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.
Memorial Day Weekenders In LA's COVID-19 Era Were (Mostly) Well-Behaved

The unofficial start of our COVID-19 summer brought even more people out to trails and beaches than usual. And for the most part, officials say, we did good.
"Overall our parks this weekend were busy but very manageable and people were really enjoying our public amenities in a safe way," said Norma Garcia, acting director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Of the 184 parks the department operates, 183 remained open throughout the weekend. The one exception was Eaton Canyon Park, where crowds of people ignored rules about social distancing and jumped fences to get on the trail, Garcia said.
"We had electronic signage letting the public know that our parking lots were full," Garcia said. "Unfortunately, the public decided to enter the park not using our access points and that created much more overcrowding in some of the waterfalls areas."
Eaton Canyon for ya lol i think if ol girl and I knew it was gonna be a amusement park here we probably wouldve passed pic.twitter.com/A49LRAi1ch
— 七٢ᵉᑎ七 (@Trent____) May 17, 2020
In Hermosa Beach, the reopening of the famous strand boardwalk went fine, said Police Chief Paul LeBaron, except for some alcohol to-go orders.
“People need to understand those alcoholic beverages need to be taken home," and not drunk outside, the chief said.
READ MORE ABOUT THE WEEKEND HOLIDAY:
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.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?