Federal officials have confirmed two additional New World screwworm cases in Texas, bringing the state’s total to eight and the nationwide count to nine. The latest cases involve a goat in Edwards County and cattle in Zavala County, all of which are domestic animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to work with Texas authorities on control efforts, including the release of over 130 million sterile male flies to disrupt the pest’s reproductive cycle. Livestock and pet owners are urged to monitor animals for symptoms and report any suspected cases immediately.
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed three additional cases of the New World screwworm, *Cochliomyia hominivorax*, within the United States, raising significant concerns about the pest’s resurgence and potential spread. These new findings underscore the ongoing threat this parasitic fly poses to livestock, particularly cattle, and its capacity to disrupt agricultural economies. The situation appears to be escalating, with reports indicating cases in both New Mexico and Texas, areas with substantial cattle populations, suggesting the outbreak is more widespread and potentially out of control than initially acknowledged.
The spread of the screwworm is a deeply worrying development, especially considering the potential mortality rate for untreated infected cattle, which approaches 100%.… Continue reading
Two additional New World screwworm infections have been confirmed in Texas, one in a calf and another in a dog located hundreds of miles apart. These findings underscore the challenges in controlling a pest that poses a significant threat to the nation’s cattle industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is actively working to eradicate the screwworm by increasing sterile male fly production and constructing a new fly factory in Texas. This initiative aims to prevent a recurrence of the devastation the pest caused prior to its elimination in the U.S. in the 1960s.
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The confirmation of a second case of New World screwworm in Texas is understandably causing a stir, especially with fears of a broader outbreak growing. It’s a situation that brings to mind past struggles with this persistent pest and highlights how quickly progress can be undone when preventative measures are scaled back. The very idea of these flesh-eating larvae infesting livestock and potentially even humans is deeply unsettling, and it’s understandable that many are feeling a sense of alarm.
This re-emergence is particularly concerning because it seems to follow a pattern of dismantling scientific programs that were previously effective in controlling such threats.… Continue reading
Drainage district workers in Nueces County, Texas, discovered an unauthorized Tesla pipe discharging dark liquid into a ditch. This liquid, originating from Tesla’s lithium refinery, contained elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, arsenic, and lithium, among other substances, none of which were part of the initial state environmental investigation. Despite Tesla’s claims of compliance and disputes over sampling methods, the drainage district asserts the chemical composition points directly to the refinery, highlighting a critical gap in the current wastewater discharge permit.
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Marlene Vidal, 34, has been arrested and charged with capital murder following the discovery of her two children, aged 5 and 7, dead inside a car that was set on fire in San Antonio. A passerby reported the burning vehicle, and upon extinguishing the flames, firefighters found the children. While the exact cause of death and whether the children were deceased before the fire are still under investigation, surveillance footage and Vidal’s statements suggest she is solely responsible. Authorities are exploring mental health issues as a potential factor in the tragic incident.
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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has overturned the death sentence of Clarence Curtis Jordan, a 70-year-old man with intellectual disabilities who spent nearly 50 years on death row. Jordan’s cognitive impairments and prolonged lack of legal representation were central to the appeal, which argued his death sentence was unconstitutional under evolving Eighth Amendment jurisprudence. The case, taken up by attorney Ben Wolff, highlighted systemic failures within Texas’s criminal justice system, particularly for individuals in need of advocacy. While Jordan’s conviction stands, the sentence has been remanded to Harris County for a new punishment proceeding, with life in prison being the sole remaining eligible sentence.
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At Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, Texas, a 15-year-old student fatally shot a teacher before taking his own life. Authorities confirmed that no other injuries were reported in the incident, which prompted an immediate lockdown of the school. The motive behind the shooting remains undetermined, and the condition of the injured teacher, who was transported to a San Antonio hospital, has not been updated.
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An explosion occurred at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, leading to a large pillar of smoke. Residents on the west side of Port Arthur are advised to shelter in place, and drivers are urged to avoid SH 87 and SH 82 near the facility due to the incident, which may have involved a heater unit. While air quality is being monitored and no injuries or evacuations have been reported, some local residents have noted a “rotten egg” smell. Neighboring cities are monitoring the situation but report no immediate impact.
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The Supreme Court has allowed California to proceed with its new congressional map for the 2026 elections, a decision that, while surprising to some, aligns with the will of the Californian voters. This ruling comes as a significant development, especially given the previous allowance for Texas to implement its newly drawn map. The perceived hypocrisy in allowing one state to proceed while potentially blocking another with a similar process, particularly when California’s map was a result of a ballot measure overwhelmingly approved by its citizens, seems to have played a crucial role. It’s been noted that this outcome, where a popular vote directly influences the redistricting process, feels like democracy working as intended for once.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood