The presidential candidates haven’t been talking much about immigration– at least, not in English. But they’re slugging it out in a Spanish language ad war in battleground states like Colorado where Latino voters could decide the winner. Tanya Snyder reports.
Democratic strategists say Barack Obama will need Latino votes if he wants to win in western such as Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. But some Latino voters in these areas remain loyal to former candidate Hillary Clinton - and they say it will take a fair amount of convincing, to move them over to the Obama camp. From Denver, KUNC’s Sarah Hughes has more.
Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain spoke to Mexican American veterans in Denver on Friday. The Arizona senator then flew to Aspen to meet with the Dalai Lama. Bente Birkeland reports.
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday when the spirits of ancestors are invited to come back and celebrate with the living. Traditionally the holiday is observed every year around Halloween, on the Christian holy days of All Saints Day, November 1st, and All Souls Day, November 2nd. Pueblo got a head start on its Day of The Dead festivities with a parade this past Friday, Oct. 26th. KRCC’s Michelle Mercer was there and brings us this report.
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State GOP Lawmakers Unveil Illegal Immigration Bills
Audit: Emergency Radio Network Remains Useless
State’s Democratic Superdelegates Split
Springs Funeral Director Offered Plea Deal
Ritter: “New Energy Economy” Taking Root
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The number of Court-approved wiretaps are rising dramatically in Colorado, resulting in more drug arrests but raising privacy concerns.
Forest Service contractors have begun thinning stands of ponderosa pine in a 200-acre tract of the Rio Grande National Forest to reduce fire danger and improve big-game habitat.
Tom Tancredo says the parents of the New Jersey schoolyard slaying victims should sue the city for negligence.
No institution of higher learning in Colorado has made the Princeton Review’s annual list of top 10 party schools for 2008, but the U.S. Air Force Academy ranks number 7 on it’s list of schools that are, “stone, cold sober.”
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Students are taking out an increasing amount of loans to pay for college, according to the latest figures from the College Board. Congress is now considering legislation aimed at cutting the soaring costs of higher education in Colorado and around the country. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
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In a musical tradition dominated by male groups, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles are true revolutionaries. Despite the pink charros and model-perfect looks, the women who form this group are outstanding musicians who have taken the mariachi genre by surprise with their creativity and skill. “La Reyna” came into existence through the auspices of the Mariachi Heritage Society, a non-profit organization established by Jose Hernandez, musical director of Los Angeles’ renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Ranging in ages from 13 to 34, the mujeres of Mariachi Reyna reflect a wide variety of mariachi and other musical influences, but all share a love of the uniquely Mexican music and its traditions. Sponsored by the Pike’s Peak Library District 2007 World Music Series, the Summer Festival of the Arts, Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration and KRCC.
THE MUJERES OF MARIACHI REYNA WILL PERFORM A FREE CONCERT ON ARMSTRONG QUAD AT CC ON SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH AT 7PM. A FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL DAY THEN HAPPENS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 10 AT 2:30 PM IN THE PIKES PEAK CENTER. More information at 719-389-6607.
KRCC’s Kate Dawson reports [LISTEN].
In 2008, Colorado voters may be faced with a ballot initiative that would amend affirmative action out of the state constitution in 2008. The initiative aims to remove employment, education, and contracting from current affirmative action policy. Colorado Unity, a non-profit and non-partisan organization that defends affirmative action, hosted an open forum at Colorado College May 3rd to talk about affirmative action, panelists included CSU-Pueblo President Joe Garcia, who spoke with KRCC’s Eric Whitney.
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The Catholic Charities based in Glenwood Springs helps newcomers to the United States. One of its programs, the immigrant advocacy project, helps immigrants through tough times…regardless of their legal status.
On a recent afternoon, a soft-spoken man named Eduardo pays a visit to the project. He’s lived in the valley over ten years, has a decent job, and is in the process of obtaining legal status.
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WHITNEY: Colorado Springs is getting an ICE office. ICE being the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Some local elected leaders, including Sheriff Terry Maketa, have been lobbying for a federal Immigration enforcement office here for more than a year. Today Senator Wayne Allard said he received a report from the agency saying it plans to open ICE offices in Colorado Springs and Greeley. Allards office says they could open within months. Steve Wymer, a spokesman for the senator, says the agency will use existing funding to shift resources to the Springs and Greeley.
MEXICAN CONSULATE OFFERS AID IN RESPONSE TO COLORADO’S NEW IMMIGRATION LAWS
The immigration law passed by the Colorado legislature in its special session last summer says that illegal immigrants can’t receive state-funded medical services, except in emergencies. And confusion and fear of the new law is keeping some immigrants from getting services they’re entitled to, like vaccinations. The Mexican consulate in Denver has launched an initiative to help Mexican nationals get basic health care, and will soon fan out across the state to spread the word. Aspen Public Radio’s Cynthia Grajeda reports. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
CSU-PUEBLO’S PLAN TO RETAIN MORE HISPANIC STUDENTS
With a large population of Hispanic students, Colorado State University Pueblo is at the forefront of efforts to see Hispanics through to graduation. The school recently got a grant for nearly $3 million to assist those efforts from the US Department of Education. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR AN IMMIGRANT GIRL
Most public school students have been back in class for a week or two now, and are settling in to the routine, they’ve survived the sometimes traumatic first day of school. But the average student’s fear and apprehension pales in comparison to what students from outside the country must feel, especially those who don’t speak English. In this story, Aspen Public Radio’s Cynthia Grajeda tags along with the daughter of Mexican immigrants who recently moved to the Aspen area on her first day at Roaring Fork High School. [LISTEN] [TRANSCRIPT]
FIGHTING AIDS AMONG COLORADO’S LATINOS
A week from today, Thursday, June 27th, is National HIV testing day. AIDS/HIV outreach programs are encouraging people to get tested and know their HIV status. This year is the 25th anniversary of the discovery of the HIV virus, which causes AIDS. Since that time, the face of the disease has changed considerably. Nowadays people of color, youths in their teens and twenties and women are at increasing risk of infection. Maeve Conran reports on efforts to discover and prevent the disease among one of the state’s most marginalized populations, Latino farm workers.
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