Good Morning El Paso 04.22.16

friends, family and fellow border patrol agents will say goodbye today to jose barraza, the agent killed earlier this week in a crash. the death of a music icon… the latest on the investigation into prince’s death and how his life was celebrated overnight around the country. / a tragic accident in brazil, adding to the problems already being faced before the olympic games in august. “good morning donald trump is promising a big change just as he fends off a new attack from ted cruz, i’m abc’s bazi kani with the latest on the race to white house, coming up” today is earth day. we’re taking a live look right now at the earth from the international space station. the very first event for earth day, was held in america nearly five decades ago after a devastating oil spill. it aims to encourage people across the world to be more environmentally friendly. a very good morning el paso, las cruces, and juarez. i’m hillary floren. stephanie valle is off today. a strong east push overnight has imported a lot of low-level gulf laid to rest. he was killed in a car crash involving a semi- truck near fort hancock. a memorial service will be held this morning at 10 o’clock. that’s at abundant living faith center. jbarraza will then be buried at mount carmel cemetery. his wife donna also told us: “i would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. he was an amazing father, husband, son, brother and friend.” the crash happened monday near fort hancock after barraza had worked an overnight shift. how he hit the semi- truck is still being investigated. the death of an icon— happening today, an autopsy is schedules for pop superstar prince who died yesterday in his studio compound in minneapolis. he was 57. the interstate 35 bridge over the mississippi was bathed in a purple light overnight to honor the late legend of music and a dance party in the streets of downtown minneapolis lasted into the early morning hours to honor his legacy. we’ll have more about the investigation into his death coming up later on good morning el paso. -two people are dead after a bike lane collapses in brazil. the elevated bike path was heralded as a top project of the rio de janeiro olympics. the accident is just the latest in a series of problems facing the august olympics games, which include worries about the zika virus and underwhelming ticket sales. the giant waves are said to be to blame after it swept up the rocky cliff and took 150-feet of the bike path with it back into the sea. two other people were rescued. in the race for the white house this morning, could we soon see a different side of donald trump? after his top aides met with republican leaders, the billionaire frontrunner is promising he will act more presidential at some point. but not while still fending off attacks– like a new one from ted cruz over north carolina’s law targeting transgender people. abc’s bazi kani has the latest. it’s your voice, your vote.. donald trump isn’t changing… just yet. crashes each year. a study done at a&m revealed that 38 percent of texas drivers admitted to being on the phone while driving. the department of transportation wants everyone to pay attention when behind the wheel! that’s why txdot has designated april as the national distracted driving awareness month. abc-7’s evan folan is live with more … hillary, it’s something we have all done at one point while behind the wheel… whether it’s fixing our hair, texting, adjusting the radio, or eatting – distracted driving is a problem. txdot says driving related crashes are the highest among younger drivers between the ages of 16 to 34. that’s why txdot has also used this month to kick off their annual talk – text – crash campaign – which encourages drivers to put up their phones! according to txdot’s commissioner – close to 500 people were killed and more than 3,000 people were injured as a result of distracted driving. but – it’s all preventable – if you just pay attention when you’re in the drivers seat. txdot urges drivers to avoid the following high-risk behind the wheel activites. posting on social media, checking your email, eating, doing your hair and even watching videos! if you want to be part of the solution to end distracted driving. txdot recommends downloading an app that disables texting while driving. they also recommend pulling over – if the text is that important. hilary? now let’s send things over to krystal a strong east push overnight has imported a lot of low-level gulf moisture into the borderland. we will see the proof in more clouds today. daytime heating and surface wind convergence will create instability and lift which should result in isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms today… tonight…and saturday. today the focus for rain and storms will be west of the rio grande. that focus will shift east tonight and sunday… the westbound lanes of the border highway will be completely closed between us- 54 and park street. this will start at 5 in the morning, and last till 6 at night. also… delta drive will be closed between cypress and coles streets. crews will be working on beams for a new overpass. we still have much more to come here on gmep.. el paso may look taller in the near future, what city planners have in store for a new building in west el paso..and how residents are reacting. / plus—the innovative rails for the streetcar project downtown have arrived, what makes them so unique? / and this is abc-7, where news comes first!