November 13, 2025 — Jim Avila (1956–2025) was a trailblazing television journalist whose distinguished career in broadcast news spanned decades and set the standard for investigative and justice reporting. A longtime ABC News senior correspondent and 20/20 correspondent based in Los Angeles, Avila specialized in politics, law, justice, immigration, and consumer investigations. His reporting earned him some of the industry’s highest honors, including National Emmy Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, the Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association, the Cine Golden Eagle Award, and multiple regional and national recognitions for investigative excellence.
Before joining ABC News, Avila was a correspondent for NBC News and an investigative reporter for KNBC in Los Angeles, where his coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial contributed to award-winning local reporting. During his tenure at ABC, he reported on landmark national stories—from immigration at the southern border to major trials, civil unrest, and the reopening of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. He later continued his work as a senior investigative reporter at KGTV in San Diego.
Avila’s impact on NAHJ was equally profound. A Lifetime Member and 2019 NAHJ Hall of Fame inductee, he championed the next generation of Latino journalists and and consistently showed up for the community that embraced him. “He was very special to us,” said NAHJ Executive Director Yaneth Guillen-Díaz. “He always made time to speak with student journalists and contributed actively to our annual conferences. Jim was part of the NAHJ familia.”
Even in the face of long illness, Avila continued writing, reporting, and mentoring—sharing his deep curiosity, high standards, and belief in journalism’s public service. He leaves a lasting legacy through his work, his generosity, and the countless journalists he inspired.