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Barrio Battles Big Industry For Environmental Justice

Guillermo Sevilla

Fronteras: The low income San Diego neighborhood of Barrio Logan, which is closely linked to the shipbuilding industry, has been largely ignored by the city until residents fought maritime industry for a new community plan, and won. Under the Affordable Care Act, Native Americans are exempt from the mandate that requires citizens to get health insurance, but that hasn’t stopped New Mexico from trying to get consumers covered. Also, how the drought has forced some Native farmers to consider non- traditional irrigation methods and a rarely used desalting plant in Yuma could start sending water to Mexico.

The Battle For Barrio Logan

San Diego's Barrio Logan is a neighborhood that grew up alongside the shipbuilding industry and its largely Latino population is the result of Mexicans brought over to work the docks during World War II.  But the mix of industry and homes has made the air in Barrio Logan dangerous to breathe -- residents are three times more likely to have asthma than in other parts of the city.

Now after 30 years Barrio Logan has a new community plan, but the maritime industry is not happy about it. KPBS’ Sandhya  Dirks reports on the battle for Barrio Logan.

Delays for small business, Spanish language ACA enrollment

Beginning Oct. 1, individuals can pre-enroll for health insurance in the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, but federal officials say some online tools wont be ready by then. From Phoenix, Jude Joffe-Block reports this will impact states like Arizona and Texas that are using the federally-run marketplaces.

Managed Care Organizations Look To Cash In On Native American Patients

Hate it or love it, the Affordable Health Care Act is set to roll out soon. And as most already know, the act requires nearly all citizens to obtain health insurance or face penalties. But some of those exempted from the mandate are Native Americans. That hasn’t deterred private insurance companies from launching a campaign in Indian Country to sign up tribal members in New Mexico. Tristan Ahtone  reports from Albuquerque.

Drought Spurs Native Farmers To Use Non-Traditional Irrigation Methods

Severe drought has been gripping much of the southwest for years, and New Mexico has gotten the worst of it. From the Fronteras Desk at KUNM, Carrie Jung reports the lack of water is forcing many native farmers to consider more non-traditional methods of irrigation.

Yuma Desalting Plant May Send Water to Mexico

The severe drought that hit the Southwest 14 years ago is expected to continue to bring down water levels on the Colorado River.  Federal and state officials say a water shortage is possible for millions of people in Arizona and other states by 2016.  But, as KJZZ’s Steve Shadley reports, a rarely used desalting plant in Yuma could start sending water to Mexico in an effort to keep U.S. reservoirs full.

Crystal Chavez was Texas Public Radio’s Morning Edition host for three years, until January 2015.