Linea Abierta Programming: February 2, 2026

Celebrating 45 Years of Radio Bilingüe and 30 Years of Línea Abierta

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
PROGRAM #11037 12:00 PM PT

New ‘shutdown’? Budget negotiations collapsed following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents, igniting sharp opposition to additional DHS funding and ICE practices. Senate Democrats have reached a deal with Republicans and the White House to fund the government while they negotiate restrictions to the activity of immigration agents. Will Republicans accept a budget that excludes DHS? Could the government partially shut down? If so, how severely might this impact the economy?

Family finances are under strain. While President Trump insists the economy is strong, a community survey reveals a different reality: most people feel financially worse off than they did last year. Families are sharing meals, parents face tough choices to keep food on the table, and neighbors fill gaps left by failing systems. How do current policies affect the most vulnerable? What problems are deepening under this administration? How have community lives been disrupted over the past year?

“Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water. The city of Fresno is suing several companies over contamination of its drinking water system by toxic substances known as “forever chemicals,” or PFAS. Fresno, like Dallas, Texas, is ranked among the most contaminated cities in the nation by these chemicals. At the same time, a groundbreaking U.S. study links PFAS in drinking water to cancer incidence. This report examines PFAS, the lawsuits, and the latest scientific findings.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3
PROGRAM #11038 11:00 AM PT

Remembering Roberto Mondragón. Former lieutenant governor and renowned folklorist Roberto Mondragón passed away on January 6 at the age of 85. As a political leader, Mondragón was widely recognized for championing the causes of working families, rural communities, and communal lands. As a storyteller and musician, he stood out as a cultural ambassador for his home state of New Mexico. In this previously unheard interview, recorded at his Santa Fe home in 2019, Mondragón shares his humor and reflects on his roots and his passion for cultural traditions, as part of our “30 años, 30 voces” series.

PROGRAM #11039 12:00 PM PT

ICE in California: Know Your Rights. Volunteer teams and community emergency hotlines are reporting detentions and increased ICE activity in Fresno and other California cities. Heightened anxiety is spreading among residents. Amid reports of people being arrested despite having documents or U.S. citizenship, what precautions should be taken? What steps can individuals follow to defend themselves legally? What should be done if an arrest appears unlawful? How do community defense networks provide support?

Parents Watch ICE. Amid fears of immigration raids, school communities across California have organized to protect students. Parents, teachers, and neighbors monitor ICE activity outside schools, accompany children on their routes, and deliver food to families afraid to leave home. How are children experiencing this climate of fear? How do these grassroots networks operate? What concrete support do they provide? How do they confront the constant threat of raids, and how are school authorities preparing?

ICE detains young children. Liam Adrián Conejo Ramos was arrested, separated from his family, and transferred from Minnesota to a detention facility in Texas. The child’s detention sparked intense protests inside and outside the immigration jail. Reports indicate that Liam has health issues, and advocates warn of the long-term psychological harm immigration detention can cause children. How is Liam doing, and what is expected in his case? Which rights have been violated? What broader implications does this detention carry?

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
PROGRAM #11040 12:00 PM PT

States debate Colorado River water rights. Negotiators from the seven states in the upper and lower Colorado River basins are racing against the clock to decide how to divide the river’s water. All agree that less water must be used, but not on who should bear the deepest cuts. The federal government has released a plan for the river’s future management and opened a public comment period. What are the roots of the Colorado River crisis? How should water-use cuts be handled during drought? What happens when current water-rights rules expire in August? How are conservation goals being met so far? What is the federal plan, and what alternatives are states proposing? This is a special program in the “Cuando se seca el arroyo” series.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
PROGRAM #11041 11:00 AM PT

This is a special program for our Fresno arts series.

Humanizing Stories. Artist and scholar Lizbeth De la Cruz Santana presents a living, community-based project that weaves together muralism, storytelling, and activism. In her exhibition Humanizing Stories, she shows how murals emerged as a collective response to the instability of migrant life in the United States. Her work challenges audiences to confront deportation, exile, and their emotional, social, and political impacts within a system that renders people disposable and threatens to erase them from public space.

Muralism takes over Fresno. Mauro Carrera has spent more than a decade transforming public space through muralism, from Calwa Park in southeast Fresno to the downtown museum. His goal is clear: to create art accessible to communities far from traditional galleries. His murals invite audiences to recognize Fresno’s long-neglected Chinatown—its history and its future. Today, his vision reaches Fresno Yosemite International Airport, where he is working on a mural that fosters community dialogue. This is a special program in our arts series in Fresno.

PROGRAM #11042 12:00 PM PT

Sin Fronteras. This is a program of “Sin Fronteras,” a special series to serve audiences in the US and Mexico with breaking news and analysis about major developments impacting Latinos in the US.

Health Out of Reach? In 2026, millions of people who rely on ACA health plans are facing a severe financial blow. With enhanced subsidies left unrenewed by Congress, premiums have surged—tripling in some cases. For many households, health insurance is once again becoming a luxury: some are cutting essential expenses, others dipping into retirement savings to stay covered. What does this rollback mean for public health and financial stability?

What’s next for Venezuela? President Trump says he has strong control over Venezuela, has threatened new military strikes, and at the same time announced the reopening of the country’s airspace and the imminent arrival of oil companies to begin operations. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the U.S. Senate he does not expect further military action against Venezuela. How are talks between Washington and Caracas moving forward? On what terms is the Trump–Rodríguez relationship being managed? What is the current state of Venezuelan sovereignty?

Planning the “new Gaza.” As military attacks continue in Gaza, the Trump administration and the Trump family announced a plan to rebuild the territory and turn it into a complex of skyscrapers and a coastal tourism zone. How is the international community responding to this proposal? What would happen to Israel’s military control? And to the displaced population? What is known about the so-called Peace Council?

The Super Bowl is coming. The 2026 halftime show promises to go beyond sports. This year, Puerto Rican deaf artist Celimar Rivera Cosme will make history by leading the Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation during Bad Bunny’s performance. Marked by political debate and ICE threats against immigrant attendees, the event becomes a milestone for representation, Latino culture, and inclusion. What does this halftime show mean beyond the spectacle? Why has the participation of Puerto Rican artists drawn so much attention? How did the Super Bowl become a political stage?

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
PROGRAM #11043 12:00 PM PT

Mexico Edition. As Mexico debates a far-reaching electoral reform proposal, organizations of Mexican emigres are calling on the Mexican government to listen to citizens living abroad and to recognize them as holders of full political rights. What does this initiative entail? This and other stories make the headlines in this edition.