uncle

Most high school students study the works of Edgar Allan Poe in their Junior English class.  Macabre tales like “The Cask of Amontillado” and poems like “The Raven” are well known Poe writings that are essential readings in American literature. There are, however, some lesser known short stories by Poe that are worth looking up because… Read More Political Revenge

By Dr. Miguel Juárez Both Governor Greg Abbott and Filmmaker Charlie Minn seem to think that we will all be going back to our previous lives by October 2020.  In Minn’s case, he seems to think that we will be able to attend his week-long October 9th film screening on the Walmart shooting at Premiere… Read More A Compelling Dialogue on Charlie Minn’s New Film on the Walmart August 3rd Massacre: “915”

By Miguel Juárez contesting emotions the haze of uncertainty dogs run free against blue sky measured steps, chosen words she cried unknown tears said because it wasn’t love but some intense passion dogs run free against blue sky expectations in the dance like an insect caught in sweet amber the harder he tries to break… Read More strange days, these are

Like so many others I am recording this period in our history. Hopefully our great grand-children will learn from this, appreciate our efforts to cope during a worldwide pandemic. As a Registered Nurse I actually worked 12 hour shifts at a Veterans Home during an epidemic of Norovirus. It’s not a killer but it can… Read More Pandemic Notes

Even in the Absence of Proximity-my review of Looking Up the Down Spout by Christina Quinn   Looking Up the Down Spout by Christina Quinn Poetic Justice Books & Art (Port Saint Lucie, FL) Christina Quinn is a visual artist and poet, born and reared in England, who has lived many years in the Coachella Valley… Read More My Red Fez review of Christina Quinn’s Looking Up the Down Spout

On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the El Paso Community College District hosted a Town Hall with President Dr. William Serrata which focused on how the district has responded to teaching and learning during this Covid-19 Pandemic.  The one-hour and seven-minute town hall can be seen in its entirety at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUxnlDH4DPc For further information contact James… Read More El Paso Community College District, Dr. William Serrata’s Virtual Town Hall & A Conversation with the Cabinet, May 13, 2020

About two weeks ago during a Virtual City Council a few words fell out of City Council Representative Henry Rivera mouth berating El Pasoan Sito Negron. Im not gonna go over what was said it’s been spread all over hells half acre anyway. Sito Negron who happens to be a part of State Senator Rodriguez… Read More WHAT DA F*CK

The following article written several years ago, offers a vignette of one of the most important art collectors of our time in El Paso, Texas.  El Pasoans will now have to visit Austin to see a collection we lost because of unfortunate decisions by city leaders. By Miguel Juárez Collecting is a disease you’re born… Read More Juan Sandoval: A Passion for Collecting

“Words Matter” – that will be the title of my new WordPress page when I get it up and running. Who am I, you might ask? Well, that is a legitimate question and deserves a legitimate answer. However, comma, having spent more than seven decades trying to be “me” and define exactly who I am,… Read More As a matter of Introductions

UNM Newsroom, May 11, 2020 University of New Mexico Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Holloway has named Robert Alexander González as dean of the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) effective July 1, 2020. “I am excited to bring Robert González to UNM as our next dean of Architecture and Planning. … Read More Media Release: Robert Alexander González named dean of UNM’s School of Architecture and Planning

MEDIA RELEASE, MAY 10, 2020 Contact: Hannah Hollandbyrd, hhollandbyrd@hopeborder.org El Paso advocates, community organizations form coalition and request urgent support from City, County to provide critical relief to those impacted by COVID-19 crisis EL PASO, TX – A coalition of service organizations and community advocates are asking City and County leaders in El Paso to… Read More Media Release: El Paso advocates, community organizations form coalition and request urgent support from City, County to provide critical relief to those impacted by COVID-19 crisis

The national unemployment rate stands officially at 14.7% according to the numbers released by the Labor Department for April 2020. That number both shows an unprecedented economic devastation because it shows the worst job losses in such a short time in recorded history and it also shows that the 14.7% is the worst percentage of… Read More El Paso Unemployment Numbers For April Amid Covid-19: An Economic Catastrophe in the Making

By Miguel Juárez In October 2012, I attended the Sixth Biennial Urban History Association Conference at Columbia University in New York City.  I was scheduled to return on a Sunday, October 28th at 5:50 p.m.  I wanted to get to the airport early, so I arrived at La Guardia at 3 p.m.  When I got… Read More A Memory/In Memory: At the Sixth Biennial Urban History Association Conference at Columbia University Before Hurricane Sandy Hit the City

Vince Perez Has Been Cited By The El Paso Police 18 Times For Driving Violations by Max Grossman County Commissioner Vince Perez of Precinct 3, who is fighting against Iliana Holguin to hold on to his seat, has apparently been fighting another ongoing battle: to keep his driver license. Incredibly, Mr. Perez has been cited… Read More Vince Perez Has Been Cited By The El Paso Police 18 Times For Driving Violations

Setu is a bilingual Hindi-English journal published out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I’m thankful to Setu and to Scott Thomas Outlar, it’s guest editor for the Western Voices issue, for publishing two poems written in collaboration with Lee Ballentine as well as a poem each from us both. My poems in Setu Western Voices issue 2020… Read More Poetry by Donna Snyder and Lee Ballentine published in Setu Western Voices issue 2020

But for COVID-19, today, Americans normally gather far and wide at neighborhood bars, backyard barbeques and all points in between to celebrate an important Mexican holiday – well, kinda. The date does indeed have historical relevance in México (more on that later) but the reason it’s become the iconic U.S. celebration of all things Mexican… Read More How A Beer Made A Holiday

https://donnajosnyderpoet.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/repost-from-a-few-years-back-person-donna-snyder-three-poems/ Here is one of the poems published by isacoustic in their online magazine and annual anthology.   Rabbit in the moon Rabbit looks down sees barren land, water infrequent. The sun’s biting caress a death blow. A cold too vicious to survive without cariño. Ixchel sent me a lover but chastity had already claimed… Read More Three poems by Donna Snyder in isacoustic journal and anthology

In the following video Disability Advocate George Zavala interviews Monica Alfaro from La Familia Del Paso, a community health organization in El Paso, Texas. George states: “During this time of uncertainty, it’s important to talk about mental health and the resources available in the community.” He added, “La Familia Del Paso has been serving the… Read More “Interview with Monica Alfaro from La Familia Del Paso,” by George Zavala

There are several public discussions concerning whether the country should open for business. The debate centers on the dangers of COVID-19 and whether or not people will be safe and not create spikes in cases. El Paso is also having the same debate. The competing issues are the number of unemployed persons versus the COVID-19… Read More By the Numbers: COVID-19 and Unemployment for El Paso

Now and then we will upload material that future contributors or readers have sent us. The goal is for contributors to post their content but I am open to uploading for them on a case-by-case basis. I asked Chuck Taylor if he could share some of his El Paso stories. Taylor is a prolific writer… Read More How I Lost My Teaching Job by Chuck Taylor

We have to remember that the labor movement in Mexico is bigger than any one politician, whether U.S. or Mexican. The Lexmark workers plight has ignited a labor struggle that is 50 years old, ever since NAFTA was signed into law. The Mexican workers are sick and tired of being exploited and paid starvation wages… Read More Stories from the history vault (January 29, 2016)

From: Paul Foster Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 11:41 AM To: Dee Margo <mayor@elpasotexas.gov>; Peter Svarzbein <district1@elpasotexas.gov>; district2@elpasotexas.gov; Cassandra Hernandez <district3@elpasotexas.gov>; Sam Morgan <district4@elpasotexas.gov>; Isabel Salcido <district5@elpasotexas.gov>; distrist6@elpasotexas.gov; Henry Rivera <district7@elpasotexas.gov>; Cissy Lizarraga <district8@elpasotexas.gov> Cc: Tommy Gonzalez <gtgonzalez44@gmail.com> Subject: Thank you for Defending the Citizens of El Paso Mayor and Council, I just wanted to… Read More Paul Foster’s letter to the Mayor and City Council thanking them for voting against agenda item 19.1, which would have suspended the “Arena” and Cultural Heritage Center for budgetary reasons

Alice Leora Briggs was recently awarded a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship for her work in the visual arts. See: www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/alice-leora-briggs/ You can see her work at aliceleorabriggs.com. Her publications include: Dreamland: The Way Out of Juárez, an illuminated manuscript-police blotter with writer Charles Bowden, and The Room, a suite of twelve chine collé woodcuts with poet Mark Strand.

By Miguel Juárez The late Felipe Adame painted his first murals in El Paso in the early 1980s.  Felipe was born on August 23, 1942.  He considered his murals “as a means to preserve the culture, to retain a heritage, and to value the community organized effort behind a work of art.”   Adame was a… Read More Remembering the late Artist Felipe Adame, QDEP

In recent days, American taxpayers have begun to receive IRS notices in their mail boxes. The IRS letter, labeled “Notice 1444 (EN-SP)” is an official notice from the IRS. However, inside the IRS envelope is a letter on White House letterhead. The IRS letter is one-page, printed on both sides. The letter notifies the recipient… Read More American Taxpayers Receiving IRS Letters About Stimulus Checks

“The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve the autonomy and individuality of his existence in the face of overwhelming social forces, of historical heritage, of external culture, and of the technique of life.”  Georg Simmel As it started to dawn on me that the Corona Virus was… Read More Dispatches to El Paso from the Boston Surge: Early Days.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has revealed how corporate influence on our education system has sorely failed our students. Rather than relying on the expertise of educators, who best know the individual needs of our students, district administrators have been scrambling to replace their experimental technology initiatives which have little pedagogical value. (Prior to the outbreak, our… Read More Opinion Editorial: “Parents, students, and teachers must be included in the design of a post-pandemic education system,” by Xavier Miranda

Technology Fiascos and Your Stimulus Check There are countless stories in social media today from individuals complaining about not having received their stimulus checks. In addition to the general confusion over who is or who is not qualified to receive the stimulus payments, there is also the question of lack of information from the Internal… Read More Technology Fiascos and Your Stimulus Check

By Miguel Juárez On April 16th, after I checked the IRS website for the umpteenth time and got the same message “Payment Status Not Available,” I decided to create a Facebook group called “Payment Status Not Available.” The group responds to the shared misery of our federal government’s inability to issue stimulus checks in a… Read More “Payment Status Not Available” – When will I get my Stimulus check?

As the world faces the COVID-19 Pandemic, the United States and many other countries around the world have asked their populations to practice social distancing in order to mitigate the fast spread of the disease. Only those deemed as performing essential jobs can work, but others have been asked to stay home and stop working.… Read More Opinion editorial: Why undocumented Immigrants MUST also receive economic and health assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, by Nadia Y. Flores-Yeffal, Ph.D.

Reprinted. First published in Mujeres Talk, (2014), and in the Women in Library history blog (2019). By Miguel Juárez These days we take e-mail and electronic lists for granted, but imagine a world where there is no e-mail or exchange of information like we have now?  That was the world for Humanities Librarian María Teresa… Read More María Teresa Márquez and CHICLE: The First Chicana/o Electronic Mailing List

The maquiladora industry throughout the north of the country did not respect the national health emergency decree intended to prevent Covid 19 infections in Mexico, also, faced with the threat of being fired, workers are forced to continue working, making it clear that failure to do so will mean your wages will not be paid.… Read More “THE MAQUILADORAS, THE ROAD TO DEATH” By attorney SUSANA PRIETO TERRAZAS

La industria maquiladora en todo el norte del país, no respetó el decreto de emergencia sanitaria nacional para prevenir los contagios por Covid 19, en México, y además, ante la amenaza del despido, está obligando a sus trabajadores a continuar laborando, resaltándoles que de no hacerlo, omitirá el depósito de sus salarios. Los pocos obreros… Read More “LAS MAQUILADORAS, EL CAMINO A LA MUERTE,” por/by Attorney Susana Prieto Terrazas on maquiladora workers during the covid-19 pandemic (in spanish)

Last week I traveled to the east gate of Scenic Drive anticipating there would be signage indicating the road had been closed.  Like other parks, Scenic Drive was to be closed due to the Corona Virus.  There was a “Road Closed” sign, but it was definitely being ignored.  In the 10 to 15 minutes I… Read More Scenic Traffic

By Miguel Juárez Since early April Attorney Susana Prieto Terrazas recorded videos social media and YouTube for on the ground reports of the situation of Mexican maquiladoras. Workers are forced to work by mostly American-owned companies in spite of the National Health Emergency decree which calls for suspension of work due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.… Read More Attorney Susana Prieto Terrazas’ historic reports on COVID-19 and maquiladora workers (videos in Spanish)

The Community First Coalition El Paso, has created a petition to terminate “The El Paso Sports Arena Project.” In the petition, the organization writes: “In response to the worst health and economic crisis in El Paso’s history, the City has implemented austerity measures, but the costliest tax-funded project—the proposed sports arena—has not yet been eliminated.”… Read More Online petition: “TERMINATE THE EL PASO SPORTS ARENA PROJECT”

Seven years ago today, the City of El Paso continued its revitalization plans for downtown El Paso by making way for the ballpark. The ballpark was the cornerstone of the attempt by city leaders to create an arena at the location of an Hispanic community known as Duranguito. To make room for the arena, that… Read More Seven Years Ago Today, El Paso Demolished Its City Hall

  Poesía durante el confinamiento por Covid-19 por Xánath Caraza, translations by Sandra Kingery       Sandra Kingery is Professor of Spanish at Lycoming College (Williamsport, PA).  Kingery has published translations of two books by Ana María Moix, as well as a translation of René Vázquez Díaz and Daniel Innerarity; and a number of books for Xánath… Read More Poesía durante el confinamiento por Covid-19 por Xánath Caraza translations by Sandra Kingery

Source: Anonymous Whistleblower: April 13, 2020 City Team Members:  As we are all aware, the current COVID-19 health crisis is causing negative economic and financial impacts for every City and State across the nation. Although, we have strengthened our financial position over the years, we are not immune to this crisis. As a nimble and… Read More El Paso, TX City budget hemorrhaging – city had projected a $6 million surplus for fy2020 (ending Sept. 1), City projecting a $26M deficit. City manager states “Nothing will be open this summer, possible layoffs and furloughs.”

By Miguel Juárez On Monday, April 13 at 9:05am, there was a Special City Council Meeting with six agenda items. Item 6 on the Agenda reads as follows: “Discussion on renovating the Abraham Chavez Theater and/or the civic center with funds authorized by the ‘Museum, Cultural, Performing Arts, and Library Facilities’ ballot proposition of the 2012… Read More Let’s do this right El Paso!

The following article written by Mark Pumphrey, originally ran in El Paso Porkfest on Facebook. Before his retirement, Pumphrey was Director of Libraries for the City of El Paso.  The article has been edited for length.  Posted with permission of the author . El Paso News Team Part One: The new Mexican American Cultural Center… Read More TRACEY JEROME AND THE DEBACLE THAT IS THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER [MACC] By Mark Pumphrey, former Director of Libraries for the City of El Paso

By Miguel Juárez Our lives have been disrupted beyond belief! We’re tired of watching NetFlix, Showtime, YouTube, etc! Facebook is no better. How are you holding up during this odd, crazy time? What are you thinking? How are you staying busy? What are you doing to entertain or educate your kids? We cannot wait until… Read More How are you holding UP?

Throughout my Life it has ran on some type of Schedule. I was fortunate enough to have my parents who were children during the Great Depression and went thru the ration cards of World War II. We were a fairly large family of nine 6 sisters and 3 brothers. I fondly remember my Mother’s day… Read More Calm during CHAOS

Remembering the late Jaime O. Perez. By Miguel Juárez Jaime was an Author/Writer Jaime was the author of Traditional Ceremonial Pathways: A Pilgrim’s Journey (2003, Sun Circle Press) and was the translator for Tzol Ek: Mayan Astrology (1991, Communidad Indigena Maya). He was fluent (reading and writing) in Spanish and English. On January 26, 2017,… Read More Eulogy: Things You Didn’t Know About Jaime O. Perez, 1954–2017, QDEP

To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States. https://www.artistrelief.org/

Esteemed community officials and media: Thank you for your decisive action and continued service as the city and county address health needs related to COVID-19. People with disabilities are considered by the CDC to be at a higher risk from the virus and we ask that the presentation of information always includes these elements to… Read More PRESS RELEASE–FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!! Open Letter to City & County Officials, Public Health Officials and the Mass Media April 9, 2020

Due to allergies and a respiratory infection, my social distancing began last month on March 12, (a little before the City of El Paso issued its order to stay at home,) with only a few brief excursions to the pharmacy, the veterinary E.R., and to pick up food.  During this period I have suffered nightly… Read More How I Spent my Pandemic Vacation

“She had a thing about ants.  You didn’t mess with the black ants.  “Deja esas hormigas, limpian el mundo, no estes fregando con ellas” (leave the black ants alone, don’t bother them, they are the cleaners of the earth)—veras cabrones (you will see bastards) she didn’t do that with me.  My uncles at the time… Read More “La Grande: she was always putting things in my mind, being graceful, moving in and out of things and at the same time, being forward and honest about who you were,” by Alfred J. Quiroz

By Miguel Juárez Josué Esquivel, a reporter for Telemundo 48 Noticias 60 in San Antonio, Texas, conducted a Facebook Live session on Wednesday, April 7th where he interviewed a nurse in Cd. Juárez on the COVID-19 Pandemic. His video received 22,807 views.  Esquivel stated the numbers of sick differ from the numbers being reported by… Read More COVID-19 in Cd. Juárez: Official Numbers Do Not ADD UP FROM THOSE REPORTED ON THE FRONT LINES

By Miguel Juárez In the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mexican government, health and health authorities at the local level have not only engaged in hiding information from workers, but since many of these companies have been deemed as “essential,” they have placed the life and health of thousands of workers at risk. Since last… Read More COVID-19 in CD Juarez, MX

By Dr. Miguel Juárez On March 1st I ran into former El Paso Times Editor Bob Moore at a Press Conference at L&J’s Cafe in Central El Paso. I have known Bob for many years. I went up to him and asked him if he planned to include art and culture in his publication El… Read More Why El Paso News?

By Miguel Juárez Mexican labor lawyer Susana Prieto Terrazas took to social media last week to inform maquiladora workers in Cd. Juárez to stay home and not take the bonuses that many companies are offering to workers so they can continue working. In her pleas to workers she tells them that only if they go… Read More Maquiladoras offering bonuses to workers to remain on the job during the Covid-19 Pandemic

By Miguel Juárez With so much uncertainness today, we will be retooling and rebooting El Paso News to reflect who we are. You will hear from people who you don’t ordinarily get to hear voice their concerns as they speak for themselves and their communities. I have taken over as Editor and will be inviting… Read More Welcome to the reboot of El Paso News – think globally, act locally.

Hello all! My hope is that all of you are weathering the current global crisis healthy and with loved ones. I have decided to step back from the El Paso News as I have too much on my plate. But, the El Paso News is here to stay! Miguel Juárez, PhD. has graciously accepted assuming… Read More El Paso News Is ReBooting!

Review of Metztli at la bloga Metztli Edición bilingüe by Xánath Caraza (Capitulo Siete; Coacalco de Berriozábal, Estado de México, 2018) Translation by Sandra Kingery and Kaitlyn Hipple Review by Donna Snyder In Aztec mythology, “Metztli” is a god or goddess of the moon. Gender is fluid. In some traditions, Metztli fears the Sun’s fire, in… Read More My review of Xánath Caraza’s Metztli, as published in la bloga

Bernie Sanders was in El Paso this past weekend trying to rally further support for his nomination for the Democrat ticket. Like El Paso, Sanders talks about supporting the immigration plight when looking for votes. But when it mattered, Bernie Sanders voted against immigration reform. In 2007, a Republican president, George W. Bush, signaled to… Read More Bernie Sanders Is Not A Friend to Immigrants

There continues to be this false notion that El Paso is immigrant friendly. It is not. As readers may know, Donald Trump has tasked the Border Patrol to deport as many undocumented immigrants as quickly as possible. Trump has also declared war on “sanctuary cities.” Guess which city is not targeted by Trump? That would… Read More El Paso Is Not Immigrant Friendly

The El Paso News is committed to freedom of expression.  Such venues as this blog are more important today than they were just a few years ago, as social networking platforms become more censorious than a small town’s watchdogs on the contents of libraries.   Around 3:00 am, a fit of insomnia had me hanging… Read More Degenerate Art in the Time of Facebook

American history usually glosses over many historical details especially when it does not fit the Anglo-centric worldview of what is real. The issue of Duranguito and the ongoing de-Mexicanization of El Paso is not new. Rather it has been ongoing since Texas revolted from México. Most El Paso residents do not know, or have forgotten… Read More How El Paso Became The County Seat & Ft. Bliss Was Reopened

As readers may have noted, former El Paso Times editor, Robert Moore launched his El Paso Matters news site on Monday. Moore has been raising money for his venture since about April of 2019 through the El Paso Community Foundation. The business model that Moore is using is based on the idea that rather than… Read More El Paso Matters and Why The Money Matters

On Sunday May 12, 2019 I was honored to present these two poems at the El Paso Mother’s Day Rally to End Family Separation and Child Detention.  Donna Snyder Tornillo Life is short for children detained in cages. Just like livestock was one ill-considered defense. Children housed in tents under a fierce desert sun, small… Read More Two poems on child detention at the Border and la cultura fronteriza

Medusa on BigTree, MoonCourt, Blue Mountains – Photo by Glenys Livingstone Medusa is my avatar Her moon mouth opened in a scream, whether in agony or passion is hard to discern. The stone face is pocked with marks caused by the process of becoming. Brows writhe in rhythm with the mass of unbrushed hair. This… Read More Medusa Is My Avatar

Donna Snyder was recently invited to be a contributor to the El Paso News.  She founded the Tumblewords Project in 1995 and continues to organize its free weekly workshops and other literary events in the borderlands around El Paso, Texas. Snyder formerly worked as an activist attorney representing indigenous people, people with disabilities, and immigrant workers,… Read More Donna Snyder joins El Paso News

Who Rules El Paso? has recently been making the rounds through social media as the primer on El Paso political power, namely arguing that money buys control of the city. Unfortunately, the book glosses over many important details, leaves many out and offers little to no concrete facts from which to prove their central thesis.… Read More A Critical Review of Who Rules El Paso?

Last Saturday I attended a meeting at the Veterans One Stop Shop where a group of Veterans met to discuss a Survey Assessing the needs of the El Paso Veterans. El Paso City/County partnered with Combined Arms Houston, UT Austin and Endeavors Cohen Family Clinic created this survey which went live February 5th. Myself and… Read More El Paso Veterans Needs Assessment

Earlier this month we sent out a request to local Democrat candidates running in contested races for the upcoming March 3 election to respond to a set of questions we posed to them for our voter guide. (link) We asked the candidates to respond no later than February 9, 2020. We identified 36 local Democrat… Read More El Paso News March 3 2020 Voter Guide Is Here

–Breaking News– The United States Senate voted today on the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. The vote on the two articles of impeachment went along party lines. On Article One, Abuse of Power, 52 Republicans voted “not guilty”. One Republican, Mitt Romney, voted “guilty,” along with 48 Democrats and Independents. On Article Two, Obstruction, 53… Read More U.S. Senate Votes On Impeachment of Donald J. Trump

Impunity is when the judicial system breaks down. The legal system can break down in several ways. It can simply cease to exist. Its foundation becomes corrupted, Or, like in El Paso it becomes corrupt by simply allowing two legal systems to exist. One system incarcerates the poor while the other system coddles the well-connected.… Read More El Paso Is Lawless

In our continued effort to inform El Paso voters, the El Paso News is compiling a Voters Guide for the March 3 election. Yesterday, I sent 48 candidates a questionnaire asking them to submit their answers by the end of the day on Monday, February 3, 2020. We will use their answers to compile a… Read More The El Paso News Voter Guide 2020

Okay so here’s my opinion on the great “El Paso Blue.” El Paso has been Blue for decades upon decades. Personally when any party reins for a substantial amount of time it’s like “Groundhog Day” different faces same ol’, same ol’. I prefer individuals with well founded platforms and actual substance to themselves. Not puppets… Read More The El Paso Blue

Every author in the El Paso News has their reasons for writing. My fundamental reason is the lack of Latino voices, especially Mexican ones. Do not get me wrong, there are plenty of Mexican authors producing excellent works. Unfortunately many are in Spanish leaving a large segment of readers out. The most important place where… Read More The Missing Latino Voice

By Miguel Juárez In August 2019, Adan Griego, our colleague from the Stanford University Library who is originally from El Paso, sent a few of us an e-mail suggesting we archive news materials from the August 3, 2019 Walmart Shooting.  Unfortunately, the “El Paso Mass Shooting Archive,” joins other mass shootings which have occurred which… Read More The El Paso Mass Shooting Archive, August 3, 2019

El Paso over the years continually “whifs” over a potential lucrative business opportunity. There is a Veterans Organization that invites the Korean Consulate General from Houston to attend their Memorial Service at every anniversary date of the Korean War. At the time I happened to be a part of this great organization, which isn’t limited… Read More El Paso & Opportunity Lost

Over the past three years I’ve visited Mckelligon Canyon as a form of physical training. Mckelligon Canyon being 5.75 miles long from Alabama to the top and back down. On certain days or physical training days for Ft. Bliss personell, EPPD, EP Fire Dept, and Border Patrol, Mckelligon Canyon can be overwhelmed with vehicles and… Read More Mckelligon Canyon the next Mass Casualty

Being Comfortable in my own Skin My last writing was my journey up to weight loss surgery and small accomplishments. After being released from the hospital the patient begins a three phase diet that leads up to regular food. We are required to go through a three stage diet leading up to solid food. 2… Read More KILLINGTHEGATGUY PART DOS

A few minutes ago, Donald J. Trump filed a 171-page “Trial Memorandum” as his official response to the charges levied on him by the House of Representatives. Donald Trump’s impeachment response document can be downloaded by clicking on this link. Remember that to read the full document, you must click the “download” button at the… Read More Donald Trump Files 171-page Response to Impeachment

Many people and many countries use the terms “citizen” and “national” interchangeably. However, United States law treats them differently. The use of “national” came about in the United States when the country was looking to see how to address new populations that came with new acquired lands. Mainly, the issue of how to address citizenship… Read More U.S. Citizen vs. U.S. National

Most people in and around El Paso who haven’t seen me lately, I’ve had a bit of a “transformation”. In October 2017 during my regular scheduled VA visit I was greeted with my bloodwork and prescriptions over a period of time after the usual vitals and dreaded date with the scale, which read 380 pounds.… Read More KILLINGTHEFATGUY

I’ve been watching a particular race Congressional District 16 GOP side of the house for a change and I find it rather amusing for starters We have two Candidates that continally goad and bait each other into action. One in particular Anthony, former Democrat turned RHINO and Samuel Williams former Independent turned Republican. I got… Read More El Paso and The GOP District 16 Comedy

The United States Government Accountability Report (GAO) issued a report a few minutes ago stating that the Trump Administration violated the law in withholding Congressional appropriated funds to the Ukraine. The GAO is a non-partisan government investigative watchdog. The report said U.S. law “does not permit the president to substitute his own policy priorities for… Read More U.S. GAO Rules Trump Broke Law

By Miguel Juárez “El Paso Strong,” a term borrowed from the “Boston Strong” campaign has various meanings and interpretations.  The term has become a mantra for the city and its people.  For this article, several people were asked to tell us what “El Paso Strong” means to them and this is what they said: According… Read More What Does “El Paso Strong” Mean To You?

Press Notice: February 2, 2020 Launch of 50-Year Cycle  For Immediate Release Contact: Armando Rendón                2020MeXicano2070@gmail.com MeXicanos 2070 Webinar on Feb. 2, 2020 Will Launch 50-Year Project to Preserve and Advance Mexican American Culture A 50-year cycle of teaching and organizing to promote Mexican American culture will be launched February 2, 2020, in a… Read More Webinar: 50-Year Project to Preserve and Advance Mexican Culture

Welcome to the El Paso News, the place where all voices are heard. We are on a mission to bring a voice to everyone. El Paso News is about you. You create the news. You share your perspective to all readers. Why do this? Because it empowers you. Because it benefits your neighbors. Your posts… Read More Hola and Welcome!