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 is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
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.
Sealing the Deal
()
Though there has been considerable attention paid to the issue, LAist thought it noteworthy that yesterday's vote by the Board of Supervisors resulted in an ACLU victory.
For those unfamiliar with the hulabaloo, the ACLU threatened to sue the City over the use of a small gold cross in the original city seal. Yesterday's vote ends months of argument over the future incarnation of the icons that represent Los Angeles, dumping the cross in favor of the Mission San Gabriel, eliminating the goddess Pomona in favor of a Native American woman holding a bowl of acorns, and removing the oil derricks of Signal Hill to make room for the mission.
Not that LAist is especially traditional, but this is the height of pointless litigation. King/Drew Hospital is closing its trauma wing because it doesn't have the money to fund it and all the ACLU and Board of Supervisors can find to whine about is a tiny, and historically significant, religious symbol on the city seal? Please.
Support for LAist comes from
And don't forget the cost factor—replacing the seal on all equipment and other City-related things that bear the seal will cost us $800,000. Probably a lot cheaper than being sued by the ACLU, but more than LAist was willing to pay for a tiny gold cross.
[Thanks to John Suseoff for the image.]
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
-
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.
Best of LAist