🌱 How dependent is El Paso’s 2026 outlook on Fort Bliss jobs?

Hey hey Fort Bliss! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How dependent is El Paso’s 2026 outlook on Fort Bliss jobs?
• Why an El Paso park now bears a Fort Bliss family’s name
• How a onetime Fort Bliss soldier ended up with life sentences

Also on today's calendar: Toddler Storytime – Mickelsen Community Library and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 72 and low of 40 degrees.
• Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 73, low: 45.
• Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. El Paso economy 2025 mixed signals as wages stall (hoodline.com) — Fort Bliss remains a central driver of El Paso’s economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and shaping how resilient the region is to budget cuts. Local readers are warned that while unemployment is relatively low and living costs are affordable, wages are stagnating and future growth will hinge on job trends at the base and in government sectors.
   

2. Park renamed after family of kids who died during Ruidoso flooding (krqe.com) — A Fort Bliss family who lost their two young children in Ruidoso’s devastating summer flooding is being honored as El Paso renames Fortaleza Park after them. Stationed at Fort Bliss, the Trotters say community support and the new park tribute help them keep their children’s memory alive and inspire them to live with more empathy and warmth.
   

3. Onetime US soldier given 2 life terms for fatal robbery meant to fund personal Venezuela crusade (stripes.com) — Fort Bliss is briefly mentioned as the Texas Army post where the convicted former soldier was once stationed before a 2013 desertion arrest, years prior to a double murder in Florida. The piece mainly details his life sentence for a robbery-killing tied to plans to fight abroad, along with his history of seeking foreign conflicts.
   

4. Borderland lawmakers respond to $901B defense policy bill (ktsm.com) — Fort Bliss families and missions are at the center of local lawmakers’ reactions to the new $901 billion defense bill, which now awaits President Trump’s signature. Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Luján support the NDAA, while Rep. Escobar opposed it, arguing Republican-backed provisions misuse the military and harm LGBTQ+ service members, despite some wins for Fort Bliss and UTEP.
   

📸 Around Fort Bliss

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Bliss

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• The Dinner Detective: True Crime Mystery Dinner Show
  Centennial Banquet and Conference Center, 11199 Sergeant E Churchill St, Fort Bliss
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Old Tin Mine Hike
  Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
  8:00 am
• Toddler Storytime – Mickelsen Community Library
  Mickelsen Community Library , 2 Sheridan Rd , Fort Bliss
  9:00 am
• Lucha Libre Night - To benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso
  Boys & Girls Club of El Paso , 801 S Florence St , El Paso
  5:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Story Time & New Parent Support
  Mickelsen Community Library , 2 Sheridan Rd , Fort Bliss
  9:00 am

Sunday December 28

• Last Sunday Hike - Schaeffer Shuffle
  Franklin Mountains State Park , 2900 Tom Mays Access Road , Fort Bliss
  8:30 am

Tuesday December 30

• Story Time & New Parent Support
  Mickelsen Community Library , 2 Sheridan Rd , Fort Bliss
  9:00 am

📣 Fort Bliss Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Old Tin Mine Hike
  Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park , End of Jon Cunningham Blvd , El Paso
  8:00 am
• Barrel Room Yoga + Wine with Lindley Folkerson - Saturday, December 20
  Zin Valle Vineyards , 7315 Canutillo-La Union Rd , Canutillo
  10:30 am
• Spill the Tea & Spread the Cheer
  Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site HuecoTanksStatePark&HistoricSite Map&Directions
  10:30 am
• Chihuahuan Desert Ornament Making
  Chamizal National Park , 800 South San Marcial Street , El Paso
  1:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Bird Tour: Christmas Bird Count
  Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site HuecoTanksStatePark&HistoricSite Map&Directions
  8:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• IHG posted a job opening for Houseperson - MFBLA in Fort Bliss. Apply here.
• TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for United Airlines Ticket Counter Agent in El Paso. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Bliss here.

Ok Fort Bliss! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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