Newscast for Friday, January 16, 2009

• El Salvador Holds Historic Elections Amid Violence
• US Interference in Salvadoran Elections Diminishes
• Mexican Police Violence Makes Immigration More Dangerous
• Equal Pay is on its Way
• "Huey - A Memory" Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal

El Salvador Holds Historic Elections Amid Violence
Millions of Salvadorans will vote for new mayors and Congress members this Sunday. Some are calling it the most contested election since 1992. The two largest parties, the leftist FMLN and the rightist ARENA, concluded their campaigns but in a violent context. Hundreds of international observers have arrived to the Central American country to verify clean elections. But as Ricardo Martínez reports, violence and intimidation could factor into the results.

US Interference in Salvadoran Elections Diminishes
As Ricardo Martinez just reported, international observers are in El Salvador to monitor the election, including officials from the United States. The US has historically taken a prominent role in El Salvador's politics. But things are changing. To find out what's different in this election cycle, we talk to Geoff Thale, the Program Director of the Washington Office on Latin America. Before joining WOLA, he founded and directed the El Salvador Policy Project in Washington. Geoff Thale, thanks for joining us.

Click here for the 14:31 minute long version of this segment

Mexican Police Violence Makes Immigration More Dangerous
Southern Mexico has long been a risky area for Central American migrants hoping to reach the United States. Migrants carrying cash to pay smugglers are often the targets of extortion or armed robberies. They're targeted by corrupt police or organized criminals along the routes traditionally used to pass northwards through Mexico. But the four deaths that occurred this past week are unusual even for these dangerous paths. Shannon Young has the story.

Equal Pay is on its Way
A bill that would make it easier for employees to sue for discrimination is making its way through Congress. The Lilly Ledbetter Pay Restoration Act would reverse a 2007 Supreme Court ruling on the statute of limitations for such claims. That ruling was criticized, since employees often don't know they're being paid less than their coworkers until after the statute of limitations runs out. FSRN's Karen Miller has more.

"Huey - A Memory" Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal
Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award-winning journalist who chronicles the human condition. He has been a resident of Pennsylvania’s death row for twenty-five years. Writing from his solitary confinement cell his essays have reached a worldwide audience. His books "Live From Death Row", "Death Blossoms", "All Things Censored", “Faith of Our Fathers” and the recently released “We Want Freedom” have sold over 150,000 copies and been translated into nine languages. His 1982-murder trial and subsequent conviction have been the subject of great debate.