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.
Extra, Extra: Bunny Ears, Blazes and Blair
()
- Following a flap from an LA Times article that found 60,000 LAUSD students attend school within 500 feet of a freeway, the school district is looking into ways it can reduce the health hazards for kids close to pollution-filled freeways. Maybe the school district can use the $53 million in funds they're trying to recoup to build domes over playgrounds.
- Thousands of birds and an immeasurable amount of fish have died as a result of a Russian tanker's oil spill off the coast of the Black Sea, officials said today. The downed tanker was ripped in two after a storm wrought havoc on 10 ships in the area. Anyone know how to say heal the bay in Russian?
- As we mentioned yesterday, Kanye West's mother, Donda, died on Sunday. Today, her publicist confirmed that she died "as the result of complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure.”
- It's still fire season for some. Today, ahillside fire in Pacoima burned three-acres. Crews seem to have it under control and there has been no word of how the blaze began.
- And speaking of fires, Gov. Schwarzenator told an advisory group today that it might be time to limit hillside development. Great idea. It's a good thing his home in the hills above Brentwood is already built.
- Police closed a part of PCH today after a car crash and a report of an at-large shooter. Apparently the two were unrelated.
- A former Cal State Long Beach professor who now teaches journalism at the University of Missouri has been caught plagiarizing from a student reporter at the school's local paper. John Merrill, a professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism, wrote a weekly Sunday column and allegedly used unattributed material in a column about gender studies. Jeez, people should really stop going to the Jayson Blair school of journalism.
- If you find yourself feeling a little altruistic during the holiday season, check out One Laptop Per Child. From November 12 to the 26, the organization is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada where, for $400, you can buy an XO laptop for a child in a developing nation and get one yourself. It's no Mac, but these laptops have some funky bunny ears near the op. They're awesome and maybe you can catch re-runs of The Honeymooners on them.
- What the hell is up with TechCrunch, asks BuzzMachine? The tech blog landed two interviews recently with McCain and Romney. It's a sign that the political process may be opening up, they said. I would agree, though I fear that the political process may be shifting from one elite group (rich insiders) to another (tech savvy people). I hope I'm wrong and turnout is higher than a Humboldt Farm for 2008.
- In a true sign of solidarity, 17 entertainment blogs will go dark tomorrow in support of the striking writers. ¡Si, Se Puede!
Photo by kpe II via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
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