Economy focus of Spanish-language program "Linea Abierta"

The impacts of the recession and the economic stimulus on Yuma County's Hispanic residents will be the focus Tuesday of a  live radio broadcast in Spanish on KAWC.

Radio Bilingüe's Spanish-language program "Linea Abierta" can be heard from 1 to 3 p.m. on the KAWC's FM dial, 88.9, said Dave Riek, general manager of Arizona Western College's radio station.

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., will be the guest in the first hour of the program that will be broadcast from KAWC's studio. He will talk about the stimulus package and his efforts in Congress on behalf of constituents reeling from the recession, Riek said.

Grijalva will be in Yuma Monday and Tuesday to meet privately with several local organizations. On Monday, the congressman will tour the Somerton Senior Center, meet with elders of the Cocopah Tribe and speak with business professionals working at the AWC Entrepreneurial Center.

On Tuesday, Grijalva will meet with Yuma High School students, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, before stopping at the KAWC broadcast center in the afternoon.

In the second half of the program, Radio Bilingüe will invite community groups to participate in the discussion about the economy and its impacts on Hispanics, he said.

Listeners will be able to call in with comments and questions. The number is 1-800-34-LINEA.

The program can also be followed through Web streaming on KAWC's site, kawc.org, Riek said.

Radio Bilingüe, based in Fresno, Calif., has 78 stations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico.