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Editor’s note: Exciting news on LAist’s role in new local news initiative
A new local news initiative will expand reporting in L.A. County, including three new jobs in the LAist newsroom.
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Patrick T. Fallon
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At a time of intense pressure on local journalism, it’s extremely nice to have good news to share.
A new $2.4 million grant will fund three new watchdog roles in our newsroom over the next five years. We plan to use those positions to expand our accountability journalism — work that holds powerful people and institutions responsible for their duties — even as many local newsrooms continue to shrink.
About the funding
The positions are funded by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the Spiegel Family Fund. We also want to thank The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation for additional funding to support this initiative.
And LAist is excited to be working with other local newsrooms on this effort to revitalize news in a county that’s home to nearly one in 30 U.S. residents. Under this $15 million American Journalism Project initiative, the goal is to decrease siloes and work more collaboratively with other like-minded newsrooms and universities focused on serving Angelenos. We’ll be working even more closely with CalMatters, a longtime partner who will add two L.A.-based positions as part of the initiative.
As Monica Lozano, chair of the new L.A. Local News Initiative and former editor, publisher, and CEO of La Opinión, says so clearly: “Without local journalism, we lose accountability, history, and a connection to our communities.”
We’ll also continue to work closely with another longtime partner, Boyle Heights Beat, and a new local affiliate of the Documenters Network by City Bureau, as well as more newsrooms, including L.A. Taco, La Opinión and Zócalo. More than three dozen local journalism jobs will be added under this initiative. Our commitment is to share our stories and to feature the work of these hyper-local newsrooms.
LAist headquarters in Pasadena.
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What's next
So what’s next? We’re hiring!
LAist is looking for journalists with a strong commitment to local journalism and a track record of uncovering news and helping to foster needed change.
About the jobs
- Take a look at our three new watchdog team roles. We’re hiring a senior editor and two correspondents focused on accountability in L.A. County.
- We also encourage you to take a look at CalMatters’ openings and the open roles at the L.A. Local News Initiative.
We’re ready to get going on this next chapter. As a nonprofit newsroom funded largely by our members, we are always grateful for the support that makes this work possible. Even with this investment, we continue to face financial headwinds. Everyone who gives, from our biggest to smallest donors, makes a difference. If you’re able, please give now in support of local journalism and LAist.
Ashley Alvarado, Vice President, Community Engagement + Strategic Initiatives
Megan Garvey, Executive Editor
Kristen Muller, Chief Content Officer
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
