On this episode, we talk with the people behind Iowa's two Latino film festivals. The Des Moines Latino Film Festival just held its sixth annual event on April 11. Antonio Romero of the Latino Center of Iowa and Ben Godar of Varsity Cinema, who co-present the festival, share how their partnership has reshaped the festival the last couple years, and their hopes for the future. Then, we get a preview of the inaugural Aqui y Alla Latin American Film Festival happening May 1-3 at Filmscene in Iowa City with programming director Ben Delgado and festival committee member Ariana Martinez. Also, poets JD Schraffenberger and Sean Thomas Dougherty join to discuss their recently published "chapbook" of golden shovel-formatted poems that were inspired by the work of James Hearst.
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Two new exhibitions at the Dubuque Museum of Art rethink representation through Indigenous, Latinx and community-centered storytelling. Then, two sisters organize an annual Thanksgiving day giveaway of pies, no questions asked. -
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took Armando Garcia Picazo into custody in August. Authorities wouldn't release him even though an immigration judge approved his bond. He sued to be released. This week, a federal judge ruled in his favor. -
The Iowa City Bike Library is working to broaden who a cyclist is and reduce barriers to biking.
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Comedian and actor Maria Bamford is very open about her personal struggles with mental illness, and shares more dysfunctional family stories than she probably should.
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The Day of the Dead is celebrated primarily Nov. 1 and 2. Families celebrate the Mexican holiday by gathering together, building altars called ofrendas and honoring deceased family members by sharing memories, food and gifts. -
Studies show that ELL students, or English language learners, are at a higher risk of dropping out due to the challenges they face. A teacher in one western Iowa district inspired her students to stay in school. In fact, some of them are still there.
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The Iowa State Fair is known for its creative food and passionate politics, and in this week's News Buzz, we sample from both. -
Hampton police are investigating anti-immigrant signs posted on the doors of Latino-owned businesses in the north-central Iowa town. -
Dementia, including Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, affects Latinos at a higher rate than whites.
