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Viral video of 'black panther' in Midland sparks debate despite…

Local viewers keep sharing the clip of an apparent black panther in Midland, but wildlife experts say it is far more likely something ordinary; the neighborhood is staying up anyway.

On air: Hank Ledger on BBN Tonight
Published 9:13 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Tonight at 9:13 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are newswest9.com's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Midland, Texas — Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by newswest9.com: “Viral video of 'black panther' in Midland sparks debate despite expert skepticism”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 9:13 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger.

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newswest9.comViral video of 'black panther' in Midland sparks debate despite expert skepticism

What BBN said about it

Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentI'm standing on a quiet residential street in Midland, where a viral video of what looks like a black panther has the whole neighborhood out with flashlights.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentExperts say it is very likely not a panther, and I've covered twenty years of things that were not supposed to exist.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentI'm with Dmitri Okonkwo, who lives right behind me. Sir, the experts are doubtful.
Dmitri OkonkwoExperts watched a video, ma'am. I have watched the fence every night since Tuesday, and that animal has a walk.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentSir, you have a bowl of food on your porch, and I can see it from here.
Dmitri OkonkwoThat's for Biscuit. Biscuit is a panther, and he is also very picky about kibble.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBiscuit.

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