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.
Kids across Southern California ring in 2025 at 'Noon Year’s Eve' celebrations
Since becoming a parent five years ago, I have never made it to midnight on New Year’s Eve. Thankfully, I haven’t missed out on celebrations because of Noon Year’s Eve events at children’s play places like Looma Space in Lomita and Pretend City in Irvine. Children ring in the new year with apple juice in their hand as balloons drop at noon.
While people were steaming their bejeweled dresses and preparing for the night on Tuesday, I wore my comfiest button down and headed to Looma Space to hear from our littlest residents on their hopes and wishes for the new year.
There were no grand aspirations for career advancement, higher salaries, improved fitness or other grown up refrains. For these kids, it was all about toys and fun for 2025…
Nova Foryoung-Destin and Olivia Huynh

Nova wants a Gabby Dollhouse toy and Olivia wants a Elsa dollhouse.
Kyle Malsbury and Wyatt Jones

Kyle wants to visit his family in New Jersey while Wyatt wants to visit Disneyworld with his friends and family.
Ellie Torres

Ellie wants a Rapunzel dress.
Noah Bozin

Noah wants a Peppa Pig toy.
Ace Pickett

Ace wants a yellow racing car and a play Target shopping cart.
Charlotte Nazareth

Charlotte wants a Sky toy at her Elsa themed birthday party.
Allyson Sirin

Allyson wants a beagle that she will name Snoopy. She also wants a unicorn with a pink tail and yellow horn that she will name Sparkles.
Lucas Stella

Lucas wants to have a good new year and make new friends.
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.

-
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.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.