Paul Cicala Departs ABC-7 KVIA El Paso

Longtime anchor cites health concerns and family needs as reasons for leaving the station

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:20am

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Paul Cicala, a veteran television journalist and award-winning anchor, has announced his departure from ABC-7 KVIA in El Paso, Texas. Cicala, who had returned to the station in 2023 after previously working there from 2009 to 2013, cited his declining health and the worsening condition of his father, who has dementia, as the reasons for his decision to step away from the journalism industry.

Why it matters

Cicala's departure from KVIA represents a significant loss for the El Paso media market, as he was a well-respected and trusted news anchor who had built a strong connection with the local community through his in-depth reporting on border issues and high school sports. His decision to prioritize his personal health and family responsibilities highlights the challenges that journalists can face in balancing their careers with their personal lives.

The details

In an on-air announcement, Cicala's co-anchor Marcel Clarke informed viewers of his departure. Cicala later told the El Paso Times that his "health isn't the best and (I) needed to step away from the journalism industry." During his previous stint at KVIA from 2009 to 2013, Cicala had become known for his coverage of the drug-war violence affecting Ciudad Juárez, as well as for his work on the station's popular Borderland Blitz high school football show. Cicala has earned multiple Emmy Awards and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards throughout his career, which has included stints at television stations across the Southwest.

  • Cicala returned to ABC-7 KVIA on September 25, 2023, co-anchoring the weekday 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts.
  • Cicala announced his departure from KVIA in February 2026.

The players

Paul Cicala

A veteran television journalist and award-winning anchor who had returned to ABC-7 KVIA in El Paso in 2023 after previously working at the station from 2009 to 2013.

Marcel Clarke

Cicala's co-anchor at ABC-7 KVIA who announced Cicala's departure on-air.

Stephanie Valle

Cicala's co-anchor at ABC-7 KVIA, with whom he co-anchored the weekday 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts.

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What they’re saying

“My health isn't the best and (I) needed to step away from the journalism industry. My father has dementia and it's getting worse.”

— Paul Cicala

The takeaway

Cicala's departure from KVIA underscores the personal sacrifices and challenges that journalists can face in their careers, particularly when it comes to balancing work and family responsibilities. His decision to prioritize his health and family serves as a reminder of the importance of work-life balance in the high-stress field of journalism.