Week # Air Date

Two Hispanic candidates in Texas battle for the governorship. We start off today with a report on Latino politics, from Texas, where for the first time ever two Hispanic candidates are vying for democratic nomination for governor. It was supposed to be the race that demonstrated the importance of the states Latino electorate. But as the candidates bicker over who is being more negative and whether they will debate before the March 12 primary, many people wonder whether this campaign is really advancing the Latino political process.

It's a year of firsts for Americans at the Winter Olympics. Speed skater Derek Parra became the first Mexican American to win gold and a silver medal in speed skating. Cuban American Jennifer a Rodriguez also won two bronze medals in that sport. Latino USA caught up with the 24-year old Rodriguez after her second win.

The music of the great Mexican composer Oscar Chavez. (Cuando pienso en Chiapas) The voice is that the Mexican cantautor, or singer-songwriter, Oscar Chavez. For more than forty years, and on more 100 recordings, Oscar Chavez has written countless songs about the experiences of ordinary Mexicans. He's made fun of the powerful and the corrupt. And he celebrates the traditional music of his country.

The real Miguel Pinero -- Puerto Rican poet. The new film Pinero immortalizes the life of the late poet, playwright, actor, and outlaw Miguel Pinero. It stars Benjamin Bratt as the Nuyorican who died in 1988, when he was just 41 years old. It was life that took Pinero from the barrios of New York, to prison, to Hollywood. Latino USA's Mandalit del Barco profiles the real Miguel Pinero.