This is a conversation with Dr. Eduardo Almeida Acosta about his decades-long work with poor and Nahuatl indigenous communities in Central Mexico. Dr. Almeida has advocated for local social and cultural empowerment and for independent cooperative networks. He has also promoted the teaching of community psychology in Mexico’s college education. He recently became the first Mexican to receive a prestigious award from the American Psychology Association. Dr. Almeida comments on community-based responses to issues such as natural disasters, poverty, alcohol abuse and others.

Guest: Dr. Eduardo Almeida Acosta, professor and social psychologist, Department of Psychology, Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, Puebla, MX.

OF GAS PRICE HIKES, SUVS AND HYBRIDS. Recent gas price hikes may be spurring an unusual consumer backlash, with surveys showing overwhelming public support for higher fuel-efficiency standards and fuel-saving hybrid technology. Sales of large sport-utility vehicles (SUV), the thirstiest vehicles, are plunging, and a growing number of consumers are shopping now for cars with fuel-saving hybrid engines. Are SUVs on the way out? Are hybrid cars quickly becoming part of the mainstream U.S. auto market? Will consumers switch to smaller cars? Is this crisis spurring action to impose higher fuel efficiency standards and more support for alternative energy research? What about its impact on air pollution?

Guests:

Luis Cabrales, California organizer, National Environment Trust, Los Angeles, CA; Alberto Rojas, communications counsel, Consumer Reports magazine, New York, NY; Mike Garza, hybrid car salesman, Fresno, CA; Ramon Torres, sales manager, used car sales agency, Fresno, CA.

HELPING MIGRANTS BUY HOMES. Realtors and state agencies in the U.S. launch campaigns to attract Spanish-speakers without Social Security numbers, while anti-immigrant politicians promote bills to curtail mortgage loans for the undocumented. This program looks into the opportunities undocumented migrants when buying a home in the U.S. It also warns about the risks of predatory lending, including new practices of "Rent with an Option to Buy" contract scams.

Guests:

Yamila Ayad, National board of directors, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, San Marcos, CA; Alain Cisneros, Lead organizer, ACORN, Houston, TX.

TEXAS EDITION – GUADALAJARA SIMULCAST. Mexico’s leading migrant state, Jalisco, has substantially increased investments in community development projects under the program Tres por Uno. Powered by money remittances of Jalisco residents in the U.S. and government matching funds, these social investments place Jalisco at a national leadership level. Guests in Jalisco and Texas join this edition of “Sin Fronteras,” a monthly simulcast in partnership with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y TV in Guadalajara, in Western Mexico.

Guest:

Rosalba Santibáñez, president, Clubes Jaliscienses, San Antonio, TX; Juan Maria Naveja, director, Comite de Planeacion para el Desarrollo del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara; Jose Rafael Rios Martinez, Secretary for Human Development, State of Jalisco, Guadalajara.

SKYROCKETING GAS PRICES. The gallon of gas rose to the mid-$3 range and the price continues going up. This is hurting the pocketbooks of consumers. Are motorists changing routines as a result? Experts and listeners are invited to comment about what average drivers are doing to save gas and money. Are more drivers car-pooling? Are they using more efficient vehicles? Are they consuming less gas? Is public transportation on the rise? An advocate calls on citizens to watch political leaders who push for a national energy policy that favors big oil companies, and an expert shares advice on how to save fuel and travel wisely.

Guests:

Javier Sierra, Sierra Club, Washington, DC; Dr. Pablo Ciscero-Fernandez, Air Pollution Research Specialist for California Air Resources Board, Environmental Health Sciences professor at UCLA, Los Angeles.

TIJUANA: HIGH-TECH HUB, MIGRANT GATEWAY. This live broadcast from Radio Tecnológico in Tijuana addresses issues related to this border enclave known as a high tech hub, and border crossing point for migrants. This is an anniversary broadcast from Radio Tecnológico in Tijuana. Among the topics: the development of a Silicon border in this area, the local impact of Ley “Televisa”, and the debate on the U.S. walls along the border.

Guests:

Profr. Jorge Carlos Ríos, outreach director, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana; Rosa María Lares, station manager, Radio Tecnológico; Oscar Genel, veteran radiojournalist, writer, Tijuana.

TEXAS EDITION – PIZZAS FOR PESOS. Dallas-based food chain Pizza Patrón is now accepting Mexican pesos at its locations nationwide. While Mexican customers have welcomed the offer and have spent a number of pesos in the pizza chain, the owner has received a number of hate mails from angry U.S. consumers. What’s behind the success with some and the hatred from others?

Guests:

Ernesto Alonso Hernández, Operations director, Pizza Patrón, Dallas, TX; Dr. Samuel Schmidt, professor, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Juárez, MX.

TEXAS EDITION – MEXICO’S OIL AND REMITTANCE DOLLARS. This is a conversation with George Baker, a business energy expert from Houston, on the politics behind Mexico’s oil production.

TEXAS EDITION – MONEY REMITTANCES. In this conversation with host Samuel Schmidt, Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda explores the economic impact that legalizing millions of undocumented workers would have on the economy of immigrant families, U.S. cities, and the money-remittance market. Hinojosa-Ojeda is the president of No Borders, Inc., a company that provides money transfer services to residents of Latin America and immigrants in the U.S. He is also associate professor of Urban Planning at UCLA.

Traditionally, communities of color have been rejected when they apply for home and business loans in a discriminatory practice known as “redlining”. Banks and other lending institutions consider them “higher risk” applicants and as a consequence receive less credit. Recently, measures taken to expand access to credit for communities of color have encouraged “redlining in reverse”: predatory lending. Texas-edition host Samuel Schmidt talks about these issues in this program from El Paso.

This is a cross-border simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara, México. In this edition, leaders of Jalisciense clubs in the U.S. and state government representatives discuss plans to help develop basic utility services in hometowns of Jalisco émigrés. Under the local development project, called Tres por Uno, government agencies match funds provided by émigré community-based organizations. This is a follow up to a recent town hall meeting in Los Angeles.

Guests: David Villalpando, Clubes Jaliscienses de Oregon, Portland, OR; Jesús Alberto González, president, Federación de Clubes Jaliscienses del Norte de California, Modesto,

This is a simulcast with the twelve-station network of Radio Michoacán in Morelia. Thousands of jobs have been lost in Morelia’s historic district due to diminishing sales and the closing of dozens of small businesses. Business leaders try to counter the growing competition of national and transnational superstores launching a campaign to organize, train and promote traditional micro, small, and medium businesses in the old downtown shopping area.

NAFTA AND FOOD STAPLES. This month, tariffs for U.S. and Canadian exports of corn, beans, sugar and milk powder will be lifted, under provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexican farmers stage protests, warning that their way of life and food staples of the Mexican traditional diet are being threatened. This simulcast program with the twelve-station network of Radio Michoacán reports on these developments and explores initiatives for a sustainable food system.

Guests:

Eric Holt-Gimenez, executive director, Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, Oakland, CA; Víctor Suárez, executive director, Asociación Nacional de Empresas Comercializadoras de Productores del Campo, Ciudad de México. http://sinmaiznohaypais.org.

CREDIT CRISIS AND TAX REBATES. The crisis in the financial sector is having a heavy toll on the economy, hurting investment, job creation and consumer spending. Financial analysts and political leaders are being invited to discuss the current credit crisis, efforts to resuscitate the economy, the rebate checks for taxpayers under the economic stimulus plan, and give advise to tax payers on how to prepare this year’s tax return.

Guests: Dr. Juan Solana, Chief economist, Hispanic Business Magazine, Philadelphia, PA; Eva Alicea-Roman, Alicea and Roman Associates, Member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, Trenton, NJ.

FORECLOSURE RELIEF. Warning that 8000 homes are foreclosed every day, Senate leaders reached a deal on legislation to bring relief to the nation’s foreclosure crisis. The bill would provide billions of dollars to buy up and refurbish foreclosed homes. Some are calling for far-reaching reforms that protect the public and penalize banks and lending institutions responsible for the crisis. This program brings different perspectives on this plan.

Guests: Sen. Robert Menéndez, D – New Jersey, Washington, DC; Verónica Salas, National spokesperson, Laborers International Union of North America, Washington, DC.

EX-BRACEROS DEMAND QUICKER PAYMENTS. Mexican guest workers from the Bracero Program of 1942-1964 are still waiting for pension payments. Braceros’ retirement savings were deducted from their paychecks, but never paid back to them, under the original agreement. Officials calculate that half a million workers are entitled to the benefit. To date, about 100 thousand have been officially identified and only a small fraction of them have been paid. Efforts to speed up the payment process and the enrollment for entitled workers are underway. Mexican officials, legislators and Ex Bracero leaders provide the latest information. The program is a simulcast with the twelve-station network of Radio Michoacán in Western Mexico.

MORTGAGE CRISIS. Latino families are among the hardest hit by the current mortgage crisis. Subprime mortgages are almost double for Latinos and African Americans. As home prices, equity and sales continue falling at record rates, mortgage professionals join this program to help homeowners in need.

STILL DYING TO WORK. More Latinos die on the job compared to other U.S. workers. Latinos work in riskier jobs and immigrants face the added problems of language barriers and low literacy levels. Experts give a report on these findings and on plans to reduce this health disparity.

Guests: Mike Flynn, Public health counselor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5722a1.htm ; Suzanne P. Teran, Coordinator of Public Programs, Labor and Occupational Health Program/UC Berkeley, Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Berkeley, CA. http://coeh.berkeley.edu

HOUSING CRISIS BILL. A bill designed to tackle the worst housing crisis since the Great Depression was signed into law by President Bush. The legislative package would revamp mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, help local governments to deal with foreclosed properties, and assist hundreds of thousands of home owners to avoid foreclosure.

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.

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;

JALISCO SIMULCAST – RETURNING TO MEXICO. The economic crisis in the U.S. is severely hurting Mexico. Affected by unemployment and home foreclosures, Many Mexican émigrés are reducing the amount of money they send home and increasing numbers of families are returning to their hometowns in Mexico. Analysts on both sides of the border comment on the topic. This is a simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara.

Guests: Profr. Nora Ampudia, economist, Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara, MX; Rosalba Santibáñez, President, Clubes Jaliscienses de San Antonio, TX; Miguel Raygosa, Executive director, Secretary of Human Development, State of Jalisco, Director of the 3x1 Program for Migrants, Guadalajara, MX.

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.

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

MEXICO'S CRISIS. The U.S. mortgage crisis is hitting hard the Mexican economy and is pushing Mexico into a recession. Mexico sends about 80% of its exports to the U.S. and lower exports mean less jobs. Also, falling oil prices bring reduced revenues for the government and this could lead to significant cuts in the federal budget. This in turn could lead to less spending on basic social services and programs to fight poverty and hunger. Is there a plan to deal with this crisis? This program is hosted by Martha Elena Ramírez from Mexico City.

TORTOSA: GOING WITH THE WIND. Aerodynamic engineer Nina Tortosa is part of the team in charge of designing GM's Chevy Volt, an electric car model that's announced as consumer friendly and one whose sales may save the Detroit's giant from collapsing. Working in the wind tunnel, Tortosa fine tunes the body of the car to maximize fuel efficiency.

Guest: Nina Tortosa, Aerodynamicist, Detroit, MI.

HOMEOWNERS UNITE AGAINST FORECLOSURES. As the foreclosure crisis threatens to take away thousands of homes across the country, community leaders are organizing Latino immigrant families who are behind on their payments into teams to negotiate with banks as a group and press government officials to help give homeowners more favorable terms on their loans. Also, an Ohio congressman encourages foreclosed owners to stay in their homes. These and other stories featuring growing resistance against foreclosures are discussed in this program.

Guests:

Yvonne María Jiménez, Chair, Foreclosure Prevention Committee, One L.A. Subdirectora, Neighborhood Legal Services, Los Angeles County, Glendale, CA, www.onela-iaf.org

Eddie Rodríguez, Bilingual Counselor, Unity Council, Oakland, CA, www.unitycouncil.org

Graciela Aponte, Legislative Analyst, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C., www.nclr.org

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.

Guests:

Ing. Francisco Garaicochea Petrirena, Presidente del Grupo Pémex Constitución del 17, Recibió el Premio Nacional de Ingeniería Petrolera.

THE UNEMPLOYED. Layoffs continue to grow and the recession is hitting Latinos and immigrants especially hard. Latino unemployment reached 9.5% in 2008. This program brings a report on the people affected by unemployment. They share stories about their financial difficulties, the struggle to find work, and the challenges to navigate the unemployment safety net. An unemployment counselor provides tips for job search and advocates comment on relief measures in the recently-signed stimulus package.

Guests:

Christine Riordan, Policy Analyst, National Employment Law Project, New York, NY

Ricardo Villalba, Project Manager, LatPro, www.latpro.com, Fort Lauderdale, FL

FREE TRADE FOR OLD, SMOKY U.S. CARS. Thousands of used U.S. cars were expected to flow into Mexico to fill car lots and salvage yards under a provision of the North American Free Trade Agreement that went into effect on January 1. Yet, the flood of smog-producing cars has not happened. President Felipe Calderón ordered a 300% import tariff on used vehicles in December. Business groups and used-car dealers along the border are urging Calderón to eliminate the tariffs. Environmentalists are warning about more pollution from the old cars. This program is in simulcast with the three-station network of Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Guests:

Saúl Guzmán, Delegado en el Estado de Baja California Norte, Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Semarnat, Tijuana, Baja California

Gilberto Leyva, Presidente de la Asociación de Autos Usados, Tijuana, Baja California

TAX TIME. As tax filing day draws closer, many families are still unsure of how to prepare their tax forms, especially when the economic downturn is affecting their income, debt, or retirement funds. A spokesperson from the Internal Revenue Service joins this program to discuss common tax filing issues, ITIN filing, tax law changes, and how to take advantage of tax credits and deductions in these difficult economic times.

Guest:

Deborah Guajardo, Spokesperson, Internal Revenue Service, Long Beach, CA, www.irs.gov.

END OF THE DREAM. A study on Latino homeownership found that the current mortgage crisis is wiping out the home ownership dreams of Latinos and Blacks. Also, community-based organizations are stepping up pressure against mortgage service companies that haven’t signed on to President Obama’s “Making Home Affordable” plan to help stop foreclosures.

Guest:

Dr. Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda, Associate Professor, Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies and the César E. Chávez Center For Interdisciplinary Instruction, UCLA - University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, http://tiny.cc/findelsueno

FACING THE MORTGAGE CRISIS. California’s San Joaquin Valley is at the epicenter of the mortgage crisis. Some cities report the highest home foreclosure rates in the nation. They have been called “economic disaster areas” in Congress. This program reports on the issue and provides practical advice on how to manage debt, rework home loans and save homes from foreclosure. Experts also provide tips to avoid foreclosure rescue fraud. This special program is in collaboration with KVPT-TV in Fresno, CA.

Guests:

Randall Guerra, Executive Director, Community Housing Council of Fresno, Housing Resource Center, Fresno, CA;

Elias Del Gado, Financial Specialist, ClearPoint Center Counseling Solutions, Fresno, CA, www.clearpointfinancialsolutions.org;

Manuel García, Better Business Bureau, Fresno, CA.

Eliseo Villegas, Fresno, CA

JUSTICE FOR THE COLONIAS. The New Mexico Supreme Court required state environmental authorities to consider environmental justice factors when deciding on permits for solid waste facilities. This ruling is considered a model for other state courts. This program explores the impact of this and other measures on border Colonias and other communities surrounded by waste sites.

This program also includes news about an upcoming lawsuit against the state of New Mexico seeking to provide workers compensation insurance to agricultural workers, end discrimination by providing benefits for farm workers injured at work.

Guests:

Dr. Diana Bustamante, Executive Director,
Colonias Development Council, Las Cruces, NM, www.colonias.org

Lucia Veronica Carmona, Lead Community Organizer, Colonias Development Council, NM, www.colonias.org

THE UNEMPLOYED. After months of mounting job losses, a report suggest that the unemployment rate is slowing down and the economy is beginning to stabilize. Still, driven by the collapse of the construction industry, unemployment among Latinos continues on the fast rise. Are the federal stimulus package and the extended unemployment insurance programs reaching low-income Latino workers and their families?

Guests: Catherine Singley, Policy Analyst, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C., www.nclr.org ; Elena Gaona, Spokesperson, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C., www.nclr.org ; Valente Huitron, Employment and Training Specialist, Worknet of Merced County, Merced, CA, www.co.merced.ca.us/wi/worknet/worknet.html ;Alicia Villarreal, Executive Director, Latino Family Services Detroit, MI, www.latinofamilyservices.org

THE SILENT DEPRESSION. While the general population has been in recession for more than a year, people of color are suffering a silent economic depression, a five-year recession. Those are the findings of a study that is now being released in Spanish.

Guest: Jeannette Huezo, Education Coordinator, United for a Fair Economy, Boston, MA, www.faireconomy.org

ALSO, MEXICO: THREATS TO JOURNALISTS. In celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the civic-journalism program Voz Pública, radio journalist Martha Elena Ramírez, host of Línea Abierta’s Mexico Edition and the radio series Voz Pública, comments on the threats faced by news professionals in Mexico.

Guest: Martha Elena Ramírez, Host, Voz Pública, Mexico City.

IMMIGRANTS STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. Conservative talking heads wrap up a radio-thon on Capitol Hill to put the heat on policy makers who favor plans to legalize immigrants and draw attention to the public costs of immigration. Meantime, new research shows that immigrant entrepreneurs, consumers and workers are an economic powerhouse and can play a key role in the economic recovery. Some argue that providing immigrants the opportunity to earn legal status would add billions of dollars to the economy and revitalize the nation on the long run.

Guests: Jesús Martínez Saldaña, Academic researcher, Co-author of study on Latino businesses in rural states, Fresno, CA; Ramón León, President, CEO, Latino Economic Development Center, Minneapolis, MN., http://www.ledc-mn.org

“PENNY-PER-POUND” OF TOMATOES. One of the top tomato growers in Florida has broken with the tomato industry in the state to improve wages for migrant pickers. The company made a deal with the Denver-based restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill to pay workers one more penny per pound of tomatoes they pick. This is the latest development in a years-long campaign waged by organized farm workers in Florida.

Guests: Lucas Benítez, Coordinator, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Immokalee, FL, www.ciw-online.org; Luis Hernández, Comptroller, East Coast Growers and Packers, Mulberry, FL, www.kingschoice.com; Chris Arnold, Spokesperson, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Denver, CO, www.chipotle.com .

HIGH-RISK MORTGAGE BANKS. Many of the largest banks in the nation were responsible for providing higher-priced mortgages, the kind of loans that have now in foreclosure many Latinos and other groups. This is what advocates found after reviewing the books of big banks who received massive amounts of government bailout money. What should they do to restore the mortgage market? Also, on the anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the largest bankruptcy case in U.S. history, President Obama delivers a speech in Wall Street urging bankers to support financial reform. This program has a report.

Guests: Vanessa Cárdenas, Media director, Center for American Progress, Washington, DC, www.americanprogress.org; Marco Vinicio González, News reporter, San Diego, CA.

THE UNEMPLOYED. The unemployment rates for September, at 9.8%, showed little change. The rates among unemployed Latinos continue at almost 13%. Businesses continue to cut back and lay off workers. The largest job losses were in construction, manufacturing and retail trade. Listeners are encouraged to call in to comment on the challenges to find a new job in the current recession.

Guest: Louis Barajas, Writer and financial planner,
Santa Fe Springs, CA, www.louisbarajas.com

BENEFITS FOR HOMEOWNERS. A recent poll found that most U.S. people are unaware of the opportunities that are available to them because of the billions of dollars of the stimulus package. This program includes a conversation with the pollster. It also includes practical advice for homeowners who lost their jobs and don’t qualify for refinancing and loan modification. How can these troubled homeowners benefit from recent federal plans and prevent foreclosure?

Guests:Fernand Amandi, Executive Vice President, Bendixen and Associates, Coral Gables, FL, www.bendixenandassociates.com ; Angélica Rubio, Director of Community Wealth, East LA Community Corporation, Los Angeles, CA, www.elacc.org

MEXICO EDITION. Five days after the Mexican government laid off 44 thousand employees of the Luz y Fuerza del Centro power company, Felipe Calderón's government offered to rehire the workers if they become more productive. This program explores public opinion around the issue, and how the workers feel about this measure, which has affected electricity in Mexico City and four other states to which the company provided power. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of the Voz Pública series from Mexico City.

Guest: José Antonio Almazan, Former Secretary of Mexican Electricians’ Union, retiree, and former federal congressman, Mexico City, www.sme.org.mx

RETIREMENT SECURITY. Latinos save less for retirement, invest less in pension plans, rely more on Social Security, and are in more need of retirement security. A recent report concludes that Latinos need to consider multiple alternative options for saving for retirement. The author of the report as well as a retired broadcaster and commentator join this program to comment on the challenges and opportunities of retirement. This program is part of the special series "Facing the Crisis."

Guests: Arnoldo Mata, Director, The Hispanic Institute, Author of report, “Hispanics and Retirement: Challenges and Opportunities,” Pharr, Texas, http://thehispanicinstitute.net/; Ricardo García, Retiree and former executive director of KDNA Radio, Granger, WA.

MEXICO EDITION. Unemployment in Mexico is at its highest ever, and 6 million more people are living in poverty since the economic crisis began. Still, Mexico's House of Representatives recently approved a measure to increase income and sales tax next year. Three years into Felipe Calderon's term as president, citizens talk about how they are facing the crisis and how it is to live under the PAN party. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of Voz Publica from Mexico City.

SAVING HOMES. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) has been described as the most effective organization in the country in assisting homeowners with an unaffordable mortgage. The organization, which says it works through “confrontational community organizing”, claims to help people reduce their monthly payments by over $500 a month, and to reduce interest rates to 3 or 2%. This program includes interviews with Latino homeowners at risk of losing their homes, and a counselor from NACA who gives advice to listeners.

Guests: Raul Cabral and Irma Pichardo, Homeowners, Selma, CA; Juan Aguilar, Homeowner, Coachella Valley, CA; Osmin Ventura, Homeowner, San Jose, CA; Cristina, Homeowner, Sacramento, CA; David Colmont, Regional Director, Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), Charlotte, NC, www.naca.com.

MEXICO EDITION. Three weeks after the Mexican government closed the electric company Luz y Fuerza del Centro, the energy sector has announced concessions for telephone and television companies. Meanwhile, poor neighborhoods and industrial areas have suffered blackouts, and in the state of Puebla there is a risk of flooding, since the plants that used to use the river current to generate power have been closed. Martha Elena Ramirez hosts this edition of Voz Pública, from Mexico City.

Guest: Mario Govea Sansón, Engineer and energy specialist, Institute of Research and Energy Studies of the Workers of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico City.

MEXICO EDITION. The human rights center Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña, Tlachinollan, and the Foundation for Due Process, went to the Interamerican Human Rights Commission in Washington, D.C. to document the exploitation of indigenous laborers who work in the northern states of Mexico. The exodus of campesinos from the South of Mexico has grown in the past 40 years due to poverty and governmental negligence. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of Voz Publica from Mexico City.

Guest: Margarita Nemesio, Migrant Coordinator, Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan A. C., Tlapa, Guerrero, Mexico,
www.tlachinollan.org

MEXICO EDITION. The North American Free Trade Agreement has left Mexico with a bitter taste. 99 years after the Mexican Revolution, the country has been named the leader in poverty in Latin America by international economic organizations. Academics and students from the Asia Pacific University in Culiacán, Sinaloa, reflect on how to reverse the poverty and migration cycles of Mexico. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of Voz Publica from Mexico City.

Guests: Dr. Alfredo Octavio Millán Alarid, Dean, Universidad Asia Pacífico, Culiacan, Sinaloa; Dr. Benjamín García Páez, Economy Professor, UNAM, Mexico City.

IMPERIAL: EPICENTER OF THE RECESSION. California’s Imperial County is being called “the capital of the recession.” Heavily hit by the highest unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates, this border area is considered the most stressed county in the nation. To get a close look, Línea Abierta is going on the road again to broadcast live from El Centro. In this program, we’ll hear from a worker who lost income and health insurance, and went into bankruptcy and divorce. We’ll also hear from a mortgage counselor who saved this worker’s home from foreclosure. Part of the series “Facing the Crisis,” this program looks into how Latino unemployed workers and their families manage to survive and the challenges they face to access the safety net and pay for food, housing and medicines.

CAPITAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY. Leaders from Imperial County are vowing to turn this economically-devastated area into a booming new economy. The dry, sun-drenched lands of the Sonora desert that are known for their dust storms and scorching heat, may now become the source of an endless fuel supply: solar energy. Local leaders are busy traveling around the world to sell their vision of a valley that will go beyond being a winter vegetable capital to become “the renewable energy capital of the world.” This two-hour live broadcast originates from KUBO, Radio Bilingüe, in downtown El Centro, CA.

Guests: Marcela Piedra, Director of Economic Development, City of El Centro, CA; Efrain Silva, El Centro City Councilman and Dean of Imperial Valley College, El Centro, CA; Daniel Fitzgerald, Enterprise Zone Manager, Imperial County, Calexico CA.

YUMA: EPICENTER OF THE RECESSION. Yuma County is the second hardest-hit by the recession in the country. Yet, the crisis doesn’t impact everyone equally. Depression-like unemployment and foreclosure rates are hurting Latinos the worst. This special Línea Abierta on the Road edition explores the impact of the economic downturn on Latinos in Yuma. What does it mean to live in the second most stressed county? What help is a available for those who are hurting? Do they see any signs of hope? Arizona congressman Raul Grijalva and other guests join this edition of the series “Facing the Crisis” to discuss efforts to bring new jobs and economic recovery to this struggling area. This special program airs live from the studios of KAWC-FM, Yuma’s public radio station.

Guests: Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Democrat for Arizona, Yuma, AZ, http://grijalva.house.gov ; Raúl Mendoza, City Councilman, Yuma, AZ, www.ci.yuma.az.us

"NO YOBS AQUÍ.” A businessman in Yuma posted the sign “No Yobs Aqui” in front of his shop to discourage Spanish-speakers from approaching him to ask for a job. Some local residents see this announcement as insulting and a symbol of the walls that need to be removed in this border town. This is a live roundtable to examine the role migrant workers and neighboring Mexico are playing in the economic recovery, and the prospects for immigration reform legislation.

Guests: Emma Torres, Executive Director, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Yuma, AZ, www.campesinossinfronteras.org ; Everardo Martínez-Inzunza, Director of College Services for South Yuma County, Arizona Western College, www.azwestern.edu ; Maria Chavoya, Program Director, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Yuma, AZ, www.campesinossinfronteras.org ; Lenore Loroña Stuart, County Supervisor, Yuma, AZ.

CAPITAL OF RENEWABLE ENERGY: A REPEAT. Leaders from Imperial County are vowing to turn this economically-devastated area into a booming new economy. The dry, sun-drenched lands of the Sonora desert that are known for their dust storms and scorching heat, may now become the source of an endless fuel supply: solar energy. Local leaders are busy traveling around the world to sell their vision of a valley that will go beyond being a winter vegetable capital to become “the renewable energy capital of the world.” This broadcast originated from KUBO, Radio Bilingüe, in downtown El Centro, CA as part of the series "Facing the Crisis."

Guests: Marcela Piedra, Director of Economic Development, City of El Centro, CA; Efrain Silva, El Centro City Councilman and Dean of Imperial Valley College, El Centro, CA; Daniel Fitzgerald, Enterprise Zone Manager, Imperial County, Calexico CA.

MEXICO EDITION. The economic elite of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada have been working since the 1980s on an energy integration in the region. This is why Mexico’s president Felipe Calderón’s reforms to the Mexican Petroleum company Pemex was designed to guarantee petroleum for the United States. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of Voz Pública from Mexico City.

Guests: Dra. Rosío Vargas, del Centro de Investigaciones sobre América del Norte, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,
Ing. Alfonso Hickman Sandoval, Grupo de Ingenieros Pemex Constitución del 17, www.cnee-sur.net

“NO YOBS AQUÍ": A REPEAT. A businessman in Yuma posted the sign “No Yobs Aqui” in front of his shop to discourage Spanish-speakers from approaching him to ask for a job. Some local residents see this announcement as insulting and a symbol of the walls that need to be removed in this border town. This is a live roundtable to examine the role migrant workers and neighboring Mexico are playing in the economic recovery, and the prospects for immigration reform legislation.

Guests: Emma Torres, Executive Director, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Yuma, AZ, www.campesinossinfronteras.org ; Everardo Martínez-Inzunza, Director of College Services for South Yuma County, Arizona Western College, www.azwestern.edu ; Maria Chavoya, Program Director, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Yuma, AZ, www.campesinossinfronteras.org ; Lenore Loroña Stuart, County Supervisor, Yuma, AZ.

NO CREDIT FOR HOMEOWNERS. Hundreds of thousands of Latino homeowners are expected to lose their homes to foreclosure this year. Although home prices are beginning to become more affordable, many Latino families are unable to access credit. Advocates call on Congress to stabilize the housing market; just as the White House announces a new initiative to help struggling homeowners modify their mortgages.

Guests: Armando Fana, Miami Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, http://espanol.hud.gov/ ; Graciela Aponte, Housing Legislative Analyst, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C., www.nclr.org

A NEW “NEW DEAL”? The Obama administration has announced a new plan to reverse unemployment and create thousands of jobs by helping small businesses expand, investing in highways and other infrastructure, and incentivizing green energy. The proposal leaves most details up to Congress.

Guests: Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Los Angeles, CA., http://www.launionaflcio.org ; Ruben Solis Garcia, Organizer, Southwest Workers’ Union, San Antonio, TX, www.swunion.org , www.communitychange.org

HARD TIMES BLUES. As the economic recession drags on, it’s taking its toll on workers and the unemployed. The added stress of not knowing how to make ends meet, fear of being laid off, or deciding not to take medications because of cost, is increasing mental illness and depression. This program examines how Latinos are coping with the crisis.

Guest: Dr. Fernando Valadez, Coordinator of Specialization in Psychological Attention for Migrants, Intercontinental University, Mexico City, http://psicomigrantes.uic.edu.mx/

MEXICO EDITION. Professors from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, in the port city of Mazatlán, discuss the economic contrasts between big agroindustry and small and medium businesses. Also, an official from the Mayo tribe discusses how the indigenous people’s demands for land, scholarships, and civil rights have been ignored. Martha Elena Ramírez hosts this edition of Voz Pública from Mexico City.

Guests: Guillermina Verdugo López and Dr. Argelia Araujo Aldrete, Professors, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico; Renato Montiel Valenzuela, Lloreme Mayo Official, Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico.

FINANCIAL LITERACY. It's time for New Year's resolutions. Due to the recession, many people are coming up with urgent financial resolutions for the new year. A financial advisor joins this program to help listeners reorganize their budgets, save money, open up retirement accounts, and reduce their debt.

Guest: Loida Rosario, Director of Multicultural Marketing Program, DePaul University, Member, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Chicago, IL, www.nshmba.org

“NO YOBS AQUÍ": A REPEAT. A businessman in Yuma posted the sign “No Yobs Aqui” in front of his shop to discourage Spanish-speakers from approaching him to ask for a job. Some local residents see this announcement as insulting and a symbol of the walls that need to be removed in this border town. This is a live roundtable to examine the role migrant workers and neighboring Mexico are playing in the economic recovery, and the prospects for immigration reform legislation.

Guests: Emma Torres, Executive Director, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Yuma, AZ, www.campesinossinfronteras.org ; Everardo Martínez-Inzunza, Director of College Services for South Yuma County, Arizona Western College, www.azwestern.edu ; Maria Chavoya, Program Director, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Yuma, AZ, www.campesinossinfronteras.org ; Lenore Loroña Stuart, County Supervisor, Yuma, AZ.

REFORMING WALL STREET. The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would create a consumer financial protection agency, consolidate bank regulators and impose new restrictions on credit rating agencies. The departure of the chair of the banking committee, Christopher Dodd, is raising questions on the final scope of the bill. This is a discussion on the proposed reforms.

Guests: Graciela Aponte, Legislative Analyst, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C., www.nclr.org; Aracely Panameño, Director of Latino Affairs, Center for Responsible Lending, Washington, D.C., www.responsiblelending.org.

LATINO BUSINESS BOOM: A REPEAT. Latinos are changing the landscape of Midwestern towns, lining the Main Streets and downtowns of rural Iowa and Nebraska with Latino businesses. Latinos are becoming farmers faster than any other population group in Iowa, yet face problems like lack of access to credit and anti-immigrant backlash. This is a repeat of the second hour of the live remote broadcast Sunday from Sioux City, Iowa.

Guests: Adriana Dungan, Hispanic Business Center Director, Rural Enterprise Assistance Project, South Sioux City, Nebraska, www.cfra.org/reap ; Art Figueroa, Business owner, A-1 Preferred Air Duct Maintenance, Sioux City, Iowa, www.a-1preferred.com ; Carlos G Rodriguez, Project Manager, Younglove Construction LLC, Sioux City, Iowa, www.younglovellc.com ; Aurelio Picaso, Taqueria owner, South Sioux City, Nebraska.

IOWA PLANT CLOSES. One of the largest companies in Sioux City, Iowa, the John Morrell meat processing plant, plans to close its doors in April. The move will eliminate 1500 jobs, many of them occupied by Latinos. Samuel Orozco, of Radio Bilingüe, and Isaac Quiñones, of affiliate station KWIT, host this show from Sioux City, Iowa.

Guests: Norma de la O, Coordinator, New Iowan Center, Sioux City, IA, www.iowaworkforce.com/centers/newiowan ; Juan Carlos Popoca, Worker, John Morrell Plant, Sioux City, IA; Jacobo Hernández, Local union organizer, John Morrell plant, Sioux City, IA; Victor Mar, worker, 15 years with the company, John Morrell Plant, Sioux City, IA.

LATINO BUSINESS BOOM. Latinos are changing the landscape of Midwestern towns, lining the Main Streets and downtowns of rural Iowa and Nebraska with Latino businesses. Latinos are becoming farmers faster than any other population group in Iowa, yet face problems like lack of access to credit and anti-immigrant backlash. Samuel Orozco, of Radio Bilingüe, and Isaac Quiñones, of affiliate station KWIT, host this show from Sioux City, Iowa.

Guests: Adriana Dungan, Hispanic Business Center Director, Rural Enterprise Assistance Project, South Sioux City, Nebraska, www.cfra.org/reap ; Art Figueroa, Business owner, A-1 Preferred Air Duct Maintenance, Sioux City, Iowa, www.a-1preferred.com ; Carlos G Rodriguez, Project Manager, Younglove Construction LLC, Sioux City, Iowa, www.younglovellc.com ; Aurelio Picazo, Taqueria owner, South Sioux City, Nebraska.

LATINO TOWN CHALLENGES CRISIS. The town of Denison, Iowa, has made history in recent years. The migration of Latino immigrants from California and other states to Denison has revitalized the local economy. The town recently elected its first Latino councilman. Samuel Orozco, of Radio Bilingüe, and Isaac Quiñones, of affiliate station KWIT, host this show from Sioux City, Iowa.

Guests: Pedro Rodríguez, City councilman, Denison, IA; Luis Navar, Resident, Denison, IA; Ana Nieto and José Socorro Nieto, Owners, Creaciones y Detalles Ani, Denison, IA; Rogelio Cabrera, Store owner, Denison, IA.

MIGRATION FROM CALIFORNIA TO MIDWEST. Rural towns in Iowa and Nebraska are witnessing a great migration of Latino immigrants who are leaving California to try their luck in the Midwest. Samuel Orozco, of Radio Bilingüe, and Isaac Quiñones, of affiliate station KWIT, host this show from Sioux City, Iowa.

Guests: Alberto Castillo, Store owner, Sioux Soccer, South Sioux City, NE; Rosario Bautista, Owner, Model Beauty Salon, South Sioux City, NE; Martha and Mario Martínez, Store owners, Esperanza’s Creations, South Sioux City, NE; Marco Vinicio González, Reporter, Radio Bilingüe.

IOWA PLANT CLOSES DOORS. A REPEAT. One of the largest companies in Sioux City, Iowa, the John Morrell meat processing plant, plans to close its doors in April. The move will displace 1500 workers, most of them Latinos. This is a repeat of a show aired live from Sioux City, and hosted by Samuel Orozco, of Radio Bilingüe, and Isaac Quiñones, of affiliate station KWIT.

Guests: Norma de la O, Coordinator, New Iowan Center, Sioux City, IA, www.iowaworkforce.com/centers/newiowan ; Juan Carlos Popoca, Worker, John Morrell Plant, Sioux City, IA; Jacobo Hernández, Local union organizer, John Morrell plant, Sioux City, IA; Victor Mar, worker, 15 years with the company, John Morrell Plant, Sioux City, IA.

LATINO TOWN DEFIES CRISIS. A REPEAT. The town of Denison, Iowa, has made history in recent years. The migration of Latino immigrants from California and other states to Denison has revitalized the local economy. The town recently elected its first Latino councilman. Samuel Orozco, of Radio Bilingüe, and Isaac Quiñones, of affiliate station KWIT, host this show. This is a repeat of the original live broadcast from Sioux City, Iowa.

Guests: Pedro Rodríguez, City councilman, Denison, IA; Luis Navar, Resident, Denison, IA; Ana Nieto and José Socorro Nieto, Owners, Creaciones y Detalles Ani, Denison, IA; Rogelio Cabrera, Store owner, Denison, IA.

CREDIT CARD LAW. A new credit card law attempts to protect consumers from rate increases and other punitive practices. Consumer advocates call for cardholders to read the fine print in their agreements. The law would also impact college students, since credit card companies will be prohibited from getting a card to consumers younger than 21 unless they have an income to pay the bills.

Guests: Diana Farrell, Deputy Director, National Economic Council of the White House, Washington, D.C., http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/nec ; Vicky García, Vice President of Operations, Latino Community Credit Union, Durham, NC, www.latinoccu.org/en

ALSO, FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE. Parents who want their children to attend university this fall have to fill out a federal form for financial aid. The deadlines, which vary by state, are just around the corner.

Guest: Uvaldo Calderón, Financial Advisor, UC Merced, Merced, CA, www.fafsa.ed.gov, www.pin.ed.gov

LOCKED OUT: CHILDREN AND FORECLOSURE. More than 1 million Latino families are expected to lose their homes between 2009 and 2012. A new report shows Latino children and families that have lost their homes to foreclosure suffer long-term psychological and social trauma.

Guests: Roberto Quercia, Director of Center for Community Capital, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, http://www.planning.unc.edu ; Valeria Fernández, Correspondent, Phoenix, Arizona, Andrea Risotto, Spokesperson, Treasury Department, Washington, D.C. www.makinghomeaffordable.gov

TAX BREAKS. The deadline for filing taxes fast approaches. New and increased tax benefits for 2009 include college tax benefits for parents and students, credits for homeowners who install solar hot water heaters or other energy-saving devices, and tax breaks for home buyers and car buyers. This program also explores how the Earned Income Tax Credit can help families that are hit by job losses during this recession.

Guests: Deborah Guajardo, Spokesperson, IRS, Long Beach, CA, www.irs.gov ; Dairo Romero, Community Organizing and Advocacy Program, Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco, CA, www.medasf.org

NUEVO SOUTH. North Carolina has become a leading destination point for Latino immigrants with the fastest growing Latino population in the U.S. The new arrivals have transformed many towns into what some call the Nuevo South. Many newcomers began to invest and prosper as business owners, revitalizing local economies. But their future is now uncertain, as loss of jobs and the threat of deportation have forced immigrant workers to spend less or hide deeper into the shadows. This program will air live from the studios of MAIN-FM 103.5 LP FM in Asheville, NC.

Guests: Andrea Arias, Center for Participatory Change, Asheville, NC, www.cpcwnc.org ; Orquídea Velasquez, Manager of cleaning cooperative, Asheville, NC; Alberto Berrio, Owner, America's Satellites, Hendersonville, NC; Victor Palomino, Latino Business Developer, Mountain Biz Works, Asheville, NC, www.mountainbizworks.org ; Benjamín Muñoz, Owner of La Catracha, Asheville, NC.

EL COOPERATIVISMO. Listeners will hear the story of La Cooperativa Comunitaria Latina de Crédito (Latino Community Credit Union) in Raleigh-Durham, described as the first Latino-oriented financial center in North Carolina and a model for similar institutions in other areas of the country. After the collapse of Wall Street and the bank bailout, more consumers are moving their money from large banks to community-based credit unions. This program will air live from WCOM-FM 103.5 LP in Carrboro, NC.

Guests: John Herrera, Founder, Latino Community Credit Union, Durham, NC. www.latinoccu.org ; Miguel Chirinos, Actor, “Roberto’s Dreams”, Durham, NC. http://www.latinoccu.org/es/los-suenos-de-roberto ; Luis Pastor, CEO, Latino Community Credit Union, Durham, NC. http://www.latinoccu.org/es

NUEVO SOUTH: A REPEAT. North Carolina has become a leading destination point for Latino immigrants with the fastest growing Latino population in the U.S. The new arrivals have transformed many towns into what some call the Nuevo South. Many newcomers began to invest and prosper as business owners, revitalizing local economies. But their future is now uncertain as loss of jobs and the threat of deportation have forced immigrant workers to spend less or hide deeper into the shadows. This program is a repeat of a show originally aired from the studios of MAIN-FM 103.5 LP FM in Asheville, NC.

Guests: Andrea Arias, Center for Participatory Change, Asheville, NC, www.cpcwnc.org ; Orquídea Velasquez, Manager of cleaning cooperative, Asheville, NC; Alberto Berrio, Owner, America's Satellites, Hendersonville, NC; Victor Palomino, Latino Business Developer, Mountain Biz Works, Asheville, NC, www.mountainbizworks.org ; Benjamín Muñoz, Owner of La Catracha, Asheville, NC.

HELP FOR UNDERWATER HOMES. The federal government is looking into helping homeowners modify their principal amount owed, and not just interest rates and monthly payment amounts. If such a plan is put into place, it could help unemployed homeowners, and those whose houses are now worth less than when they began to make payments.

Guests: Andrea Risotto, Spokesperson, U.S. Department of Treasury, Washington, D.C. www.ustreas.gov ; Valeria Fernández, Correspondent, Radio Bilingüe, Phoenix, AZ; Roberto Quercia, Director, Center for Community Capital, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. http://www.planning.unc.edu ; Cristina Miranda, Representative, Fannie Mae, Washington, D.C. www.fanniemae.com

CROWDING THE FIELDS. In a state where new housing was once a booming business, Florida’s construction industry is now sinking with the bad economy. More and more construction workers are being laid off, and many former farm workers are returning to work in the fields. How does this affect those already struggling with low wages and difficult working conditions? This program, part of our series, Facing the Crisis, is aired from the studios of affiliate station WCIW in Immokalee, Florida.

CAMPAIGN FOR FAIR FOOD AND AN END TO SLAVERY. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has recently won another victory in its fight for better wages and labor conditions for Florida's tomato workers. The food service giant Aramark, is the latest in a string of corporations to agree to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes picked under a strict code of conduct to protect workers' rights. As the Coalition gears up for its next struggle, the group is also touring its Florida Modern-Day Slavery Museum, a replica of the truck in which the Navarrete family kept 12 Mexican and Guatemalan men as slaves to pick tomatoes on some of Florida's biggest farms. This two-hour broadcast, live from community station WMNF in Tampa, explores some of the CIW's recent victories and the meaning of its slavery museum.

CAMPAIGN FOR FAIR FOOD AND AN END TO SLAVERY. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has recently won another victory in its fight for better wages and labor conditions for Florida's tomato workers. The food service giant Aramark, is the latest in a string of corporations to agree to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes picked under a strict code of conduct to protect workers' rights. As the Coalition gears up for its next struggle, the group is also touring its Florida Modern-Day Slavery Museum, a replica of the truck in which the Navarrete family kept 12 Mexican and Guatemalan men as slaves to pick tomatoes on some of Florida's biggest farms. This two-hour broadcast, live from community station WMNF in Tampa, explores some of the CIW's recent victories and the meaning of its slavery museum.

FAIR FOOD FIGHT. To address the poor wages and working conditions that make farm labor slavery possible, farm worker advocates have launched the Campaign for Fair Food. The campaign urges food industry giants to use their power to improve farm worker wages. This week, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers takes to the streets to march for three days to the headquarters of the number one supermarket company in Florida, Publix Supermarkets. Publix has refused to join the Campaign, which already has such high-profile corporations as Burger King, McDonalds, and Yum Brands, among others. This two-hour broadcast, live from WMNF in Tampa, offers a chronicle of the march and an overview on the plight of migrant farm workers in the South, with interviews with farm workers, student allies, company spokespersons, and top government officials.

FAIR FOOD FIGHT. To address the poor wages and working conditions that make farm labor slavery possible, farm worker advocates have launched the Campaign for Fair Food. The campaign urges food industry giants to use their power to improve farm worker wages. This week, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers takes to the streets to march for three days to the headquarters of the number one supermarket company in Florida, Publix Supermarkets. Publix has refused to join the Campaign, which already has such high-profile corporations as Burger King, McDonalds, and Yum Brands, among others. This two-hour broadcast, live from WMNF in Tampa, offers a chronicle of the march and an overview on the plight of migrant farm workers in the South, with interviews with farm workers, student allies, company spokespersons, and top government officials.

FARMWORKER FREEDOM MARCH: A REPEAT. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers takes to the streets on a 40-mile march from Tampa to Lakeland, Florida, site of the headquarters for Publix, the number one supermarket company in Florida. They urge the food giant to sign onto the Campaign for Fair Food and agree to pay more per pound of tomatoes grown under fair labor conditions. Publix has refused to join the Campaign, which already has such high-profile corporations as Burger King, McDonalds, and Taco Bell, among others. This program is a repeat of one of the hours of a live broadcast from WMNF in Tampa.

JOBLESS IN THE FIELDS: A REPEAT. In a state where new housing was once one of the hottest markets in the country, Florida’s construction industry is now among the hardest-hit in the nation. More and more construction workers are being laid off, and many former farm workers are returning to work in the fields. How does this affect those already struggling with low wages and difficult working conditions? This program, part of our series, Facing the Crisis, was originally aired from the studios of affiliate station WCIW in Immokalee, Florida.

FAIR FOOD FIGHT: A REPEAT. To address the poor wages and working conditions that make farm labor slavery possible, farm worker advocates have launched the Campaign for Fair Food. The campaign urges food industry giants to use their power to improve farm worker wages. Last week, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers took to the streets to march for three days to the headquarters of the number one supermarket company in Florida, Publix Supermarkets. This program offers interviews with the leaders of the march and high-profile supporters about the importance of this event. This is a repeat of our live coverage from WMNF in Tampa, FL.

IOWA PLANT OFFICIALLY CLOSES. The John Morrell meatpacking plant in Sioux City, IA officially closed its doors this month, leaving nearly 1500 workers to fend for themselves. What will the workers do now? Is help available for them? And how will this closure affect the rest of the community?

Guests: Tony Gómez, Commissioner, Dakota County, South Sioux City, NE. http://www.dakotacountyne.org/ ; Verónica Jiménez, José Luis Arreola, Gabriel and Blanca Azpeitia, Former workers, John Morrell Plant, Sioux City, IA.

SENIORS ON THE EDGE. Around 90 percent of Latino and African-American seniors live on the edge of financial collapse, according to a new study. The economic recession is making it even harder for these elders, already struggling with high costs of housing and healthcare and inadequate pensions.

Guests: Andrés Castillo, Project Manager for Financial Security, Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP), Washington, D.C., http://www.aarp.org ; Leticia Miranda, Associate Director of Economic and Employment Policy, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Washington D.C. www.nclr.org ; Antonia Corona, Gregorio Baeza, and Guillermina Jiménez, Senior citizens, Oakland, CA.

FINANCIAL REFORM. After months of negotiation, the two houses of Congress are now negotiating to come up with a final financial reform bill, that proponents say will regulate Wall Street and help protect consumers from abuse in credit cards, home loans, car loans, student loans and remittances that migrants send back home. Will the bill be able to rein on the sharks of Wall Street? What does it mean for U.S. families and consumers?

Guests: José Dante Parra, Spokesperson, Office of the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, Washington, D.C., Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, Researcher, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, Adolfo A. Franco, Vice President for Global Regulatory Affairs, Direct Selling Association, Washington, D.C. http://www.dsa.org ; Louis Caldera, Senior Fellow, American Center for Progress, Washington, D.C. http://www.americanprogress.org

HOME HELP. Though the number of foreclosures appears to be leveling off nationwide, many families are still struggling to save their homes. Meanwhile, the banks responsible for many of the subprime loans that instigated those home losses are still in business. What is being done to hold those banks, and their successors, accountable? And what can families do to negotiate their loans or refinance their homes?

Guests: Julio Artiga, Corporate Relations and Housing Outreach Manager Freddie Mac, McClain, Virginia, www.freddiemac.com ; Lez Trujillo, National Deputy Director, Affordable Housing Centers of America, Chicago, IL, www.ahcoa.org ; Jose Vega, Real Estate Agent, Kropa Realty, Pittsburgh, CA, Nimia Ramos, Foreclosure Counselor, Unity Council, Oakland, CA, http://www.unitycouncil.org

MAKING THE MOST OF FOOD STAMPS. As the economic recession hits low-income communities, more and more people are using food stamps for their basic needs. Still, many of those eligible don’t use the benefit, particularly among the elderly and among Latinos, of whom only a little over half of those eligible participate. This edition takes a look at what the current administration is doing to try to bridge those gaps, and what civic groups around the country are doing to make it easier for food stamp recipients to use them to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables.

Guests: Lisa Pino, Deputy Administrator, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Washington, DC, http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ ; Melissa Boteach, Manager, Half and Ten Campaign, Center for American Progress, Washington, DC, www.americanprogress.org ; Gina Bell, Manager, Forest Grove Farmers Market, Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove, OR. http://www.adelantemujeres.org

HELP FOR THE UNEMPLOYED. Unemployment fell in June, but not enough to signify true economic recovery. More than 130,000 jobs are needed every month, just to keep up with the growing labor force. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill to extend federal benefits for the unemployed. So far, Republicans have blocked such a measure in the Senate. This edition brings together the voices of the unemployed and experts in the field.

Guests: Hilda Solís, Secretary of Labor, Department of Labor, Washington, DC, www.dol.gov ; Eric Griego, State Senator, New Mexico Legislature, Albuquerque, NM, http://legis.state.nm.us ; Catherine Singley; Policy Analyst, Economic and Employment Policy Project, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Washington, D.C., www.nclr.org

FINANCIAL REFORM. A bill awaiting a vote in the Senate is meant to overhaul the nation’s financial regulatory system and give consumers more protection against abusive loans and other fraudulent practices. What are the possibilities for this bill to pass? What’s at stake for Latino credit cardholders, loan recipients and consumers?

Guests: Diana Tejada, Spokesperson, Office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Washington, D.C. http://reid.senate.gov/ ; Aracely Panameño, Director, Latino Affairs, Center for Responsible Lending, Washington, D.C. www.responsiblelending.org/ ; Graciela Aponte, Legislative Analyst, National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C. http://www.nclr.org/

HOMEBUYERS WITHOUT HELP. The new housing market offers low prices and low interest rates. Yet Latino and African-American families are not getting the loans they need to buy homes. Homeowner advocates are urging the Federal Reserve to overhaul the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, to immediately disclose current loan data by region, race, and ethnicity, in order to hold banks accountable when few loans are provided to people of color and to prevent more foreclosures. What can prospective homebuyers do to compete with investors in the new housing market?

Guests: Orson Aguilar, Executive Director, The Greenlining Institute, Berkeley, CA, www.greenlining.org ; Lez Trujillo, National Deputy Director, Affordable Housing Centers of America, Chicago, IL, www.ahcoa.org

WORKERS TURNED OWNERS. As more and more jobs are being lost in the United States, worker-owned cooperatives are growing, many following the model of Mondragón Internacional, a co-op founded in the Basque region 50 years ago with a small technical school, credit union and a small workshop manufacturing kerosene stoves. In rural areas of the U.S., cooperatives are becoming an alternative for some farm workers turned farmers. In more urban settings, unions such as t he United Steelworkers, are seeking to create jobs by setting up sustainable businesses, owned by workers.

DOMESTIC WORKERS’ VICTORY. For the first time ever in the United States, New York has approved a law that guarantees paid leave, overtime, and protection from discrimination for nannies, housekeepers, and elderly caregivers. This special Labor Day Edition includes an interview with a domestic worker organizer in New York, and others in California who are pushing for similar labor protections.

Guests: Priscilla Gonzalez, Director, Domestic Workers United, New York, NY, www.domesticworkesunited.org ; Andrea Cristina Mercado, Lead Organizer, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, San Francisco, CA, www.mujeresunidas.net ; Maria Distancia and Martha Collazo, Domestic workers, San Francisco, CA.

OBAMA’S NEW STIMULUS PLAN. Under pressure to improve the economy, President Obama announced a plan to allow businesses to write off new equipment immediately, make a tax credit for research and development permanent, and allocate 50 billion dollars for building new roads, train rails, and airport runways. Will this plan help those most affected by the economic crisis?

Guests: José Dante Parra, Spokesperson, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Washington, D.C. ; Manuel Rosales, Deputy Director of Coalitions, Republican National Committee, Washington, D.C.; Xavier Briggs, Associate Director for General Government Programs, Office of Management and Budget, White House, Washington, D.C., www.whitehouse.gov/omb ; Paul Quiroz, Business Development Specialist, Latin Chamber of Commerce, Las Vegas, NV, www.lvlcc.com

LATINO BUSINESS UPSWING. New census data show that the number of Latino businesses grew at more than double the national rate, between 2002 and 2007. Other new census data show that the number of Latinos living in poverty grew at double the rate of others in recent years. What accounts for this entrepreneurial boom and at the same time this increase in Latino poverty?

Guests: Raul Cisneros, Spokesperson, 2010 Census, Washington, DC, www.census.gov ; Dr. Jesus Martínez Saldaña, Researcher, Clovis, CA; Javier Palomarez, President, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C., www.ushcc.com

INCLUDING LATINOS IN THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION. A coalition of state lawmakers push for investment in digital literacy and creative solutions to connect more Latinos to high-speed internet. They also highlight the potential of broadband in reducing health disparities and increasing energy efficiency. This edition is part of our Conéctate series, seeking to reduce the digital divide.

Guests: Eduardo Bhatia, State Senator, Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, www.eduardobhatia.com; Fabiola Carrion, Broadband and Green Jobs Specialist, Progressive States Network, New York, NY, www.progressivestates.org; Juan M. Pichardo, State Senator, Rhode Island, Providence, RI, www.rillin.state.ri.us/pichardo

JOBS AND THE ECONOMY. Latinos are among the hardest hit by unemployment and the recession. Jobs and the economy are high in the mind of Latino voters in this midterm election. What are the expectations of the current stimulus plans? This roundtable with Latino workers, students, and organizers includes a discussion on the different plans to create jobs and fuel the economy. This program, part of Hacia el Voto 2010, is aired live and taped the previous day at host station KBBF in Santa Rosa, California.