 Edición Semanaria de Noticiero Latino |
 |
December 2006
December 1st | Listen to the program
CALDERON ASSUMES PRESIDENCY. In the center of intense political conflict and tight security measures, Felipe Calderon Hinojosa was sworn in as Mexico’s new president. Scarce hours before the ceremony, legislators from the main two political parties confronted each other in the congressional quarters for podium control. Citlali Saenz shares last minute details on the presidential takeover amidst a convoluted political climate.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. Now that Democrats are set to be the majority in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate next January, many Latinos are wondering about the possibilities issues concerning Latinos gain top priority for the incoming legislators. Patricia Guadalupe spoke to some lawmakers and files the report.
CANCER TREATMENT. Finding a trustworthy physician is daunting task, more so when it comes to treating a serious illness such as cancer. In the upcoming testimony, part of a series of occasional stories, our contributor Eleazar Salinas shares how he succeeded in locating a cancer center where patients are “genuinely treated as human beings.” Eleazar was diagnosed with colon cancer more than a year ago.
December 8th | Listen to the program
FREE TRADE WITH COLOMBIA. Recently, U.S. and Colombian authorities signed a document that opens doors to a new free trade agreement. However, congressional legislators in both countries must still give it the green light. Contrary to previous agreements in recent years, the incoming Congress may turn its back to this new commerce deal. What are the possibilities that the new Congress will back President Bush’s free trade policies with Latin America? Patricia Guadalupe reports.
BONILLA AND RODRIGUEZ DISPUT CONGRESS SEAT. Texas voters are days shy of the runoff race that will decide the fate of a San Antonio Congressional District. The incumbent, Republican Henry Bonilla faces an uphill battle from Democrat Ciro Rodriguez, who once held this post. Bonilla supports broader border control, while the Democratic candidate seeks comprehensive immigration reform. From San Antonio, Texas, Patricio Espinoza reports.
TREATMENTS FOR LATINAS WITH AIDS. Worried about the high rates of AIDS cases among pregnant women seeking treatment at a small clinic in Puerto Rico, a young obstetrician decided to dedicate herself entirely to saving babies acquiring the deadly virus. This was the beginning of the first clinic that helps women infected with HIV to give birth to healthy babies. Ever since, the once young obstetrician, Dr. Carmen Zorrilla, is internationally renowned for her cutting edge research on AIDS among women of color. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez shares some of her most important accomplishments in the field.
December 15th | Listen to the program
IMMIGRATION, WAR & HEALTH STILL PENDING. The soon-to-leave Republican majority Congress concludes its session weakened by November’s electoral defeat, which left members unable to follow their legislative agenda. Now its up to the new incoming Democratic majority to take on issues under a new agenda in January, which includes immigration reform, federal agencies funding and the growing Iraq crisis. Patricia Guadalupe shares details from Washington, DC.
COOPERATION WITH IMMIGRATION BANNED. It has been a little over a year that tuberculosis patient, “Ricardo” from the state of Washington, went into hiding due to fears that he would be deported for acquiring the “costly illness.” Local health authorities say they were only seeking assistance for covering the cost of the patients’ treatment, but outraged activists warn that such actions threaten immigrants’ and their community’s health. As a result, now the state government prohibits employees from denouncing undocumented patients to federal immigration agents. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez files the report.
TRANSNATIONAL SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. Influenced by social movements registered in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, and immigrant populations in the U.S., numerous social protests are sprouting along the U.S./Mexico border. As our correspondent, Kent Paterson reports from Ciudad Juarez, such movements are uniting through Mexican activists and their American counterparts. Maria Eraña narrates the report.
December 22nd | Listen to the program
ABUSE CLAIMS IN OAXACA. Nearly a month ago hundreds of Mexican federal police agents took back the City of Oaxaca, which was under the control of teachers and community groups demanding Governor Ulises Ruiz’s resignation. Hundreds of detainees were sent to prisons in the state of Nayarit, hundreds of miles to the north. The federal government accuses detainees of damages to public property and vandalism. In recent hours, detainee families, just liberated detainees and human rights groups have denounced serious violations done unto Oaxaca’s habitants during the police operation. Vladimir Flores has the details.
ANTI-SMOG FEE FIGHT. Developers and air quality authorities wage an intense legal battle in California’s Central Valley. The legal dispute revolves around a series of measures aimed at abating air pollution and urban sprawl. The regulations were enacted in response to the increase in pollution in the Central Valley, one of the dirtiest air basins in the nation. The regulations add development fees and order the design of energy-saving projects and alternatives to decreased traffic. Developers, on the other hand, are demanding the elimination of the fees and the reimbursement of the monies already paid. Alma Martinez covered the Fresno Superior Court proceedings and shares details on the case, closely being followed by local governments nationwide.
AIDS PREVENTION AMONG MIXTEC MIGRANTS. Mexican migrants infected with AIDS north of border seriously endanger their spouses in Mexico. Habits that include unsafe sexual practices and the lack of access to healthcare services are the main causes of the spread of AIDS in this community. Some researchers are trying to understand the problem in order to intervene before it is too late... In the meantime, migrant leaders organize prevention programs in farm working communities. Ana Lilia Barraza reports on the MACHO program, in San Diego, CA, where indigenous health promoters are challenged to prevent AIDS among their fellow countrymen.
December 29th | Listen to the program
ACTIVISM PRO IMMIGRATION REFORM REKINDLES. In 2006, Chicago was home to the nation’s first pro-immigrant mega rally, on March 10th. The coalition that organized that rally begins activities this week in order to persuade public opinion to support comprehensive immigration reform next year. Jorge Salazar shares details.
COLON CANCER ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT. Colon cancer is the second most common cancer among Latinos. This year, we have closely followed the battle that our Los Angeles collaborator, Eleazar Salinas wages against colon cancer. In the following piece, part of an occasional commentary series, Eleazar discusses an alternative natural medicine in which he has set his hopes.
A GLIMPSE OF HOPE. Giving wings to the imagination, in order to strengthen indigenous roots and seek a brighter future is the goal of one of Mexico’s National Council for Culture and Arts programs. Indigenous boys and girls throughout the country hold the main roles in this adventure, whose creativity is shared in the following piece by Raul Silva.
In the state of Washington,
where the 10 Congressional races were considered key, the Latino presence at
the polls increased, but their representation in public office did not grow.
Jesus Sosa from KDNA in Granger, Washington reports.