We’re proud to share that Boyle Heights Beat, a newsroom of The LA Local, is nominated for seven Southern California Journalism Awards presented by the Los Angeles Press Club, recognizing our work published during the 2025 calendar year.
The nominations, announced Monday in categories ranging from public service to feature writing, underscore our team’s deep commitment to community-centered journalism. Founded in 2010, Boyle Heights Beat was integrated into The LA Local in 2025, a nonprofit news organization that puts community at the heart of everything we do.
Among the finalists:
Reporter Alejandra Molina was nominated in the “Public Service News or Feature” category for her reporting on the lack of police sites in Boyle Heights, which promoted the addition of pop-up vote centers: “After reporting revealed no polling sites, pop-up vote centers coming to Boyle Heights.”
Alejandra Molina was also nominated along with Jessica Perez, Andrew Lopez and Laura Anaya-Morga in the “Hard News” category for coverage on an immigration raid in the Eastside neighborhood of Cypress Park: “Toddler among 6 people taken as immigration agents raid Cypress Park Home Depot.”
Student journalist Alyssa Lopez was nominated in the “Best Feature Photo” category for capturing the dedication, teamwork and family support that fueled a youth football program: “From practice to glory: Photos from the Boyle Heights Wolfpack’s season.”
Student journalist Andrea Curiel was nominated in the “Best News Writing, Campus Issues, Budget/Personnel” category for coverage of a major move by the second-largest school district in the country: “LAUSD students prepare for ‘major shift’ as cellphone ban takes effect.”
Student journalist Adriana Valencia was nominated in the “Best News Writing, Off-Campus Issues” category for highlighting the challenges many LAUSD students face commuting to and from school: “For some students, the most dangerous part of the school day is getting home.”
Student journalist Hannah Anaya was nominated in the “Best Personality Profile, Off Campus” category for her feature on teacher Briana Ramirez who incorporates messages of inclusivity into her work: “‘I just hope I can leave my mark’: Teaching math goes beyond the numbers for this Roosevelt High teacher.”
Contributor Allan Medina was nominated in the “Sports” category for the profile of twin brothers Jordan and Mario Nunez: “Two brothers will face off in the East LA Classic, but family always wins.”
The Los Angeles Press Club honors will be awarded on June 28.
For a full list of finalists, visit lapressclub.org.
