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.
Anaheim To Swear In New Mayor, Councilmembers
Anaheim Mayor-elect Ashleigh Aitken campaigned on a promise of cleaning up city hall.
(
Derek Humphrey
/
Courtesy of Ashleigh Aitken for Anaheim Mayor
)
Topline:
Anaheim will swear in a new mayor and three new council members on Tuesday evening. The changes come after revelations earlier this year that the FBI is investigating some of the city's major figures for corruption and influence-peddling.
The backstory: Anaheim has been without a mayor for more than six months. Former Mayor Harry Sidhu resigned in May after it became public that the FBI is investigating him for alleged corruption in connection with the now-canceled sale of Angel Stadium.
Mayor-elect Ashleigh Aitken beat out three challengers, including outgoing Council member Trevor O'Neil, to win her race with nearly 43% of all votes. Aitken is a former federal prosecutor who has promised to clean up city hall. She’s also the first woman elected to lead the city.
Support for LAist comes from
What's next for the Anaheim council? The new council will have to either appoint someone to the seat left vacant by Avelino Valencia, who was just elected to the State Assembly — or hold a special election in the coming months.
Besides that, Aitken and the rest of the council will face longstanding questions about the city's at-times deferential relationship with the powerful Anaheim tourism lobby.
Meanwhile, an independent, city-ordered investigation into the extent of political influence at city hall is ongoing. The results of that investigation are expected to be made public next spring.
Go deeper:
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
-
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.
-
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.
Best of LAist