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 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.
LAist Is Hiring A Staff Writer

LAist is seeking a full-time writer who is comfortable blogging, has solid news judgment and a touch of wit to cover a range of topics, from hard news to arts and food.
This is a paid, full-time position, with fully covered medical, dental and vision benefits. The position is based in Los Angeles. Days and hours may vary from a 9-to-5 job, as covering breaking news in real time will be one of the staff writer's responsibilities. Though the ideal candidate would possess a working knowledge about Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, the right candidate has the versatility and tenacity to become an authoritative local news source. You should be as comfortable reporting—pestering public officials, poring through city records, tracking down sources—as you are musing about the latest cocktail craze.
LAist was launched in 2004, as one in a network of local publications operated by the independently-owned Gothamist, and it has steadily expanded. Over time, the publication has grown into a unique hybrid of engaging and informative aggregation and wholly original content. But the two forms are increasingly commingling and are both influenced by the LAist "voice" that makes our aggregation trenchant and entertaining.
The Staff Writer's responsibilities will include:
- On a daily basis, reporting on breaking news, writing engaging blog posts, and aggregating stories.
- Checking facts and elaborating on others' reporting as necessary.
- Occasionally editorializing on subjects of local interest in a smart, sometimes light-hearted way.
The ideal candidate should be as comfortable with writing aggregated blog posts from multiple news sources as he, she, or they is adept at covering breaking news, digging up untold tales, and writing stories assigned by editors. The Staff Writer reports directly to LAist's Editor-in-Chief.Requirements: At least one year of full-time blogging or equivalent experience, an instinct for what's newsworthy and the skills to report it out, a ferocious drive and piercing wit, a working knowledge of and desire to learn more about the big issues facing Los Angeles, and the stamina to create six well-written posts per day.
If you're interested, send a brief email with a summary of your experience and writing clips to jobs@laist.com, subject "LAist Staff Writer." No need to follow up: if we're interested, you'll hear from us. No attachments, please.
Gothamist LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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.

-
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.