Home Care In El Paso, TX

A new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast from vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has unveiled the top U.S. cities that are on travelers' minds for the next year, and one unsuspecting far West Texas city was included on the list: El Paso.

El Paso was named one of six most sought-after "Rising Star Destinations" in the Southwest and Mountain West regions. Search trends revealed traveler interest in El Paso skyrocketed 191 percent year-over-year, with vacationers pining after "desert landscapes" and "frontier-style towns with modern Western flair."

To determine where travelers are planning on booking their 2026 vacations, HomeToGo surveyed 1,000 American adults from November 26-28, 2025 to discover which locales offer "both affordability and under-the-radar appeal." Search interest and price insights were based on observed searches executed via HomeToGo's website from August 1-November 15, 2025, with a check-in date during 2026.

The reports findings show the vacation accommodations in El Paso cost a median $62.21 per night, making the city a reputation for being more affordable than Texas' major cities like Dallas or Houston. HomeToGo also said travelers are "increasingly turning to smaller [Southwestern] towns" to find accommodations rather than booking a stay at a large resort.

Additionally, younger travelers like Gen Zers and Millennials are driving the shift toward these hidden gem destinations after collecting inspiration from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

"Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fueled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight," the report's author wrote. "In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms."

There's plenty to do in the self-proclaimed "Sun City," such as hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visiting local museums, and much more.

Other top "Neo-Western Revival" destinations to visit in 2026 include:

"According to the survey findings, 76 percent of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with over a quarter (26 percent) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks," the report said. "Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing."

The holidays have arrived, and you might be one of the millions of Texans packing up the car and heading to visit family across the Lone Star State.

More than 8.7 million Texans are projected to drive at least 50 miles from home during the year-end holiday travel period, according to AAA. The state is a whopping 268,596 square miles, so if you're venturing from out of state or making your way across Texas, you might want to pull over and get some rest at some point in your travels.

Texas has more than 80,000 miles of state-maintained roadways, 78 Safety Rest Areas, 12 Travel Information Centers, and more than 500 picnic areas spaced along key travel corridors throughout the state, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT recommends drivers take a 15-minute break from driving every two hours to physically and mentally recharge before getting back on the road.

So, if one of those breaks is at a rest area in Texas, here's what you need to know about your stay.

Is it legal to sleep at a rest area in Texas?

Yes. You can sleep in your car in a rest area in Texas, but only for a day.

A person commits an offense if the person remains at the rest area for longer than 24 hours, as stated in the state's Transportation Code 545.411.

You would also be breaking the law if you erect a tent, shelter, booth, or structure at the rest area and have notice. Receiving notice means there's a sign that's posted on the premises, or if a peace officer orally communicates that the activity is prohibited.

Exceptions to the rule are if a nonprofit organization erects a temporary structure at a rest area to provide food services, food, or beverages to travelers, according to the code.

Texas rest areas feature pet areas, vending machines

Many Texas rest areas feature separate parking areas for passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, picnic tables, pet areas, information kiosks, vending machines and enhanced security with cameras and lighting, according to TxDOT.

New rest area facilities are also being constructed across the state. They will incorporate new features such as Wi-Fi, air-conditioned and heated restrooms, tornado shelters, play areas for kids and surveillance cameras.

Below is a map of where you can find rest areas in Texas.

Natassia Paloma may be reached at [email protected], @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Wendy Calderon discovered her 3-year-old daughter, Faith, in distress at Herrera Elementary School in August. Calderon said she found Faith alone in a dark classroom bathroom, unable to open the door, with feces on her hands and face.

Calderon reported the incident to El Paso ISD, Child Protective Services, and the Texas Education Agency, seeking disciplinary action against the teacher involved and a review of the school's camera footage.

Calderon was able to review the footage on Dec. 5, which she said showed the teaching assistant leaving with Faith’s classmates, followed by the teacher leaving without Faith.

Harrison Parker reports on Mother demands accountability after daughter found alone and covered in feces at school (Credit: KFOX14)

The district informed Calderon that the situation was resolved administratively, but did not specify the actions taken.

Calderon said her daughter remains affected by the incident, stating, "But to date, she doesn't like using the bathroom door, the bathroom with the door closed. If anybody tries to leave her, she starts crying right away."

EPISD said in a statement, "El Paso ISD is aware of the concerns raised regarding an incident earlier this school year at Herrera Elementary. While we cannot discuss individual student matters, we can share that the situation was reviewed promptly and thoroughly by campus staff and district administrators. After review, appropriate administrative actions were taken in accordance with district procedures. Student safety and well-being remain our highest priorities, and we will continue to partner with families and relevant agencies to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students.”

EPISD did not respond to questions about what administrative actions were taken.

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AUSTIN, Tx., December 10, 2025: Yesterday, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a press release announcing that his office has launched an investigation into “unlawful tax increases.”

According to the press release, Paxton’s office will be reviewing the financial records of almost 1,000 Texas cities to ensure they are following the new state law, SB 1851, that requires government officials to transparently inform Texas property taxpayers about “raising taxes above the no-new-revenue rate.” The new state law that took effect on September 1 bars cities from raising taxes from the previous year if they have not published annual audited financial statements within 180 days after the city’s end of its fiscal year.

Joe Moody and Claudia Ordaz were excused as absent for the vote that included several items on May 10, 2025. Eddie Morales, Jr. voted in favor of the tax reporting requirements, while Vince Perez voted against it. Mary E. González did not cast a vote on the legislation although records she was present that day and voted on other legislation. However, she voted in favor of it on the Second Reading of the bill.

On April 16, César Blanco voted in favor of the bill as part of the uncontested State Senate calendar that included it.

Paxton stated that “local officials will not be allowed to ignore the law, coverup finances, and burden Texans with never-ending tax increases.” Among the Texas cities that Paxton has requested financial information from includes El Paso, according to his press release. El Pasoans pay one of the highest property taxes in the state.

However, according to The Texas Tribune, El Paso city officials have not received a request from Texas officials. Laura Cruz-Acosta told The Texas Tribune in an email yesterday that Paxton has not contacted city officials, but that the city “has always complied with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations” related to taxation.

Cruz-Acosta told Austin’s CBS affiliate that the city is not in violation of SB 1851 because when the adopted the city’s 2026 tax rate, “SB 1851 was not in effect.”

The City of El Paso adopted a lower tax rate on August 19, calling it the “lowest tax rate in ten years,” but many property owners will still see a tax increase because of rising property valuations.

However, as city spokesperson, Laura Cruz-Acosta told the Austin television station, the city’s tax rate was adopted a few days before SB 1851 came into effect on September 1 excluding the city from the law’s financial disclosure requirements.

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High School Boys Basketball

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Boys

Montwood 54, Burges 51

Montwood: Charlie Perez 18pts, Sebastian Gutierrez 16 pts, Justin Herrera 8 pts, Isaiah Miranda 7 pts. Burges: Rubio 22 points, Sanchez 10 points, Jojo T. 7 points

Jefferson 63, Austin 58

Leading Scorers: Jeff: Andrew Roacho 26 pts.,Jaden Carbajal 10 pts. Austin: Carson Collins 18 pts., Malachi Jones 14 pts., Andrew Andujo 11 pts.

Bowie Bears 60, Horizon Scorpions 42

Leading Scorers: Bowie: Johan Comacho 24 points, Derek Hernandez 10 points, Jayden Escobar 9 points. HorizonL Avyel Leyva 16 points

Eastwood 57, El Dorado 52

Top performers: EHS J.F.R. - 24 pts, J. Dominguez - 9 pts. ELDS J. Villalobos 17 pts

Coronado 61, Del Valle 18

Coronado: RJ Lopez 14 points, Emiliano Gutierrez 12 points

Franklin 63, DaVinci 59

Franklin: Hayden Brack 31 pts, Santi Gaytan 14 pts. DaVinci: C. Corona 17 pts

Eastlake 58, Canutillo 43

Eastlake: Braeden Quigley 22 pts, Caleb Gutierrez 13 pts., Diego Diaz-Ortiz 11 pts. Eagle Leaders: Barcenas - 13 pts, Luna 8 pts

Clint 58, Anthony 40

Clint: Nate-18 points Matt-13 points. Anthony: Nathan Arrazeola-11 points

Chapin 64, Americas 37

Americas: J. Thomas 11 points. Chapin: B. Flood 14 points

El Paso High 61, Hanks 55

El Paso High: Tony Moreno 18 pts, Joaquin Gallinar 12 points, Troy Bunn 11 pts. Hanks Jacob Perez 21 pts, Sebastian Martinez 16 pts, Abraham Hernandez 13 pts

Cathedral 56, Bel Air 42

BA: Anthony Davis 11 pts Angel Dominguez 9 pts Aidan Griego 8 pts> Cathedral: J.M. Leyton 16pts J. Escalante 15 pts Pat Chavez 8 pts

Ysleta 32, Socorro 30

Ysleta: D Martinez 11 points, Hernandez 11 points SHS: Aaron 10 points

Mountain View 60, Tornillo 48

Mountain View: Gio Rodriguez 25 Devin Gonzalez 18 Zeke Torres 9

Parkland 40, Pebble Hills 37

Parkland: K. Cager 15 points

Girls

Americas 53, Montwood 40

Americas. Marquez 24 points, Herrera 10 points. Montwood: Jazlynn Hernandez 15 points, Jocelynn Custard 12 points

Burges 64, Coronado 32

Coronado: Lyanni Ramos 17 points. Burges: Alyssa Morales 22 points, Abigail Garduno 18 points, 12 rebounds, Melanie Arriaga 14 points

Canutillo 49, Bowie 15

Canutillo: Liyara Wilkes 16 pts, Krystal Marmolejo 13 pts. Bowie: Natalie Santillan 7 pts

Hanks 52, Socorro 26

Hanks: Avah Diaz 15 pts, Elise Alva 14 pts, Emery Puga 14 pts.

Eastwood 50, Chapin 37

Chapin: Giselle Villarreal 12 points, Blackwell 9 points. Eastwood: Aby Ortega 19 points, Victoria Duran 18 points

El Paso 40, Mt View 23

El Paso High: Eva Guevara 11 pts, Odalys Baltazar 10 pts

Franklin def. El Dorado

Franklin: Isabella Lee 18 points, Allison DeLaO 15 pts, Madison Fields 13 pts, Janelle Lugo 10 pts

Riverside 42, YWA 35

Alyssa Munoz 22pts and Kaylee Castro 13 pts for the Rangers. Adrianna T. with 11pts and Belissa M. 10pts for YWA.

Andress 50, Ysleta 22

Andress: Duncan 22 points, McCall 10 points. Ysleta: Destiny Quintana 7 points ,Aileen Anguiano 5 points

Eastlake defeated Parkland

Eastlake: Karina Ramos-Jurado 16 pts

Irvin 41, Fabens 23

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at [email protected]; @Fchavezeptimes on X