 Edición Semanaria de Noticiero Latino |
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September 2006
September 1st | Listen to the program
LATINOS WITHOUT ASSITANCE AFTER KATRINA. - A year after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf coast, bitterness remains due to the emergency response. Marking the one-year anniversary, the Bush Administration announces broad reconstruction projects for the area. However, civil groups claim that help in slow in reaching needy residents and Latino workers that are assisting in reconstruction efforts. Our correspondent in Washington, DC, Patricia Guadalupe shares what civil organizations and legislators have discovered visiting the disaster-stricken areas.
DO IMMIGRANTS BURDEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM? During the August public hearings on immigration reform sponsored by republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, the issue that captured most of the attention was the expense to the medical system. According to hearing organizers, undocumented immigrants dramatically burden hospital emergency rooms and they are to blame for border hospitals that near bankruptcy. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez shares reactions from legislators and civil groups to these anti-immigrant arguments.
MEXICO CLOSE TO CONFIRMING PRESIDENT-ELECT. Mexico’s Federal Elections Tribunal gave a harsh blow to presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s cause by rejecting a total recount of votes cast during the July 2nd presidential elections. The decision states that Lopez Obrador failed to present solid arguments to merit a recount and the tribunal also validated the original count by election authorities. Therefore, Felipe Calderon, right wing candidate from the National Action Party would be named election winner. Meanwhile, and in the midst of an intense media campaign against Lopez Obrador’s supporters, civil resistance actions become more drastic. Citlali Saenz reports from Mexico City.
September 8th | Listen to the program
IMMIGRATION REFORM NEGATIVE. - U.S. Congress returned to session this week after the summer recess and all signs indicate that an immigration reform will remain pending. This according to the Republican House Majority Leader, Dennis Hastert In the mean time immigration advocates will sponsor a massive demonstration on Capitol Hill. Patricia Guadalupe shares details from Washington, DC.
DEMONSTRATION FOR IMMIGRATION REFROM. After a four-day walk, thousands of demonstrators arrived at the headquarters of House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert’s headquarters in Batavia, Illinois. The demonstrators met just outside Hastert’s offices asking that he be just and support a comprehensive immigration reform bill. Irma Lopez shares details.
CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE VICTOR IN MEXICO ELECTIONS. Despite recognizing the existence of multiple irregularities during the July 2nd presidential elections, Mexico’s Federal Electoral Tribunal validated the right-wing candidate Felipe Calderon. The magistrates frowned actions by President Vicente Fox and several prominent business leaders during the campaign period. In the mean time, opposition candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador denied Calderon’s victory and made and called on citizens to continue civil resistance actions. Citlali Saenz reports from Mexico City.
September 15th | Listen to the program
911 HIDDEN VICTIMS. - This week, the nation mourned the 5th anniversary of September 11. While most of the attention was centered on the fallen victims of the airplane crashes and the Twin Towers, few look at other almost invisible victims. According to medical records, more than 70% of the workers cleaning up the debris at Ground Zero are sicken with chronic illnesses, and some have even lost their lives. Many of these workers lack medical attention and any kind of compensation. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez reports on the daily drama of these invisible victims of September 11.
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA BREAKS NEW GROUND. Latino electoral participation and immigration justice were some of the main themes discussed by almost two thousand leaders and activists convening for 4 days at the National Latino Congreso in Los Angeles. Following on the steps of a similar gathering 30 years ago, this Congreso incorporated prominently and for the first time urgent issues of air pollution and the destruction of natural resources. Ruben Tapia reports on this historic event.
DON JULIAN GONZALEZ HANDS OVER TRADITION. Mariachi music has found fertile ground in the United States. The immigration phenomenon and the teachings of masters such as Julian Gonzalez have been without a doubt a key factor. Gonzalez brought to California this festive music from his native Jalisco, in Mexico. Groups such as Los Cenzontles have found in him a real mentor. As part of the patriotic celebrations of Mexico and Central America we share this profile of Don Julian Gonzalez, narrated by Raul Silva.
September 22th | Listen to the program
LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING. California is about to become the first state in the nation to demand industry to reduce gasses that produce the green house effect, which in turn creates global warming. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected sign this legislation next week. In the mean time, the imminent law has generated interest by other states to impose similar limits on carbon gases. Alma Martinez shares this report.
RISING FARMWORKER FUND. After witnessing a scarce number of farm worker children graduating from top universities, a young business consultant, Harvard grad and former farm worker himself, felt the need to lend a helping hand and he formed a growing philanthropic institution. His work is starting to pay off. Sara Shakir shares the details.
PIONEER IMMIGRANT MARIACHI. Mariachi music holds a rich history in the United States. For example, since the later part of the 1950s artists like Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Lola Beltran and Miguel Aceves Mejia held artistic tours in California stadiums and theatres. Often, other Mexican musicians that migrated from Mexico accompanied these artists in their tours; such was the case of the recently deceased Don Manuel Gonzalez. In this report Raul Silva offers a glimpse into the life of these singular musicians.
September 29th | Listen to the program
BORDER FENCE APPROVED. U.S. Congress’ sessions end this week with the approval of a series of measures aimed at closing the border and sinking undocumented immigration. Among the measures is the building of a border fence with Mexico. Any chance of legislation that includes immigration reform was shut out during this legislative session. Patricia Guadalupe shares details from Washington, DC.
PAYMENT FOR POLLUTION. While oil companies, earned $78 billion last year alone by polluting land and water, California residents have been subsidizing the cost of these juicy profits with their health. Such is the argument that California environmental groups promote among the public in order to convince voters to approve a tax on drilling by major oil companies. The funds will be invested towards cleaning the air, according to the environmentalists. Fuel giants have financed a tough opposition campaign claiming that additional quotas will increase gasoline prices. The initiative will appear on the November ballot. Marco Vinicio Gonzalez shares details.
BLEEDING EPIDEMIC. Seven out of every ten dollars spent on healthcare in the country go to the treatment of diabetes and heart disease. Among Latinos, diabetes is expected to be the first disease that will affect 1 out of every 2 people. This problem is exacerbated in communities with high obesity rates and limited access to healthcare. This why one of the country’s most prominent diabetes experts launched a program that promises to reduce the outrageous tendency. Ana Lilia Barraza takes us to the Edward R. Roybal Clinic in an East Los Angeles neighborhood where Dr. Anne Peters begins this effort. The Roybal Clinic is profiled in the television series “Remaking American Medicine” which premieres this week on National Public Television.