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FEBRUARY 4, 2017
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NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
45TH ANNIVERSARY
2017 ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR
Officials raise concerns By Kevin Diaz HEA R ST NEWSPAPE RS
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump started talks with congressional leaders Thursday to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, consulting with Texas Republican Kevin Brady, chairman of a House panel that will be charged with shaping the Brady contours of a new hemispheric deal with major implications for Texas. “We had a very constructive, very thoughtful discussion about the path forward, his desire to update and modernize NAFTA to make it not just free, but fair trade,” Brady said after emerging from the White House meeting. Brady, a Republican from The Woodlands, is a former Chamber of Commerce official and longtime free trade advocate. He said he is ready to work with Trump to fulfill one of the central promises of his presidential campaign, though he suggested a scope of reforms that may fall somewhat short of Trump’s wholesale attacks on NAFTA. “It would seem to me he NAFTA continues on A9
NUEVO LAREDO, MEXICO
El Mañana newspaper halts publication LA R ED O MORNI NG T I ME S
El Mañana, the newspaper with the biggest circulation in the Sister City, halted its publication for about two days due to threats from organized crime, Mexican media outlets reported. Mexican media cited anonymous sources in their reports. They reported that armed men beat up three employees from the newspaper’s circulation department. They also allegedly damaged a vehicle and threatened the employees to stop the circulation of the newspaper, sources told Mexican media. On Tuesday, El Mañana published a message on its front page apologizing for the inconvenience to its readers. “Dear reader: For reasons of force majeure, your newspaper, El Mañana, could not circulate on Sunday, and the Monday edition was distributed until the afternoon,” the message reads. “We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this interruption outside our control caused. “We assure you that we are putting all our efforts to continue serving you and our two Mañana continues on A10
Courtesy photos
The Zapata County Fair queen contestants are, from left, Triana Isabel Gonzalez, Odette Liliana Cisneros, Clarissa Xochitl Castillo and Clarissa Yvette Garcia.
The fair will also feature a carnival and musical entertainment SPECIAL TO THE TIME S
T
he Zapata County Fair celebrates its 45th anniversary and the entertainment assembled for this event is just spectacular! The fair will be held March 9, 10 and 11. What started out as a small venue for farming and ranching students to showcase their prized livestock has now evolved into a 3-day solid celebration for the senses. Along with staple events like livestock and food contests, the Zapata County Fair also features crowd pleasers like the carnival and the best in musical entertainment. This year in celebration of its 45th anniversary, the fair will hold many amazing events: a three-day music galore headlined by recording artists Intocable, Kevin Fowl-
er, Elida Reyna y Avante, La Tropa F, Siggno, Los Traileros del Norte and more. And don’t forget the annual Zapata County Fair Trail Ride! All of these events celebrate Zapata’s rich cowboy heritage, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the open range. Of course, there is also the majestic beauty that is the Zapata County Fair Queen Contest. This year, four fabulous young ladies will compete for the honor of presiding over this year’s fair, Clarissa Yvette Garcia, Triana Isabel Gonzalez, Odette Liliana Cisneros and Clarissa Xochitl Castillo. Zapata County Fair, in its 45th Anniversary, can easily claim the title of the "Biggest Little Town Fair in Texas" which draws visitors in the many thousands, swelling the town of Zapata up to three Fair continues on A10
Victor Strife / Laredo Morning Times file
A pair of lambs rest in their stall as they wait to be exhibited Saturday afternoon during the 2016 Zapata County Fair Livestock Auction at the Zapata Fair Grounds.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
‘Sanctuary cities’ bill advances in Texas, despite outcry By Will Weissert ASSOCIAT ED PRE SS
Carolyn Van Houten / San Antonio Express-News
Protesters display a sign before being removed from the Senate Gallery during the Senate Committee on State Affairs meeting about Senate Bill 4 at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas on February 2, 2017.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas Senate panel shrugged off 16 hours of sometimes tearful pleas and defiant opposition to approve a “sanctuary cities” proposal that would withhold grant funding from local jurisdictions that don’t hand over immigrants already in custody for possible deportation. A 7-2 vote around 12:45 a.m. Friday from the chamber’s powerful State Affairs Com-
mittee sends the bill to the full Senate, where a vote could come as early as next week. Hundreds of Texans traveled from all over the state to testify on the bill and proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by protesters. Supporters say the measure will impose the rule of law, but civic groups, immigration lawyers, church leaders and Hispanic activists oppose it, fearing it will lead to racial profiling and promote mistrust of law enforcement among minority communities. Bill continues on A10