November 5th

STRIKE AT THE UNAM. The student strike at Mexico's National Autonomous University is in its sixth month. And, the closure of Latin America's largest educational institution has sparked debate about the future of public higher education in the country. This week, correspondent Raul Silva reports on this conflict from Mexico city.

DEADLINE FOR NACARA. April first is the deadline for Nicaraguan and Cuban immigrants to apply for legal permanent residency in the U.S. under the NACARA law. But, the reality is, only 42 percent of those who are eligible for this program have applied. This week, Hirania Luzardo reports on some of the reasons why these immigrant groups have not taken full advantage of this opportunity yet.

DRUGS USE AMONG YOUTH. The city of Santa Ana has one of the largest Latino concentrations in the Southern California. And, according to crime statistics, it also has a serious drug problem among its Latino youth. This week, Ruben Tapia reports on a program that is trying to reach these young people to help them out of their drug habit.

November 12th

MEXICO: PRI PRIMARY. The result of the first-ever presidential primary for Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party were not surprising. The winner, former Interior Minister Francisco Labastida, was clearly the favored candidate in the ruling party. Yet, the fact that this election took place signals a significant change within the PRI. This week, correspondent Raul Silva reports, from Mexico city, on what political analysts have to say on last weekend's elections.

GUEST WORKER BILLS. Debate over guest worker legislation supported by the agricultural industry is pending in the Senate. The bi-partisan bills, sponsored by Senators, Bob Graham, (R-Florida) and Gordon Smith, (D Oregon) allow undocumented farmworkers to apply for temporary visas, and streamlines the process of bringing in additional guest workers. Farmworker advocates call the program "indentured servitude." This week, Ana Lilia Barraza reports on this issue.

HIGH COST OF FUNERALS. The cost for funerals, as well as the price of transporting the bodies of dead immigrants to their hometowns has been rising rapidly over the last two decades. This week, Alejandro Glusman prepares a report on an alternative to this problem -- low-cost cremations. Yet, despite the practicality of this alternative, it is resisted by many Latinos due to religious and cultural traditions.

November 19th

CAMPAIGN TO SAVE ENVIRONMENTALIST. Six months ago the Mexican army invaded the town of Pizotla, Guerrero. The army, on an official search for drugs and weapons, shot and killed Salomon Ortiz and arrested Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera, small farmers active in opposing unrestrained logging by the U.S. company Boise Cascade. Montiel and Cabrera, who are still in jail, claim that the soldiers tortured them and forced them to sign a false confession. This week, correspondent Kent Patterson, reports on the efforts by Mexican and U.S. environmental groups to free these men.

GUEST WORKER BILLS. Debate over guest worker legislation supported by the agricultural industry is pending in the Senate. The bi-partisan bills, sponsored by Senators, Bob Graham, (R-Florida) and Gordon Smith, (D Oregon) allow undocumented farmworkers to apply for temporary visas, and streamlines the process of bringing in additional guest workers. Farmworker advocates call the program "indentured servitude." This week, Ana Lilia Barraza reports on this issue.

HEALTHY WINTER SEASON. As the mercury begins to drop we face the season of sore throats and stuffy noses. This week, community healer Mirna Brenner gives advice on how to fight the common cold using natural remedies. Maria Eraña produced this story.

November 26th

BRACEROS FUNDS. Former Braceros who worked U.S. agricultural fields during the 1940s, under a guest worker program signed with Mexico, have been pressuring the government to locate and distribute a decades old retirement fund. Finally, after various protests the government has agreed to form a special commission to search for this missing fund. This week, Raul Silva reports from Mexico.

THE CENSUS COUNT. The Latino population in California continues to grow and is estimated to be the majority within the next 20 years. Yet, in the last census count, California was one of the top undercounted states in the nation and many of those undercounted where Latinos, immigrants, farm workers and children. This week, UCLA demographer, Leobardo Estrada, speaks about the barriers that are encountered in getting an accurate count of these populations. Citlali Saenz reports from San Francisco, California.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS. Last month, President Clinton announced steps to enroll millions of uninsured children who are eligible for Medicaid and children's health insurance programs. Measures include exploring new strategies and involving schools in the effort to provide outreach to families in need. This week, Janet O'Neil-Gonzalez from the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration speaks about some of the efforts being done to reach more Latino families. Alejandro Glusman reports.

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