University of Idaho study says recession in dairy counties not as bad as other rural areas

Study: Idaho dairy counties weathering recession

Taos, NM hotel owner riles community after telling Hispanic employees to change their names

Hotel owner tells Hispanic workers to change names

Minority lawmakers oppose effort to ask about citizenship status in 2010 census

WASHINGTON — A coalition of black, Latino and Asian lawmakers on Thursday expressed opposition to a proposal that would require next year’s census forms to ask about the status of a person’s citizenship.

Hispanic farmers fighting to sue USDA, saying discrimination in loans cost them their land

SALINAS, Calif. — In their straw hats, rolled up sleeves and work boots, a dozen or so Latinos gathered by a field of ripening strawberries still look like farmers. All but one of them, however, have lost their land.

Hispanic farmers fighting to sue USDA for discrimination they claim cost them their land

SALINAS, Calif. — In their straw hats, rolled up sleeves and work boots, a dozen or so Latinos gathered by a field of ripening strawberries still look like farmers. All but one of them, however, have lost their land.

Houston’s low-key mayoral candidates pitch planning, mass transit for city reinventing itself

HOUSTON — The nation’s fourth-largest city, once dominated by Big Oil, is warming to greener options as it chooses a new mayor.

CNN stays away from Lou Dobbs during four-hour documentary on Latinos

NEW YORK — CNN is airing a four-hour special on Latinos in America this week that ignores its own commentator Lou Dobbs, whose persistent advocacy against illegal immigration has angered many Hispanics.

Controversial Ariz. sheriff begins immigration patrols shortly after federal powers limited

SURPRISE, Ariz. — An Arizona sheriff known for cracking down on people who are in the country illegally launched a crime and immigration sweep in northwestern metro Phoenix on Friday, a half day after officials in Washington limited his powers to make federal immigration arrests.

Boy Scouts, en espanol: Scouts launch campaign, handbook in Spanish to attract Hispanics

SAN FRANCISCO — The Boy Scouts are making their debut “en espanol,” with an advertising campaign launched Thursday and a soon-to-come Spanish-language Scout Handbook intended to draw Latinos to the ranks of the nearly century-old organization.

Black, Latino groups target moderate Democratic senators on health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — African-American, Latino and civil rights groups have launched an ad campaign aimed at pressuring moderate Democratic senators to support health care legislation that allows the government to sell insurance in competition with private industry.

NYC’s Chinatown could get 1st Chinese rep on council as Asian-Americans see surge at the polls

NEW YORK — Chinatown is likely to get its first Chinese-American representative on the City Council, and a Taiwanese immigrant is headed for citywide office — a dramatic change for the nation’s largest city, which had no Asian-Americans in elected office just eight years ago.

Search continues for Tenn. newborn; expert says immigration claim used in other abductions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The search for a Tennessee newborn whose mom says he was kidnapped by a woman posing as an immigration agent entered its fourth day Friday, and a missing child expert said similar ploys have been used in other abductions.

Pope tells new US envoy Catholics can help debate on ethics, social issues; praises Obama

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Friday that the U.S. Catholic church will keep working to shape American consciences on ethical questions such as abortion as he praised the United States for its “vibrant” democracy.