El Paso Public Forum

El Paso Public Forum

Welcome to El Paso Public forum. A weekly half hour Public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over 20 years. Featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and opinions expressed on this program are those of the host and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio management. If you, your organization or event would like to be featured on an upcoming program, please email to EPforum@iHeartmedi.com. This program was pre-recorded at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso. . El Paso Public Forum airing on all local iHeart radio stations every Sunday morning from 6-6:30am on Power 102.1, Sunny 99.9 and 96.3 KHEY Country, and from 7-7:30am on 93.5 HOT FM, News Radio 690AM and Fox Sports 1380AM.. No radio? No problem! Use the free iHeart app and listen in on Power 102.1, 96.3 KHEY Country, Sunny 99.9, 93.5 HotFM, NewsRadio 690AM or Fox Sports 1380AM anywhere and on the go! . #iheartradio #iheart #elpaso #womeninradio #iheartcountry #elpasostrong #radio #communityprogramming #eppf #elpasopublicforum #elpasocommunities #nonprofit #iheartcommunities

Episodes

February 22, 2026 29 mins
Segment 1: El Paso MS Community
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Amber Banda interviews Natalie Asencio, Founder and President, and Daniel Valdez, Board Member, for the El Paso MS Community. According to elpasoMScommunity.com, "Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord." 
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Amber, Natalie and Daniel talk about how and why El Paso MSC began, how they provide support, and even go over...
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Segment 1: Sober Streets Movement
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Not so fun fact: El Paso has the highest percentage of fatalities involving drunk driving in America, with almost half of traffic deaths in the city involving a drunk driver.
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Amber Banda interviews Lupe Hernandez and Aracely Rascon, co-founders of Sober Streets Movement in El Paso, TX.
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Lupe and Aracely share their stories of how they each lost a loved at the hands of a drunk driver. Lupe talks abou...
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Segment 1: Desert Rescue 915, helping to restore our desert one cleanup at a time!
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Amber Banda interviews Rick Flores, Executive Director for Desert Rescue 915. They talk about how they conduct their cleanups, where they help clean up, the impact it makes on our city, and some things Rick wishes the public knew about this mission.
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They are participating in an upcoming event called "Plant A Tree' at Estrella Park Saturday Feb 28th f...
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Segment 1: Scales and Tails Pet Rescue
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Let's learn about El Paso's only non-profit exotics pet rescue! Scales and Tails Pet Rescue rescues, rehabilitates, rehomes, and educates the public on how to care for animals such as lizards, snakes, turtles, and other exotic and unique pets!
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Amber Banda interviews Erika Pasieczny, (aka Dr. Paz), president of Scales and Tails Pet Rescue and a former principal in Dallas, TX.  They talk about w...
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Segment 1: We Hike Adventure
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Get your hiking boots ready! WE HIKE is a non-profit aimed at educating the community on outdoor and hiking safety and getting people to go outside and hike!
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Amber Banda interviews Lisa Enriquez, President, and Karl Widmer, Outreach Specialist, for WE HIKE Adventure. Lisa came back to El Paso and founded WE HIKE because of her love of the outdoors and to help create a community of hikers. From beginner ...
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Segment 1: Ready One Industries
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In El Paso, have you seen that huge building next to Sam's on Pellicano and wonder what it is? That's where they make military uniforms! From BDUs to other kevlar equipped uniforms, Ready One Industries is a non-profit that makes these uniforms from scratch. The unique thing about Ready One Industries is that a majority of their workforce employes people with disabilities; from vision impairments to ...
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Segment 1: A Home 2 Bark and Purr
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Amber Banda interviews Diana Meraz, President and Community Development for a Home 2 Bark and Purr foster-based rescue.
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Diana and her mother, Theresa, (Director and Founder of A Home 2 Bark and Purr) created this rescue to assist street animals and partner with animal agencies to make sure that these dogs and cats find good homes. Diana and Theresa currently have a network of about 20 foster homes ...
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January 4, 2026 28 mins
Segment 1:ProAction Emergency Services Institute (Pro EMS)
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Learn to become an EMT in just a few months, how to take CPR classes for adults and kids, how to get into concerts and events for free, (kind of lol), and more.
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Amber Banda interviews Henry Brutus, Executive Director for Pro EMS in El Paso,TX, as well as Paulet Garcia, student and Jill Field Scholarship recipient.They talk about how to apply for this scholarship to help pay...
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Segment 1: You Eat I Eat
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Amber Banda interviews Dorene Corothers, Founder of You Eat I Eat Community Unity Food Pantry Corp. Listen to learn about the beginnings of the unity food pantry, and who and how they help serve the El Paso Community in so many ways.
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Dorene also talks about how and why she started this organization, the future of the food pantry, and how you can help keep them going and support people facing food insecurity...
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Segment 1: If you are looking for support from men and women who have a passion for helping children, (many with a long history of child advocacy), from all walks of life, listen up! 
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The biker men and women of Diligentz are on a mission to help children in need. Amber Banda interviews Manny "Big Monkey" Acosta, Sargeant at Arms, and Terry "Luna," Lady of Diligentz auxiliary member. Learn about their mission and how they are interg...
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Segment 1: Salvation Army in El Paso, TX
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Did you know that a majority of the bell ringers you see at the Salvation Army Red Buckets are volunteers, or that volunteers bring in more donations than paid ringers?
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Amber Banda interviews Joanna Estrada, Director of Development for the Salvation Army. Listen to learn about what they do and who they help, and more importantly, how YOU can help this holiday season!
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Signing up is super easy...
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Segment 1: Wreaths Across America, not just a Christmas Wreath!
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Hosted by the Civil Air Patrol, El Paso Composite Squadron, Wreaths Across America is back! A time honored tradition of purchasing wreaths that will be placed by loved ones or volunteers on headstones at Ft. Bliss Cemetery, and you can be a part of it.
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Amber Banda interviews Bonnie Torres, Location Coordinator for Wreaths Across American at Ft. Bliss. They discuss how ...
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Segment 1: Candlelighters and Survivors Motorcycle Club
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Candlelighters of El Paso helps children and their families who have been affected by cancer. They help financially, emotionaly, and give support in many ways, especially around the holidays.
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Amber Banda interviews Melissa-Atkins-Wardy, CEO of Candlelighters El Paso, and Survivor's lady DeeDee on their upcoming 4th Annual Candlelighters Toy Run. The event will be Saturday Dece...
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Segment 1: Did you know that El Paso has an International Museum of Art? Or that it serves as not only an art gallery from pieces all across the world but also as a historic home and beautiful venue to rent?
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Amber Banda interviews Cynthia Horton, Board Member for the International Museum of Art located at 1211 Montana Avenue in central El Paso.
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Amber and Cynthia talk about how a current exhibit with over 10,000 pieces, how they nar...
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Segment 1: Offroad bikes and the Child Crisis Center!
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Amber Banda interviews Cesar Garcia, Director and Founder of Doomsday Offroad Racing, and Andrew Castaneda, Director of Operations for the Child Crisis Center of El Paso. 
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Doomsday Offroad Racing is  non-profit in itself, and they are having an Off Road Show to benefit the Child Crisis Center of El Paso Saturday Nov 22nd at Barnett Harley-Davidson from 10am-2pm. This event will ...
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NEW EPISODE ALERT 11-9-25

Segment 1: Community Options, Inc.
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Do you know someone with an "unseen" disability that can use support finding work or help at home? Amber Banda talks with Yvette Lujan and Joe Ortiz, Program Service Coordinators for Community Options, Inc. They talk about various programs offered and who can qualify for help.
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Their Cupid's Chase 5K is coming to El Paso and they are looking for your support! This fundraise...
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11-2-25 El Paso Public Forum
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Segment 1: National Veteran's Outreach Programs (NVOP) in El Paso.
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Amber Banda interviews Ruben Marquez, Director of Client Services in El Paso, and Angelica Castillo, Case Manager in El Paso for the National Veteran's Outreach Programs. The NVOP helps veterans (and even non-veterans) who are facing risk of homelessness or food insecurity. Listen to learn what resources they have available to veterans, ...
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Segment 1:
Paranormal research Investigations (PRI):
Amber Banda interviews Ramiro Galvan, Founder and Investigator for PRI, as well as Angie Lozano, PRI team member. They talk about their beginner workshops for people wanting to learn more about paranormal investigations, how they got into one, (Ramiro being the skeptic, Angie coming in as a non-skeptic), how they motivated the well know Ghost Adventures show to come to our area, an...
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Segment 1: Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso
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Amber Banda interviews Rebecca Romero, Development Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso. You're invited to their annual "Dance for Kids' Sake," Saturday October 25 at the Plaza Theatre downtown. This is El Paso's version of "Dancing with the Stars,' hosted by the one and only Mario Lopez and his wife Courtney this year! 
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Listen to learn some behind the scenes information, l...
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Segment 1: Paso Del Norte Paranormal Society
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Amber Banda talks with Bonnie Juarez, President, and Peter Stone, VP, of the El Paso Norte Paranormal Society. They talk about how they met, how they became paranormal investigators, how they teach history through their paranormal tours and events, and various ways that they use the money they fundraise from their events.
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For more information go to https://www.ghosts915.org/
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