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On Fronteras: Anti-Muslim Backlash, Syrians Resettle In Texas, Prepping For El Niño

Jeffrey McWhorter
/
AP

    

Anti-Muslim Climate In Dallas Area

A backlash against American Muslims is on the rise again after the terrorist attacks in Paris and last week's attacks in San Bernardino, California. Advocates say the number of hate crimes and harassment incidents today is nearly as bad as it was in the weeks after September 11th, 2001.

An anti-Muslim climate seems especially inflamed in the Dallas area, where two protests, one pro-Islam and one against, are planned this weekend.  NPR’s John Burnett has more on what’s happening there.

Here's the story.

Healing In The Wake Of Gun Violence

The deadly gun violence in California and Colorado has people on edge.  In Albuquerque, people gathered in support of Planned Parenthood in response to the fatal attack on a clinic in their neighboring state where three people died. But just hours before the vigil, the shootings in San Bernardino happened.  Fronteras reporter Marisa Demarco of KUNM brings us the story of how people begin to talk and heal in the wake of gun violence.

Here's the story.

Syrians Resettle As Former DHS Chiefs Defend Screening Process

At least two families of Syrians arrived in Dallas and Houston this week, something Texas Governor Greg Abbott is trying to stop by suing the federal government and a refugee resettlement agency.  But the case stalled in court, allowing the refugees to arrive.  Since the Paris attacks, there’s concern a terrorist might pose as a Syrian refugee and get into the United States that way.  But as KERA’s Stella Chavez reports, former Department of Homeland Security Chiefs are confident the screening process for refugees is safe and secure. 

Here's the story.

Syrian Refugee Family Calls America Home Now

So far U.S. State Department records show Texas and California have resettled more Syrian refugees than other states since that country’s civil war began in 2011.  About 250 are now living here, including two dozen families in the northern part of the state. KERA’s Christopher Connelly revisited a family he earlier profiled on Fronteras and asked about the refugee screening process. 

Here's the story.

Border Cities Prepare For Heavy El Niño Rains

Turning now to the west coast where weather forecasters are predicting a massive El Niño will soak southern California and Mexico this winter.  Both San Diego and Tijuana are taking steps to minimize the impending damage.  KPBS Fronteras reporter Jean Guerrero looks at what is being done in Mexico and along the border. Funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting made this story possible. 

Here's the story.

Virginia joined Texas Public Radio in September, 2015. Prior to hosting and producing Fronteras for TPR, she worked at WBOI in Indiana to report on often overlooked stories in the community. Virginia began her reporting career at the Statehouse in Salem, OR, and has reported for the Northwest News Network and Oregon Public Broadcasting.