You Leaned On LAist To Get Through 2020. Now We're Asking For Your Help

I'm Megan Garvey, LAist Executive Editor. This has been one of the most difficult years in memory. One thing that has kept our hard-working newsroom going is knowing that we are serving the public.

Our reporters and editors have made sense of confusing stay-at-home orders, unemployment applications, vaccination protocols, eviction rules and more. We've brought you virtual events and stories that warmed your heart.

This journalism was only possible because readers like you make a choice to support the independent, local reporting that LAist has been committed to providing Southern Californians since we brought the site back to life two years ago.

Our reporters have faced high risk to remain on the streets reporting on the pandemic and the protests against police brutality. Some were hurtwhile doing their jobs.

My simple request: support our journalistic efforts today with a donation to LAist.

LAist investigative intern Yingjie Wang on the job this summer. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

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We're proud to be funded by our readers. It keeps us focused on stories that matter to you, compelling stories that explain L.A. and investigate powerful people and organizations. And we are deeply committed to doing this work with you. Since the pandemic began, we've answered more than 6,000 of your questions.

Quality local journalism isn't cheap to create and it's your donations that make it all possible. Right now, we are at the end of our year-end fundraising drive and we need your help. With just a few days to go, we still need more than 200 readers to step up and give to unlock a $10,000 challenge for local news.

I know we can do this with your help because this year more people than ever before have relied on us for quality local news. You never hit a paywall on LAist. That's because we believe that in-depth, original reporting should be available to everyone, not just readers who can afford pricey subscriptions.

The bottom line: We need far more of our readers to step up and give. Without your financial support, this experiment in funding local digital news will not succeed. That means it's on us to persuade you that our work is valuable and meaningful to your community.

Here are just a few stories worthy of your support:

• Investigative reporter Aaron Mendelson's award-winning "Deceit, Disrepair and Death Inside A Southern California Rental Empire," that uncovered a vast rental empire centered in some of the poorest parts of Southern California. Aaron has continued to cover issues deeply affecting renters.
• Our "No-Panic" guides to changing rules, the supply chain and vaccinesand our How to (New) LA handbook designed to help you navigate pandemic life.
• Our Voter Game Plan for the primary and general elections that guided you through the ballot propositions, judgesand key local races.
• Our intensely local gift guidefor the holidays that focused on Southern California businesses (and led me to the perfect gift for young cousins).

Reporter Robert Garrova photographed while doing an interview earlier this year. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

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We know that for many people this has been a very tough year financially. But if you are able, we need you to join us right now. Even a little bit goes a long way and it adds up quickly when we come together to give as a community. With your help, we can keep local journalism alive even as other local newsrooms continue to shrink or shut down completely. If you're in a position to give, your donation will help keep this valuable work free for those not able to donate at this time. Our non-profit model works because people like you believe in our mission and step up with financial support.

The journalism you read here is powered by the newsroom of Southern California Public Radio, which is also home to the new LAist Studios podcast operation and KPCC, the top National Public Radio affiliate in L.A.

We have a very exciting year ahead. Our new LAist editor, Brian De Los Santos starts just a few days from now. We have ambitious plans to bring you stories that you will not find in other outlets and, of course, to continue to provide you and your community with high quality local journalism.

Thank you,

Megan Garvey

Executive Editor, LAist

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This month, a donation to LAist in any amount gets you this free 2-layer cotton LAist face mask bonus gift AND enters you to win a MacBook Pro.