The Brief

Criticism — and concern about free speech — is pouring in after ABC abruptly suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! under pressure from the Trump administration.

ABC announced Wednesday that it would take Kimmel's show off the air indefinitely, after threats from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr to the stations that carry it. Speaking on a podcast hosted by a conservative commentator, Carr took issue with comments Kimmel had made in Monday's onscreen monologue about Republicans' reaction to Charlie Kirk's killing, which the late-night host had previously condemned.

When asked about Kimmel's suspension at a press conference Thursday morning, President Trump said Kimmel was "fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else, and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk."

"You can call that free speech or not, he was fired for lack of talent," Trump said.

Civil rights groups, labor unions, Democratic politicians and Hollywood A-listers have condemned the move as an attack on the First Amendment, not only for Kimmel and his writers but for Americans as a whole.

"Trump officials are repeatedly abusing their power to stop ideas they don't like, deciding who can speak, write, and even joke," Christopher Anders, director of the ACLU's Democracy and Technology Division, said in a statement. "The Trump administration's actions, paired with ABC's capitulation, represent a grave threat to our First Amendment freedoms."

Earlier Wednesday, before ABC's announcement, Nexstar — which operates 32 of the country's ABC stations and is currently seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger — said it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Another TV station operator, Sinclair Broadcast Group, quickly followed suit.

The suspension is being cheered by Republicans, including Trump and Carr himself. But the government's perceived involvement — and the network's compliance — is facing widespread condemnation by left-leaning politicians and entertainers, as well as several nonpartisan groups.

"We cannot be a country where late night talk show hosts serve at the pleasure of the president," said free speech group the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "But until institutions grow a backbone and learn to resist government pressure, that is the country we are."

NPR reached out to Jimmy Kimmel and his show but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Democrats — including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom — are also saying that Trump's and Carr's words contradict their past statements in favor of free speech and against government censorship. When Trump began his second term in January, for instance, he signed an executive order establishing policies to prevent government interference in constitutionally protected speech.

But some critics of the administration say they are seeing the opposite.

The Trump administration has withheld funding from universities it says aren't doing enough to fight antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian protests, and sued media outlets, including this week, the New York Times. Attorney General Pam Bondi drew criticism for saying this week that the Justice Department would go after "hate speech" in the wake of Kirk's killing, later clarifying it would only go after speech that leads to violence.

ABC's decision to suspend Kimmel comes two months after the July announcement that CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end next year. The network cited financial reasons, but the timing fueled speculation that its parent company's then-pending merger and Colbert's recent criticisms of Trump contributed to its cancellation.

"After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn't like," former president Barack Obama said in a statement Thursday, calling on media companies to "start standing up rather than capitulating to it."

When asked for comment, the White House referred NPR to Trump's press conference and Carr's tweets praising the cancellation.

"Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest," Carr wrote in one, before singling out ABC's parent company. "While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values."

Sinclair applauded Carr's remarks in a statement, saying suspending Kimmel's show is not enough. It urged him to apologize to Kirk's family and donate to his family and nonprofit.

Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith called Kimmel's remarks "inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country," and said broadcasters have a responsibility to elevate respectful dialogue in their communities. Sinclair stations will air a tribute to Kirk on Friday.

Smith said "this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.

Camera crews and onlookers gather in front of the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

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Chris Pizzello

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Invision

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What Democrats are saying

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Oversight committee, announced on Thursday morning that he will launch an investigation into the Trump administration, ABC and Sinclair "amid ongoing efforts to censor opposition to the President of the United States."

"Every American has a duty to stand up for our First Amendment values," Garcia said in a statement shared with NPR. "We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats. Anyone who is complicit will need to answer to us."

House Democratic leaders called on Carr to resign on Thursday, in a joint statement that accused him of engaging in "the corrupt abuse of power … by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration."

NPR has reached out to the FCC for comment but did not hear back by publication time.

The House Democrats, while accusing Trump and Republicans of waging a "war on the First Amendment," also said media companies "have a lot to explain."

"The censoring of artists and cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice. It may also be part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme," they wrote. "House Democrats will make sure the American people learn the truth, even if that requires the relentless unleashing of congressional subpoena power. This will not be forgotten."

Many other high-profile Democrats have criticized the Trump administration, accusing it of censorship, including Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

In a video, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., lamented "the systematic destruction of free speech in this country" — citing Colbert and Kimmel as examples — and urged Americans to mobilize in what he called a "red-alert moment."

"This is a moment for all of us to be out on the streets protesting, because if you don't raise your voices right now about the assault on free speech, about Donald Trump's decision to disgustingly exploit the murder of Charlie Kirk so as to try to permanently render powerless and impotent those who politically oppose him, there may be no democracy to save a year from now," Murphy said.

What the industry is saying

Multiple labor unions representing Hollywood writers, actors and musicians were quick to condemn Kimmel's suspension and assert their support for freedom of expression.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) — which represents Kimmel's writers — issued a statement opposing "anyone who uses their power and influence to silence the voices of writers, or anyone who speaks in dissent," noting that the Constitution protects "the freeing agreement to disagree."

"Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth," the union added. "As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world."

SAG-AFTRA, which represents performers and media professionals — including NPR journalists — called the decision "the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone's freedoms." And the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada accused the Trump administration of "state censorship."

"It's now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It's happening right here and right now," said union president Tino Gagliardi.

Many celebrities also took up Kimmel's cause and expressed their dismay at his silencing, from actors like Jean Smart and Ben Stiller to fellow comedians including Kathy Griffin, Mike Birbiglia and Alex Edelman.

Wanda Sykes posted an Instagram video on Wednesday night in which she said she had a full face of makeup on because she had been scheduled to appear on Kimmel's abruptly-cancelled show.

"So let's see. He didn't end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week, but he did end freedom of speech within his first year," Sykes said of Trump. "For those of you who pray, now's the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy."

It's not just outspoken Democrats who are concerned.

Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, a registered Independent, called on Americans to wake up, writing in a tweet that "If you think ABC capitulating to Trump to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's show is no big deal … just wait for what could be next."

Brit Hume, Fox News' chief political analyst, weighed in on X, writing that the First Amendment does not protect performers like Kimmel from being canceled by their private-sector employers.

"But I would have liked the outcome a lot better if the chairman of the FCC had not involved himself in it," he wrote.
Copyright 2025 NPR

LAist reports on local issues for — and with — communities across Southern California, but chances are most readers have never spoken with a journalist before. Your stories and experiences power our reporting, so it’s important that people know what to expect when they speak with a reporter.

That’s what this guide is for.

Below are some tips from our newsroom on what to keep in mind when talking to a journalist.

Remember: You are the expert on your own life

Tell the story you want to tell about yourself.

Be honest. Truthfulness and facts are central to journalistic ethics.

Also know your worth. Reporters come to you for a reason. They may be intimidating because they have a mic or a camera, but you have a perspective they need. Media outlets also want to expand their audiences, and that includes you.

Common questions

How can I get a journalist’s attention?

Contact reporters by social media or send them a personal email — at LAist, contact information is available on our staff page. If you meet a reporter, get their business card. It will usually have a direct phone number to talk with them.

Will all my words be published?

Probably not. Journalists are often working with a limited word count or air time. They will likely use one short sound bite or quote from you. It’s also possible they will not use your interview at all. Reporters and their editors decide what will get published.

Can I see a copy of the story before it's published?

Probably not. It is against journalistic ethics to have sources review a story before it’s published. Imagine if a journalist were to do a piece about government corruption. You wouldn’t want the government agency to review the story and edit it. Editors review stories for accuracy.

When will the story be published?

It depends on the type of story. Some stories are short and may air on the radio or be published online the same day you talk to the reporter. Other times a reporter might work on a story for several weeks or months. It’s OK to follow up with the reporter who talked to you and ask when the story might be done and ask them to let you know where you can read or hear it.

Can I speak with a fact-checker?

You are welcome to ask reporters about their fact-checking process or how they make sure a story is accurate. Not all outlets have fact-checkers. If the story is an investigative story or a long-form or magazine format, designated fact-checkers are more common. At LAist, reporters and editors are responsible for verifying information.

What if I am asked about something that makes me feel uncomfortable?

Your story is your own and during an interview you have full control over what you say to a reporter. Answer questions in any way that makes you feel most comfortable, and you can always decline to answer a question.

What do I do if a reporter asks me about my immigration status?

You don't have to disclose your immigration status to a reporter. If it's directly relevant to the story, a trustworthy reporter will explain that and also tell you how they'd handle the information. You can decline to answer.

• More on how LAist handles this topic

How do I determine if the newsroom I'm speaking with has a specific point of view?

It's a great question and relates directly to media literacy — meaning how well you can spot misinformation, disinformation and bias. The reality is that we all have points of view. Here are some tools to check on where a publication falls across the political spectrum:

• FAIR's (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting), which describes itself as a "progressive media watchdog group" has this media literacy guide.
• PEW Research Center, which describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan nonadvocacy organization, has information on sources most popular with different political perspectives
• You should be able to find information on who funds the work on the site (corporations, individual owners, subscribers, members and so on).
• You can also check out this interactive chart tracking media outlets across the political spectrum (note that you may need a paid version to search smaller outlets). Ad Fontes Media, which describes itself as a "public benefit corporation" which they said means they are "a for-profit business with a stated public mission," has been publishing its analysis since 2018.

Is everything I say usable in a story?

You can come to an agreement with reporters ahead of the conversation about how your words can be used:

• “On the record”: This means that everything you say in your conversation with the journalist can be quoted, published and attributed back to you. By default, you should assume any exchange you have with a journalist is on the record unless you mutually agree otherwise. 
• “On background”: This means that you are sharing information with a journalist that can be referenced in a story, but is not directly attributed to you. 
• “Off the record”: This means that you are sharing information that is not for publication. People may share experiences or tips off the record if they want the journalist to be aware of the information but don’t want it mentioned in a story. Remember that “off the record” only counts if both you and the journalist agree to it. 

It's worth noting that different newsrooms may use these terms slightly differently. You should confirm with the reporter that you have as shared understanding of the meaning.

Do I need to pay to be in a news story? Can I get paid?

No and no. You will not pay or get paid to be in a news story because this is against journalistic ethics. Anyone who receives payment for a story could be swayed to bend the truth.

What if the reporter gets my story wrong?

If you feel that the reporter misrepresented your story, you can ask for a correction or an update to clarify a point. Reporters want to get the story right and they don't want to incorrect or misleading information to go unchecked. That said, corrections deal with information that is factually incorrect, so you should be ready to explain what was wrong and why. Under California law, you have 20 days to demand a correction and the publisher has to respond within a set period of time.

• More on California civil defamation claims and the definition of defamation.

How can I prepare for an interview?

Think about the main points you want to get across in your interview. What are the most critical things for the reporter to know? Some people like to organize their thoughts into three major points. If you are not used to telling your story, you may want to have a friend ask you some questions to practice. Depending on the story, a reporter may also ask if you have any pictures to share that they can use to help tell the story.

Get involved with LAist

Ask LAist reporters questions

You can reach out to LAist reporters through the contact information listed on their bios. All our editorial staff, including the teams reporting, editing and producing news, are listed here.

How else you can be a part of LAist's reporting

Aside from contacting journalists directly, you can share your story with LAist through short surveys and meeting us in person. Learn more here.

This guide was originally written by former LAist early childhood producer Stefanie Ritoper, with contributions from Mariana Dale. Cato Hernández and David Rodriguez also contributed to this guide. 

File this under things that could only happen in L.A.

Paradise Dynasty, the Singapore-based chain known for its signature eight-flavor xiao long bao, has teamed up with Burritos La Palma — the SoCal burrito institution whose birria de res recipe traces back over 45 years — to create a limited-edition birria soup dumpling. The Birria XLB will be available starting Monday (May 11) for a limited time at Paradise Dynasty locations.

I've eaten my weight in both soup dumplings and burritos, so naturally, I'm a fan of both.

Paradise Dynasty has been on a steady ascent as a major player in L.A.'s dumpling scene, with locations at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and The Americana at Brand in Glendale.

Meanwhile, Burritos La Palma — known for its simple, savory burritos and finely crafted flour tortillas — has been capturing hearts and stomachs since Alberto Bañuelos opened the first eatery in L.A. in 2012. It’s since grown to several spots across L.A. and Orange County, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2024 for its high-quality, Zacatecan-style handmade flour tortilla burritos at an affordable price.

How the collab came together

So what exactly is a birria soup dumpling? A delicate wrapper, lightly packed with tender birria de res — slow-braised beef stewed in chilies and spices — juicy, savory and gone in one bite.

It all began with a call from Paradise Dynasty, when Jason Kuo, district manager for Paradise Dynasty USA, reached out to Bañuelos, calling it, simply, a perfect match between the two dishes.

Kuo said the idea came straight from the community.

"When we started asking guests and people around us what flavor they would want to see in a soup dumpling, birria kept coming up again and again — it was very clear. If we're going to do birria, it has to be done right. Burritos La Palma was the first name that came to mind."

Bañuelos was "beyond thrilled" to have been approached.

"We come from a small town in Mexico, and to be able to elevate to the level of Paradise Dynasty and that culinary perfection, I can't even really put it into words," he said.

It took months of R&D to get the right consistency. Bañuelos said the process required dialing down the moisture and upping the spice potency and landed on serving a fresh red salsa with thin slivers of serrano peppers alongside — a riff on the black vinegar and pickled ginger traditionally served with soup dumplings.

The Birria XLB's juicy interior is part of what makes it work — the dish is served with a fresh, tomato-based salsa and slivers of serrano pepper in place of the traditional black vinegar and pickled ginger.

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Katrina Frederick

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How it tastes

I got a chance to try the dumplings ahead of the public launch and was struck by how well the combination worked. The juicy nature of birria is almost turbocharged in dumpling form, its savory, herbaceous flavors fully encapsulated in the thin skin, creating an exceptional texture in every bite. The dish hits even harder when dipped in the light tomato-based salsa — a rush of freshness that cuts through the richness, with a spike of heat from fresh serrano. (Feel free to skip the peppers if spice isn't your thing.)

But what's most impressive is how organic it all feels. This isn't fusion for fusion's sake — it's a natural meeting of two dishes that are deeply embedded in the Southern California diet, each playing to the other's strengths.

It feels like a logical meeting of the minds — birria and soup dumplings have both been part of L.A.'s culinary zeitgeist for the better part of a decade, and it makes sense that these worlds should collide.

When asked whether a collaboration like this could happen anywhere else, Bañuelos was quick: "It has to start in L.A. You just can't compete."

Where to try it

Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody. They’ve signed a letter, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.

The letter comes in the wake of an investigation by the California and Texas Newsrooms, public media collaboratives in those states. LAist is part of The California Newsroom.

The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health experts interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.

The letter says the detention violates federal regulations because the children are “entitled to the full range of medical care, including reproductive health care.”

Rep. Gil Cisneros, who represents the central San Gabriel Valley, says he worries that pregnant migrants who are apprehended in California will be put at risk if they’re sent to a part of Texas that is short on obstetric care. Of particularly concern: High-risk pregnancies are common among minors.

“If they were in California," he said, "they would be able to have more choices of the type of health care that they would get when it comes to reproductive health care.”

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents the West San Gabriel Valley, wrote in a statement that “this administration is so intent on restricting abortion that it is using immigration detention as a tool to control these girls’ bodies.”

Mark Betancourt is a regular contributor to The California Newsroom. 

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.

The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teachers union.

A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites.

“‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.

United Teachers Los Angeles called the DOE's accusations a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the district’s reassignment policy.

“[Employees] are not reassigned to another classroom or to any other setting where they would interact with students,” read a statement provided by the union. “This policy protects both students and staff and creates conditions for a thorough and appropriate investigation of allegations.”

What to expect from the federal investigation

The federal investigation, overseen by the department’s Office for Civil Rights, will assess whether the district’s policy violates Title IX, a law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Kimberly Richey, the assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote in a statement that Title IX requires schools to address claims of sexual misconduct in a “timely manner.”

“It is unconscionable that the district would simply ignore Title IX’s procedural requirements to protect teachers who cause life-changing harm to their kids,” Richey wrote. “The Trump administration will always fight to uphold the law, protect the safety of all students and restore common sense to our schools.”

The Trump administration also has recently targeted LAUSD's desegregation policy and transgender student protections.

Last year, the office failed to resolve any cases related to sexual harassment, sexual violence or racial harassment, according to a report released by Sen. Bernie Sanders in late April. Sanders is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee.

In March 2025, the Trump administration pushed to cut over half of OCR’s nearly 600 staff members, which contributed to a growing backlog of cases. Those employees were placed on administrative leave pending the result of legal challenges, and many were later brought back.

The Education Department has also withheld records related to civil rights investigations, prompting a lawsuit from investigative nonprofit newsroom ProPublica.

What does LAUSD’s policy say? 

LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff.

The 110-page protocol document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.

“Los Angeles Unified takes all allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of every student and staff member in our care.” The statement also said the district follows Title IX procedures and continuously reviews its policies, training and reporting systems.

The UTLA settlement outlines several circumstances where an employee can be reassigned, including a law enforcement investigation of misconduct, sexual harassment of a student, behavior toward a student perceived to be motivated by a sexual interest and communicating with a student for non-school-related purposes.

School employees are “mandated reporters” who must, by law, notify local law enforcement or child welfare agencies of suspected child abuse or neglect. California Attorney General Rob Bonta reminded K-12 school district leaders in late April of their legal obligation to prevent sexual misconduct and protect students.

How prevalent is sexual misconduct in California schools?

There have been few comprehensive studies of sexual misconduct in schools. A 2004 report to the Department of Education estimated 1-in-10 students experiences sexual misconduct, ranging from inappropriate comments to physical abuse.

A new California law requires schools to train students and staff to recognize and report misconduct and write new policies on “appropriate behavior.” It also will create a new database of educators credibly accused of abuse.

More than 1,000 lawsuits related to sexual abuse that date to the 1940s have been filed against California school districts since the enactment of a 2019 law that gave victims a three-year window to sue.

LAUSD has authorized $750 million in bonds to pay for sexual misconduct settlements related to suits stemming from the law.