A $23 million, bond‑funded Central Fire Station opened in downtown El Paso Thursday, consolidating three older houses and offering tours, demos and public art.

Years after the smokestacks came down, the former Asarco smelter across from UTEP remains capped, monitored and restricted — unsuitable for homes, schools or hospitals.

Microsoft says a new Pecos datacenter will add roughly 2 GW of AI capacity and fund on‑site power, promising construction jobs and workforce training. The plan joins a wave of Permian Basin projects that raise environmental and grid questions.