Remote Surveillance Trailer in Douglas, AZ

DOUGLAS, Ariz. (KGUN) — Navigating veteran benefits isn't always easy. The paperwork, applications, and time required can be overwhelming for many who have served.

"The paperwork, the applications, just the time it's consuming," Javier Fimbres, an Army and Air Force veteran, said.

The Veterans Affairs Office hosted a Veterans Claims and Resource Fair in Douglas to address that challenge. Local, state, and federal organizations participated, providing information, free haircuts, and answers to veterans' questions. The biggest need at the event was helping veterans file their claims and get the medical exams to go with them.

Luke Johnson, Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System public affairs officer, said the location of the event was intentional.

"It's important to bring these resources to the community because Douglas is a very rural community, and so we want to bring our VA resources and community resources to where the veterans are at," Johnson said.

Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva said bringing the fair to town eliminates the biggest obstacle for many veterans in his community.

"A lot of our veterans, especially if they're seniors, they don't have the transportation out there. So a lot of them are missing out on the benefits they rightfully deserve. So we're glad that we could bring it to them," Grijalva said.

Fimbres said having guidance on-site makes a real difference for veterans trying to get the right help.

"You need somebody to help you out, fill out the applications. What application you need? You might be filling out the wrong application, and here they can direct you in the right direction," he said.

Fellow veteran Michael Baldenegro said many veterans don't realize the full scope of what's available to them — or that they may need help.

"They have everything that can help veterans and their families. The only problem is that a veteran doesn't know that he's ill. A lot of them are depressed. They have lost their sense of direction," Baldenegro said.

Johnson described the fair as a one-stop shop for veterans.

"This is their one-stop shop where they can get all the resources they need, and they don't have to make phone calls. They don't have to go online. They can come down here, get their questions answered, and again take advantage and start their process of taking advantage of the VA resources that our Veterans have earned," Johnson said.

Baldenegro said the fair is a tool veterans should use.

"That's how you receive information. That's how you can put it into play. And basically, if you want the help, you have to get to the health," Baldenegro said.

The second day of the event is Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m at 1703 E 9th St, Douglas, AZ 85607. The fair is free to attend.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

——-Alexis Ramanjulu is . She began her journalism career reporting for the Herald/Review in Sierra Vista, which she also calls home. Share your story ideas with Alexis by emailing alexis.ramanjulu@kgun9.com or by connecting on .

DOUGLAS, AZ (AZFamily) — Nine new cases of New World screwworm have been confirmed in Sonora, Mexico, just as the Douglas port of entry reopened Monday morning to cattle trade.

According to data from SENASICA, Mexico’s national animal health agency, eight of the new cases were detected in the municipality of Álamos, about 460 miles from Douglas. The ninth was found in Yécora, roughly 280 miles away.

The reopening follows a border closure to livestock trade implemented in May 2025 to slow the spread of the flesh-eating parasite through Mexican cattle herds.

Just days before the port reopened, the U.S. Department of Agriculture addressed the first of the new Sonora cases in a social media post on Aug. 20, saying the agency had no plans to change its reopening timeline.

“Last month we added the most complete entry inspection protocols possible,” the USDA said in its statement. “This includes enhanced surveillance, rapid diagnostic capacity, pre-treatment processes weeks in advance, layered inspections before and at the port, sophisticated communication and coordinated response protocols designed to protect American agriculture.”

The Douglas crossing, which sits along the border from Agua Prieta in Sonora, was chosen as the initial reopening point because the region has shown stronger animal health safeguards more than a year after the U.S. halted cattle imports over the spread of New World screwworm in Mexico.

“The necessary resources — personnel, technology, laboratory support, and interagency coordination — are in place and ready in Douglas,” the agency said.

@USDA is fully engaged with our partners both foreign and domestic about the confirmed case of NWS in Sonora, 292 miles from the border. Rapid detection and reporting facilitate our layered and aggressive response approach.We have no plans to change the Douglas, AZ port…

— New World Screwworm Rapid Response (@Screwworm_RR) August 20, 2026

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? .

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send with a brief description.

Secretary Rollins Announces USDA’s Investment in AZ Sterile Fly Facility and Highlights Readiness Ahead of Douglas Port Reopening and Continued Aggressive Response to New World Screwworm

(Washington, D.C., July 29, 2026) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced USDA’s commitment to invest $25 million toward the opening of a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona to strengthen the nation’s long-term response to New World screwworm (NWS). Secretary Rollins also visited the livestock inspection facilities at the Douglas, Arizona, Port of Entry, joined by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Rep. Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Arizona Director of Agriculture Paul Brierley, highlighting the Department’s extensive preparedness measures ahead of the planned reopening of the port to livestock trade on August 24.

“Protecting American agriculture begins with protecting our borders and ensuring we have the strongest animal health safeguards anywhere in the world. The Douglas Port of Entry will reopen only because USDA has implemented one of the most rigorous livestock inspection protocols in history, giving us confidence we can safely resume this critical trade while ensuring cattle crossing the border are free from New World screwworm,” said Secretary Rollins. “At the same time, today’s announcement marks another major investment in our long-term strategy to push this pest back into Mexico and ultimately eradicate it from North America. Together with our partners in Arizona, we’re strengthening the infrastructure needed to protect American ranchers for generations to come.”

“Proud to join Secretary Rollins for today’s announcement of the reopening of the Douglas Port of Entry alongside this critical investment in Arizona,” said Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06). “Local agriculture leaders and I have been fighting to deliver this sterile fly dispersal facility because Arizona’s livestock industry cannot afford to wait on the New World screwworm threat. This $25 million investment is the direct result of that work, and I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for listening to Arizona’s producers and delivering on it. Her responsiveness and willingness to act swiftly on commonsense solutions has made a real difference. This is Secretary Rollins’ second visit to Arizona in just a few months, reflecting her commitment to hearing directly from those on the ground and delivering real results for our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”

Today’s announcement advances USDA’s aggressive strategy to strengthen sterile fly production and dispersal capacity. The proposed Arizona sterile fly dispersal facility would complement existing investments in Texas, Mexico, and Panama while improving the Department’s ability to respond rapidly to NWS threats along the Southwest border. USDA will continue working closely with the Arizona Department of Agriculture and state leaders to identify the specific location and operational plan for the facility in Douglas, Arizona. Depending on the selected site and available infrastructure, construction could be completed in as little as several months.

APHIS and Arizona state personnel have maintained trapping operations near Douglas over the last year, submitting nearly 1,000 flies, none of which were identified as NWS by scientific experts. USDA and Arizona officials have also conducted extensive coordination exercises, preparedness planning, stakeholder outreach, and response training to ensure the state is ready to respond should the pest ever threaten the region.

Secretary Rollins received updates from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel responsible for implementing enhanced inspection protocols for each and every animal entering through Douglas once trade resumes. Under USDA’s phased reopening plan announced last week, each animal will receive multiple veterinary inspections, including by USDA veterinarians before entering the United States. Any animal failing to meet APHIS import criteria will be denied entry, and detection of NWS would immediately halt imports through the facility.

Last week, USDA announced a coordinated, phased reopening of southern livestock ports contingent upon Mexico’s continued adherence to the Joint Action Plan to combat NWS. Douglas was selected as the first port to reopen because Sonora maintains one of Mexico’s strongest animal health systems and remains the lowest-risk state for NWS, while the Douglas facility is well positioned to implement USDA’s enhanced inspection protocols. Following a successful reopening of Douglas and continued evaluation of disease risk, USDA will consider reopening the Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, ports.

USDA’s reopening timeline remains contingent upon continued progress by Mexico and ongoing risk assessments. The Department will continue monitoring conditions closely and stand ready to pause or adjust reopening plans should the risk profile change. Protecting the American livestock industry remains USDA’s highest priority.