Councilmember Jess Rivas Joins Journalist Justin Chapman for Award-Winning ‘NewsRap Local’

Pasadena Media’s award-winning local news talk show “NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman” continues this Friday at 5 p.m. with featured guest Jess Rivas, Pasadena City Council member representing District 5.

“Council member Rivas ran opposed for her seat on the council this year after originally being appointed last year, which speaks to how the community views the job she is doing representing them,” said host Justin Chapman, an award-winning journalist who writes for Pasadena Now. “We’ll talk to her about a range of current topics facing the city, including the priorities of the new city manager, what kind of police chief she would like to see, what should be done with the 710 stub land, her thoughts on the upcoming rent control ballot measure and more.”

Rivas currently works in District 5 as a staff counsel for the LA County Employees Retirement Association. She previously served as a deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice, a deputy county counsel with LA County and as a major in the U.S. Army Reserve. She also previously served on the city’s Northwest Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women. She graduated from Princeton University and New York University School of Law.

Last month, Chapman won three LA Press Club journalism awards, including 1st place in the Travel Reporting category, 3rd place in the Entertainment Features category and 3rd place in the TV/Public Affairs category for hosting “NewsRap Local.”

“NewsRap Local” launched over a year ago 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 and hosted by Chapman, directed and edited by Joshua Morales, produced by Chapman and Aaron Wheeler and executive produced by George Falardeau, CEO and executive director of Pasadena Media.

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

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; Assembly member Chris Holden (D-41); and many others.

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.

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.