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.
$1.5 Billion To Be Added To State's Broadband Plan
Signage around the A C Bilbew Library showcasing some of their programs and resources.
(
Ashley Balderrama
/
LAist
)
Topline:
The proposed state budget includes $1.5 billion to help build an open-access "middle-mile" network which will connect homes and business through 10,000 miles of high speed internet service. (Middle Mile refers to the backbone infrastructure). That's on top of an already-allocated $6 billion for the "Broadband For All" plan.
Why it matters: Officials say the middle mile could help bring down internet prices and increase competition for everyone, but especially low-income residents.
Why now: Construction is underway. Advocates had previously raised questions about how much funding would be needed to cover the entire network, given the overall budget deficit.
Support for LAist comes from
The backstory: In 2021, the Newsom administration began rolling out its ambitious Broadband for All plan to close the digital divide and expand internet access by the end of 2026.
Go deeper...about California's digital divide here.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research.
Best of LAist