October 1st

CERVICAL CANCER. Sexual silence, fatalistic beliefs and other cultural barriers prevent Latinas from using screening services for the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. As a result, cervical cancer is the third most common disease among Latinas and the leading cause of female death in Latin America. Citlali Saenz prepared the report.

UNUSED BENEFITS. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants and low income families lost safety net benefits after the reform of the welfare system in 1996. But few former welfare beneficiaries know that they are still eligible for basic medical care services and many go about with their own ailments. Araceli Garcia has the story.

GUITARIST ELIADES OCHOA. Cuban guitarist and singer Eliades Ochoa toured the US promoting "Guajiro" music creations with his band Cuarteto Patria. Ochoa has been swamped with concert and recording offers after the release of the Grammy Award-winning CD "Buena Vista Social Club." This CD gave him international fame and brought the Cuban sound of the golden age to the top charts in the US. Betto Arcos interviews Mr. Ochoa.

October 8th

LATINO VOTE UNDECIDED. In last year's elections, the Latino electorate in California cast the deciding vote in favor of Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat. And Democrats in other states also capitalized on the growing number of Latino voters. Nevertheless, as Patricia Guadalupe reports this week, the Latino vote is very much up for grabs in the upcoming presidential election.

PRD CAPTURES ACAPULCO. Elections were held this week in Guerrero, one of Mexico's poorest states. Although the ruling party continued to dominate, the Revolutionary Democratic Party managed to win the key tourist city, of Acapulco. This week, Kent Patterson reports on these heated elections that experts say point to what may happen in next years presidential race.

BRACERO RETIREMENT FUND. After weeks of investigation Mexican bank authorities say there is no evidence of a retirement fund for the agricultural workers who came into the U.S. from 1942 to 1965 under the Bracero program. Yet, these workers and their representatives say they will continue to push for the return of money owed them. This week, Raul Silva reports from Mexico.

October 15th

BREAST CANCER. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This week, breast cancer survivor Norma Guerra talks about her experience in fighting this disease. In addition, Catalina Ramos of Y-Me, a national breast cancer organization, talks about the changes in women's access to breast cancer screening and safeguards against discrimination. Ana Lilia Barraza reports.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CACTUS. The nopal, or cactus leaf, is one of the most nutrient rich foods in the Mexican diet. It's use has its roots in indigenous cultures and in the practice of natural medicines in Mexico. This week, correspondent Raul Silva, reports from a town in Mexico where cactus is grown and he spoke with various people on the benefits of the nopal.

DIA DE LA RAZA. In honor of the international Dia de la Raza, a celebration of mixed race people, Citlali Saenz prepares a report on Natalio Hernandez. Hernandez is a bilingual, award-winning poet of Zapotec-Indian descent who speaks about the reconciliation between Spanish and Indigenous languages.

October 22nd

NATIONAL MARCH FOR AMNESTY. Nearly 10,000 people gathered last weekend in Washington D.C. for a national march to demand general amnesty for undocumented immigrants. The organizers called for work permits for immigrants and living wages for low-paid workers. Participants included labor and immigrant rights activists, legislators and community leaders. This week, correspondent Mario Vinicio Gonzalez reports on this event.

REACTION TO GUEST WORKERS. During the last couple of weeks plans have floated around Washington regarding a new "guest worker" proposal. The multi-faceted plan would allow workers already in the U.S. to apply for temporary visas as well as bring in thousands of additional workers. This week, Ana Lilia Barraza reports from California's Central Valley, on farmworkers' reaction to the pending proposal that would affect them most of all.

MEDICARE DEADLINE. As a result of a government push, thousands of seniors citizens have enrolled in HMOs instead of Medicare over the last couple of years. Yet, many of these private health insurance companies are dropping the elderly from their rolls. Now, seniors must return to Medicare by November 1st or risk being left without coverage. Maria Eraña reports.

October 29th

NAVY IN VIEQUES. Last week a presidential commission recommended that the U.S. Navy remain in the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, while looking for a new location within the next five years. This suggestion has angered many Puerto Ricans who want the Navy to stop military exercises on the island immediately. This week, Patricia Guadalupe reports on this issue from Washington D.C.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Statistics show 10 percent of homes in the U.S. experience domestic violence. Mental health experts suggest that this kind of violence is caused by many factors including alcohol, drugs and a history of physical and emotional abuse. This week, health expert, Dr. Elmer Huerta, speaks on some of the causes of domestic violence and a woman talks about her own experience in an abusive relationship. Ana Lilia Barraza reports.

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