In the latest episode of the Latino Excellence Podcast, Jesus Ortiz chatted with Pulitzer Prize finalist Gustavo Arellano of the Los Angeles Times.
The Southern California native discussed a wide range of topics from journalism, the role of a columnist, Latino excellence and the immigration raids and protests in Los Angeles.
Ortiz and Arellano also discussed the series of columns that were submitted for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize.
Arellano, a son of Mexican immigrants from Zacatecas, is one of the rare Latino columnists at major American mainstream newspapers.
Ortiz and Arellano discussed the legacy of the late Los Angeles Times columnist Ruben Salazar, who opened the doors for Ortiz, Arellano and countless Latinos in journalism.
Ortiz also pressed Arellano about his famous takes on Los Angeles Dodgers great Clayton Kershaw.