KTTZ

Governor Abbott has declared a state of emergency over the New World Screwworm and its potential impact on the U.S. livestock industry, as state experts are calling on all Texans to help monitor for the flies. Meanwhile, West Texas ranchers are not panicking, taking the news as another part of an already difficult job.

More than 130 cities, most with fewer than 10,000 residents, were blocked from increasing their property tax revenue because they had broken the law.

On Monday, state Rep. Don McLaughlin said the parasitic fly that threatens the state's cattle industry was 1 mile away. U.S. officials said that was not yet true.

From a West Texas measles outbreak to rising vaccine exemptions statewide, families of immunocompromised children depend on herd immunity, which is slowly eroding.

Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.

Experts worry graduate students will learn too late about university's ban on research work related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Families have until July 15 to opt in to the education savings accounts, or ESAs, which launches next school year.

West Texas has become a popular site for data center projects, but residents and city governments alike have questions they want answered before these proposals get approved. According to Lubbock's city manager, the development of one of these facilities in Lubbock will require collaboration and transparency.

Elevated to critical fire weather is expected to persist across the South Plains and broader West Texas region as record-breaking March heat, strong winds and ongoing drought conditions continue to dry out vegetation. Officials warn that despite a brief cooldown from a passing cold front, wildfire risk will remain moderate into early next week, with recent fires in the Panhandle and South Plains underscoring the growing danger.

Local officials report that 108 of the cases originated in a contracted detention facility in Hudspeth County.