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.
Morning Brief: A New Phase
A sign outside of Dockweiler State Beach reads COVID-19 Alert. (Mary Hawley/LAist)
()
Good morning, L.A.
As many workplaces shut down for Christmas, those on the front lines of the unprecedented coronavirus surge are bracing for the worst.
With ICUs at 0% capacity throughout Southern California and many medical centers having already employed their surge practices, local hospitals are preparing to take the next step: rationing care.
My colleague Jackie Fortiér reports that a memo from the county’s Department of Health is advising health care workers to make sure their most fragile patients have filled out advance care directives. If the surge continues, those less likely to survive won’t get the same level of care as they normally would; there simply won’t be enough staff to save everyone.
Support for LAist comes from
Meanwhile, forecasting suggests that between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, over 8,000 people in Los Angeles County will die from COVID-19.
“That is nearly three times the number of people that died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks," said Department of Health Services Director Dr. Christina Ghaly. "The worst is yet to come.”
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
What You Need To Know Today
A Tamale Shortcut: Don't want to go through the complicated and exhausting process of making your own holiday tamales? Can't get hold of the lady your mom calls every year? Don't worry. Los Angeles has a wealth of tamalerias, from the serviceable (let's skip those) to the sublime.
The Show Will Go On: The Bob Baker Marionette Theater has a holiday surprise: it hit its $365,000 goal and will be able to keep its doors open in 2021. The fundraising success was reached through a combination of small donors and a last-minute $100,000 check.
Support for LAist comes from
Here’s What To Do: See the best Christmas light displays. Dine at BCD Tofu's drive-in movie nights. Watch Jewish and Muslim comedians on Christmas. Attend a Kwanzaa festival. Take an urban architectural hike. It’s all happening in this week’s best online and IRL events.
Before You Go… Some Very Last-Minute Gift Ideas, For Your Family (Or Yourself)
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are just around the corner. Here are a few gift suggestions. (Singh via Creative Commons/Flickr)
()
Need a little very-last-minute inspiration to get into the holiday spirit as we crawl en maske to the 2020 finish line? You're not alone.
If you want to support local restaurants, check out LAist's eclectic, food-focused, Southern California-centric gift guide, which is filled with creative suggestions for a variety of budgets, tastes and personalities. For all other types of retail therapy, check out our 60 best places to shop local.
Or, you know what? This year has been hard. We endorse buying a gift for yourself for making it through 2020.
Support for LAist comes from
Help Us Cover Your Community
- Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything.
- Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know.
The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist