Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025.
As we wake up today, our city is gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the summer. The big headlines are all about how we’ll be celebrating the Fourth of July, with events lined up across El Paso. If you’re making plans for Independence Day, expect an array of family-friendly festivities. The annual Rotary Independence Day Parade steps off tomorrow morning at Western Hills Methodist Church on Thunderbird Drive, winds down Shadow Mountain, and finishes up on Cloudview. Over at Ascarate Park, the county is hosting its traditional Fourth of July Celebration tomorrow from 4 to 10 p.m. Pack a blanket and some lawn chairs—there’ll be music, swimming, plenty of food trucks, and a fireworks show to wrap up the evening. Admission is free, but parking fills up quickly, so plan ahead.
El Paso’s vibrant music scene is also in full swing this week. Tonight, we have Cool Canyon Nights at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, featuring Prime Rocks and their lineup of ‘80s and ‘90s hits. Gates open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7, and as always, it’s free to attend. Then on Saturday, the Tejano Music Festival returns to Ascarate Park from 2 to 11:30 p.m., headlined by Ruben El Gato Negro Ramos—a daylong tribute to Tejano music with a special Selena tribute and a Tex-Mex food village. And for art lovers, Crossland Gallery on Paisano is launching the Cactus & Spurs exhibition, a celebration of Southwestern country and western art, running through August 1.
Soccer fans won’t want to miss FC Juarez hosting Santos Laguna at Southwest University Park this Saturday night. It’s a rare international friendly and marks the Bravos’ final tune-up before the Liga MX Apertura season.
Turning to City Hall, we’re still feeling the impact of last week’s major council decision: the City Council unanimously rejected El Paso Electric’s $93 million rate hike proposal. That’s about $22 a month that residents won’t be paying—at least for now. The council said the increase was excessive given rising household costs. Negotiations between the city and the utility are ongoing, with the state’s Public Utility Commission stepping in if a deal isn’t made by August. Ultimately, residents may still see some increase early next year, but for now, advocacy from city leaders is helping keep electricity bills in check.
On the economic front, El Paso is navigating a tricky job market. Local layoffs and concerns about an economic downturn have made headlines, particularly after staffing cuts at local federal contractors and the bankruptcy of Barracuda Public Relations. Eyes are on whether 2025 will outperform 2020 in terms of local employment stability.
Weather-wise, today brings clear skies and plenty of heat, with highs near 101. Hydration is a must if you’re heading outdoors or to any of the evening events. The forecast for tomorrow’s festivities looks similar—hot, dry, and perfect for fireworks.
In local sports and schools, it’s a quieter week with most students enjoying summer break, but congratulations go out to the area’s high school athletes who wrapped up their season with several teams advancing deep into state playoffs—a real point of pride for our community.
Finally, on the public safety front, police responded to a handful of incidents overnight, mostly minor, but remind everyone to celebrate this weekend responsibly, especially around fireworks. First responders will be out in force to keep the festivities safe for all.
Before we sign off, here’s a feel-good note: Community volunteers are teaming up with city parks programs this weekend to distribute free water and snacks to families at Ascarate and Memorial Parks—a small gesture making a big impact for those spending the holiday outdoors.
This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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