Linea Abierta Programming: October 21, 2024

Special Election Coverage. This week, as part of our “Hacia el Voto 2024” series, Línea Abierta continues offering an expanded two-hour weekday program block to offer news and analysis on the November election, with a focus on the Latino vote, the top issues driving the vote, key races in battleground states, and the most relevant state ballot propositions.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21

PROGRAM #10556 11:00 AM PT

Moms Who Care. Radio Bilingüe kicks off a new radio series, entitled “Growing with Latino Support: Latina Radio for Maternal and Child Health,” where mothers and experts convene to discuss pressing issues such as prenatal care, infant development, and mental health support for parents. In the first program of the series, mothers who have been part of Radio Bilingüe’s news team in Fresno share their experience with pregnancy, childbirth and raising the baby. They discuss the most critical challenges and fears they faced, the way they overcame those obstacles, the support they found, the moments of joy and celebration, and the empowering lessons they learned from being moms.

Guests: Alma Martínez, Executive Director, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, Fresno, CA; María de Jesús Gómez, Production Assistant, Radio Bilingüe, Fresno, CA; Zaidee Stavely, Reporter, EdSource, Oakland, CA; Valeria Fernández, Independent Journalist, Phoenix, AZ; Citlali Sáenz, Línea Abierta Program Host, Mexico City.

PROGRAM #10557 12:00 PM PT

“Noticias Falsas, Verdades y Tu Voto.” (Program Repeat). The Latino electorate in California is rapidly expanding, driven by U.S.-born youth reaching voting age. This population will play a crucial role in several key races that could determine control of Congress in November. However, the onslaught of inaccurate, misleading, or false messaging is causing many voters to distrust science, institutions, and even their own democratic participation. In order to address the growing threat of disinformation targeting Latino voters and undermining their participation in the election, Radio Bilingüe and media partners convened a public forum in Madera, CA, with a panel of experts who discussed the impact of disinformation and explore strategies to counter its spread within Latino communities. This program was originally aired on September 17, 2024.

Guests: Alma Martínez, Executive Director, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, Merced, CA; Ricardo Sandoval-Palos, Public Editor, PBS, Washington, DC; Alfredo Corchado, Executive Director, Puente News Collaborative, El Paso, TX; Rafael Olavarria, Politics and Migration Fact-checker, Factchequeado, Atlanta, GA.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22

PROGRAM #10558 11:00 AM PT

California Proposition 36. In 2014, Proposition 47 changed some theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. A new Proposition in the November ballot would allow felony charges and higher sentences for certain drug and theft crimes. Warning that serious drug addiction is driving retail theft and leading to a rise in both drug overdose deaths and homelessness in California, proponents of Proposition 36 argue that getting more people into drug treatment can help tackle retail theft, save lives, and get people off the streets. Opponents say that the measure will make the state less safe as it would fill the state’s prisons and cut resources for important public safety, public health, and rehabilitation programs. Supporters and opponents discuss the initiative.

Guests: Alejandra Ponce de León, Senior Manager for Political Voice, NO on Prop. 36, Catalyst California, city of Jurupa Valley, CA; Antonio Villaraigosa, Former Mayor of Los Angeles, YES on Prop. 36, Los Angeles, CA.

California Propositions. A political journalist explains the following initiatives in the California ballot: Proposition 4 would issue $10 billion in bonds to pay for drinking water improvement, state and local parks, flood protection and other environmental projects in communities that are lower-income or affected by climate change and disasters. Proposition 32 would raise the minimum wage to $18 an hour. And Proposition 33 would expand rent control protections to keep people housed during the current housing crisis. Also, a state legislator comments on Proposition 6, a measure that would amend the state constitution to end a provision that allows jails and prisons to force incarcerated people to work, stating that it’s time to end forced labor and promote rehabilitation in California’s prison system.

Guests: Araceli Martínez, Reporter, Los Angeles, CA; Daniela Rodríguez, UC Berkeley Fellow Reporter, Radio Bilingüe, Fresno, CA; Dr. Joaquín Arámbula, State Assemblymember, D-Fresno, Fresno, CA; Michael Mendoza, Prop. 6 Consultant, “Yes on Proposition 6: Ending Modern Slavery.”

PROGRAM #10559 12:00 PM PT

Immigration Edition. As Election Day nears, anxieties grow among many in the immigrant community. One of the scenarios in the aftermath of the election is a government run by hardliners who would act on their promise of deporting millions. How real are those threats? How should immigrants prepare for the outcome of the elections? What can they do now? What should immigrant voters know about the election? How can non citizens participate in civic life?

Guest: Attorney Rosalba Piña, Immigration Law Expert, Chicago, IL.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

PROGRAM #10560 11:00 AM PT

Colorado: Right to Abortion on the Ballot. In November, Coloradans will vote on Amendment 79, an initiative that would elevate abortion protections to the state constitution. The proposed amendment also lifts a ban on public funding for abortion that voters approved decades ago. Colorado would then cover more abortions under Medicaid and state and local governments may be able to add abortion coverage to their employee health insurance plans. How is this issue impacting the presidential and down-ballot races?

Guest: América Ramírez, Program Director, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights-COLOR, Denver, CO.

Colorado: Key Congressional Race. The race between Democrat incumbent Yadira Caraveo and Republican Gabe Evans for the seat in Colorado’s 8th congressional district is in a dead heat. One of the most watched congressional races, the outcome may determine who wins congress. What are the issues driving voters to the polls? How decisive will Latino voters be? How critical will independent voters be?

Guest: Jesús Sánchez Melean, Executive Director, El Comercio de Colorado Newspaper, Denver, CO.

Key National Races and the Latino Vote. A national group of Latino elected leaders released an analysis examining key competitive congressional races where the Latino vote could determine the outcome. The report highlights two U.S. Senate races and 16 U.S. House races, including the candidates, and the Latino share of registered voters.

Guest: Dorian Caal, Director of Civic Engagement Research, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials-NALEO, Los Angeles, CA.

PROGRAM #10561 12:00 PM PT

The Battle for Georgia. Early voting is already underway in Georgia and other states, and Georgia voters once again will play a critical role in deciding who will win the White House. Latinos are poised to play a decisive role in that battle, as well as in some congressional races. What are the races to watch? Who’s mobilizing Latino voters in the state? Also, as election workers are under attack, human rights watchdogs are calling to protect election workers and volunteers from violence and harassment and protect polling places to prevent voter intimidation.

Guests: Kyle Gómez-Leineweber, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials-GALEO and GALEO Impact Fund, Inc., Atlanta, GA; Adelina Nicholls, Executive Director, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights-GLAHR and GLAHR Action Network-GAN, Atlanta, GA; Sebastian Saavedra, Communications Coordinator, GLAHR and GAN, Atlanta, GA; Giovanni Serrano, Community Organizer, GLAHR and GAN, Atlanta, GA; Carlos Medina, Lead Community Organizer, GLAHR and GAN, Atlanta, GA.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

PROGRAM #10562 11:00 AM PT

“Voces: Our Texas, Our Vote.” In a new documentary for PBS, the nation’s public television network, veteran filmmaker Hector Galán takes viewers inside the largest Latino voter registration mobilization effort in Texas history, led by a new generation of activists. The film traces the evolution of Texas as a Latino-majority state, examines the history of efforts to disenfranchise Latino voters, and profiles both conservative and progressive activists who are determined to increase voter participation among Texas Latinos. This is an interview with the filmmaker.

Guest: Héctor Galán, Producer and Director, “Voces: Our Texas, Our Vote,” PBS TV Network, Austin, TX .

Latino Voters in Crucial House Races. A leading philanthropic organization in California polled voters in the state’s five competitive congressional districts, races that will be key to determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives next term. In some districts Latino voters make up the majority. What’s at stake in these five races? What are the big issues in these communities? How decisive will the Latino vote be? How engaged are Latino voters?

Guest: Eduardo García, Policy Director, Latino Community Foundation, Los Angeles, CA.

PROGRAM #10563 12:00 PM PT

Helping Farmers Save Water. The federal government designated Central Arizona among selected irrigation districts across the west to receive millions in grants to save water while keeping farmland working. The program will help improve irrigation and change farming practices and crop systems and other ways to save water. How serious is the impact of the severe drought on Arizona’s agriculture? What is Arizona doing to move into sustainable farming? What’s the future of farming in the desert under a climate crisis? How are the federal programs helping mitigate the water crisis?

Guests: Gloria Montaño Greene, Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, US Department of Agriculture-USDA, and Former Director, Arizona’s Farm Service Agency-FSA, Phoenix, AZ; Pita Juárez, Communication Organizer, Climate Power En Acción, Phoenix, AZ; Samuel Orozco, News Director, Radio Bilingüe, Fresno, CA.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25

PROGRAM #10564 11:00 AM PT

The Battle for Nevada. Early voting kicks off this week in Nevada, a state with only six electoral votes but which could be decisive in November, since polling shows the contest between Harris and Trump is very close. Before President Joe Biden withdrew, Nevada was leaning toward Donald Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris’ moved Nevada back to a toss-up. Another heated race is the US Senate race. Republicans are investing heavily in Sam Brown’s campaign to unseat Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen. What are the top issues in Nevada voters’ minds? What’s the mood among Latino voters and young voters? What’s the news about the early voting turnout? This and other topics are discussed in this edition.

Guests: US Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-NY, Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Washington, DC; Jannelle Calderón, Multimedia Journalist, The Nevadan / El Nevadense Courier Newsroom, Las Vegas, NV; Maria-Teresa Liebermann-Parraga, Director of Strategy and Communications, Women’s Equality Center, Las Vegas, NV; Mario De la Rosa, Editor, Ahora Latino Journal, Reno, NV; Omar Nemoga, Northern Nevada Lead Organizer, Make The Road Action Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.

PROGRAM #10565 12:00 PM PT

Mexico Edition. The Mexican Senate approved a constitutional reform that turns the energy agencies CFE and Pemex into state-owned companies. What is the content of this reform? Also, the leader of Mexico’s Senate, Gerardo Fernández Noroña, who is visiting Northern California, has been invited to discuss issues of interest to Mexican emigres.

Guest: Dra. Rosío Vargas Suárez, Independent Consultant and Energy Expert, Mexico City, MX; excerpts from recent statements by Sen. Gerardo Fernández Noroña, President of the Mexican Senate, from Modesto, CA.