Get ready to double your dose of Latino radio programming.
NPR’s Latino USA, led by award winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, will expand to one hour according to a press statement released Thursday morning. The previously half-hour nationally syndicated public radio program is the longest running Latino-focused show and will celebrate its 20th year on air with new voices and recurring segments.
Latino USA extended programming is set to begin this Friday Sept. 6 and will continue to cover cultural and political topics relevant to the ever-growing Latino population in the United States.
“For 20 years, Latino USA has reported on Latinos with an authentic voice,” Hinojosa said in the press release. “With the demographic reality showing that the U.S. is becoming increasingly Latino, we feel an even greater responsibility to tell a broader range of stories because Latino stories are American stories.”
The radio program will be adding on a “Dimelo” advice segment with Latina magazine columnist Pauline Campos, a “Class of 2030” segment discussing the rise of young Latino students, a “Dearly Deported” segment addressing the record high number of deportations and a new series titled “Somos/We Are” that will tackle Latino identity.
Latino USA, which is distributed by NPR and produced by The Futuro Media Group, will also count with some new voices.
Stand-up comedian and “The Daily Show” correspondent Al Madrigal will be part of the new line up as well as political and immigration reporters from La Opinión and the New York Times. Writer Marta Moreno Vega and poet Jimmy Santiago Baca will also join the radio program.
Latino USA’s expansion comes at a time when the over 50 million strong Hispanic population continues to grow. Census projections released at the end of last year have noted that 1 in 3 residents will be Hispanic by 2060, or 31 percent of the U.S. population.
To catch Latino USA on NPR you can check your local listings or visit http://www.latinousa.org.
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