Fronteras: The Changing America Desk is a collaborative regional news service that explores the changing culture and demographics of the American Southwest. Reporting will bring emphasis to Latino and Native American life and border issues affecting American politics, social order, economics and the environmental landscape.
Fronteras reporters are dispatched throughout the American Southwest. They seek to investigate hidden stories and identify emerging trends in order to help southwestern communities understand the complex changes taking place in border states from Texas to California, while increasing representation of the Latino and Native American communities across the media landscape.
In El Paso, Texas, Democratic congressman Silvestre Reyes is fighting to save his seat for the first time in 16 years. His main challenger in the upcoming primary is young, well-liked, and could alter the U.S. role in Mexico's drug war. Fronteras reporter Mónica Ortiz Uribe has the story.
Tijuana — Orphanages in the United States were phased out in the 1960s. But just south of San Diego in Baja California, many children without parents are still cared for at group homes. The Fronteras Desk went along with a group of Americans who spent a day volunteering at an orphanage in Tijuana. See what compels them to travel to another country to help children.
Thousands of children are living in orphanages along the U.S. Mexican border, and some are American citizens. Though rare, many seem to be stuck there. They need the permission of a parent – who is usually absent – to return to their place of birth. In the second and final part of a series from our Fronteras Desk, Jose Luis Jiménez tells us about one orphan who is reclaiming her U.S. citizenship in search of a better life.
New Book Looks at Evolving Mexican Food Trends
In Texas you can’t really go a day without some type of Mexican cuisine making its way on to your plate. Whether it’s breakfast tacos or chips and queso, we see this scenario playing out more and more all across the country. Orange County Weekly Editor and Author Gustavo Arellano talks about his latest book "Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America" with KUT Radio Producer Angela Maldonado.
Gustavo Arellando, author of "Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America," signs a book at Book People in Austin, Texas - Photo by Angela Maldonado, KUT-FM 90.5 Austin.
Critics of a new U.S. government regulation say it may put some banks across the Southwest out of business. Fronteras Correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports.
As the number of Spanish speakers grows across the country, public services must keep up with critical translation needs. But paying for interpreters and translators isn’t easy in tough economic times. In Nevada, one place where that strain is evident is the state’s cash strapped court system. Reporter Jude Joffe-Block spent some time with court interpreters in Las Vegas to find out what they are up against.
At rallies in San Diego and across the country late last week, activists called on the U.S. Justice Department to finish its long-standing investigation into the 2010 death of a Mexican immigrant at the hands of Border Patrol agents. From our Fronteras desk, Adrian Florido reports the renewed pressure from activists comes after a new video emerged that calls into question the agents' version of what happened.
The Border Patrol on Tuesday unveiled a new strategy in its ongoing mission to secure America’s borders. From our Fronteras Desk, Jose Luis Jiménez reports what the new plan may mean for border cities across the Southwest.
The country’s top immigration enforcement agency is seeking outside help to dismantle transnational criminal gangs. Fronteras Correspondent Hernán Rozemberg explains.
The Mexican border town of Mexicali is making a push for more Americans to visit that city's dentists and doctors. As of Monday, medical tourists from the U.S. will have a way to skip much of the wait at the Mexicali border crossing. Jude Joffe-Block has the story.
Panamanian police are searching for a California woman who’s been missing in the Central American country since late November. As Peter O’Dowd reports, the woman’s family has connections to the Southwest and they’re looking for help.
International frequent travelers are all too familiar with lengthy lines at U.S. immigration counters when arriving from overseas. The Department of Homeland Security now has a program that will slash that wait time from as much as over an hour to less than a minute. The program is called Global Entry. Fronteras Correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports.
Forest managers, policy makers and entrepreneurs are meeting this week in Flagstaff to discuss what to do with small trees before they become fuel for catastrophic wildfires or food for beetles. From Flagstaff, Laurel Morales reports.
State Rep. Lyle Larson Asks Mexico to Compensate Texas for Services Used By Illegal Immigrants
Officials estimate there are about 1.6 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas. Some say these people contribute greatly to their communities by paying taxes and working hard to support their families. Others say they are putting a strain on public services at a time of tight budgets. State Rep. Lyle Larson (R- San Antonio) recently sent Mexican President Felipe Calderon a letter asking him to compensate Texas for the costs of services used by Mexican immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Rep. Larson joined TPR’s Crystal Chavez in the studio to talk more about his demands.
Arizona is defending its controversial piece of immigration legislation before the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday. At issue is whether the state law complements or conflicts with federal law. From Phoenix, Devin Browne reports.
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Arizona’s immigration law is one of the most divisive laws in recent memory. That state’s Legislature passed SB 1070 two years ago. Much of it has been put on hold pending the high court’s decision. But supporters say the law has achieved one of its stated goals. It’s caused thousands of illegal immigrants to self deport, or leave the state of Arizona on their own. From Phoenix, Peter O’Dowd reports.
The point of so-called self-deportation laws is to make a place so difficult for undocumented immigrants that they leave on their own. Arizona has passed several laws and initiatives in this vein over the last 10 years but the data shows that many unauthorized immigrants have still found a way to stay. From Phoenix, Devin Browne reports.
Vigils Being Held in Light of Arizona Case
As the Supreme Court hears the arguments over Arizona’s immigration law, vigils in support of immigration reform are taking place across the Southwest and across the nation.
The Border Network for Human Rights will hold a vigil in Aztec Calendar Park in downtown El Paso. And three days of vigils in Texas are also going on in Brownsville, Dallas, San Juan and Austin. Cristina Parker is the spokesperson for the Border Network. She spoke with TPR’s David Martin Davies about the vigil and the case before the high court.
San Antonio Church Holds Mass in Support of Immigrants
One of San Antonio’s Catholic churches will hold a mass in support of immigrants in the U.S. TPR’s Joey Palacios reports San Antonio Police Chief William McManus will also be present to take feedback from the congregation.
New Film: 'Girl In Progress,' Addresses Common Threads Among Mothers, Daughters
The film Girl in Progress hits theaters May 11, Mothers Day weekend. It’s a coming of age story staring Eva Mendes and rising star Cierra Ramirez from Houston Texas. The director of the film, Patricia Riggen spoke with TPR’s Crystal Chavez.
Latinos are the fastest growing voter group in America, prompting campaign strategists to try to find out what they want and how to reach them. Latinos may be key in actually choosing the next president, especially in southwestern swing states. Reporter Mónica Ortiz Uribe wanted to look at a typical family of Latino voters - so she interviewed her own.
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Video Questions Mexico's Future
A political video that uses kids dressed up as kidnappers, corrupt cops and narco-traffickers seized Mexico’s attention online recently. As Fronteras Desk’s Michel Marizco reports, the video has sparked a debate--and a challenge to the country’s presidential candidates. See the video below.
Palm trees have done a lot to foster San Diego's reputation as a picture perfect southern California beach town. There are tens of thousands of them in the city. Now, there’s a proposal to add 100 more downtown. But as Adrian Florido reports, that plan would tear out more than 100 existing trees to make room for the palms.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on April 25th over Arizona’s illegal immigration enforcement law. To mark the occasion, immigrant-rights activists are planning to protest the law in Phoenix. Peter O'Dowd reports.
Senator Rubio's DREAM Act
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, is pushing forward a new version of the DREAM Act. On this edition of Fronteras, we hear about Rubio’s proposal and what supporters of the original DREAM Act think about it. David Martin Davies speaks to Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director of America's Voice.
Congestive heart failure is a medical condition that has patients in and out of emergency rooms constantly. That’s tough on the Navajo Nation, where hospitals are few and far between. So an unprecedented health care partnership has been formed to come up with a solution. Story, photo by Laurel Morales.
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Two months after the Ninth Circuit struck down California’s same-sex marriage ban, gay rights activists are challenging Nevada’s rules limiting marriage to heterosexual couples. Story, photo by Jude Joffe-Block.
One of China’s most prominent dissidents died in Tucson last Friday, a city where he lived more than 20 years in exile teaching physics at the University of Arizona.
Author Judith Ortiz Cofer, on a Life of Writing and Teaching
Judith Ortiz Cofer was expected to participate in this week’s Literary Festival at Our Lady of the Lake University. However, due to health concerns, the author had to postpone her appearance. Cofer’s work spans a range of literary genres including poetry, short stories, autobiography, essays, and young-adult fiction. Cofer recently spoke to Texas Public Radio’s Yvette Benavides about her life of writing and teaching.
Latino voters could very well decide the presidential race. But candidates have tried to appeal to Latino voters for decades, and have made plenty of blunders along the way, from "taco politics" to mis-steps in Spanish.
As we follow the elections this year, we wanted to reach out to you...to get your feedback on how the candidates are connecting with voters. We were particularly interested in how campaigns address Latino communities. The Fronteras Desk's Nick Blumberg talked with two voters about what they've seen so far.
Battle Brews as Latinos Sue for Political Power
In the last decade, the Latino population of Escondido, a city in northern San Diego County, has exploded. But those changes aren't yet reflected at City Hall. From San Diego, Adrian Florido reports on a battle brewing as Latinos push for more political representation in a city known for tough immigration stances.
Border Patrol Agent Charged with Corruption Accused of Shooting Migrant
A U.S. Border Patrol agent at the center of a civil lawsuit against the U.S. was already suspected of corruption before he allegedly shot an illegal immigrant in 2010. From Tucson, Michel Marizco reports.
Benjamin Arellano-Felix, the former leader of a major Mexican drug trafficking organization, was sentenced in San Diego on Monday to 25 years in prison. Some observers are surprised by the light sentence and question whether such prosecutions have done much to stem the bloodshed in Mexico, and the flow of drugs to the U.S.
The streets of downtown San Antonio were filled with shouts of "Si Se Puede" this past Saturday as thousands turned out for the annual Cesar Chavez march for Justice. Texas Public Radio's Joey Palacios reports.
The words "Hispanic" and "Latino" are used to describe people of Spanish-speaking origin. But a survey released Wednesday morning shows many people who fit that description don't like to use either term. Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez from Phoenix reports.
A Nevada man who marketed home loan modifications to Spanish speakers throughout the Southwest is facing criminal charges. His arrest is the latest effort by the Nevada Attorney General to crack down on mortgage fraud.
These days the ability to communicate in Spanish can be a key asset in the job market. But to speak with confidence, it often takes an immersion experience in a Spanish speaking country. The Central American nation of Guatemala is developing a reputation as the go-to place for Spanish immersion. From the Changing America Desk, Jim Paluzzi explains why.
The Homeland Security Department under President Obama was tasked with softening up the country's immigration detention system. Just this month, it revamped its protocols as well as opened the doors to its first-ever civil detention center, a move that is facing criticism from both sides of the immigration debate.
Julian Aguilar of the Texas Tribune talks with TPR's Crystal Chavez about local and state immigration laws that have recently passed and the challenges some of them are facing.
The immigrant population boomed over the last two decades in Nevada, and with it, the demand for an array of informal and sometimes illegal services including unlicensed doctors and dentists offering cheap procedures. It’s a phenomenon that exists across the country, though no one can say just how widespread it is. After one illegal surgery in Las Vegas ended in death last year, officials in Nevada have begun to take action. From the Changing America Desk in Las Vegas, Jude Joffe-Block reports.
More than 40 journalists have been murdered in Mexico since 2007, many of them for reporting on the country’s ongoing drug war. To protect staff workers, many news outlets now openly self-censor. Fronteras reporter Adrian Florido has this preview of a new documentary, which chronicles the determination of one newspaper to press on despite the dangers.
Americans are notorious for being monolingual. Gallup poll research shows three out of every four Americans can’t carry on a conversation in a second language. But if you are going to learn another language, in the Southwest, that often means Spanish. Through the Public Insight Network, Reporter Jim Paluzzi looked into dozens of cases of adult English speakers who are now using Spanish.
These days the ability to communicate in Spanish can be a key asset in the job market. But to speak with confidence, it often takes an immersion experience in a Spanish speaking country. The Central American nation of Guatemala is developing a reputation as the go-to place for Spanish immersion. From the Changing America Desk, Jim Paluzzi explains why.
"From Demography to Identity: Who We Are in America"
Our Lady of the Lake University is holding its 9th annual Center for Mexican American Studies & Research Conference in San Antonio. The conference starts Thursday and runs through Saturday at the campus. Teresita Aguilar directs the Mexican American Studies Center at Our Lady of the Lake University. She told Texas Public Radio's Crystal Chavez the conference will be full of timely and relevant panel discussions on issues including politics, education, health care and religion.
Latino films that have found success in the U.S. have mainly been dramas and comedies. One film festival is highlighting the less common genres of horror and science fiction. For the Fronteras Desk, Beth Accomando tells us these Latino films are seeking a wider audience and may soon play at a theater near you.
For decades, Southern California surfers have enjoyed the relatively uncrowded waves of Baja California, Mexico. But, just as they’ve seen happen on their home turf, the paths to some of the best waves have been blocked in recent years by high-rise condos and private housing developments. From our Fronteras Desk, Jill Replogle tells us about an ongoing battle over one perfect break.
The U.S. Secretary of Education is trying to encourage more Hispanics to achieve higher education. TPR's Joey Palacios reports at a recent summit in the Alamo city, Secretary Arne Duncan also gave strong support for the DREAM Act.
New Kind of Immigrant Detention Center
The Department of Homeland Security opened its newest immigration detention center this week, in South Texas. It’s hailed as the first in a series of more friendly prisons for illegal immigrants. Fronteras Correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports..
She would have been the youngest person to have hiked the entire length of the Grand Canyon, about a thousand miles off trail. The 24-year-old was close to her goal when she stepped on the wrong rock and died in a hiking accident. From Grand Canyon, Laurel Morales has a remembrance.
Latino writers, artists and activists took the stage at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center to challenge the banning of Mexican American studies in Arizona High Schools. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies and TPR's Crystal Chavez have more.
As Economy Picks Up, Latinos May Be Gaining Jobs Faster than Others
Jobs are coming back, or at least it seems that way. New claims for unemployment benefits are near a four-year low. There is some evidence that a group that has been hit harder than others in this recession - Latinos - may be getting back into the workforce more quickly. From the Las Vegas Fronteras Desk, Jude Joffe Block reports.
Mexico’s Drug War Impacts Border Real Estate
What does the real estate market have to do with the Mexican drug war? A whole lot, South Texas realtors say. The mere perception of violence spilling north of the border is leaving bountiful land by the Rio Grande sitting idle. No one wants to buy it. Our South Texas Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports.
El Paso County Commissioner Arrest
In El Paso, a new county commissioner was sworn in this week. She is temporarily replacing another commissioner who is facing federal drug trafficking charges. The former commissioner comes from a politically active family in the southernmost portion of El Paso County. The area has a history as an active smuggling corridor for drugs and people. From the Changing America Desk, Monica Ortiz Uribe reports.
Drug Violence Down On U.S./Mexico Border
Drug-related killings continued to rise in Mexico last year. But new data reveals that along the U.S.-Mexico border, overall violence has decreased. From our Fronteras desk, Adrian Florido reports.
Books Stored While Tucson’s Mexican-American Studies Suspended
Supporters of a Mexican-American Studies program in Tucson met outside Arizona’s state Capitol Wednesday to read from books they say have been banned. School district officials say the books have not been banned – just moved to storage facilities. From Phoenix, Devin Browne reports.
Studying the Links between Climate Change & Infectious Disease
How is the warming of our planet fueling the growth of infectious diseases along the U.S. Mexico border and across the Southwest? San Diego State University recently received a grant to study that troubling connection. The University is focusing its research on the Tijuana River Estuary, a major source of pollution in the border region. Jill Replogle has the story.
Remote Controlled Parking Meters
What if you could re-load a parking meter without having to return to your car? That technology could soon be coming to a parking space near you. One city in Arizona this week launched a new electronic system that lets drivers feed parking meters remotely. From Phoenix, Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez explains.
Mob History Revealed in New Museum
At the new Mob Museum in Las Vegas you can listen to wiretaps, practice FBI style surveillance and spray pretend bullets from a Tommy gun. The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement tells the story of how the mob helped create Las Vegas and influenced the rest of the country. From the public radio collaboration Fronteras, reporter Jude Joffe-Block went in search of a mostly secret history.
The Latino immigrant community is often a prime target for scams promising mortgage relief, immigration help, or fast money. One woman in Las Vegas has decided to take on local scam artists, and she isn’t afraid to get confrontational in her quest for citizen justice. From the Changing America Desk in Las Vegas, Jude Joffe-Block reports.
Navajo Coal Update
Environmentalists have filed an appeal challenging the company Peabody Coal’s mining permit in northern Arizona. At the same time a new economic impact study shows Arizona, as well as the Navajo and Hopi Tribes, stand to lose millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs in the future unless agreements can be reached to keep the Navajo Generating Station and Peabody Coal operating. New federal regulations could shut down the plant. From Flagstaff Laurel Morales reports.
Environmentalists Find Opportunities in Baja California’s Real Estate Bust
The wild and wildlife-rich peninsula of Baja California has long lured fishermen, surfers and nature-lovers to its pristine coasts. But when real estate boomed in the U.S., it also boomed south of the border, in the form of beach front high rises and luxury resorts. Now, the funding behind many coastal development projects has dried up. And that’s caused some environmentalists to breath a sigh of relief. From our Fronteras Desk, Jill Replogle reports.
Radio Essential to Tribes
Social networking has taken over many of our traditional ways of connecting with friends and family- no more letters or faxes. But on the vast Indian reservations in rural America, few people have phones and even fewer have broadband access. So American Indians still connect in an old fashioned way - through radio. From Flagstaff, Laurel Morales has this story.
Gov. Susana Martinez: A Rising GOP Star in a Democratic State
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez is a rising star in the Republican Party. She's the popular leader of an important swing state. The GOP hopes key leaders such as Martinez will draw in more of the Hispanic vote ahead of this year's presidential election. But some Hispanic voters accuse her of pushing an anti-immigrant agenda. Fronteras reporter Monica Ortiz Uribe has this profile on Governor Martinez.
Mexico Drug Violence a Boon for Airlines
Rampant violence in northern Mexico has created a new market for that country’s airlines. Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg explains.
Mexican Officials Come North Asking for Drought Aid
Texas has been dealing with the effects of drought here. Meanwhile a severe drought in Northern and Central Mexico has prompted some Mexican officials to come to this side of the border to ask for grassroots support. Officials from the northern state of Durango are touring U.S. cities to encourage Mexican immigrant associations to raise money and send food donations. From the Changing America Desk in Las Vegas, Jude Joffe-Block reports.
California’s San Diego County is known for its beaches. But the County also takes pride in its rivers and canyons. So much so that residents often organize to maintain them. But that’s not true in some of San Diego’s poorest communities. From our Fronteras Desk in San Diego, Adrian Florido reports on the work of one nonprofit that’s trying to transform a polluted canyon and creek into a natural park its neighbors can be proud of.
UT Admissions Lawsuit Reaches Supreme Court
Texas is putting affirmative action back in the national spotlight. Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports on a Texas case the U.S. Supreme Court is taking up.
Study on Wildfire Threat
Scientists have examined clues from the past to predict the west’s wildfire future. And in a recent study they say all signs point to more large-scale wildfires. From Flagstaff Laurel Morales reports.
Nightlife Returning in Ciudad Juarez
South of the border in the violence stricken Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, one industry is making a strong and sudden comeback: nightlife. Thanks to police protection in certain parts of the Mexican border city, business owners have decided to re-open. Recently abandoned hot spots for clubs and bars have come alive again. Monica Ortiz Uribe went to check out one of those spots.
Federal Investigators Share Funds Seized from a Drug Cartel
Funds seized from a drug cartel leader are now in the coffers of South Texas law enforcement agencies. Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg has more.
Mosquita y Mari at CineFestival
The 34th Annual CineFestival en San Antonio kicks off this Saturday (February 25th) and will run through March 3rd at the historic Guadalupe Theater. CineFestival is the nation’s longest-running Latino film festival. The film Mosquita y Mari won the award for best narrative film. Mosquita y Mari was written and directed by Aurora Guerrero. She spoke to Texas Public Radio’s Crystal Chavez about her film.
Lots at Stake in Arizona GOP Debate
What could be the most important debate for the Republican Presidential candidates takes place in Mesa, Arizona Wednesday night. It’s the last debate before Super Tuesday when ten states hold primary elections. And as Paul Atkinson reports from Phoenix, issues important to Arizona will play a big role in the debate.
Obama Boosts Bio-Industry with Mandate to Buy Green
The Obama Administration has announced rules that will help the bio-based products industry grow. The government is encouraging agencies to buy more bio-based soap, disposable forks, paint and other supplies. There are 52 bio-preferred companies in Texas and 17 bio-preferred companies in Arizona. From Flagstaff, Laurel Morales reports.
The Obama Administration claims it has dramatically changed immigration enforcement policy. Splashy worksite raids rounding up illegal immigrants are just about gone. The main targets now are those with criminal records. But instead of praise, the government has been widely criticized, not just by opponents but even by supporters. Fronteras Correspondent Hernán Rozemberg explains.
Foreign tourists visited Mexico in record numbers in 2011, according to a report released this week by Mexico's secretary of tourism. But KJZZ's Monica Ortiz Uribe reports that visits from Americans are lagging.
Jeff Boatman has been flying helicopters for 40 years. For the past several years, his route has been taking him into the Grand Canyon, delivering supplies to the Havasupai Tribe. One morning last November, his transmission froze. He steered the helicopter away from power lines. And as he approached the ground the blades suddenly stopped turning and the helicopter crashed to the ground, trapping Boatman inside. He found his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. Rosie Rodriguez answered the call. From Flagstaff, Laurel Morales has the story.
A new program at major metropolitan airports will let passengers breeze through the security line — but only if they qualify ahead of time. From Phoenix, Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez reports.
In recent weeks, Catholic bishops across the country have turned to their congregations to pressure President Obama to repeal his new contraception rule. That rule requires religious institutions to have health plans that cover contraception costs for their employees. And since Latinos now make up roughly one-third of all Catholics in the U.S., they should be key players in that effort. But from our Fronteras Desk in San Diego, Adrian Florido reports that the response from rank-and-file Latinos has not been what the church had hoped.
In recent weeks, Catholic bishops across the country have turned to their congregations to pressure President Obama to repeal his new contraception rule. That rule requires religious institutions to have health plans that cover contraception costs for their employees. And since Latinos now make up roughly one-third of all Catholics in the U.S., they should be key players in that effort. But from our Fronteras Desk in San Diego, Adrian Florido reports that the response from rank-and-file Latinos has not been what the church had hoped.
'Precious Knowledge' Wins Best Documentary
The 34th Annual CineFestival en San Antonio kicks off on Saturday February 25 and will run through March 3 at the historic Guadalupe Theater. It's the nation's longest-running Latino film festival. The winner of best documentary is the film "Precious Knowledge." It captures the fight by high school students to keep Arizona from shutting down its ethnic studies program. The film's producer is Eren Isabel McGinnis. She spoke with Texas Public Radio's Crystal Chavez about the documentary.
Border Radio
That typical long wait time at border crossings just got a bit more informative. Hernán Rozemberg reports from San Antonio.
An estimated one in five children in the U.S. speaks a language other than English at home. In most of these homes, that language is Spanish. And yet the vast majority of these children are taught strictly in English at school. Some educators believe this is part of the reason Latino children are lagging in school compared to their white and Asian peers. Reporter Jill Replogle from the Fronteras Desk tells us about a growing movement in California to educate children in two languages.
In many places where the Latino population has boomed, Latino leaders have used the once-a-decade process of political redistricting to try to get more Latinos elected to office. In San Diego, California, leaders were successful in getting a new City Council district created. But from our Fronteras desk in San Diego, Adrian Florido tells us despite that no Latino candidate emerged. And even now that one has, he faces an uphill battle.
Court papers unsealed in Tucson last month show the U.S. government charged a second man in connection with the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. But as reporter Michel Marizco finds, this man was in custody before the murder happened.
West Leads in Suicide Rates
Western states lead the nation in suicide rates. That's according to a recent report released by the American Association of Suicidology. Nevada ranks fifth. New Mexico ranks sixth. Arizona and Utah tie for ninth place. Texas ranks 38th and California, 42nd. From Flagstaff, Laurel Morales reports.
For the sixth time in a year, Attorney General Eric Holder testified before Congress late last week, saying once again that he did not know the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was allowing guns into Mexico. Newly released documents show the gun-walking was widely known outside of the ATF and in fact, other government agencies interfered with ATF's plans. From Tucson, Michel Marizco reports.
ICE Getting Ombudsman
The nation’s top immigration enforcement agency is getting its first-ever public ombudsman. The move is part of an ongoing effort for greater transparency. Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg has more.
Taxes Could Increase for Some Illegal Immigrants
A proposal in Congress could raise the tax bill for millions of illegal immigrants by restricting who is eligible for a popular tax credit. From the Fronteras Desk, Jill Replogle has the story.
For people on the Navajo reservation, AIDS has long been thought of as a white man's disease. An illness that struck others, off the reservation. But, over the last decade, the number of new HIV infections among Navajos has doubled. And something else that's new — AIDS is now very much on the reservation itself — Navajos infecting Navajos. From the Changing America Desk in Flagstaff, Laurel Morales reports.
Univision & Disney Discussing Partnership
Spanish-language broadcasting network Univision and the Disney Company are in talks about a 24-hour news channel. The broadcast would target English speaking Latinos. From Phoenix, Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez reports.
The Latino Education Gap: A Look At English Immersion
Over the last fifteen years, California, Arizona, and Massachusetts have all replaced bilingual education with English Immersion. This was supposed to help close the achievement gap. But by most measures, it hasn’t. We’re looking into why this is the case. In our latest story in the Fronteras’ ongoing series on the Latino Education Gap, Devin Browne follows one Los Angeles student through five years of English Immersion classes. She finds that she’s still struggling to communicate — in any language.
Candidate's English Proficiency Questioned
A prospective city council candidate in a Southwestern Arizona border town whose English proficiency was questioned finally spoke to the public Monday evening. She says she is appealing a court decision that removed her from the ballot. From Yuma, Arizona, Michelle Faust has details.
After the Tucson Unified School District voted to cancel its Mexican American Studies program, some students decided to push back by skipping classes and having their own teach-ins. Michel Marizco reports on a group who held an off-campus SCHOOL of Mexican Studies, instead.
A mass killing in Tijuana over the last weekend has disrupted a long period of calm in the city. Fronteras Reporter Adrian Florido tells us that despite a recent decrease in drug violence, cartel rivalries in Tijuana are still active.
Last Friday was the first National Downwinders Day. Downwinders are the folks in western states who were affected by radiation exposure from nuclear test sites in Nevada. Last year the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to honor downwinders with a special day of recognition. In Flagstaff, Laurel Morales reports.
Last year, we told you the story of a Phoenix woman who uses medical marijuana as she recovers from cancer. She wishes to remain anonymous. At the time she first spoke with us, Arizona's voter-approved medical marijuana law was still very much up in the air. It's been over eight months since the Fronteras Desk's Nick Blumberg first spoke with this woman. He tells about how her life has changed since then.
The National Parks Service has developed a new program to connect with Latino communities across the country. It's part of an overall effort to recognize the country's ethnically diverse cultures. From Phoenix, Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez reports.
Before there was a fence, all that marked the border between Mexico and the United States were stone and steel monuments -- almost 300 of them dotting the southwestern landscape. But as the Border Patrol has reinforced the border with more fencing, many of these bi-national monuments have been left entirely on the Mexican side. From our Fronteras Desk in San Diego, Adrian Florido reports on the latest of these monuments to be fenced out.
Preschool works. There is a wealth of evidence that early education is key when it comes to narrowing the achievement gap between Latino children and their peers. But across the country and this region, access to quality affordable preschool is lacking. Jude Joffe-Block reports on a state-funded pre-kindergarden program in Nevada that is achieving results.
Nationwide, Latinos attend preschool in lower numbers; drop out rates are higher, and fewer Latinos get college degrees. But for Hispanic girls and women of college age, that gap disappears. Studies show that American Latinas now attend college and graduate at a much higher rate than their male counterparts. Their college success rate is nearly equal to that of white men. Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez reports on a Phoenix program that focuses on young Hispanic girls and their main sources of educational support — their mothers.
As of Tuesday, consumers in Tijuana and other Baja California border cities may see a price drop for many consumer items. It is designed to entice them to stop crossing into the U.S. to shop.
San Antonio Car Company Cashes in on Drug War
In Mexico, when it comes to tricking out your SUV, it's more than just some spiffy spinning rims. It costs $300,000 to turn your wheels into a battle ready tank. And for many professionals living along the Mexico border, this is the cost of doing business in one of the most dangerous zones on the planet. TPR's Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports on a San Antonio company that's cashing in on the drug war by armoring cars.
Democratic lawmakers in Arizona will introduce legislation to repeal that state's controversial immigration law, S.B. 1070. But Republican legislators say any attempts will be dead-on-arrival. From Phoenix, Paul Atkinson reports.
Hispanic Republicans React to State of the Union
President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address last night. It was more than a oration on the condition of the nation. It was also a major political speech that was designed to fire up his political base as he runs for re-election. And with Latinos being the largest swing vote in the nation, many are wondering if Obama adequately addressed their concerns. Jacob Monty is a board member for the Hispanic Republicans of Texas.
Las Vegas High School Strives To Increase Latino Graduation Rates
In Las Vegas, the heart of the heart of the Latino community is Rancho High School. That's why the school has become a campaign touchstone for politicians courting Hispanic voters. In fact, last presidential election, candidate Barack Obama visited Rancho not once, but twice. Yet nearly half of the Latino students who enroll at the school, never finish. Fronteras reporter Jude Joffe-Block visits a campus club that is trying to change things.
Mexico: Narco Violence and a Failed State?
George Grayson is a professor of government at the College of William and Mary, and author of "Mexico: Narco Violence and a Failed State?" He reject's Mitt Romney's position that Mexico is a possible future failed states.
Political Group Attacking Anti-Labor Incumbants
Chuck Rocha is the head of LatinoPAC. They are funding a series of political advertisements that are targeting anti-labor incumbent congressmen in Latino congressional districts.
If you're the type who panicked on the cusp of Y2K, or said your goodbyes last Fall when a certain Northern California minister predicted the rapture, listen up. According to some interpretations of the Mayan calendar, civilization as we know it has about 11 months left. But many people in the Maya heartland — Guatemala — see it differently.
Undocumented families waiting for their immigration status to be determined could soon be held in detention centers in Texas. The federal government is reviewing contracts from companies interested in running such a facility. Central Texas used to house immigrant families in a detention center about an hour from Austin and as KUT's Erika Aguilar reports some immigration rights advocates say they fear the practice of detaining families could return.
The Tucson Unified School District voted 4-1 to end its Mexican American studies program late Tuesday night. The school district risked losing $15 million if it continued teaching ethnic studies as they were being taught. Michel Marizco reports.
U.S. border residents who are victims of crimes committed in Mexico may find help in an unlikely place: their own state government. Texas, Arizona and California have programs to cover costs related to the crimes like hospital bills, travel expenses and counseling. The financial aid has been particularly helpful for frequent border crossers during the past four years when drug-related violence exploded south of the border. Monica Ortiz Uribe reports.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it's catching more fugitives along California's border with Mexico. From San Diego KPBS Reporter Marissa Cabrera says arrests were up in 20-11.
The Obama Administration is imposing a 20-year moratorium on mining in and around the Grand Canyon. It says the ban on development will protect water supplies from potential contamination from uranium and other metals. But Congressional Republicans say the move will hurt job creation and energy independence. From Flagstaff, KJZZ's Laurel Morales reports.
A year ago, a seriously troubled man opened fire in a Safeway parking lot on a beautiful Saturday morning. He killed six people and injured 13 more, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Since then, Arizona has been forced to confront how it treats the mentally ill. From Tucson, Michel Marizco reports on the progress.
San Antonio Activist Speaks Out Against Romneys Opposition to the DREAM Act
As the Republican presidential hopefuls work their way through the primary process, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is cementing his frontrunner status with two state wins. And for supporters of immigration reform, it doesn’t look like Romney is interested in courting their backing in his pursuit of the White House. Romney has said that if given the chance that he would veto the DREAM Act. San Antonio DREAM Act Activist Benita Veliz joined David Martin Davies earlier to discuss her reaction to Romney’s opposition to the DREAM Act.
December 22, 2011 · The number of business owners convicted of hiring illegal workers has more than doubled since the start of the Obama administration. One of the most recent cases involved an iconic San Diego restaurant. The owner was ordered to pay nearly $400,000 in fines and forfeiture in December for employing people he knew weren’t allowed to work in this country. From the Fronteras Desk, Jill Replogle has the story.
December 23, 2011 · The logjam in Washington over immigration reform has led to an unintended consequence: fraud. For years, the federal government in San Antonio has targeted so-called "notarios," or scammers who promise miracles to immigrants who need legal papers. Fronteras correspondent Hernán Rozemberg reports the effort is now gaining national attention.
December 28, 2011 · California has the country's largest Hispanic student population and ranks at the bottom for reading and math achievement among Latino children. Experts are beginning to call for an overhaul of the school system. From the Fronteras Desk,
Ruxandra Guidi reports.
December 28, 2011 · The Hopi Tribe is tangled in a legal battle with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. At issue is a dump the federal agency operated for 50 years near Tuba City in Northern Arizona. The local tribes say the aquifer lying under the dump shows dangerous levels of uranium. They believe the radioactive plume threatens the drinking water of 18-hundred people. And they say time is running out to clean it up. From Flagstaff, Shelley Smithson reports.
How Can Latino Families Beat Obesity
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December 28, 2011 · Nearly half of Latino Children nationwide are considered overweight or obese. A new UT Southwestern Medical Center study takes a look at what are some key changes that Latino families can adopt that will help beat obesity in children.
Dr. Glenn Flores is a professor of pediatrics and clinician sciences. He authored the study.
December 21, 2011 · A former Border Patrol agent is now serving more than two years in prison for beating up an illegal immigrant who was smuggling drugs. The agent’s supporters say it’s the latest case of federal prosecutors in South Texas going after Border Patrol for doing its job. From the Fronteras Desk in San Antonio, Hernán Rozemberg reports.
December 20, 2011 · Less than half of all immigrants facing deportation proceedings have legal representation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. -more-
December 16, 2011 · Drug seizures and related arrests at the border are on the rise. Customs and Border Protection claims this shows tighter border enforcement is working. But a leaked CBP memo concludes otherwise. -more-
December 20, 2011 · The scheme involved intercepting unemployment benefits paid out to almost 600 different people. Such cases of multi-million dollar fraud are rare in the unemployment benefit system. -more-
December 16, 2011 · Latino elected officials are reacting to report of civil rights abuse within the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Critics say the Justice Department’s announcement vindicates what they’ve said about the sheriff’s office for years. -more-
Mexican Gray Wolf On The Brink Of Extinction
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December 21, 2011 · The federal government doesn’t know if they have enough Mexican gray wolves to successfully save the species in the Southwest. Wildlife managers had hoped to have at least a hundred wolves in the wild by now. At last count, they only had half that number.
Arizona, Nevada To Host Large Solar Projects
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December 21, 2011 · The federal government has approved two large renewable energy projects near Phoenix and San Diego. And in Nevada, Clark County announced a land deal with a Chinese company to build a massive solar project.
December 19, 2011 · Dr. Raul Ruiz grew up in a trailer park in this poor district in Southern California’s interior. The son of Mexican farm workers, he studied medicine at Harvard and then returned to his community to focus on the health problems of a poor, Latino population. -more-
November 30, 2011 · Zombie subdivisions are haunting the suburbs. The half-built developments are a nuisance to neighbors, city government and planners. In the first part of a multimedia series, reporters from Fronteras: The Changing America Desk explore what should be done with the empty land and report how the answers will impact the region's economy. -more-
November 30, 2011 · With the real estate crash and lingering economic gloom, is it time to re-think the all-American suburb? In the next installment of our ongoing series, Arizona State University graduate students say yes and share some of their designs. -more-
November 30, 2011 · As part of our ongoing series, we explore why one Las Vegas company is tired of its offices in the sprawling suburbs. The CEO wants to move downtown, and help transform the gritty neighborhood into a vibrant, urban hub-more-
November 30, 2011 · In October, half of the home buyers in Las Vegas paid in cash. For the most part, these are investors buying up properties...In fact, Las Vegas homes are getting attention from buyers all over the world. Prices have dropped to 1990's levels, and many homes in the area are selling for below building cost. -more-
November 30, 2011 · Tired of waiting in line at the supermarket during this holiday season? Well, there may be some native foods that are making a comeback in the southwest that you can harvest near your home. -more-
November 9, 2011 · Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce helped enact tough laws enforcing immigration regulations on a state level, including the controversial SB 1070. Some voters think it went too far. Paul Atkinson reports from Phoenix. -more-
November 9, 2011 · Critics contend the plate resurrects and legitimizes slavery. Supporters say they are simply trying to honor Confederate soldiers. Hernán Rozemberg reports from the Fronteras Desk in San Antonio. -more-
November 9, 2011 · Hundreds of Iraqis in San Diego County await relatives living as refugees in Middle Eastern countries. In the final part of a special Fronteras series, the process of resettling these refugees to the U.S. has faced major setbacks recently, especially those caught in the strife in Syria. From the Fronteras Desk in San Diego, Jill Replogle reports. -more-
November 9, 2011 · On Tuesday, a Washington D.C.-based federal court refused Texas Attorney General Greg Abbotts request to accept the state’s redistricting maps. San Antonio State Representative Trey Martinez Fisher is the Chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus which has challenged the state’s maps. He explains what the court’s decision means and how it impacts Texas politics.
October 28, 2011 · Polls indicate Hispanics, who tend to vote Democrat, are undecided about who they'll support in the next presidential election. That's certainly the case in New Mexico where White House officials recently visited to discuss issues important to the local Latino community.
Nuestra Palabra and the Latino Literary Renaissance
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November 2, 2011 · It’s the end of the world, or so we might be led to believe. If you ask Tony Diaz, Latinos are to blame for the Mayan calendar prediction that points to end of days and the closing of Borders — bookstores, that is. Tony Diaz founded nonprofit group Nuestra Palabra over a decade ago, and by his estimation, Latinos shouldn’t be blamed, but they are responsible for a Latino Literary Renaissance. Organized in Houston, Texas the arts group is taking their work on the road to Dallas, El Paso Corpus Christi, McAllen, and here in San Antonio. Texas Public Radio’s Yvette Benavides speaks with Diaz about the state of Latino arts.
Dagoberto Gilb: “Before the End, After the Beginning”
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November 2, 2011 · Dagoberto Gilb is a nationally acclaimed author. His books have won numerous awards. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s among others. He worked for years as a carpenter before becoming an author. He has most recently served on the creative faculty at Texas State University and currently serves as the executive director of Centro Victoria, a center for Mexican American literature and culture at the University of Houston, Victoria. In 2009, Gilb suffered a stroke. The stories in his most recent collection, “Before the End, After the Beginning” were written in the wake of that stroke. Gilb spoke to Texas Public Radio’s Yvette Benavides about writing, rehabilitation, and writing fiction we can recognize as truth.
October 26, 2011 · "Operation Wide Receiver" used some of the same tactics as the infamous "Operation Fast and Furious." Buyers purchased weapons in the U.S. and delivered them to Mexico, according to court records. Only nine people have been charged; it is unknown how many have been hurt.
October 20, 2011 · Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing segment of illegal drug use in the United States. In fact, more Americans abuse prescription drugs than the number of people who use cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin combined.
October 13, 2011 · With among the highest homicide rates in Mexico, Ciudad Juarez is about to launch a massive business, cultural and arts expo called “Juarez Competitiva.” Organizers want the event to attract businesses and tourism to the city ravaged by drug cartel violence.
October 12, 2011 · Millions of international students get an education in the U.S. and then take their knowledge and skills home. The Obama administration says it wants to keep them here.
October 25, 2011 · President Obama traveled to the epicenter of the home foreclosure crisis to promote a federal initiative to help underwater home owners stay in their homes. It's part of the president's new effort to take executive action in response to a "dysfunctional Congress."
October 17, 2011 · There are currently more than 11,000 foreign convicts in the Lone Star State and about half are eligible for parole. A new law allows them to be deported home sooner if they are paroled.
October 20, 2011 · Some companies have gotten into trouble for using "Navajo" to market their merchandise. It prompts a bigger debate about private business profiting from Native American imagery.
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Federal Agency Seeks Outside Expert on Transitional Gangs
Medical Tourists Can Speed Through U.S.-Mexico Border Crossing
State Rep. Lyle Larson Asks Mexico to Compensate Texas for Services Used By Illegal Immigrants
Getting Personal with a Family of Latino Voters
Shade Trees May be Replaced with Palms in San Diego
Wireless Medicine Connects Navajo Heart Patients
Nevada Same-Sex Marriage Ban Challenged
Mistakes Campaigns Make Courting the Latino Vote
Latino Perspectives on the 2012 Elections
U.S. Officials Hail Sentencing of Tijuana Cartel Leader, But Drug War Far From Over
Thousands Attend Cesar Chavez March
Survey: 'Hispanic,' 'Latino' Not Terms Favored by Most Latin Americans
Eighty Percent of Murders in Mexico Go Unsolved
Home Loan Modifier Accused of Fraud; Targeted Latinos
Illegal Immigrants From Syria Get Reprieve
Selling Spanish Immersion: Why Guatemala?
The New Face of Immigration Detention
Courts Taking Up Immigration Legislation in TX, AZ
Addressing Unlicensed Doctors & Illegal Medicine In Nevada
'Reportero' Film Highlights Dangers For Journalists In Mexico
Selling Spanish Immersion: Why Spanish?
"From Demography to Identity: Who We Are in America"
Latino Film Fest Highlights Horror & Sci-Fi Movies
In Baja, Developers and Surfers Battle over the Perfect Wave
Secretary of Education Supports the DREAM Act
Grand Canyon Hiker Dies Close to Her Goal
Arizona's Culture War Comes to San Antonio
Obama's Immigration Catch-22
9-1-1 Dispatcher Saves a Life
TSA Expedites Security Checks With New Test Program
Groups Oppose Obama's Border Agency Cuts
Delving into Dual Language Immersion Programs
Latino Activist To Run In New City Council District, But Challenges Abound
Defendant In Jail When Border Patrol Agent Was Murdered
Agencies Interfered with ATF's Gunwalking Plans
Navajos Struggle with AIDS Stigma
If you're the type who panicked on the cusp of Y2K, or said your goodbyes last Fall when a certain Northern California minister predicted the rapture, listen up. According to some interpretations of the Mayan calendar, civilization as we know it has about 11 months left. But many people in the Maya heartland — Guatemala — see it differently.
Undocumented families waiting for their immigration status to be determined could soon be held in detention centers in Texas. The federal government is reviewing contracts from companies interested in running such a facility. Central Texas used to house immigrant families in a detention center about an hour from Austin and as KUT's Erika Aguilar reports some immigration rights advocates say they fear the practice of detaining families could return.
The Tucson Unified School District voted 4-1 to end its Mexican American studies program late Tuesday night. The school district risked losing $15 million if it continued teaching ethnic studies as they were being taught. Michel Marizco reports.
U.S. border residents who are victims of crimes committed in Mexico may find help in an unlikely place: their own state government. Texas, Arizona and California have programs to cover costs related to the crimes like hospital bills, travel expenses and counseling. The financial aid has been particularly helpful for frequent border crossers during the past four years when drug-related violence exploded south of the border. Monica Ortiz Uribe reports.
The Obama Administration is imposing a 20-year moratorium on mining in and around the Grand Canyon. It says the ban on development will protect water supplies from potential contamination from uranium and other metals. But Congressional Republicans say the move will hurt job creation and energy independence. From Flagstaff, KJZZ's Laurel Morales reports.
A year ago, a seriously troubled man opened fire in a Safeway parking lot on a beautiful Saturday morning. He killed six people and injured 13 more, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Since then, Arizona has been forced to confront how it treats the mentally ill. From Tucson, Michel Marizco reports on the progress. 
