-- by Laura Crimaldi, The Boston Herald:

Suffolk Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral is walking away from nearly $54 million in federal immigration fees, saying her jail will no longer house illegal aliens due to the feds’ “staggering lack of communication and respect.”

In a blistering letter informing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the decision, a lawyer for Cabral blasted federal officials for forcing the jail to “beg and plead” for basic information.

“We have encountered a staggering lack of communication and respect from representatives of your agency,” General Counsel James M. Davin wrote in an Aug. 13 letter. “This is completely unacceptable.”

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--from KSAZ, Fox 10 Phoenix:

As interest grows for Arizona's 2010 primary and general election, over 10,000 Latino voters have registered since June, according to Mi Familia Vota.

Early voting is strongly linked to increased political participation, and the organization hopes that more Latino and Hispanic people will make their voices heard this election.

In 2008, 82 percent of Latinos who registered early cast their ballots.

This is the first study ever to take a look at Latina bloggers both from a demographic and a cultural standpoint. Given the growth of the Hispanic market, these Latinas are the vanguard of an emerging consumer segment that is the most attractive target for companies right now.

-- by Ana Ley, The McAllen Monitor:

The latest economic boon in the McAllen area — a place that fared well during the global recession — may be partly attributed to a drug war that is luring investment from northern Mexico.

Drawn by McAllen’s large Hispanic population and discouraged by violent cartel attacks in northern Mexico, entrepreneurs south of the Rio Grande are pouring into South Texas.

Four Appointees Have Waited an Average of 303 Days for Senate Confirmation

President Obama announced today his intent to recess appoint four nominees to fill key administration posts that have been left vacant for an extended period of time.

-- from 8NewsNow (CBS Affiliate, Las Vegas):

A local Hispanic movement is hoping to get 10,000 people registered to vote in the November election.

Translated into English, Ya es hora means the time is now and that is why the Hispanic Institute is teaming up with Hispanics in Politics to educate Latino voters on the voting process and the importance of getting registered. Free classes will be held every Tuesday starting August 24 through mid-September. Artie Blanco with the Hispanic Institute explains some of the common questions they answer.

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-- by Brock Vergakis, The Associated Press:

A conservative Utah lawmaker says his proposed Arizona-style immigration bill would withstand any federal court challenges.

State Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's bill had its first public hearing Wednesday. The measure contains several provisions nearly identical to those a federal judge blocked in Arizona before they could take effect last month.

-- by David Hendricks, San Antonio Express-News:

Hispanic consumers and their increasing purchasing power are the growth engine for the U.S. economy, Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the Washington-based U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday in San Antonio.

“This is a market that is growing faster than anyone anticipated,” Palomarez told nearly 100 people attending a luncheon of the American Marketing Association's San Antonio chapter.

-- by Devlin Barrett, The Wall Street Journal:

With a critical primary vote scheduled before a verdict in his House ethics trial, judgement for Rep. Charles Rangel will come first from the voters. That verdict will likely hinge on old alliances, long-running rivalries and the changing face of his upper Manhattan district.

-- by Thomas D. Elias, Palo Alto Daily News:

Back in 1978, Tom Quinn, campaign manager of Jerry Brown's two previous runs for governor, observed that "It doesn't matter what you say or do before January 1 of an election year, because the voters will never remember."