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 is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
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.
Update: LAPD Says They Cannot Confirm Legendary Musician Tom Petty's Death
Tom Petty playing with the Heartbreakers in 2014. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
()
Update [2:10 p.m.] The LAPD has tweeted that "Initial information was inadvertently provided to some media sources" and that the department has no information on the singer's death. TMZ reports that the singer is still "clinging to life," although he has been removed from life support. CBS has updated their original story. Variety, however, still reports that a source has confirmed Petty's death.
(1/2)The LAPD has no information about the passing of singer Tom Petty. Initial information was inadvertantly provided to some media sources
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) October 2, 2017
(2/2) However, the LAPD has no investigative role in this matter. We apologize for any inconvenience in this reporting.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) October 2, 2017
Update [1:10 p.m.] Tom Petty has died at 66, according to CBS News, who report that the LAPD has confirmed the legendary musician's death.
Support for LAist comes from
Singer-songwriter Tom Petty was rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious and "in full cardiac arrest" at his Malibu home on Sunday night, TMZ reports.
Petty, who rose to fame in the 1970s with his eponymous band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is reportedly in critical condition at the UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. TMZ claims Petty, who is 66, was not breathing when he was discovered, but EMTs were able to find a pulse; according to TMZ, Petty was placed on life support after arriving at the hospital.
Petty and the Heartbreakers played three shows at the Hollywood Bowl last month during their 40th anniversary tour, which received rave reviews.
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 critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
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.
Best of LAist