Utah Latino Voices Take the National Spotlight in Live Radio Broadcasts During NFCB Conference

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Utah Latino Voices Take the National Spotlight in Live Radio Broadcasts During NFCB Conference

Salt Lake City, June 6, 2025 — As Utah’s Latino population grows rapidly—and national shifts in immigration and healthcare policy ripple through local communities—two public radio institutions are joining forces to ensure these stories are heard. Radio Bilingüe, the nation’s leading Spanish-language public media network, and Salt Lake City’s Avanza 88.3 FM— a KUER service dedicated to amplifying Latino voices—are partnering to produce two live broadcasts of Línea Abierta, the only nationally syndicated Spanish-language call-in program in U.S. public radio.

Originating from the KUER and Avanza studios at the University of Utah, and timed to coincide with the 50th annual National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) conference, these live broadcasts will feature Latino policy experts and community leaders discussing pressing local stories with deep national implications—giving Utah’s Latino communities a national platform at a pivotal time.

Live Broadcasts on Radio Bilingüe’s Línea Abierta

Tuesday, June 10 at 1 PM MST
“Venezuelans in Utah on Edge”
Venezuelans are reportedly the fastest-growing Latino group in Utah. With recent Supreme Court rulings and escalating state-federal immigration crackdowns, many in the community are now living in fear. What’s the reality on the ground—and how are local businesses, families, and civic groups responding?

Wednesday, June 11 at 1 PM MST
“Medicaid Steep Cuts: The Costs in Utah”
A federal budget proposal could strip healthcare from millions, with rural and underserved areas among the most vulnerable. How would proposed Medicaid cuts affect Latino communities in Utah, and what are local leaders doing to protect health access?

“We are honored to partner with Radio Bilingüe, the leading producer of Spanish-language public radio in the country,” said Edgar Zúñiga, Program Director of Avanza 88.3. “Latino communities nationwide — including right here in Utah — benefit from Radio Bilingüe’s standout, commercial-free music and public affairs programming. We’re thrilled to welcome Línea Abierta for live broadcasts from the KUER and Avanza studios at the University of Utah.”

Hugo Morales, co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Radio Bilingüe, said, “Avanza 88.3 is a true pioneer in launching the first bilingual public radio station in Utah focused on diverse Latino concerns, and with a fresh and contemporary vision.  In addition to wonderful cultural content, Avanza ensures that Utah Spanish-speaking community members have access to urgent civic information impacting their lives like our special programs planned from NFCB.  We thank Avanza and KUER for their partnership and for bringing Radio Bilingüe’s to their audiences.”

This editorial collaboration reflects a growing relationship between the two organizations. Since May 2023, KUER-HD4 has aired Radio Bilingüe’s daily Spanish-language programming. In February 2024, that service expanded to 88.3 FM, newly renamed Avanza, and now reaches a growing Latino population in the entire Salt Lake City metro area. 

Through these live programs, Radio Bilingüe and KUER-Avanza aim to elevate stories that too often go unheard—bringing national attention to local voices and reaffirming public media’s role as a trusted resource for all communities.

Press Contact:

María de Jesús Gómez
Radio Bilingüe
chuyag@radiobilingue.org 
559-455-5782