Pasadena Transportation Director Laura Cornejo Joins Journalist Justin Chapman’s Award-Nominated ‘NewsRap Local’ for 710 Stub Update

Pasadena Media’s award-nominated local news talk show “NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman” continues this Friday at 5 p.m. with featured guest Laura Cornejo, director of transportation for the city of Pasadena.

“The city of Pasadena is getting closer to reclaiming the so-called ‘710 stub’ land, offering an unprecedented opportunity to reconnect communities displaced by the freeway decades ago and design 50 new acres in the heart of the city,” said host Justin Chapman, a Pasadena-based journalist who writes for Pasadena Now. “We’ll talk to Laura Cornejo about where the relinquishment agreement process stands, what the next steps are and how the community will be included in determining what should replace the stub, as well as other important transportation projects across the city.”

Cornejo has been Pasadena’s director of transportation since 2019, when she took over from long-time director Fred Dock. She has over 17 years of experience in municipal, regional and state government. She has served as the deputy executive officer of countywide planning with LA Metro where she was responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team in delivering transportation infrastructure that ranged from rail to pedestrian to bicycle projects. She has also provided technical support and guidance to the 88 cities in LA County for their respective projects. Prior to joining LA Metro, Cornejo was the interim director of transportation and manager of strategic planning and intergovernmental relations with the city of Montebello.

Last month, Chapman was selected as a finalist for three LA Press Club journalism awards, including one in the TV/Public Affairs category for hosting “NewsRap Local.” Winners will be announced June 25.

“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 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; Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-41); 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.