Every year, migrants crossing into the U.S. die in the desert borderlands. More often than not, when and if the bodies are recovered, their identity remains a mystery.

Meanwhile in the countries from which they came, families are also left with many unanswered questions. Did they make it? Are they okay? Are they alive? Encompassing forensic scientists, scholars, and human rights partner organizations, part of the Forensic Border Coalition's mission is to answer those questions.

The FBC will be heard by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder, Colorado to address problems identifying “missing” migrant remains found along the border.

The FBC is supported by 46 different human rights entities on and along both sides of the border. One of which is Colibrí Center for Human Rights, based here in Tucson, which uses forensic anthropology to try to make those matches and provide closure to the families of the deceased.

As it stands currently, the comparison of genetic information from family members on the other side of the border and the remains found on this side is done on a case-by-case basis, specific to circumstantial information provided by the family, according the Sept. 26 press release from Colibrí.

A large-scale comparison— comparing all available DNA information from relatives of missing migrants against all DNA data from unidentified remains found on U.S. soil, has not been done. The FBC will be arguing for the creation of a formalized process to allow such large-scale comparisons, which should yield a significant number of matches and identifications, allowing hundreds, if not thousands, of families to finally know the fate of their missing loved ones.

Families of the missing will also be there to provide testimonies in addition to forensic scientists and human rights experts, according to the press release.

A vigil will be held on the CU Boulder campus following the hearing in honor of the countless missing migrants lost among our borderlands.

For the month of October, the University of Arizona’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will be hosting a downtown lecture series entitled “Soundscapes: Music, Place, and Identity.”

The lectures will take place at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. They are free to the public but seating is on a first come first serve basis. After each of the lectures, a special guest artist will play three songs for the audience.

The first lecture on October 4, is named “Music: All this Useless Beauty" presented by Jake Harwood, professor of communications. The second, on October 11, is entitled “From Little Richard to Beyonce: Cultural Blending in Music by UA historian Tyina Steptoe.” On October 18, Maurice Rafael Magaña, an assistant professor of Mexican American studies, will present “Hip Hop Culture and its Visual Impact in Mexico.” Celestino Fernández, Sociology professor emeritus, will finish the series on October 25 with “Norteño, Corridos, and Mariachi: Culture and Conflict in Border Music.”

This will be the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences sixth year of the Downtown Lecture series. Tickets can be reserved through eventbright. Learn more here.

Paint your very own Fall Harvest Water Color painting with Creative Tribe, a community of creative women that gather to be creative!

Creative Tribe will be hosting the watercolor workshop at Reforma Modern Mexican restaurant on Friday, Oct. 12 from 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Local artist, Alyssa Robinson, will be instructing the workshop and will teach beginners the basic fundamentals, styles and techniques of water color painting. Participants will also be able to take their water color art home. 


The Reforma Mexican restaurant venue is located on 4340 N. Campbell Ave., and will be serving up chips and salsa and alcoholic beverages including $6 margaritas, $6 sangrias, $6 house wine, and $5 cocktails!

Tickets for the workshops are $35. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, candidates for state offices gathered at the new Casa de los Niños family center to discuss the progress and pitfalls of Arizona’s child welfare system.

LD9 Senate candidate Victoria Steele, LD3 House candidate Andrés Cano, LD10 House candidate Domingo DeGrazia, state Rep. Kirsten Engel (D-LD10)
state Rep. Todd Clodfelter (R-LD10), state Rep. Randy Friese (LD-9), LD11 House candidate Marcela Quiroz, state Sen. David Bradley (LD-10), LD3 House candidate Alma Hernandez and LD11 House candidate Hollace Lyon were in attendance.

Michelle Crow, the Southern Arizona director of the Children’s Action Alliance, began the discussion by laying out a few key trends in the system. She said that in 2016 the number of Arizona children in foster care peaked at around 18,000, but that number has been on a steady decline ever since.

For Arizona organizations that deal with child welfare, Crow said the goal is always to keep children with their parents or family members whenever possible and avoid placing them in the foster care system, unless absolutely necessary. She said that taking kids out of their family circle is an extremely traumatic and disconnecting experience that has lasting effects on their adult lives.

“They are more likely to have a connection and feel a sense of love and feel a sense of permanency and stability if they’re placed with somebody that they already have a relationship with,” Crow said. While the best option is to place children with a family member, it is the most burdensome option for the new caretaker. Crow explained that when the Department of Child Safety intervenes and takes a child out of a home and places them with a licensed foster family, that licensed caretaker receives an average of $681 every month to take care of that child.

If a non-licensed relative intervenes and takes responsibility for a child without DCS getting involved, they receive no financial support. If DCS is able to place the child with a relative instead of in a foster care home, which is ideal, that caretaker receives an average of $45 every month.

This $636 difference puts non-licensed family members at a disadvantage and makes it harder for that ideal familial relationship to be sustainable. Also, many times family members are called upon a moment’s notice to take custody of a child that they are related to, whereas licensed foster care providers are trained and prepared for that event.

“Because the system was built around licensed foster care, the system reflects that still,” Crow said. “What we need to do is get the system to catch up to the new reality today.”

On a national scale, Arizona is above the average for placing kids with a relative as opposed to foster care or a group home. While this is good, Kelly Griffith with the Southwest Center for Economic Integrity believes it is still very important to pay attention to how the financial capabilities of families can affect the children in the long-term.

Griffith explained how in Arizona, rent and child-care costs are constantly increasing. She said that there is a capacity problem, where many child-care centers have either closed or stopped accepting subsidies from the Department of Economic Security, because “you can’t afford to stay in business if you’re subsidizing DES, you just can’t.”

Last month Patty Machelor with the Arizona Daily Star reported that “Arizona families lost 788 providers of subsidized child care between January 2016 and July 31, 2018, including 369 centers and group homes ending their state contracts.”

She explained that these child-care providers lose money by accepting families that qualify for state financial assistance because the government’s reimbursement rates have been static for decades. With limited access to quality child care, children across the state are at risk of falling behind.

“Children who attend high-quality preschool are much less likely to participate in criminal activity, when you start looking at the state budget line item, look at how much it costs to house people in private prison facilities … think about that school-to-prison pipeline,” Griffith said.

Susan Huhn, executive director of Casa de los Niños, added that the organization will be opening a quality preschool program that will accept DES subsidies in the 85705 zip code, which is significant because there are many high-quality care providers in the area but most don’t take DES subsidies.

So what do these organizations want from the elected officials in the room? They want to see a financial investment in the relatives who take care of these children through eliminating the disparity in funds provided to licensed and non-licensed caretakers, making it easier for non-licensed relatives to become licensed and receive that extra money and making high-quality child care an accessible option.

Therapeutic Riding of Tucson or TROT is hosting the Horsin’ Around Gala on Sunday. Oct. 14 from 4-8 p.m. The event takes place at Tanque Verde Ranch on 14301 E. Speedway Blvd. Drive all the way East on Speedway until the road actually ends, then turn left.

Proceeds from the event will provide equine therapy for disabled children and veterans in need. TROT has licensed riding instructors and therapists, along with 13 specially trained horses, with the mission of enriching the lives of people with special needs by improving their physical, mental, social and emotional well being.

There will be a silent auction, a live auction and a BBQ dinner, along with music and dancing with the Clean Country Band. Tickets are $85 for adults and $30 for children 11 and younger. This is a rain or shine event.

Learn more here.

The 43rd annual Tucson Greek Festival will take place from Sept. 27 to Sept. 30 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. The event is a celebration of Greek faith and culture and raises funds for ministries of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

There will be authentic Greek food and pastries, a live Greek band with a DJ and dancers performing, assorted wine and beer and lots of family friendly activities.

The event will take place on Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5-11 p.m., Saturday from 4-11 p.m. and Sunday from 12-5 p.m. $3 general admission. Admission will be free for Seniors, first responders, military and children 12 and under. Students with an ID will be free on Thursday. Come and get your Greek on for a few days!

20 Must-Try Classic Greek Dishes

1. Moussaka: oven-baked casserole of layered eggplant and spiced meat
2. Baklava: Greek pastry made with flaky phyllo dough layered with a cinnamon-spiced nut filling and bathed in sweet syrup
3. Horta Vrasta: boiled leafy greens
4. Chicken Soup Avgolemono: a traditional chicken soup
5. Tzatziki: creamy cucumber- yogurt dip flavored with garlic
6. Pastitsio: made with pasta, meat filling and a creamy bechamel sauce
7. Galaktoboureko: custard phyllo pie
8. Fassolatha: classic white bean soup
9. Spanakopita: spinach pie
10. Youvetsi: beef stew with orzo
11. Dolmathakia: stuffed grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts and fresh herbs
12. Taramosalata: carp roe spread
13. Fassolakia Lathera: green beans in tomato sauce
14. Melomakarona: honey walnut cookies
15. Pork Souvlaki: grilled pork skewers
16. Domates Yemistes: stuffed tomatoes with meat and rice
17. Tsoureki: Easter bread flavored with orange and Mahlab
18. Keftethes: meatballs
19. Kourabiethes: almond shortbread cookies
20. Tiropites: phyllo cheese triangles

The Loft Cinema will be showing the movie Moonrise Kingdom, a movie set in the summer of 1965 about a young love between characters Sam and Suzy who decide to run away together. Directed by Wes Anderson, the film features actors like Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Bill Murray.

The showing dates are Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. The Loft Cinema is located on 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Tickets for general admission will be $6 and Loft Members admission is $5.

Find more details here.

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, directed by Bruce Chamberlain, will hold auditions for new chorus members Monday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N. Sixth Ave. All performances are with the TSO.

Now in its fifteenth season, the TSO Chorus will be featured on the annual holiday performances of Handel’s Messiah, conducted by Dr. Chamberlain. They will also be featured on Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, conducted by Michael Stern, to close the Classic Series. The TSO Chorus closed last season with two sold-out performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

In a recent season, the Green Valley News and Sun called their performance of Poulenc’s Gloria, “the epitome of phrasing, intonation and balance,” and added, “The four months Professor Chamberlain spent preparing the chorus rewarded the audience in many ways.”

Founding director of the TSO Chorus, Chamberlain has appeared with the symphony orchestras of St. Petersburg, Russia, San Antonio, Jackson, Tennessee, Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Florid), Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic, Czech Virtuosi Orchestra in Brno, Budapest Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, New England Symphonic Ensemble, Festival Orchestra of Iowa, New York City Chamber Orchestra and the SoliAll Philharmonic and Ryul Chamber Orchestra in Seoul, Korea. Chamberlain is a summa cum laude graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with bachelor’s, master’s and doctor of music degrees.

Singers should have basic musicianship and be able to adapt to various repertoire. They should prepare two choral excerpts downloaded from the website and a solo piece from the art song or oratorio repertoire. The two choral excerpts, which are to be prepared before coming to the audition, can be downloaded at tucsonsymphony.org/about-tso/orchestra/tso-chorus. An accompanist will be provided. Rehearsals are scheduled for the Symphony Center on Monday evenings throughout the season, beginning Oct. 8.

In addition to the opportunity to make high-level music with Tucson’s best choral and orchestral musicians, benefits of singing in the TSO Chorus include complimentary tickets to select Classics and TSO SuperPops! concerts. Chorus members also receive free parking when they are performing.

For more information and to schedule an audition email [email protected].

Incumbent Gov. Doug Ducey and Democratic rival David Garcia clashed Monday night over education and border security during a live, televised debate on Arizona PBS.

The debate, sponsored by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and moderated by “Horizon” host Ted Simons, featured frequent back and forth and the two candidates talking over one another. Green Party candidate Angel Torres also was part of the debate but often was overshadowed by the main-party candidates.

Garcia opened by saying Arizona’s education system is in crisis. The Arizona State University educator brought up the Red for Ed movement, blaming Ducey for the walkout of thousands of teachers last spring, highlighted by a large protest at the state Capitol in April. Garcia noted Arizona ranks near the last among states in education and said teachers still are not receiving what they demand.

“The key area that we need to develop is education, specifically,” Garcia said. “A change in education is Arizona’s number one issue. It is my strength, it is Ducey’s weakness, and it’s going to be the difference.”

Ducey was quick to respond, speaking before Simons finished his question.

“I will be held accountable for the last three plus years for Arizona education, not for the past 20 years,” Ducey said.

Following the six-day #RedForEd walkout, Ducey announced he would provide a 20 percent teacher pay increase by 2020 and $371 million in additional funding over the next five years.

Ducey mentioned his 20 by 20 plan but agreed there’s more to do. Ducey said Arizona teachers are already receiving a portion of the promised 20 percent.

Across the state, however, the pay raises have varied greatly by school district, according to azcentral.com.

Torres said K-12 teachers and staff members need raises and improved infrastructure and technology.

Ducey criticized Garcia, saying the Democrat didn’t want to talk about his plan to fund education, which he said would double income taxes.

In response, Garcia said that was his plan but it’s no longer on the ballot; the Invest in Education initiative was removed by the Arizona Supreme Court. Garcia said he intends to present a new plan to the Legislature. He accused Ducey of being a follower, not a leader.

Ducey responded by asking viewers to go to FactcheckGarcia.com because Garcia “is deceiving.”

Immigration and border control were other hot topics.

Garcia said we need an immigration system that works, one that includes border security, lawful entry for those eligible to enter the United States and provides a place of refuge. He also said Arizona highways need to be patrolled 24/7.

Ducey responded by saying that Garcia’s team has attacked efforts to control the border, and that the Democrat wants to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He also touted the Arizona Border Strike Force, which he said is keeping drugs out of Arizona.

Garcia said he wants ICE to be reformed.

Torres said it’s important that Mexican and Central American economies are strengthened and free of poverty to prevent illegal immigrants from entering Arizona.

In their finishing statements, Ducey and Garcia once again brought up education. Ducey said he hoped viewers could see the dramatic differences between him and his opponent. Garcia concluded saying there would never be another governor more devoted to public schools.

Ducey, Garcia and Torres will debate again Tuesday night in Tucson. The general election is Nov. 6.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

Calling all performers! The good people of Marana are in need of acts to perform at the annual Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting.

There are nine, 20-minute, slots open to perform on Dec. 1 after 3 p.m. Those interested must apply by Sunday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. Along with contact information and a description of your act, the selection committee suggests submitting audio or video recordings of past performances. Acts don’t need to be from Marana but those who are will be given priority.

The festival will have not only performances but also vendors, activities, 20 tons of snow and special guest appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.          

Fill out the application here.