Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Join A Virtual Iftar Tonight

If you're looking for a place to safely break your Ramadan fast tonight with more than the people you're already bunkered down with, consider joining a virtual iftar dinner co-hosted by the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For the holy month of Ramadan, observant Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Iftar, the daily breaking of the fast, is usually a communal meal. But, well, pandemic. And that has moved all sorts of celebrations online.
Sarah Halverson-Cano is pastor of the Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa and president of the interfaith council hosting tonight's dinner. She sees a possible silver lining in going virtual.
“This might give folks the opportunity to really explore from the safety of their own environment, but have the experience of breaking the fast and more fully understand what Ramadan is all about.”
“And we feel it at a visceral level so much more than just learning about it from a book or watching a documentary on TV,” she said.
Tonight's virtual interfaith iftar will be hosted on Zoom and begins at 6:45 p.m. Information on how to join is at NMIInterfaithCouncil.org.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.