We didn’t know what to expect when we asked readers to contribute money to support our journalism.

This is a troubling moment for Louisiana, and we know that many of you share our view that the public needs truthful, unbiased information more than ever. On the other hand, The Times-Picayune and The Advocate are privately held businesses, and like any business now we are dealing with the economic shutdown.

Your response was heartening: Hundreds of you contributed a total of $30,000 within only a week.

We promised that the money would go to support COVID-related journalism, and we wanted to report back on how we are planning to keep that pledge.

On March 23, we announced that we would be forced to furlough some of our staff and curtail the hours of the rest to make up for temporary revenue losses. We hated to do that, because it would mean less reporting at a time when Louisiana needs more.

Thanks to the money you gave, we're able to announce that we have cut the reduction in news staff hours. In practical terms, that means your contributions will support additional days of journalism. That includes reporters and photographers in the field, and editors who read stories, design pages and operate our websites and apps and social media.

For that, we thank you.

Stay safe,

Judi Terzotis, Publisher

Peter Kovacs, Editor

The Advocate - COVID-19 Local News Fund is a program administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. LMF is raising funds for educational activities; specifically, to educate the public on COVID-19 issues. LMF is providing funds to this news organization and many others to support this important educational project. All money raised by this effort will go directly to support COVID-19 reporting, to make sure the public has essential facts on this important topic.

The Advocate - COVID-19 Local News Fund

Give to support The Advocate as we cover the coronavirus crisis in our communities.