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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.

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Zach Behrens New Editor of LAist

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

The white smoke flowed from the chimney, doves were released, and virgins scattered to deliver the Good News that the newest Editor of LAist is Zach Behrens.

Valley boy Zach has been a contributer to this fine blog since 2005, he's an outdoorsman, he sits on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, he's a vegetarian, he volunteers selflessly, and yes ladies, he's single.

Softspoken, strong-willed, and determined to get you to ride public transportation, Zach couldn't be more different from the outgoing editor - although we were both raised outside Chicago.

That means he will probably attract more readers with honey than ever before, he will write more green pieces, and City Hall and other harder news stories will find more prominence on this URL.

As co-Editor, Zach was responsible for making sure that the Valley news wasn't overlooked, that our furious posting schedule did not lag during the weekends, and that the Classical music beat wasn't dissed. He handled all of those responsibilities beautifully as well as took care of all of the administrative duties that were required for organizing a staff of 50 regular contributers.

When he's not adding to his 1,080 posts, Zach, a Sagittarius, can be found running through the mud in San Diego, sipping wine at the Hollywood Bowl, or cruising with the Midnight Ridazz. We hope he continues to interject those loves with running the most popular metro blog west of Manhattan.

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With Zach, LAist is in very different, and very capable hands. And I, for one, applaud the decision of our publishers Jake Dobkin and Jen Chung, in this appointment and promotion of one of the hardest working gentlemen this blog has ever seen. Indeed, Zach's secret weapon might just be how much of a gentleman he is.

So please join me in congratulating one of our own, Zach Behrens, as lead Editor of LAist.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

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