How the Chicago suburb of Berwyn is boosting civic engagement and financial transparency through participatory budgeting, inspired by successful initiatives in Edinburg, Texas.

Learn how residents are gaining a voice in local spending decisions and rebuilding trust in government.

Lincoln, NE - Thousands of protesters attended the ‘No Kings’ day demonstration on Saturday.  This nationwide protest denounced President #Trump’s military parade and policies. A common theme was criticizing the Trump administration's immigration policy and treatment of immigrants.   

Jessica Meza reports

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests trees and native species as a viable method to reduce flooding (while also removing harmful pollutants in water at the same time). 

Julia Klee of Spoke Pockette Farm, built a pocket forest in her yard. A pocket forest is a densely planted collection of trees and shrubs; they have a host of benefits, including carbon sequestering and runoff reduction.

Klee spoke with Illinois Latino News contributor, Britton Struthers.  

Dr. Martha Muñoz is an evolutionary biologist. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University and an Assistant Curator in the Division of Vertebrate Zoology at the Yale Peabody Museum.

Dr. Muñoz spoke with Connect Latino News’ Belen Dumont about her work and family.

Sandi Bianchi, death doula — or una guía del fin de vida

María Santonastaso is an educator who leads her classroom by incorporating literacy, research, and creative components. She emphasizes the importance of play-based learning, comprehensive learning, and classroom collaboration in her teaching.

RI Latino News’ Belen Dumont spoke with Santonastaso about providing her students with a strong foundation that prepares them for a lifetime of learning.

According to the NALEO Education Fund, Latinos make up 28 percent of Nevada's population, and one in every five registered voters in the state is Latino. With Nevada being a crucial swing state in November's election, the Latino vote has become increasingly important.

LNN's Alexandra Couraud spoke with Rico Cortez, a Mexican American living in northern Nevada. He was raised by a single mother, Rebecca Guerrero, and his Latino roots, along with growing up with a strong matriarch, have shaped his political views. “Women's rights are super important to me because women raised me. Women brought me into this world,” Cortez stated.

On this episode of LNN Spotlight, Writer/Editor Belén Dumont speaks with AARP New Hampshire State Director Christina FitzPatrick about family caregiving.

The topics include

On Monday, September 16, the Chicago Cubs hosted a Hispanic and Latino Heritage Celebration at Wrigley Field which included pregame festivities.

Marija Kraljevic was there reporting for Illinois Latino News.