PBS SoCaL is in the process of creating a series of local stories focusing on the financial issues in the community. We will be connecting financial topics discussed by the national Need to Know: Your Money and Your Life series with our local news shows SoCaL Insider with Rick Reiff and Real Orange. One of the upcoming stories ouy local news shows will be covering is the payday loan and cash-checking industry in October. The main question we will be asking: do these services create a cycle of debt or are they an important resource for poor communities?

With our partnership with the Public Insight Network, we are able to further connect with local Southern Californians and directly get their feedback on key financial issues in their lives. The Public Insight Network (PIN) is part of American Public Media and provides newsrooms tools and resources. Share your story with PBS SoCaL through the Public Insight Network and your valuable feedback could be used in the upcoming news segments. We want to hear what you think about payday loans, check cashing and the financial state of your community and family:

How is the Local Economy Affecting Your Family?
 

Some background about this effort is PBS SoCaL has connected with the national outreach campaign regarding financial inclusion. This initiative is tied into the PBS public affairs program Need to Know series Your Money and Your Life and focuses on the high cost of low income. The goal of this project is to provide a robust connection between the national financial topics and the economic reality of our local communities.

Need to Know is a national PBS program focused on bringing the most compelling news stories to the forefront of discussion. Your Money and Your Life is the missing link to teach young adults about financial challenges and how to overcome them. Armed with accurate information, people can learn to “manage your money and not be managed by your money.”

You can further connect with our newsroom by sharing your experience and expertise with us. Be on the lookout for our continuing coverage on financial inclusion within our local communities coming in October on Real Orange and SoCaL Insider with Rick Reiff.

This project is made possible by a generous grant from the Citi Foundation.

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