The Latino Card

This is the final part of the two-part interview with candidates for Boise mayor Mike Masterson and Lauren McLean. JJ Saldaña and Rachel Spacek ask the candidates the hard questions about policing, how they will address issues that disproportionately affect the Latino community in Boise, and of course, their knowledge about delicious Mexican food in Boise. Antonio Hernandez produced this episode and Rebecca De León contributes to context.

JJ Saldaña and Rachel Spacek interview incumbent mayor Lauren McLean and challenger Mike Masterson and ask them why they are running to be the mayor of Boise, and drill them on issues important to Latinos such as affordable housing, and what they'll do for Latinos in Boise. Part 1 of 2.

This episode starts with a dedication to JJ Saldaña, who tragically passed away just days after the recording. We at The Latino Card are absolutely heartbroken, as he was the star of the show, and a very dear friend and advocate for our community. We love you, JJ.

Co-host Antonio Hernandez chats with bicultural counselor Cristina Medrano. After relocating from Mexico to Idaho at 12, Cristina rose to become Nampa High's student body vice president. With her expertise in assisting culturally diverse and Spanish-speaking children and adults, Cristina shares valuable insights on supporting our Latinx community for the upcoming school year.

JJ and Antonio explore the depth of community involvement, reflecting on their volunteer beginnings and offering tips for engagement, highlighted by JJ's revelation of his trilingual talents.

JJ and Antonio delve into the drama of the City of Nampa's takeover of the Hispanic Cultural Center, pausing for a nostalgic reflection on Antonio's quinceañera, before unpacking the events that led to this transition and pondering the center's future.

Erica Rodarte Costa, Legal Fellow at the ACLU of Idaho, shares insights into their bombshell report on how discrimination against Latine students is built into policy culture at public schools in Canyon County, causing JJ's jaw to literally drop on the floor.

Stephanie Sánchez, Community Arts Coordinator at the Morrison Center, shares why art is important to bringing people together, how she got involved in flamenco and why it's important for her connection to her indigenous heritage, why the Morrison Center is hosting mariachi Christmas, and why JJ and Antonio dancing on radio without visuals is a bad idea.

Co-host Antonio Hernandez interviews journalist and Voces intern Richard Rodriguez, who reported on the University of Idaho murders for Boise State Public Radio while he was a student there. Join us as we dig deep into how Richard views reporting on that and the Latine community as someone personally affected by the issues.

Sal and Becca Alamilla, co-owners of Amano in Caldwell, talk to co-hosts Antonio Hernandez and JJ Saldaña about what led to their restaurant's success, and drop some big announcements about their future.

Co-hosts JJ Saldaña and Antonio Hernandez talk to Ismael Mendoza-Medina, Bilingual/Bicultural Project Coordinator for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Ismael is central to coordinating this year's Día de los Niños, a huge event to celebrate children at Cecil D. Andrus Park on April 30, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m. This event emphasizes the importance of literacy and reading fun for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds through bilingual storytime, family literacy fairs, community events, and more.