Ruben Salazar, Immigration, Big Brother - The News You Need
Welcome to the Daily Chela Newsletter. The #1 newsletter for Mexican American voices, news, and culture in the country.
What’s New This Week?
This week’s newsletter is packed with stories to keep you informed and inspired.
Top Story: Ruben Salazar
Privacy: Big Brother
Opinion: Latinas In Lit
More: Stories, Podcasts, Links
The Powerful Legacy Of Ruben Salazar 🥇
Ruben Salazar was beyond a doubt, one, if not the most prominent Chicano journalists of his day. Born in Juárez, Mexico, and raised in El Paso, Texas, Salazar received his big career break when he joined The Los Angeles Times as a reporter in 1959.
At the L.A. Times, Salazar interviewed figures from César Chávez to Robert Kennedy and even President Dwight Eisenhower. Salazar would eventually leave the Times in January 1970 and serve as the news director of Los Angeles Spanish-language station KMEX-TV which further expanded his reach as a journalist.
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Democrat Catelin Drey Wins Iowa Senate Special Election, Breaks GOP Supermajority 🚨
In a significant political shift, Democrat Catelin Drey has won the Iowa Senate District 1 special election, flipping a Republican-held seat and breaking the GOP's supermajority in the chamber.
Drey defeated Republican Christopher Prosch with 55% of the vote, marking a major victory for Iowa Democrats. The election was called to fill the vacancy left by Republican Sen. Rocky De Witt, who passed away in June. Drey's win reduces the Republican majority to 33-17, requiring bipartisan support for key confirmations.
License Plate Camera Company Halts Federal Cooperation Amid Controversy 🚔
Flock Safety, a major operator of automated license plate cameras, has paused its collaboration with federal agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations.
The decision follows concerns raised by Illinois officials over potential misuse of data, including violations of state laws prohibiting the sharing of license plate information for immigration or abortion-related investigations. Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley admitted to unclear protocols and announced changes to restrict federal access to local data.
Opinion: Stop Ignoring Latinas In Literature 📚
Not much is said about Latinas in literature. Perhaps because the opinion of so many is that these escritoras just don’t compare to their male counterparts. But while some may think this, I beg to differ.
Having had this conversation, it’s become obvious to me that Latina writers simply aren’t as well known as Latino writers. Unlike Latino writers, those who are familiar with Latina writers tend to have a prior knowledge of Latin American history or literature.
Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Maryland Judges 🔦
A federal judge has dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in Maryland, which challenged a standing order preventing the immediate deportation of migrants contesting their detentions.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen ruled that the executive branch lacks the legal authority to sue the judiciary over its exercise of judicial power. The Justice Department had argued the order exceeded the court's authority, but Cullen emphasized that such disputes should follow established legal channels.
Trump Administration Revives Neighborhood Checks For Citizenship Applicants 😒
The Trump administration has reinstated "neighborhood checks" for immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship, a practice dormant since 1991. Under the new directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers may conduct on-the-ground investigations, including interviews with neighbors and coworkers, to assess applicants' "good moral character."
The move is part of a broader effort to tighten scrutiny of legal immigration applications, including green cards and work permits.
Watch American Homeboy In San Jose At The Drive-In! 🚗
Enjoy an evening under the stars with a classic car drive- in movie experience with the screening of “American Homeboy.” Bring a picnic blanket to get up close or watch from our lawn chairs and picnic tables (limited seating available).
Defiant History: Now Streaming On The Daily Chela YouTube Channel! 🍿
Defiant History is a compelling new micro‑documentary series created by filmmaker Brandon Loran Maxwell, best known for his work on American Homeboy. The series is now available to watch on the Daily Chela YouTube channel.
The three‑episode pilot dives into underrepresented slices of American subculture—like lowrider club plaques, Teen Angels magazine, prison‑based rehabilitation efforts, and graffiti art. Featured voices include Compton’s David Oropeza (Tattoo Nation), members of Sullen Art Collective, and artists from the Venice art walls.
More Stories 📌
Highlighting Chicano and Mexican American news in cities across the country.
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