It’s time to take a stand for the trusted public service you rely on.
Congress has officially clawed back $1.1 billion of already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — part of a $9.4 billion rescissions package that the House approved and is now going to President Donald Trump for his signature.
That means LAist will lose $1.7 million in annual funding for both this fiscal year, which began July 1, 2025, and next fiscal year. The funding made up 4% of our operating budget (the equivalent of 13 staff positions). This funding supports everything from NPR programming and field reporting to the day-to-day operations that power our newsroom.
The CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation that supports 1,300 local public media stations nationwide. At LAist, public service is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to continuing that work, but we cannot do it without you.
We will not stop serving our community. But without your help, we cannot do it at the level you expect and deserve.
Help us stay strong, independent, and accountable.
Stand with LAist. Stand with public media.
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- The White House executive order comes after Congress extended federal funding for the CPB through fiscal year 2027 in February. Federal funding for government programs, including support for public media, is currently authorized under a Continuing Resolution. Both the U.S. House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to extend FY2024 federal funding levels through the rest of FY2025, with a few alterations and adjustments. It includes level funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (the two-year advance to FY 2027), as well as Interconnection and the Next Generation Warning System.
- LAist received 4% or $1.7M of its budget last year from the CPB. That amount is equivalent to the salaries of more than a dozen jobs in our newsroom.
- In January, the FCC launched an investigation into the underwriting practices of NPR and PBS stations, including LAist. In announcing the investigation, the FCC chairman expressly indicated his opinion that NPR and PBS should no longer receive taxpayer dollars.
- The presidents and CEOs of NPR and PBS, Katherine Maher and Paula Kerger, testified at a Congressional Oversight DOGE subcommittee (Marjorie Taylor Greene R-GA, chair) hearing on federal funding of public media and bias in content on March 26.
- The White House executive order comes after Congress extended federal funding for the CPB through fiscal year 2027 in February. Federal funding for government programs, including support for public media, is currently authorized under a Continuing Resolution. Both the U.S. House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to extend FY2024 federal funding levels through the rest of FY2025, with a few alterations and adjustments. It includes level funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (the two-year advance to FY 2027), as well as Interconnection and the Next Generation Warning System.
How You Can Help
There are some essential ways you can show your support for LAist and the broader public media system.
1. Make a donation
Donations to LAist support trusted news and information for all — no matter where you live. From the broadcast to podcasts, on-air and online, gifts from individuals power everything you find at LAist. Make a donation today.
2. Spread the word to your network
Rally your friends and family to stand up for public media.
3. Contact your Congressional representatives
Use the simple Protect My Public Media pledge form to contact your legislators.
Why are LAist and the public media ecosystem important?
- At LAist, LA’s #1 NPR station, every story we report is designed to help you lead your best life in Southern California — to find community, discover new places, create change and navigate the complex world outside your doorstep. Our hope is that LAist’s work enables you to improve your community and participate in our democracy.
- Public media is the country’s only no-cost, commercial-free, local, nonprofit news and information service, resulting from a highly efficient public-private partnership.
- Public media strengthens our society by delivering balanced, fact-based insights and diverse perspectives that foster meaningful dialogue and build community connections while serving as the backbone of emergency alert systems that keep Americans informed and safe during emergencies.
Contact Us
Inquiries for LAist should be directed to our Member & Audience Services Department by using our contact form or by phone at (626) 583-5100.