Esmy Jimenez, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Yakima May Day March Organizers Wonder How Immigration Climate Will Affect Turnout

By Esmy Jimenez April 30, 2018

Yakima Valley Spanish-language radio news director Francisco Rios remembers the 2006 march, headlined by the Yakima Herald-Republic. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

May 1st marks International Workers’ Day. In Yakima, May Day organizers are pushing last-minute flyers before their march on Tuesday. They hope for strong turnout from farmworkers, the immigrant community, and Latinos. But some are worried the political climate will affect attendance.Read More

Could Blue Bees Be Better For Northwest Crops?

By Esmy Jimenez April 27, 2018

Osmia lignaria or the blue orchard bee visits a blossom. While it won’t make honey, this bee is a superior pollinator than the honey bee. Credit: Natalie Boyle/US Department of Agriculture.

Honey bees are struggling with habitat loss, colony collapse disorder, and other challenges. One Northwest beekeeper is rethinking the kinds of bees we use to pollinate crops in the first place.Read More

Like Your Fresh Washington Apples And Blueberries? Thank A Falcon For Keeping Away The Pests

By Esmy Jimenez April 13, 2018

A hooded falcon of Brad Felger used in his business

In the Northwest, we’re gearing up for a season of fresh berries, cherries, apples, and much more. Farmers of course want to avoid anything that could hurt crops: cold temperatures, tough tariffs, or even … pesky birds. Forget the clowns. Send in the falcons.Read More

Yakama Nation Says Quarry Expansion Threatens Tribal Burial Site

By Esmy Jimenez April 10, 2018

Site of proposed Rowley Quarry expansion south of Yakima off interstate 82

Yakima County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, April 10 to support mining operations that the Yakama Nation believes will disturb a Native burial ground. The battle is three years in the making.Read More

People For People: Connecting Dots Of Transportation Needs In Central And Eastern Washington

By Esmy Jimenez April 9, 2018

Rosenda Henley, People for People's mobility manager boards the Health Express. The bus will travel almost 70 miles from Moses Lake to Wenatchee, with stops at local hospitals and senior centers.

In Central and Eastern Washington, people are still being left without wheels. But county transportation agencies and non-profits fill in the gaps. Agencies like People for People.Read More

Major Wenatchee Fruit Company Stemilt Growers Settles Sexual Harassment And Retaliation Suit

By Esmy Jimenez April 5, 2018

Stemilt Growers, based in Wenatchee, Wash., adopted a ladybug in its logos as part of a "Responsible Choice" campaign in 1989. Courtesy Stemilt Growers

In the wake of the Me Too movement, a sexual harassment and retaliation case at a large fruit company brings the issue closer to home in Wenatchee. Stemilt Growers, a leader in Washington’s apple and cherry industry, has agreed to pay nearly $100,000 to settle a lawsuit with a former employee.Read More

UW Spring Breakers Team Up With Rural And Tribal Schools For Student-Led Teaching

By Esmy Jimenez March 29, 2018

UW student Joshawah Eagle-Bear (center right) leads 6th grade students on a workshop titled "Water Is Life" at Campbell Farm in Wapato, Wash. CREDIT: ZIHAN CAO

Spring break is in full swing for some students. This season, 80 students from the University of Washington skipped the beach and headed for more rural parts of the state.Read More

How Washington’s New Voting Rights Act Got Its Start in Yakima

By Esmy Jimenez March 23, 2018

Dulce Gutierrez, right, Assistant Mayor of Yakima, speaks Jan. 5, 2018, during a news conference at the Capitol in Olympia about the need to address voter access in the state.

Governor Jay Inslee signed the Washington Voting Rights Act recently. It’s a move that has long been awaited by Democrats but kept failing in the state legislature. The roots of the law begin in Yakima and a court case over how the city diluted votes of Latino residents.Read More

Yakima County Closes Road Near Rattlesnake Ridge Indefinitely

By Esmy Jimenez March 7, 2018

Rattlesnake Ridge Risk Map - Google Maps

Yakima County Commissioners voted this week to officially close a road at the base of the slow-moving Rattlesnake Ridge landslide in Union Gap.Read More

Remember Me: The Oscars And ‘Coco’ Remind Of Northwest’s Ties To Immigration Realities

By Esmy Jimenez March 6, 2018

In Coco, young Miguel's love of music ultimately leads him to the Land of the Dead where he teams up with charming trickster Hector.

With its rich characters, vivid colors and moving songs, “Coco” is a groundbreaking film. Audiences and critics are raving, calling it a “love-letter to Mexico.” But even in the film, the plot reminds that borders and immigration systems will continue to haunt us even in death. Read More

Pullman Police Say No More Known Victims Of Now-Dead Psychologist Accused Of Rape

By Esmy Jimenez February 20, 2018

Pullman psychologist Dean Funabiki was found dead in a Whitman County jail cell late Sunday, February 18 after being arrested on a charge of sexually assaulting a patient. Police say at this point no additional victims have come forward with accusations.Read More

Dating Is Hard Enough, Harder As A Yakama Nation Member Mindful Of Tribal Identity

By Esmy Jimenez February 14, 2018

Going on a date on Valentine’s Day can be fun and full of decisions – where to eat, what to wear. But for members of the Yakama Nation in Central Washington, it can be complicated when trying to date within the relatively small tribal community. Read More

For Displaced Rattlesnake Ridge Residents, Emergency Goes On As They’re Told To Return Home

By Esmy Jimenez February 8, 2018

Antonio Martinez and his son, Ramon Mendoza

The emergency is over for now at Rattlesnake Ridge near Yakima. The state says a major, sudden landslide is no longer imminent, and Yakima County has lifted its evacuation order and told residents they can move back home. But that’s easier said than done. Read More

Washington L&I Fines Farm For Violations; Lawsuit Previously Filed After Worker’s Death

By Esmy Jimenez February 1, 2018

Sarbanand Farms farmworkers demonstrate after coworker's death in August 2017.

Barbaro Rosas and Guadalupe Tapia both picked blueberries for Sarbanand Farms in Sumas, Washington. Rosas and Tapia are now part of a lawsuit hoping to gain class-action status alleging workplace labor violations by the farms.Read More

Residents Displaced By Rattlesnake Ridge Slide Confront Yakima’s Tight Housing Market

By Esmy Jimenez January 26, 2018

Solorio family displaced by Rattlesnake Ridge - Anna King Photo

The slow-moving landslide on Rattlesnake Ridge in Washington's Yakima Valley points to a larger problem plaguing the region: affordable housing. When residents were told to move away from their homes in the slide area, there were few places to go.Read More

Small Town, Big Flavor: Union Gap Tamaleria Wins James Beard Award

By Esmy Jimenez January 22, 2018

The James Beard Foundation recently announced five nationwide winners of its prestigious awards in the America’s Classics category. One is right here in the Northwest, tucked away in the hills of Central Washington. The tamales are, well, award-winning (and delicious).Read More

Yakima County Braces For Landslide, Prepares Emergency Notifications

By Esmy Jimenez January 17, 2018

The Rattlesnake Ridge landslide in Central Washington is moving at 1.6 feet per week. The area south of Yakima is on private land and next to Anderson Quarry where Columbia Asphalt operates. If it continues on its expected path, the slide threatens Interstate 82, a mobile home park, and possibly the Yakima River.Read More

A Big Week For Northwest Immigrants With TPS, DACA, More

By Esmy Jimenez January 13, 2018

An immigration rally in summer 2017 in Yakima, Washington.

Bittersweet news is rippling through the Northwest immigrant community this week after a new judicial ruling affected DACA. That plus changing timelines for those with Temporary Protected Status has many nervous.Read More

In Compromise, East Wenatchee School Board Will Rename Robert E. Lee Elementary

By Esmy Jimenez January 9, 2018

Robert E. Lee Elementary in East Wenatchee is making a change. The Eastmont School District board voted unanimously Monday night to amend the name simply to “Lee” Elementary.Read More

Fighting For Compensation: How Well Is L&I Hearing Latino Farmworkers?

By Esmy Jimenez January 5, 2018

Six years ago, Jose Luis Mendoza lost part of his left leg, and with it, the ability to work as a farm laborer. He now has a lawyer trying to help him get full compensation from the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries.Read More

With REAL ID Changes For Northwest States, What Happens To DACA Recipients?

By Esmy Jimenez January 3, 2018

Did you travel through an airport during the holidays? If so, chances are you saw these REAL ID signs at the airport warning travelers about updated ID requirements. Where does that leave the Northwest’s 32,000 DACA recipients for domestic flights? Read More

Yakima May Day March Organizers Wonder How Immigration Climate Will Affect Turnout

Could Blue Bees Be Better For Northwest Crops?

Like Your Fresh Washington Apples And Blueberries? Thank A Falcon For Keeping Away The Pests

Yakama Nation Says Quarry Expansion Threatens Tribal Burial Site

People For People: Connecting Dots Of Transportation Needs In Central And Eastern Washington

Major Wenatchee Fruit Company Stemilt Growers Settles Sexual Harassment And Retaliation Suit

UW Spring Breakers Team Up With Rural And Tribal Schools For Student-Led Teaching

How Washington’s New Voting Rights Act Got Its Start in Yakima

Yakima County Closes Road Near Rattlesnake Ridge Indefinitely

Remember Me: The Oscars And ‘Coco’ Remind Of Northwest’s Ties To Immigration Realities

Pullman Police Say No More Known Victims Of Now-Dead Psychologist Accused Of Rape

Dating Is Hard Enough, Harder As A Yakama Nation Member Mindful Of Tribal Identity

For Displaced Rattlesnake Ridge Residents, Emergency Goes On As They’re Told To Return Home

Washington L&I Fines Farm For Violations; Lawsuit Previously Filed After Worker’s Death

Residents Displaced By Rattlesnake Ridge Slide Confront Yakima’s Tight Housing Market

Small Town, Big Flavor: Union Gap Tamaleria Wins James Beard Award

Yakima County Braces For Landslide, Prepares Emergency Notifications

A Big Week For Northwest Immigrants With TPS, DACA, More

In Compromise, East Wenatchee School Board Will Rename Robert E. Lee Elementary

Fighting For Compensation: How Well Is L&I Hearing Latino Farmworkers?

With REAL ID Changes For Northwest States, What Happens To DACA Recipients?

East Wenatchee Superintendent Supports Name-Change Compromise For Robert E. Lee Elementary

East Wenatchee Superintendent Supports Name-Change Compromise For Robert E. Lee Elementary

New Northwest Winter Wonderland: Latinos In Holiday Music

‘Don’t You Live With Ms. Juana?’ Student Homelessness In Migrant Central Washington

At Hanford, Watching Neutron Stars Collide: Just Another Day (And 130 Million Light Years) At Work

On National Farmers Day, The Changing Face Of Agriculture Is In Washington

Far Apart, Same Struggles: Northwest Tribes Meet With Panamanian Indigenous Leader

Tackling The Lack Of Teacher Diversity In Washington Schools

Wasp Populations Low This Summer, But Don’t Celebrate Yet

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