Mariachi Music Gaining Credibility in Texas Schools

Mariachi music is a quintessential sound of Mexico. But in Mexico, it’s a style of folk music that’s never been taken all that seriously and certainly not among music educators. It’s considered bar music, unworthy of academic study. But it’s becoming different story just north of the border in Texas.

Rise of the Drones

Since his re-election, President Obama has given no indication that he would change anything about the drone program, which he embraced in his first term to kill al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan without risking American lives.

The drone attacks are highly unpopular among many Pakistanis in particular, who consider them a violation of sovereignty that cause unacceptable civilian casualties. Now, the UN is launching an investigation into the impact of drone strikes and so-called targeted killings on civilians.

But drones aren’t just for warfare. The Federal Aviation Administration predicts there will be thousands of drones over domestic skies within the next decade, doing everything from watching traffic to delivering packages. And this doesn’t even take into account the thousands more worldwide that will be used to do things like watch borders or deter rhino poaching. This raises numerous questions about cost, privacy and safety.

The World looks at the implications of America’s so called drone war in Asia, and the proliferation of drones worldwide and here at home.

Should Immigration Reform Be Comprehensive?

President Obama has spoken a lot about the need for “comprehensive” immigration reform. That means taking on a lot: Securing the border, providing more visas, protecting worker’s rights, and figuring out how to deal with the 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the US. That’s a lot to sort out. Some argue, too much to take on at once, especially when the parties agree on small pieces of the immigration debate.

Discussion: How Drones Change Everything

The World reporters Jason Margolis and Arun Rath join our partners at NOVA to discuss the future of unmanned aerial vehicles for both military and civilian use.

The Skies Could Fill With (small) Unmanned Aircraft

Drones aren’t just used for spying and dropping bombs. The civil applications for unmanned aircraft are numerous, from spreading seeds on fields to delivering medical supplies to remote areas. The World’s Jason Margolis has more.

Making the Case for Immigration Reform from Texas

Immigrant rights advocates will be making their case to President Obama and Congress — they want a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living and working in the US.

Michigan Auto Worker Reflects on NAFTA, 20 Years Later

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the ceremonial signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA. We examine the impact NAFTA has had on two communities linked to the auto industry, one in Michigan, the other in Mexico.

NAFTA 20 Years After: Florida’s Tomato Growers Struggling

Florida produces the most fresh tomatoes of any state in the nation. But the growers there say they can’t compete with lower-priced Mexican imports much longer. And now they’re fighting a 16-year-old trade agreement that could put the idea of free trade at risk and potentially spark a trade war between the US and Mexico.

Abandoned Horse Barn in Denver to Become Center for Combatting Global Poverty

A group of engineers and business entrepreneurs in Denver is looking to transform some 19th century horse stables into a hub for helping the poorest of the poor in the developing world.

The New Top Commander in Afghanistan

Even before the Petraeus scandal widened, General John Allen’s time as top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan was winding down. Last month, President Obama nominated General Joseph Dunford to replace Allen. If confirmed, Dunford would become the sixth American commander to lead the war in Afghanistan since the conflict began 11 years ago.

How Should We Judge our Economy?

The central question of the presidential election came down to this: Are you better off than you were four years ago? Well, it depends on who you ask and how you measure it. A small, but growing group thinkers say traditional economic measures don’t give an accurate picture of the true health of our economy. And their movement is gaining steam.

Republican Party’s Snub of Latinos Puts Obama Back in White House

Latino voters backed President Obama’s re-election in big numbers, helping the president carry several key states. The result makes one thing abundantly clear: Republicans need to rethink their Latino outreach strategy. Anchor Aaron Schachter gets more on that from The World’s Jason Margolis, who reported on Latino voters throughout the campaign.

The Energy Costs of Oil Production

How much does it cost to produce a barrel of oil? Ask an oilman and he’ll likely give you a dollar amount. Ask somebody who studies what’s called biophysical economics, which combines the disciplines of biology and economics, and you’ll get a more nuanced response.

African Refugees in Swing State Like Healthcare Reform

Edith Doh-Taka from Cameroon is in a bind many refugees and asylum-seekers in the US face – living in a new country without health insurance. That is slated to change soon. Refugees, as legal immigrants, are eligible for the same protections and benefits as US citizens under the Affordable Care Act.

President Obama Helping Undocumented Stay in US, But Offering No Healthcare Assistance

Mitt Romney has a two-fold challenge with many Latino voters: try to convince them that he can fix America’s broken immigration system, and that President Obama has failed them. There are plenty of areas Romney can point to illustrate this, including lack of health care for undocumented immigrants. But Romney runs a risk calling attention to this.