United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1881
Ownership
The Los Angeles Times was first published in 1881 and was owned by the Chandler family's Times Mirror Company and later Tribune Company/Tronc. Since June 2018 it has been owned by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, who bought it (with the San Diego Union-Tribune) through his investment vehicle Nant Capital for about $500 million plus pension obligations. Soon-Shiong controls the paper as sole proprietor via NantMedia Holdings.
Funding
The paper is financed by digital and print subscriptions, advertising, and the financial backing of its billionaire owner, who has covered operating losses. It is a private commercial enterprise with no state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
The LA Times is privately and commercially owned by Patrick Soon-Shiong, with no party or government control; its editorial board has historically leaned center-left, though the owner has intervened in endorsement decisions. Because it is a privately held commercial newspaper free of party/state ownership, it is INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 114
76/100
Factual
73/100
Objective
215
Articles
215
reports
Top stories
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Recent coverage
The S&P 500 won't bend its rules to let SpaceX in early
The S&P Dow Jones Indices has decided not to make exceptions to its standard requirements for adding new companies to the S&P 500 index. These requirements include profitability, share float, and seasoning—meaning the company must have been publicly traded for a certain period. This decision prevents SpaceX from being added to the index immediately, despite its status as a major company. The S&P 500 is one of the most widely followed stock market indices in the United States, and inclusion in it can significantly impact a company’s visibility and valuation. By maintaining its criteria, the index provider ensures consistency and fairness in the selection process.
Three things to watch amid Anthropic’s latest feud with the government
Anthropic, an AI company based in the United States, developed an advanced AI model called Mythos, which demonstrated exceptional capabilities in handling code. Concerned about potential cybersecurity risks, Anthropic shared limited access with cybersecurity experts before releasing a modified version called Fable to the public. However, the U.S. government quickly intervened, citing national security concerns and imposing export restrictions on Fable. Anthropic subsequently revoked access to both models. This incident has sparked discussions about the broader implications of AI regulation, with some arguing that the government's response was overly reactive rather than well-planned. Additionally, the event has raised questions about the reliability of American AI companies, prompting European leaders to consider accelerating their own AI development efforts. Meanwhile, open-source AI models from China have gained attention due to their affordability and accessibility, potentially influencing global AI strategies.
Around 145 million at risk as U.S. braces for holiday week heat wave; wildfires continue to rage in the West
An intense heatwave is expected to affect approximately 145 million people across the eastern United States during the July Fourth holiday week, with temperatures projected to rise into the upper 90s and 100s. Heat index values could reach 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting heat alerts from the Midwest to Florida and across the Northeast and New England. Cities such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Chicago are among those at risk. Officials, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, have issued warnings about the dangers of extreme heat, emphasizing the importance of staying indoors, using air conditioning, and checking on vulnerable individuals. Cooling centers are being made available to assist residents. Meanwhile, wildfires continue to rage in the western United States, with new fires erupting in Utah and Colorado, and three firefighters tragically losing their lives while battling these blazes.
Born in the U.S.A.: Protecting the right of birthright citizenship
The article discusses the legal concept of birthright citizenship in the United States, as outlined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. It states that anyone born in the U.S., except for children of diplomats or invading forces, is automatically a citizen. Professor Amanda Frost explains that the wording of the amendment leaves little room for interpretation. However, public opinion remains split, with roughly half of Americans supporting granting citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants and the other half opposing it. In January 2025, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order attempting to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to exclude most children of undocumented immigrants from automatic citizenship, but this was blocked by a lower court and is currently under review by the Supreme Court. The article references historical cases such as Dred Scott v. Sandford, where the Supreme Court ruled that Black individuals could not be citizens, leading to the creation of the 14th Amendment. Another landmark case, Wong Kim Ark v. United States, affirmed birthright citizenship for those born in the U.S., including children of immigrants.
Tight security protocols to envelop America's 250th celebration in D.C.
The article discusses the heightened security measures implemented for Independence Day celebrations in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S.'s 250th anniversary. The Department of Homeland Security classified the fireworks display as a National Security Special Event, requiring attendees to undergo airport-style security screenings. Road closures and waterway restrictions are in effect, with authorities citing frequent threats against President Trump, including a recent foiled attack plan involving drones and firearms. Law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, U.S. Park Police, Metropolitan Police, and National Guard, are deploying extensive security forces, while the FBI emphasizes drone interception capabilities. Despite these precautions, President Trump plans to hold a rally before the fireworks display.
Signal’s Meredith Whittaker wants you to remember that AI chatbots ‘are not your friends’
Signal President Meredith Whittaker warned against treating AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude as if they were friends or conscious entities during an interview with Bloomberg. She emphasized that these systems are not sentient and cautioned against relying on them for critical tasks such as decision-making or communication. While acknowledging her personal use of AI tools for minor formatting tasks, Whittaker stressed the importance of maintaining independent thought and avoiding reliance on AI-generated responses. She criticized scenarios where AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot might have extensive access to personal data, including financial information, messaging apps, and calendars, calling such access a 'backdoor' in the context of Signal.
Why Wall Street thinks US memory maker Micron is the next Nvidia
Micron Technology, a leading U.S.-based memory chip manufacturer, has seen a dramatic surge in its stock value due to increased demand for memory chips driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Micron's market capitalization temporarily surpassed those of Meta and Tesla, reaching nearly $1.27 trillion, although it later dropped slightly. This growth is attributed to a global shortage of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), essential for AI servers, which has persisted since 2026 and is expected to continue through 2027. Micron's recent financial performance includes a significant increase in revenue and profit, supported by long-term contracts with major players like Nvidia and Anthropic. However, challenges remain, as expanding production capacity is costly and time-intensive, and there is a risk of oversupply if demand decreases.
Trump Claimed to Run Venezuela. After Earthquakes, He’s Walking That Back.
Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, U.S. President Donald Trump initially asserted that the U.S. would 'run' Venezuela, declaring 'we're in charge.' However, after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing significant casualties and destruction, Trump shifted to offering limited humanitarian assistance rather than asserting direct control. A U.S. government official suggested that Trump's response does not reflect the extent of U.S. influence over Venezuela, which they describe as a 'vassal state.' Meanwhile, Venezuelan American organizations and progressive foreign policy groups plan to request substantial, unconditional humanitarian aid from the Trump administration, citing U.S. responsibility for the crisis caused by sanctions and military actions. These groups argue that U.S. aid must match the scale of the harm inflicted. Trump has previously claimed that the U.S. has profited significantly from Venezuela's oil resources, recovering war costs 28 times over, but critics highlight economic analyses indicating that U.S. policies have exacerbated Venezuela's struggles.
Team Trump squares up to rip Red and Blue critics of Iran peace deal
The Trump administration faces criticism from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress over a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran aimed at ending hostilities and advancing broader negotiations. Critics argue the deal represents a significant concession to Iran, including provisions for the release of frozen Iranian assets and funding for Iran's reconstruction, which they compare unfavorably to the 2015 nuclear deal under former President Barack Obama. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) called the MOU 'the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,' while Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused the administration of betraying Israel. Democratic senators such as Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey have also criticized the deal, with Warren comparing it to the Obama-era agreement and Markey demanding congressional rejection. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been vocal in opposing the deal, describing it as 'the art of surrender.' The 2015 law requiring congressional review of agreements involving Iran's nuclear program may provide a legislative avenue for challenging the MOU.
FTC gives Musk the OK to acquire SpaceX alumni startup Mesh
Elon Musk has received approval from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to acquire Mesh Optical Technologies, a startup founded by three former SpaceX engineers. Mesh develops optical communication hardware for high-speed data center operations. The FTC expedited its antitrust review of the deal, as noted in a filing and first reported by Bloomberg. Mesh emerged from stealth mode earlier this year after raising $50 million in a Series A funding round led by Thrive Capital. The startup's founders previously worked on optical links connecting SpaceX's Starlink satellites. Their goal now is to apply similar technology to terrestrial data centers, where light-based systems offer greater speed and energy efficiency compared to traditional electrical systems. SpaceX has recently signed agreements with companies like Anthropic, Google, and Reflection AI to provide computing resources at its data centers, creating a new revenue stream. Acquiring Mesh could enhance the efficiency of these data centers, both on Earth and potentially in space.
L.A. County man admits he sent Nancy Guthrie’s family fake ransom notes
A man from Los Angeles County has admitted to sending fake ransom notes to the family of Nancy Guthrie. The incident involved deceptive correspondence that mimicked a genuine kidnapping scenario but was entirely fabricated. Authorities confirmed that the individual's actions were non-violent and did not involve any actual threat to the family's safety. The case highlights the potential for individuals to engage in pranks or hoaxes that mimic serious criminal activity. No charges related to threats or harassment were filed, as the act was deemed to be a harmless deception.
The Drama Over This $40 Million Movie Reveals a Bleak Truth About the Future of Hollywood
The article discusses the troubled development of 'Artificial,' a film directed by Luca Guadagnino about OpenAI's failed attempt to remove CEO Sam Altman in late 2023. Initially, major studios like Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. rejected the project due to concerns over its portrayal of Altman and Elon Musk. Amazon MGM eventually acquired the film with a $40 million budget but later abandoned it, citing that releasing it through a different studio would be better. Indie distributor Neon has now stepped in to take over the project. The piece highlights growing tensions between Hollywood and Silicon Valley, particularly as tech companies exert greater influence over both the creative process and distribution channels in the film industry.
Contributor: Alcohol should be stigmatized like smoking
The article features a contributor's opinion suggesting that alcohol should be treated with the same level of societal stigma as smoking. The piece argues that similar to how smoking has been increasingly viewed as harmful and socially unacceptable, alcohol consumption could benefit from greater public disapproval to reduce related health and social issues. The author calls for a shift in cultural attitudes toward alcohol, emphasizing potential benefits for public health and safety.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
