VAN HORN – Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ flight to the edge of space with his brother and two other passengers has put this tiny West Texas town in the national spotlight. Van Horn, population about 2000, is the closest town to the launch site.

“Van Horn being put on the map, it’s exciting for some and there’s some that are going to benefit economically from it,” said Culberson County Sheriff Oscar Carillo.

EL PASO -- Asia Graham enlisted in the Army right out of high school to follow in her father’s footsteps; Her mother Nicole Graham says he served for 23 years. After his death, Asia wanted to take care of her mother.

“She joined the military to make me a dependent. I was living in a trailer: roach-infested, no heat,” Graham said.

Her daughter Asia was "full of pride and excitement” at basic training according to Nicole Graham. But her mood changed dramatically about a month after she arrived at Fort Bliss in December 2019.

Sunday Mexico holds a massive mid-term election with voters casting ballots for every member of the lower branch of Congress, 15 governors and hundreds of mayors . The race for governor of border state Chihuahua is among the most hotly contested. Among the concerns: a concentration of power in one party, Mexico'spresident's party, and violence on the campaign trail. More than 30 candidates have been murdered since April.   KTEP’s Angela Kocherga reports on what’s at stake.

CIUDAD JUAREZ --Ana Castro sat with her two children on a curb just steps from the Paso del Norte Bridge in downtown Ciudad Juarez, considering her options and crushing debt.

“Truthfully, I’d like to try again,” said Castro, hours after she and her daughter, 12, and son, 9, were expelled by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing into the United States. “We’re already here and have a debt weighing on us.”

It is legal in Texas to leave dogs unattended by their owners without food, water, and adequate shelter under the health and safety codes. The law requires that an officer can only interfere after 24 hours waiting period and give a warning. On  ACT Radio, Liz, Tom, and Greg talk to Stacy Sutton Kerby, director of government relations for the Texas Humane Legislation Network, about animal cruelty and Breed-specific Legislation.  She also mentions how the Texas governor vetoed the Safety Outdoor Act. Sutton has worn several hats for THLN, including Volunteer Coordinator, Director of Operations, and Legislative Liaison, providing testimony and research on various issues, including puppy mills, private ownership of dangerous wild animals, greyhound racing, and reptile roundups. 

Originally aired July 25, 2021

Paradox Immersive Art is a new gallery space located on the Mission Trail in Socorro.  The gallery is located inside of an adobe hacienda called Hacienda Apodaca.

Paradox Immersive Art gallery showcases art by Laura Turon and by featured artist David Delgado.

Old Sheepdog Brewery is a nano brewery located in the heart of El Paso by Lincoln Park. They make great beer, show local art and host live music shows…a little bit of everything (including food pop-ups). 

Host Charles Horak welcomes Jennifer Merin. President and Founder of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, AWFJ, "a non-profit organization founded in 2006. It is based in New York City and is dedicated to supporting work by and about women in the film industry.

Juan Ornelas is a proud El Pasoan, and a pop artist who calls his art style “Chuco Pop.” He’s an acrylic painter who uses the beautiful, quirky, binational culture clash of the US - Mexico border to create pop art influenced by this unique part of the world.

His current exhibition at Galeria Lincoln titled “Juanted, Pop Art Expressions by Juan Ornelas” consists of thirty new works and runs through the end of July 2021.