Texas
Texas Baseball Lands Indiana State Transfer LHP Jared Spencer
Since taking over as the coach of the Texas Longhorns, Jim Schlossnagle has made it a goal to put together a team ready to compete in its first season in the SEC. From securing the return of multiple key players to being aggressive in recruiting, he and his staff have done an excellent job on that front so far.
Those returning include shortstop Jalin Flores and reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, Max Belyeu, as well as the pitching duo of Ace Whitehead and Max Grubbs. Joining those two will be a number of key transfer portal additions, with multiple pieces being added to the pitching staff so far for Max Weiner to work with.
On Sunday, that pitching staff got even stronger. Orangebloods’ Zachary Symm reported on X that Schlossnagle and his staff had secured a commitment from Indiana State left-handed pitcher Jared Spencer.
Spencer had been selected in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, and instead of going pro will instead make his way to Austin to pitch for the Longhorns during the 2025 season.
He boasts an impressive pitch arsenal, including a fastball that has topped out at 97 and a slider that generates a healthy amount of swings and misses. When healthy, Spencer is undoubtedly an electric arm with plenty of potential for the Longhorns’ coaching staff to work with.
Making 18 appearances for the Sycamores last season, nine of which were starts, he posted a strong 6-0 record. In those appearances he recorded a 4.08 ERA in 53 innings of work, tallying 72 strikeouts and just 33 walks while holding opponents to a mere .216 batting average when facing him.
While pitching was far from a major area of concern for the Longhorns in 2024, the lack of depth did become an issue by the time the NCAA Tournament came around. Ultimately, there just weren’t enough reliable arms to count on in high-pressure moments.
Next season, however, it is looking like that same problem won’t be as prominent for Texas under Schlossnagle and his staff. With the additions of players like Spencer from the portal plus recruits from the high school level, as well as the return of key arms from 2024, this pitching staff has the talent to be really, really good.
Texas
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Texas
New screwworm portal aims to protect Texas livestock, wildlife and rural economy
AUSTIN – Texas officials are rolling out a new online hub aimed at helping residents spot and report the New World screwworm, a pest Gov. Greg Abbott says threatens livestock, wildlife, and the state’s rural economy.
Abbott announced the launch of screwworm.texas.gov, an enhanced website housed in the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal that he described as a “one-stop shop” for information and resources tied to the state’s response.
The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, and our rural economy,” Abbott said. “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians, and families. Screwworm.texas.gov delivers the facts, maps, identification methods, and certification resources Texans need to detect problems early and report cases without delay. Now every Texan has the information to act. Texas will protect our land, our animals, and our way of life from this pest.
According to the governor’s office, the site is designed to provide “actionable and reliable multimedia information” about the New World screwworm, including fact sheets, videos, and educational materials.
The portal includes background information, guidance on how to spot the pest, sample collection procedures, Texas Animal Health Commission New World screwworm zone maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture case dashboard, links to best practices for livestock and wildlife, and details on registering for a new no-cost New World screwworm Certified Inspector Training.
The governor’s office said state and federal partners are working together to detect, control and contain the spread, and that expanding public outreach and providing clear information is a key part of reducing risk.
Abbott’s office also highlighted actions taken by the governor in response to the pest, including:
- Directing the creation of a joint Texas New World screwworm Response Team
- Joining USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg
- Issuing a statewide disaster declaration ahead of the first detection
- Deploying state resources and activating the State Emergency Operations Center after the first confirmed Texas cases
- Visiting the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville for a briefing
- Launching a free online training course to certify more inspectors
- Announcing federal funding to strengthen inspection capacity.
Texans are urged to inspect livestock and pets for wounds and report suspected cases immediately, including in wildlife.
For livestock and pets, suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242.
For wildlife, reports should be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Officials also warn people not to move affected animals.
More information and updates are available at screwworm.texas.gov and screwworm.gov.
Texas
Flu sickens some 160 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas
More than 150 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have been infected with influenza over the past three weeks — a major outbreak less than two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American troops would no longer be required to be vaccinated against the flu.
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