Americas Now

Americas Now

Join us in uncovering the untold tales that influence our collective future in "Americas Now." Discover the richness, variety, and vitality of the Americas in a whole new way. Every story is a journey, and every journey is an adventure.

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Americas Now
  • Food Waste in the U.S.

    According to the US Environment Protection Agency, almost one third of the food that is produced, shipped or sold is wasted. And most of it is uneaten. Mike Kirsch tells us about the efforts underway in California to prevent food from being thrown away.

  • US Train System, Moving Bombs?

    The derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in February has caused what many call an environmental disaster. The accident occurred in the US state of Ohio, raising many questions regarding safety. How often do trains transport these toxic materials? And are they adequately supervised? ...

  • Bitcoin Developers in Guatemala Have the Plan to Rescuing Lake Atitlan

    One of the most beautiful lakes in the world is Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. But in recent years, it has faced severe environmental threats.  It comes from pesticides, inadequate sewage systems in the surrounding communities, and an influx of trash and cooking oil. But a group of ex-pat Bitcoin dev...

  • 
Water is Precious and Scarce in Chile

    Santiago, Chile, is Latin America’s fourth most populated capital city. It's home to over six million people. But a prolonged drought has the metropolis on the verge of unprecedented water rationing. Joel Richards has the story.   

  • Meet the Best Front-Line Workers in Fire Prevention: Goats

    Every year in the US, thousands of hectares, entire neighborhoods, and even small towns are lost to wildfires. Preventing these blazes has become a significant challenge for firefighters and authorities. Mike Kirsch introduces us to a unique idea to combat fires that are proving highly effective....

  • See How Terminally Ill Patients in Colombia Can Decide When to End Their Lives

    Euthanasia is intentionally ending a life to avoid pain and suffering. Colombia is the only country in Latin America - one of a few worldwide - to allow it in terminal cases.  Michelle Begue got close to a young patient who chose the path to his final journey.  

  • Brazilian Gang Pushing Paraguay on the Verge of a Narco-State Status

    Drug cartels continue to expand their reach across Latin America. The latest example is Paraguay. Once a relatively quiet country, it has become an international transit hub for drug dealing as foreign crime organizations have settled in and caused chaos. Correspondent Maria Valls reports.     

  • Chile's Atacama Desert Transformed in a Discarded Clothing Graveyard

    Two images that don’t go together. Mountains of discarded clothing from retailers piled in the middle of the driest desert on Earth. Harris Whitbeck tells us how the Atacama Desert has become a fashion graveyard. 

  • Colombian Locals Rising Awareness of the Need to Preserve their Biodiversity

    The Choco rainforest extends from south Panama to northern Ecuador. It's one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Colombia gets the most significant portion of it, and Michelle Begue brings us stories of how locals go the extra mile to protect vulnerable and unique species.    

  • Climate Change is Changing the Face of Yellowstone National Park

    Yellowstone is the oldest national park in the Americas and the largest in the US. Scientists have studied its geysers, many species, and volcanic activity for decades. But now they're closely monitoring something else that's having an impact: climate change. John Zarrella has the story.   

  • The Sky is Not the Limit for These Spaniard Scientists

    One of them commands a spaceship taking tourists to space, and the other is a scientist tracking ice bodies on the solar system’s edge. What does it take to make a career in Astrophysics? John Zarrella met with two Spaniards who made the stars their field of work.      

  • When Reopening Borders Isn’t Enough

    Venezuela and Colombia have had contentious relations for over a decade.  But now, with a new Colombian government in place, diplomatic and economic ties are starting again. Where there was uncertainty, now there is hope. Michelle Begue reports.     

  • A Dangerous Drive for a Better Life

    It was a tragic end for 53 migrants who died inside a poorly ventilated truck outside San Antonio, Texas. While two men have been indicted for those deaths, the wounds in their communities are still open. Harris Withbeck reports from Central Guatemala, where many victims came from.     

  • The Beauty of Mexico’s Copper Canyon Keeps Attracting Foreign Tourists

    Deeper and broader than the world-famous Grand Canyon, the hills of northwestern Mexico are also home to some of the most charismatic and fiercely independent tribes in North America. They are the Raramuris, or Tarahumaras, as they are known.  Alasdair Baverstock visited the area to profile the u...

  • A Brazilian Take on Solutions to Traffic and Climate Change

    They're sophisticated, electric-assisted tricycle taxis. They're manufactured in Shanghai and assembled in Brazil. Many believe they're exactly what Rio de Janeiro hopes will help its commitment to eliminate fossil fuels by 2050. Lucrecia Franco has more on the trikes that are providing employmen...

  • Mayfield, Kentucky, Rebuilding After Devastation

    On December 10th, 2021, a deadly tornado ripped across Western Kentucky, causing catastrophic damage. Dozens of people lost their lives. Correspondent Dan Williams covered the story when it happened. He then went back to check on rebuilding a town; this force of nature nearly wiped that out.   

  • Perfect Storm for Food Insecurity in El Salvador

    Drought, global inflation, and heavy migration. Those factors created a perfect storm in Central America for food insecurity. Alasdair Baverstock went to El Salvador to report on its high prices and food "scarcity.” 

  • Venezuelan Immigrants Feeling Ostracized in Chile

    According to the United Nations, 7 million Venezuelans have fled their country since 2017. The majority decided to make their way to other South American nations. But the massive flow of people often caused confrontations and social clashes. Harris Whitbeck reports on some incidents that occurred...

  • "Hinchada Argentina" is hopeful of winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup

    Football is deeply rooted in the hearts of Argentineans. Stadiums are always packed with fans, and people even wear their team jerseys to the office. Argentina won the World Cup in both 1978 and in 1986. And there are big hopes for them this year, as the national team has not lost since July 2019...

  • Mexican-American Football Players Switching Sides Ahead of the 2022 World Cup

    They were born in the United States, but they decided to play on teams for Mexico, the land of their parents. Nostalgia is one reason these football players make this decision. But it's also a matter of opportunity. Mike Kirsch tells us more with this report.

  • Gulf Clan Stronger than Ever in Colombia

    The illegal drug business is once again booming in Colombia. The country just reported a 20-year record high yield for coca crops used to make cocaine. President Gustavo Petro has made it his mission to eradicate the problem by using a new approach. Toby Muse went deep into the Colombian mountain...

  • A Decades-long Land Conflict is Killing Hundreds of Indigenous People

    They've been involved in a land dispute for over 150 years. Generation after generation, Indigenous communities in Guatemala have been attacking each other — over a territorial conflict that seems impossible to resolve. And as Harris Whitbeck reports, illicit activity in the region is making thin...

  • The Chinese Influence in Mexican Cuisine

    When it comes to gastronomy, Latin America has a variety of options to offer. But Mexican food may be the most famous worldwide. What's Mexico's secret? Alasdair Baverstock tells us about the roots of Mexican flavors and the Chinese influence behind them.

  • The Killing of Ex-Guerrilla Members is Threatening the Peace in Colombia

    In 2016, the government of Colombia and the country's main rebel group committed to end a 5-decade armed conflict and live in peace. But year after year — violence has been escalating and the number of deaths increasing, as some have decided to take up arms again. Michelle Begue reports.