Before taking over the reins as governor of Jalisco on March 1, Aristotoles Sandoval began spouting fresh ideas for restructuring the state government. Innovations in public administration that include the creation, elimination and fusion of various agencies are now well under way, with the deepest changes noted in branches related to law and order.

Jalisco law enforcement agencies are facing criticism for not taking the disappearance of women seriously and for acting too slowly when reports of missing persons are filed.

“It’s a theme that no one seems to be talking about,” said Guadalupe Ramos Ponce, coordinator of the state branch of the Latin American Committee for the Defense of Women’s Rights.

More than 1,180 women are currently reported as missing in the state of Jalisco.

Posters put up by family members seeking information on missing relatives have become a common sight in city neighborhoods.

“We don’t know if the disappearances have to do with human trafficking, prostitution or sexual violence.  So it’s up to authorities to investigate.”

After 12 years as the voice and face of Guadalajara’s prestigious American School, Janet Heinze is set to retire this July. The personable general director bubbles with pride about the school, which boasts a student body that is 80 percent Mexican (15 percent American, 5 percent “other”), and a curriculum that is predominantly and unwaveringly English.