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.
Father Greg Boyle Of Homeboy Industries To Receive Presidential Medal Of Honor

Topline:
President Biden will present the Medal of Freedom on Friday to 19 Americans, the nation's highest civilian honor. Among those recipients is Father Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries.
Homeboy Industries is the world's largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program founded almost 40 years ago in Boyle Heights. A statement from the White House notes that Boyle "has helped thousands of Angelenos turn their lives around."
Homeboy Industries released a statement soon after the announcement came this morning:
Father Greg’s ministry through Homeboy Industries exemplifies the transformative power of compassion, forgiveness, and second chances. For nearly forty years, Father Greg has empowered hundreds of thousands of individuals to break free from the cycles of poverty, violence, and incarceration. His unwavering dedication to building bridges across divides and promoting understanding through compassion, kinship and tenderness underscores the importance of empathy and connection in creating a more harmonious society.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony will be hosted at the White House at 1:30 p.m. PT and can be viewed via livestream here.
Go deeper:
Biden is giving the Medal of Freedom to a who's who of Democrats (and Katie Ledecky)
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.

-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out.
-
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.