The featured guests on this week’s En Sintonía con el Concejo del Condado de Montgomery (In Tune with the Montgomery County Council) will include Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart, who serves as the chair of the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy and Audit Committees and sits on the Transportation and Environment Committee; Jason Avila, executive director Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus; Carlos Cortes-Vazquez, Montgomery County police officer; Ingrid Lizama, communications manager at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Latino Health Initiative; Jeymi Menendez, education coordinator at EveryMind, and Alexa Villarreal, education coordinator at EveryMind. The show will air on Friday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. on Radio America (WILC 900AM) and is streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. 

The show will begin with special guest, Council President Kate Stewart, who will discuss Bill 21-25, legislation she sponsored and that has been approved by the Council. The bill aims to expand the existing Day Care and Child Care Property Tax Credit by increasing the maximum credit from $3,000 to $10,000 and broadening eligibility to include large family child care homes that serve up to 12 children. 

Council President Stewart will also highlight her partnership with the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus. In collaboration with state delegates, and other community leaders, the Caucus is hosting a community conversation on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 4:30 p.m. The panel will take place in person at the Silver Spring Civic Building, with a Zoom option available for virtual attendees. 

The show will continue with a conversation with Jason Avila, who will share all the details about this initiative. This event is part of a series of informative sessions held across Maryland, designed to provide a platform for residents to engage with state legislators, voice their concerns, and learn how to respond effectively in times of crisis. 

The third segment of the show will feature the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), which has opened applications for Session 81 police officer candidates. This recruitment cycle includes a key update to the department’s minimum qualifications, aimed at expanding the applicant pool while upholding high standards. Effective immediately, applicants are no longer required to have 60 college credits at the time of application. This change reflects MCPD’s effort to make a career in policing more accessible, without compromising on educational or professional expectations. Officer Cortes will join us to share all the details. 

The show will conclude by spotlighting an upcoming Facebook Live event focused on the importance of protecting our mental health. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Montgomery County Latino Health Initiative, in partnership with EveryMind, will host a Facebook Live on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. The livestream, which will be conducted in Spanish, can be viewed on the Latino Health Initiative's Facebook page. 

The Montgomery County Council and Radio America have entered a partnership that provides the Latino community with key information on issues and programs. The partnership also provides a forum for residents to express their views and ask questions. The partnership includes the weekly one-hour show each Friday on the Washington metropolitan area’s most popular Spanish language station. 

Each week, the show features host Marcela Rodriguez, Council program manager and public information officer, and guests talking about important issues before the Council and provides information about programs offered by the County to help residents.