Tara Blossom: Fundraging for Trans Healthcare

Tara Blossom: Fundraging for Trans Healthcare

LARC Reporting Fellow Tara Blossom brings us an intimate portrait of trans community in Los Angeles (this story originally aired on LAist 89.3 in March 2026)  While often stories about medical fundraising focus on exorbitant procedure costs, in this story we focus on how the recovery period for one trans man is actually the most expensive part of his medical journey. In order to be able to take a month off work to recover, Eliaz Chavez must raise $2500 to cover his rent and other living expenses. Like many queer people before him, he turns to throwing parties, also known as "fundragers", to make ends meet. Listen to the episode to hear Eliaz's story.

Corinne Ruff: How a Pasadena Church is Helping One Senior Through Wildfire Recovery (from AfroLA & KQED's The California Report)

LARC partnered with AfroLA and The California Report from KQED on this special about how seniors in Altadena’s historic Black community are finding support after the Eaton Fire. Reporter Corinne Ruff explores the role of faith-based organizations in times of crisis, telling the story of a Pasadena church helping an elder congregant rebuild her home and her life. Editorial assistance came from Ari Saperstein, Molly Peterson, and Dana Amihere, with additional production support from Khari Douglas, Kendall Lowery and Sam Anderson.

Jireh Deng: Fifty Years After the Killing Fields, a Community Marches Forward

This past spring, Long Beach’s Cambodia Town hosted its 17th annual New Year’s parade, a vibrant celebration of food, dance, and community in a city with the largest Cambodian population in the United States. This year’s festivities also marked 50 years since the Khmer Rouge began its brutal regime, which claimed the lives of over a million Cambodians. Hear how, despite this painful history, survivors and their families come together to honor their culture and find healing through shared celebration.

Cliff Beach & Timothy Hall: Culver City Orchestra and the Symphony's Youth Revival

Symphony performances aren't known for their youthfulness... but one group is trying to change that. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Culver City Symphony Orchestra held it's Youth Competition, bringing together aspiring musicians from across the region for a unique chance to play with the esteemed group. Hear how this competition is engaging students from across the city into a revival of classical music and how the students are pushing up against the longstanding norms.  This story was reported by Cliff Beach & Timothy Hall as part of the LA Radio Club Reporting Incubator, with editorial support from Khari Douglas and Ari Saperstein. "LA Radio Club Presents..." is produced by Aaron Dalton and Emma Lehman.

Laura Dux: Fire Contained But Questions Remain For Altadenans

In January of 2025, the Eaton wildfire spread through the Southern California community of Altadena. Altadena residents saw an outpouring of support from their community, but now face the much larger task of rebuilding not only their houses, but their lives, neighborhoods, and senses of normalcy. Hear from three Altadena residents about what life has looked like after the fires, and where they’re headed as the dust settles.