By J.K. YAMAMOTO
RAFU STAFF WRITER
George Kiriyama, senior editor at LAist (formerly KPCC) in Pasadena, announced May 16 that he has been laid off.
“It is with great sadness that I am announcing my departure from the management team at LAist…
Last week, LAist cut its staff by 5% because of ongoing budget strain and potential loss in federal funding,” he posted on Facebook on May 16. “I was one of those let go.”
Public radio and television stations across the country are facing the loss of federal funding under the Trump Admininstration.
Kiriyama, who previously served as managing editor at KTVU in Oakland, KTNV in Las Vegas, NBC Bay Area in San Jose, and KCOY-KEYT-KKFX in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, joined LAist (89.3 FM) in October 2023. His last day was May 20.
His team of reporters: Josie Huang (AAPI communities), Jacob Margolis (climate/environment/science) and Erin Stone (climate/environment).
“I was asked to take the lead on creating LAist coverage plans for the 2024 elections, 2024 Climate Solutions Week, 2024 Earth Day and last year’s total solar eclipse,” Kiriyama said. “Three weeks after the wildfires in 2025, I was asked to take point on recovery/rebuild coverage plans for LAist.”
The highlight of his time as senior editor: “Chatting live with longtime ‘AirTalk’ host Larry Mantle and retired ‘All Things Considered’ host Nick Roman about the Dodgers opening their season in Japan.”
“I really enjoyed working with Josie Huang on AAPI communities stories,” Kiriyama added. “She did many stories on the Japanese American community during my time at LAist, including Suehiro Cafe shutting down its Little Tokyo location in late 2023.
“I was honored to work with such an amazing group of dedicated journalists who served our diverse communities with professionalism, empathy and respect. All of their stories have made Southern California a better place to live, work and play.”
In a farewell note to his staff, Kiriyama said, “Thank you. Two simple words. Two meaningful words. Words from my heart to all of you. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this team. To be part of something special.
“Because that’s what all of you are. Special. Talented as hell. And all of you CARE. You do what you do because you care for this community and the people who live here.
“One of the best group of journalists I have ever worked with — and I have worked in many newsrooms over the past 32 years! Your dedication to journalism and quality storytelling are top-notch and unmatched…
“As I embark on the next chapter of my life and career, I walk with confidence and hope — ready to tackle any challenge, overcome any adversity and to keep moving forward no matter what it takes.
See you at the top!”
Kiriyama has been a reporter for stations in Midland/Odessa, Texas, Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, Mich., and Kansas City, Mo. He was nominated for an Emmy in 2008 for the NBC Bay Area documentary “Dreams to Dust: Americans Interned.” He was nominated for a second Emmy in 2010 for his live reporting during an Oakland riot sparked by anger over the shooting death of Oscar Grant.
A 1994 graduate of CSU Fullerton, he is the son of Iku Kiriyama, a leader of the Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California, and the late George Kiriyama, who served on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. His siblings include performing artist and author traci kato-kiriyama.