El Paso in the news: border drone chaos and pending land fights at Mount Cristo Rey spark U.S.-Mexico tension. Texas city: 2nd-largest in TX, big border hub.
A concise look at five distinctive US towns—Homer (Alaska), Bayfield (Wisconsin), Abiquiu (New Mexico), Telluride (Colorado), and Maine’s coast—highlighting landscape, local culture, and must-visit spots as described by a seasoned traveler.
On February 26, 2026, the Pentagon used a high-energy laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone near Fort Hancock, Texas, marking the second such incident in two weeks near the US-Mexico border. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expanded a temporary airspace closure around Fort Hancock, though commercial flights were unaffected. Lawmakers criticized poor inter-agency coordination and called for investigations.
The US military is conducting anti-drone laser tests at White Sands Missile Range to address FAA safety concerns following recent uncoordinated drone countermeasures near the US-Mexico border. Incidents in February prompted airspace closures and congressional calls for investigation. The tests aim to improve coordination and safety protocols.
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to acquire about 14 acres of land in Dona Ana County, near Mount Cristo Rey, to install fencing, lighting, and surveillance near the border. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces is contesting the seizure, arguing it burdens religious exercise and sacred use of the site, which hosts annual pilgrimages. Compulsory possession would be added to ongoing legal battles over border infrastructure.