With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Report finds OC kids fatter, more involved in gangs
Listen
• 0:55
The Orange County Board of Supervisors will get a new report this week that spells out how children in the county are faring.
The 16th Annual Conditions of Children in Orange County report won’t be all bad.
It will show that more kids have access to healthcare and that school scores are up. But Orange County education spending is down — below the state average. And a lot of kids can’t meet the minimum fitness standards in all six areas of a standard physical fitness test.
Here’s a bigger worry: the number of kids between the ages of 8 and 17 in gangs has skyrocketed. In 2000, officials say there were 916 kids in gangs in Orange County, down from the previous year. That number has since doubled to 1,851 child gang members last year.
Support for LAist comes from
For the past 16 years, the report has tracked dozens of areas related to the health and welfare of Orange County children. County supervisors use the findings to decide how to fund programs for kids. They'll get a presentation on the report at their meeting tomorrow.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist