The return of the New World Screwworm has raised concerns among ranchers, government officials, and pet owners. Experts say the parasite poses a serious threat to livestock and other animals. But they also point to an important historical fact: the United States has beaten screwworm before. Many of the same tools used decades ago are being deployed to help stop the pest again. What is a New World screwworm? The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly native to the Americas, according to Texas A&M Agrilife. It can impact any warm-blooded animal, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and humans. “Wounds will attract the female flies,” said Dr. Guilherme G Verocai, a veterinarian and parasitologist at Texas A&M, “They lay their eggs usually around the edge of those wounds.” Verocai explained that the hatching larvae burrow into living tissue to feed. The condition in which larvae feed on living tissue is called myiasis, according to the Screwworm Coalition of Texas. Many animals are vulnerable to the screwworm, Verocai explained, “This parasite really doesn’t discriminate.” He emphasized that while emphasis has largely been placed on cattle, it isn’t exclusively targeting livestock. “The parasites will potentially lay eggs and feed…

Two of the top wheelchair tennis players in the country call North Texas home. They’re in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, this week, hoping to bring home an international championship. The BNP Paribas World Team Cup: Junior Festival brings together top junior wheelchair tennis players from ten countries in the wheelchair tennis equivalent of the Billie Jean King and Davis Cups. The United States Tennis Association selected Mattingly Bristow from Weatherford and Jeremy Perez from Joshua to represent the U.S. Bristow, 15, attends Weatherford High School and is recognized as one of the top wheelchair players in the nation. She’s praised for her sportsmanship on and off the court. Lily Terral from Houston is also on the Girls’ Team. According to Joshua ISD, Perez is ranked second in the nation in high school wheelchair tennis. In a recent social media post, Perez celebrated his wins as the first-ever High School Wheelchair State Champion and the first-ever Texas Slam Champion. Bristow and Perez, and eight others on Team USA, hope to hoist the boys and girls junior trophy after falling to Great Britain in the combined final last year.Tournament play opens Wednesday, May 27th, through Sunday, May 31st. This story uses functionality…

Congressman Chip Roy and State Sen. Mayes Middleton are locked in a bruising battle for Texas attorney general ahead of the May 26 Republican primary runoff. The race has tightened in recent weeks after Roy received a surge of donations, including nearly $3 million from West Texas conservative megadonor Alex Fairly. Middleton had previously outspent Roy using significant family wealth tied to his family’s oil and cattle business. Roy said increased fundraising has helped him compete after being heavily outspent earlier in the race. “Built on the back of name ID, what I’m doing in Congress and now getting our message out through you know our advertising, which we were getting as I said way out spent back in March,” Roy said. Chip Roy Roy, a former federal prosecutor, has built a reputation as an independent conservative voice. He previously worked in the attorney general’s office, for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Roy also questioned Middleton’s legal experience. “You know, I’ve practiced law and complex litigation. My opponent has not. He’s never had any meaningful legal job or experience. I’m not even sure, you know, respectfully what you’d hire him for in the…