The Hill—Holder sentencing move shows new willingness to engage on race
Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement of significant changes in the Justice Department’s pursuit of mandatory minimum sentences highlights a new willingness on the part of the Obama administration to engage on issue of race. Read more here...
The Times-Picayune— National Council of La Raza annual conference was held in New Orleans: Nuestro Pueblo
The 2013 National Council of La Raza held its annual conference last month for the first time at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. It opened with the cutting of the ribbon at the free expo attended by a large group of children from New Orleans who shared the spotlight with Nickelodeon characters Dora the Explorer, her cousin Diego, NCLR's CEO Janet Murguia and Board Chairman Jorge Plasencia, the first Cuban-American to lead the organization Board. Read more here…
VOXXI— Immigration reform supporters tu ‘turn up the heat’
When House Republicans go home at the end of this week for the month-long summer recess, they will be greeted by immigration reform supporters who will be “turning up the heat” on their efforts to push for reform. Read more here…
NBC Politics—Immigration reform activists seize on 'moral tone' of civil rights movement
Fifty years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic call for racial equality in the March on Washington, immigration reform activists are seizing on his "moral tone" in their fight for laws easing a pathway to citizenship. Read more here...
Associated Press—Latinos inspired by 1963 march to push for rights
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — As thousands of marchers made their way to the nation's capital in August 1963 for what was officially billed as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Maria Varela stayed put in the Deep South with no plans to participate. Read more here…
NBC Latino— “We’ve got a crisis” – Obama reveals sweeping proposals to lower college costs
In an effort to lower rising college costs, President Obama is proposing sweeping changes, including a new ratings system designed to judge schools on affordability, rewarding colleges for enrolling and graduating low- and moderate-income students, and strengthening academic progress requirements for students receiving aid. Read more here...
The Hill—Business groups upbeat on fall deal to move immigration bill (video)
Business groups say their grassroots efforts to build support for an immigration overhaul are paying off and making them increasingly optimistic that Congress will complete comprehensive legislation this fall. Read more here...
The Kansas City Star—We have much to do to achieve the goals of 1963 March on Washington
Fifty years ago, black Americans struggled to overcome obstacles in order to vote. The thought of becoming president was a dream deferred. Until 2008. Read more here…
The Hill—Trayvon, voting rights expected to dominate MLK march event
Organizers say as many as 100,000 people will descend on the National Mall Saturday as a week of commemorations begin for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Read more here...
San Antonio Express-News—Immigration reform fight likely going to committee
WASHINGTON — After floor speeches, sound bites and town hall meetings, the fate of immigration reform in Congress could come down to this: A few senators and a few House members closeted together, away from the cameras, forging the details of a bill they believe they can get passed by each chamber. Read more here…
National Journal—Voting Rights Act, Immigration Reform on the Agenda for 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington
For black and Hispanic leaders, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington offers not only a chance to commemorate the civil-rights movement, but also an opportunity to make a high-profile push for some of their top public-policy priorities. Read more here…
USA Today—March on Washington events have broader goals this time
It's been a half-century since Alix Dobkin, 73, came to the March on Washington. Now she is coming back to march again — albeit older and a bit changed, much like the modern-day civil rights movement. Read more here...
Huffington Post—New Report Uncovers Housing Discrimination Against the Latino Community
Every year, there are more than four million incidents of housing discrimination that occur in the United States. Yet these incidents are tremendously underreported, particularly within the Latino community. A new NCLR and Equal Rights Center (ERC) report, "Puertas Cerradas: Housing Barriers for Hispanics," takes a closer look at the housing experience of Hispanics in three Southern cities: Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; and San Antonio, Texas. Read more here...
Variety—MSNBC To Broadcast Latino Entertainment Awards
MSNBC will air a two hours of live programming related to an awards program celebrating Latino contributions to entertainment as part of a broader partnership between parent NBCUniversal and the National Council of La Raza, a civil-rights and advocacy organization. Read more here...
Politico—Obama’s missed chances on housing
Barack Obama swept into office on the heels of a housing crisis, promising to help struggling homeowners meet their mortgage payments with the same vigor the government used taxpayer bailouts to help Wall Street banks survive. Read more here...
CNN—Immigration activists aren't taking a recess
Washington (CNN) - Several dozen town halls featuring Republican members of Congress will be one of the focuses this week for advocates pushing for comprehensive immigration reform, as well as those who will strongly fight to prevent it from passing the House this fall. Read more here...
FOX—House Republicans feel summer recess heat on immigration
House Republicans are facing heavy pressure from both sides of the immigration debate as they return to their home districts for August recess with no clear indication as to how they’ll vote on the issue. Read more here...
Chicago Tribune—Activists mobilize for busy August on immigration, Obamacare
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - August might not be much of a recess for U.S. lawmakers weary from bruising budget fights and nomination showdowns: the break promises a frenzy of meetings in their home districts with activists trying to pressure them on immigration and health care reform. Read more here...
USA Today—GOP will feel heat at home in August on immigration
WASHINGTON — As they prepare to leave the Capitol for a month-long August recess, Republican members of the House of Representatives are taking with them legislative summaries and informational packets to tackle tough questions in their districts about immigration. Read more here...
Charlotte Observer—She’s head of Latin American Coalition – and doesn’t speak much Spanish
The head of Charlotte’s Latin American Coalition intends to be arrested Thursday in Washington, D.C. Read more here…
Las Vegas Sun—National Hispanic group rethinks voter turnout strategy
Last week, various civic organizations announced plans for turning out Hispanic voters for the 2014 election. Read more here…
EFE—Telemundo entregará premios especiales a Daddy Yankee y Eva Longoria
Miami.- La actriz Eva Longoria y el reguetonero Daddy Yankee recibirán dos galardones especiales durante la gala de los Premios Tu Mundo, que tendrá lugar el próximo jueves en Miami y está organizada por la cadena Telemundo. Read more here…
Huffpost Voces—Premios Tu Mundo 2013: Eva Longoria recibirá un galardón especial 'ALMA de Tu Mundo'
Telemundo anunció una sorpresa: Eva Longoria y Daddy Yankee recibirán dos premios especiales en los "Premios Tu Mundo" 2013. Read more here…
La Opinion—EEUU crea red para informar sobre reforma de salud
Washington - El Departamento de Salud anunció hoy que concederá $67 millones a 105 organizaciones y centros médicos de la mayor parte del país para que informen en persona a los ciudadanos que tengan dudas sobre las nuevas opciones de seguros de salud que estarán disponibles el 1 de octubre. Read more here…
Associated Press—Conmemoración de marcha de 1963 abordará migración
WASHINGTON (AP) — La conmemoración de la marcha que Martin Luther King Jr. encabezara hace 50 años en la capital estadounidense destacará la necesidad de una reforma migratoria que incluya la opción de la naturalización para 11 millones de inmigrantes sin papeles, dijeron el miércoles sus organizadores. Read more here…
Univision—Católicos escriben a congresistas para que aprueben la reforma migratoria comprensiva
Faltando dos semanas para que concluya el receso de verano, católicos del estado de Florida (sureste de Estados Unidos) anunciaron una campaña nacional de mensajes al Congreso para que la Cámara de Representantes apruebe una reforma migratoria comprensiva. Read more here…
NBC Latino—Progressives announce launch to fight back Obamacare opponents
As Congress heads into summer recess, progressives want to take the health care debate to the grassroots – and fight back opposition the landmark health legislation. Read more here…
New Haven Register —Latinos More Likely to Face Discrimination in Housing
Latinos seeking to buy or rent a home are more likely to encounter discrimination, according to recent reports, which has prompted a state housing agency to investigate the severity of trend in Connecticut. Despite federal laws against housing discrimination, the problem persists around the state, officials said. Read more here…
The Times-Picayune Online—New Orleans personalities honored by National Council of La Raza: Nuestro Pueblo
Two New Orleans personalities were honored at the National Council of La Raza's awards gala, the closing event of the 2013 NCLR annual conference, on July 23 at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans. Read more here…
NBC Latino—In Congress, looming battle over food stamps program
Guadalupe Bernal, a 42-year-old mother of two from San Antonio, Texas, never had to rely on food stamps until the recent recession. She used to work a factory job in Ohio with a steady income but relocated to Texas after losing her job. Bernal works part-time as a cashier at Walmart and is trying to enroll in school so she can acquire new skills to get a better-paying job. Read more here…
The Times-Picayune Online—Girl Scouts CEO is honored in New Orleans for promoting the interests of Hispanic Americans: Nuestro Pueblo
Girl Scouts Louisiana East welcomed its national chief executive officer Anna Maria Chávez to New Orleans at a luncheon on July 24 at the council’s headquarters in Jefferson. Chávez was in New Orleans for the National Council of La Raza's annual convention where she was honored with the Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award for her contribution in promoting the interests of Hispanic Americans. Read more here…
NBC Latino—Latinos among those hit the hardest by Head Start cuts
Mary Capello is President and CEO of the Texas Migrant Council, an organization under the Migrant Head Start Association umbrella. Their program is one of the top ten largest in the nation but couldn’t escape the hardships striking Head Starts everywhere. They had to get rid of 338 slots and cut spending by $4 million. But that’s not all, Capello says. The school day will now end two hours earlier and the summer term will end two weeks early. Read more here…
NBC Latino—Latino leaders push for civil rights at March on Washington 50th anniversary
Five decades after Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his seminal “I Have a Dream” speech, Latino leaders are standing in the same spot to call for civil rights for Hispanics. Read more here…
Huffpost Latino Voices—Michelle Obama Heads To 'Sabado Gigante' To Address Childhood Obesity Among Hispanics
Michelle Obama is planning to reach out to the Hispanic community in a ‘giant’ way.
In an appearance on Univision’s variety show “Sábado Gigante” (Giant Saturday) this weekend, the First Lady plans to promote her Let’s Move! national initiative and address the high obesity rates among Hispanic children, according to the Associated Press. Read more here...
The White House Blog—The President’s Plan to Tackle College Costs – An Early Look at What Stakeholders are Saying
Yesterday at the University of Buffalo, as part of his plan to offer a better bargain for the middle class, President Obama announced an ambitious new agenda to combat rising college costs, make college more affordable, and improve value for students and their families. As the President said in his speech, just tinkering around the edges won’t be enough. If we’re really serious about making sure that all qualified students have access to a quality and affordable college education, we have to fundamentally rethink how higher education is paid for in this country, shake up the system and build on innovation. Read more here...
Latinos Post —Hispanic Heritage Foundation to Honor Eva Longoria and Diego Luna
Actress and entrepreneur Eva Longoria and actor and director Diego Luna will receive the 26th Hispanic Heritage Awards, the Huffington Post reported. Among the winners are chef José Andrés and musical group Los Tigres del Norte, according to Fox News Latino. Read more here…