On Fronteras: New HUD Secretary Julian Castro says he wants to lower rents and help more people attain the dream of home ownership. The number of babies born with drug addictions has risen over the last decade or so in New Mexico. We look at efforts to encourage pregnant mothers with drug addictions to get help. Senator John Cornyn’s re-election campaign is looking beyond November, to the future of the Republican Party in Texas. Also, Commentator Yvette Benavides weighs in on Mattel’s Mariachi Barbie. The doll has already made waves on social media.
Mothers in New Mexico Fight Stigma Of Drug Addiction to Get Help for Babies
The number of babies born addicted to drugs has risen sharply over the last decade or so in New Mexico. KUNM’s Public Health reporter Marisa Demarco brings us this story about how stigma surrounding addiction and pregnancy is contributing to the increase.
Sen. Cornyn Hopes To Build GOP Support With Minority Outreach
Senator John Cornyn’s re-election campaign is looking beyond November, to the future of the Texas Republican Party, if it doesn’t attract minorities. Sen. Cornyn’s wide lead over three opponents and his enormous war chest have given him the luxury of waging a non-traditional campaign. KERA’s Shelley Kofler reports he’s putting his energy into a minority outreach effort he sees as essential to keeping Texas, red.
*You can read about Cornyn’s opponent Democrat David Alameel at keranews.org
Castro’s HUD Priorities Include Lowering Rents and Increasing Home Ownership
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, former San Antonio mayor, gave his first major speech in his new position this week. He said he wants to lower rents and help more Americans reach the dream of home ownership. Texas Public Radio’s Ryan Loyd joins the program to give us more details on Castro’s priorities for HUD.
Fronteras Commentator Weighs in on Mattel, Inc.'s Mariachi Barbie
Few items in American pop culture are more iconic than Barbie. Launched in 1959, Barbie and her clique of friends is a staple of fashion play for children. The latest addition to Barbie’s posse – Mariachi Barbie - can be seen as an attempt to reach out to the growing Latino demographic. But as Fronteras commentator Yvette Benavides reminds us – the first four letters in dollar spell “doll.”
*Benavides is a San Antonio writer and a professor of English at Our Lady of the Lake University.
