suspense draws audience in

Organizers of Neon Desert Music Festival wanted build suspense by splitting up the announcement of artists that would be performing at this year's festival May 26 in Downtown El Paso. Despite negative feedback, Zach Paul, one of three executive producers at Splendid Sun Productions said that the creators expect a positive turn out.

WASHINGTON – Latino voters are likely to turn out to vote in record numbers in November, according to experts, and in some states will determine who wins. According to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), an estimated 12.

With the state primary election a little over a month away on April 3, student political organizations are hosting events aimed at getting students more involved in the political process. "Our first and foremost issue is to motivate and assist in getting our student body involved and educated in our local, state and national politics," said Ana Martinez, senior political science major and president of the University Democrats.

WASHINGTON – Contrary to recent comments made by Republican presidential hopefuls about the overuse of food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) does serve both as an economic and social safety net. Or, at least that's what those at Feb.

For the last 10 years, Thomas Boland, professor of metallurgical and materials engineering,  has been collaborating with several  Texas health institutions to help develop new ways to grow skin cells for burn victims and those with foot ulcers due to diabetes.

The UTEP campus is in the process of receiving a facelift. The proposed projects of the university's master plan are making headway as students, faculty and staff navigate through the construction. "About a year and a half ago we began the process of developing an update to UTEP's master plan," said Cynthia Villa, vice-president of Business Affairs.

WASHINGTON – Republicans and Democrats showed support this week for the president's plan to cut the cost of higher education. However, the lawmakers could not agree about how the plan should be put into practice. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing Feb.

Damien Schumann, a photographer from Cape Town, South Africa, was assailed with a lasting and deep impression that changed his life after taking a photo of a HIV-positive girl in Africa, which he later discovered had died. Schumann, who had been wandering through various countries overseas searching for a more purposeful career, opened his first exhibit in Paris called "The Shack," which looked at lifestyle living conditions that contribute to tuberculosis and HIV in South Africa.

More than 100 student athletes randomly drug tested every year

When two student athletes were allegedly cited for drug paraphernalia Jan. 20 at Miner Village, questions arose on the issue of drug-testing procedures employed by UTEP Athletics and the NCAA. According to Bob Stull, UTEP athletic director, every time a student athlete tests positive in a random drug test, they are counseled to further prevent any future incidents.

The UTEP football and soccer teams will be bringing back a veteran group to their 2012-13 campaigns but on National Signing Day Feb. 1, the two squads made an effort to address the holes in their personnel, signing a total of 27 athletes. Character, good academics and the ability to tackle were a focal point in recruiting football players.

**This is part two of a three part series exploring the financial burdens students are facing. The University of Texas System Board of Regents is expected to meet in March to vote on a proposal to increase tuition at UTEP. If the board approves the proposal, undergraduate in-state students can expect a 2.

WASHINGTON - The Statue of Civil War Gen. James B. McPherson received some new attire Jan. 30. Occupy D.C. protesters covered the statue of the general on horseback in a blue tarp, labeled the "Dream Tent," to protest the recent decision by the U.S. Park Police to enforce regulations banning camping in public parks.

On Dec. 31, President Barack Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2012 into U.S. law, which authorized $662 billion in funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad. The law has stirred up criticism and debate both worldwide and among UTEP faculty and students.

Officials to discuss marijuana offenses at residential areas

As drug-related incidents have increased in UTEP residential areas, university officials are altering the way they handle the situations and working on how to prevent occurrences on campus. "We went from four to 17. Seventeen is not good, but it is not a whole lot.