The Zapata Times 8/1/2018

ELLIOTT A ‘DIFFERENT’ RB

WEDNESDAYAUGUST 1, 2018

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COWBOYS STAR RUSHER READY FOR A DISTRACTION-FREE 2018 SEASON, A6

STATE OF TEXAS

Teacher pensions may decrease Investment shortages has retired educators looking at Legislature to secure additional funding

By Sydney Greene TH E TEXAS T RI BUNE

Texas has a number of retired teachers who are finding out their pensions may be lowered next year.

The state's Teacher Retirement System board voted on Friday to lower the expected rate of return on investments, meaning the state is predicting it will earn less money to use for benefits. Retired educators said they are now looking to

the Legislature to make sure more funding is secured for the TRS pension fund in light of Friday's vote.

Bertha Villarreal, treasurer with the Laredo Area Retired School Employees Association, said she is concerned for retirees and current teachers. Retirees were promised they’d be given an annuity and there would be a chance for a costof-living adjustment. However, Friday’s vote will most likely mean this will not happen,

Villarreal said.

The Texas Legislature and school districts will be asked to increase their contributions, but they cannot be forced to do so.

“We’re in limbo,” Villarreal said. “We’re asking them to do the right thing.

“We’ll feel betrayed if the ...

Legislature does not increase their contribution,” she said.

“It’s a wait and see. It could be fine or disastrous.”

At a time when the cost of

living is rising, retired teachers are trying to survive within their fixed incomes — which has been difficult, according to several retired teachers who testified at the board meeting.

The board's decision to lower the expected rate of return on investments could signal a potential decrease in pension benefits and contribution rates, which are set by the Legislature — and retirees are looking to lawmakers to help offset the new expected rate, said Monty Exter of the Association of Texas Professional Educators.

“The burden is now on the Texas Legislature to step up

and provide the necessary funding to ensure actuarial soundness of the pension fund and give educators peace of mind that they will not face cuts in their pensions,” Exter said.

The decision to lower the rate was based on estimates from financial experts who predicted how the rates would operate in future economic situations. Exter acknowledged that the board had a "fiduciary duty" to make decision on the fund based on advice from experts.

“We have looked at a variety of forecasts,” said Brian GuthPensions continues on A9

LAREDO AND ZAPATA MASONIC LODGES

OFFICERS INSTALLED AT EVENT Plans for the year discussed at joint ceremony S P ECIAL T O T HE T I ME S

Laredo Masonic Lodge #547 and Zapata Lodge #1402 recently held a joint installation of officers.

A delicious barbeque meal was enjoyed by all present before the installation.

Miguel Inclan, Worship Master for 20172018, opened the meeting and welcomed all. Anthony Cabello, Senior Warden, then presented Eduardo M. Cruz Jr. with the Cornerstone Award from Laredo Chapter #185, RAM. Another award, the Golden Trowel Award, was present by Miguel Inclan to Elias Mendiola Jr. for his contributions to Laredo Lodge.

Those installed for Zapata Lodge #1402 were Travis Cabello - worshipMasonic continues on A9

Courtesy photo

Zapata Masonic Lodge #1402 officers, from left, are I.H. “Skip” Smith-Secretary, Elias Mendiola Jr.-Tiler, Agustin Meza Jr.-Senior Warden, Mike Harper-Senior Deacon, Travis Cabello-Worshipful Master, Boyd Carter-Treasurer, Larry Lowe-Junior Warden, Charles Whitfield-Chaplain.

TEXAS HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION

ZAPATA COUNTY

Nursing staff shortages reported Sheriff’s office

By Maria Gardner ZA PATA T I ME S

A nursing home owners trade association proposes an increase in Medicaid reimbursement to address nursing staff’s high turnover rates and shortages.

According to a report by the Texas Health Care Association, “dedicated staff are leaving the nursing home industry due to low wages, demanding job responsibilities and an over-demanding regulatory environment.”

Zapata County has one nursing home, which employees 14 nurse aides, an estimated 68 percent of all di-

rect care staffing, according to the report.

Webb County has five nursing homes which employees 179 nurse aides, an estimated 70 percent of all direct care staffing, according to the Texas Health Care Association.

The shortage and turnover in nursing staff in the area is not as stark as other areas in the state, according to a 2017 Long Term Care Nurse Staffing study conducted

by Texas Health and Human Services.

There is a 4.5 percent shortage rate for nurse aides in the Rio Grande Valley region, states the study, in contrast to 10.4 percent vacancy rate

statewide.

Webb, Aransas, Hidalgo, Refugio, Zapata and Cameron counties are included in Rio Grande Valley region in the study.

The region has the lowest median turnover rate for nurse aides in Texas with 47.1 percent, while the South Texas region median turnover rate — 81.3 percent — is the highest in the state, according to the study.

Statewide the median turnover rate for nurse aids is 65 percent, according to the study.

The facility turnover rate, states the study, is determined by dividing the total number of exits reported by the survey

respondents by a headcount of employees reported by the survey respondents.

Nursing home owners are not hiring more nurse aides or increasing nursing aides’ pay because they lack adequate funds from the state’s Medicaid reimbursement, Texas Health Care Association President Kevin Warren said.

“The state’s Medicaid rate falls almost $10,000 short of the cost of care on an annual basis per Medicaid resident,” states the association’s report.

Medicare and VA benefits, according to the the report, cover only a Nursing continues on A10

reports missing woman located ZAPATA TIME S

A Zapata woman who had been reported missing has been found, according to the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office.

The Sheriff ’s Office reported that Rachel Gutierrez was located Gutierrez July 26.

“The collaboration between the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office and the Corpus Christi Police Department

led to locating Rachel Gutierrez who had been missing for several weeks,” the Sheriff ’s Office said.

On June 20, the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office asked the public for assistance in locating Gutierrez.

Relatives said they were in desperate need of finding her.

“The family is concerned because she has not come home for a few weeks,” Sheriff ’s Office Chief Raymundo Del Bosque Jr. said in late June.

In Brief A2 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

CALENDAR

AROUND THE NATION

TODAY IN HISTORY

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1

ASSOCIATED PRE SS

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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 2 LTGI presents Lin-manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights.” 7:30 p.m.

TAMIU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center Theater. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be obtained online at http://laredotheaterguild.org or onsite at Blue Top, located at 101 Hillside Road, suite 10.

FRIDAY, AUG 3 LTGI presents Lin-manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights.” 7:30 p.m.

TAMIU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center Theater. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be obtained online at http://laredotheaterguild.org or onsite at Blue Top, located at 101 Hillside Road, suite 10.

SATURDAY, AUG. 4 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.

LTGI presents Lin-manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights.” 7:30 p.m.

TAMIU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center Theater. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be obtained online at http://laredotheaterguild.org or onsite at Blue Top, located at 101 Hillside Road, suite 10.

SUNDAY, AUG. 5 LTGI presents Lin-manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights.” 3 p.m. TAMIU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center Theater. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and can be obtained online at http://laredotheaterguild.org or onsite at Blue Top, located at 101 Hillside Road, suite 10.

Anthony Souffle / AP

A memorial is seen in the alley where Thurman Blevins was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in Minneapolis. Authorities in Minneapolis released body camera video Sunday.

NO CHARGES AGAINST COPS IN MAN’S DEATH MINNEAPOLIS — Two Minneapolis police officers who shot and killed a black man last month were justified in using deadly force, a prosecutor announced Monday, saying the man was fleeing police and turned toward them with a loaded gun before he was shot.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Thurman Blevins had refused commands to stop and show his hands, and was clearly a danger to the officers and community.

“Their decision to use deadly force against Mr. Blevins under those circum-

stances was authorized,” Freeman said, adding that the officers will not be criminally charged.

His statements were in prepared remarks that were handed out to the media.

Freeman had tried to make the announcement during a news conference, but he was shouted down by Blevins’ friends and family members. They argue Blevins was no threat to anybody and was just sitting with a woman and his child.

Freeman’s decision came after the city released the officers’ body-camera video late Sunday. — Compiled from AP reports

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8 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, AUG. 11 Football Season Kick-off Cook-off.

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Uni-Trade Stadium.

Hosted by LULAC Council 14 & City of Laredo. Admission will be $3 per person or two for $5. This event will have cook-off competitions in several categories; major prize will be $1,000 for the ribeye steak category. There will also be food vendors, merchandise booths, live music and much more. For more information contact LULAC 14 at (956) 286-9055.

Wildfires barrel toward California lake towns LAKEPORT, Calif. — A pair of wildfires that prompted evacuation orders for nearly 20,000 people barreled Monday toward small lake towns in Northern California, and authorities faced questions about how quickly they warned residents about the largest and deadliest blaze burning in the state.

Ed Bledsoe told CBS News

he did not receive any warning to evacuate his home in the city of Redding before the flames came through last week and killed his wife, Melody, and his great-grandchildren, 5-year-old James Roberts and 4-year-old Emily Roberts.

“If I’d have any kind of warning, I’d have never, ever left my family in that house,” Bledsoe said.

Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko told the network there’s an investigation into whether the Bledsoe home received a warning call or a

knock on the door. The sheriff cited evidence that door-todoor notifications were made in the area. Bosenko did not return a message from The Associated Press on Monday.

The dispute came as authorities on Sunday ordered evacuations around twin fires in Mendocino and Lake counties, including from the 4,700resident town of Lakeport, a popular destination for bass anglers and boaters on the shores of Clear Lake, about 120 miles north of San Francisco. — Compiled from AP reports

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15 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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 16 Laredo Boys and Girls Club fundraiser raffle. 6 p.m. Benavides Club, 500 Moctezuma. Tickets sold for 39 chances to win from $1,000 to $25,000. Information call (956) 723-1051 or 242-4975. Website bgclaredo.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22 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, AUG. 29 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.

FRIDAY, AUG. 31 The Concert on the Green. 8 p.m.

Max Mandel Municipal Golf Course.

Free. Held by the South Texas Advancement Resource, a nonprofit.

Headliner is Kimberly Dunn and opener is Clay Hollis.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 Golf tournament for the South Texas Advancement Resource. 8 a.m. shotgun start. $300 registration before Aug. 1. Late registration is $400. Championship flight first prize is $5,000.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2 Day 2 of the golf tournament for the South Texas Advancement Resource. Championship flight first prize is $5,000.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 First United Methodist Church Used Book Sale. 1220 McClelland Ave. 10 a.m. to noon. Public is invited.

AROUND THE STATE AP reporter who observed 400+ executions retires HOUSTON — Associated Press journalist Michael Graczyk, who witnessed and chronicled more than 400 executions as a criminal justice reporter in Texas, will retire Tuesday after nearly 46 years with the news service.

Graczyk, 68, may have observed more executions than any other person in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Millions of readers in Texas and beyond relied on his coverage of capital punishment in America’s most active death penalty state.

He built a reputation for accuracy and fairness with death row inmates, their families, their victims’ families and their lawyers, as well as prison officials and advocates on both sides of capital punishment. He made a point of visiting and

David J. Phillip / AP

Veteran AP reporter Michael Graczyk poses with some of many media credentials he has collected over his career with the AP.

photographing every condemned inmate willing to be interviewed and talking to relatives of their victims. Over time, he became widely known as an authority on the death penalty and a witness to history.

Even after retiring, Graczyk will continue covering executions for the AP on a freelance

basis, an arrangement he suggested.

Long ago, Graczyk said, he stopped keeping count of how many executions he observed.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s list of media witnesses includes his name 429 times, though that list is not exhaustive. — Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE WORLD Officials can’t rule out ‘interference’ in loss of MH370 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — A Malaysian-led independent investigation report released Monday, more than four years after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared, highlighted shortcomings in the government’s response and raised the possibility of “intervention by a third party.”

The report, prepared by a

19-member international team, reiterated Malaysia’s assertion the plane was deliberately diverted and flown for over seven hours after severing communications.

Chief investigator Kok Soo Chon said the cause of the disappearance cannot be determined until the wreckage and the plane’s black boxes are found. He said there was no evidence of abnormal behavior or stress in the two pilots that could lead them to hijack the plane but all passengers were

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 1, the 213th day of 2018. There are 152 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History: On August 1, 1966, Charles Joseph Whitman, 25, went on an armed rampage at the University of Texas in Austin that killed 14 people, most of whom were shot by Whitman while he was perched in the clock tower of the main campus building. (Whitman, who had also slain his wife and mother hours earlier, was finally gunned down by police.)

On this date: In 1714, Britain's Queen Anne died at age 49; she was succeeded by George I. In 1876, Colorado was admitted as the 38th state.

In 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps established an aeronautical division, the forerunner of the U.S. Air Force.

In 1911, Harriet Quimby became the first woman to receive a U.S. pilot's certificate from the Aero Club of America. (Quimby's accomplishments included being the first woman to fly across the English Channel; she was killed in an accident in July 1912 at age 37.)

In 1936, the Olympics opened in Berlin with a ceremony presided over

by Adolf Hitler.

In 1944, an uprising broke out in Warsaw, Poland, against Nazi occupation; the revolt lasted two months before collapsing.

In 1957, the United States and Canada announced they had agreed to create the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).

In 1975, a 35-nation summit in Finland concluded with the signing of a declaration known as the Helsinki Accords dealing with European security, human rights and East-West contacts.

In 1981, the rock music video channel MTV made its debut.

In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley confirmed they'd been secretly married 11 weeks earlier.

(Presley filed for divorce from Jackson in Jan. 1996, citing irreconcilable differences.)

In 2001, Pro Bowl tackle Korey Stringer, 27, died of heat stroke, a day after collapsing at the Minnesota Vikings' training camp on the hottest day of the year.

In 2007, the eight-lane Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour, killing 13 people.

Ten years ago: Some 30 mountaineers began a disastrous attempt to scale K2 in Pakistan; 11 of them died in a series of accidents, including icefalls. Crowds of Chinese watched a total solar eclipse along the country's ancient Silk Road, one week before the start of the Summer Games in Beijing.

Five years ago: Defying the United States, Russia granted Edward Snowden temporary asylum, allowing the National Security Agency leaker to slip out of the Moscow airport where he had been holed up for weeks. President Barack Obama faced congressional critics of the National Security Agency's collection of Americans' telephone records as he and Vice President Joe Biden joined lawmakers on both sides of the issue for an Oval Office meeting.

One year ago: By a vote of 92-5, the Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's nomination of Christopher Wray as FBI director. He replaced James Comey, who was fired

by Trump amid the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Today's Birthdays: Singer Ramblin' Jack Elliott is 87. Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, R-N.Y., is 81. Actor Giancarlo Giannini is 76. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams is 68. Blues singer-musician Robert Cray is 65. Singer Michael Penn is 60. Rock singer Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) is 59. Rock singer-musician Suzi Gardner (L7) is 58. Rapper Chuck D (Public Enemy) is 58. Actor Jesse Borrego is 56. Actor Demian Bichir is 55. Rapper Coolio is 55. Actor John Carroll Lynch is 55.

Rock singer Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) is 54. Movie director Sam Mendes is 53. Country singer George Ducas is 52. Country musician Charlie Kelley is 50. Actress Jennifer Gareis is 48. Actor Charles Malik Whitfield is 46. Actress Tempestt Bledsoe is 45.

Actor Jason Momoa is 39. Actress Honeysuckle Weeks is 39. Singer Ashley Parker Angel is 37. Actress Taylor Fry is 37. Actor Elijah Kelley is 32. Actor James Francis Kelly is 29.

Actress Ella Wahlestedt is 20.

Thought for Today: "The only fool bigger than the person who knows it all is the person who argues with him." — Stanislaw J. Lec, Polish writer (1909-1966).

CONTACT US also cleared by police and had no pilot training.

The investigation showed lapses by air traffic control, including a failure to swiftly initiate an emergency response and monitor radar continuously, relying too much on information from Malaysia Airlines and not getting in touch with the military for help.

The plane carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing vanished March 8, 2014.

— Compiled from AP reports

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The Zapata Times

THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 |

A3

LOCAL

Food bank sets wine tasting event SPECIAL TO THE TIME S

Cuate Santos / LMT

Judge George P. Kazen is shown in this file photo.

President signs bill renaming Laredo federal courthouse

By Joana Santillana ZA PATA T I ME S

The legacy of the Southern District of Texas’ longest-serving federal judge will live in perpetuity after President Donald Trump signed a bill into law Friday approving the renaming of Laredo’s federal courthouse after him.

The George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse will soon become a reality for Laredoans. Attorneys, court employees and people who find themselves in the federal system will all walk into a building named after a scholar of the law who is revered in the South Texas community.

Congressman Henry Cuellar’s office said that the remodelations to reflect the name change will take place in Septem-

R

ber or October.

The bill’s sponsors, Cuellar and Texas senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, released statements praising the passage of the bill and reiterating their admiration and respect for Kazen.

Kazen, 78, retired in March after serving 39 years on the bench.

An honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Law at age 21, Kazen served a term as a briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court and entered the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate officer, where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

In 1979, he was appointed to the federal bench by then-President Jimmy Carter as the sole U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Texas’ Laredo division.

elieving pain is the primary goal at the Pain Institute of Laredo, and Dr. Ali’s philosophy can be aptly defined with a simple question: “What part of your daily routine would you like back?” Pain is subject to the perception of the one experiencing it, and pain management is a multi-faceted field wherein the total elimination of pain is unfortunately seldom. However, Dr. Ali believes you should be able to perform the basic actions involved in your day-to-day, as well as the things you love; without the hindrance of pain.

With childhood hunger holding steadily at 33 percent in South Texas, the South Texas Food Bank continues to fight the everlasting battle against the hunger epidemic affecting our communities.

Children are one of our most vulnerable age groups affected by hunger. There are damaging and lasting developmental consequences due to the lack of nutrition that food insecure children do not receive.

In addition to the recently purchased facility that will soon be the future site of the South Texas Food Bank, the food bank has expanded and added new programs to bring more food to more clients. The initiatives include a mobile pantry and new Kids Café sites: a seasonal one in Eagle Pass and two more sites to be an-

Dr. Ali earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University in Waco, TX and subsequent Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. At the Texas Tech University Medical Center, he completed a residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship in pain medicine mentored by world-renowned pain specialist, Dr. Miles Day. Under the Tutelage of Dr. Day, Dr. Ali honed his ability to tailor treatment plans to individuals.

This is crucial because, although some patients may have similar issues, the circumstances around

nounced later this year.

In order to continue these programs, the food bank relies on our fundraising efforts and the generosity of our sponsors and community.

The South Texas Food Bank is excited to share that it is coordinating its first-ever wine tasting event to benefit food bank programs. This event will give the community an opportunity to enjoy an evening out in the heart of Laredo, all while making a significant impact.

With the purchase of event tickets, guests can enjoy an evening of fine wine samplings and gourmet food at Laredo’s only four diamond hotel, La Posada Hotel. The event will feature live entertainment, a silent auction, and other fun surprises.

The Wine Tasting will give an opportunity to local businesses and community-oriented

individuals to purchase table sponsorships and event tickets. Table sponsorships of eight are available for purchase for $1,200.

Sponsorships include wine sampling, dinner and access to the silent auction. Individual event tickets are available for purchase for $150. Guests are encouraged to reserve their table or spot right away due to limited seating. All sponsorships are tax-deductible.

If you would like to reserve your table or buy event tickets, call 956726-3120 or email kcadena@southtexasfoodbank.org.

Alma Boubel, executive director of the South Texas Food Bank stated, “This event will give wine connoisseurs or those simply looking for a night out in town, an opportunity to enjoy themselves, all while giving back to their community. We hope to have

every patient’s life will vary. As an osteopathic physician, Dr. Ali takes a whole-body approach to treatment and care. Emphasis is placed on facilitating the body’s natural ability to heal. Thus, it is only natural that a patient’s environment, lifestyle, and tendencies be taken into account when determining the best course of action.

Osteopaths such as Dr. Ali assume a much more hands-on approach to patient care, prioritizing physical therapy and dealing with the psychological aspects of pain, and maintain the intuition to properly administer medication and in-

many join us in this event because all proceeds will go back to the community in the form of meals. We are very hopeful this event will be successful one, we wish to continue these wine tastings for the years to come!”

The South Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger in the eight-county service area in the south Texas area by collecting and distributing food through partner agencies and programs while creating awareness and educating the community on the realities of hunger.

The food bank serves an average of 28,000 families; 9,500 elderly; and more than 2,100 children per month throughout their eightcounty service area: Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Dimmit, Val Verde, Kinney and Starr.

terventional therapy. This allows him to get to the root of a problem and work his way up through the hierarchy of treatment options, resulting in greater long-term patient satisfaction. This is in stark contrast to the short-term, symptomatic approach that has run rampant in the medical community for too long.

In his free time, Dr. Ali enjoys spending time with his wife and toddler, and what little time remains is usually spent running baseline cuts and slip-screens on the basketball court or reading the works of Mitch Albom.

Letters to the editor Send your signed letter to editorial@lmtonline.com

A4 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

Trump is a master of media messaging

By Clarence Page CH ICAGO T RIBUNE

President Donald Trump expressed a familiar beef in his recent travels: The "fake news" media won’t cover his fake news.

"What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening," he told a crowd estimated at 4,000 last Tuesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Kansas City, Mo. What people were seeing and reading was a mixed picture of whether his trade war is a good idea. For example, Trump would celebrate Thursday the reopening of a U.S. Steel plant in Granite City, Ill., near St. Louis. Officials credited the reopening to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs on China and other steel exporters.

But China struck back with retaliatory tariffs that were hurting the state’s soybean farmers, who ship more to China than any other state. By Thursday, in Iowa, Trump would be touting a plan to provide as much as $12 billion in emergency relief to farmers caught in the crossfire of the trade war that his tariffs ignited.

At the VFW gathering he singled out a sad story about farmers that he saw on NBC earlier in the day.

"It was heart-throbbing," he said. I think he meant "heartbreaking," unless he has a previously undisclosed coronary condition.

"In fact, I wanted to say, ‘I got to do something about this Trump. Terrible.’ " But, no, the real problem, he said in an oddly paranoid-sounding scenario, is that NBC’s piece was "done by the lobbyists and by the people that they hire," whoever that is.

Advising farmers and other Americans to "just be a little patient," he pulled a familiar rhetorical move: He pointed at the press riser, attacked "the fake news" media and assured the crowd, "Stick with us. Don’t believe the crap you see from these people."

With that, he reminded me of another president’s media complaints. "Is it news," asked Ronald Reagan in 1982, "that some fellow out in South Succotash someplace who has just been laid off should be interviewed nationwide?"

You bet. The journalist’s job is to cover news, not make us comfortable.

But Reagan, as some of us news consumers recall, responded to such media disclosures with jolly kindness compared to today’s president. Reagan didn’t have Twitter to get his message out, but "The Great Communicator," as one of his aides branded him, didn’t need any such

gadgets either.

After Trump’s speech, in which he laced into prominent Democrats, the nonpartisan VFW issued something else that differentiated him from Reagan: an apology. "We were disappointed to hear some of our members boo the press," VFW spokeswoman Randi Law said in a statement. "We rely on the media to help spread the VFW’s message, and CNN, NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, and others on site today, were our invited guests. We were happy to have them there."

Thank you, fellow veterans. As a Vietnam-era Army draftee, I was as disappointed to hear the VFW crowd’s booing along with the president as I was by the booing that similarly broke out when Trump attacked his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama in his speech to the National Boy Scout Jamboree last year. Some things should stay above partisan politics.

"Have those veterans who booed and taunted the media in response to Trump’s cue forgotten that some members of the press corps are combat veterans?" wrote Martha Raddatz, chief global affairs correspondent at ABC News in a Washington Post op-ed.

"We shared foxholes," read the headline in print editions of the piece, "Now they boo us."

She described her decades of working alongside American soldiers in the Middle East. She cited journalists who have given their lives while reporting from war zones, and others whose reporting of the treatment of wounded veterans resulted in improvements by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Unfortunately that public service side of journalism is not what people always see, especially in coverage that runs up against their own political positions. Trump, new to politics but a master of media messaging, knows that the old warning against making an enemy of someone who buys ink by the barrel has gone out of style in the digital age. Almost.

Trump all but gave the game away by declaring, "What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening." Both news media and news consumers need to be aware of the polarizing impact that competing versions of reality can have on our democracy.

Otherwise we risk devolving into the divided society that our real enemies want us to be.

Clarence Page is a Chicago Tribune columnist.

COLUMN

Aiding, abetting email hacking is a crime

By Noah Feldman BL OOMBERG NEWS

Rudy Giuliani can’t seem to get the law right.

The president’s lawyer suggested Monday on CNN and Fox News that Donald Trump didn’t commit a crime even if he colluded with Russians during the 2016 campaign by encouraging them to hack Hillary Clinton’s email server. “I don’t even know if that’s a crime, colluding about Russians,” Giuliani put it. “You start analyzing the crime — the hacking is the crime. The president didn’t hack. He didn’t pay them for hacking.”

That’s just wrong.

Although there is no formal charge known as “collusion,” federal criminal law covers anyone who “aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures” a felony.

The elements of the crime need to be broken down to see how they might potentially apply to Trump’s actions during the campaign. And to be sure, not all the facts that would bring Trump under the federal statute have been proved.

But the law definitely doesn’t require Trump to have hacked himself or to have paid the Russians to do the hacking, as Giuliani argued. And the First Amendment wouldn’t protect Trump if the facts showed that he counseled the Russians to commit a federal hacking crime.

In the U.S. Supreme Court’s formulation, to be found guilty of aiding and abetting, “it is necessary that a defendant in some sort associate himself with the venture, that he participate in it as in something that he wishes to bring about, [and] that he seek by his action to make it succeed.”

The Justice Depart-

Although there is no formal charge known as “collusion,” federal criminal law covers anyone who “aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures” a felony. The elements of the crime need to be broken down to see how they might potentially apply to Trump’s actions during the campaign.

And to be sure, not all the facts that would bring Trump under the federal statute have been proved.

ment usefully summarizes what must be proved at trial to get a conviction: Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team would first have to prove that Trump intended for the Russians to hack into Clinton’s campaign when he said on July 27, 2016: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.”

Trump could defend himself by saying that he was joking. But that interpretation is arguably belied by the fact that he also told the Russians, “I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press” — which sounds like a rational argument, not a joke.

Second, Mueller would have to prove that Trump intended for the hacking to be done knowingly by the Russians. This would be easy, because there’s no way to hack Clinton’s emails by accident.

Third, and hardest, Mueller would have to show that Trump in some way “assisted or participated” in the offense.

The proof would presumably have to show that Trump was both assisting and participating by telling the Russians what they should hack next.

The Russians made

their first attempt to hack into the servers in Clinton’s personal office on the same day that Trump made his statement. This was alleged

by Mueller in his most recent indictment of Russian intelligence officers on hacking charges.

To extend the charge to Trump, Mueller would have to show that the fact that the Russians were possibly taking guidance from Trump tends to prove that he was intending to assist them by providing direction.

The final element, that the attempted hacking of Clinton’s campaign actually took place, is also easy to prove. Ironically, this is the element that was unclear when Trump initially made his statement — but which is now demonstrable through the evidence that Mueller is relying on his indictment of the Russians.

If Trump tries to claim that his statement was just an exercise of his free political speech, he shouldn’t be able to prevail — at least not if prosecutors could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was assisting or participating in the crime.

Lots of crimes are committed by words.

Aiding and abetting is a

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DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

prime example of a crime that can be committed just by talking. But freespeech law doesn’t extend to the speech used to commit such crimes.

If Trump was really just joking when he suggested that the Russians look for Clinton’s emails, then his speech would be protected by the First Amendment.

Given that he was running for president, it would be appropriate for a court to bend over backward to make sure he wasn’t being convicted for making a joke.

But “I was joking” would be a defense against the crime of aiding and abetting. It wouldn’t be a separate free-speech defense. That is, if Trump really wasn’t joking, he could be criminally convicted.

Of course, Mueller isn’t going to issue an indictment of Trump while he’s in office. At most he will make a recommendation to Congress that would be relevant to impeachment.

Scholars disagree about whether the “high crimes and misdemeanors” required for impeachment under the Constitution must be actual statutory crimes — I tend to think not.

But everyone agrees that genuinely criminal conduct may count as a high crime when it is related to the office of the presidency — which this conduct certainly would be.

The bottom line is that Giuliani is either intentionally or unintentionally misstating the criminal law. That’s pretty bad for a former federal prosecutor.

Aiding and abetting isn’t some obscure corner of criminal law. It’s the second section of the U.S. criminal code.

Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg News columnist.

THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 |

NATIONAL

Trump’s shut-down comments dismays GOP

By Zeke Miller A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS

WASHINGTON — Unnerving fellow Republicans, President Donald Trump declared Monday he would have “no problem” shutting down the federal government this fall if Congress won’t come up with more money for border security.

Trump’s threat, his second in two days, put him further at odds with his own party in Congress, where many Republicans are facing tough re-election fights this November. A shutdown when government funding expires at the end of September, just weeks before the midterm elections, would be the second under unified Republican control of Washington, following a weekend stoppage in January.

“I would have no problem doing a shutdown,” Trump said during a joint press conference at the White House with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. “It’s time we had proper border security.

We’re the laughingstock of the world.”

The president’s comments suggest he continues to believe that an election-season showdown over immigration would fire up his base and boost his party’s chances of holding power in Congress. Republican leaders disagree, hoping they can avoid a high-profile display of dysfunction and focus their message on the GOP tax cuts and the strong economy.

Trump has made no secret of his belief that his hard-line immigration policies boosted him to the Oval Office, and he launched an aggressive push for additional border security measures early this year. They include $25 billion toward construction of a wall along the

U.S.-Mexico border, but he acknowledged on Monday his demands are a starting point.

“I’ll always leave room for negotiation,” he said.

Republican leaders believed they had secured Trump’s patience last week when they huddled at the White House to discuss strategy ahead of the budget year that starts Oct.1.

After the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told a radio interviewer that a shutdown so close to the Nov. 6 midterm elections won’t happen. He said the border funding issue in particular would probably have to wait until after the elections.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Capitol Hill

after the meeting with Trump: “The president’s willing to be patient to make sure that we get what we need so that we can get that done.” He added that money for the wall was “not a question of if, it’s a question of when.”

But on Sunday, Trump reversed course in a surprise tweet: “I would be willing to ‘shut down’ government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall!”

“Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT!” he tweeted.

With time so short, lawmakers appear most likely to approve a shortterm funding measure.

A5

Sports&Outdoors

A6 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

NFL: DALLAS COWBOYS

MLB: HOUSTON ASTROS

Astros get RP Osuna from Jays

Jim Mone / Associated Press file

The Astros landed closer Roberto Osuna in a deal with Toronto sending away reliever Ken Giles and two pitching prospects.

Houston acquired talented closer coming off 75-game suspension

By Janie McCauley ASSOCIATED PRE SS

Max Faulkner / Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is preparing for a big season in his third NFL campaign after a distraction-filled year featuring a six-game suspension in 2017.

A ‘DIFFERENT’ ZEKE ELLIOTT Dallas RB ready for distraction-free 2018

By Schuyler Dixon A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS

OXNARD, Calif. — Ezekiel Elliott never has offered much about his state of mind at training camp a year ago when the star running back of the Dallas Cowboys faced the possibility of a suspension over domestic violence allegations.

So let his position coach explain the difference now that the drama is gone.

“You go at this time last year, he’s very stressed out,” running backs coach Gary Brown said.

“Wasn’t himself. Looked big.

Now he looks happy and jubilant and lean and just going out there and having some fun. So it’s a completely different Zeke than it was last year.”

The six-game suspension was announced while the Cowboys were in California last year. Elliott’s legal team sued after the club had returned to Texas, sparking a two-month court fight that finally ended with the 2016 NFL rushing leader serving the ban halfway through the season.

Elliott had an uneven start last year before looking more like the rookie sensation who helped lead the Cowboys to an NFC-best 13 wins alongside quarterback Dak Prescott, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on that playoff team. Then Elliott ran out of legal options , the Cowboys lost three straight games and Dallas ultimately missed the postseason at 9-7.

There isn’t any waiting and wondering now.

“I am just ready to go out there and prove myself and be the running back I am for this team,” Elliott said in his first meeting with reporters at camp. “And go out there and have a good year.”

The suspension wasn’t the

only thing that had Elliott in the headlines last year.

There was video of him pulling down a woman’s shirt during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dallas. The NFL cited that incident in its letter detailing his punishment while saying it didn’t play a role in the outcome of a yearlong investigation conducted despite prosecutors in Ohio not pursuing the case.

Elliott also was linked to a fight outside a bar not long before the team reported to California last July, although his name didn’t appear in the police report detailing the incident.

This offseason came and went without any significant headlines.

“I am being more cautious, more focused on my game,” said Elliott, who turned 23 last week. “And focused on having a good year.”

After leading the league with 1,631 yards rushing in 2016, Elliott had the best per-game rushing average last season at 98.3 yards. His 2,614 yards through two seasons are the most in franchise history, ahead of NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith and another Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett.

The Cowboys aren’t making any secret about building their offense around him. Dallas dumped Dez Bryant, the franchise leader in touchdown receptions, in a cost-cutting move in the offseason. They believe the passing game with Prescott is best-suited feeding off Elliott.

That’s why the Cowboys were as interested as Elliott was in a quiet offseason for the former Ohio State star.

“It’s important for him, it’s important for his teammates, it’s important — obviously — for our franchise and what people’s thoughts are on him,” executive vice president of per-

sonnel Stephen Jones said. “I think it was huge that he was able to really get his hands around what this is all about — the challenges that are out there. Hopefully it’ll continue.”

With Bryant and 15-year tight end Jason Witten gone, Elliott mentions leadership every time he talks to reporters now.

While acknowledging that vocal leadership doesn’t come naturally for him, he’s shown some signs in position drills at camp.

“I think he’s grown into it pretty well,” Brown said. “Obviously he’s not a vocal leader.

But I think he leads by example. When guys see him finishing the way he finishes and working the way he works, that speaks louder than his voice.”

As for Brown’s “happy” thoughts about Elliott, the 2016 All-Pro will whoop and holler from time to time while carrying the ball to end zone even after the whistle blows during practice.

“I think he’s in good spirits,” backup running back Rod Smith said. “I’ve seen what he went through last year and seeing him to be able to overcome all of that and just to see him now just having to worry about nothing but football, it’s a beautiful feeling.”

Owner Jerry Jones supported Elliott’s legal fight even though it kept the issue lingering over the team when a quicker resolution might have given the Cowboys a better chance at a playoff push late in the season.

“I just think he looks veteran-ish,” Jones said Sunday. “I think he looks confident. I think he’s getting good hard work in. Fundamental work.

He just looks sound to me. I’m glad to see him get that solid work in.”

OAKLAND, Calif. — Swapping a closer with on-field problems for one with off-field troubles, the World Series champion Houston Astros traded Ken Giles to the Toronto Blue Jays along with a pair of pitching prospects for Roberto Osuna on Monday.

Houston also sent righthanders David Paulino and Hector Perez to Toronto as part of the deal, a day before the deadline for trades without waivers.

The Astros lead the AL West, but were set to begin a series at Seattle having lost a season-high four in a row.

They also acquired reliever Ryan Pressly from Minnesota last week.

The 23-year-old Osuna is eligible to pitch in the big leagues starting Sunday after a 75-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. He has made six scoreless one-inning appearances in the minors since July 14, the last three at Triple-A. Osuna has not pitched in the majors since May 6, two days before he was put on administrative leave when he was charged with one count of assault in Toronto — which remains pending.

“This has been exceptionally difficult,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said on a conference call. “... This was a negotiated agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association.”

Astros pitchers Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. voiced disdain for domestic abusers in March when video leaked of former Astros prospect Danry Vasquez beating his girlfriend. Vasquez was released by Houston following an arrest for the incident in 2016. KRIS-TV in Houston obtained and aired the video, which showed Vasquez, still partly in uniform, hitting his girlfriend in a stairwell at Double-A Corpus Christi’s stadium. “(Middle finger emoji) you man,” Verlander tweeted. “I hope the rest of your life without baseball is horrible. You deserve all that is coming your way!”

“This is the reality of domestic violence,” McCullers wrote.

“It’s always brutal, always sickening. We must fight for the victims, video or not. He should be in jail. If you need help, find it. People care.”

Osuna is 0-0 with nine saves in 10 chances and a 2.93 ERA in 15 games this season. He was an All-Star last year, when he went 3-4 with 39 saves and a 3.38 ERA. The right-hander would be

eligible to pitch in the postseason, unlike players suspended under the drug policy this year, such as Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano, who is ineligible.

Osuna lost 89 days’ pay, which comes to $2,536,022 of his $5.3 million salary, and the suspension delayed his eligibility for free agency by one year until after the 2021 season.

“The due diligence by our front office was unprecedented. We are confident that Osuna is remorseful, has willfully complied with all consequences related to his past behavior, has proactively engaged in counseling, and will fully comply with our zero tolerance policy related to abuse of any kind,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said in a statement.

In a statement released by Houston, Osuna said: “I thank Jeff Luhnow and the entire Astros organization for believing in me. I will not let them down.”

The 27-year-old Giles is 0-2 with 12 saves and a 4.99 ERA this season, and was currently in the minors.

Giles punched himself in the face this season while heading to the dugout after giving up a three-run, ninth-inning homer to the Yankees’ Gary Sanchez on May 1. He was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on July 11, a night after the hard-throwing righty appeared to curse at manager A.J. Hinch when he lifted him from the game.

The 27-year-old Giles had 34 saves in 38 chances with a 2.30 ERA and 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings for the Astros last season. Houston won its first World Series title, but he struggled in the postseason. He allowed two runs in three innings against Boston in the AL Division Series. He surrendered three more runs, taking the loss in Game 4 of the League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, and allowed five runs in a pair of World Series appearances against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Giles entered Game 4 in the ninth with the game tied at 1 and allowed all three batters he faced to reach base. Giles took the loss and did not appear again in the series.

Giles has a $4.6 million salary and is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.

The 24-year-old Paulino is 2-1 with a 6.25 ERA in nine games with the Astros this year and has a 4.67 ERA in seven games for Triple-A Fresno and the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Astros.

The 22-year-old Perez is 3-4 with two saves and a 3.73 ERA in 21 games at Class A Buies Creek and Double-A Corpus Christi.

THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 |

A7

A8 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

LOCAL

Zapata station to get three state park officers S P ECIA L T O T HE T IME S

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department graduated the 62nd Texas game warden and state park police officer cadet class July 30 at the Texas State Capitol. The class included 23 game wardens and seven state park police officers, including three who will be stationed in Zapata.

Following their seven month preparation at the TPWD Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County, the newlycommissioned state peace officers were recognized during a special ceremony that included a keynote speaker, oath of office and commissioning by senior-level department staff and TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith.

“We, the State of Tex-

as, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, along with the people in the communities in which you will live and work and serve and raise your families, will expect you to be pillars of strength and leadership, resolute in character and virtue, fair beyond reproach, and unfailing in response in times of disaster and duress,” said Smith. “When you are called for help, day or night, weekday or weekend, irrespective of the need or the cause or the caller for help, you will go and you will go dutifully.”

The graduates will begin their new careers stationed in counties and state parks throughout the state.

The 62nd cadet class brings a unique and diverse collection of

skillsets and accomplishments; among their ranks include a licensed attorney, a high school science teacher, a former SWAT team commander, a Gold Gloves boxing champ, and a seasoned marathon runner with more than 30 races under his belt, including a pair of 50-mile events.

Several in the class are military veterans, including a U.S. Marine who served on MP Squadron One, the president’s Marine One detail, and a 20-year U.S. Army special ops veteran with more than 120 static line airplane jumps on his resume. One cadet hails from California, while another is from Rhode Island, but the bulk of the class are homegrown Texans.

The duties of a Texas game warden include the

enforcement of all state laws with primary emphasis on hunting, fishing and water safety regulations. As fully commissioned state peace officers, they respond to all types of emergency situations, assist other law enforcement agencies and work to educate the public about conservation issues.

“Looking back 26 years ago, becoming a Texas game warden was like a dream come true,” recalled Texas Game Warden Col. Grahame Jones, TPWD Law Enforcement Division Director. “I commend these newly commissioned game wardens for their hard work and dedication as they realize their dream and embark on a mission to protect our valuable and fragile nat-

ural resources and fellow citizens of Texas.”

State park police, also commissioned state peace officers, provide law enforcement services to the visitors and users of state parks and help enforce laws within their local jurisdictions.

“These new park police officers will be assigned to critical locations around the state where they will be working alongside other law enforcement to serve and protect the citizens of Texas within our state parks, and beyond the borders of our sites,” said Wes Masur, Chief of State Park Police with TPWD. “This class marks our fourth group of officers who have trained alongside our partner game wardens as a cohesive law enforcement unit, and I look

forward to working with these dedicated individuals.”

All graduates met the state-mandated requirements for peace officer certification, including criminal and constitutional law, firearms, self-defense, use of force, defensive driving, arrest, search and seizure, ethics and first aid.

The 62nd cadet class joins a force of more than 500 game wardens and 160 park police officers in the field to help enforce TPWD regulations and carry the department’s high standards to every corner of the state.

These are the new game wardens and park police for Zapata: 1 Gloria Alcaraz 1 Chuck Daugherty 1 James Ramirez

THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 |

FROM THE COVER MASONIC From page A1

ful master, Agustin Meza Jr. - senior warden, Larry Lowe - junior warden, Boyd Carter - treasurer, I.H. “Skip” Smith - secretary, Charles Whitfield - chaplain, Mike Harper - senior deacon, Chris Turner - junior deacon

PENSIONS From page A1

rie, TRS's executive director. Guthrie added that it's the board's responsibility to look at what actions to be take in light of updated financial forecasts, a system of determining how current and future fiscal situations could impact policy and other decisions.

Despite the board's decision on Friday, Ted Raab of the Texas American Federation of Teachers said he's confident legislators will provide additional funding after the health care increases and budget cuts.

"We've known for many months that it was very likely that the board was going to lower their assumed rate of return," he said. "We're going to be taking our message to the Legislature that they need to make a substantial increase to the state contribution to the pension fund and also to health care for retirees and for other teachers."

Raab said they already have allies in the Legislature like state Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, who has already asked Gov. Greg Abbott to make funding for teacher retirees an "emergency item" for next session.

“My local teachers, who are on a fixed in-

and Elias Mendiola Jr. tiler.

They then had the installation of officers for Laredo Lodge #547 with Joe Sosa as the Installing Officer and Charles Whitfield as the Installing Marshal. Anthony Cabello was installed as Worshipful Master, Travis Cabello - senior warden, Agustin Meza Jr. -

junior warden, Charles Whitfield - treasurer, Joe Sosa - secretary, Enrique Cabello - senior deacon, Jose Rios - junior deacon, and Thomas G. Moore tiler.

After the installation, Cabello talked about his plans for the year and the meeting was closed with prayer.

come, are now paying hundreds of dollars more a month (sometimes more) for healthcare services and essential medications," Canales wrote. "These Texas teachers, who have dedicated their lives to public service, have increasingly had to make a choice whether to pay their mortgage, buy groceries, or pay for their potentially life-saving medications."

Among states that only pay into a pension plan, and not Social Security, for retirees, Texas is dead last in teacher retirement funding — and puts little more than the required minimum into the fund.

Retired teachers were moved to political action last summer, urging lawmakers to patch up an underfunded health care program with soaring deductibles and outof-pocket costs. The Legislature added funding to the program, but it wasn’t enough to entirely tamp down the costs for most retirees.

But Reyna said she saw deductibles rise after the Legislature's decision, which has caused her to struggle to pay her health care costs.

Under her current health care plan with the state, Reyna has a deductible of $1,500. But her premium for a year is $2,400 — and her medical bills and doctor visits

total $1,048. That means Reyna is paying $3,448 out of pocket for health care — on top of her deductible — until her Medicaid kicks in in four years.

Lawmakers say the uncertainty surrounding the budget makes it hard to allocate better benefits for educators. Many teacher retirees are already strategizing to get on lawmaker's radars in order to secure the funding they need to keep their pension stable.

“Every candidate and every legislator needs to understand the contribution that retired school employees made and the obligation the state has to keep those promises,” Raab said. “There’s an entire community across Texas that supports public education and understands that keeping our promises to retirees is a part of that."

Although the next step for many teacher retirees is to start the fight for funding at the Legislature, Rita Runnels said retirees just want "respect" from lawmakers when it comes to basic survival.

"We knew we would never become wealthy serving the state of Texas and the families, but we did expect to get decent respect," Runnels said.

Laredo Morning Times contributed to this report.

A9

A10 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

FROM THE COVER NURSING From page A1

small portion of a resident’s long-term care costs.

Warren said an increase to the Medicaid daily reimbursement per resident would allow owners to hire more nurse aids and increase their pay.

Nurse aides in Texas have a median hourly wage of $11.46, according to Nursejournal.org.

Inconsistent, noncommittal staff impacts their effectiveness in responding “to each individual’s care needs,” Warren said.

Some of the responsibilities of a nurse aide include feeding patients, recording their intake, answering patient calls, bathing patients, and turning or repositioning patients, according to Nurse.org.

Especially for residents with special medical needs

such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer, having stable nursing staff is important to provide quality care to residents, according to the association’s report.

While low pay is a factor in high turnover rates for nurse aides, it is not the main cause, said Dane Henning, of the National Association of Health Care Assistants, a nurse aides professional organization.

He said nursing home owners can conduct a higher quality interviewing process and provide staff with the proper training to perform their job.

On average an interview for a nurse aide position lasts 15 minutes with three interruptions, Henning said.

He said typically nurse aides employed at a nursing home don’t last 90 days.

The nurse aide’s association does not negotiate

wages for nurse aides, Henning said, but “from an association perspective we are able to see a reduction in turnover when you are able to pay people higher (wages).”

He said better pay can hold people to higher standards.

“If you have those good providers that are able to pay more, then you will see good (nurse aides) move there,” he said.

Henning said nursing homes are one of the highest regulated industries, but they fall behind in regulations that tackle nursing staffing shortages and turnover.

He doesn’t take a position on whether regulation is too high, but wants to see equal regulation in all aspects of the long-term care industry.

“Long-term care facility owners tend to the things the government asks them

to take care of and leave staff with the left overs,” Henning said.

State regulation on nursing homes have focused on building safety, infrastructure and creating consequences for employees’ actions, said Rep. Richard Peña Raymond.

Raymond chairs the Human Services Committee, which includes oversight of nursing homes and the Medicaid program.

In January, he said, he will work closely with the appropriations committee to find the funds for an increase in the Medicaid reimbursement for residents in nursing homes.

Raymond said the senior population in Texas is growing, increasing the necessity of addressing nursing staff issues.

“When (nurse aides) can stay at a nursing home five to 10 year, that’s going to be good for residents,” he said.

Undocumented immigrants arrested in Zapata area ZAPATA TIME S

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Zapata area said they arrested five undocumented immigrants after responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle traveling on U.S. 83.

They had responded to a call for assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding the suspicious vehicle, which was traveling northbound on the highway. Agents encountered the 2009 Silver Chevrolet Malibu and discovered the driver, a U.S. citizen, was smuggling five undocumented immigrants.

“Events like this demonstrate the vigilance that the men and women of the United States Border Patrol undertake on a daily basis to ensure we maintain a safe community,” said Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens.

Frontera THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 |

RIBEREÑA EN BREVE DIÁGNOSTICO DEL AGUA 1 El 1 de agosto Zapata County 4-H y Ag & Natural Resources de Texas A&M AgriLife estarán realizando pruebas a agua de pozos para tomar y para ganado. Para ayudar a los dueños manejar sus pozos y examinar el agua en busca de nitratos, solidos disueltos, E. coli y bacteria. El agua usada para tomar también será examinada por arsenico. Informes al 956-765-9821.

FESTIVAL DE REGRESO A CLASES 1 Sábado 4 de agosto a las 8 a.m. en Bethel Mission Outreach Center, 206 N Bethel St, Roma-Los Saenz. Este evento tiene como propósito ayudar a nuestros estudiantes a poder regresar a clases con mochilas, útiles escolares, cortes de pelo. Además un show de carros modificados, un helicóptero, carros de policías y bomberos.

VERANO SOCIAL 1 Sabor de verano en Dairy Queen, Hwy 83 N., disfrute de un sundae gratis en Zapata DQ el jueves 9 de agosto de 3 a 5 p.m. todas las edades están invitadas. Habrá estaciones para hacer tu propio sundae, premios, souvenir bowls y diversión familiar.

ZAPATA HS CLASE DE 1993 1 Reunión de la generación de 1993 de Zapata High School, celebrarán su 25 aniversario en Patno’s Patio Bar & Grill, 313 Lake Shore Dr., el sábado 11 de agosto a las 8 p.m.

Solo estudiantes y sus parejas.

TIRO AL BLANCO 1 Clases Archery 101 el 11 de agosto de 9 a.m. a 11:30 p.m. en Falcon State Park, 146 Park Road 46, Falcon Heights.

Aprenda las bases de tiro al blanco, se proporcionará arco y flechas. Espacio limitado, reserve al 956-848-5327.

Clases gratuitas con la admisión al parque de $3 para audultos, menores de 12 entran gratis.

UNIDAD MÓVIL VA 1 La unidad móvil médica de Asuntos de Veteranos regresa a Roma el 19 de septiembre de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m. en 1708 Flores St., en Roma, Texas. Se invita a los veteranos de Roma y las comunidades vecinas visitar la clínica.

SERVICIOS DE GENEALOGÍA 1 ¿Quiere conocer sobre sus raíces familiares? Visite el centro Roma Birding Center/ Computer Lab en Roma, cada martes a las 6:30 p.m., para obtener información.

AVIARIO 1 La Ciudad de Roma invita a visitar el aviario Roma Bluffs World Birding Center en el distrito histórico de Roma. El aviario estará abierto desde el jueves a domingo de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m. hasta enero.

A11

NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO

Descubren arsenal Pancartas eran iguales a las utilizadas en protestas TIEMP O DE ZAPATA

Soldados mexicanos encontraron una pila de pancartas en relación con las víctimas desaparecidas de la Ciudad Hermana de Laredo, así como un arsenal de armas largas, en una casa de la ciudad de Nuevo Laredo, en el norte de México, informaron autoridades.

Elementos de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional informaron que ubicaron en un domicilio de la colonia Benito Juárez, pancartas así como armamento diverso por lo que solicitaron la presencia de agentes del Ministerio Público de la Federación, acompañados de policías federales ministeriales y personal de Servicios Periciales.

De acuerdo con el Informe Policial Homologado de elementos de la Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC), en el lugar se aseguraron 11 armas de fuego largas y cinco cortas, un arma de postas, cartuchos, cargadores, documentación diversa, así como 137 pancartas con leyendas alusivas a víctimas ejecutadas y/o desapareci-

Foto de cortesía/ Gobierno del Estado de Tamaulipas

Soldados encontraron 137 pancartas incriminando a la Marina por las desapariciones de personas en Nuevo Laredo, México junto a un arsenal en la Colonia Benito Juárez de Nuevo Laredo.

das, atribuidas a personal de la Secretaría de Marina Armada de México.

Derivado de los hechos, el Ministerio Público de la Delegación, adscrito a la Delegación de la PGR en Tamaulipas, inició una carpeta de investigación por la probable violación a la

Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos, contra quien resulte responsable, sin embargo, derivado del hallazgo de las pancartas, la FEIDDF atrajo la indagatoria.

Una fuente del gobierno de Tamaulipas dijo el domingo que las 137 pancartas son idénti-

LAREDO

cas a las utilizadas en protestas recientes organizadas por activistas que culpan a los soldados por la desaparición de más de dos docenas de personas en Nuevo Laredo este año.

Ha habido 31 desapariciones reportadas desde febrero, informó la Comisión Nacional de De-

rechos Humanos de México.

El gobierno insinuó que el grupo narcotraficante de los Zetas fue el que llevó a cabo los secuestros disfrazados como infantes de Marina, o que ha instigado las protestas contra las desapariciones.

COLUMNA

Similitudes y Patrulla Fronteriza se entre enfrenta a controversias diferencias Santa Anna, Juárez (Nota de la editora: Esta es la segunda parte de dos de una nota sobre agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza acusados de crímenes)

descubrieron que Aranda había empeñado el artículo allí por 200 dólares, según la policía. .

Por Joana Santillana

Fuerza letal En otro incidente que atrajo la atención internacional, un agente disparó fatalmente a una inmigrante indocumentada en Río Bravo, y las autoridades federales inicialmente dijeron que el agente le disparó a la mujer después de que varias personas lo atacaron con objetos contundentes.

La mujer fue identificada más tarde como Claudia Patricia Gómez González, de 20 años de edad, originaria de Honduras.

El tiroteo ocurrió el 23 de mayo en la cuadra 1800 de Centeno Lane cuando la Patrulla Fronteriza trató de detener un presunto intento de contrabando de personas.

La Patrulla Fronteriza dijo en un comunicado que un agente trabajando solo respondió a un informe de actividad ilegal cerca de una alcantarilla por Centeno Lane alrededor de las 12:20 p.m.

“Los informes iniciales indican que cuando el agente intentó aprehender al grupo, fue atacado por múltiples sujetos usando objetos contundentes”, decía la declaración. “El agente disparó al menos una bala de su arma de servicio, hiriendo fatalmente a una de las agresores”.

Tres inmigrantes fueron detenidos por los agentes.

Solo unos días después, un comunicado de prensa emitido por la Patrulla Fronteriza desestimó la referencia a un ataque con objetos contundentes en el encuentro mortal.

“De acuerdo con el agente, el grupo ignoró sus órdenes verbales y en su lugar se precipitó sobre

TIEMP O DE ZAPATA

Robo Luis Enrique Aranda, de 24 años de edad, es otro agente que fue arrestado en abril. En un crimen que palidece en comparación con los incidentes anteriores, Aranda fue arrestado por supuestamente empeñar su equipo de visión nocturna, propiedad del gobierno, después de denunciarlo como robado a sus supervisores.

Se ejecutó una orden de arresto en Eagle Pass, acusándolo del delito de robo en la cárcel estatal, delito que se castiga hasta con dos años de cárcel y una multa de 10.000 dólares.

El 23 de febrero, el Departamento de Policía de Laredo recibió un informe de robo por equipo robado propiedad del gobierno de EU, unas gafas de visión nocturna por un valor de 2.700 dólares.

El reporte fue presentado después de realizar un inventario del equipo de Aranda. Debido a que recibió una transferencia del Sector Laredo al Sector Del Río, Aranda tenía que devolver ciertos equipos al Sector Laredo. La policía dijo que Aranda le dijo a un supervisor de la Patrulla Fronteriza que las gafas de visión nocturna habían sido robadas.

Pero el 17 de abril, un supervisor de la Patrulla Fronteriza llamó a un detective LPD que dijo que un agente, fuera de servicio, detectó un equipo similar al suyo en el Buffalo Pawn ubicado en McPherson Road e International Boulevard.

Las autoridades luego

él”, se establece en el comunicado.

Cuando se le preguntó acerca de la diferencia en informar lo que sucedió, un portavoz de la Patrulla Fronteriza declinó hacer comentarios, citando la investigación en curso.

Un testigo ya había cuestionado el informe original de que los inmigrantes habían atacado, diciendo que el grupo se estaba escondiendo cuando el agente de la Patrulla Fronteriza los encontró y que nadie en el grupo tenía un arma.

El abogado del agente, un veterano de 15 años de la Patrulla Fronteriza, dijo que su cliente no había cometido ningún delito.

El Centro de Derechos Fronterizos de la Unión Estadounidense de Libertades Civiles (ACLU por sus siglas en inglés), también estaba preocupado por los detalles sobre la muerte de Gómez y citó un análisis reciente realizado por The Guardian que muestra que agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza han participado en casi 100 “encuentros fatales” desde 2003 y han pagado aproximadamente 60 millones de dólares en acuerdos sobre homicidio culposo.

Los funcionarios de ACLU han pedido que la Patrulla Fronteriza amplíe el uso de cámaras corporales a todos los agentes en el campo; la agencia federal está probando el uso de cámaras corporales en nueve áreas, pero Laredo no es una de ellas.

La identidad del agente permanece desconocida.

Yanira De Leon, portavoz de la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Webb, dijo que están trabajando con los Rangers de Texas, el FBI y otras agencias de las fuerzas del orden para asegurar la evidencia y tomar la decisión sobre cómo proceder con el caso.

y Porfirio Díaz Por Raúl Sinencio Chávez E SPECIAL PARA TIEMP O DE ZAPATA

En forma casi sucesiva, Antonio López de Santa Anna, Benito Juárez y Porfirio Díaz ocupan la silla presidencial de México. Breve comparación entre los tres arroja diferencias y similitudes. De tan marcadas, estremecen.

“Mañana será el cumpleaños de Santa Anna”, enfatizan los periódicos capitalinos al transcurrir 1854. “Y debiendo celebrarse de la misma manera que se acostumbra en los días de fiesta” –previenen–, queda “dispuesto se cierre el comercio a fin de que todos puedan entregarse a la solemnidad de un día por mil títulos grato”. Esto obligaba a la nación entera.

También dictador, Porfirio Díaz impone algo semejante. Retoma la ceremonia del Grito, ideada por el aborrecido emperador Maximiliano de Habsburgo, adelantándola una noche, de modo que las celebraciones palaciegas embonen con la fecha en que Porfirio cumple años. El festejo relativo al Día del Grito de Independentista –revela Luis González—era siempre el 16 de septiembre, “antes de que Díaz lo pasara al 15, día de su santo”.

En plena Guerra de Reforma, el presidente Juárez determina las efemérides festivas. Mediante decreto, el 11 de agosto de 1859 las reduce a “domingos, el día de Año Nuevo, el jueves y viernes de la Semana Mayor, el jueves de Corpus, el 16 de septiembre, el 1 y 2 de noviembre y los días 12 y

24 de diciembre”. Coincidente aun con el inicio de la primavera, evita incluir su onomástico, el 21 de marzo.

Las fotografías reiteran, una a una, la modesta indumentaria de Juárez, camisa blanca y traje oscuro. Sin nunca lucirlas deja las preseas que entidades nacionales y extranjeras le otorgan, honrándolo por su patriotismo.

Dichos galardones se vuelven patrimonio Santa Anna museográfico.

En notable contraste, los retratos de Santa Anna suelen presentarlo Juárez lleno de insignias.

El ropaje por lo regular hace alarde de lujo. En una de tantas Díaz imágenes pictóricas viste uniforme de gala, colgándole del pecho infinidad de medallas.

Tampoco Porfirio se rezaga. Las suntuosas prendas militares y demás ornamentos tienden a caracterizarlo, incluso luego de su prolongada dictadura. El último óleo, de 1913, lo muestra con atavío castrense y arriba de veinte condecoraciones.

En varias oportunidades Santa Anna ordena disolver el Congreso.

Juárez es siempre respetuoso del cuerpo legislativo, no obstante criticarlo este último.

A12 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

LOCAL

Over 800 pounds of pot discovered near Zapata ZA PATA T I ME S

A collaborative effort between the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo Border Patrol sectors resulted in the discovery of marijuana bundles abandoned in the brush near Zapata.

On June 25, through information sharing amongst the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo Border Patrol sectors, agents responded to a report of possible narcotics concealed in the brush near Zapata.

A Border Patrol Canine Team was utilized to conduct an area search leading to the discovery of the marijuana bundles covered with a camouflaged tarp. A total of 44 bundles of marijuana were seized, weighing a total 808.66 pounds with an estimated street value of $646,924.46. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“The men and women of the United States Border Patrol will continue to

Courtesy photo

Forty-four bundles of pot were found by the canine team during a search

prevent and disrupt the flow of narcotics into the United States. This narcotics seizure attests to our commitment to the war on drugs and keeping our communities safe,” said Laredo Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens.

To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, download the “USBP Laredo Sector” App or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll-free at 1-800-343-1994.

THE ZAPATA TIMES | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 |

A13

BUSINESS

McDonald’s Big Mac turns 50

By Candice Choi ASSOCIATED PRE SS

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

People are reflected in the window of the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square on Monday in New York City. As technology stocks continued their slide, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.1 percent Monday.

Another tech stock tumble pulls indexes down

By Stan Choe and Marley Jay A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS

NEW YORK — Technology stocks tumbled for the third day in a row Monday as a sharp reversal for some of Wall Street’s recent favorites worsened. Major U.S. indexes skidded.

Technology companies have done far better than the rest of the market in recent years, but they’ve fallen after Facebook and Twitter both reported weak user growth in the second quarter. Microsoft and Alphabet slumped Monday and Facebook, Twitter and Netflix have all fallen at least 20 percent from their record highs earlier this month.

“Is the stock 20 percent less valuable, or was it misvalued to begin with?” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at financial services firm Nationwide.

Still, Hackett says the drop for high-flying technology companies could become a good thing for the market if investors focus on companies with steadier revenue and more cash, including software makers, banks and industrial firms.

“It would be nice to see a broadening of the strength,” he said.

Elsewhere, energy companies climbed along with the price of crude oil but industrial companies like Caterpillar con-

tinued to lose ground.

Meat producer Tyson became the latest company to cut its profit projections and point to tariffs.

The S&P 500 lost 16.22 points, or 0.6 percent, at 2,802.60, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 144.23 points, or 0.6 percent, to 25,306.83.

The Nasdaq composite has more technology stocks among its ranks, and it fell 107.41 points, or 1.4 percent, to 7,630. The Nasdaq has fallen at least 1 percent for three days in a row, which hadn’t happened in three years.

Smaller companies fared as badly as larger ones. The Russell 2000 index slid 10.21 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,653.13.

Twitter dropped 8 percent to $31.38, extending its 20.5 percent plunge on Friday. Facebook fell another 2.2 percent to $171.06. Netflix, which reported weak subscriber growth in early July, fell 5.7 percent to $334.96.

Hackett, of Nationwide, said that when investors value companies based on measurements like user growth and subscriptions instead of more traditional figures based on earnings, the stocks become vulnerable to big drops.

Even with its recent tumble, the technology sector of the S&P 500 is up almost 26 percent over the last year. The S&P 500 itself is up a bit more than 13 percent over that time.

NEW YORK — McDonald’s is fighting to hold onto customers as the Big Mac turns 50, but it isn’t changing the makings of its most famous burger.

The company is celebrating the 1968 national launch of the doubledecker sandwich whose ingredients of “two allbeef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and a sesame seed bun” were seared into American memories by a TV jingle. But the milestone comes as the company reduces its number of U.S. stores. McDonald’s said Thursday that customers are visiting less often. Other trendy burger options are reaching into the heartland.

The “Golden Arches” still have a massive global reach, and the McDonald’s brand of cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets and french fries remains recognizable around the world. But on its critical home turf, the company is toiling to stay relevant.

Kale now appears in salads, fresh has replaced frozen beef patties in Quarter Pounders, and some stores now offer ordering kiosks, food delivery and barista-style cafes.

The milestone for the Big Mac shows how much McDonald’s and the rest of fast-food have evolved around it.

Peter Wynn Thompson / AP

Three generations of McDonalds franchisees, Tony, Mike, Dan and Nick Delligatti, embrace as they celebrate the Big Mac, invented by their grandfather and father Jim Delligatti, as commemorated on the MacCoin, at McDonalds global restaurant in Chicago on Thursday.

“Clearly, we’ve gotten a little more sophisticated in our menu development,” McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a phone interview.

As with many of its popular and long-lasting menu items, the idea for the Big Mac came from a franchisee.

In 1967, Michael James “Jim” Delligatti lobbied the company to let him test the burger at his Pittsburgh restaurants. Later, he acknowledged the Big Mac’s similarity to a popular sandwich sold by the Big Boy chain.

“This wasn’t like discovering the light bulb. The

bulb was already there.

All I did was screw it in the socket,” Delligatti said, according to “Behind the Arches.”

McDonald’s agreed to let Delligatti sell the sandwich at a single location, on the condition that he use the company’s standard bun. It didn’t work.

Delligatti tried a bigger sesame seed bun, and the burger soon lifted sales by more than 12 percent.

After similar results at more stores, the Big Mac was added to the national menu in 1968. Other ideas from franchisees that hit the big time include the Filet-O-Fish, Egg McMuf-

fin, Apple Pie (once deepfried but now baked), and the Shamrock Shake.

“The company has benefited from the ingenuity of its small business men,” wrote Ray Kroc, who transformed the McDonald’s into a global franchise, in his book, “Grinding It Out.” Franchisees still play an important role, driving the recent switch to fresh from frozen for the beef in Quarter Pounders, Easterbrook says. They also participate in menu development, which in the U.S. has included a series of cooking tweaks intended to improve taste.

US pending home sales rose 0.9 percent in June

By Josh Boak ASSOCIATED PRE SS

WASHINGTON — More Americans signed contracts to purchase homes in June compared to May, but the volume of pending sales has slipped over the past year.

The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its pending home sales index rose 0.9 percent last month to 106.9. But on a yearly basis, pending home sales have fallen 2.5 percent.

There are signs that home-buying has stalled in recent months due to the mix of rising prices, higher mortgage rates and a dearth of sales listings.

On a monthly basis, pending sales increased

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

A pending sale sign is seen at a home in San Jose, Calif. More Americans signed contracts to purchase homes in June compared to May. The National Association of Realtors said Monday that its pending home sales index rose 0.9 percent last month.

in all four geographic regions: Northeast, Midwest, South and West.

But pending sales have

also tumbled in all four regions during the past year, especially in the Northeast and West

where homes are generally more expensive.

Pending sales are a barometer of home purchases that are completed a month or two later.

After months of steady gains, the housing market has shown evidence of stalling.

The Realtors said last week that completed sales of existing homes fell 0.6 percent in June from the prior month and 2.2 percent over the past 12 months. The median sales price rose 5.2 percent over the past year to $276,900, about double the pace of wage gains.

Sales of newly built homes tumbled 5.3 percent in June, while ground breakings also fell, according to the Commerce Department.

A14 | Wednesday, August 1, 2018 | THE ZAPATA TIMES

STATE

David J. Phillip / AP

Alberto Castañeda talks about the damage at his home caused by Harvey in Katy.

He let his flood insurance lapse two months before Harvey hit and floodwaters ruined his home.

Harvey’s devastating flooding boosts insurance

By Juan A. Lozano and Meghan Hoyer A S S OCIAT E D PRE SS

KATY, Texas — Little more than two months before Hurricane Harvey slammed the Gulf Coast of Texas, Alberto Castaneda let his home’s flood insurance lapse. He had never filed a claim on the policy in 10 years and he needed the extra cash to expand his restaurant business.

Standing inside his suburban Houston home nearly a year later, Castaneda tallies the cost of the destructive floods to himself and his uninsured neighbors: one couple in their 70s let their home go into foreclosure; two people, overwhelmed by the difficulties of rebuilding, committed suicide; Castaneda, 52, ended up using nearly $135,000 from his business to cover repairs to his home that Harvey submerged under more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of water.

“It’s very devastating, especially if you don’t have the insurance. You feel like, ‘What am I going to do?”’ Castaneda tearfully explains.

Castaneda bought new flood insurance after Harvey, and many others in Texas have done the same.

But data from states with a history of extreme

weather suggests those numbers will eventually drop off, leaving residents once again vulnerable to flooding costs — a situation the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it’s working to avoid.

Houston, in Harris County, suffered the brunt of Harvey when it pummeled Texas last August.

Harvey dumped nearly 50 inches (130 centimeters) of rain on parts of the floodprone city. The storm killed nearly 70 people, damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, the top elected county official, says more than 100,000 flooded homes in Harris County didn’t have flood insurance. According to FEMA, 80 percent of all households affected by Harvey weren’t covered for floods.

An AP analysis found fewer than one in five properties in high-risk flood zones had coverage.

Commercial properties also found themselves in trouble.

“All of this was just a big lake,” says Woody Lesikar, the manager of West Houston Airport, pointing to the runway and around 80 hangars that Harvey submersed under up to 2 feet (60

centimeters) of water. The terminal was swamped and almost a dozen planes were totaled.

He says the airport had never needed flood insurance in its more than 50-year history. A month after Harvey, the airport purchased a policy.

According to FEMA, Texas experienced a more than 18 percent increase in flood insurance policies from July 2017 to the end of May, reversing a longterm declining trend.

Harris County, including hardest-hit Houston, saw a near 23 percent jump, while neighboring Fort Bend County, where Castaneda lives, saw a 54 percent increase. The number of properties insured against floods in Houston alone increased by 18 percent, rocketing it past Miami as the city with the most flood insurance policies in the country.

But experts warn the data doesn’t mean a permanent upswing.

Residents tend to buy policies for a few years after big disasters then cancel because they feel the unused policy is an unnecessary expense, said Howard Kunreuther, co-director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Risk Management and Decision Processes Center.