Tell the Stories That Shape Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Local News Initiative is reimagining local journalism for our sprawling metropolis. We're building something different; a new model that connects neighborhood-level reporting with the bigger picture issues that affect all Angelenos.

We're currently focusing on seven key communities: Koreatown, Pico-Union, Westlake, South L.A., Inglewood, Boyle Heights and East L.A. (The LA Local News Initiative integrated the Boyle Heights Beat into our organization last year. Check out their archive to see our approach in action.)  We’re building dedicated community newsrooms with a central hub that amplifies local stories, identifies trends across neighborhoods, and produces region-wide coverage that truly matters to the people who call L.A. home.

We're seeking passionate storytellers and intrepid freelance reporters ready to illuminate the heartbeat of Los Angeles—one neighborhood at a time. We’re looking for multimedia stories that don't just inform, but empower: narratives that unlock solutions to the challenges Angelenos face, and elevate the vibrancy of life in our sprawling metropolis. 

What We're Looking For

COMMUNITY POWER

• Profiles that reveal influence: Who really shapes your neighborhood? The longtime resident organizing tenants, the small business owner anchoring a block, the community leader fighting for resources
• Cultural institutions as community anchors: How does that community center, corner market, or weekly gathering space actually serve its neighborhood?
• Innovation from necessity: What creative solutions are residents developing to address local challenges?

ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTION

• Promises vs. reality: What happened to those commitments elected officials made? How is that new development actually affecting daily life?
• Systems under pressure: How are ICE enforcement actions rippling through local economies and healthcare? What are the long-term impacts of January's wildfires on rebuilding and disaster preparedness?
• Development's double edge: Who benefits when neighborhoods change, and who bears the cost?

PRACTICAL POWER

• Navigate LA: Accessible guides to childcare, healthcare, cultural offerings—the resources that make city life livable
• Democracy demystified: Break down ballot measures, city processes, and policy changes in language that empowers residents
• Know your rights: Practical resources that help people access services and advocate for themselves

CROSS-COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

• Similar challenges, different solutions: How are various neighborhoods tackling housing, transit, gentrification, climate change? What can they learn from each other?
• Regional trends, local impact: Show how citywide forces play out differently across communities
• Solutions that scale: Highlight innovations from one neighborhood that could transform others

Our Commitment to You

We pay freelancers fairly and work to amplify voices traditionally excluded from LA media coverage. We're seeking both one-time contributors and ongoing collaborators ready to build something new with us.

Send us your story ideas and 2-3 recent samples to pitches@localnewsforla.org. We aim to respond to every pitch, though please allow time for our small team to review thoughtfully.

We're especially interested in stories that amplify voices and perspectives often missing from traditional LA media coverage, and we're committed to paying freelancers fairly for their work.

‍