Coronavirus Declared a Pandemic – The World Health Organization has officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Leaders at the agency say this means the disease will continue to spread and that governments must exercise greater vigilance to break the chain of transmission. The panic caused by this crisis led stock markets to plunge in their worst slump in decades. In the United States, President Trump ordered a thirty-day suspension of flights from Europe and several states around the country declared a state of emergency.
First Phase of the 2020 Census Begins – Beginning this week, all U.S. residents will receive a letter inviting them to participate in the 2020 Census. This is the official start of the historic count of the population. The invitation letter provides instructions on how to complete the census form and a personal identification number connected to each home that is to be used when filling out the questionnaire online.
Los Cancioneros del Valle, Three Generations of Artists Upholding their Musical Legacy – In Antonito, one of the oldest towns in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley, a family of musicians with deep roots in the region continues to play the songbook inherited from their grandparents. The trio Los Cancioneros del Valle was formed by musicians from three generations of the same family. They are united by their passion to continue singing the rancheras, corridos, Alabados, as well as the wedding marches and Entriegas de Novios of Río Arriba’s long-cherished festivals and ceremonies. This report, prepared by Rubén Tapia, is part of the series “Raíces: Songs and Stories of Río Arriba.”
