Ellington

Beyond Sprawl - Rethinking The Southwest Economy

Single-family home construction has been a powerful engine of economic growth for much of the Southwest for decades. But this recession has decimated the housing and construction industry. Then there are the demographic changes that could permanently alter the face of the suburbs. Fronteras: The Changing America Desk looks at what growth in the Southwest could look like in the future.

Border Business

While the maquiladora industry is based in Mexico, the factories that produce a myriad of goods are completely dependent on the U.S. economy. The outlook for the industry is continued slow to moderate growth. But it remains unknown how Mexico's ongoing drug war will impact the sector.

Life After Deportation

Follow undocumented immigrants as they are deported from Arizona in the Southwestern United States to Guatemala and see the challenges they face when they return home. Also explore how retailers and artisans have partnered together to provide goods for U.S. consumers.

Retirement Redefined: Recession & The Golden Years

Millions of seniors have retired in the Southwestern Sunbelt. The massive wave of baby boomers just starting to retire are likely to find a reality far different from that of their elders due to the recent economic woes. Fronteras: The Changing America Desk investigates how retirement is being redefined through a series of multimedia stories and offers helpful links to help fractured nest eggs.

The Drug War At Home

Daily headlines chronicle the drug cartel violence in neighboring Mexico. Shootouts on busy city streets. Law enforcement agents hunted like animals. Mass graves found in out of the way places. All to supply users in the United States with the highs they crave. Fronteras: The Changing America Desk investigates the impact of the drug war on our way of life.

Sensing Change: The 2010 Census

Four of the fastest growing states are in the west and two – Nevada and Arizona – are in our region. Much of that growth is due to Hispanics/Latinos, which accounted for most of the population increase. Fronteras: The Changing America Desk investigates the impact of these demographic changes in our communities. Click on a city below to see stories from that area.

View SENSING CHANGE - THE 2010 CENSUS & A CHANGING AMERICA in a larger map

The 2012 Vote

Changing demographics across the Southwest United States have redrawn political maps and are challenging assumptions about the electorate. In a series of stories, Fronteras: The Changing America Desk will explore how these changes may impact the 2012 vote. Correspondents will also travel into Mexico to report on how elections south of the border affect the Southwest. We also look at hot topics, like immigration and Arizona's SB 1070 law and how it has caused some Latinos to relocate, while others say they live in fear.

Baja After The Boom

Baja California has long been known for pristine beaches, abundant wildlife and minimal infrastructure. That image was marred as the drug war exploded on the streets of Tijuana and the surrounding area. As a result, tourism plummeted. As part of our coverage of the U.S.-Mexico border, Fronteras: The Changing America Desk took a 9-day reporting trip to Baja California.

Selling Spanish Immersion

Reporter Jim Paluzzi — who also doubles as the general manager of the public radio station KJZZ Phoenix — spent time at a Spanish immersion school in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala. He examined the different reasons Americans had for choosing Spanish immersion schools, why they were likely to choose Guatemala as an educational destination, and how teaching Spanish has become a cottage industry in third-world countries.

The Latino Education Gap

Latinos are the largest ethnic minority group in the Southwest and the fastest growing in the United States. More than one-third of Latino students are English Language Learners and they consistently perform poorly on state tests and have lower graduation rates than Whites and Asians, according to Department of Education data. In this ongoing series, the Fronteras Desk explores the Latino achievement gap in education throughout the Southwest. We also look at how states and school districts are looking beyond federal guidelines and are creating innovative solutions to close the gap.

The 2012 Mexican Elections

The Mexican general election will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Citizens will elect a new president to serve a six-year term, replacing President Felipe Calderón. Fronteras Desk journalists Michel Marizco, Jill Replogle and Peter O'Dowd reported along the border on the election and the impact it will have on the U.S.

A Brief History Of Arizona's SB 1070

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Senate Bill 1070, or SB 1070, into law on April 23, 2010. Supporters sought border security, while opponents feared racial profiling. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments to uphold or overrule an injunction on certain aspects of the law. A ruling on the injunction was released June 25, 2012.

Border Drones

The Department of Homeland Security's unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, program has grown exponentially since its creation just a few years ago. While Congressional allies and DHS herald the success of border drones, critics have questioned the cost and the effectiveness of the program.

The Search For Tolerance

Fronteras: The Changing America Desk has joined forces with Not in Our Town documentary producers to determine how hate affects communities throughout the Southwest and what people are doing about it.

Heat Wave

July 2012 is the hottest month on record for the contiguous United States. Fronteras Desk will explore the real world impacts of climate change - ranging from rising food prices to the psychological effects. Plus we encourage you to explore this page for more information and interactive features.