Norma Martinez

News Anchor

Norma Martinez is a native of El Paso and a veteran of public broadcasting. She began volunteering at the El Paso public radio station KTEP as a college student in 1989. She spent a year as a Morning Edition host and reporter at KRWG-FM in Las Cruces, New Mexico, before returning to KTEP as a full-time employee in 1995. At KTEP, Norma served as Morning Edition host, chief announcer, Traffic Director, PSA Director, and host and producer of various local shows.

Norma also voiced numerous commercials and worked part-time as a DJ at country, adult contemporary, and classic rock stations in El Paso.

Norma is a 1993 graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, earning a BA in Music Performance. She spent 23 years as a cellist with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and currently plays with the all-volunteer South Texas Symphonic Orchestra in San Antonio.

Ways to Connect

Fronteras: National Guard On Border; Tarrant County; Border Mural ; & 'Tacos Literacy'

By • Apr 20, 2018
tacoliteracy on Instagram

This week on Fronteras, National Guard troops arrive on the border, and students expand their knowledge of Mexican food culture through “taco literacy”’

  • President Trump has called for National Guard members to deploy to the U.S.-Mexico border. Troops are making their way into South Texas (0:00).
  • Tarrant County partners with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce immigration law (4:28).
  • A mural of a Mexican abuela peers down on the West Texas border town of Presidio (9:00).
  • Students gain insight into Mexican-American culture through “taco Literacy” (12:47).


'Latino Faces' Pop-Art Exhibit Opens In San Antonio

By • Apr 13, 2018
Norma Martinez / Texas Public Radio

Finding the Art Legacy Gallery in San Antonio is a challenge. Located at 18503 Sigma, it’s in the lobby of a strip mall with no signage declaring its existence.

But upon entering, you’re greeted by a Warhol-inspired, pop-art portrait of an older man sticking out his tongue. What’s most striking is his bright pink tongue and blue shirt. Everything else is gray. That’s famed author Gabriel García Márquez.


Fronteras Extra: 'We Did Everything We Could To Honor ... His Sacrifice'

By • Apr 13, 2018
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Mario R. Ortiz, district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has been working for the agency for 30 years. In that time, he’s heard countless stories of inspiration from the immigrants he’s encountered while processing their applications for green cards or citizenship.

Ortiz was particularly touched by a noncitizen he was not able to help.

Fronteras: 'Incredible Stories Of Courage And Faith' & 'Latino Faces' Exhibit

By • Apr 13, 2018
Norma Martinez / Texas Public Radio

This week on Fronteras we look at issues of legal immigration, and a new art exhibit that pays tribute to Latino culture.

  • Representatives from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services talk about evolving immigration law and how it affects the application process for legal entry into the U.S. (0:00).
  • Artist Analy Diego’s new exhibit “Latino Faces” is a pop-art tribute to the contribution of Latinos around the world (16:27).


Fronteras: Mexican-American Studies On Border; SpaceX In Brownsville; & Marley Lizama

By • Apr 6, 2018
Marlon Lizama

Despite a strong Hispanic presence, not much Mexican-American history is being taught in public schools along the border — that is, until now.  

  • On this episode of Fronteras, students in El Paso are learning more about a previously unknown chapter of history (0:17).
  • Also on this episode, a SpaceX facility in Brownsville has yet to be completed but residents there are worried if the company’s promises of a launch facility will go unfulfilled (5:34).
  • And finally, Houston poet and performer Marley Lizama talks about how his mother’s unconventional punishments led him to poetry, and how hip hop helped him find his voice (10:57).


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