Five year legal battle ends with August 3 shooter serving life behind bars

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 23, 2025

Aug. 3, 2019, is one of the most tragic days in El Paso history. Twenty-three people were killed by gunman Patrick Cruisius, who has been awaiting a state trial for two years now. From the beginning, understand how the shooter got here and why the District Attorney’s office will no longer pursue the death penalty.

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Former top ten seniors share their stories

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 23, 2025

UTEP’s list of Top Ten Seniors dates back to 1950. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the honor, and to commemorate, it’s important to reflect on the accomplishments of former Top Ten Seniors. Former Top Ten Seniors Adriana Gomez Licon and Anahy Diaz lend some insight into their experiences during and after their time at UTEP.

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From the court to the stage: Senior Ivane Tensaie prepares for graduation and a return to the court

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 5, 2025

Ivane Tensaie is a senior guard for the UTEP women’s basketball team. This semester, she will exchange the jersey for a stole as she walks the stage to receive a degree in psychology. Before beginning her career with UTEP in her junior year, the Minnesota...

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Defending goals and achieving them too

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • May 5, 2025

Senior soccer player Angelina Amparano will graduate this semester. For the past two years, school and soccer have acted as Amparano’s career. But after May, the Tuscon native will return to her hometown to pursue a different endeavor.

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From picks up to fists up: Movimiento Chucanx and the new generation of Chicanismo

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 30, 2025

The Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 70s advocated for the rights and empowerment of Mexican Americans, as it promoted activism, cultural identity, and the fight for civil rights. The movement contributed to much of the cultural and political progress of Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups in the late 1900s. As America’s political climate becomes more and more unsettling for many, activists like Professor Ruby Montana plan to espouse the same principles of the early Chicano Movement. Her organization, Movimiento Chucanx, is a new generation of Chicano activism that she encourages students to join.

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Local band, Dead Head Possum, makes waves throughout the city through cool music and community service

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 23, 2025

El Paso’s local band scene may be small, but the talent in the city is mighty. Dead Head Possum aims to serve its listeners with meaningful music while also serving the community with meaningful service.

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Spirit and thrill: UTEP Cheer’s role in bringing the Miners to victory

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 7, 2025

There is a longstanding misconception about the role cheerleaders play in American sports. The stereotype of the girls on the sidelines with pom poms is not only outdated but downplays the athleticism and dedication that many cheerleaders pour into their sport. Bianca Marquez, director of spirit operations and head cheerleading coach, wants to raise awareness about what her team does and the hard work it requires.

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History of UTEP as a leading Hispanic-serving institution

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • April 2, 2025

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in the United States. The university focuses on a variety of dimensions to support its Hispanic and Latino students, a demographic that makes up 84% of its student body.

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Lovely sights, lovely vibes

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • February 21, 2025

The Prospector asked UTEP students about how they see Valentine's Day. From their favorite memories, to current plans.

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‘It’s Complicated,’ Modern Romance in the Digital Age

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • February 12, 2025

Modern day romance is marked by its digital influence, and the prominent role that social media plays in many romantic relationships. Generation Z experiences relationships in a completely different manner than the generations before them, as social media has shifted the parameters for what a relationship is or should be. “Situationships” or “talking stages” have become increasingly popular in place of committed relationships, and those that are committed seem to have a new set of rules. 

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How Christianity connects the Black community

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • February 5, 2025

Today, more than seven out of 10 African Americans identify as Christians. However, when Africans first arrived in what is now the United States, most were either practicing Muslims or followed other religious and cultural practices. Throughout centuries of slavery, segregation, and discrimination, the Black Church transitioned into centers for organization, civic activity, community service and cultural celebration.

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Unveiling gentrification in the Sun City

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • January 24, 2025

With many El Pasoans enjoying Bad Bunny’s new album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” many may miss that El Paso has more in common with the Latin singer’s island of Puerto Rico than we think.

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Hands of El Paso: Newly elected Mayor Renard Johnson is reframing El Paso, plans for new opportunities

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • January 22, 2025

Renard Johnson was sworn into office on Jan. 6th and now serves as El Paso’s first Black mayor. He describes his plans for office, his priorities include safety, education, economic opportunity and investing in El Paso’s tourism and entertainment.

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El Paso’s NAACP holds “Read and Ride” event, spreading awareness about Black history on a ride throughout the city

Leah Austin, Staff Reporter • January 20, 2025

This year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day fell on Jan. 20 and was observed by various institutions and organizations. The El Paso chapter of the NAACP held an MLK Read and Ride on Saturday, Jan. 18, in collaboration with Sun Metro and El Paso Streetcar. Tephanie Hopper and Carla Brown, sat with El Paso families, reciting books about Dr. King and Ruby Bridges, another prominent figure in Black history.

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