Zócalo Public Square, a unit of ASU Media Enterprise, joins the L.A. Local News Initiative, which will operate and support local newsrooms in Los Angeles to provide coverage in service of L.A. communities. Other partners include CalMatters, L.A. Taco, L.A. Public Press, LAist, and Witness LA.

The new organization will be governed by a board representing local and national leaders in journalism, philanthropy, and business, including chair Monica Lozano, former editor, publisher and CEO of La Opinión; Kevin Merida, former executive editor of the L.A. Times; Giselle Fernandez, Emmy-award winning anchor at Spectrum News; Gerun Riley, president of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation; and Michael Ouimette, chief investment officer of the American Journalism Project.

“The coalition of media organizations, philanthropies, and individuals who’ve come together to revitalize local news in Los Angeles are building toward a future where we have a resilient, sustainable, independent local press that holds decision makers to account, and equips all Angelenos to thrive and engage in their communities,” says Lozano.

Joining this initiative will help Zócalo continue to deliver on our mission to provide journalism and public programming in a broad-minded, accessible spirit.