News (Noticias) Tagged ‘Quad-Cities’

WKBF-AM (1270) has new owners, but for the first time in numerous format changes for the Quad-City radio stalwart, it will not be as noticeable to listeners.

The station has signed on as “La Jefa,” Spanish for the female boss. It continues a format of Hispanic music.

Victoria and Emilio Duran of Clarion, Iowa, calling themselves La Jefa Latino Broadcasting, purchased the station for $680,000 from Wisconsin broadcaster Randy Melchert’s company, Quad-Cities Media.”*

With rumors flying and fears that last week’s immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, may be only the start of more of the same, the Hispanic community in the Quad-Cities is gearing up to protect itself.

Last Sunday, after the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Davenport, church deacon Julian Gutierrez passed out literature telling the parish’s largely Hispanic congregation what their rights are if they should face questioning by federal authorities about their immigration status.

Olga Sanchez of Moline is helping to organize a similar distribution effort as the Mexican Consulate visits Rock Island County in early June to allow Mexican nationals to apply for passports and identification documents.”*

“While presidential hopeful New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson talked Tuesday about helping the middle class, he couldnt help noticing a baby crying in the audience.

“You know that little kid who’s not listening to me — Im noticing that,” said Mr. Richardson, mocking an angry face that caused the audience to laugh.”

“Antonio Varela, 14, of Moline, and Eveleidy Mendoza, 15, of Rock Island, represent the future of the Quad-Cities, but on Saturday they also learned they are the present.

They were among about 175 youth and adults attending a day-long immigration workshop, `Working for Change: Immigration — A Human Issue` at the Moline Community Center.”

“The Hispanic population in Scott County and nearby Rock Island County in Illinois has grown 82 percent since 1990.
Immigration officials say that about one-third of those who have arrived in the past 15 years came without proper documentation. They were lured by the hope of jobs and friends and family members who were living successfully in the Quad-Cities.”

“The Peoria Diocese, which oversees all of the Illinois Quad-Cities’ Catholic churches, has about 240,000 parishioners in 26 counties. Bishop Daniel Jenky estimates there are 80,000 Hispanic Catholics spread throughout the diocese.

Rev. Pilon said estimates show Hispanics will make up 40 percent of the diocese by 2050.

He said there is a connection of faith for many Hispanics.”

“Since about 1980, KALA 88.5 FM and 105.5 FM has been offering Spanish-language programing, news, community announcements and consumer news to its listeners.

The station, which spans a 20-mile radius of the Quad-Cities, is “the only local source, the only local programming available in Spanish,” said David Baker, St. Ambrose’s director of audio productions.”

“Ezequiel CantÚ knows what it’s like to feel different.

His short brown hair, Asian-looking eyes, fair skin and red lips deter some people from thinking he is Mexican.

Mr. CantÚ, a 15-year-old freshman at Rock Island High School, finds support for his heritage at a twice-weekly meeting of Latinos Unidos, a dropout prevention group whose name means “Latins United.” There he meets others like himself who have the same struggles he does — struggling to assimilate, struggling to get along, struggling to make it.”

“LULAC Council 10 held its annual children’s Christmas party for about 70 children who played games and visited with Santa.

The sounds of happy chatter filled the large room that was decorated with a Christmas tree and other seasonal items. U.S. and Mexican flags hung on the wall. Guests enjoy hot dogs and nachos while two piñatas provided some traditional and well-received merry-making….”

Please note some (many) sites require registration. Many times it is free.

article in English / artí­culo en Ingles o en Español usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

from hispanictips.com :: hispanic news & commentary