Week # Air Date, 5/13/2007

Segment #1 ABORTION IN MEXICO

In Mexico, powerful emotions are being unleashed following Mexico City's decision to legalize early-term abortions. One city lawmaker says, 'A new atmosphere of freedom for women has arrived.' The historic measure only applies to Mexico City. Before it became the law, abortions were available only under extreme circumstances of rape or incest. Women deciding to end their pregnancies faced jail sentences. With the abortion law now firmly in place, conservatives and the Catholic Church are joining forces in a backlash against the leftist mayor and his political party responsible for passing the controversial measure. Latino USA's Mexico City Bureau Chief Franc Contreras reports. (3:24)

Segment #2 2 WAY: CATHOLICS FOR A FREE CHOICE

Latino USA's Maria Hinojosa speaks with Dr. Marysa Navarro, Chair of Board for Catholics for a Free Choice about the abortion vote in Mexico. (Self-contained 4:44)

Segment #3 Commentary: PRO-LIFE

Commentator Maricela Lupercio believes that life should always be given a chance, even if it means a life of struggle. (1:58)

Back Announce:

Maricela Lupercio is the Director of Latinos For Life in Fresno, California.

Segment #4 NEW ORLEANS RECONSTRUCTION

Twenty months after Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans is still struggling to recover. There is hope that tourism can help rebound this historic city, and last week, tens of thousands of people attended the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. It's an event that pours millions of dollars into the economy. In the first of a series of reports from the Big Easy' independent producer Reese Erlich visited the festival and spoke with New Orleans musicians to get their perspectives on the city's recovery and what needs to be done. He began his journey driving through a nearly deserted section of New Orleans with a member of a local band called the Iguanas. (6:37)

Back Announce:

Reese Erlich's jazz perspectives can be found online at Jazzcorner.com