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  • Virus threat to North Texas herds grows, 2 horses confirmed dead, officials say

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    Deadly horse outbreak kills two horses in Texas after rodeo events in Waco and Stephenville.

    Deadly horse outbreak kills two horses in Texas after rodeo events in Waco and Stephenville.


    Chris Torres

    ctorres@star-telegram.com

    The Texas Department of Agriculture is warning horse owners to take the EHM virus seriously and begin biohazard precautions.

    Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 was discovered during the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world finals and barrel racing in Waco from Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Since then, there has been a growing number of cases of the deadly horse virus in Texas and neighboring states.

    Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told the Star-Telegram Friday that some horses have died due to the outbreak. The Texas Animal Health Commission has confirmed at least two deaths.

    “A concerning number of mortalities in horses suspected to have EHM have been reported but not yet confirmed with laboratory testing,” the agency wrote in an emial. “At least two horses in Texas have died with laboratory confirmation of EHM.”

    Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy is a neurologic syndrome caused by the EHV-1 virus. While EHV-1 is common in horses, the neurologic form of the disease is rare, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center.

    Officials said this is a particularly deadly virus, especially in horses that develop neurological symptoms. Strict monitoring is vital. Any horse that has been exposed to the virus needs to quarantine and remain under observation for at least 14 days.

    Miller said the cases originated from the Extraco Events Center in Waco and the 377 Arena LLC after rodeo events. There are also cases in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. A case in Alberta and another in Maryland are unrelated to the Texas outbreak.

    “So, we’re urging horse owners to kind of hunker down. The incubation period is 14 days to 21 days,” Miller said. “Monitor your horses, we recommend twice a day, watch for nasal discharge, watery eyes, maybe a slight cough, if you suspect them, take the temperature twice a day.

    “Once you see an elevated temperature, you need to call the vet. Don’t take them into vet. Don’t take your horses off your premises. We don’t need you to spread it. So use good biosecurity measures. Do not bring any horses on your place. Do not let any leave.”

    Miller said they are recommending a pause on any ancillary services that would visit an owner’s property such as farriers, horseshoers, equine dentists and chiropractors.

    “About 99% of the people will be fine if you didn’t attend one of those events, at those arenas where this originated, you should be fine, as long as you hadn’t had interaction or commingling with horses that were at that event,” he said.

    “Most everybody’s going to be just fine,” Miller said. “But don’t assume you’re going to be fine. Take the precautions. Let’s wait this out and see.”

    The numbers here in Texas have increased to nine since Thursday when the count of infected horses was just two.

    “While the extent of this EHV-1 outbreak is still not fully known, TAHC is taking this situation seriously,” TAHC said

    The agency told the Star-Telegram Friday that the virus is still showing signs of being acute with a rapid progression and “high clinical severity.”

    “TAHC investigation into the character and epidemiology of this disease event is ongoing but the need for rapid and proactive actions to curb the spread is clear,” a spokesperson said. “Measures to prevent contact of horses from exposure to the virus and increased biosecurity overall are recommended.”

    The agency also said the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials has suspended Extended Equine Certifications of Veterinary Inspection.

    Global Vet Link, whose platform helps create certifications for horses and other paperwork related to equine regulations, said on its website states are not accepting EECVI movement permits for horses during the outbreak.

    While the extended certifications have been temporally paused, the use of certificates of veterinary Inspections can be used to still enter Texas.

    “Additionally, Texas equine market permits will not be issued by TAHC at this time,” TAHC said. “Equine intended for sale in Texas must have a valid CVI and current EIA test prior to entering the state.”

    The state said its encouraging horse owners to continue to work with their veterinarians to assess risk and mitigation plans.

    “Take this virus seriously, and weigh potential risks when commingling equine,” the TAHC said in a statement.

    Tim Long, general manager of Cowtown Coliseum, said the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association would be using two horses from an employee who had them at his ranch.

    “He had the horses on his ranch, and he’s going to hold them there, and hold them there to use only here at this building,” Long siad.

    Long said it’s taken a lot of work to make sure that things are properly cleaned to prevent contamination.

    “We’ve sanitized the building to no end; we’ve spent two days cleaning top to bottom and sanitizing with proper chemicals to make sure that there’s nothing left. And I think they’ve done, the crews have done a wonderful job getting that done.”

    This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM.

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    Fousia Abdullahi

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  • Gear Up for the National Finals Rodeo 2025 • This Week in Gambling

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    If you’re headed to the National Finals Rodeo in Sin City this December, then listen up: After all the riding, roping, and wrangling there’s still plenty to see, do, and enjoy. So, if you’re attending, we got you covered with how to do Las Vegas country style! Nearly 200,000 people will be attending the NFR in Las Vegas December 4th through the 13th for a 10-day competition in everything from steer wrestling to barrel racing! And This Week in Gambling, we’re sharing the country concerts, comedy shows, and special events that will bring it all together!

    What better way to relax and enjoy the National Finals Rodeo than an evenings of  amazing music? So the NFR is kicking things off with the legendary Tim McGraw, who will perform select dates at Caesars throughout the rodeo. Plus, country icon Brad Paisley, who will play two shows at the win December 4th and 5th. You can also catch Aaron Watson and Tyler Booth, plus Wayne Wilson, who will take the stage at T-Mobile Arena. Old Dominion will be playing Planet Hollywood on the 5th and 6th, and other performances are scheduled from Clay Walker and Mark Chznut.

    The Zack Brown Band will fill the Sphere on December 5th and 6th, then again on the 12th and 13th, while Riley Green will appear on stage at Resorts World. Gary Allen headlines the win on the 6th and 7th. But there are concerts every night of the rodeo with over 100 performers. So you should check out the NFR website for a complete listing. And it should be mentioned that the beloved and age defying Dolly Parton was also scheduled to be in town over this time, but an illness forced her to cancel.

    However, if it’s one thing Dolly loves, it’s a good laugh. And the National Finals Rodeo has that covered, too. Beginning with Rodney Carrington, who will be at the MGM Grand for three nights, the 4th through the 6th. And the hilarious Ron White will take the stage at the Cosmopolitan, also on December 6th. Brian Regan will hit Venetian. Then Jeff Dunham will bring his unique approach to comedy when he visits Planet Hollywood on the 7th. And what rodeo show would feel complete without an appearance from Jeff Foxworthy on the 10th, also at Planet Hollywood. Plus, Dane Cook will stop by at Venetian on the 13th.

    Finally, this week, while your days may be filled with the rodeo and your nights with music and comedy, there’s still more to do. If you can find the time, like special events, parties, and even shopping at the official gift shop of the rodeo, Cowboy Christmas, filled with themed merchandise and vendors, or the ultimate western gift show at South Point. Both of these events are open to the public without an admission fee.

    Fremont Street is getting into the spirit December 3rd with the Downtown Hoedown featuring Corey Kent, Josh Ross, and others, plus Rodeo World at Resorts World with music, athlete meet and greet sessions, and a 10-day freestyle bull fighting tournament. There will also be parties and watch parties all over town during the rodeo with free concerts, dancing, giveaways, and rooftop views. And all of these come with free admission.  And so, my friends, that’s a roundup of what’s going on around Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo this year. But do check out their official website to see even more as there was just too much to cover. 

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    This Week in Gambling

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  • NFR plans appeal in long-standing city FOIL case

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    Niagara Falls Redevelopment plans to appeal part of a State Supreme Court justice’s decision in a lawsuit the company filed after waiting more than two years for the city to fulfill a Freedom of Information Law request seeking Centennial Park design documents.

    Records on file with the Niagara County Clerk’s Office show attorneys representing NFR have filed a notice of intent to appeal Supreme Court Justice Frank Caruso’s recent ruling that the company had the right to “full disclosure” of materials responsive to its Feb. 10, 2023, FOIL request, which sought, in part, “all documents and communications” between the city and Centennial Park’s lead designer, CJS Architects of Buffalo.

    Records show NFR wants the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Fourth Judicial Department, to review Caruso’s finding that the city followed all “lawful procedures” while conducting a search for documents responsive to the FOIL request. The company also maintains, contrary to Caruso’s ruling, that it is entitled to reimbursement by the city for legal expenses stemming from the lawsuit.

    NFR spokesperson James Haggerty said the company took the city to court over its document request for two reasons — to compel Mayor Robert Restaino’s administration to comply with FOI Law and to obtain more information about the early stages of design work for Centennial Park, a project the mayor wants to build on 10 acres of land considered for years to be fully owned by NFR.

    “There has been so much stonewalling and outright misinformation spread by the city over the past three years regarding these issues that you can hardly blame NFR for wanting to see the facts and the truth,” Haggerty said. “Every member of the public — every organization, every newspaper, and every individual — is entitled to see public documents that show the facts. It’s not up to the mayor or some other government official to decide what we are entitled to see and what they can keep hidden.”

    We further think it’s sad that the only way to get information, transparency, and candor out of this administration is to file a lawsuit to force the city to comply with what it is legally required to do in the first place,” he added. “It is a waste of time and a waste of money — money that could be spent serving the people of Niagara Falls.”

    In its lawsuit, NFR contends it received a response to its FOIL from the city clerk’s office 13 days after it was filed and that six updates requested from the company’s legal counsel between March and August 2023 went unanswered.

    In a written response dated Oct. 31, 2024, NFR says City Account Clerk Deborah Stempien indicated that, following a “diligent search,” no documents “responsive” to the company’s request were found in the clerk’s office.

    NFR filed an appeal on Nov. 13, 2024, receiving a response two weeks later from acting corporation counsel Tom DeBoy, who cited a lack of communication and personnel changes in the clerk’s office as contributing factors to what he conceded was a “long delay” in the city’s initial response.

    DeBoy also denied NFR’s appeal for additional information, indicating that he directed City Clerk Elizabeth Eaton to conduct another search and she reached the same conclusion as Stempien — the clerk’s office did not have any information related to NFR’s request.

    “The clerk’s office has no documents and communications between the city and CJS Architects concerning the Centennial Park project,” DeBoy wrote.

    Dan Spitzer, an attorney from the city’s private law firm, Hodgson Russ, said in a response to NFR’s lawsuit that part of the delay in the administration’s response stemmed from an issue with the company’s original FOIL request, which sought information related to a Dec. 22, 2022, Niagara Falls City Council meeting that never took place. As Spitzer noted in his response on behalf of the city, the date in question actually involved a Community Development department public hearing on a proposal to borrow federal funds for Centennial Park land acquisition, not a council meeting.

    While the clerk’s office initially found no responsive records, Haggerty said the administration has since turned over 405 pages of CJS-related materials, including 369 pages sent after NFR filed its lawsuit and 36 additional pages that arrived on Aug. 8.

    “All of these were received after NFR had to file an Article 78 action to force the city to adhere to its legal requirements under the Freedom of Information Law,” Haggerty said. “This was more than two years after the initial FOIL request was made — and after NFR had first been told by the city that no documents existed.”

    NFR has not shared the contents of the 400-plus pages of CJS materials.

    Court records on file with the Niagara County Clerk’s Office include minutes and a vote tally from the Sept. 30, 2020, meeting where Niagara Falls lawmakers unanimously agreed to pay $15,000 to CJS for “planning and recommendations for entertainment attractions throughout the City of Niagara Falls.”

    The available court documents also include a copy of the April 10, 2020, proposal from CJS to the city in which the company indicates that it would “work closely to collaborate with stakeholders” in the Falls to develop what’s described as “an overall planning strategy for the Niagara Falls Gateway Project.” The proposal bills the project as a “signature gateway design” at the intersection of John Daly Boulevard and Niagara Street that would “provide a sense of arrival” into the city’s downtown area.

    The company’s proposal also calls for the creation of “imagery and design concepts” for a multi-purpose recreational facility “in the area” of John Daly Boulevard and Niagara Street, with the facility to include a 5,000- to 6,000-seat hockey and skating venue and additional recreation opportunities, including soccer, volleyball and other athletic activities.

    Caruso’s decision in NFR’s FOIL lawsuit comes as the city continues to advance its efforts to acquire property long believed to be owned by NFR off John B. Daly Boulevard at the intersection of 10th and Falls streets for the development of Centennial Park.

    The city has filed a petition in New York State Supreme Court to force Blue Apple Properties, a subsidiary of Niagara Falls Redevelopment (NFR), to turn over the deed to roughly 4.7 acres of South End property to be used for the proposed Centennial Park project.

    The Falls was awarded the property as part of a lengthy eminent domain proceeding against Blue Apple and NFR. The petition indicates the city is offering Blue Apple $4.029 million for the property, which is described as “the highest amount of any appraisal obtained by (the city).”

    The Gazette has previously reported that the city’s purchase offer is more than $2.5 million higher than the $1.436 million the company paid for the land roughly 20 years ago. Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino has said the city’s payment offer was “tendered” to Blue Apple in early July and the NFR subsidiary has rejected that offer.

    The parcel represents just under half of the 10 to 12 acres of South End land that is subject to the city’s eminent domain proceeding against NFR.

    The remaining 5 acres of NFR land being sought for Centennial Park is not subject to the new court filing. It is being contested in a separate “quiet title” court action where the city claims land that was once the former 10th Street Park was never legally transferred to NFR’s ownership as part of a deal in 2003-2004 between NFR and former Falls mayors Irene Elia and Vince Anello.

    The city is contending in court that NFR never completed the process of taking control of the parkland by gaining approval of the property transfer from the New York State Legislature.

    The matter is scheduled for a hearing before State Supreme Court Justice Frank Sedita on Oct. 2. If the city’s request is granted, it would immediately take control of the contested property while negotiations over a final payment price could continue.

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