latinx Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Immigrant Farmworkers Face Unique Challenges As Coronavirus Continues To Spread

By Monica Samayoa April 12, 2020

Migrant farmer Martin Zavala-Martinez prunes a pear tree at Avalon Orchards in Parkdale, Ore., Thursday, April 2, 2020. People needing H-2A work visas are facing delays at the U.S.-Mexico border due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

One of the most vulnerable groups currently working through the coronavirus pandemic is made up of immigrant farmworkers. As this population works through some of the unique challenges they face due to the coronavirus, one Tri-Cities radio station is trying to help. Read More

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Tigers, Not Daughters’ Is Haunting — With Or Without A Ghost

By NPR News March 28, 2020

In Samantha Mabry's new novel, three prickly sisters are haunted, maybe literally, by their fourth, who's died in an accident. She has a message for them, but they may be too sunk in grief to hear it. Continue Reading BOOK REVIEW: Read More

Tonasket Settles With Former Police Officer Who Alleged Mayor Said His Name Was ‘Too Hispanic’

By Nicholas Deshais March 12, 2020

Tonasket, in Washington's Okanogan County, no longer has a police force after the mayor disbanded it. Courtesy city of Tonasket

A former police officer in Okanogan County town of Tonasket will receive $80,000, after he alleged the mayor told him his name sounded “too Hispanic.” Jose Perez, who was one of three people in the town’s police department, took his allegations to the Tonasket City Council in January 2019, where he described what he said Mayor Dennis Brown told him. Read More

Latinx Critics Speak Out Against ‘American Dirt’; Jeanine Cummins Responds

By NPR News January 24, 2020

Latinx writers and critics are speaking out against Jeanine Cummins' new book American Dirt, calling its depiction of the migrant experience inauthentic and harmful. We asked Cummins to respond. Continue Reading Latinx Critics Read More

Civil Rights Groups Claim Latinx Disenfranchisement In Yakima County, Ready To Sue

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa January 17, 2020

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Civil rights groups are poised to sue Yakima County over their election system, alleging it dilutes Latinx votes in violation of the state Voting Rights Act. Continue Reading Civil Rights Groups Claim Latinx Disenfranchisement Read More

In ‘Party Of Five’ Reboot, Deportation Separates The Family Instead Of Death, But Tragedy Remains

By NPR News January 11, 2020

The Party of Five reboot centers on five Latinx siblings who are left to navigate life on their own after their parents are deported. Gilles Mingasson/Freeform

The hit '90s TV drama is back with a timely twist. Co-creator Amy Lippman and writer Gabriel Llanas talk about creating a show about five Latinx siblings whose parents are deported to Mexico. Continue Reading In Read More

Yakima City Council Pulls Strong-Mayor Proposal From Ballot Hours After Opponents File Lawsuits

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa December 11, 2019

The Yakima City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in favor of a proposal that would establish an at-large mayoral position in city government if approved by voters in a February special election. Civil rights organizations say any kind of city-wide elections would disenfranchise Latinx voters in Yakima and would violate the federal Voting Rights Act. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

A proposal to change Yakima’s form of government by replacing the city manager with an elected mayor is off the table — at least for now. City council members voted Tuesday to remove the measure from the February ballot hours after two lawsuits were filed by a coalition of civil rights organizations. Read More

Yakima Pierde Representación Latina, Organizadores Se Preguntan Qué Sucedió

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 22, 2019

El Concejo Municipal de Yakima votó 4-3 el martes 19 de noviembre a favor de una propuesta que establecerá un puesto de alcalde general en el gobierno de la ciudad si votantes la aprueban en una elección especial en febrero. Organizaciones de derechos civiles dicen que elecciones en cuales participa todo el electorado de Yakima ponen en riesgo los derechos de votantes latinos, por lo que oponen la propuesta que además violaría la Ley federal de derecho de voto. CRÉDITO: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa / NWPB

El próximo consejo municipal en Yakima será menos diverso. Solo una candidata Latina tiene una ventaja estrecha sobre su oponente electoral, cuatro años después de que las primeras Latinas tomaron cargos en el ayuntamiento después de una elección histórica. ¿Qué sucedió? Read More

As Yakima Loses Latinx Representation On City Council, Organizers Wonder What Happened

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 21, 2019

Yakima's next council will likely be different. Only two Latina candidates ran for office this year, and just one has a lead — a narrow one — over her opponent. Yakima’s population is nearly half Latinx. Continue Reading Read More

The 2010s: Latinx Music Before And After ‘Despacito’

By NPR News November 15, 2019

Luis Fonsi (left) and Daddy Yankee perform "Despacito" during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. CREDIT: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS

It's almost impossible to pinpoint an exact moment in music history when the plates shift. But looking back at the last decade in Latin music, it's easy, now to see that the release of "Despacito" by Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi in early 2017 was just such a moment. Read More

ACTUALIZADO: Yakima Es Mitad Latino, Pero Tal Vez Ni Uno Será Parte Del Concejo Municipal

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 7, 2019

El consejo municipal de Yakima está considerando presentar a los votantes un cambio en el gobierno de la ciudad para eliminar la posición de gerente de la ciudad a favor de un alcalde electo elegido en toda la ciudad. Actualmente, la alcaldesa, Kathy Coffey (centro, fila inferior), es elegida dentro del consejo municipal. Cortesía del Ayuntamiento de Yakima.

La única candidata latina postulada para el Consejo Municipal de Yakima parece haber perdido la eleccion. En resultados preliminares, Eliana Macías perdió contra Kenton Gartrell, quien ha recibido 57 por ciento del voto. Continue Read More

UPDATE: Latinx People Make Up Half of Yakima. The City Council May End Up With No Latinx Members

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 7, 2019

The only Latina candidate running for Yakima City Council appears to have lost her bid. That means Yakima -- the population of which is nearly 50 percent Latinx -- will likely be governed by an all-white council for the first time since 2015. Read More

5 Years After Lawsuit, Votes Of Latinx Residents Are At Issue In Yakima Government Change Debate

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa November 4, 2019

Tuesday, Nov. 5 is election day, but the city of Yakima is debating what might go on its next ballot in 2020. Councilmembers are considering a proposal to put the establishment of a mayoral position to a vote. The Yakima mayor would replace the city manager’s position and be elected by the city at-large. Read More

Washington Ag Workers Are Exempt From Overtime. A State Supreme Court Case Could Change That

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa October 25, 2019

Maria Cuevas, a farmworker and community activist in Yakima, has marched in every Yakima May Day gathering since 1986, including with Cesar Chavez. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

A class-action lawsuit argued in the Washington State Supreme Court Thursday is challenging the exemption of agricultural workers from earning overtime pay, alleging that it results in racial discrimination against the largely Latino workforce. Read More

‘Alternatino’ Star Arturo Castro Wants You To Know You’re ‘Invited To The Party’

By NPR News June 24, 2019

"I really want people to know: You don't have to be Latin in order to enjoy the show," says Castro. His sketch comedy series on Comedy Central pokes fun at supposedly woke white people. Continue Reading ‘Alternatino’ Star Read More

Latino Businesses Caught In Between ‘No’ And ‘Yes’ Campaigns Of Washington Carbon Tax Measure

By Esmy Jimenez October 31, 2018

Mary’s Boutique, owned by Mario Fuentes, in Yakima. According to a public list available on “No on 1631” Mary’s Boutique is listed as a business opposed to the carbon tax initiative. Fuentes says he never gave permission for his business to be published on that list and that he is in favor I-1631. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENZ/NWPB

Some Washington Latino-owned businesses say they were wrongly put on a list that claimed they were against I-1631, a state ballot initiative seeking to tax carbon emissions. Continue Reading Latino Businesses Caught In Read More