Archive - Apr 2010

• Democrat plan for immigration reform focuses on border security
• Health care reform fixes for pre-existing conditions, high premiums to go into effect
• On 35th anniversary of end to Vietnam War, toxic legacy continues
• Surge of participants in immigrant marches after Arizona legislation
• Women in rural India take larger role in agriculture

• Gulf oil spill reaches shore
• Another energy company in trouble for environmental violations
• Arts funding slashed in GA, nationwide
• Journalist found alive after paramilitary ambush in Mexico
• Japan issues arrest warrant for anti-whaling activist

In Washington, Senate Democrats officially released their proposal to overhaul the immigration system. It's become a priority for Democrats since Arizona passed its harsh immigration law. As FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports, the plan has a prominent focus on border security.

In health care reform news, today is the deadline for states to tell Health and Human Services whether they want to run their own high-risk insurance pools or let the federal government establish a program in the state. There’s $5 billion in federal funding for the programs, which would help people with pre-existing conditions get coverage.

Today marks the 35 anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War but the toxic legacy of that war continues. From 1961 to 1971, the US dropped tens of thousands of liters of dioxin chemicals, known as Agent Orange, on the mountains and fields of Vietnam. This week, Activists are stepping up efforts to bring attention to the millions of people – both in the US and in Vietnam – still suffering from exposure.

Azadeh Shahshahani is co-chair of the International Committee with the National Lawyers Guild and she's part of the delegation that visited lawmakers this week to push for legislation.

Tens of thousands of immigrants and their allies will attend May Day events across the country tomorrow. An estimated 80 marches and rallies are taking place across in the United States, but the biggest may be in Los Angeles. Event coordinators expect to see a surge of people marching this year due to the immigrant legislation that was passed in Arizona. Dolores M. Bernal brings us this report.

May Day, or International Workers Day, will also be celebrated internationally to recognize the achievements of the labor movement and the ongoing struggle for workers rights. In honor of May Day, today we’re going to India to look at a growing women’s movement in the countryside. Nearly 60 percent of Indians depend on agriculture for their livelihood. But government investment and young workers have flowed to more lucrative industries in the country’s expanding urban centers. The result is that women are stepping in to take larger roles in villages that have been traditionally dominated by men. From Uttar Pradesh, reporter Alissa Figueroa has the story.