LINEA ABIERTA | THIS WEEK | PREVIOUS PROGRAMS

Linea Abierta Programs for January 2007

Monday, January 1st

PROGRAM # 5010 - 12:00 PDT
PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR. This program takes conversations with newsmakers aired on this program during 2006 to anticipate developments for the New Year. Among the events to follow are health care reform, funding for the war in Iraq, legislation on greenhouse gases, and immigration reform.The review includes segments from Eliseo Medina, top leader of SEIU; Dolores Huerta, civil rights movement pioneer; Rosa Rosales, new president of LULAC; and José Angel Gutiérrez, veteran voting rights advocate; and Andrés Manuel López Obrador, leader of Mexico’s contemporary opposition.

Tuesday, January 2nd

PROGRAM # 5011 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION – NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS. Attorney Rosalba Piña, the host of this edition from Chicago, encourages immigrant listeners to celebrate the New Year by making resolutions that will impact their lives. Piña provides practical tips on how to develop a plan in preparation for permanent residency paperwork and for the citizenship process.

Wednesday, January 3rd

PROGRAM # 5012 - 12:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – NEW YEAR’S FORECAST. The host comments on developments to watch for 2007, including the timeline for immigration reform, the funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the multi-state campaign against affirmative action, the new strategy for the war in Iraq, and San Antonio’s Tejano Conjunto Festival. The program includes a message by Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, and an interview with veteran of war Eulalio Calderón, a member of the American GI Forum in Del Rio, TX.

Thursday, January 4th

PROGRAM # 5013 - 12:00 PDT
NEW LAWS IN 2007. A number of new state laws go into effect January 1. Seven states have increased the minimum wage. Colorado will fine employers who fail to verify legal status of new workers. Washington welfare program now includes financial literacy as work activity. Arizona declares English as the official language and begins enforcing laws that restrict benefits for undocumented students, and undocumented plaintiffs. These and other laws around the nation are the subject of this report. This program also provides a report on the inauguration of the new Congress and the bills introduced this day by the Democratic leadership.

Guests: Harold Lasso, Policy and Program Director, El Centro Humanitario para los Trabajadores, Denver, CO; Jesús Sosa, Program Director, KDNA, Granger, WA; Gregorio Sariñana, reporter, Phoenix, AZ.

Friday, January 5th

PROGRAM # 5014 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. Ramírez interviews Dr. René Jiménez Ornelas, a distinguished social researcher from Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales de la UNAM. He comments on this week's raids by the Mexican Army in Tijuana and on the strategy of the Calderon administration against organized crime.

PROGRAM # 5015 - 12:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, January 8th

PROGRAM # 5016 - 12:00 PDT
THE THREAT OF HUNGER. Nearly one in five Latinos have little or no access to nutritious food. Many qualify but fail to receive food stamps. Those living in inner-city barrios don’t have access to quality markets. Those are some findings of a study by the National Council of La Raza. This is a roundtable discussion on the recommendations to combat food insecurity.

Guests: Liany Elba Arroyo, director of Institute of Hispanic Health, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC; Beatriz Otero, executive director, CentroNia, Washington, DC.

Tuesday, January 9th

PROGRAM # 5017 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTH CARE REFORM. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a sweeping plan to provide health care for all Californians. Unions and some Democratic leaders
expressed concerns about the governor’s plan to require health insurance for low-income Californians.

Guest: Francisco Castillo, spokesperson, Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sacramento, CA

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: FIVE YEARS. The White House celebrates the anniversary of the federal education reform law known as No Child Left Behind Act
expressing pride on its achievements and calling on Congress to renew the law. Meanwhile, civil-rights advocates released a report that shows the U.S. school system as an obstacle for Latino students, who continue dropping out of high school and having limited access to resources.

Guest: Raul González, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC. www.nclr.org.

Wednesday, January 10th

PROGRAM # 5018 - 12:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILLS IN TEXAS. A dozen bills restricting state and local services for the undocumented have been filed by conservative lawmakers in the Texas legislature. One bill would deny automatic citizenship benefits for children born in Texas to undocumented parents. Another imposes fees on remittances that are sent from Texas to Mexico and Latin America. Carlos Spector-Calderón looks into the prospects for these bills.

Guest: Marisa Olivares-Rummell, National Vice President, Republican National Hispanic Assembly, Houston, TX.

ALSO, PESOS ACCEPTED. In a bold marketing move, Texas-based Pizza Patrón chain started accepting pesos for pizzas. This is considered the first food chain with locations far from the border offering that service.

Guest: Ernesto Alonso Hernández, Operations director, Pizza Patrón, Dallas, TX.

Thursday, January 11th

PROGRAM # 5018- 12:00 PDT
U.S. SECRETARY CARLOS GUTIÉRREZ. U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutiérrez joins this edition to comment on his efforts to promote economic growth and exports, open new markets, lower unemployment and improve U.S. competitiveness. He also answer questions regarding widespread anti-free trade sentiments in Latin America, the requirements by the new U.S. Congress on labor and environmental protections, and the educational barriers for Latino workers.

ALSO, ‘SURGE’ IN IRAQ. Gonzalo Gallego, a top spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, defends President Bush decision to send more U.S. troops to Iraq. Meanwhile, Democrats begin hearings and try to force a vote in Congress on the plan.

ALSO, GUANTÁNAMO: FIVE YEARS. On this day five years ago, the first detainees from Afghanistan arrived at the prison in the U.S. Naval Base of Guantanamo. Sociologist and documentarian Katherine Murphy is there along with 16 human rights activists to demand the closing of the prison. She also tells the story of Asif Iqbal, a member of the delegation and formerly imprisoned in Guantanamo.

Friday, January 12th

PROGRAM # 5020 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública
series from Mexico City. Ramírez brings news and analysis on the increasing
and soaring prices of tortillas, Mexico’s food staple.

PROGRAM # 5021 - 12:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, January 15th

PROGRAM # 5022 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise are responsible for most cases of heart disease, stroke cancer, and diabetes. How can we resolve to lead a healthy lifestyle this year? Is there any help out there? What’s a healthy lifestyle anyway? This program is in conjunction with KQED, San Francisco’s public radio.

Guest: Dr. América Bracho, Executive director, Latino Health Access, Santa Ana, CA. www.latinohealthaccess.org

ALSO, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR’S DAY AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH. On King’s holiday, Dr. América Bracho comments on the meaning of the legacy of the civil rights leader. Are we all equal when it comes to access to health care and nutrition?

Tuesday, January 16th

PROGRAM # 5023 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION – A Miami judge gave lawyers until this day to resubmit a complaint that seeks to block deportations of immigrants with children who are U.S. citizens. Attorney Rosalba Piña, who hosts this edition from Chicago, interviews Nora Sandigo from American Fraternity. Piña also brings an update on the progress of efforts in the U.S. Senate to draft an immigration reform bill.

Wednesday, January 17th

PROGRAM # 5024 - 12:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – PIZZAS FOR PESOS. Dallas-based food chain Pizza Patrón is now accepting Mexican pesos at its locations nationwide. While Mexican customers have welcomed the offer and have spent a number of pesos in the pizza chain, the owner has received a number of hate mails from angry U.S. consumers. What’s behind the success with some and the hatred from others?

Guests: Ernesto Alonso Hernández, Operations director, Pizza Patrón, Dallas, TX; Dr. Samuel Schmidt, professor, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, MX.

Thursday, January 18th

PROGRAM # 5025- 12:00 PDT
MEGADAIRIES, MEGACONTAMINATION. Mega dairies are considered among the top smog polluters and sources of drinking water contamination in the San
Joaquin Valley. Now, the industry is planning to bring 50,000 more cows in the next five years to Fresno County. Mega dairies have been excluded from state water permits for decades. Now the public is being invited to comment on new measures to reduce smog-producing gases and protect the water supply.

Guests: Jesús Quevedo and Verónica Mendoza, retired farmworkers and members of Vecinos Unidos, Cutler, CA; Susana de Anda, co-director, Community Water Center, AGUA Coalition, Visalia, CA.

Friday, January 19th

PROGRAM # 5026 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. Ramírez talks with Dr. Mario de Constanzo Armenta, who is in charge of fiscal and economic affairs for the oppositionist cabinet of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. De Constanzo comments on the rising prices of tortillas in Mexico and announces a lawsuit on treason grounds against the Calderon administration. He also announces the opening of a good-will consulate in Los Angeles.

PROGRAM # 5027 - 12:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Monday, January 22nd

PROGRAM # 5028 - 12:00 PDT
OPERATIVO MICHOACAN. Michoacán was the site of the first federal operation in Mexico to crackdown against drug traffickers. President Calderón sent 7,000 troops early last month. The operation netted dozens of detentions. Hundreds of acres of marihuana crops were burned. But will this strategy succeed in controlling organized crime in the nation?

ALSO, THE BIG FREEZE. A cold wave ruined most of California’s citrus crops and left thousands of workers without work. Laid-off workers Guillermo and Yolanda García talk about the hardships to pay utility and housing bills and to get emergency aid. Their support for their parents back in Michoacán will also suffer. Also, Mayor Víctor López from Orange Cove talks about his state of emergency declaration and his efforts to get federal relief funds. This program is a simulcast in collaboration with the twelve-station network of Radio Michoacán.

Tuesday, January 23rd

PROGRAM # 5029 - 12:00 PDT
TACKLING DIRTY FUEL. President Bush is expected to advance energy initiatives in his State of the Union address. Speaker Nancy Pelosi created a special congressional committee to help draft comprehensive legislation on global warming by early summer. California Gov. Schwarzenegger announced plans to begin cutting carbon in fuels; the state’s measures will be the first global warming pollution standards in the world. These news developments are discussed in this program with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutiérrez and Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Democrat, Tucson, AZ.

ALSO, FREEZE RELIEF. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutiérrez comments on the slow response by the White House on California’s request for federal disaster aid for the citrus areas devastated by freezing temperatures. He also rejects suggestions to develop a temporary relief fund for undocumented workers in need. In addition, retired farmworker and activist Jesús Quevedo reports on how county officials meeting in Tulare county’s seat heard from farmworkers about the need to provide support to families and children who are suffering emotional stress due to the uncertainty caused by the workers’ displacement.

Wednesday, January 24th

PROGRAM # 5030 - 12:00 PDT
TEXAS EDITION – STATE OF THE UNION. Carlos Spector Calderón hosts this edition from El Paso. He includes excerpts from President Bush’s State of the Union address. He also includes a recorded statement by Congressman Xavier Becerra, who was selected for the official Democratic response in Spanish. Columnist Carlos Guerra, from the daily San Antonio Express-News, joins the conversation and provides analysis on Bush’ plans for health care, immigration reform, and the war in Iraq.

Thursday, January 25th

PROGRAM # 5031- 12:00 PDT
FREEZE RELIEF. Citrus crops in California have been devastated by the worst freeze to hit the state since 1990. Most of the 12,000 workers are laid off. The state and local governments have declared state of emergency. The area has not been declared a federal disaster yet. How are displaced workers going to pay for their utility bills, home loans, car insurance, and other emergency needs? What disaster relief efforts are being pushed to provide assistance? What about emergency jobs?

Guests: Víctor López, Mayor of Orange Cove, CA; Assemblyman Juan Arámbula, Democrat, Fresno, CA; Francisco Castillo, spokesperson, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; Helen López, Executive Director, Board of Food and Agriculture, State of California, Sacramento, CA.

Friday, January 26th

PROGRAM # 5032 - 12:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. Ramírez interviews academic researcher Alicia Girón, from the Institute for Economic Research, UNAM; and Dr. Carlos Belti Chan, demographer for Institute for Social Research, UNAM, Mexico City.

PROGRAM # 5033 - 12:00 PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

Saturday, January 27th

PROGRAM # 5034 - 12:00 PDT
SPECIAL COVERAGE: LIVE FROM THE FREEZE DISASTER AREA. This is a live broadcast from a freeze-relief event in downtown Orange Cove, city heavily impacted by the current freeze disaster. This special program includes interviews with displaced workers, local officials and relief workers. They comment on the needs of the affected families and provide information about assistance centers and relief services such as food stamps, unemployment insurance, and rental or housing subsidies.

Guests: Mayor Víctor López, City of Orange Cove; Verónica Márquez, Verónica Garza, Guilibaldo Vargas, and María Torres, displaced workers; also, a representative from Church Cornerstone; two volunteer workers from Cutler School District; and reporters Lourdes Oliva, Sara Shakir and Alma Martínez.

Monday, January 29nd

PROGRAM # 5035 - 12:00 PDT
GOOD OLD RECIPES FROM GRANDMA. Business leaders, leading chefs and scientists come together in a coalition that urges a return to traditional Latin American cooking to tackle Latino food-related problems, including obesity and diabetes. The Latino Nutrition Coalition encourages Latinos to regain their good health by using traditional foods ingredients and recipes. For healthier lives, they encourage consumers to make better choices when shopping at the supermarket or ordering at the restaurant.

Guest: Liz Mintz, program director, Latino Nutrition Coalition, Oldways Preservation Trust, Boston, MA, www.latinonutrition.org

ALSO, ‘WHERE IS THE FRUIT.’ Manufacturers display berries, cherries and oranges on boxes or cans of cereals, drinks and yogurts for children. Yet, a leding public health organization found that most of these children’s foods and packages contain no fruit. This deception contributes to the growing rates of obesity and diabetes among children, according to advocates.

Guest: Lissette Flores, program coordinator, The Prevention Institute, Oakland, CA, www.preventioninstitute.org

Tuesday, January 30th

PROGRAM # 5036 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION – OPERATION ‘RETURN TO SENDER.’ Federal immigration raids over the past two weeks have resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests in California alone. This is described as one of the biggest immigrant sweeps in U.S. history. Attorney Rosalba Piña interviews San Francisco attorney Mark Silverman, head of the Immigration Legal Resource Center, who organizes community awareness campaigns on the rights of immigrants during federal interrogations.

Wednesday, January 31st

PROGRAM # 5037 - 12:00 PDT
TEXAS – GUADALAJARA EDITION: HIGHWAY ROBBERY. During a visit to Central Mexico, a Mexican migrant family was victim of armed highway robbers, who took their vehicle and valuables with them. The problem for the victims didn’t end there. They now face a bureaucratic nightmare dealing with Mexico’s Custom authorities on the loss of their car.

Guests: Antonio Carranza, author of complaint against Mexican agencies, Little Rock, AK; Mario Pérez, coordinator, Paisano Program, U.S. West Coast, Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.

TRES POR UNO. Mexican officials announce the expansion of the Tres por Uno federal program to 23 states. The new administration is courting the dollars of Mexican hometown associations in the U.S., promising more federal support for their investments in their communities.

Guests: Juan Moreno, President, Federación de Clubes Jaliscienses en California, Consejo de Federaciones de Migrantes Mexicanos en Estados Unidos, Los Angeles; Eduardo Alvarez Avalos, director, COPLADE, Guadalajara; Juan Carlos García, director, SEDESOL, Guadalajara. This is a live simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara.

Funds for Línea Abierta are provided in part by The California Endowment, the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Community Technology Foundation of California, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

To tune in to this news service, check our Affiliate Stations page to find your nearest station. Also, the audio of these news stories will soon be available live in this same website.

LINEA ABIERTA | THIS WEEK | PREVIOUS PROGRAMS