Fronteras

Mexico and the United States are working toward a broad package deal that would help revive the Colorado River Delta.

Seven years ago, the U.S. began working on the project to line an earthen portion of the All-American Canal in Imperial Valley and send the saved water to San Diego. Many in Mexico and the U.S. opposed the lining, saying it prevented seeping water from reaching fields and wetlands in Mexico. The lining project was completed in 2010.

Only one veteran Navajo code talker remains of the original 29 Navajo Marines who used their native language to devise an unbreakable code during World War II.

Growing up in New Mexico, Chester Nez and many of his fellow Navajo were punished for speaking their language. In the 1920s, Nez attended one of many government run boarding schools that attempted to erase Indian culture and language.

On the night he lost his seat as President of the Arizona senate, Russell Pearce sounded more reserved than usual.

“We’re the envy of this nation,” Pearce said. “I’ve got patriots from across this nation that email me and write me everyday thankful for what Arizona has done leading the way.”

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – Over the last decade forests in the Southwest have seen more catastrophic fires, like the one burning right now in Eastern Arizona. Scientists say it's a result of unhealthy forests. A new effort aims to restore the landscape. And if it works in Arizona, it could be used on the 180 million acres of ponderosa pine forests across the west.

Ganado, AZ – The new2010 census shows a steady growth in the Native American population over the past ten years across the southwest. But the country's largest Indian reservation, the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners region, actually saw its population shrink by 3 percent. In the final installment of our Fronteras series Sensing Change, Daniel Kraker (PR: CROCKER) visited the small reservation town of Ganado, Arizona, to find out where the people are going.

SFX1: bring up sound of bustling hallway at Ganado High School under track

By Devin Browne

Phoenix, AZ – This scene is a familiar one all across the region: A room full of high school students newly arrived in the US face a screen with pictures of clip art - apples and books, fans and fish - flashing in front of them.

"Hey what letter for apple? A! Computer: That's right."

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – Flagstaff scientist Loretta Mayer has developed a chemical that when eaten by female rats makes them menopausal. That's when there aren't any eggs left in their ovaries.

MAYER: Their eggs are reabsorbed by a natural process. The active ingredient we use accelerates that process so they are no longer reproductive. (0:10)

Mayer and her team of researchers have disguised the sterilant in rat bait.