May 7th

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. The November elections brought an unprecedented Latino voter turnout and Latino elected officials changed the political landscape in Sacramento, California's capital city. This week, Assemblywoman Denise Moreno-Ducheny and Senator Martha Escutia, talk about the work that they and their colleagues are now doing for their communities.

MEXICO'S ELECTORAL REFORM. Electoral reforms recently approved by Mexico's house of representatives will face a serious challenge in the Senate, which holds a PRI majority. Members of the ruling party have already threatened to vote against it. One of the most disputed elements of the reform would allow some Mexicans living abroad to vote in next year's presidential elections. This week, Raul Silva, reports from Mexico City on the ongoing debate.

PICTURES OF HERITAGE. "Americanos: Latino Life in the United States," is a one of a kind photography exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.. The project, spearheaded by actor/director Edward James Olmos, includes photos representing the variety of the Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Central and Latin American experiences in this country. This week, Roland Masa reports from the nation's capital and offers a view of this collection.

May 14th

U.S. - PUERTO RICAN RELATIONS. Following the death of a civilian guard in the small island of Vieques during war games, Puerto Rican officials have increased demands that the U.S. Navy cease live-fire exercises in their territory. Patricia Guadalupe reports on this controversy from Washington D.C.

FASTING FOR ETHNIC STUDIES. After an eight day hunger strike and ten hours of negotiations, protesting students at the University of California's flagship campus in Berkeley were granted support for the ethnic studies department. Among other things, the university has promised to hire eight full time professors and to establish a research center. This week, Citlali Saenz reports from the Berkeley campus.

DRAMATIZING MEXICO'S POLITICAL FUTURE. John Ross is a journalist who has been writing about Mexico for the last twenty years. In his first work of fiction, "Tonatiuh's People, A Novel of the Mexican Cataclysm," Ross focuses on upcoming presidential elections in Mexico. And, this week, the author talks about his latest work, described as a political thriller, and contemplates the future of Mexican politics.

May 21st

ZEDILLO IN SACRAMENTO. Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo visits California at the invitation of Governor Gray Davis, following a recent trade mission to Mexico by Davis and a Latino delegation. Among other activities, Zedillo is scheduled to address the Legislature in Sacramento, meet with business leaders in San Francisco and hold a "Town Hall" meeting in Los Angeles. With Mexico now the second export market for California, Zedillo and Davis discussed plans to mend fences and build trade, business and academic ties. Citlali Saenz covered the presidential visit and the petitions of Mexican demonstrators.

GUEST WORKER PROPOSAL. Arizona Gov. Jane Hull has called for a renewal of the "guest worker" program to provide Mexican migrant workers for the agriculture, tourist, and service industries in her state. In addition, the Republican governor has proposed that Arizona serve as a pilot state to test the new system. Nevertheless, immigration advocates and labor leaders are concerned. Ana Lilia Barraza reports on the debate.

MEXICO'S DROUGHT. Mexico's northern states experience a five-year drought which has killed tens of thousands of cattle, ruined miles of crops and all but dried out drinking water reserves for entire communities. This disaster is due to a chronic lack of water distribution policies, said Mexican analysts. This week, Lenica Avila reports from Mexico on this year's droughts.

May 28th

NEW RULES FOR IMMIGRANTS. In a teleconference with Radio Bilingue and other national Spanish-language media, Vice President Al Gore announced a new "public charge" policy, giving immigrants who want to become permanent residents or citizens greater access to health care and other programs such as food stamps and housing assistance. This week, we hear from Vice President Gore, U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra and a social service representative on the new regulations.

MEXICO: NO MORE "DEDAZO"? During its 70 years in power, Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has relied every six years on the nation's president to appoint his successor. This tradition known as the "dedazo" seems to be coming to an end. Just last week the PRI leadership announced it will hold an open primary to select their candidate for the 2000 presidential election. Nevertheless, Mexican political observers are skeptical about the changes. Correspondent Lenica Avila reports from Mexico City.

CARLOS FUENTES PREMIERS NEW BOOK. In "The Years With Laura Diaz," renown author Carlos Fuentes tells the story of the arrival of his European ancestors to Mexico. In this historical novel, Laura Diaz, the female protagonist is characterized as the counterpart to "Artemio Cruz," the main character in Fuentes' earlier novel. New York correspondent Marco Vinicio Gonzalez met with Fuentes as part of a roundtable with journalists and files a report.

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