WEBSTER CITY — Yeimi Yanira Mendez, of Coatepeque, Guatemala, is a journalist and broadcast announcer working on assignment in America on behalf of her station Gardenia TV and Recuerdo Radio.

This is Mendez’s second working trip to America.

Mendez first came to America last year to report on the border crisis on the Tijuana/California border. She visited migrant shelters on the border to interview people and to find out their purpose for migration.

Most migrants spoke of the “American dream” and the desire to help their families back at home as their primary reason for making the long and dangerous journey.

Furthermore, Guatemalan officials hoped to show the reality and extensive hardships that migrants endure as a way of slowing migration into the United States, according to Mendez.

Mendez said that she was “surprised” by the amount of homelessness she witnessed in California and said it was “certainly not like the television portrays it!”

This time around, Mendez is staying with family members while covering and monitoring the U.S. elections and transition of power in the White House. She writes and livestreams to her channel as events in the U.S. unfold.

“The average Guatemalan citizen is interested in the lifestyle of Americans, the safety and security of life here and how to attain the American dream,” she said.

When asked about her impression of Iowa, Mendez said that she prefers Iowa to California. She thinks that people here are nicer, especially the older population. She notes that the land is beautiful and the lifestyle is slower and more relaxed here.

Recently, Mendez was introduced to radio announcer Pat Powers at KQWC radio. She was interested in learning about the American broadcasting system and was able to interview Powers during her visit. Mendez plans to run her story about KQWC and Powers with her station in Guatemala.

Powers said this was his first time being interviewed by a foreign journalist.

Mendez will be in Webster City until March 2025.

If you see her around town stop and say hello, you just might end up as front page news in Coatepeque.