Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Sunday, December 8, 2024.
We're starting off the day with some breaking news from the past few days. El Paso Police are still searching for the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash on the 5300 block of North Loop, which tragically resulted in the death of a 64-year-old woman. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Moving on to the job market, we have some mixed news. According to the latest data from the Dallas Fed, El Paso employment increased by an annualized 3.9 percent from July through October, with professional and business services experiencing the largest gains. However, the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.5 percent in October, which is higher than both the state and national jobless rates. We'll continue to monitor these trends and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
In real estate news, businesses in Horizon City are growing frustrated with ongoing construction in the area, which has impacted sales for some. We understand the importance of infrastructure development, but we also recognize the challenges it poses for local businesses. We'll keep an eye on this situation and provide updates as necessary.
From City Hall, early voting for the runoff elections in El Paso County is underway and will continue until December 10. The mayoral runoff pits businessman Renard Johnson against city Rep. Brian Kennedy, while five city representative seats are also on the ballot. We encourage all eligible voters to make their voices heard in this important election.
Weather-wise, today is expected to be sunny with a high of 64 degrees, making it a perfect day to get out and enjoy some of the holiday events happening around the city. Speaking of which, the Market at WinterFest is inviting the community to shop local, and many small businesses are offering special deals and discounts. This is a great opportunity to support our local economy and find unique gifts for loved ones.
In new business activity, Albertsons in Horizon City recently celebrated its opening with gift cards and $100,000 in grants. We welcome this new addition to our community and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have.
Looking ahead to the next few days, we have several community events worth mentioning. Texas Tech Health El Paso is hosting a campus lighting event to kick off the holiday season, and the City of El Paso is encouraging residents to shop at local businesses as part of Buy El Paso Day.
In local school news, some Las Cruces students may attend a different school next year due to changes in the Las Cruces Public School District. We'll provide more information on this as it becomes available.
On a lighter note, UTEP volleyball's historic run has sparked hope for an even brighter future, despite their recent loss. We're proud of our local athletes and wish them continued success.
In today's crime report, El Paso Police are seeking the driver involved in the aforementioned hit-and-run crash, and we urge anyone with information to come forward. Additionally, the El Paso Police Department has released its 'Most Wanted' list for December 8.
Finally, in a feel-good community story, El Paso's foster children will receive Christmas gifts through a community holiday campaign. We're grateful for the kindness and generosity of our community members who make initiatives like this possible.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
