Assemblyman Chris Holden Joins Journalist Justin Chapman’s ‘NewsRap Local’ TV Show Friday

Pasadena Media’s local news talk show “NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman” continues this Friday at 5 p.m. with featured guest Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-41), who was recently appointed to the state legislature’s powerful Appropriations Committee.

“With Pasadena’s Assemblymember elevated to one of the California legislature’s top positions, Pasadena has the opportunity to serve as a leader in state affairs,” said host Justin Chapman, a Pasadena-based journalist who writes for Pasadena Now. “We’ll talk to Assemblyman Holden about his appropriations priorities, the battle between cities and the state over affordable housing, and more.”

Prior to his election to the Assembly in 2012, Holden served for almost 24 years as a Pasadena City Council member and mayor. He was the youngest council member at age 28 and only the second African American to serve as mayor. In addition to chairing the Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, he also sits on the Communications and Conveyance, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, and Judiciary committees. He was the Assembly Majority Floor Leader from 2014 to 2016 and the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus from 2016 to 2018. He also owns the real estate firm CHMB Consulting and is a former owner of a Subway franchise.

“NewsRap Local” launched in April and airs on the third Friday of every month on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and streaming apps, available on channel 99 on AT&T U-verse, channel 32 on Charter Spectrum, YouTube, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku.

In each episode, Chapman provides analysis on local news, presents a “lightning round” of the month’s top stories and interviews a special guest or hosts a panel for a deep dive into an important issue facing the community. It is the only TV talk show that focuses exclusively on Pasadena news and politics.

“NewsRap Local” is written by Chapman, directed by Joshua Morales, produced by Chapman and Aaron Wheeler and executive produced by George Falardeau, CEO and executive director of Pasadena Media.

Previous guests on “NewsRap Local” included Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, director of the Pasadena Public Health Department; Rick Cole, former mayor of Pasadena and current executive director of the Congress for the New Urbanism; Congress member Judy Chu (D-27); Congress member Adam Schiff (D-28); interim Pasadena city manager Cynthia Kurtz; and many others.

“This is must-watch television each month for everyone who cares about this city,” Falardeau said.

Chapman is also the writer, host, producer and editor of the show “Well Read with Justin Chapman,” which also airs on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and streaming apps. In October, he placed 2nd in the Hard News category and 3rd in the Obituary category at the LA Press Club’s 63rd annual Southern California Journalism Awards.

Chapman was the youngest elected official in LA County when he served on the Altadena Town Council at age 19. He has written hundreds of articles for two dozen print and digital publications, including KPCC/LAist, Alta Journal, Huffington Post, LA Weekly, Berkeley Political Review, Pasadena Weekly, Pasadena Now and many others.

“Join me on the third Friday of every month at 5 p.m. for my analysis of Pasadena news and politics and to hear directly from community movers and shakers,” Chapman said.

Learn more at justindouglaschapman.com and pasadenamedia.org.