Published: May 31, 2006
California Connected Examines North America's Dirtiest River
NEW RIVER
On Friday, June 2, California Connected examines North America's dirtiest river, the New River, which flows from Mexico north to California. Correspondent John Ridley reports that the river is polluted with industrial waste, fecal matter, dead animals and bacteria carrying typhoid, polio and hepatitis.
The water is so filthy, that when the water quality teams come to test the river they have to wear hazmat suits. Despite that, desperate immigrants use the river as a way to get into the U.S. The immigrants know that border guards won't risk their own lives by going into the river after them.
The officials say about 70 people a night come across the river…but our cameras captured people coming across in broad daylight. And here's the strange twist to this story: People are fighting over the rights to this water.
Remember this is California, and in California, water is gold. Anybody thirsty?
RECALL TOWN
Also on Friday, June 2, California Connected travels to the tiny town of Isleton, CA where there have been eight recall attempts since the 90s.
The last? Mayor Pam Pratt was successfully recalled in July of 2004.
Why all the recalls? Depends on who's talking. Some say they were to save the town from bankruptcy and developers. Others say Isleton is really run by several influential families with different viewpoints.
Whatever the case, colorful Isleton seems to be the very definition of "dysfunctional." And you thought Governor Davis had it bad.
California Connected is co-produced by four PBS stations - KCET/Los Angeles, KPBS/San Diego, KQED/San Francisco and KVIE/Sacramento - and is broadcast statewide. Since its creation in 2002, California Connected has won numerous awards, including the 2006 Gracie Award for Outstanding Documentary-Short Length and a 2006 National Headliner Award, placing third for best News Magazine program after ABC's Prime Time Live and 20/20.
Anchor Lisa McRee recently won the Northern California Emmy Award in the Interview/Discussion category.
ON FRIDAY, JUNE 2 (PLEASE CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS)
Katie Barker
Account Executive
mPRm Public Relations
5670 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2500
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-933-3399 ext. 4230
Fax - 323-939-7211
email - kbarker@mprm.com
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