Fernanda Figueroa 🥑
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fernandafigs.bsky.social
Fernanda Figueroa 🥑
@fernandafigs.bsky.social
72 followers 110 following 67 posts
“Unapologetically Latina”| Fluent in all things geek
a "communist demon" as deemed by the trolls
Journalist @apnews.com covering Latino Affairs
prev. @USNavyReserve, @AustinAmericanStatesman
tips and hate mail to [email protected]
Posts Replies Media Videos
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Each instance highlights the long-standing and rising disparities in health outcomes for Black women, who die at a rate nearly 3.5 times higher than white women around the time of childbirth, according to a 2023 CDC report.

apnews.com/article/blac...
Delayed care to 2 Black pregnant women highlights maternal health disparities
Two pregnant Black women recently faced alarming neglect at hospitals in Indiana and Texas, highlighting racial disparities in maternal care.
apnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
As the first year of Trump’s 2nd term comes to a close, 2 new polls from @pewresearch.org find that Hispanic adults are increasingly unhappy with the way his administration is handling the economy & immigration, issues that were key during last year’s election
apnews.com/article/hisp...
New survey finds rising pessimism among US Hispanics
As the first year of President Donald Trump's second term comes to a close, two new polls from the Pew Research Center find that Hispanic adults are increasingly unhappy with the way his administratio...
apnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
@votolatino.bsky.social criticizes House for ignoring health crisis and voting 'yes' on budget bill

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
Voto Latino criticizes House for ignoring health crisis and voting 'yes' on budget bill BY FERNANDA FIGUEROA On Wednesday evening the House voted on a budget bill that ended the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Voto Latino leaders said the House "choose to ignore the health crisis millions of Americans are facing" when it voted on a budget bill that they claim will jeopardize the health of Latino communities by failing to fund subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act that make health coverage more accessible. "Latinos are already left behind when it comes to accessing health care coverage," Voto Latino leaders said in a statement. "With lawmakers choosing to turn a blind eye to this reality, these disparities will only grow, and families will be pushed to make difficult decisions when it comes to seeking medical attention."
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
With the US House expected to vote on bill that will end government shutdown,
@votolatino.bsky.social urges House to vote 'no'

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
Voto Latino urges House to vote 'no' on bill that will end government shutdown BY FERNANDA FIGUEROA Voto Latino leaders said they strongly oppose the bill that will end the longest shutdown in U.S. history, claiming it will jeopardize the health of Latino communities by failing to fund subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act that make health coverage more accessible. "The bill before the House of Representatives does not live up to the urgent needs of our families - it offers neither sufficient safeguards nor meaningful investments to protect access to health care," Voto Latino leaders said in a statement. "Voto Latino calls out the U.S. House of Representatives to exercise its responsibility to the American people and specifically the Latino and immigrant communities by voting no on this budget bill in its current form."
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
This Veteran's Day @lulacorg.bsky.social urges VA to accelerate benefit reform to help Latino Veterans

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
LULAC urges VA to accelerate benefit reform to help Latino veterans The League of Untied Latin American Citizens is urging Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and state governments to accelerate benefit reform that would expand health access, strengthen suicide-prevention outreach for veterans and invest in culturally responsive support for Latino veterans and families. LULAC National vice President for Military Affairs, Lawrence Romo said Veterans Day serves as a standing promise that the U.S. government will "stand by its defenders long after the battles have ended." "Latino veterans have never hesitated to serve," Romo said. "Now the nation must ensure that they receive benefits, strong mental health support and real pathways to rebuild their live. Anything is less unacceptable."
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
First byline out of Mexico: Mexico President Sheinbaum presses charges after street groping incident

The incident has given the daily harassment and assaults that women suffer in Mexico their highest-profile platform.

apnews.com/article/mexi...
Mexico President Sheinbaum presses charges after street groping incident
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum says the harassment she suffered from a drunk man near the government seat is an assault on all women.
apnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:41 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
NEW: @hispaniccaucus.bsky.social and the Hispanic Federation have launched efforts to 'overhaul ICE'
Congressional Hispanic Caucus launches effort to ‘overhaul ICE’ By MATT BROWN “I think that they should be restructured totally. This is urban warfare—what they’re doing is unacceptable,” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement. The caucus, which includes all Hispanic Democrats in Congress, will develop a framework alongside the Hispanic Federation and other advocacy groups to “restore accountability, protect civil rights, and ensure that no community lives in fear of those sworn to serve them,” said Espaillat. The framework focuses on reform, oversight and transparency efforts at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some progressive Democrats, including some Hispanic Caucus members, have called for the abolition of ICE. The Congressional Hispanic Conference, which consists of all Hispanic Republicans, in June urged the Trump administration to focus enforcement efforts on violent criminals instead of “individuals who do not constitute an immediate threat to public safety.”
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Mexican Americans balance tradition and modernity in Day of the Dead celebrations
apnews.com/article/dia-...
Mexican Americans balance tradition and modernity in Day of the Dead celebrations
Mexican American families are gathering to honor their ancestors with altars, marigolds and sugar skulls on Dia de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead.
apnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
In case you need your fill after yesterday’s reunion here’s my story about how @loveisblindshow.bsky.social has found a formula to showcase different cultural norms and the many types of love that exist.

apnews.com/article/love...
How 'Love is Blind' is reshaping global views on love, from Japan to Brazil
Netflix's “Love Is Blind” explores love beyond appearances, with adaptations in various cultures. The show has aired in nine U.S. cities and has international versions in places like Japan and Brazil.
apnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Are you building an altar for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Send a photo of your ofrenda to [email protected]

Your submission could be part of an upcoming AP story.
October 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Calling a #LoveIsBlind fans!!

Looking to talk to fans about how the show portrays different types of love across all its seasons for a story I am working on.

If you are interested please DM or email at [email protected]
October 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Wrapping up Hispanic Heritage Month with a story about the state of Hispanic stories in the mainstream world of books.

Some in the industry are pushing for more ethnically authentic stories about Latinos, beyond the immigrant experience.

apnews.com/article/hisp...
Hispanic authors and bookstores push for representation in publishing
Some authors, publishers, readers and influencers are finding new ways to elevate Hispanic stories despite underrepresentation in the mainstream world of books.
apnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Did my first radio interview and its about Hispanic Heritage Month
kgnu.org/shows/its-th...
My interview starts at at the 42:28 mark.
It’s The Economy – KGNU Community Radio
kgnu.org
October 14, 2025 at 9:21 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/us-l... 
Hispanic people in the U.S. are becoming one of the nation’s fastest growing racial and ethnic groups.

But this growing community is far from being a monolith.

Here’s a look at the Hispanic population in the U.S., by the numbers:
A by the numbers look at the current Hispanic population in the United States
More than 68 million people in the United States identify as ethnically Hispanic, making it one the nation’s fastest growing racial or ethnic groups.
apnews.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Hispanic Heritage Month at White house postponed

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
White House postpones event for National Hispanic Heritage Month By CHRIS MEGERIAN The president was expected to host a gathering Thursday afternoon. However, it’s been postponed because of the government shutdown, according to a White House official who wasn’t authorized to comment publicly on the matter.
October 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Hispanic groups criticize use of sombrero memes in government shutdown fight

A reminder that Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
Hispanic groups criticize use of sombrero memes in government shutdown fight By FERNANDA FIGUEROA In a joint response, the Hispanic Federation, the Latino Victory Foundation, League of United American Citizens, Mi Familia Vota, UnidosUs and Voto Latino said the AI videos and memes are distracting the public from the issue at hand and perpetuating Latino stereotypes. “Targeting the Latino community is not only irresponsible — it is reprehensible and beneath the office of the presidency,” the joint statement said. “The troubling use of AI to amplify hateful stereotypes is not only reckless, but it serves as an act of disinformation designed to further stigmatize Latinos when the tensions facing the community driven by policy and rhetoric are at an all-time high.”
October 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
“The sombreros will continue until the government reopens"

A reminder it is Hispanic Heritage Month till Oct. 15

LIVE UPDATES: apnews.com/live/donald-...
White House says video attacks on Democrats will continue until they reopen the government By FERNANDA FIGUEROA “The sombreros will continue until the government reopens,” White House Deputy Communications Kaelan Dorr said in a post on X sharing a video of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries that was previously shared during a White House press briefing Wednesday. What started with a video of Jeffries wearing a sombrero with mariachi music in the background as he delivers a fabricated rant has turned into a trolling campaign led by Republicans. On Wednesday evening, the official GOP X account and Sen. Ted Cruz’s personal account shared various versions of the sombrero meme. Cruz’s post depicts various images of Democrats in sombreros and mustaches while playing an altered version of the 1990’s Latino hit “Macarena.” In his post, Cruz said, “The 44 senate Democrats who voted for Schumer’s Shutdown should know that the Sombrero posting will continue until they re-open our government. Hey Macarena.”
October 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
Looking to speak to avid readers about the representation of Latino/Hispanic stories & authors for a story for @apnews.com
If you are interested and willing to speak with me please DM or email [email protected]
#journorequests
September 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
It's Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month is a chance to learn about and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic cultures. The group includes people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean & Central and South America
apnews.com/article/hisp...
Annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations make adjustments in current political climate
Each year during Hispanic Heritage Month, huge celebrations can be expected across the U.S to showcase the diversity and culture of Hispanic people.
apnews.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
For many Hispanics the road to homeownership is filled with obstacles. Mortgage experts are turning to AI to bridge the gap.
apnews.com/article/arti...
Artificial intelligence helps break barriers for Hispanic homeownership
Some mortgage experts are using artificial intelligence to help Hispanic homebuyers navigate the loan application process.
apnews.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
The National Hispanic Health Research Institute, launched on Tuesday, will be the first Latino-led community research institute aimed at gathering health data to track and address disparities in underserved communities across the country.
Health leaders launch new Latino-focused data hub to combat NIH budget cuts
A national group of Latino public health leaders has announced the launch of a new research institute, which they say is a response to the hundreds of millions in federal funding cuts related to diver...
apnews.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
In a memo sent to Congress, the Justice Department said it agrees with a lawsuit attempting to strike down grants that are reserved for colleges and universities where at least a quarter of undergraduates are Hispanic.
Justice Dept. declines to defend grants for Hispanic-serving colleges, calling them unconstitutional
The Trump administration says it will not defend a decades-old grant program for heavily Hispanic universities that is being challenged in court, declaring that the government believes the funding is ...
apnews.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/extr...

Green spaces are key to combating record heat in marginalized communities
Still many predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods do not have green spaces within a five mile radius. Project Petals is working to change that.
Green spaces are key to combating record heat in marginalized communities
Millions of Americans are facing record heat with temperatures frequently over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
apnews.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/texa... Democrats end walkout over redistricting as California prepares to retaliate
Texas Democrats end walkout over redistricting as California prepares to retaliate
Texas Democrats ended a two-week walkout that stalled efforts to redraw congressional districts as part of a national partisan brawl over President Donald Trump’s desire to reshape U.S. House maps.
apnews.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
fernandafigs.bsky.social
New and exciting opportunity at @apnews.com
careers.ap.org/job/Phoenix-...
Indigenous Affairs Reporting Fellow
Indigenous Affairs Reporting Fellow
careers.ap.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM