IMMIGRATION DEBATE BEGINS. After a bipartisan compromise on major issues, the U.S. Senate begins this week a debate to reform the immigration system. The compromise bill includes mega-funding for border control and immediate work authorization for immigrants who arrived before January 1, 2007. Rosalba Piña brings the latest news from Capitol Hill, and interviews Vanessa Cárdenas, with the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. She also entertains questions and opinions from listeners. www.americanprogress.org

IMMIGRATION DEBATE ON CAPITOL HILL. This program brings news developments on the immigration-reform bill discussed in Capitol Hill. The program includes Sen. Robert Menéndez (D-NJ) announcing an amendment to help eliminate barriers for the family reunification of permanent residents with spouses and children. It also includes a report by producer Sara Shakir on Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) comments on the penalties and the touch-back requirements included in the current bill. Listeners are encouraged to air their concerns and hopes.

Guests:

Fabiola Rodríguez, spokesperson, Hillary Clinton for President Campaign; Alex Burgos, spokesperson, Romney for President Campaign; Flavia Jiménez, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC.

MEMORIAL DAY EDITION. This pre-taped program includes the following topics:

THE SHORT STORY OF JOSE ANTONIO GUTIERREZ. This documentary tells the story of an orphan Guatemalan immigrant who became the second U.S. marine to die in Iraq. Gutierrez, who had enlisted in the Marine Corps to help his citizenship application, received a posthumous citizenship. This is a conversation with Erika Harzer, director and screenwriter of the film, from Berlin, Germany. www.theshortlife-film.com

ALSO, THE ARREDONDO TRAGEDY. Marine Lance Corporal Alex Arredondo was killed in Iraq during combat in 2004. When three uniformed marines brought the news home, his father Carlos set the soldiers van on fire. Carlos suffered burns on much of his body. This is a recent interview with Carlos and wife Melida on their anti-war activism and their efforts to heal their emotional wounds.

CESAR CHAVEZ HOLIDAY – PARENTS INVOLVED. Highly active parents talk about their efforts to improve their children’s education and help develop fully bilingual kids. They are also involved in efforts in Capitol Hill to get pro-education legislation passed. This program also includes a conversation with a leading educator on the role of education in current presidential campaigns.

“WHERE THE OX DOES NOT PLOW”. Dr. Manuel Peña joins this edition to comment on his new book and memoir “Where the Ox does not Plow: A Mexican American Ballad.” A native of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Peña chronicles his life journey from an impoverished migrant childhood to a distinguished career in academia. Dr. Peña is known for his anthropological study “The Texas-Mexican Conjunto” and other books.

Guest: Dr. Manuel Peña, anthropologist, ethnomusicologist, author of the book “Where the Ox does not Plow,” Fresno, CA. www.manuelhpena.com

TRANS FAT BANNED IN CALIFORNIA. California became the first U.S. state to prohibit trans fat in restaurants and food facilities. New York City and Philadelphia have passed laws banning the artery-clogging fats used in fried foods and margarine. How much would this ban help protect Californians against heart disease? How are chefs and eateries in the barrio receiving the news? The author of the legislation, health experts, and restaurant owners join this program.

Guests: Tony Mendoza, State assemblymember, 56th Assembly district, Norwalk, CA; Raul Morales, Owner, Taquería Vista Hermosa, Mercado La Paloma, Los Angeles, CA; Dra. Jacqueline Duarte, Bienvenida Medical Care, Food is Thy Medicine, Port Chester, NY; Claudia González, Certified dietitian, author of the book Gordito No Significa Saludable, Miami, FL

UNLOCKING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. Promoters of parent involvement in public schools give practical information on how to learn key facts about their children's high schools and how to initiate campaigns to bring equity and equality to their schools. The program also includes analysis on useful components of the No Child Left Behind Law and the mood of voters in the nation about spending on schools. This program is part of the series Diploma en Mano.

Guests: Claudia Vizcarra, Communications specialist, Institute for Democracy, Education and Access IDEA, University of California, Los Angeles, www.ucla-idea.org; Gloria Inzunza Franco, Development specialist, Mi Casa, Mi Universidad, Center for Language Minority Education and Research, Cal State University, Long Beach, www.clmer.csulb.edu; Maria Morfin, active parent, Migrant Parent Council, Toppenish, WA.

MEXICO EDITION. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City. The civic journalist brings news and analysis on Mexican developments.

PUERTO RICO EDITION. In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES: NADER-GONZALEZ 08. With healthcare, energy dependence and the war in Iraq topping their progressive agenda, independent presidential hopeful Ralph Nader and vice presidential candidate Matthew Gonzalez challenge the choices of the two major parties. Nader, the first Arab-American to run for president in the U.S., is on his fifth presidential campaign. He is a well-known consumer advocate. Gonzalez is a Texas-born attorney and former public defender. As a Green Party candidate, he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He joins this program to talk about his campaign and comment on the protest vote.

Guest: Matthew Gonzalez, Independent Vice presidential candidate, San Francisco, CA.

HOSPITALS DEPORT PATIENTS. U.S. hospitals are quietly repatriating seriously injured or ill immigrants, according to a journalistic report. Hospitals say they cannot find post-hospital care because these patients have no insurance. Advocates say these repatriations are nothing but international patient dumping. How often do hospitals send patients back to their home countries? Who is overseeing these private medical repatriations?

Invitados: Michael R. Banks, Abogado del tutor legal de Luis Jiménez, Stuart, FL; John de León, Bufete Jurídico Chávez-de León, asesor legal de los consulados de México, Honduras y Guatemala, Miami, FL; Dr. Miguel Garcés, especialista en salud pública, Ciudad de Guatemala.

LATINOS AND AIR POLLUTION. Latinos see air pollution is a very serious health threat to them and their families and favor efforts to clean up air pollution caused by maritime port traffic and cars. These are findings of a recent survey on the environment in California. The report also includes news on the presidential election – voters comment on global warming, energy policy and the presidential candidates handling of those issues. An environmental advocate comments on these findings.

Guests: Armando Nieto, Chief Operating Officer, Redefining Progress, Oakland, CA, www.rprogress.org; Renatta DeFevre, Research Associate, Public Policy Institute of California, San Francisco, CA, www.ppic.org.

THE CONVENTIONS: A PRIMER. The major U.S. political parties are gearing up for their presidential nomination conventions. Democrat Barack Obama will accept his nomination at a massive event at Denver's football stadium. Republican John McCain will receive his nomination in Minnesota, a political battleground. Party leaders talk about their plans for Denver and St. Paul. News reporters announce stories to follow, including the mood of local residents, the pro-immigrant, anti-war protests outside, and the visibility of youth delegates.

Guests: Yohana de la Torre, Spokesperson, Republican National Convention, Minneapolis, MN; Luis Miranda, Spokesperson, Democratic National Committee, Washington, DC; Zaidee Stavely, news producer/reporter, Radio Bilingüe, Fresno, CA; Tania Unzueta, news reporter, WRTE, Chicago, IL; Ruben Tapia, news correspondent, Los Angeles.

LUIS RAMIREZ DEATH: STREET FIGHT OR HATE CRIME? Three white teen agers were charged with homicide in the fatal beating of undocumented immigrant Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, a small town in Pennsylvania. Ethnic slurs were used during the beating. Still, local authorities are not treating it as a hate crime. Civil rights groups call on federal authorities to monitor the local investigation. Is this case a sign of deep anti-immigrant sentiments in the local community? Can it be prosecuted as a hate crime?

Guests: Enelly Betancourt, Member of WLCH, Radio Centro, Editor for La Voz Hispana, Lancaster, PA; Dr. Agapito López, Governor's Office for Hispanic Affairs, State of Pennsylvania, Hazleton, PA; Nancy Ramirez, Western Regional Counsel, MALDEF, Los Angeles, CA.

LATINO OLYMPIANS. Latinos are known to enjoy playing soccer and baseball. Still, only two Latino men made it to the Olympic team in those sports. Latinos are only 12 of the 600-athlete delegation attending the games in Beijing. What can be done to nurture talented young Latino athletes? An Olympic champion and a sports commentator join this program to provide testimony and analysis.

Guests: Olympian Patricia Cardenas, Attacker, U.S. Olympic waterpolo team, Beijing, China; Sergio Rodriguez, Executive director, Hispanics Across America, Co-host of Sports Journey's Show, 2007 New Jersey State Coach of the Year, New York, NY.

ALSO, MARIACHERAS PLAY AT OLYMPIC GAMES. A female mariachi group from California was chosen to play at the grand opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. It was the only musical group chosen from North America. This is a conversation with the band's director.

Guest: Marisa Orduño, director, Mariachi Mujer 2000, Fresno, CA

EVE OF PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTIONS. Top organizers of the national Democratic and Republican conventions comment on the role of Latinos in key convention activities. This program also airs listener opinions on the efforts by the major parties to get their members unified and energized towards the showdown in November.

Guests: State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, co-chair, Democratic National Convention 08, San Antonio, TX; U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, co-vice chair, Republican National Convention 08, Miami, FL.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. A live broadcast from the Democratic National Convention 2008 in Denver, CO. This two-hour edition includes news reports with voices from delegates, local residents and protesters. Also, Coloradans Federico Peña, former Mayor of Denver, and Sen. Ken Salazar are invited guests. Also, news interviews and roundtables will discuss the opening night speech by Michelle Obama, the quest for full voting rights for delegates from Florida and Michigan, and the size of the Latino delegate representation.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. A live broadcast from the Democratic National Convention 2008 in Denver, CO. This two-hour edition includes news reports with voices from delegates, local residents and protesters. Also, Coloradans Federico Peña, former Mayor of Denver, and Sen. Ken Salazar are invited guests. Also, news interviews and roundtables will discuss the opening night speech by Michelle Obama, the quest for full voting rights for delegates from Florida and Michigan, and the size of the Latino delegate representation.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: DAY 2. Excerpts and analysis of the speeches addressing the Democratic Convention's opening night in Denver. Members of Barack Obama's national Latino advisory council are invited to join this roundtable. Patricia Madrid, former New Mexico Attorney General and co-chair of the platform committee will be invited to comment on areas of concern to Latinos and how they were addressed in the party's platform.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: DAY 2. Excerpts and analysis of the speeches addressing the Democratic Convention's opening night in Denver. Members of Barack Obama's national Latino advisory council are invited to join this roundtable. Patricia Madrid, former New Mexico Attorney General and co-chair of the platform committee will be invited to comment on areas of concern to Latinos and how they were addressed in the party's platform.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: DAY 3. This edition features segments of the keynote speech on the Democratic Convention floor by former Gov. Mark Warner and the speech by Sen. Hillary Clinton. Latino public officials will also be invited to discuss findings on the political clout of the growing Latino electorate, including its impact on the presidential primaries.

HOUR 2.

Guests: Cristina Trujillo, New Mexico delegate, teacher and union representative; Rep. José Serrano, Democrat, New York; Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, Democrat, Chicago; Arturo Rodríguez, National president, United Farm Workers of America, Bakerfield, CA.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: DAY 3. This edition features segments of the keynote speech on the Democratic Convention floor by former Gov. Mark Warner and the speech by Sen. Hillary Clinton. Latino public officials will also be invited to discuss findings on the political clout of the growing Latino electorate, including its impact on the presidential primaries.

HOUR 1.

Guests: Federico Peña, former U.S. Secretary of Energy, former Mayor of Denver, co-director of Obama for President Campaign; Daniel Restrepo, adviser, Obama for President campaign; Linda Chávez-Thompson, Executive vice president emeritus, AFL-CIO; Hillary Clinton, fragments of speech; Federico Peña, fragment of speech.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: DAY 4. Addresses at the DNC08 by Gov. Bill Richardson, former President Bill Clinton and the vice presidential nomination acceptance speech will headline this edition. A timely news report on a mass demonstration by Colorado and national groups demanding immigration reform will be a highlight of this program. Finally, guest commentators will analyze the message and the tone of the Democratic candidates in the hard battle for the Latino and the general vote in November.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the nomination acceptance speech by Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Broadcasting direct from Denver's football stadium, where tens of thousands are expected to hear the unprecedented address, this program includes the interpreted speech in Spanish, political analysis, and a recap of the convention's four days.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the nomination acceptance speech by Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Broadcasting direct from Denver's football stadium, where tens of thousands are expected to hear the unprecedented address, this program includes the interpreted speech in Spanish, political analysis, and a recap of the convention's four days.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: DAY 4. Addresses at the DNC08 by Gov. Bill Richardson, former President Bill Clinton and the vice presidential nomination acceptance speech will headline this edition. A timely news report on a mass demonstration by Colorado and national groups demanding immigration reform will be a highlight of this program. Finally, guest commentators will analyze the message and the tone of the Democratic candidates in the hard battle for the Latino and the general vote in November.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. This is an extended program from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN. Top Republican leaders discuss campaign issues, including the economy, immigration and the war in Iraq. They also report and comment on the numbers of Latino delegates in this convention.

Guests: Raúl "Danny" Vargas, Chair, National Hispanic Republican Assembly; Gen. Al Zapanta, personal friend and supporter of John McCain; José Fuentes, Former Attorney General in Puerto Rico, member of the Convention Platform Committee; Al Cárdenas, Former president of the Florida Republican Party, former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, former president of the Mitt Romney for President Campaign in Florida.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. A live broadcast from the Republican National Convention 2008 in St. Paul, MN, which kicks off with the theme "Country First". This two-hour edition includes interviews with delegates and party officials, news reports about the public protestes, and voices from local residents. The convention was modified and procedures were cutback to the most essential nomination business in reaction to the news about Hurricane Gustav emergency in the Gulf Coast.

Guests: : Col. Eric Rojo, National Chair, Hispanic War Veterans of America; Hessy Fernandez, national spokesperson, McCain for President Campaign; Carlos Curbelo, Strategist for McCain for President Campaign; Ruben Tapia and Tania Unzueta, news reporters; Ana Navarro, Member of Gov. Jeb Bush' transition team in Florida, Director of immigration policy in executive office of Gov. Jeb Bush; Voices with questions from local residents of Minneapolis.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: DAY 2. Republican delegates discuss selected issues included in the platform approved in the Republican Convention's opening night in St. Paul. Issues include investing in public education, free trade, tax policies, and immigration. In addition, delegates supporting Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul talk about their conservative agenda and their opposition to John McCain nomination. The program also includes a conversation with a journalist arrested while covering a demonstration by the convention center.

Guests: Juan Carlos Polanco, New York delegate; Nicole Salazar, Associate Producer, Democracy Now, New York; Benito Segovia, Texas delegate and supporter of Ron Paul; John Delgado, Texas delegate and supporter of Ron Paul; Xavier Rivas, Vice-President of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly in Nevada.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: DAY 2. Influential Republican leaders comment on issues included in the platform approved by the convention. Topics include energy policy and the the economy. Guests discuss the Republican party's support to declaring English an official language, closing of the borders, and opposing legalization of immigrants. They also comment on the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin for the vice presidential ticket and the humanitarian crisis surrounding the unprecedented federal raids in workplaces around the nation.

Guests: Al Cardenas, former chairman of the Republican Party in Florida, and former chair of Mitt Romney for President campaign in Florida; Mario Diaz-Balart, U.S. Congressman from Miami; Tibi Ellis, Founder and National Ambassador of Latinas for McCain, Nevada; and Jacob Monty, immigration lawyer and Texas delegate.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: DAY 3. This edition features segments of the speech by President Bush and the only Latino speaker in this session of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Delegates and party leaders speak about employment policy, dialogue vs. big-stick approaches in foreign policy, closing of borders, and the scandal surrounding the recently-chosen nominee for the vice presidential ticket.

Guests: Excerpts of speeches by George W. Bush and Tommy Espinoza, President, Executive director of Raza Development Fund, personal friend of John McCain; Héctor Barreto Jr., President, The Latino Coalition, former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, member of McCain for President Campaign; Ambassador Otto Reich, Adviser to McCain on foreign policy; Excerpt of interview with Rosario Marín, secretary, Consumer Agency, State of California; Adriana Boyne, delegate from Texas; Melissa, local resident, Minneapolis.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: DAY 3. This edition features segments of the speech by President Bush and the only Latino speaker in this session of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Delegates and party leaders speak about employment policy, dialogue vs. big-stick approaches in foreign policy, closing of borders, and the scandal surrounding the recently-chosen nominee for the vice presidential ticket.

Guests: Excerpts of speeches by George W. Bush and Tommy Espinoza, President, Executive director of Raza Development Fund, personal friend of John McCain; Héctor Barreto Jr., President, The Latino Coalition, former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, member of McCain for President Campaign; Ambassador Otto Reich, Adviser to McCain on foreign policy; Excerpt of interview with Rosario Marín, secretary, Consumer Agency, State of California; Adriana Boyne, delegate from Texas; Melissa, local resident, Minneapolis.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the nomination acceptance speech by Republican candidate John McCain. This hour includes excerpts of speeches and conversations gathered at talk radio row.

Guests: Extended segment of speech by Gov. Sarah Palin, the vice presidential Republican nominee; a speech by Dr. Elena Ríos, President, National Hispanic Medical Association; interview with Marlene Fernández, host of Destination Casa Blanca, HITN-TV, New York, NY; Jorge Mújica, union organizer, demonstrator, Chicago, IL; Héctor Barajas, Republican delegate, California; Robert Pacheco, former California assemblyman, President, The Latino Coalition in California.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: DAY 4. Addresses at the RNC08 by key speakers and the vice presidential nomination acceptance speech headlines this edition. Finally, guest commentators discuss the party platform and the candidates' views in anticipation of the acceptance speech by presidential nominee John McCain.

Guests: Excerpts of speech by Governor Sarah Palin, Republican candidate for vice-president; Excerpts of speech by Dr. Elena Ríos, President, National Hispanic Medical Association; Hessy Fernández, spokesperson for John McCain campaign; Carlos Gutiérrez, U.S. Secretary of Commerce; and Perfecto Rivera, Republican delegate and bank executive from Wisconsin.

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: DAY 4. Convention delegates and regional party leaders discuss current issues, including Latino representation at the convention, charges of sexism against the media by the Republican campaign, access to higher education, and the war in Iraq.

Guests: Ivette Barajas, Regional Director of Communications for John McCain campaign in the Southwest; Mónica Rojas, President, The Young Republicans of Bexar County, Texas; Miriam Mora, immigrant delegate from California; and Luis Alvarado, head of John McCain campaign in Los Angeles.

THE CANDIDATES. In the past two weeks, the Democrats made history nominating the first Black presidential candidate. On the Republican side, Sarah Palin became the first female vice presidential nominee in the history of the Republican Party. How do Latinos and Latinas connect with the candidates and their messages? What's the change the candidates are talking about?

MISSISSIPI: THE LARGEST RAID. Caos and fear in Laurel, Miss., is the aftermath of the largest immigration raid on a workplace in the United States. 595 immigrant workers were arrested by federal officials and some face criminal charges for using improper Social Security numbers or false address. Many are imprisoned in a detention center in Jena, LA.

9/11: A CITIZEN PROBE. Questioning the depth of the probe of the original 9/11 commission, actor and activist Ed Asner, former Dallas Cowboy Mark Stepnoski and hip hop group Arrested Development are leading a petition drive to get a referendum on New York City's November ballot to conduct a new 9/11 investigation.

EL GRITO. On the day Mexicans celebrate the cry for independence, this program features the story of a legendary activist whose image symbolized the cry for huelga during the farm worker movement of the 1960s. A son of union miners, Alfredo Figueroa became a farm labor union organizer, a civil rights advocate, a voting-rights promoter, a cultural activist, and an environmental justice champion.

"DRILL, BABY, DRILL." This slogan was loudly chanted by delegates at the recent Republican convention, advertised as a central piece in a plan against rising gas prices. Pressed by election-year concerns, the House Democrats have heeded the oil industry and Republicans, and agreed on a plan to authorize new oil drilling along the U.S. coastline.

JUNK FOOD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. In an effort to stem the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, California and other state and local governments have passed laws to limit the sale of junk food, candies and sodas in public schools. Are these measures having an impact on the epidemic? Should the federal government step in and do more to ensure nutritional school lunches?

PROTECTING NEW CITIZENS AND VOTERS. Civic organizations are intensifying efforts to register and mobilize new immigrant voters. Analysts anticipate a large number of new Latino voters will be casting their ballots for the first time. These new voters may become the decisive vote in the presidential as well as other congressional and state races. Yet, many of these new voters face obstacles that may discourage them from voting. What's being done to educate the new voters and protect their vote? This program is part of the series "Hacia el Voto 2008."

Diana Sen, Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF), New York, NY, www.prldef.org ; Carmen Arias, National board member, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), Phoenix, AZ; Erica Bernal, Senior Director of Civic Engagement, National Association of Latino Elected and designated Officials (NALEO), Los Angeles, CA, www.naleo.org

IMMIGRATION EDITION - Attorney Rosalba Piña, an immigration law expert, joins this edition from Chicago to comment on news developments of the week and answer listener questions about the dos and don'ts when applying for residence and naturalization.

CREDIT CARD DEBT CRUNCH. Consumers have been increasingly using their credit card to make purchases. But as more people are out of work, many are struggling to pay their bills, more are defaulting on credit card payments and banks are stepping up their collection work. How serious is this new credit crisis? How can consumers protect themselves?

MIXTEC RADIO WITHOUT BORDERS. Every week, indigenous communities in the highlands of Southern and Northwest Mexico break the border walls and come together to speak to their paisanos in the U.S. thanks to a network made possible by satellite technology and community radio.

MEGA-PORT IN ENSENADA. Mexico is preparing to build a multi-billion rail-and-seaport project in Baja California which would become the largest port in Mexico and the third largest deep water port in the world. The project is expected to handle some of the trade shipments that now go to the congested ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Many hail the project as "an economic engine" for Mexico.

BAILOUT PLAN FOR WALL STREET. Many in Congress are resisting writing a blank check to the White House on a giant, 700 billion dollar plan to bailout debtors. A corporate welfare plan to benefit Wall Street? A plan to rescue the credit market and the country from economic collapse? Congress members and political analysts discuss the plan.

SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. This is an overview of the second debate between presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama in Nashville, TN. This program features selected segments of the debate with interpretation into Spanish. Political analysts comment on the candidates' views on key issues of interest to Latino audiences.

BINATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE. Mexico's government-run Seguro Popular leaves migrant families largely out of the system. To meet their health care needs, many migrants send money to their families in Mexico to pay for medical expenses. In response, advocates propose a binational health insurance plan. This program is in simulcast with the twelve-station network of Radio Michoacán in Morelia, Western Mexico. This edition is part of a series in conjunction with Binational Health Week 2008.

GREEN-TECH PROPOSALS. California voters are being asked to stop using old energy technology and move faster into the use of clean power generation. The California ballot includes two initiatives that propose "to make the most aggressive investment of public funds in clean and renewable sources of energy in the history of the nation". Proponents and opponents debate these initiatives.

Guests: Miguel Pulido, Mayor of Santa Ana, CA, Member of the Governing Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Yes on Prop 10; Francisco Rodríguez, Vice-President, California Federation of Teachers, Watsonville, CA; Jim Gonzalez, Chief proponent, Yes on 7: Solar and Clean Energy, Sacramento, CA; Hilda Delgado, Spokesperson, Latinos say no to prop 7, Los Angeles, CA.

A NEW BAILOUT? In the days since the bailout of the banking system was approved, the financial markets and the economy have continued to plunge. The credit market continues in crisis, Wall Street is in panic over the free fall of stocks, and there is talk about a new government bailout. What plans of new government intervention to help the economy are being considered? How is this crisis affecting the average family? How will the bailout help distressed homeowners?

Guests: Vicente Feliciano, President, Advantage Business Consulting, San Juan, PR; Loida Rosario, Member of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Co-founder of the Multicultural marketing program, DePaul University, Chicago, IL.

LEARNING BETTER IN SCHOOL. To improve student education and prepare students for highly demanding colleges, the school system needs first to pay attention to the relationship between the student and the teacher. An academic researcher discusses this and other topics.

Guest: Marcos Portales, Professor of English, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

ALSO, IN-STATE TUITION. A California court questioned the validity of a state law that allows all high school graduates, including undocumented students, to pay in-state college tuition. Although the law remains in effect, the court decision has created confusion among immigrant families. A lawyer challenging the court decision clarifies this issue.

Guest: Gladys Limon, Staff attorney, MALDEF, Los Angeles, CA.

3rd PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. This is an overview of the third debate between presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama in Hempstead, NY. This program features selected segments of the debate with interpretation into Spanish. Listeners are invited to comment on the candidates' views about key issues of interest to Latinos.español. Los radioescuchas están invitados a dar su opinión sobre la posición de los candidatos sobre temas importantes para los latinos.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL? With Latinos being the most uninsured population, proposals for universal healthcare enjoy wide support in this electorate. Two weeks before the 2008 presidential election, this program looks into the healthcare coverage plans of the two top campaigns to see how they would deal with this healthcare crisis. This program features excerpts of recent presidential debates. This edition is aired in conjunction with the series Health Dialogues, of KQED, San Francisco's public radio.

Guests: Congresswoman Hilda Solís, Democrat – Los Angeles; Tibi Ellis, Latinas for McCain, former President of Nevada Chapter of American College of Healthcare Executives, Las Vegas, NV; Dr. Jane Delgado, President and CEO, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Washington, DC.

SCAPEGOATING THE POOR. Conservative analysts are blaming the current Wall Street crisis on immigrants, Latinos and Blacks who received subprime loans and wouldn't pay their mortgages. The Community Reinvestment Act, a law that allowed access to lending for minority and low-income families is a favorite target of influential commentators.

Guest: Joseph Ridout, Consumer Action, San Francisco, CA

Invited Guest: Pablo Alvarado, President, National Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles, CA;

BULLET TRAINS. High-speed rail systems are an old idea in the U.S. But rising fuel prices and congested airports are pushing advocates to renew efforts to take action. Currently, there are six corridors under study in the Mid West, the North West, the South and other areas. Also, a proposition in the California ballot seeks to fund a high-speed train that would be able to travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than three hours.

Guests: Jose Martinez, Engineer and Southern California representative, California High Speed Rail Authority, Los Angeles, CA; Alejandra Moran, Spokesperson, MidWest High Speed Rail Association, Chicago, IL; Adrian B. Share, Engineer, Senior Vicepresident and Group Leader - Florida and the Caribbean Section, Wilbur Smith Associates, Miami, FL.

VOTER FRAUD OR SUPPRESSION? The McCain campaign accused ACORN, a community organizing group, of engaging in voter fraud in their effort to register young and poor citizens to vote. Meanwhile, civil rights organizations are launching a national voter education drive to counter what they describe as heightened efforts to disenfranchise voters in communities of color by intimidation and suppression tactics in key states.

Guests: Carmen Arias, member of the National Board of Directors, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – ACORN, Phoenix, AZ; Adolfo Franco, Member of the Hispanic Advisory Board, Republican National Committee, Washington, DC; Lydia Camarillo, Vice president, South West Voter Registration and Education Project, San Antonio, TX.

POSTVILLE RAID TRIAL. Last May, federal agents raided a meat-packing plant in the small town of Postville, Iowa, in what was then the largest workplace raid in U.S. history. Some detainees are returning to town to testify.

Guest: Rev. David Vázquez, Campus pastor, Office for College Ministries, Postville Relief Effort, Decorah, IA.

ALSO, TEXAS RESTRICTS DRIVER'S LICENSES. A new rule in Texas requires non-citizens to provide prove of legal residence to get a driver's license and bars undocumented immigrants from obtaining this ID card.

Invited guests: Correspondent Raul Feliciano, Houston, TX; Nelson Reyes, Central American Refugee Center, Houston, TX.

ALSO, BRACEROS WIN BACK PAY. Tens of thousands of former Braceros who worked in the U.S. during WWII may now collect back pay under a recent settlement in San Francisco between the Mexican government and U.S. plaintiffs. Legal counsels provide details on the settlement and the claims system created by Mexico.

VOTERS' FORUM. Few days before Election Day, this program provides an open forum for listeners. Voters are invited to call in and share their fears and expectations, as well as their views on the direction of the nation, the campaign plans, ballot initiatives, and the voting system.

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION. President-elect Barack Obama outlines his first priorities and plans. A top adviser of Obama, citizens on the street and radio listeners are invited to share their expectations about the first days of the Obama administration on issues such as the economic crisis, health care reform, the war in Iraq, and immigration reform.

Guests: Sen. Ken Salazar, Democrat, Denver, CO; interviews on the street, Los Angeles: Margarita Amezquita, Rafael Salgado, Virginia Flores, Maria Hernandez, Alfonso Delgadillo, Nina Menjivar, Carlos Hernandez; interviews in Chicago: Jatziry Garcia and Jacqueline Luna; listener calls.

PREPARING FOR RECESSION TIMES. These are times of high fuel and food prices, home foreclosures, unemployment, diminishing retirement accounts, and mounting stress for working-class and middle class families. What can you do to relieve your stress, get control on your finances, and survive the recession? What are the barriers Latinos face to better understand and manage the financial system? A financial planning expert answers frequently-asked questions and provides tips for families in trouble.

Guest: Louis Barajas, MBA, Author of the book "Agotado, Agobiado y Mal Pagado", Los Angeles, CA, www.louisbarajas.com

BULLET TRAIN: A GREEN LIGHT. Voters in California approved a referendum initiative to build an electric high-speed train to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles in less than one third the time of current trains and buses. Once built, this high-tech rail system will become the busiest rail route in the country. This program explores the steps ahead.

Guest: José Martínez, Ingeniero Profesional, Gerente del Programa de la Región Los Angeles a San Diego y Representante del Sur de California de la Autoridad de La Via De Alta Velocidad de California.

G-20 SUMMIT AND THE FINANCIAL MESS. World leaders from the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers gathered this weekend in Washington, DC, to discuss global financial reform. An expert joins this program to comment on the decisions that have emerged from the G-20 summit and the impact the U.S. financial crisis is having on Mexico and other economies.

Guest: Manuel Pérez Rocha, Associate fellow, Institute for Policy Studies, consultant for Oxfam International, Washington, DC.

HATE-CRIME DEATH. Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero was stabbed to death in Patchogue, N.Y., by seven teenagers who said they were looking for Mexicans to beat up. This incident is been treated as a kind of lynching or hate crime. Latinos in the area blame the murder on the toxic climate of hostility fostered by politicians who rally local people against newcomers.

ALSO, ASSAULT ON CIVIL LIBERTIES. This is a conversation with Anthony Romero, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union. Romero has been in the forefront of efforts to close the prison of Guantanamo, the legal challenge against the city of Hazleton, PA, for targeting immigrants, and the fight against anti-same-sex marriage Proposition 8 in California.

Nicolás Chango, Comisionado. Defensoría de los Pueblos y Naciones Indígenas del Ecuador en América, Representative

Cesar Perales. Presidente y Abogado. Latino Justice PRLDEF, New York, NY. www.prldef.org

BRACEROS CLAIMS. Mexican Bracero guest workers who toiled the U.S. fields and railroads during WWII and were deducted a portion of their wages from their paychecks will now be reimbursed thanks to a settlement with the Mexican government. This program clarifies the lawsuit, the rights of Bracero workers, and the procedures to claim the settlement money.

Guests: Don Manuel Herrera, Former bracero worker, Delano, CA; Manuel Tayas Camarena, President, Brazos Unidos, Guadalajara, Jalisco; José Jacques Medina, Federal Representative, Mexican Congress, Member of Special Commission to Follow the Funds of Mexican Bracero Workers, Mexico City, MX; Beatriz Sandoval, Attorney, Chicago, IL. www.casobracero.com

OJO DE CULEBRA. Mexican-American singer Lila Downs releases a new CD titled "Shake Away/Ojo de Culebra," a mix of cumbias, rancheras, blues, rock and folk songs with themes that sing to the struggles of immigrants and poor people. In this interview, Downs says "Ojo de Culebra" draws on the traditions of Oaxaca and Veracruz healers to perform a musical cleansing.

Guest: Lila Downs, Singer, Tijuana, Mexico.

"CRAZY LOCO LOVE". This is an interview with renowned author Víctor Villaseñor on his latest book "Crazy Loco Love," a memoir of his teenage years growing up on his parents ranch in California. Villaseñor tells the story about his painful quest to identity and meaning.

ALSO, CANTO POPULAR. Chelis López, organizer of the traditional Encuentro del Canto Popular in San Francisco's Mission barrio, talks about this year's festival, entitled "Renewable song – Canto renovable." The festival features musicians who celebrate folk songs from throughout the Americas. www.accionlatina.org

CHILDREN AT RISK. A new study shows evidence that obese children may have arteries as clogged as 45 year-old adults. Obesity and diabetes are rapidly rising among Latinos. And the holiday season and the abundance of food is a difficult time for those affected by the disease. A diabetes educator provides advice on how to avoid risky consequences and manage the disease.

Guests: Dr. Martha Daviglus, Spokesperson, American Heart Association, Chicago, IL; Michelle Bravo, diabetes educator, registered dietitian, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Diabetes Center, Baltimore, MD.

AUTO BAILOUT VOTE. A 25 billion rescue plan for Detroit's car-making companies is being conditioned to a plan for rebuilding the industry. Environmentalists and consumer advocates say this plan must include conditions to make cars that use less or no gasoline and create green jobs.

Guests: Javier Sierra, Columnist, Sierra Club, Arlington, VA, http://www.sierraclub.org/;
Troy Clarke, GM North America, Detroit, MI, http://www.gm.com/

ALSO, CALIFORNIA TACKLES GLOBAL WARMING. California's air quality authorities are finalizing the rules to implement a landmark greenhouse gas reduction law passed two years ago. A proposed idea to establish a cap-and-trade program is raising concerns among advocates for communities of color. They say if companies are encouraged to trade their emissions, low-income communities will be adversely impacted.

AIDS IN THE DEEP SOUTH. Latinos in seven southern states are being infected with the AIDS virus at increasing speed and in disproportionately high numbers. Despite this threat, Latinos, especially immigrants, face exclusionary practices, government restrictions, discrimination and other obstacles to access health care and receive preventative education. This program includes news on the report "Shaping the New Response: HIV/AIDS and Latinos in the Deep South," released in coincidence of World AIDS Day.

Guests: Tim Frasca, Program coordinator, Deep South Project, Latino Commission on AIDS, New York, NY, www.latinoaids.org ; Yvonne Torres, Director, Wake County HIV/AIDS Program, Raleigh, NC www.wakegove.com; Dr. Rodrigo R. Gamarra, MD, Louisiana Latino Project Coordinator and Perinatal Outreach Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Program, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans, LA. www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=264

REYNOSO IN THE TRANSITION TEAM. Former California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso has been appointed to Barack Obama's Justice and Civil Rights Agency Review. He will provide the Obama's transition team with recommendations to make policy, budget and personnel decisions before Inauguration Day. Reynoso was the first Chicano in the California Supreme Court and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Guest: Cruz Reynoso, Justice and Civil Rights Agency Review, Barack Obama's Transition Team, former California Supreme Court Justice, professor of law at University of California, Davis, Davis, CA.

ALSO, NAPOLITANO NOMINATION. Gov. Janet Napolitano from Arizona has been named to head the Department of Homeland Security under President-elect Barack Obama. Napolitano has supported in the past comprehensive immigration reform while supporting more border control and tough employer sanctions. What can immigrants expect under Napolitano's rule?

"100 STORIES PROJECT." A U.S. immigrant advocacy organization is gathering testimonies from individuals affected by incidents of human and civil rights abuses. The group is preparing to release a new report on this climate of "collective punishment" of immigrants.

Guest: Arnoldo García, Program Director, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Oakland, CA. www.nnirr.org

ALSO, SHERIFF ARPAIO IN HOLLYWOOD. Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the furiously anti-immigrant crusader from Maricopa County in Arizona, will star in a TV reality show in FOX Network. The series, "Smile! You are under arrest," which premieres in December, is sparking heated controversy among Latino and civil-rights sectors.

Guest: Paco Fabian, Communications director, America's Voice, Washington, DC. www.americasvoiceonline.org

OPERATION SUCCESS. Hollywood screenwriter Noel Quiñones has launched a project to encourage young Latino teenagers to change their view about education in five Spanish-speaking countries. "Operación Exito" is a live online competition on math and science for high school students. Participants in these educational games win "adventure prizes." Test scores are reported to have improved in Puerto Rico's high schools as an outcome of this project.

Guest: Noel Quiñones, Puerto Rican filmmaker and Founder, Operation Success, San Juan, PR. www.operacionexito.com

ALSO, COLLEGE WORRIES. At a time when the economic crisis is worsening, many Californian families believe college costs and a lack of government funding are putting the future of their children and their state at risk. This program focuses on those worries, and also on efforts to address the nation's high schools dropout epidemic and the impact of the youth vote on Obama's plans to make college more affordable.

ADVOCATE FOR CLEAN AIR. Dr. Jane Delgado has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Urban Air Toxics Research Center, a first for a Latina. In this conversation, she talks about her work to find the human health problems caused by exposure to air toxics and her efforts to get low-income communities and kids involved in the work to clean the air. She also comments on other major challenges to Latinos' health.

Guest: Dr. Jane Delgado, President and Executive Director, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Washington, DC. www.hispanichealth.org

THE YEAR IN REVIEW. This program includes excerpts of some of the headline programs of the year. The historic election of the first African American president in the U.S. is Línea Abierta's top story. Interviews to be featured on various topics include president-elect Barack Obama, Sen. Robert Menendez, Emilio Gonzalez, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, El Hijo del Santo, Anthony Romero, and more.

Guests: Barack Obama, Antonio Villaraigosa, Robert Menéndez, Emilio González, El Hijo del Santo, Anthony Romero, Fernando Suárez del Solar

2009: PREDICTIONS FOR 2009. Analysts share their thoughts on trends to watch out for in 2009. They do some exercise in crystal ball gazing and make some guesses about what's to happen in areas such as the economy, health care, the environment, and immigration.

Guests: Henrik Rehbinder, Editor of Editorial Page, La Opinión, Los Ángeles, CA. Antonio Rosas-Landa, Opinion Editor, Diario Hoy, Chicago, IL. David Brooks, Correspondent, La Jornada, New York, NY