August 6th

THE END OF PROP 187. Last week an agreement was reached between California Gov. Gray Davis and civil right groups, effectively killing Proposition 187. The 1994 voter-approved measure attempted to deny undocumented immigrants housing, education, and emergency medical benefits. Despite this agreement, Gov. Davis noted that much of the proposition's aims are already covered by federal law. This week, Citlali Saenz reports on what this recent deal will mean to tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants and their children.

IMMIGRANT COOPERATIVES. Business cooperatives have a long history in the United States. Since the 1800s, various common-interest groups have formed these working collectives. This week, Kent Patterson reports from New Mexico on cooperatives emerging in that state, some of which are being run by Latina immigrants in search of a better life.

August 13th

FARMWORKERS KILLED IN CRASH. The deaths this week of 13 tomato field workers, involved in a traffic accident on a rural road in California's Central Valley, has revived the issue of transportation safety for agricultural workers. In the wake of this bloody accident, legislators, farmworker advocates, and law enforcement officials are calling for hearings to get commercial farm vehicles to comply with state seat and seat-belt laws and other measures. Ana Lilia Barraza reports from Fresno, California.

BRACEROS: SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. The Bracero program, which brought more than four million field workers from Mexico to the United States between 1942 and 1964, created a savings fund from Bracero salary deductions. These veteran workers are now seeking payment of that money. This week, Raul Silva reports on the first meeting between ex-Braceros and high Mexican officials to discuss the status of the Bracero savings account.

PRESERVING HISPANIC CULTURE. The Santa Fe Spanish Market has helped preserve traditional Hispanic culture in New Mexico. And, 75 years after it was started, the significant number of child artists participating in this year's event encourages those who hope the youth will continue the tradition of New Mexican devotional art.

August 20th

CLEMENCY FOR PUERTO RICAN NATIONALISTS. President Clinton announced last week that he would grant clemency to eleven Puerto Rican independence fighters, if they renounced violence. So far, one of the prisoners says he may not accept the conditional release. Meanwhile, two U.S. lawmakers are urging the White House to issue an unconditional pardon of the political prisoners. This week, Carlos Sariol reports from WRTU in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG LATINOS. Statistics show that Latinos in California have the second highest rate of alcoholism in the state, surpassed only by the rate for Whites. Humberto Rodas takes a look into programs geared to help alcoholics in the Imperial Valley, where Latinos make up the majority of the population.

GUELAGUETZA FESTIVAL IN CALIFORNIA. Oaxacans have long celebrated in southern Mexico the festival of "Mondays on the Hill," known as Guelaguetza, a celebration of ancient Indian beliefs blended with Spanish customs. This year, for the first time, Oaxacan immigrant groups have brought this traditional festival of Indian music, regional food, ceremonial dances and colorful clothing to California's Central Valley. Araceli Garcia captured the voices and sounds of this week's event.

August 27th

SURVIVING HEROINE. Half a million people in The United States are addicted to opium or heroine. Thousands die from drug overdoses or complications. Correspondent Humberto Rodas reports the story of a survivor of heroine addiction and how he is struggling to recover and heal.

CARE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL. While Latinos are not counted among those suffering the most from mental disorders, few services are open for those needing mental health care. A patient suffering from war traumas in Miami told reporter Hirania Luzardo about the language and medical insurance barriers that keep Latinos away from mental health care.

HOMAGE FOR SABINES. Mexican poet Jaime Sabines, is considered one of the most influential writers in the century. Sabines passed away at the beginning of the year and, although he shied away from the public spotlight and honors, Mexican officials and admirers insist in holding various events in his memory. This week, Raul Silva reports from Mexico City.

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