Twenty-five campers, two counselors and the Hill Country Christian camp’s executive director died in a devastating 2025 flood. Families of victims had criticized plans to reopen.

Hasty, known statewide for his evocative political conversations, is described by his friends as “open-minded and respectful.”

The far East El Paso complex, which the U.S. Army wants to be operational by 2027, is one of several the Department of Defense plans to support artificial intelligence in the military.