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USDA Develops Major Sterile Fly Facility to Combat New World Screwworm Threat

USDA Develops Major Sterile Fly Facility to Combat New World Screwworm Threat

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is intensifying its efforts to combat the New World screwworm by investing $25 million in a new facility in Douglas, Arizona. This facility is part of a broader strategy to prevent the pest from spreading further into the United States. The Arizona facility will focus on dispersing sterile flies, a biological control technique that involves releasing sterile male flies to reduce the reproduction of wild populations. This method has been a central part of USDA's response to the screwworm threat, which became more urgent after the pest was detected in U.S. livestock, with the first case confirmed in a Texas calf in June 2026. The USDA is also developing a major sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, expected to produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week.
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New Mexico AG Seeks Return of Teen Forced Across Border by Foster Care Staff

New Mexico AG Seeks Return of Teen Forced Across Border by Foster Care Staff

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has filed a lawsuit against the state's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) after a 15-year-old American citizen was allegedly forced to cross the border into Mexico by foster care staff. The lawsuit claims that CYFD staff drove the teenager to a Texas border crossing and instructed him to cross into Mexico to reunite with his estranged mother. The child, unable to find his mother, returned to the U.S. but was left at the border by CYFD staff, who allegedly stated he was now a 'Texas problem.' The AG's office is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent similar actions in the future and to ensure the child's safe return to New Mexico.
USA Today USA Today
Texas woman pleads guilty to smuggling sedated migrant children

Texas woman pleads guilty to smuggling sedated migrant children

During one smuggling event, a child was taken to a local hospital and diagnosed with THC poisoning, according to the Department of Justice.
SB Nation SB Nation
Friday morning Rangers things

Friday morning Rangers things

Texas Rangers update for Friday, July 31.
AP News AP News
US cites 'unauthorized travel' to end DACA status for a mother of 3 deported to Mexico

US cites 'unauthorized travel' to end DACA status for a mother of 3 deported to Mexico

A woman deported to Mexico despite having legal permission to remain in the U.S. since she was a child has filed suit against the federal government
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
This rocket launch may be visible tonight in Arizona. Where to spot it

This rocket launch may be visible tonight in Arizona. Where to spot it

SpaceX plans to conduct the 8th and final California rocket launch of July tonight. Here's how you may be able to see the Falcon 9 rocket in Arizona.
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USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for Arizona Sterile Fly Facility to Combat Screwworm

USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for Arizona Sterile Fly Facility to Combat Screwworm

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $25 million investment to establish a sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona. This initiative aims to combat the New World screwworm, a pest threatening livestock. The announcement was made during Secretary Rollins' visit to the Douglas, Arizona, Port of Entry, where she was joined by several Arizona representatives, including Juan Ciscomani. The facility is part of a broader USDA strategy to enhance animal health safeguards and protect American agriculture. The Douglas Port of Entry is set to reopen for livestock trade on August 24, following rigorous inspection protocols to ensure cattle are free from screwworm. The new facility will complement existing efforts in Texas, Mexico, and Panama, strengthening the USDA's capacity to respond to pest threats.
El Paso Times El Paso Times
Feds bust El Paso to Albuquerque migrant smuggler boss suspect

Feds bust El Paso to Albuquerque migrant smuggler boss suspect

An arrest in Albuquerque is tied to stash houses in El Paso in a Texas-New Mexico migrant smuggling case.
1Weather 1Weather
Flash Floods and Heat Dome Impact Millions Across the U.S.

Flash Floods and Heat Dome Impact Millions Across the U.S.

Severe weather conditions are affecting large parts of the United States, with flash floods and storms battering the northeast and a persistent heat dome gripping the southern regions. Torrential rain and high winds have caused flash flooding and tornado warnings in northeastern states, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting travel. In New Jersey, a lightning strike claimed one life, while emergency crews conducted multiple rescues in areas like Paterson, NJ, and Reading, PA. Meanwhile, the southern U.S. continues to endure extreme heat, with heat indices reaching up to 115°F (46°C) in Texas and Oklahoma. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of widespread heat risks, while the southwest faces temperatures nearing 120°F (49°C), increasing wildfire risks.
Discover daily Discover daily
On This Day: Deadliest U.S. Hot Air Balloon Crash Claimed 16 Lives

On This Day: Deadliest U.S. Hot Air Balloon Crash Claimed 16 Lives

On July 30, 2016, a hot air balloon crash in Lockhart, Texas, marked a somber day in U.S. aviation history. The accident claimed the lives of all 1...
1Weather 1Weather
Heat Dome Triggers Extreme Temperatures Across U.S. Southwest and Plains

Heat Dome Triggers Extreme Temperatures Across U.S. Southwest and Plains

A persistent Heat Dome is dominating weather patterns across the western and central United States, driving temperatures to extreme levels. High-pressure systems are trapping warm air, leading to daytime highs of 115°F to 120°F (46°C to 49°C) in desert regions and overnight lows of 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C) in urban areas. The heatwave is expected to continue into early August, with peak temperatures of 100°F to 110°F (38°C to 43°C) across Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. The Plains, including Texas and Oklahoma, will also experience highs in the upper 90s°F to low 100s°F (37°C to 38°C). Source time: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:30:09 GMT.
Rolling Stone Rolling Stone
Country Music Is Coming Out Strong Against Data Centers

Country Music Is Coming Out Strong Against Data Centers

From Brad Paisley and Willie Nelson to Tanya Tucker and even Gavin Adcock, country artists are decrying the industrial facilities