On Fronteras:

On Fronteras-- Latinas are less likely to develop breast cancer than other ethnic groups. Now researchers think they know why. A new study shows a genetic variant may protect some Hispanic women from developing breast cancer. The largest immigrant detention facility in the country is under construction in South Texas. What’s unusual, though, is how the government bypassed the regular bidding process, giving the contract to a small Arizona town. We’ll also hear about a study of Texas mountain lions, one where researchers had to get permission from private landowners to proceed. And we’ll take a look at how altars are connecting people to those loved and lost, over the Day of the Dead events.

Texas oil companies could make a fortune in Mexico, but there's a catch: the shale plays are located in states overrun by organized crime.

On Fronteras: The attention paid to rape on college campuses has brought fraternity culture under a microscope. Some universities, and even some Greeks, are starting to confront sexual assault related to fraternity life. A journalist has been trekking the length of the entire Rio Grande in an attempt to get people to pay attention to the disappearing river. He hopes the journey will spur a serious discussion about rescuing a river that provides water to millions of people in two countries. As Mexico works to reform its energy industry, cartels are branching into fuel theft. Also, "inaugural poet" Richard Blanco talks about his memoir, "The Prince of Los Cocuyos."

On Fronteras: We look at border security and how the Texas gubernatorial candidates, Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis, differ on deploying National Guard troops to the border. This report is part of a series called Five Days in October, by KERA, The Dallas Morning News and NBC5. Three Central American families seeking asylum in the United States saw the outside of the Karnes County Residential Center for the first time in two months. We bring you their story. We speak to San Antonio writer, Ito Romo, about his collection of brutally candid short stories,"The Border is Burning." In addition, Dia de los Muertos, the Day of The Dead, is around the corner. We get a behind-the-scenes look at how a new animated film centered on the holiday made it to the big screen.

On Fronteras: Energy reform in Mexico is promising huge economic benefits for Texas...but there are big challenges ahead, including infrastructure and organized crime. New Mexico has some of the worst figures in the nation for alcohol-related illnesses and substance abuse, and so Fronteras sheds light on fetal alcohol syndrome. We'll also hear from the state climatologist about drought in Texas. And an exclusive from Marfa Public Radio: the Chinati Mountains State Natural Area in south Presidio County is finally going to be open to the public.

On Fronteras: The deadline to register to vote in the November General Election is nearing. Groups are working nationally, and in Texas, to get Latinos registered. But registering is just the first step; getting Latinos to the polls is the next challenge. Many of us do our part to help the environment. We recycle, carpool or ride bikes. But some take it further than others. We hear about a California resident who has transformed his home into a green building wonderland.

On Fronteras: We look at how an El Niño weather pattern might help out the Texas drought this fall. Mexico is opening its energy sector to foreign participation for the first time since 1938. That has two towns, in two countries, wanting to harness geography and oil industry experience for each other’s benefit. One of the first things newly nationalized citizens do is register to vote. In San Diego, there’s one third party growing faster than the rest. We explore why. And something strange is happening at the busiest port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Border wait times are plummeting at the San Diego-Tijuana border crossing.

On Fronteras: New HUD Secretary Julian Castro says he wants to lower rents and help more people attain the dream of home ownership. The number of babies born with drug addictions has risen over the last decade or so in New Mexico. We look at efforts to encourage pregnant mothers with drug addictions to get help. Senator John Cornyn’s re-election campaign is looking beyond November, to the future of the Republican Party in Texas. Also, Commentator Yvette Benavides weighs in on Mattel’s Mariachi Barbie. The doll has already made waves on social media.

Fronteras: Tino Duran, publisher of San Antonio bilingual newspaper La Prensa, just went public with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Duran’s daughter Nina joins us on Fronteras to talk about her father and the family’s journey with Alzheimer’s. Imagine traveling the entire Rio Grande, just you, a canoe and some paddles. A couple of journalists are doing just that. We check in on the progress of the Disappearing Rio Grande Expedition.