Good morning, El Paso.

A 6-year-old sparked El Paso's annual Cozy Item Drive in support of the homeless, with donations of blankets+pillows+coats now collected at the Rescue Mission on North Lee St. The drive accepts contributions through the holiday season.

Residents in El Paso share humorous stories about a persistent empanada vendor (an unofficial parking lot mascot) who appears unpredictably at local spots like Circle K and Walmart.

Locals recall her friendly compliments and surprise sales tactics as memorable encounters.

A 68-year-old nursing home resident needs donations for repairs on her home so she can get on the kidney transplant list; her son works with the Area Agency on Aging & Paso del Norte Community Foundation to raise funds.

More than 600 participants joined the inaugural run at San Jacinto Plaza on Dec.

7. Bradley Makuvire and Tadiwa Mabvuka led the race that served as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit newsroom and celebrated the region’s 915 identity with a post-race celebration featuring DJ Jason Craig & sponsor booths.

Small business owners in El Paso and neighboring areas of Dona Ana and Lincoln counties can apply for SBA disaster loans offering up to $2 million with terms up to 30 years if hit by a natural disaster.

Applications close on April 22 for businesses and December 15 for New Mexico homeowners and nonprofits.

El Paso’s Indigenous-owned Aghaa' Hat Co. reopens in a shipping container as owner Cynthia Guiterrez-Krapp, now cancer free since Oct.

6, announces a lineup of handmade hats and beadwork workshops celebrating ancestral traditions—events will be held at local spots like Wine Down and Steady Pace Coffee.

A UTEP study presented on Dec.

1 revealed that 35% of local residents faced food insecurity, costing the county over $745 million and impacting around 300,000 people. The report urged local officials to boost efforts to tackle poverty *a critical community issue*.

Over 300 elementary students showed their math skills at the 6th annual Sun City Math Contest — the largest event hosted by Harmony Public Schools to date.

They rotated through timed rounds that challenged their math abilities and built critical-thinking skills.

Travelers at El Paso International Airport will face a $45 fee if they do not have a Real ID starting February 2026, and families may be charged extra on trips that exceed a 10-day window.

Officials advise obtaining a Real ID during license renewal to avoid repeated fees.

UTEP women's basketball's unbeaten run ended with a 95-40 loss to No. 8 TCU in Fort Worth on Dec.

6 — the loss dropped the Miners to 7-1. They will next travel to Provo on Saturday for a tip-off against BYU at 1 p.m.

Arizona State Sun Devils & Duke Blue Devils will face off at the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Wed, Dec.

31 at noon at Sun Bowl Stadium. The rematch will mark ASU’s eighth appearance and Duke’s second trip to El Paso, promising competitive play and a nod to their 2014 meeting.

Christmas With C.S. Lewis

7:30-11:30 p.m. — El Paso Live — Cost Info TBD — Experience an emotional journey through C.S. Lewis's transformative Christmas celebrations influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien.

A Christmas Carol on the Border

7-9 p.m. — Woman's Club of El Paso — Enjoy a bilingual retelling of Dickens’ classic with local performers from elementary to high school.

Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — Oak & Antler American Tavern — Ticketed event — Embrace the holiday spirit in your ugliest sweater while enjoying games, contests, and festive cheer in El Paso.

Labor Market Information Workshop

9-11 a.m. — Workforce Solutions Borderplex - North Loop Center — Snacks Provided — Discover employment trends and skills employers seek in today’s job market.

UP AND RUNNING Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk

8:30-9:30 a.m. — Up & Running, El Paso, TX — Registration fees apply — Lace up for a festive 5K run/walk filled with holiday cheer.

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

3-7:30 p.m. — The Plaza Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a delightful holiday classic with the magical performance of The Nutcracker.

Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel

6:30 p.m. — El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical tribute to Juan Gabriel in a stunning candlelit setting.