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.
In SoCal, Vietnamese Americans mark 50 years since end of Vietnam War

Topline:
Wednesday marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. Known as Black April among the diaspora, the event set off a refugee crisis as tens of thousands fled the new regime, ending up in places like Orange County.
The backstory: On April 30th 1975, North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, effectively ending the Vietnam War. US troops had left about two years earlier.
What's been happening: In the run-up to the anniversary, a stretch of the 405 Freeway was designated as the Little Saigon Freeway. And a post office in Westminster was renamed the "Little Saigon Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Post Office."
The day of: The city of Westminster will hold its annual Black April event on Wednesday. Since last week, the city has been flying the South Vietnamese flag at half-staff at the Vietnamese-American War Memorial at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park.
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.