Sin Fronteras: World Water Week: “The Age of Water”

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

PROGRAM #10881  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.

Guests: Araceli Martínez, Reporter, Los Angeles, CA; Diana Montaño, Reporter, Miami, FL; José López Zamorano, Correspondent, Washington, DC.

World Water Week: “The Age of Water.”  The documentary The Age of Water, premiering on the national PBS network, exposes the devastating health and environmental consequences of industrial farming in central Mexico. In a region transformed by export-oriented crops after NAFTA, the film tells the story of mothers who, after losing their children to leukemia, became leading community activists denouncing radioactive water contamination. Their struggle parallels the fight for clean water in California’s and Arizona’s agricultural fields. The filmmakers tell their story.

Guest: Alfredo Alcántara, co-Director, “The Age of Water” documentary, Brooklyn, NY.

Tourism Slump in Las Vegas. This summer, the entertainment capital is seeing fewer visitors at its resorts and convention centers, with some blaming Trump’s tough immigration and tariff policies. How deep is the slump? Which travelers are holding back from coming? Is this trend unique to Las Vegas? And what does the future hold for the tourism industry in the months ahead?

Guest: Carlos Gomez, Vice-President of Business Development, Latin Chamber of Commerce, Las Vegas, NV.

Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina. Two decades after the disaster, Latino workers continue to play a crucial role in rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, although their contribution is invisible in the official narrative. Latinos and African Americans not only rebuilt homes, but also now live in the most devastated areas. On the 20th anniversary of the disaster, FEMA suspended several employees who criticized the agency’s leadership under President Donald Trump. This comes after more than 20 employees signed a letter of dissent called the “Katrina Declaration.” What does this document mean, and why is it so important? At what cost did essential Latino workers rebuild the city? What policies should be prioritized to protect these communities in addition to what is outlined in the “Katrina Declaration”?

Guest: Dr. Juan Declet Barreto, Senior Social Scientist for Climate Vulnerability, Union of Concerned Scientists, Silver Spring, MD.

Barriers for English Learners. The U.S. Department of Education has rescinded a key guidance, backed by a 1974 Supreme Court ruling, that guaranteed students with limited English proficiency meaningful access to school programs and resources. Without it, millions of children—primarily immigrants—could lose critical support, undermining both their learning and participation. What does this setback mean for nearly five million English learners? How will school districts respond in the absence of clear federal guidelines?

Guest: Zaidee Stavley, Reporter and Podcast Host, EdSource, Oakland, CA.

Photo: Thula Na/Unsplash

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