Rep. Adam Schiff Joins Justin Chapman’s ‘NewsRap Local’ TV Show Friday to Discuss His New Book and the Future of Democracy

Pasadena Media’s local news talk show “NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman” continues at 5 p.m. this Friday with featured guest Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena), who will discuss his new book “Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could.”

“Congressman Schiff recently wrote a book that provides a behind-the-scenes look at Trump’s first impeachment, the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol Building and the threat of creeping authoritarianism at home and abroad,” Chapman said, a Pasadena-based journalist who writes for Pasadena Now. “We’ll talk to him about his experience in Congress during a tumultuous period in American history and what must be done to protect democracy.”

In his 11th term in the House of Representatives, Schiff represents a district that includes a portion of west Pasadena. He currently serves as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, which oversees the nation’s intelligence agencies, and as a member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. In 2019 and 2020, he oversaw the first impeachment investigation and trial of former President Donald Trump. Schiff began his career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles as a federal prosecutor, trying such cases as the successful prosecution of the first FBI agent accused of spying for a foreign power: Richard Miller for Russia.

“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.

“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. Last month, 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.