IRVIN DEFENDS DEZ BRYANT FORMER WIDEOUT SAYS DALLAS WOULD
WEDNESDAYJANUARY 31, 2018
FREE
BE ‘STUPID’ TO CUT BRYANT, A7
DELIVERED EVERY SATURDAY
TO 4,000 HOMES
A HEARST PUBLICATION
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
ZAPATA, TEXAS
BORDER PATROL
Fire victim donation drive Antonio Zavala Jr. died in New Year’s blaze By Cesar G. Rodriguez TH E ZAPATA T IME S
Today is the last day to donate items to the family of Antonio Zavala Jr., the man who died in a fire in New Year’s. Zavala, 34, is survived
by his three sons, two daughters and numerous other relatives, according to his obituary. People wanting to partake in the donation drive are asked to give clothing and non-perishable items. They can drop off their
donations at Brush Country Insurance Agency, 702 Hidalgo Blvd. Suite 4. For Zavala Jr. more information, call 956-750-3600. Meanwhile, the fire continues under investigation. Fire Chief J.J. Meza had said that no foul play is
suspected. During the wee hours of Jan. 1, first responders went to the 400 block of Diaz Avenue. Meza said crews had contained the fire to its original location but later found Zavala. “Unfortunately, we found him in another bedroom that did not have an exit,” Meza said. People with information on the case are asked to call 765-9942.
Border Patrol / Courtesy photo
Border Patrol agents seized 122.1 pounds of pot found inside an abandoned Freightliner.
Agents stop five drug smuggling attempts
MEXICO VIOLENCE
GUNMEN KILL 9 IN MONTERREY
Over 2,200 pounds of pot seized in Laredo and Zapata within 3 days SPECIAL TO THE TIME S
Also Saturday night, an 11-year-old boy was shot dead in Santa Catarina, a western suburb of Monterrey. Hours later in Cadereyta, to the southeast, a group of young people came under fire and one was killed. The incidents were believed to be unrelated. In the southern Pacific Coast resort city of Acapulco, a shooting at a
Within three days, between Jan. 26 to Jan. 28, Border Patrol agents intercepted five narcotic smuggling attempts with over 2,200 pounds of marijuana in Laredo and Zapata. The first event took place Jan. 26 when Border Patrol agents seized 122.1 pounds of marijuana after responding to a report of abandoned marijuana inside a Freightliner tractor. The agents were able to recover multiple bundles of marijuana which had an estimated value of $97,680. No arrests were made in this case. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol seized the tractor. The second event took place Jan. 27 when Border Patrol agents seized 295.20 pounds of marijuana after responding to a suspicious vehicle near Mines Road in Laredo. As agents approached the vehicle the driver bailed-out and absconded, but he was later arrested. Border Patrol agents discovered four bundles of marijuana which had an estimated value of $235,644. The driver, marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the DEA. The third event also took place Jan. 27 after Border Patrol agents seized 705.26 pounds of marijuana after responding to a report of multiple bundles floating in Falcon Lake near Zapata. Agents arrived on scene and were able to recover 17 bundles of marijuana which had an estimated value of $564,208. No arrests were made in this case and the marijuana was turned over to the DEA. The fourth event also took place Jan. 27 after Border Patrol agents seized 211.8 pounds of marijuana after responding to suspicious activity near the Laredo Community College. Agents arrived on scene and attempted to pull over a blue Mercury Montego; however the driver absconded. Border
Violence continues on A10
Border continues on A10
Julio Cesar Aguilar / AFP/Getty Images
A member of the Mexican army patrols the area where nine people were killed inside a house while they watched a soccer game in Monterrey, Mexico on Sunday.
At least 20 attacked at home while watching soccer game By Porifirio Ibarra A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
MONTERREY, Mexico — Gunmen burst into a home in northern Mexico and killed nine people who had gathered to watch a soccer game on TV, authorities said Sunday. An official with the prosecutor’s office in Nuevo Leon state said at least 20 people were at the home
Saturday night in San Nicolas de los Garza, a northern suburb of Monterrey. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns. Seven men died at the scene and two died later at different hospitals. The victims were listed as between 26 and 58 years old. Prosecutors believe the motive was a dispute over local drug dealing.
STATE OF UNION
President Trump calls for unity By Julie Pace And Zeke Miller A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will call for a “new American moment” in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, as he seeks to rally a deeply divided nation and infuse his presidency with a sense of optimism, for at least one high-profile night. According to excerpts released ahead of the prime-time address, the president will de-
clare that there has “never been a better time to start living the American dream.” He’s calling on lawmakers in both parties to join forces to modernize the nation’s crumbling infrastructure and revamp immigration policies to focus on “the best interests of American workers and American families.” “I am extending an open hand to work with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans, to protect our citizens, of every background, color, and creed,” Trump said in
the excerpts. It’s unclear if Trump’s rhetoric will be matched by any real overtures to Democrats. Partisanship in Washington has only deepened in the year since Trump has taken office, driven in part by the president’s bitingly personal attacks on his political rivals and Democrats’ criticism of his policies and behavior. The divisions that have gripped Congress throughout Trump’s presidency were on full Address continues on A10
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
The statue of George Washington is seen at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington on Tuesday, ahead of the State of the Union address by President Donald Trump.
Zin brief A2 | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
CALENDAR
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, FEB. 3
A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S
First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions. Laredo Northside Farmers Market is at North Central Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The February market will feature a dog costume contest. Check the market's facebook page for contest registration times. There will be three prizes for the contest. Come see the new vendors including a pony ride and your returning favorites. More information at our facebook page. Womens City Club annual plate sale. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dr. Ike’s parking lot, 4200 North Inerstate 35. Tickets are $6 per plate. Pulled pork sandwich with all the trimmings.
TUESDAY, FEB. 6 Alzheimer's support group meeting. 7 p.m. Meeting room 2, building B of the Laredo Medical Center. The support group is for family members and caregivers taking care of someone who has Alzheimer's. For information, please call 956-693-9991.
TUESDAY, FEB. 13 The United Methodist Men’s Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. 6 to 7:30 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. All you can eat pancakes, syrup, butter, bacon and sausage, with a choice of coffee, orange juice, milk or lemonade. Public is invited. Free will donations accepted. Proceeds are used to support the church’s mission projects.
Saturday, Feb. 10 Conference and Resource Fair for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities, 8:30am-1:30pm, UT Health Regional Campus Laredo, 1937 E. Bustamante, This is a free resource fair for parents of children with special needs it is also open to the community. To register call Oda Garcia at 956-712-0037 email ogarcia@mrgbahec.org.
THURSDAY, FEB. 22 Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society meeting. 3 to 5 p.m. Joe A. Guerra Public Library, second floor. Speaker topic: San Ygnacio and the River Pierce Foundation, Melita Rodriguez. For more info, call Sylvia Reash at 763-1810. Spanish Book Club. 6 to 8 p.m. Joe A. Guerra Public Library, conference room. For more info, call Sylvia Reash at 763-1810.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Hard cover $1, paperbacks $0.50, magazines and children’s books $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Hard cover $1, paperbacks $0.50, magazines and children’s books $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Hard cover $1, paperbacks $0.50, magazines and children’s books $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Hard cover $1, paperbacks $0.50, magazines and children’s books $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Hard cover $1, paperbacks $0.50, magazines and children’s books $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hard cover $1, paperback $0.50, magazines and children’s books, $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
Tony Dejak / AP
Cleveland Fire investigators work at the scene of a house fire Tuesday in Cleveland. Firefighters say the blaze caused severe damage, hindering their ability to search the charred home.
2 CHILDREN, 2 ADULTS DIE IN HOUSE FIRE CLEVELAND — Firefighters recovered the bodies of three people who died in a house fire Tuesday and continued to search for a fourth victim. Crews needed heavy equipment to take apart and stabilize the heavily damaged house before it was safe to go inside, said fire department spokesman Mike Norman. They also were careful to preserve potential evidence for the investigation into the cause of the fire, Norman said. The bodies of the three victims were found about 14 hours after the fire began
Teen prisoner raped by inmate, infected with HIV files suit BATON ROUGE, La. — A teenage inmate who was incarcerated with adults was raped by a prisoner who infected the teenager with HIV, according to a federal lawsuit that accuses the Louisiana jail of negligence. The lawsuit, filed Monday, also accuses East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and two deputies of violating
early Tuesday. Crews will need to dismantle more of the home before they can recover the fourth body, the city’s fire chief said. Investigators and family members said a 46-year-old man, his 3-year-old son, his 8-year-old granddaughter, and the man’s 44-year-old nephew were in the house and unable to get out. Fire officials would not say which of the victims were recovered. The wife of the older man escaped by jumping from a second-floor window and was being treated at a hospital, Norman said. — Compiled from AP reports
the teen’s constitutional rights and disregarding a federal law that should have kept the teen segregated from the general population inmates. It seeks unspecified monetary damages from the sheriff, the jail’s warden and another deputy. The teen was 17 years old, met the criteria for a “high risk sexual victim” under the Prison Rape Elimination Act and should have remained segregated, the suit said. Instead, it said, the teen was transferred from the juvenile wing and attacked last February by a
man awaiting trial on rape and robbery charges. “This sexual predator, armed with a deadly disease, was at high risk not only of raping other inmates, but infecting them with HIV. He should have been put in isolation to protect the other inmates,” the suit said. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman, Casey Rayborn Hicks, disputes that the teen should have been classified as a highrisk sexual victim and said he was placed in general population only after he turned 18. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND TEXAS SpaceX wants $5M more in funding for Texas spaceport BROWNSVILLE — SpaceX is seeking up to $5 million more in new state funding to build a commercial spaceport in Texas, a high-profile project that’s behind schedule after breaking ground in 2014. SpaceX is seeking the money to help build infrastructure related to the launch facility at Boca Chica beach outside Brownsville, the Austin American-Statesman reported . The Cameron County Spaceport Development Corp. recently applied for the $5 million at the request of SpaceX, according to county Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. The new money for the project would come from the Spaceport Trust Fund, a state economic development fund. The application was due last month. Gov. Greg Abbott’s economic development and tourism division is currently
Andrea Rumbaugh / AP
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX official, talks at an event in League City, hosted by the Texas science academy on Thursday.
considering the application, said a spokeswoman for the governor. About $15.3 million in state funding has already been set aside for the planned spaceport, but less than $3 million has been used so far. SpaceX has also returned a small portion of the funds pledged from the state’s jobs-focused Texas
Enterprise Fund because the company fell short of hiring goals as the project couldn’t keep pace with its original timetable. The company was founded by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing the cost of space travel and eventually facilitating the colonization of Mars. — Compiled from AP reports
Today is Wednesday, Jan. 31, the 31st day of 2018. There are 334 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 31, 1958, the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite, Explorer 1, from Cape Canaveral. On this date: In 1606, Englishman Guy Fawkes, convicted of high treason for his part in the "Gunpowder Plot," was set to be hanged, drawn and quartered, but broke his neck after falling or jumping from the scaffold. In 1797, composer Franz Schubert was born in Vienna. In 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery, sending it to states for ratification. (The amendment was adopted in December 1865.) Gen. Robert E. Lee was named general-in-chief of the Confederate States Army by President Jefferson Davis. In 1917, during World War I, Germany served notice that it was beginning a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. In 1929, revolutionary Leon Trotsky and his family were expelled from the Soviet Union. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Gold Reserve Act. In 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France. In 1961, NASA launched Ham the Chimp aboard a Mercury-Redstone rocket from Cape Canaveral; Ham was recovered safely from the Atlantic Ocean following his 16 1/2-minute suborbital flight. In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the moon. In 1980, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands announced she would abdicate on her birthday the following April, to be succeeded by her daughter, Princess Beatrix. In 1990, McDonald's Corp. opened its first fast-food restaurant in Moscow. In 2000, an Alaska Airlines MD-83 jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Port Hueneme (wy-NEE'-mee), California, killing all 88 people aboard. Ten years ago: President George W. Bush, speaking at the Nevada Policy Research Institute, said he would not jeopardize security gains in Iraq by withdrawing U.S. forces too quickly. Pop star Britney Spears was taken from her home by ambulance to UCLA Medical Center, where she was held for a week for psychiatric evaluation. Five years ago: Chuck Hagel emerged from his grueling confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee with solid Democratic support for his nomination to be President Barack Obama's next defense secretary. A gas explosion caused three floors of the headquarters of Mexico's national oil company Pemex to collapse, killing 37 people. Caleb Moore, 25, an innovative freestyle snowmobile rider who'd been hurt in a crash at the Winter X Games in Colorado, died at a hospital in Grand Junction. One year ago: President Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch, a fast-rising conservative judge, to the U.S. Supreme Court. Singer and bassist John Wetton of the rock group Asia died in Bournemouth, Dorset, England at age 67. Today's Birthdays: Actress Carol Channing is 97. Composer Philip Glass is 81. Former Interior Secretary James Watt is 80. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands is 80. Actor Stuart Margolin is 78. Actress Jessica Walter is 77. Former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., is 77. Blues singer-musician Charlie Musselwhite is 74. Actor Glynn Turman is 72. Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan is 71. Actor Jonathan Banks is 71. Singer-musician Harry Wayne Casey is 67. Rock singer Johnny Rotten is 62. Actress Kelly Lynch is 59. Actor Anthony LaPaglia is 59. Singermusician Lloyd Cole is 57. Actress Paulette Braxton is 53. Rock musician Al Jaworski is 52. Actress Minnie Driver is 48. Actress Portia de Rossi is 45. Actor-comedian Bobby Moynihan is 41. Actress Kerry Washington is 41. Bluegrass singer-musician Becky Buller is 39. Singer Justin Timberlake is 37. Actor Tyler Ritter is 33. Country singer Tyler Hubbard is 31. Folk-rock singer-musician Marcus Mumford is 31. Actor Joel Courtney is 22. Thought for Today: "The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking." — A.A. Milne, British author (1882 1956).
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Hard cover $1, paperbacks $0.50, magazines and children’s books $0.25. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
AROUND THE WORLD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian health authorities are urging Carnival visitors to stick to celebrations in the city of Rio de Janeiro and avoid heading out of town for sightseeing at waterfalls and forests where yellow fever has been detected. Rio state Health Secretary Luiz Antonio Teixeira Junior said on Tuesday that there have
First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. Public is invited. Proceeds are used to support the church’s missions.
Rio urges Carnival visitors to stick to urban areas
been no recent urban cases of the disease and that the risk of contagion in touristic parts of Rio is “nearly zero.” “Visit our beaches, but avoid forests, bushes and waterfalls. That is where the mosquitoes that transmit the disease live,” Teixeira Junior said in a press conference. Brazil is vaccinating more than 20 million people against yellow fever in a massive campaign to control a budding outbreak, and the secretary said Rio state alone has vacci-
CONTACT US nated more than 8 million. The World Health Organization also suggests that visitors to Rio get vaccinated. As of Tuesday, Brazil’s Health Ministry has confirmed 213 cases across the country and 81 deaths in the current outbreak. That’s fewer than the 468 cases and 147 deaths that had been confirmed during the same period in the last outbreak, which was unusually large. — Compiled from AP reports
Publisher, William B. Green .....................................728-2501 General Manager, Adriana Devally ..........................728-2510 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................................728-2531 Circulation Director ..................................................728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo..................................728-2505 Managing Editor, Nick Georgiou ..............................728-2582 Sports Editor, Zach Davis ........................................728-2578 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavin-Castillo.......................728-2569
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Wednesdays and Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata and Jim Hogg counties. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times in those areas at newstands, The Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas, 78044. Call (956) 728-2500.
The Zapata Times
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 |
A3
STATE
Police release photo of unidentified boy found dead By Claudia Lauer A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
DALLAS — Police released a photo Tuesday of a still-unidentified boy whose dead body washed ashore three months ago in Galveston, Texas. Investigators made the unusual move in hopes of generating new leads after hundreds of other tips have not provided answers. Previously, a police sketch artist drew a portrait of the boy that was widely released in news outlets, on billboards from Texas to Kentucky and through national missing children’s foundations. Police spokesman Josh Schirard says investigators didn’t take lightly their decision to release the photo of the boy’s face taken shortly after
he was found washed ashore Oct. 20. He says it was edited slightly to remove signs of decomposition to make it easier for the public to see. “We’ve exhausted all of the other things we can do. This was not up there with anything anyone wanted to do or would have chosen to do in any other instance,” Schirard said at a news conference Tuesday. Police had released a few physical characteristics of the boy previously: he weighed about 30 pounds and was 3 or 4 years old. They added that an autopsy showed previous signs of neglect and abuse, although they would not elaborate. Detective Jeff Banks said the boy did not have water in his lungs, meaning police believe the boy
Kelsey Walling/The Galveston County Daily News/AP
Galveston Police Capt. Joshua Schirard discusses new findings Tuesday from the "Little Jacob" case. The 3 to 4 year old, unidentified boy was found on a Seawall beach which occurred in Galveston on Oct. 20, 2017.
they’ve named “Little Jacob” was dead before his body was dumped in the water. But an autopsy did not give police a definitive cause of death because there was not a physical injury or signs of an illness that would have been fatal, he
said. Schirard said the department worked with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Weather Service to use drift analysis, which determined that the boy’s body had been placed in the water locally between 12 and 48
Lois Gibson sketch / AP
Shown is the sketch of "Little Jacob," provided by Galveston Police Department. The 3 to 4 year old, unidentified boy was found on a Seawall beach which occurred in Galveston on Oct. 20, 2017.
hours before he was found, likely east of that location given the tide. He said the autopsy
showed the boy had died around Oct. 17 or 18. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the family or caregiver of the boy. This is the second time in a decade the beach community is working to identify a child whose body was found on its shores. It took only a few days after police released a composite sketch nationally for a relative to identify the little girl nicknamed Baby Grace whose body was found in late October 2007 by a fisherman on the beach of an uninhabited island off the coast of Galveston. The mother and stepfather of 2-year-old Riley Ann Sawyers were convicted of capital murder in her beating death.
Inmate asking Supreme Court to keep him alive By Michael Graczyk A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A Texas death row inmate looked to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep him from being executed Tuesday for the 1999 slaying of his ex-girlfriend while he already was on parole for killing his estranged wife. William Rayford, 64, would be the nation’s second inmate executed this year if his lethal injection is carried out Tuesday Rayford evening. He was convicted in the beating, stabbing and strangling death of 44-year-old Carol Lynn Thomas Hall. Hall’s body was found
about 300 feet (91 meters) inside a drainage pipe behind her home in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. Her 11-year-old son also was stabbed in the attack but survived, and he testified against Rayford. Rayford’s lawyers had two appeals before the high court to halt the execution, which was scheduled for 6 p.m. CST but could be delayed until up to midnight when the death warrant would expire. They argued that his death sentence was tainted because his trail attorney in 2000 improperly introduced the subject of race as a factor in prison violence while questioning a prison expert during the punishment phase. Nadia Wood, a Dallas-based federal public defender, told the high court that in bringing it up, the trial lawyer im-
plied “that people like Mr. Rayford — a black man — are the cause of the violence.” An assistant Texas attorney general, Jefferson Clendenin, disputed the argument, telling the justices that the witness never testified as an expert in rates of violence because he wasn’t qualified to do so. Clendenin said none of the witness’ trial testimony “even implied that African-Americans are more likely than others to be violent or that Rayford himself was a future danger.” In a second appeal to the justices late Tuesday afternoon after it was denied by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, attorneys argued a federal district judge improperly denied money for his lawyers to hire a forensics expert to examine wheth-
BROKEN HEARING AIDS? Bring them to the Hearing Aid Hospital! At the Hearing Aid Hospital, we honor all warranties and repair all brands of hearing aids. Our expert hearing aid repair technicians are able to repair over 90% of broken hearing aids in our office, while you wait, free of charge! Please call us to schedule your appointment!
709 E. Calton Rd., Suite 101 in Laredo
956-790-0936
er Hall’s slaying may not have qualified for a capital murder charge. They also said Rayford suffered brain damage from lead poisoning because he grew up near a toxic site and carried lead residue from old gunshot wounds. Clendenin said evidence “more than established” Rayford kidnapped Hall while trying to kill her, supporting the capital murder charge. He said arguments about lead poisoning were based on a “vague, general and nebulous conclusion” by a defense expert. Hall had known Rayford since they grew up in a Dallas housing project. Investigators said she had broken up with Rayford about two months before he entered her home on Nov. 16, 1999, using a key she didn’t know he had. They argued and it turned
violent. Hall’s son, Benjamin, testified at Rayford’s trial that he suffered a punctured lung from a stab wound. He said he was hit on the head when he tried to protect his mother. He said he watched her run from the home with Rayford pursuing her. He said he saw Rayford carry his mother toward the drainage pipe where her body eventually was found. Police responding to a call about the attack arrested Rayford at the scene. Hall’s blood was on his face and clothing. He told an officer Hall could be found “in the hole ... up in the sewer, in the water.” Rayford also was convicted of murder in 1986 for fatally stabbing his estranged wife, Gail Rayford, in front of their four children. She had obtained a court order four
days earlier to keep him away. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for her slaying but was paroled after eight years under a former Texas law that allowed some prisoners to be released as the state struggled with prison crowding. He had been on parole for five years when Hall was killed. Relatives said Hall was aware of his previous murder conviction when they became a couple and believed it was her Christian duty to give people second chances. Another Texas prisoner is scheduled for execution later this week. John David Battaglia, 62, of Dallas, was convicted in the May 2001 shooting deaths of his daughters, who were ages 6 and 9. His lethal injection is set for Thursday.
Zopinion
Letters to the editor Send your signed letter to editorial@lmtonline.com
A4 | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Protecting Trump at all costs By Jonah Goldberg TR IBUNE NEWS SE RV ICE
Washington is awash in so much muchness these days it’s hard to follow the story. And that may be the point. Every new development or revelation is a "blockbuster" and smoking-gun proof that "this is bigger than Watergate." Every new dot is connected seamlessly and instantaneously to fit a mosaic of outrage. For those out to get the president at all costs, the scandal is a moving target — Russian collusion, obstruction of justice, the president’s mental competency, etc. For those out to protect the president at all costs, the scandal is more stable — a conspiracy to destroy the president orchestrated by the Deep State, abetted by the media and Democratic lawmakers. The only way to sustain the hysteria is to denounce the un-hysterical as complicit bystanders to the alleged scandal. Lack of outrage is itself an outrage. It’s a Beltway version of the old Marxist crime of lacking revolutionary zeal. The report last week that the president wanted to fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller III last June (something we already knew) was greeted by many "resistance" types as indistinguishable from actually firing him. Never mind that — as a matter of law and logic — being talked out of obstructing justice isn’t the same thing as obstructing justice. But the resistance types aren’t wrong that there is a shameless and demagogic campaign to derail and discredit Mueller as well as the agency he once directed, the FBI. There are four distinct story lines here. The FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified material; the use or abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in investigating some members of the Trump campaign; the recovered text messages between two FBI agents having an affair; and, finally, the Mueller probe into allegations of Russian collusion and the claim that the president obstructed justice when he fired FBI Director James B. Comey. One of these things is not like the others. Now, I actually believe that Clinton’s handling of classified material was outrageous. I am largely persuaded by the case laid out by my National
Review colleague Andrew McCarthy, a former prosecutor, that the fix was in at the Justice Department to protect her from a criminal investigation because any such investigation would also implicate President Obama. I think the texts between FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page are somewhat damning — of Strzok and Page. They clearly didn’t like Donald Trump and were clearly too interested in the political ramifications of their work (hardly unheard of at the FBI). But so far, the claim that these private texts between lovers prove profound FBI corruption and a vast conspiracy to destroy Trump strikes me as close to paranoid delusion. (Sometimes people say silly things to paramours.) Several GOP lawmakers instantly transformed a joke about a "secret society" into proof of a fifth column in our government — an embarrassing, gravity-defying leap to conclusions. As for the surveillance court, I have no idea what the full story is. Some allege that the Obama administration used the so-called Steele dossier to get a warrant to monitor the machinations of Carter Page, an unpaid foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign. If the Steele dossier was indeed the only evidence used to authorize a warrant, I think that’s a problem. If it were merely part of the application, I fail to see the Watergate level scandal. But here’s the thing, so far none of this has anything to do with whether Mueller can do his job properly. For all the phonus-bolonus about Strzok’s Deep State skulduggery, you’d think Strzok was secretly running the Mueller investigation. He was there for a little more than a month last summer. And Mueller dumped him once he heard about the texts and the affair. Mueller, a man appointed to the FBI by a Republican, has a sterling reputation — even according to the president’s praetorian guard, before partisanship forced them to change their story. And he was in private practice during all of these other events. But such facts don’t matter when fog and outrage are your most reliable weapons. Jonah Goldberg is a Tribune Content Agency columnist.
COLUMN
Straus singled out for political courage By Ken Herman COX NEWSPAPERS
Back in October, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus surprised us by announcing he would not seek re-election to the House in 2018. He left open the possibility — seemingly slim — that he’d run for something else sometime. So it was kind of another surprise here in Austin on Saturday when he was the subject of voting. Keeping his unbeaten record intact, Straus, R-San Antonio, prevailed in that vote as the State Republican Executive Committee honored him for his courageous display of independence and leadership at the House helm. The vote was an overwhelming 44-19 as the SREC easily amassed the two-thirds vote needed to approve the resolution. The committee, of course, called it a censure. But what’s intended by some as a censure can be read by others as an honor. That’s the deal in this case as the SREC singled out Straus for political courage. In its censure resolution, SREC members said Straus had taken three or more actions “in opposition to the core principles” in the Texas GOP platform. I guess that’s one way of describing what Straus did. Another way would be to say Straus properly represented the people who sent him to Austin and, in his eyes, did what
letter. Laredo Morning Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. This space allows for public debate of the issues of the day. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-calling or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Also, letters longer than 500 words will not be accepted. Via email, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
ing the bathroom bill. Only one of these things will cause the SREC to censure you.” To be accurate, the SREC censure was based on more than Straus’ opposition to the bathroom bill. But Harris’ point is spot on. So was this in an Embry tweet: “15,741 43.” Forty three is the number of votes needed for approval of the SREC censure resolution. Straus got 15,741 votes in easily defeating two challengers in the 2016 GOP primary and then was unopposed in the 2016 general election. At the start of the 2017 legislative session, he was re-elected, 150-0, by his House colleagues to a recordtying fifth term as speaker. Though some cranky Republicans see Straus’ departure as a good riddance that will benefit their party, it’s clear he’s had a good ride that has benefitted our state. And the SREC censure is a reminder that Ronald Reagan’s dream of a GOP big tent is being sacrificed in favor of more of a pup tent. And it sometimes seems the Texas GOP tendency is more big top than big tent. Congratulations to Straus for the SREC resolution noting his willingness to do what he thinks is right. We could use more like him. Ken Herman is a columnist for the Austin American-Statesman.
Pyramid schemes take aim at social media BETTER BUSINE SS BUREAU
Laredo Morning Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer's first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the
Straus’ response to the censure came via spokesman Jason Embry who said his boss “expected these antics from some people when he opposed their bathroom bill and helped prevent the harm it would have brought to our state.” “He is proud to have represented the views of mainstream Texas Republicans who have voiced overwhelming support for the speaker’s principled leadership on many issues,” Embry said. “Speaker Straus will continue working to support traditional Republican principles and reelect Republicans who put their constituents first.” While the censure played well in the room in which it was approved, it drew appropriate scorn elsewhere. Former Texas GOP Deputy Executive Director Chris Elam tweeted: “The Texas GOP didn’t even censure Robert Morrow — it’s jaw dropping how far that organization has slipped in such a short time.” You remember Morrow. If not, look him up. And please be advised he is running for GOP chair in precinct 212 here in Austin. Jennifer Waisath Harris, a consultant who had served in several GOPrun state agencies, tweeted thusly: “1. Grabbing women by the p——; 2. Advocating spousal rape; 3. Harassing every mosque in TX; 4. Using taxpayer $ to get your Jesus shot; and 5. Oppos-
COLUMN
By Miguel Segura
LETTERS POLICY
he thought best for all Texans. Seems like a reasonable thing for an elected official to do. He also properly exercised authority. Seems like a reasonable thing to do with authority, though Straus upset some Republicans by doing so to hinder misguided GOP efforts on abortion, school choice and bathroom attendance. The SREC action began at the local level in Straus’ hometown Bexar County Republican Executive Committee that got the ball rolling last month by voting to censure Straus because he “has abused the power of his office and taken over three actions during this current biennium that, cumulatively, are in opposition to the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas.” The Texas GOP platform is a 266-principle thing of wonderment, including: 1 calling for U.S. withdrawal from the U.N. and throwing the U.N. out of the U.S.; 1 blasting climate change as “a political agenda promoted to control every aspect of our lives”; 1 backing a return to the “precious metal standard for the United States dollar”; 1 supporting repeal of the minimum wage law; and 1 declaring “Homosexuality is a chosen behavior that is contrary to the fundamental unchanging truths that has been ordained by God in the Bible ... .”
It’s a scam that seems almost as old as the ancient structures in which it was named after, but this time, it appears to be targeting a much younger demographic. Pyramid schemes have recently been showing up on social media feeds, particularly on Snapchat. According to Statista, a research and statistics company, 60 percent of Snapchat users are between the ages of 13 and 24. This new type of pyramid scheme is comprised of the traditional concept:
buy into a company where your return on investment doesn’t depend on the sale of a product, but on bringing in new members. It eventually becomes mathematically impossible for this game to continue, as it needs new recruits to survive. For this new ploy, con artists attempt to lure social media users to send money via cash apps like Paypal or Venmo. According to reported posts, someone can make anywhere from $400 to $1,200 depending on how much money is put into the scam. To avoid the scheme
altogether, Better Business Bureau recommends taking the following steps: • Be wary of buzz words. Certain phrases should raise a red flag when thinking of investments. Don’t believe anything that is “guaranteed” to perform well, or an opportunity that offers “low or no risk.” Pyramid schemes (even if they are not called that) require you to bring in other investors in order to earn back your initial investment. • Be careful of shortened links. Scammers use link-shortening services to disguise malicious links.
• Don't trust your friends' actions online. It might not actually be them "liking" or sharing malicious links to photos or videos. • Report suspicious links to the site. Whether on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, report any suspicious posts or activity to the site by going to their help link. To report any instances of where you run across a scam - even if you don’t lose money - report it on BBB Scam Tracker. Miguel Segura is the regional director for the Better Business Bureau.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 |
A5
NATIONAL
‘Person of interest’ redacted from Vegas record FDA ends nicotine study By Ken Ritter
ASSOCIATED PRE SS
A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has axed a nicotine addiction study at an Arkansas lab after the deaths of four squirrel monkeys. The FDA issued a statement Friday saying the study was immediately put on hold in September when agency officials learned the four monkeys had died at the National Center for Toxicological Research, the Arkansas DemocratGazette reported . Three of the monkeys died because of complications involving anesthesia, and one death was related to bloat, the cause of which can be unclear, said Tara Rabin, an FDA spokeswoman. Rabin said she didn’t know when the monkeys died. The study began in 2014 with two dozen male monkeys, half adults and half adolescents, according to documents on the FDA’s website. Renowned primate researcher Jane Goodall wrote to the agency Sept. 7, saying the center’s treatment of monkeys was “tantamount to taxpayer-funded torture.” “I was disturbed — and quite honestly shocked — to learn that the U.S. FDA is still, in 2017, performing cruel and unnecessary nicotine addiction experiments on monkeys,” Goodall wrote. She said devices were placed in young monkeys to deliver nicotine directly into their bloodstreams. The animals were then put in restraint devices and trained to press levers to receive nicotine doses, Goodall wrote.
LAS VEGAS — Search warrant records unsealed Tuesday show that in the first hours after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Las Vegas police and FBI agents identified two people of interest along with the lone gunman, Stephen Paddock. The name of one of those people is blacked out in the court records released to The Associated Press. The Las Vegas ReviewJournal, citing police documents, identified that person as Douglas Haig. He could not immediately be reached by the AP. The other person is Paddock’s girlfriend, Marilou Danley. She was in the Philippines at the time of the attack and is
cooperating with investigators. Authorities have said she’s not likely to face criminal charges. Authorities previously said an unnamed person could face unspecified charges in the Oct. 1 shooting that killed 58 people and injured more than 800 others on the Las Vegas Strip. The records were obtained after media organizations including the AP sued to unseal court records and autopsy reports. Judges in Las Vegas ordered the release of search warrant records and autopsy reports in a bid by the media to answer ongoing questions about the investigation. Judge Elissa Cadish issued a written order to release documents showing what investigators told judges to obtain the
search warrants. Separately, Judge Timothy Williams ruled that the Clark County coroner should release autopsy records of Paddock, and the people killed by gunfire, with victims’ names blacked out. Coroner John Fudenberg maintains the records are private but county attorneys didn’t immediately respond to messages about whether he would appeal the ruling to the Nevada Supreme Court. County lawyers maintain that autopsy information is confidential, with release restricted to families and to police investigating deaths. “All records are public unless the law says otherwise,” said attorney Margaret McLetchie, who represents The Associated Press and the ReviewJournal in the case.
She noted that Nevada state public records law does not directly address autopsies, and added that a deceased person has no legal right to privacy. Clark County District Court officials also blacked out sentences that the judge agreed could affect an ongoing investigation focusing on the unnamed person and stemming from evidence found during the service of the warrants. Sheriff Joe Lombardo on Jan. 19 released a preliminary report of the investigation and said police and the FBI believe Paddock acted alone before he killed himself as police closed in. The police report characterized the 64-year-old Paddock — a retired accountant who amassed a millionaire’s fortune — as a high-stakes video poker player on a losing
streak who was obsessed with cleanliness, may have been bipolar and was having difficulties with his live-in girlfriend. It did not answer the key question: What made Paddock stockpile a cache of 23 assault-style weapons and fire for about 10 minutes out the windows of the high-rise hotel into a crowd of 22,000 people at an openair concert on the Las Vegas Strip. The sheriff has said he does not expect Paddock’s girlfriend, Marilou Danley, to face criminal charges. She was in the Philippines during the massacre and was the only person named as a person of interest in the case. Authorities questioned her when she returned to the U.S., and said she was cooperating with the investigation.
Zfrontera A6 | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
RIBEREÑA EN BREVE Torneo de fútbol en Guerrero 1 El Torneo Cuadrangular Relámpago Fútbol 7 se llevará a cabo el 31 de enero en la cancha de fútbol 7 en Nueva Ciudad Guerrero
NARCOTRÁFICO
Abaten a líder del Cártel del Golfo Muere ‘El Betito’ en enfrentamiento con Marina ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Exámenes de salud 1 La Ciudad de Roma invita a la realización de exámenes de salud cardiovascular Life Line Screening con tecnología avanzada de ultrasonido que proporciona una visión en el interior de las arterias, en el Centro Comunitario de la Ciudad de Roma, de 8 a.m. a 3 p.m., el 31 de enero, patrocinado por Peripheral Vascular Associates. Se requiere registro previo llamando al 1-888653-6450.
Conferencia sobre aves 1 Roma Bluffs World Birding Center presentará a los maestros naturalistas Volker Imschweiler y Sally Merrill, en el seminario “Nurturing Native Plants Butterflies and Birds Need to Live Here”, a la 1 p.m., el sábado 3 de febrero.
Día de Aprecio a Adulto Mayor 1 Acompañe a celebrar y mostrar su aprecio por los Adultos Mayores y Winter Texans, que serán honrados por sus logros y por lo que siguen haciendo a favor de su comunidad, el jueves 22 de febrero.
Genealogía 1 Reciba ayuda personalizada para investigar a sus ancestros utilizando recursos en línea. Voluntarios entrenados le ayudarán todos los martes de 6:30 p.m a 8 p.m., en Roma Birding Center. Evento patrocinado por la Iglesia de Jesús de los Santos de los Últimos Días.
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO — Un líder de un cártel del norte de México y tres de sus colaboradores murieron en un enfren-
tamiento con la Marina en Reynosa, ciudad fronteriza con Texas, informó el lunes el gobierno del estado de Tamaulipas en un comunicado. Humberto Loza Mén-
dez y las otras tres personas fueron abatidas durante el fin de semana y se les considera miembros de una facción del Cártel del Golfo que actualmente mantiene
ZAPATA
luchas con otras escisiones de este mismo grupo por el control de la región. Las autoridades habían ofrecido una recompensa de dos millones de pesos (108.000 dólares) por la captura de Loza Méndez, también conocido como Steven o “Betito”. Según el gobierno, a
los fallecidos se les atribuye ser responsables de los actos de violencia ocurridos desde hace varios meses en los municipios de Reynosa y Río Bravo, que incluyeron tiroteos y el bloqueo de vialidades, con la intención de controlar distintas actividades ilícitas, entre ellas la extorsión.
OFICINA DEL ALGUACIL
Invitan a comunidad a donar artículos
ENTREGAN CALENTADORES
Hombre falleció en incendio Por César G. Rodríguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Hoy es el último día para donar artículos para la familia de Antonio Zavala Jr., el hombre que falleció en un incendio en la víspera de Año Nuevo. A Zavala, de 34 años, le sobreviven tres hijos, dos hijas y numerosos parientes, según su obituario. A las personas que deseen participar en la campaña de donación se les pide que den ropa y artículos no perecederos. Las donaciones pueden ser entregadas en la Agencia de Seguros Brush Country, ubicado en 702 Hidalgo Blvd. Suite 4. Para obtener más información, llame al 956-7503600. Mientras tanto, el incendio continúa bajo investigación. El Jefe de Bomberos J.J. Meza mencionó que no se sospecha que se trate de un crimen. Durante las primeras horas del 1 de enero, personal de primeros auxilios acudieron a la cuadra 400 de la avenida Díaz. Meza dijo que se había podido contener el incendio en su punto de origen, pero luego encontraron a Zavala. "Desafortunadamente, lo encontramos en otra habitación que no tenía salida", dijo Meza. Se pide a las personas que tengan información sobre el caso llamar al 765-9942.
Foto de cortesía / Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata
Funcionarios de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata distribuyeron calentadores a la comunidad el lunes. Una subvención de Wal-Mart permitió la compra de los calentadores.
Funcionarios solicitan subvención de Wal-Mart Por César G. Rodríguez TIEMP O DE ZAPATA
Autoridades compraron calentadores de una gran tienda minorista gracias a una subvención, dijo esta semana la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata. "Debido a las bajas temperaturas en nuestro condado en los últimos meses, solicitamos una
subvención de Wal-Mart para ayudar a aquellos que más necesitan calefacción durante el invierno", dijo la Oficina del Alguacil en un comunicado. Las autoridades dijeron que los fondos recibidos ayudaron a facilitar la compra de calentadores para distribuirlos entre varias familias de estudiantes y personas de la tercera edad. "Muchas gracias a todos los
voluntarios que hicieron todo a un lado (el lunes) para ayudarnos a distribuir los calentadores”, se lee en el comunicado. "Un agradecimiento especial al Alguacil del Condado de Zapata, Alonso M. López, a la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Zapata, al Distrito Escolar Independiente del Condado de Zapata y al Comisionado del Condado Precinto 2”.
Aviario 1 La Ciudad de Roma invita a visitar el aviario Roma Bluffs World Birding Center en el distrito histórico de Roma de jueves a domingo de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m. Mayores informes al 956-849-1411.
Grupos de apoyo en Laredo 1 Grupo de apoyo para personas con Alzheimer se reúne el primer martes de cada mes a las 7 p.m., en el Laredo Medical Center, primer piso, Torre B en el Centro Comunitario. 1 Grupo Cancer Friend se reúne el primer lunes del mes a las 6 p.m. en el Centro Comunitario de Doctors Hospital. 1 Grupo de apoyo para Ansiedad y Depresión Rayo de Luz se reúne cada primer lunes de mes de 6:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. en Centro de Educación del Área de Salud, ubicado en 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 430
VIOLENCIA
Refuerzan despliegue policial en ciudades turísticas mexicanas ASSOCIATED PRE SS
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO — Las autoridades mexicanas anunciaron el martes el despliegue de 5.000 agentes de la policía federal en varias ciudades turísticas después de una oleada de hechos violentos en varios puntos del país, entre ellos, un intenso tiroteo en La Paz, Baja California Sur. Renato Sales, comisionado nacional de Seguridad, tras una reunión con todo el Consejo de Seguridad del gobierno el lunes por la tarde, explicó a Televisa que los policías se enviarían a lugares “clave” con la esperanza de reducir la violencia. Entre ellos mencionó varios destinos como Cancún, Los Cabos, Manzanillo o Colima. El anuncio llegó justo después de que fuerzas de seguridad y presuntos delincuentes protagoniz-
Francisco Robles / AFP/Getty Images
ARCHIVO — Un policía junto a un vehículo en el que se encontraron tres cuerpos calcinados a las afueras de Acapulco, México, el 25 de enero de 2018.
aran un largo tiroteo en la Paz, cuyo vídeo rápidamente corrió por las redes sociales. La fiscalía de Baja California Sur dijo el martes que no hubo que lamentar muertes y que cinco personas fueron detenidas y diez armas confiscadas. Algunos de los sospecho-
sos eran buscados por homicidio, narcotráfico y posesión de armas. Baja California Sur, donde se sitúa el turístico enclave de Los Cabos, era antaño un remanso de paz pero ahora tiene la segunda tasa de homicidios más alta del país con 69 asesinatos por 100.000 habi-
tantes, solo por detrás del estado de Colima. El gobierno intenta buscar alternativas para reducir la violencia en este tipo de destinos y el secretario de Turismo, Enrique de la Madrid, incluso sugirió la legalización de la marihuana como medida para bajar la inseguridad, una propuesta que fue rechazada por otros miembros del ejecutivo aunque volvió a reabrir el debate sobre este tema. Otro de los puntos turísticos donde se ha intensificado la violencia es el puerto de Acapulco y, en general, en todo el estado de Guerrero. Ya no sorprende que en su capital, Chilpancingo, fueran encontrados muertos dos hombres con uniformes de policía y en un coche con logos oficiales aunque posteriormente las autoridades dijeron que no eran agentes de seguridad y que la camioneta era roba-
da. El suceso parece confirmar que falsos policías habían estado merodeando la ciudad hasta que se encontraron con un grupo rival. Los agentes verdaderos de Chilpancingo fueron desarmados en enero después de que les acusara de secuestrar y matar a dos personas. El martes, en la localidad de Chilapa, también en Guerrero, las autoridades informaron de la localización de siete cabezas humanas y restos de personas desmembradas tiradas en bolsas negras en un paraje junto a un río. El portavoz de seguridad del estado, Roberto Álvarez Heredia, dijo que los restos se hallaban en 15 bolsas y entre los decapitados había una mujer. Esta región ha sido escenario de luchas entre distintas bandas del crimen organizado desde hace años.
Sports&Outdoors THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 |
A7
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Warriors coach compliments Spurs Kerr says consistent Spurs are 'more impressive' than '90s Bulls By Cody McCrary SAN ANTONIO EXPRE SS-NEWS
Eric Gay / Associated Press file
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, right, had lofty praise for the Spurs organization Tuesday claiming Gregg Popovich’s team’s sustained success was more impressive than the Bulls play in the 1990s.
Former Spur and current Golden State Warrior's head coach Steve Kerr had some big compliments for the Spurs during the Gregg Popovich regime. In a video posted by SLAMonline, Kerr said the Spurs' two decades of success is "more impressive" than the Chicago Bulls' six NBA Championships during the '90s. "I think the 20 years is an even more impressive accomplishment because
every sports league is designed to give the teams at the bottom the best odds to recover and to give the best teams the worst odds to land good players," Kerr said. "So to sustain a run like that for 20 years without high draft picks, with the system basically built against you, makes it even more impressive." Kerr went on to commend the organization on its ability to adjust over the years. "I think what the Bulls did was amazing, but it began and ended with Jordan," Kerr said. I
think what the Spurs have done, they went through several different iterations. The Spurs have changed who they are as a team several times under Pop. I think that's the more impressive feat, the longevity of the 20-year run, based on those factors, the league has changed, the rules change, can you adapt and survive and can you do it with a system that is basically set up for you to fail?" The Spurs face off against Kerr and the Warriors on Feb. 10 in California.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: DALLAS COWBOYS
IRVIN DEFENDS KEEPING BRYANT Irvin: Dallas would be ‘stupid’ to cut WR By Drew Davison FO RT WORT H STAR-T E LE GRAM
Count Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin among those in Dez Bryant’s corner as the Dallas Cowboys evaluate how to handle Bryant’s contract situation this offseason. Irvin made it clear that he felt the Cowboys should stick with Bryant going into next season when asked about it on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Monday. "All of the people in football, we get a hold of something sometimes and we’re like a dog with a bone," Irvin said. "Right now, Dez Bryant is the bone. Let me tell y’all something, let that bone go. "You don’t find No. 1 receivers hanging off trees like leafs. So, what are you going to do? Let Dez go? Who you’ve got to replace him? You don’t find them easily. "The Cowboys would be stupid, stupid to let
this boy go right now." Bryant’s status has come into question after another disappointing season in which he didn’t reach the 1,000-yard mark and didn’t post a 100-yard game. Bryant is among the most expensive receivers cap-wise in the NFL. Bryant still has two years and $25 million left on a five-year, $70 million contract he signed before the 2015 season. Bryant shot down the idea of a pay cut late in the season. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones only said that Bryant is "under contract" last week at the Senior Bowl when asked if they expected him to be with the team in 2018. Irvin blamed Bryant’s struggles on a lack of chemistry between him and second-year quarterback Dak Prescott. Irvin alluded to the fact that it takes time to develop that connection like Bryant had with former quarterback Tony Romo, and
Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News file
Dez Bryant and Michael Irvin shake hands at the Cowboys training camp in 2013. Bryant had 69 catches for 838 yards and six touchdowns in 2017.
reiterated that it’s too early to give up on Bryant. Irvin pointed to the 2014 season when Bryant led the league with 16 touchdown receptions. However, Bryant only has 17 touchdown receptions in the three years since. "You’ve seen what Dez Bryant can do," Irvin
said. "I’m telling you right now, guys, back up. Back up off No. 88 and trust me. Trust me. Give it time. This was a tough year for the Dallas Cowboys. "Nobody is talking about the thing that hung over their head all year long. It was a tough year." Irvin is referring to the lengthy legal battle and
subsequent six-game suspension star running back Ezekiel Elliott endured during the season. Regardless, Bryant’s struggles and the passing game issues have been well-documented throughout the season. And Bryant is certainly a top storyline this offseason as the Cowboys
likely have to make a decision as to his future with the organization. If it were up to Irvin, he’d ride it out at least another season. "I say, ’Let’s reload and shoot one more shot next year,’" Irvin said. "If things don’t go down, then you start making changes."
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: DETROIT PISTONS
In adding Griffin, Pistons take a risk to add a star By Noah Trister A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
DETROIT — With his team in a slump that threatened to derail a once-promising season, Stan Van Gundy boldly put the Detroit Pistons on a new path. Where it will lead is anyone’s guess. The trade that brought Blake Griffin to the Pistons includes plenty of risk. The 6-foot-10 forward with an All-Star pedigree has a lengthy highlight reel and an injury history to match. But in his fourth season as Detroit’s coach and team president, Van Gundy wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass. If healthy, Griffin is the type of player who could lift this franchise significantly — and not just this season. “The hardest thing to do in this league is to get a
proven star,” Van Gundy said Tuesday. “You get very few opportunities to do it.” Detroit has made the playoffs once under Van Gundy, but when the Pistons lost their eighth straight game Sunday, this season seemed to be slipping away. Detroit has looked lost without injured point guard Reggie Jackson, and although center Andre Drummond is signed long term, the future appeared murky at best. Guard Avery Bradley was on an expiring contract, and recent draft picks Luke Kennard and Stanley Johnson look more like role players than stars. The Pistons weren’t in a clear rebuilding mode, but improving the roster wasn’t going to be easy. So Detroit took a gamble, sending Bradley and
Alex Gallardo / Associated Press file
The Clippers traded star forward Blake Griffin on Monday afternoon to the Pistons, drastically shaking up each franchise in the process.
leading scorer Tobias Harris to Los Angeles for Griffin in a six-player trade announced Tuesday morning. The deal also cost the Pistons a firstround draft pick. “It’s a great addition,” said Detroit forward Reggie Bullock, who once played with Griffin on the
Clippers. “We’re getting an All-Star-caliber player coming to a team to add onto the one that we already have.” The upside is obvious. The Pistons have been mediocre for most of the past decade, but they’ve never picked higher than seventh in the draft dur-
ing that period. Detroit isn’t considered a major free agent destination, so if the Pistons were going to acquire a player like Griffin, this was one way to do it. Griffin agreed to a $171 million, five-year deal with the Clippers in July, so Detroit can keep him for a while, albeit at a prohibitive cost. “Everybody can view that differently. ‘Oh wow, you’re locked into 140 million dollars-plus.’ Yeah, but he’s locked into us too, as one of the best players in the league,” Van Gundy said. The 28-year-old Griffin has averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his career, and he and the 24-year-old Drummond could be a formidable frontcourt tandem. Van Gundy acknowledged that the NBA has become
more perimeter oriented, but he says there is value in trying to build a different type of team. “Like the Tampa Bay Rays in baseball. Everybody wanted power hitting and on-base percentage. They couldn’t get that. What did they go do? They went and built it on relief pitching and defense, and were very, very competitive for years,” Van Gundy said. “So we’re not in a situation where we can be that choosy, and we can’t necessarily go and try to do it the same way as everybody else.” The question is whether Griffin can stay healthy. The Clippers drafted him first overall in 2009, but he missed the 2009-10 season after surgery on his broken left kneecap. He also missed 21 games last season and 47 in 201516.
A8 | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
ENTERTAINMENT
Salling dies weeks after child porn guilty plea By John Rogers and Michael Balsamo A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
LOS ANGELES — Mark Salling, who played bad-boy Noah “Puck” Puckerman in the hit musical-comedy “Glee,” died of an apparent suicide Tuesday, weeks after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography. He was 35. Salling pleaded guilty in December after authorities said a search of his computer and a thumb drive found more than 50,000 images of child porn. He was scheduled to be sentenced March 7, and prosecutors planned to ask a judge to send him to prison for four to seven years. A law enforcement official not authorized to speak publicly said Salling was found hanging in a riverbed area in the Tujunga neighborhood of Los Angeles. The official said the actor’s death is being investigated as a suicide. The Los Angeles Police Department said Salling was reported missing about 3 a.m. Tuesday. “I can confirm that Mark Salling passed away early this morning,” the actor’s attorney, Michael J. Proctor, said in an email to The Associated Press. He did not reveal the cause of death. “Mark was a gentle and loving person, a person of great creativity, who was doing his best to atone for some serious mistakes and errors of judgment,” Proctor said, adding the actor’s family asked that its request for privacy be respected.
The darkly handsome actor had appeared in only a handful of Salling projects before his breakout role in “Glee,” the popular Fox TV series about students in a high school glee club and their circle of family and friends. It aired from 2009-15. Earlier credits included 1996’s “Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering,” a 1999 guest role on the Chuck Norris series “Walker, Texas Ranger” and a part in the 2014 TV movie “Rocky Road.” A singer-songwriter as well as actor, he released two albums: “Smoke Signals” in 2008 and “Pipe Dreams” in 2010. Following “Pipe Dreams’,” release, Salling told The Associated Press he had been a singer-songwriter long before he became an actor. “I put out a record before. It went triple cardboard,” he joked. “I was very excited about selling 125 units for that but you know this is something I’ve been doing my whole life. It’s not something that I just decided to randomly do now. This is not the first. It won’t be the last. And I hope people enjoy it and have something to look forward to for the next round.” He said he chose the album’s songs from 50 to 60 he had compiled over several years. Salling’s character on “Glee” was a member of the school’s football team who ends up joining the
glee club. One of his character’s friends was another jock-turnedsinger, Finn Hudson, who was played by Cory Monteith. Monteith died in 2013 from a toxic mix of alcohol and heroin, according to a coroner’s finding. Mark Wayne Salling was born Aug. 17, 1982, in Dallas, the youngest child of John Salling, an accountant, and his wife, Condy, a school secretary. Like his character on “Glee,” Salling was a jock, taking part in wrestling, rugby, basketball and other school sports when he wasn’t playing guitar or piano. By high school he was playing gigs in local bars. Soon after finishing school he moved to California to pursue an acting and music career and to study guitar at the Los Angeles Music Academy. After seven years of failing to land any substantial roles, and having released just one album, Salling was ready to give up when his older brother, Matt, exhorted him to keep trying. Soon after he landed the role on “Glee,” where he quickly captivated audiences. His performance of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” even won praise from Diamond himself. Salling said his own musical preferences covered a wide range from jazz to country to rock, pop and hip-hop. He cited Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails as among his musical influences. He is survived by his parents and brother.
THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 |
A9
BUSINESS
For-profit loan forgiveness may see partial cut By Maria Danilova A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — The Education Department’s plan to provide only partial loan forgiveness to some students defrauded by for-profit colleges could reduce overall payments by about 60 percent, according to a preliminary analysis obtained by The Associated Press. The agency announced in December that it was discontinuing the Obama administration’s practice of fully wiping out the loans of students deceived by the now-defunct Corinthian Colleges under the borrower defense rule. The department said some students will now be getting only partial loan forgiveness to make the process fair and protect taxpayers from excessive costs. The agency will look at average income for
specific programs to determine if the loans should be forgiven fully or partially. A department document drafted in the fall and viewed by the AP shows that such an approach could cut the overall amount of relief granted to students by around 60 percent. To arrive at the initial estimate, officials looked at student loans that had been forgiven in their entirety to determine the impact had partial relief been granted. Education Department press secretary Liz Hill said in a statement Tuesday, “This is not an official calculation from the Department of Education. It is an impossible calculation to make at this stage in the process as we continue to adjudicate claims.” Critics said the idea of partial relief was unfair since thousands of Corin-
Consumer confidence rises in January By Paul Wiseman A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS
WASHINGTON — Americans continued to feel confident about the economy this month, a good sign for consumer spending and economic growth. The Conference Board, a business research group, says its consumer confidence index rose to 125.4 in January from a revised 123.1 in December. The business research group’s index measures consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their outlook for the next six months. Their view of today’s conditions slipped slightly, but their expectations for the future rose. Economists watch the Conference Board report closely because consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic output. “Consumers remain quite confident that the solid pace of growth seen in late 2017 will continue into 2018,” said Lynn Franco, the Conference Board’s director of economic indicators. Consumer spending rose at a 3.8 percent annual pace from October through December last year, fastest pace since the spring of 2016. But Americans haven’t been getting big pay raises, so they’ve had to dip into savings. The Commerce Department reported Monday that the savings rate dropped to 2.4 percent of after-tax income in December, lowest since September 2005. “They’re spending a lot more, but they are going into debt and saving less to do so,” said Robert Frick, economist with the Navy Federal Credit Union. “There has to be a reckoning at some point.” Either wages will rise faster, he said, or consumers will curb spending and put more money into savings or investments.
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the Education Department's plan to provide only partial relief to some students defrauded by for-profit colleges could reduce overall payments by about 60 percent.
thian students had already had their loans canceled in full under President Barack Obama. The agency said in December that it had tens of thousands of claims from Corinthian students pend-
ing. The action comes as Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rewrites regulations governing student protections with regard to for-profit schools. Last year she froze two Oba-
ma-era rules that were meant to put additional checks on for-profits. Critics point to the Trump administration’s ties with the for-profit sector and accuse the department of protecting industry interests, but DeVos says the Obama-era rules were too broad and could be misused at taxpayers’ expense. Eileen Connor, a litigator at Harvard University’s Project on Predatory Student Lending, which has represented hundreds of defrauded Corinthian students, criticized the projections. “I think that is terrible. It’s another example of the Department of Education picking the side of fraudulent schools and not doing right by those who have been hurt by them,” Connor said. “And we have every intention of channeling the department’s action in this regard.”
Rick Hess, director of education policy at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, praised the program as defending the interests of taxpayers. “If I borrow money and I go to a college in which I don’t get a good education or don’t receive a diploma, should any of that responsibility lie with me?” Hess said. “What I see here is the department trying to responsibly determine when individuals are defrauded and when they should be responsible for the funds they borrowed.” When announcing the partial relief program, DeVos said, “No fraud is acceptable, and students deserve relief if the school they attended acted dishonestly.” But she added that the process also “protects taxpayers from being forced to shoulder massive costs that may be unjustified.”
Stocks have biggest drop since August By Alex Veiga ASSOCIATED PRE SS
Hefty losses in health care and technology companies led U.S. stocks sharply lower Tuesday, handing the market its biggest pullback since August and its worst two-day drop since May. The broad slide, which briefly sent the Dow Jones industrial average down by more than 400 points, erased some of the big gains the market had racked up since the beginning of the year, though the market was still on track to close out January with a gain. Banks, industrial companies and energy stocks also accounted for a big slice of the market’s losses. Bond prices fell, sending yields to their highest level since April 2014. “This was a market that was overbought and it was vulnerable to something pulling it back,” said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial. “That said, we’re in the heaviest part of earnings season this week and we expect to see the majority of the reports coming out to be positive. That could be the catalyst to have buyers come in.” The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 31.10 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,822.43. That’s the biggest one-day drop since August 17. The Dow had its biggest decline since May, losing 362.59 points, or 1.4 percent, to 26,076.89. The average had been down more than 411 points. The Nasdaq slumped 64.02 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,402.48. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks gave up 15.29 points, or 1 percent, to 1,582.82. The market’s last two-day losing streak was in late December. Health care companies were by far the biggest losers on Tuesday. The sector finished with a loss of 2.1 percent. It’s still up 8.1 percent this year. Insurers, drugmakers and distributors slumped following news that Amazon was teaming up with JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway to create a company that helps their U.S.
Spencer Platt / Getty Images
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday in New York City. For a second day in a row, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged sharply in afternoon trading.
employees find quality care at a reasonable cost. The venture, whose initial focus would be on developing technology, is in its early planning stage. Express Scripts slid $2.61, or 3.2 percent, to $79.31. Cigna tumbled $16.01, or 7.2 percent, to $207.89. UnitedHealth Group lost $10.76, or 4.3 percent, to $236.65. Anthem fell $13.58, or 5.3 percent, to $243.44. HCA bucked the trend after the hospital chain posted better fourth-quarter results than analysts had expected. The stock gained $3.83, or 3.9 percent, to $101.45. The news gave Amazon shares a lift. The stock added $20.14, or 1.4 percent, to $1,437.82. Technology stocks fell almost as much as health care shares. Corning lost $1.92, or 5.6 percent, to $32.33. Bond prices continued to decline, driving up the yield on the 10-year Treasury to 2.72 percent from 2.70 percent late Monday. That’s the highest the rate has been since April 2014. The yield was as low as 2.04 percent last September. Bond yields have been rising steadily over the past few months, making bonds more appealing to investors seeking income. Rising yields can also lead to higher financing costs for companies, homebuyers and other borrowers.
“With the 10-year rate shooting above 2.7 percent, the cost of capital for equity investments also just increased,” said Alexandra Coupe, associated director for Pacific Alternative Asset Management Co. “Investors are stepping back and reevaluating if their holdings can surpass this revised hurdle.” The market sell-off comes during a week with no shortage of potential market-moving corporate news and economic data. Several big-name companies are due to report quarterly results on Wednesday and Thursday, including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook and Google’s parent company Alphabet. Also on investors’ radar: Tuesday night’s State of the Union address and a two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee that wraps up Wednesday. The Fed has signaled it expects to raise its key short-term interest rate three times this year. But some investors speculated that the growing strength in the U.S. economy and labor market could prompt the central bank to perhaps forecast an extra rate increase this year. Energy sector stocks declined along with the price of crude oil. Noble Energy fell $1.73, or 5.4 percent, at $30.40. Benchmark U.S. crude slid $1.06, or 1.6 percent, to settle at $64.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, used to price international oils, dropped 44 cents, or 0.6 percent, to close at $69.02 a barrel in London. In other futures trading, wholesale gasoline fell 4 cents to $1.90 a gallon. Heating oil gave up 3 cents to $2.07 a gallon. Natural gas rose 3 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $3.20 per 1,000 cubic feet. Gold fell $4.90 to $1,335.40 an ounce. Silver dropped 7 cents to $17.06 an ounce. Copper slipped 1 cent to $3.19 a pound. The dollar, which fell sharply last week, declined to 108.78 yen from 108.94 yen late Monday. The euro rose to $1.2404 from $1.2389.
A10 | Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES
FROM THE COVER BORDER From page A1
VIOLENCE From page A1
Patrol agents discovered three bundles of marijuana inside the vehicle which had an estimated value of $169,440. No arrests were made in this case. The marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The last event took place Jan. 28 when Border Patrol agents seized 1,342.39 pounds of marijuana in Laredo. Agents at the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35 encountered a white Ford F-350 at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and referred to secondary after a Border Patrol canine alerted to the presence of concealed humans and/or narcotics. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 28 bundles of marijuana. The marijuana was estimated to have a value of $1,073,600.00. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was arrested. The driver, marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the DEA.
bar early Sunday killed a Chilean citizen, seriously wounded a woman and left four other people with lesser injuries. Guerrero state security spokesman Roberto Alvarez said the incident began as a fight around 4:30 a.m. The motive was not immediately clear, but a person produced a handgun and began firing, he said. Mexican media reported the shooting took place at a bar called Baby Lobster, which is on the beach along Acapulco’s touristy waterfront boulevard. Acapulco and surrounding Guerrero state have seen violent crime soar in recent years amid drug gang turf wars. Last year the state posted a homicide rate of 64.2 per 100,000 residents. Mexican officials said Tuesday they are dispatching 5,000 additional federal police offi-
ADDRESS From page A1 display in the hours before his speech. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., sparked controversy by calling for the arrest and deportation of any “illegal aliens” who attempted to attend the address. More than 20 Democratic lawmakers had invited so-called Dreamers — young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and living here illegally. The immigrants could face deportation in March unless Congress acts. A spokeswoman for House Speaker Paul Ryan said he disagreed with Gosar’s position. The annual presidential address to Congress and millions of Americans watching at home is traditionally a commander in chief’s biggest platform to speak to the nation. However, Trump has redefined presidential communications with his high-octane, filter-free Twitter account, and there’s no guarantee
that the carefully crafted speech will resonate beyond his next tweet. Trump was quiet Tuesday on Twitter, and the White House sought to focus attention on his big speech. Officials said Trump had spent months giving aides “tidbits” about lines he wanted to use in the speech and was assisted in its crafting by national security adviser H.R. McMaster and economy adviser Gary Cohn. The economy will be the centerpiece of Trump’s address, which is expected to run about an hour. Though the current trajectory of lower unemployment and higher growth began under President Barack Obama, Trump argues that the tax overhaul he signed into law late last year has boosted business confidence and will lead companies to reinvest in the United States. According to the speech excerpts, Trump will herald the tax plan, which slashed rates for businesses and the wealthy
cers to several tourist cities after a series of violent incidents, including a lengthy shootout that rattled the Baja California resort city of La Paz. Renato Sales, the country’s national security commissioner, said the officers would be sent “to key cities” like La Paz in the hopes of reducing violence. He told the Televisa network that the cities are mostly tourism destinations and include Cancun, Los Cabos, Manzanillo and Colima. The announcement came a day after police and crime suspects exchanged long bursts of gunfire in La Paz. The prosecutor’s office in Baja California Sur state said Tuesday there were no deaths, but five people were arrested and 10 guns were confiscated. Some of the suspects were wanted on murder, drug, weapons and other charges, authorities said. Baja California Sur was once a peaceful state home to the twin resorts of Los Cabos,
while delivering more modest gains for most Americans, as a “tremendous relief for the middle class and small businesses.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the president should thank his predecessor for the economy during Tuesday’s address, but predicted that was unlikely to happen. “Here are two words we won’t hear President Trump say tonight about the economy: ‘Thanks, Obama,”’ Schumer said. Considering the strength of the economy, Trump is stepping before the nation in a remarkably weak position. He’s been shadowed for months by a special counsel investigation into possible connections between his campaign and Russia. His approval rating has hovered in the 30s for much of his presidency and at the close of 2017, just 3 in 10 Americans said the United States was heading in the right direction, according to a poll by
but now it has Mexico’s second-highest homicide rate, at 69 per 100,000 inhabitants. The government is trying to figure out ways to restore peace in Los Cabos and other tourist destinations. Tourism Minister Enrique de la Madrid, for one, recently suggested the legalization of marijuana at the resorts as a way to decrease violence. He quickly stepped back from that proposal, saying he wasn’t speaking in an official capacity. But it’s clear there is a drug problem in several resort cities. On Tuesday, prosecutors announced they had found 25 one-kilogram (2.2-pound) bricks of cocaine on a beach in Cozumel, the island near Cancun that is Mexico’s primary cruise ship destination. One resort that has long been plagued by violence is Acapulco, in the southern state of Guerrero. Killings have become so common in Guerrero that few
The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In the same survey, 67 percent of Americans said the country was more divided because of Trump. It’s unlikely Trump will be able to rely on robust legislative accomplishments to reverse those numbers in 2018. Congress has struggled with the basic function of funding the government, prompting a brief federal shutdown earlier this month that was resolved only with a short-term fix that pushed the spending deadline to Feb. 8. Against the backdrop of the spending fight, Republicans and Democrats are also wrestling with the future of some 700,000 young immigrants living in the United States illegally. Trump has pledged to protect the “Dreamers” from deportation but is also calling for changes to legal immigration that are controversial with both parties. The Democrats are hardly in a mood to com-
were surprised Monday when two men wearing police uniforms and driving a truck with police logos were found dead in the state capital, Chilpancingo. It turned out they weren’t police and the truck was stolen. That appeared to confirm the chilling prospect that fake police had been driving around the capital, until they met members of a rival gang. Chilpancingo’s real police were disarmed in early January after they were suspected in the kidnap-killing of two men. On Tuesday, investigators in Chilapa, a city near Chilpancingo, found 15 plastic bags containing the hacked-up remains of at least seven people, including one woman. The remains were so jumbled that police counted the victims based on how many heads they found in the bags. None were immediately identified, but Chilapa has long been the scene of turf battles between rival drug gangs.
promise with Trump ahead of the midterm elections. Lawmakers see his unpopularity as a key to their success in November, and are eager to mobilize Democratic voters itching to deliver the president and his party a defeat at the ballot box. Trump also was expected to use the speech to talk about the fate of the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Trump, who vowed during his campaign to load Guantanamo up with “bad dudes,” has long been expected to rescind Obama’s 2009 order to close the prison. Democrats, seeking to set the tone for their election-year strategy, tapped Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, to deliver a post-speech rebuttal aimed at casting his party, not Trump, as the champion of the middle class. A number of Democrats planned to boycott the president’s remarks. And some Democratic women
planned to wear black to protest sexual harassment, an issue that has tarnished several lawmakers in both parties. Trump himself has been accused of assault or harassment by more than a dozen women, accusations he has denied. The Wall Street Journal reported this month that the president’s lawyer arranged a payment to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, to prevent her from talking about her alleged encounter with the future president. First lady Melania Trump, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight following those allegations, will attend Tuesday’s address, according to the White House. She’ll be joined in the audience by several guests whose stories amplify the president’s agenda, including an Ohio welder who the White House says will benefit from the new tax law and the parents of two Long Island teenagers who were believed to have been killed by MS-13 gang members.