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.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
An LA Epiphany

The feast day of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th in western Christian tradition, an event considered the culimation of the Christmas season. Tonight from 6 PM to 8:30 PM, Olvera Street will be hosting a reenactment of the journey of the Three Kings to celebrate.
Anyway, the date has triggered an epiphany of our own--exactly when can we reasonably expect Angelenos to take down all the holiday lights, trees and geegaws?
So far we've seen some trees tossed on the sidewalk awaiting the garbage man who may never come; be sure to check the Los Angeles County Christmas Tree Recycling Hotline for the Christmas tree curbside recycling schedule in your neighborhood.
We'll allow that keeping the trinkets up until New Year's Day makes sense, but when exactly is it permissible to mutter and roll our eyes at the irrational exuberance/laziness of folks who still have the lights up WEEKs or, shudder, MONTHS after January 1st?
We think it should end after Twelfth Night or at least next week when Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas, which falls 13 days after Western Christmas on January 7th this year. If the lights are still up after Mardi Gras (February 8th), that's pushing it.
So we ask you, gentle reader, what's a reasonable amount of time to expect everyone to take the tinsel down in this town?
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.

-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
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.