The USDA confirmed New World screwworm larvae in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, and established a quarantine zone around the site. Officials say the parasite has been spreading north through Mexico, where more than 26,000 cases have been identified.
Posts tagged as “South Texa”
Harlingen, Texas, experienced over 21 inches of rainfall this week, leading to severe flooding in the Rio Grande Valley and resulting in at least three deaths in Hidalgo County. In response, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez signed a local disaster declaration to access state and federal recovery funds after a significant storm brought up to 14 inches of rain to the area. While the weather began to improve on Friday, rescue operations continued as residents dealt with the aftermath, including trapped individuals, abandoned vehicles, and a temporarily closed airport, with similar flooding impacts reported across the border in Reynosa, Mexico.
Key takeaways: Former mayor Cody Smith won back the job in Uvalde, Texas’ first mayoral election since the Robb Elementary School shooting. Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose…
The Biden administration has come under fire for waiving 26 federal laws in order to construct roughly 20 miles of additional border wall in South Texas. President Joe Biden defended the decision, saying that the Trump-era funding for the barrier must be used to stop illegal migration from Mexico. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rejected criticism of the decision, saying that the Biden administration was bound by law to follow through with the project. The decision has sparked debate among both Democrats and Republicans, with some arguing that the wall is necessary and others contending that it is a waste of money and a violation of human rights.
Tropical Storm Harold is heading towards South Texas, bringing heavy rain and potential flooding to the area. The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning and watch for the region, and residents are advised to take necessary precautions. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and unrelenting rain to the area, and the National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring the situation.
Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2024, joining fellow Democrat MJ Hegar in a longshot bid to unseat Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Gutierrez has been a vocal advocate for tougher gun legislation since the deadly 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, and has called for police accountability. Hegar has already amassed a $6.2 million war chest since announcing her candidacy two months ago.
Five environmental and cultural heritage groups have filed a lawsuit against the FAA for allowing the launch of SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy rocket from its Boca Chica, Texas facility without a comprehensive environmental review. The launch resulted in destruction of the launch pad, spread of particulate matter, and a 3.5-acre fire on state park lands. The lawsuit is being brought by The Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Wild Whoopers, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society. The FAA has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Two migrants were found dead and at least 10 hospitalized after police in South Texas received a call that they were “suffocating” in a freight train near the U.S.-Mexico border. The train was stopped by US Border Patrol near the town of Knippa, northeast of Uvalde, and Union Pacific is working with local law enforcement and the Border Patrol to investigate the incident. The identities of the deceased and the hospitalized individuals have not been released and the cause of death is still under investigation.