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.
Rockstar Caught With Virtual Pants Down

The controversy surrounding the so-called "Hot Coffee" mod that allows you to see sexy material in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has come to a boiling point. In an unprecedented decision, the Entertainment Software Rating Board Wednesday changed Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ rating from M for "Mature" to AO for "Adults Only" and advised retailers like Wal-Mart and GameStop to stop selling the game.
This change came after an investigation by the ESRB, which was initiated after the discovery of an explicit sex mini-game hidden in the top selling game. The ESRB concluded that the mod was not a hack installed by outside users but rather was part of the original game as released.
Using a mod for the PC version of the game or a replay device for the console version, gamers were able to unlock the "Hot Coffee" mini-game which allowed them to have sex with girls in the game.
This decision could have drastic effects on the video game industry as a whole and could force them to take a hard look at making their games more secure and much harder to modify. And, this will surely give the folks in Washington something to do now that the whole baseball and steroids crisis seems to have passed.
So, if you want a sexy version of the game, act now before they are all gone from store shelves. With the new rating, retailers are going to start pulling the game from store shelves. In fact, its probably already happening at a Wal-Mart near you.
Now where did we put those "Hot Coffee" mod codes?
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.

-
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.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
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.