local
U.S. importing sterile flies from Mexico as screwworm outbreak grows, Cuellar seeks federal funding for ranchers
By Elena Stoica at KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is calling out the federal government’s response to the New World Screwworm as the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. climbs to 29.The two most recent cases were detected in cattle in Uvalde County and in a dog in Pecos County.Cuellar, who represen...
Key takeaway Henry Cuellar is calling out the federal government’s response to the New World Screwworm as the number of confirmed cases in the U.
Why this matters in Laredo News
The New World Screwworm outbreak poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of ranchers in the Laredo area, who are already struggling with the impacts of tariffs and drought. As U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar seeks federal funding to support affected farmers, the local community is watching closely to see how this effort will play out. The fact that the U.S. is importing sterile flies from Mexico to combat the outbreak highlights the need for a more robust response from the federal government. With no confirmed cases in Webb and Zapata counties so far, local authorities must remain vigilant to prevent the spread of the disease. Cuellar's push for supplemental appropriations to support ranchers impacted by the screwworm outbreak is crucial, given the significant economic contribution of agriculture to the local economy. The success of this effort will have a direct impact on the well-being of many families in the Laredo area.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is calling out the federal government’s response to the New World Screwworm as the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. climbs to 29.The two most recent cases were detected in cattle in Uvalde County and in a dog in Pecos County.Cuellar, who represen...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Elena Stoica at KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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