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.
A former reality star is influencing LA's post-fires rebuilding
Spencer Pratt, seen at a social media awards ceremony in New York in 2018, is now using his online prowess to influence rebuilding efforts after the L.A. fires.
(
Dave Kotinsky
/
VCG / Associated Press
)
Topline:
Spencer Pratt is best known for his role as a toxic boyfriend on MTV's mid-2000s reality show The Hills. But he's finding a new role in the wake of Los Angeles' fires with his advocacy against housing density.
What's happening: Pratt, who lost his Pacific Palisades home in January, is taking to TikTok and Instagram to oppose a series of bills in the California Legislature that would boost housing density and make it easier for some homeowners to rebuild after the fires.
Impact: Other celebrities who lost their homes, including Mel Gibson and Ricki Lake, are speaking out about the fires and their aftermath. But Pratt’s advocacy is finding the most political resonance — and not just among Republicans like Sens. Rick Scott and Ron Johnson, who launched an investigation into the fire and held a news conference last week alongside Pratt.
Support for LAist comes from
SB 9 and SB 549: Shortly after Pratt’s broadside against a law allowing fourplexes on land zoned for single-family homes, California Gov. Gavin Newsom waived it for fire-prone areas and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended it for the Palisades. One day after Pratt came out against a bill to create a local agency that could buy burned properties, rebuild them and sell them back to their owners, the author, Sen. Ben Allen, backed down.
SB 79: Pratt then took aim at SB 79, a bill by Sen. Scott Wiener to boost housing density near train stations and major transit stops statewide.
What's next: Lawmakers sent SB 79 to Newsom on Friday. He has until Oct. 13 to decide whether to sign it into law.
Read more ... in POLITICO.
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
-
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.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons 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.
Best of LAist