Tiempo with Joe Torres

On this edition of "Tiempo," we talk to a Latina educator born and raised in the South Bronx.        She opened a charter high school there, which has an impressive record for consistently sending more than 95 percent of its graduates to the college of their choice.   Dr. Elaine Ruiz Lopez wrote a book about her journey called "The Fight for Equity in the Bronx." She details the struggles and chal...

The New York Department of State just gave more than a million in grant money to several community organizations in our area. The goal? Fund financial literacy programs and help people improve their finances. The programs plan to provide one-on-one coaching with experienced financial professionals and offer help on how to budget and manage your finances for the long term.       Two of the communit...

We examine New York Latino voters and the presidential elections in November. Political analysts expect one million Latinos in New York to cast ballots in the presidential election, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials or NALEO. The association also expects Latino turnout in the Empire State to increase by 12.4 percent from 2020, and more than 13 percent...

We start in Puerto Rico, where dengue cases are on the rise. Leaders on the island recently declared a public health emergency.       Puerto Rico's Secretary of Health said the Health Department has registered 549 cases of dengue so far this year, and that far exceeds historical numbers. Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne virus across the globe. The secretary said all parts of Puerto Rican s...

Hundreds of Cubans hit the streets recently to protest the lack of food and access to electricity and fuel. The Cuban government has initiated nightly blackouts for almost seven months due to rising fuel costs and continued economic hardship on the island. Ted Henken, a professor at Baruch College who has written several books on Cuba, joins us to discuss the crisis.  Then, we'll highlight an orga...

Mayor Eric Adams wants to modify New York's status as a sanctuary city for migrants. The mayor says migrants who commit serious crimes should be deported. Right now, existing laws prohibit city officials from cooperating with federal immigration agents if a foreign national is charged with a crime. New York City has officially ended the right-to-shelter for single adult migrants after 30 days in a...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences faced controversy in recent years about its lack of diversity. But there's good news - Latino representation in front of and behind the camera has grown. And it can be seen in this year’s nominations. We'll take a closer look. This is the fifth year with at least seven diverse nominees in the acting categories, and three of the five best supporting a...

We begin with help with the federal student aid form for college students known as FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education recently introduced an updated form with fewer questions and expanded eligibility. But the form launched months later than usual, and students have encountered several computer glitches and longer wait times for news on financial aid. . James Rodriguez from College and Career...

There have been several recent acts of violence by newly arrived migrants in New York City. A group of migrants assaulted several police officers in Times Square and a 15-year-old migrant fired several shots in a Times Square store and at police trying to capture him.   The city also announced a curfew for many migrant shelters to try and curtail the crime.  Some immigrant advocates believe the re...

Joe Torres sits down with Yadira Ramos-Herbert, New Rochelle’s first Latina mayor, who is leading a Westchester County city where more than half of the residents are Latino or Black (11:38). *** Leslie Gordon, president and CEO of Food Bank For New York City, discusses the organization’s 40-year history and how its economic challenges are complicating its response to the migrant crisis. (4:35) Lea...

We’re outside the Ambassador Theatre, home to the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.  “Chicago” was one of the many shows in which Chita Rivera played a starring role.  The legendary singer, dancer and actress died last week here in New York City at the age of 91. We explore Rivera's long-lasting impact. *** A new pilot program is training asylum seekers in culinary arts. The pr...

Hundreds of bodega owners across New York City are now armed with guns. The bodega owners say violent thefts continue to plague their businesses, and they need to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers.      The United Bodegas of America organized the push to get more of the business owners to get concealed-carry licenses.  The organization also provides the grocers with gun trai...

On the latest episode of Tiempo with Joe Torres, we take a closer look at the chaos and unrest in Ecuador.  The South American nation has been plagued by a wave of extreme violent attacks. Recently, armed gunmen stormed a live television broadcast as the nation watched in horror.       The attack on the station is just part of a wider pattern of violence, much of it sparked by a top gang leader's...

On this episode of Tiempo, host Joe Torres takes you to the Salsa Museum in East Harlem. The museum sits on the site of a former hardware store, and has more than 300 pieces of memorabilia like a guitar used by Hector Lavoe and a tuxedo worn by Tito Puente. The mission: To preserve the legacy of the salsa pioneers. We'll talk to Johnny Cruz,  the founder of the museum. . Also, the New Jersey Depar...

The smash hit Broadway musical "SIX" has new cast members. The “Queens” recently made their debut on the show, and one of them, Didi Romero, is from Puerto Rico. The show is about the six wives of King Henry the Eighth. The women are all members of a girl group, and they compete against each other to be the new leader of the group...   Plus, January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the go...

Buenos días y bienvenidos! Welcome to the new “Tiempo” podcast from New York’s WABC-TV and Eyewitness News. Hosted by reporter Joe Torres, “Tiempo” is focused on the many issues affecting Latinos. We closely examine topics such as education, health care and immigration. Plus, we feature Latino legends, pioneers and groundbreakers to highlight their latest artistic endeavor, whether it’s a new exhi...