Podcasts by Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How to make egg-based pasta from scratch from 2023-11-01T12:00

Evan Kleiman explains how to make pasta using flour and eggs, called “la sfoglia.” It’s kneaded, rolled out, and can be turned into stuffed treats or long, flat noodles. 

The Rafah border...

After prestige and peak TV, what’s next for viewers? from 2023-10-31T12:00

Prestige TV brought ambitious shows like “Mad Men.” Peak TV meant an abundance of niche and weird programming like “Fleabag.” Now is post-TV here?

Peter Beinart offers a view from the Jew...

‘The music is opening up your body’: Check out new jazz tracks from 2023-10-30T12:00

KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs recommends new jazz tracks by A.K. Toney, Steve Lehman, Linda May Han Oh, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and Samora Pinderhughes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pr...

Chuck D on drawing ‘naphic grovels,’ embracing mistakes in art from 2023-10-26T19:00

Chuck D explores life post-COVID through illustrations in his graphic novel “Summer of Hamn.” With the war in Israel, foreign policy is at the center of the California Senate race. KCRW looks at...

This Halloween, check out some not-so-scary flicks from 2023-10-25T12:00

This Halloween, film critic William Bibbiani recommends Cat People, The Fly, Elvira: Mistress of Evil, Ghostwatch, and Over the Garden Wall. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is defending hi...

‘Mai and the Missing Melon’: Sonoko Sakai preserves family memories from 2023-10-24T19:00

Chef Sonoko Sakai’s new children’s book is inspired by her r...

Forget Instagram? Some teens say LinkedIn is the social media app for them from 2023-10-23T12:00

For some teens nationwide, LinkedIn is currently the hot social media platform, not TikTok or Instagram. That’s according to Anya Kamenetz, a writer who covers parenting. China is incr...

Halloween: Try these sweet and savory treats from 2023-10-19T12:00

For your holiday table, cut a long-necked butternut squash in thin slices but not all the way through. This hasselback style allows the glaze to penetrate. The dish is easily customizable.

‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ Laura Krantz suggests extraterrestrials exist from 2023-10-18T12:00

Laura Krantz, host of Wild Thing and author of Is There Anybody Out There?, talks about government programs on UFOs, scientists’ insights from telescope photos, and the changing st...

Online dating apps are colliding with cryptocurrency and human trafficking from 2023-10-17T12:00

A recent online dating scam called “pig-butchering” is tricking people into giving away big bucks via cryptocurrency. 

President Biden heads to the Middle East on Wednesday. He’ll have to...

Tracing the marriage between hip-hop and high fashion from 2023-10-16T12:00

From rap videos to the Met Gala red carpet, high fashion and hip-hop are inseparable nowadays. A new book documents the melding of the two.  

Rep. Jim Jordan, a far-right member of the Fr...

Firefighter shortage hits US Forest Service ahead of grim fire season from 2022-05-02T12:00

The U.S. Forest Service is struggling to hire enough firefighters to handle what’s expected to be a brutal wildfire season. 

This summer, the Supreme Court will likely gut the landmark Ro...

Rick Caruso wants to build 30,000 beds for LA’s unhoused from 2022-04-28T12:00

LA mayoral candidate Rick Caruso wants to build 30,000 shelter beds for unhoused people and hire 1,500 police officers to combat crime.

Moderna is asking the CDC to authorize a COVID vacc...

Elite college admissions are tougher than ever, perfect grades don’t suffice from 2022-04-27T12:00

This has been a record year for elite college applications and rejec...

Gina Viola: Defund LAPD and raise minimum wage to $39 an hour from 2022-04-26T12:00

Community organizer Gina Viola says she would abolish the LAPD and invest in communities to reduce crime, if elected as next mayor of Los Angeles. 

Twitter has accepted Elon Musk’s $44 bi...

Successful revolutions are slow and quiet, not fast and loud from 2022-04-25T12:00

The book “The Quiet Before” is about big social movements and what shaped them, from the 16th century Scientific Revolution to today’s Black Lives Matter protests. 

The Supreme Court cons...

Food costs take bigger bite out of Americans’ wallets from 2022-04-21T12:00

How long will food prices continue to surge? They’ve been going up due to pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

More people are turning to food banks ...

Karen Bass: Homelessness is a life-or-death emergency from 2022-04-20T12:00

California Congresswoman Karen Bass talks about her plan to house 15,000 homeless Angelenos, and why LA needs a nonviolent approach to alleviate crime. 

Netflix’s shares dropped by nearly...

Ditching the mask on public transit? Make sure area is ventilated from 2022-04-19T12:00

A Florida federal judge has struck down the mask mandate for public transportation riders. But in certain situations when traveling, it’s recommended to keep your face covering on, says one doct...

Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha tours US, sings for peace and justice from 2022-04-18T12:00

The Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha is touring the U.S. “It's very important for us to play a lot because Ukraine can disappear from the newspap...

Elon Musk’s bid for Twitter could get ugly, says journalist from 2022-04-14T12:00

Elon Musk is offering to buy Twitter for $43 billion and make it more open toward free speech. He’ll likely have to borrow ...

Michelle Yeoh on proving her worth, staying in top shape from 2022-04-13T12:00

“I am physically very fit at the moment,” says Michelle Yeoh, who’s nearly age 60. She shares how she became an action movie star, and why her latest role is the heroine she’s long waited for. Listen

Russia recalibrates war, turns focus to eastern Ukraine from 2022-04-12T12:00

Russian troops are now focusing on eastern Ukraine. “It seems to be equal opportunity carnage,” says the RAND Corporation’s David Shlapak.

COVID cases could rise in CA, as they have on th...

Horror film ‘Master’: Racism haunts 3 Black women at arts college from 2022-04-11T12:00

In the film “Master,” three Black women are haunted by ghosts and institutional racism at a predominantly white liberal arts college.  

Sasami’s new album, “Squeeze,” mixes her indie-rock...

Abortion rights activists step up, expect Roe v. Wade to fall from 2022-04-07T12:00

Thousands of Ukrainians are trying to seek entry to the U.S. and are at the Mexican border. This raises questions over who is prioritized for political asylum.

Reproductive rights advocat...

As CA enters heat wave, snowpack is a fraction of what it should be from 2022-04-06T12:00

The western United States is the driest it has been in at least 1200 years. How can California mitigate drought conditions?

The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School birthed an on...

Kevin de León: Solving homelessness requires more than building new units from 2022-04-05T12:00

Mayoral candidate and LA City Councilman Kevin de León talks about providing new homeless shelters in every council district, creating a separate public health department for the City of LA, and...

Grammys: Lots of music, no one flew into a rage from 2022-04-04T12:00

The 2022 Grammys returned to stadium-spectacle pop maximalism on Sunday, with a nearly four-hour telecast that favored extensive live performances over awards and speeches.

The world can ...

Mayoral hopeful Mike Feuer calls for humanity in tackling homelessness from 2022-03-31T12:00

LA mayoral candidate and City Attorney Mike Feuer talks about his plan to build affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness, and addresses allegations of corruption.

Senator C...

Californians could get reparations if they prove direct link to slavery. It’s a tricky feat from 2022-03-30T12:00

The California Reparations Task Force voted 5-4 on Tuesday to pay reparations only to Black residents here who can prove a direct connection to slavery.

Facebook’s parent company Meta hir...

Fourth COVID vax shot: What’s the value? from 2022-03-29T12:00

Today the FDA authorized a second...

Cesar Chavez Day special: Arooj Aftab, Al Madrigal, Roy Choi from 2022-03-28T12:00

On this Cesar Chavez Day, Press Play reairs some of our favorite interviews.

Arooj Aftab, the first Pakistani woman nominated for a Grammy, shares the meanings behind her songs, which are...

Mayoral hopeful Joe Buscaino vows citywide ban on homeless camps if elected from 2022-03-24T12:00

In the first of five interviews with LA mayoral candidates, LA City Councilmember Joe Buscaino talks about his plan to provide immediate shelters to unhoused Angelenos, and defends his use of do...

Nobel laureate keeps his indie newspaper alive in Russia while reporting on Ukraine from 2022-03-23T12:00

Novaya Gazeta is one of the last vestiges of independent journalism operating in Russia. “He's [editor Dmitry Muratov] found a way of really getting through what's happening in Ukraine,” says th...

Biden warns of potential Russia cyberattack. How concerned should Americans be? from 2022-03-22T12:00

President Biden says Vladimir Putin could use a cyberattack in response to sanctions after his country invaded Ukraine, but has no specificity about which U.S. sectors might be targeted.  

Refugees struggle with racism while trying to flee Ukraine from 2022-03-21T12:00

As Russia escalates its attacks on Ukraine, Africans and other foreign residents there face racism while struggling to escape.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman to be nominat...

Women journalists from India’s lowest caste challenge patriarchy and newsworthiness from 2022-03-17T12:00

For 20 years in rural northern India, an all-women group has run an increasingly popular news outlet called Khabar Lahariya. Most of them come from the Dalit caste, which is the lowest. Their st...

Marlee Matlin on rise of Deaf actors, ‘CODA,’ her longtime activism from 2022-03-16T12:00

Marlee Matlin has been one of the only Deaf actors consistently working in Hollywood. She says the industry is doing better in portraying the Deaf community, and wants interpreters to be shown d...

Game of Battleship, blackout in Kyiv, finding dignity: Photojournalist on Ukraine from 2022-03-15T12:00

Marcus Yam, LA Times foreign correspondent and photojournalist, is in Ukraine. He describes the dangers and importance of the job, how eerie Kyiv is right now, and coming across civilians who’ve...

Can CARE Court help heal mentally ill Californians on the streets? from 2022-03-14T12:00

Gov. Newsom’s CARE Court would give judges more power to push people struggling with addiction and se...

Can economic sanctions weaken Russian oligarchs’ loyalty to Putin? from 2022-03-10T12:00

Russia is famous for its billionaires who squirrel away their money through luxury yachts and real estate in Western cities. How could U.S. and European sanctions affect them and Vladimir Putin?...

Donating to charity for Ukraine? How to avoid scams from 2022-03-09T12:00

Californians could get a rebate to ease the cost of gas, which averages $5.57/gallon today. Some stations are charging even more. Why are prices...

Kick Russia off United Nations Security Council: Is it possible? from 2022-03-08T12:00

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the United Nations to expel Russia from the Security Council just days after Russia invaded Ukraine. Members of U.S. Congress echoed that sentiment. 

How LA nonprofits are helping Ukraine amid conflict from 2022-03-07T12:00

Kidsave, a Culver City-based nonprofit that has operated in Ukraine since 2016, is currently helping families get to safety following Russia’s invasion. Listen

What might happen to Ukrainian refugees in Europe? from 2022-03-03T12:00

Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia are accepting Ukrainian refugees who’ve been fleeing since Russia invaded their homeland about a week ago. What could long-term resettlement look like?

AOL to ‘American Beauty’: Chuck Klosterman’s book looks at 1990s from 2022-03-02T12:00

The 1990s was a decade of dial-up internet, compact discs, and Hollywood favorites such as “American Beauty” and “Friends.” Chuck Klosterman’s new Listen

Angeleno has family in both Ukraine and Russia. She worries they’ll be trapped from 2022-03-01T12:00

In Ukraine, roads are bombed out and people can’t get basic needs, while Russia is also facing a humanitarian crisis. Anastasia Shostak, who has Jewish family members on both sides of the confli...

Adam Schiff on Russia’s possible response to sanctions and Putin’s mental health from 2022-02-28T12:00

Ukrainian officials say the country’s second largest city has come under heavy Russian rocket fire. Rep. Adam Schiff looks at what may be next for both countries plus the U.S.  

At CPAC, ...

Ukrainian in LA: We’ll create more calamities by not responding to Russia properly from 2022-02-25T12:00

President Biden responded to Russia’s full-scale attack against Ukraine by imposing heavy sanctions. But for Ukrainian Americans living in California, it’s personal and the latest chapter in a l...

How far will Putin go, can US sanctions change his calculus? from 2022-02-24T12:00

Responding to Russia’s attack against Ukraine, President Biden today announced freezing trillions of dollars in Russian assets, restricting some exports, and cutting off Russia’s largest banks f...

LA mayoral race: Where candidates stand on crime and homelessness from 2022-02-23T12:00

LAPD budgeting, crime, and homelessness took center stage during the first live TV debate in the race for LA’s next mayor.

LA District Attorney George Gascon is facing another recall atte...

Phat Tuesdays: Night for Black comedians helped integrate all comedy clubs from 2022-02-22T12:00

Phat Tuesdays, a night for all Black comedians at the Comedy Store in LA, launched in the 1990s and helped Chris Tucker, Kevin Hart, and Tiffany Hadish start their careers.

Social circles...

Can you change your personality in 3 months? This writer tried from 2022-02-17T12:00

To try to change her personality, the Atlantic writer Olga Khazan took up improv, meditation, and anger management classes.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the U.N. about...

Boyle Heights heroes fight ‘wannabe El Chapos’ in ‘Primos’ comics from 2022-02-16T12:00

Al Madrigal’s new comic book series, “Primos,” follows three Mexican American cousins of Mayan heritage who come together to save the world from evil.

San Francisco residents voted on Tue...

‘As We See It’: How people on autism spectrum navigate dating and growing up from 2022-02-15T12:00

Amazon’s new series, “As We See It,” follows three roommates who are on the autism spectrum, played by actors who experience it in real life.

Polls show Californians want officials to tak...

Can new LAUSD superintendent turn around COVID learning loss? from 2022-02-14T12:00

Today Alberto Carvalho starts his tenure as LAUSD’s superintendent. His 100-day plan includes providing 24/7 technology for students, expanding early education, and more.

Employees would ...

Omicron subvariant BA.2 is emerging. Should you be concerned? from 2022-02-10T12:00

A new Omicron variant is emerging while some Democratic states are rolling back COVID rules. The CDC is urging Americans to keep wearing masks. 

KCRW previews Sunday’s Super Bowl between ...

David Oyelowo on embracing dark stories, portraying a controlling architect from 2022-02-09T12:00

In “The Girl Before,” David Oyelowo plays a brooding and controlling architect. “I'm looking to tell redemptive stories … that don't shy away from the darkness,” he says. 

Olympic skier M...

Roy Choi: Food allows everyone to confront inequalities from 2022-02-08T12:00

Roy Choi discusses the pandemic impact on food service workers, the role of restaurants in gentrification, and why his business almost closed. 

California’s indoor mask mandate is expirin...

Can virtual reality make classical concerts better? from 2022-02-07T12:00

Patients with underlying conditions, including the Epstein-Barr virus, could be more likely to develop long-term COVID, according to Listen

Racist hiring within NFL? Ex-Dolphins coach files lawsuit from 2022-02-03T12:00

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has filed a lawsuit against the NFL and all 32 of its teams, alleging that th...

Where to host next Winter Olympics? Options dwindle as world warms from 2022-02-02T12:00

The last time the U.S. hosted the Winter Olympics was in 2002 in Salt Lake City. Due to climate change, it may be the last Winter Games here, says one professor.

It’s unclear when the COV...

CA death row costs $150M per year. What’s its future? from 2022-02-01T12:00

Gov. Newsom wants to move the 700 death row inmates at San Quentin to other maximum security prisons. One law professor describes death row in California as “a more expensive version o...

Could problems worsen for Joe Rogan and Spotify as more artists pull content? from 2022-01-31T12:00

Podcaster Joe Rogan and Spotify are being forced to respond to mounting public criticism that his show promotes COVID misinformation.

Former President Trump recently floated the idea of p...

China to host Winter Olympics, a major test of its strict COVID rules from 2022-01-27T12:00

The 2022 Winter Olympics start next week in Beijing. With thousands of worldwide athletes, coaches, and support staff arriving, can China avoid another coronavirus outbreak?

The U.S. is f...

Who’s on the shortlist to replace Justice Breyer? from 2022-01-26T12:00

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer plans to retire after nearly 30 years on the bench. President Biden has promised to appoint a Black woman to his post.

Mexican journalists staged prot...

Free cash is linked to babies’ brain development, study finds from 2022-01-25T12:00

When poor families receive no-strings-attached cash, that’s linked to more development in their babies’ brains, according to the new “Bab...

Actor Andrew Garfield finds refuge in art after losing his mom from 2022-01-24T12:00

Andrew Garfield talks about portraying playwright Jonathan Larson in “tick, tick…BOOM!” and reprising the role of Spider-Man.

The fede...

Should LAUSD return to remote learning amid Omicron? from 2022-01-20T12:00

LAUSD classrooms are seeing major disruptions as the district grapples with record COVID rates among students and staff. Two educators, who are also parents, share their back-to-school experienc...

Work heavily shapes American identity. How can we change it? from 2022-01-19T12:00

The authors of “Out of Office” discuss how telecommuting can make people fe...

Texas hostage situation is another example of extremism in America from 2022-01-18T12:00

Following Saturday’s hostage situation in Texas, LA rabbi Steve Leder shares why local places of worship prioritize security training.
Eleven people involved in the 2020 U.S. Capitol insurrec...

MLK Jr. Day with Black leaders Jacqueline Stewart and Anita Hill from 2022-01-17T00:00

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Press Play re-airs two interviews from 2021 with inspiring Black women: Film historian Jacqueline Stewart, who’s the head of programming at LA’s Academy Museum, ...

‘I cannot believe we are doing this again.’ CA hospital staff stressed by 3rd year of pandemic from 2022-01-13T19:00

An influx of patients is straining already short-staffed hospitals, and some have canceled elective surgeries, including Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the San Fernando Valley. “Hillbilly ...

AI can predict your risk of getting breast cancer by 80%, says MIT professor from 2022-01-12T19:00

Artificial intelligence can predict breast cancer years before it shows up on a mammogram, according to a new MIT study . Two massive voting rights bills would boost voting by mail, make election d...

Clarifying mask confusion: N95, KN95, KF94, double-masking from 2022-01-11T19:00

There’s been a lot of mask confusion during the COVID pandemic. What’s the difference between N95, KN95, and KF94? Is double-masking with a cloth and surgical mask effective? Pandemic-induced stres...

Pakistan native Arooj Aftab on her historic Grammy nominations from 2022-01-10T19:00

Arooj Aftab is nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Grammys. She sings in mostly Urdu, and her work is inspired by an ancient form of Islamic poetry. COVID is here to stay, says epidemiolog...

Why radicalized Americans stormed US Capitol on Jan. 6 from 2022-01-06T12:00

More than 700 people face federal charges for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Writer Kerry Howley profiled three insurrectionists and what’s happened to them in the months since.
W...

What it’s like to raise a trans daughter, why gender is overcomplicated from 2022-01-05T12:00

Marlo Mack talks about her book, “How To Be A Girl: A Mother’s Memoir of Raising Her Transgender Daughter.”
The LAPD shot nearly 40 people and killed 18 in 2021, which is more than double the...

How bad is student learning loss after nearly 2 years of COVID? from 2022-01-04T12:00

Amid the winter COVID surge, Long Beach, Alhambra, and Burbank districts resumed classes on Monday, and LA public schools will restart next Tuesday. It’s been a bumpy road for students, teachers, a...

Omicron: New isolation rules, testing hiccups, uncertain spring from 2022-01-03T12:00

Omicron is partly driving LA’s record-breaking COVID surge. UCSF’s Dr. Robert Wachter explains where we stand in terms of isolation rules, testing accuracy, and reliability of immunity.
The U...

How San Bernardino hospital staff are handling its 5th COVID surge from 2021-12-22T12:00

A doctor from San Bernardino County explains how he’s handling another COVID surge as the Omicron variant spreads, and how he talks to vaccine skeptics.
The James Webb Space Telescope will la...

Can you rely on at-home COVID tests amid Omicron? from 2021-12-21T12:00

The Biden administration plans to send at-home COVID tests to Americans who ask for one. Clinical microbiologist Susan Butler-Wu shares how effective they are.
President Biden’s $2 trillion “...

More exposure, weakened vaccines: Omicron spreads amid holidays from 2021-12-20T12:00

States nationwide are seeing COVID-19 surges, and New York reported more than 60,000 new cases this past weekend, the most since the start of the pandemic. “We're seeing both a reduction in the abi...

Omicron holidays: No zero-risk scenario exists, says epidemiologist from 2021-12-16T12:00

As some families are preparing to travel and gather for the holidays next week, they should be especially careful as the Omicron variant is expected to overtake the Delta variant, says UCLA epidemi...

Why Twitter Spaces is drawing extremists from 2021-12-15T12:00

Twitter Spaces launched last spring and soon attracted anti-vaxxers, white supremacists, and ISIS recruiters. The company did little to curb hate speech and even helped the content go viral in some...

Hospitals short on med supplies amid supply chain woes from 2021-12-14T12:00

U.S. hospitals are bracing for another winter surge as they face a shortage of medical supplies, such as wheelchairs, crutches, syringes, and more. It’s another casualty of the supply chain crisis ...

Rita Moreno reflects on lifetime of acting from 2021-12-13T12:00

Rita Moreno’s career-defining role was in the 1961 film “West Side Story.” Her role as a Puerto Rican immigrant named Anita earned her an Oscar, making her the first Latina to win the esteemed awar...

Alberto Carvalho to face big challenges as LAUSD superintendent from 2021-12-09T12:00

Alberto Carvalho announced today that he’s leaving his job as the head of Miami-Dade County Public Schools to become the next superintendent of LA Unified School District. He’s taking the job as hu...

How to travel abroad for holidays amid Omicron variant from 2021-12-08T12:00

With the Omicron variant, the CDC on Monday warned Americans against traveling to popular European destinations, while Israel, Japan, and Morocco have closed their borders to foreigners again. The ...

How a gay Afghan boy escaped war-torn Kabul and found himself from 2021-12-07T12:00

In “Flee,” Danish filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen interviews his longtime friend Amin Nawabi, an LGBTQ Afghanistan native, about fleeing his war-torn home, shedding secrets, and connecting his past...

In Europe, COVID rises as kids are unvaccinated and closures differ among countries from 2021-12-06T12:00

The European Union is being rattled with coronavirus cases rising, though 70% of residents are at least partially vaccinated. Some of the highest-level outbreaks are in the most vaccinated parts of...

‘Torn’: Balancing family at home and risky adventure far away from 2021-12-02T12:00

“ Torn ” is a new documentary about world-renowned mountain climber Alex Lowe and how his family coped following his 1999 death in the Himalayas. “When his body was discovered and our family made t...

NRA seems powerful. But it’s disorganized and easily played, says ‘Misfire’ author from 2021-12-01T12:00

The story of the National Rifle Association involves infighting and backstabbing, million-dollar corruption, and a red-headed Russian spy. Little did the organization know, Donald Trump’s election ...

Abortion on TV: Storylines affect our real-life views and laws from 2021-11-30T12:00

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case about a Mississippi law that bans almost all abortions after 15 weeks and punishes doctors who violate that law. The high court is...

How 1 mom recovered from facial paralysis, and US faces Omicron variant from 2021-11-29T12:00

Playwright Sarah Ruhl has spent 10 years recovering from Bell’s palsy, a mysterious and sudden facial paralysis, while juggling motherhood and a writing career. She shares her journey in a new memo...

Guilty verdicts in Ahmaud Arbery murder trial: Analysis from 2021-11-24T12:00

Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael, and their neighbor William Bryan were deemed guilty today for murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black 25-year-old, when he was out jogging in February 2020....

Thanksgiving air travel: Long lines, stressed workers, lax COVID attitudes from 2021-11-23T12:00

AAA expects more than 53 million people to travel for Thanksgiving this year, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels amid hopes of a semi-formal holiday season. But with COVID rising, how can you prot...

Kyle Rittenhouse and men who killed Ahmaud Arbery: How do trials compare? from 2021-11-22T12:00

Closing arguments began today in the trial against the three white men charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, in Brunswick, Georgia. It takes place days after the acquittal of Kyle Ritt...

How fentanyl and meth saturated the US and led to more LA homelessness from 2021-11-19T12:00

For the first time ever, more than 100,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in just one year , according to preliminary numbers released by the CDC this week. Most deaths were from fentanyl, a s...

Why so many health care workers have quit, where it leaves the rest of us who need medical aid from 2021-11-18T12:00

Nearly one in five health care workers have left their jobs since the COVID pandemic began in spring 2020, according to Ed Yong, science writer at The Atlantic.
“Health care workers have been...

How to curb America’s shopping addiction without taking away the joy from 2021-11-17T12:00

The supply chain is still clogged and inflation is at a 30-year high , while the U.S. has been importing more overseas goods than before the COVID pandemic. The main issue is an intense spike in de...

VP Kamala Harris’ low approval rating: How she got here, what it means for reelection prospects from 2021-11-16T12:00

Just 28% of voters approve of the job Vice President Kamala Harris is doing, according to a recent poll from USA Today and Suffolk University. Also, “ exasperation and dysfunction ” is how Presiden...

Adele is stronger than ever as she releases ‘30,’ says music critic from 2021-11-15T12:00

Six years after Adele’s last album, the British superstar is releasing “30” this Friday, a record aptly named for her age when she started songwriting. “Adele is now exceptional. … She's a brand. P...

What’s driving up prices on daily goods like gas and food? from 2021-11-10T12:00

Today the U.S. Labor Department said prices in October were 6.2% higher than they were last year, which is the biggest jump in three decades. High prices and shortages are hitting food banks too, a...

Why workers are striking, how to navigate back-in-the-office etiquette from 2021-11-09T12:00

More than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente workers along the West Coast are expected to walk off the job on November 15, citing staffing and safety concerns. John Deere and Kellogg’s employees have been st...

CA epidemiologist on vaccinating kids and staying safe during another potential winter surge from 2021-11-08T12:00

California is trying to smoothly roll out a version of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11 that the CDC green-lit nearly a week ago. Dr. Erica Pan, California’s state epidemiologist, talks about ...

New COVID vax mandates are taking effect. Here’s a breakdown from 2021-11-04T12:00

In LA County as of today, people must show proof of full vaccination when they enter a bar, nightclub or brewery. Within the City of LA starting November 8, people will have to show their vaccine c...

Why the Hastings law school in SF may change its name from 2021-11-03T12:00

UC Hastings College of the Law is California's oldest law school, and its board of directors voted unanimously on Tuesday to change the institution’s name. This comes after news that its namesake a...

How to cut methane emissions globally and at your own home from 2021-11-02T12:00

President Biden was at the United Nations climate summit (COP26) in Glasgow today, announcing that more than 90 countries will try to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by the end of the decade....

Snail Mail: How Lindsey Jordan quickly became a world-touring musician after high school from 2021-11-01T12:00

Press Play also talks to Lindsey Jordan (a.k.a. Snail Mail) about touring her debut music album after her high school graduation, and how being in rehab fueled her passion to produce new songs. Her...

New doc dives into inmate riots for better living conditions at Attica state prison from 2021-10-29T12:00

At the maximum security state prison Attica in upstate New York, more than 1000 inmates overwhelmed dozens of guards and civilian prison workers, and took control of the prison 50 years ago. They k...

Pediatrician explains why parents shouldn’t wait to give their kids the Pfizer vax from 2021-10-28T12:00

The FDA and CDC are expected to soon green-light the use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. California says it’ll be ready with more than 1 million doses when that happens.
Listen

Carson’s foul odor: Mayor pushes for resolution from 2021-10-27T12:00

Residents of Carson, a city in South LA, have spent the past several weeks enduring a smell they’ve compared to rotting eggs, vomit, and farts. The smell is coming from the Dominguez Channel, which...

Ava DuVernay on how Colin Kaepernick embraced his Black identity while growing up in a mostly white town from 2021-10-26T12:00

Ava DuVernay’s latest project is a Netflix series that dives into the early life of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “He was a Black child adopted by white parents living in a predominantly...

Shooting death of Halyna Hutchins highlights the need for safety on Hollywood sets from 2021-10-25T12:00

More details are emerging after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie "Rust." Bandar Albuliwi, an independent filmmaker and friend of Hutchins, ha...

Dave Grohl’s journey from Virginia childhood to stardom with Nirvana and Foo Fighters from 2021-10-22T12:00

Dave Grohl’s been part of the two biggest bands of the 1990s and 2000s — drummer for Nirvana and the creator/lead singer for the Foo Fighters. He’s performed thousands of shows, from tiny punk club...

Grammy winner Terence Blanchard on the honor and pride of being Met Opera’s first Black composer from 2021-10-21T12:00

“ Fire Shut Up in My Bones ” is the Metropolitan Opera’s first production composed by a Black artist — Grammy winner Terence Blanchard. The show is based on the memoir by New York Times columnist C...

Netflix sticks to creative freedom as trans employees walk out over Dave Chappelle special from 2021-10-20T12:00

Netflix employees walked off the job today at the company’s Hollywood offices. It was led by trans employees and allies who were upset about the organization’s defense of Dave Chapelle’s comedy spe...

The great teacher shortage — it’s a national problem from 2021-10-18T12:00

LAUSD and other school districts nationwide are struggling to fill positions, including teachers and substitutes, crossing guards, and lunchroom attendants. “Our entire profession is in a crisis mo...

Gruelingly long work days on Hollywood sets: Will they be fixed with tentative deal? from 2021-10-18T12:00

IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) leadership struck a tentative deal with major Hollywood studios just hours before production crews were scheduled to walk offset and str...

‘The Rescue’ exemplifies selflessness in effort to save 2018 Thai soccer team from 2021-10-15T12:00

“The Rescue” is a new documentary about the international effort to save a young boys’ soccer team and their coach who were stranded inside a Thailand cave during a monsoon in summer 2018. Press Pl...

Towering figure in LA politics, Mark Ridley-Thomas, faces indictment from 2021-10-14T12:00

LA City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas faces 20 federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, mail, and wire fraud — all connected to an alleged scheme with Marilyn Louise Flynn, the former dean of USC’s ...

National Women’s Soccer League: Abuse allegations, pipeline problem, lack of diversity from 2021-10-13T12:00

In the National Women’s Soccer League, four coaches have been ousted who were accused of verbal and emotional abuse, creating a toxic work environment for women, and sexually coercing players. The ...

‘Squid Game’ shows dehumanizing aspect of capitalism and twisted nostalgia for kids’ games from 2021-10-12T12:00

Netflix says “Squid Game” is the number one show in 90 countries. The series features 456 contestants who endure violence and risk their lives to win $38 million. “It seems to suggest that chasing ...

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s confirmation to be US ambassador to India: What’s taking so long? from 2021-10-11T12:00

Mayor Eric Garcetti debuted the city’s Indigenous LAnd Initiative today in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It includes a formal apology from the City of LA and plans to rename city landmark...

We can't ignore race when it comes to gender violence, says Anita Hill from 2021-10-08T12:00

Anita Hill went from being a relatively unknown law professor to a high-profile and outspoken advocate for victims of workplace harassment and sexual assault — after her 1991 Congressional testimon...

COVID vaccines for kids in US could be coming, plus where to eat during DineLA Restaurant Week from 2021-10-07T12:00

Pfizer and BioNTech have officially asked the FDA to green-light its COVID-19 vaccine use in kids ages 5-11. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has approved the first-ever vaccine for malaria...

MacArthur ‘Genius’ Jacqueline Stewart on collecting evidence of Hollywood’s racism from 2021-10-06T12:00

One of the newest MacArthur “Geniuses” is Jacqueline Stewart , who uncovers and preserves the lost contributions of Black filmmakers, and aims to make history more inclusive. She’s now the head of ...

Pushing for Facebook regulation, helping in Afghanistan, showcasing legacy of ‘Star Trek’ from 2021-10-05T12:00

Today Frances Haugen, a former product manager for Facebook, testified before a Senate committee, arguing that the social media company needs to be regulated. “As long as Facebook is operating in t...

Treating animals hurt by OC oil spill, resuming LA Opera with focus on diversity from 2021-10-04T12:00

More than 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the Pacific Ocean this weekend. Orange County officials blamed a damaged pipeline off the coast of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. It could t...

‘The Big Hurt’: A woman’s search for intimacy and acknowledgment from 2021-10-01T12:00

Erika Schickel’s new memoir, “The Big Hurt,” is about how she blew up her marriage and family for an affair with a famous LA crime novelist, and how that echoed an experience she had in high school...

Traveling OB/GYN from CA wants country to see abortion as simply part of medical care from 2021-09-30T12:00

Rebecca Taub , an OB/GYN from California’s East Bay, has been traveling to Oklahoma City once a month to perform abortions at a clinic there. She sees dozens of patients a day, and some are coming ...

Adding diversity to kids’ books, and banning anti-vax info on YouTube from 2021-09-29T12:00

The Conscious Kid is a nonprofit that helps families and educators foster anti-racist conversations through books that feature characters from underrepresented communities. Its executive director R...

Why your flu immunity might be weaker this year, plus immersive Van Gogh exhibits are taking over from 2021-09-28T12:00

Dr. Anthony Fauci is urging everyone to get vaccinated against influenza and coronavirus as soon as possible. Last year, thanks in part to masks, social distancing, and quarantine measures, there w...

Karen Bass wants to leave Congress to be LA’s mayor. Which Angelenos support her? from 2021-09-27T12:00

U.S. Representative Karen Bass officially announced plans to leave Washington D.C. and run for mayor of LA. This makes her the de facto frontrunner in a field that already contains five other Democ...

Ronald Reagan’s journey with Alzheimer’s and advice for caregivers from 2021-09-24T12:00

Former president Ronald Reagan disclosed his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in 1994. He died a decade later. His daughter, Patti Davis, chronicles her family’s experiences with the diseases in her l...

Fallout of deporting Haitian migrants, plus CA’s potential ban on ‘stealthing’ during sex from 2021-09-23T12:00

Following the deportation of thousands of Haitian migrants from the U.S.-Mexico, the U.S. special envoy to Haiti has resigned. Some migrants have been admitted into the U.S., but others are still w...

What Facebook knows about IG’s harm on teens, and how 30-year-olds are buying $1 million LA homes from 2021-09-22T12:00

New information is out about how Trump wanted to seize a second presidential term. The new book “Peril” reveals that Trump’s lawyers gave Mike Pence a strategy for overturning the election results....

Why overseas orders are taking so long to arrive, and LA gets new movie museum from 2021-09-21T12:00

At the United Nations, President Biden is trying to make the case that “America is back.” But the world may be skeptical, given the U.S.’ dust-up with France over a nuclear submarine deal, the disa...

Haitian migrants at the border, politicization of Supreme Court, and more men skipping college from 2021-09-20T12:00

Thousands of migrants, mostly from Haiti, are camping under a bridge in the Texas border town of Del Rio. Border patrol agents on horses have been rounding up people, as hundreds have been crossing...

B.D. Wong on playing Awkwafina’s dad and teaching audiences about anti-Asian racism from 2021-09-17T12:00

Comedy Central’s hit show “ Awkwafina is Nora from Queens ,” now in season two, is loosely based on the life of actress/musician Awkwafina. Her father, Wally, is played by B.D. Wong (“Law and Order...

BD Wong on playing Awkwafina’s dad and teaching audiences about anti-Asian racism from 2021-09-17T12:00

Comedy Central’s hit show “ Awkwafina is Nora from Queens ,” now in season two, is loosely based on the life of actress/musician Awkwafina. Her father, Wally, is played by BD Wong (“Law and Order: ...

Hello vax mandate for LA bars, goodbye ‘girlboss’ from 2021-09-16T12:00

LA County will soon require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test at bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs, and lounges. LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the o...

Election 2022 begins for Newsom, ethnic studies could become a graduation requirement from 2021-09-15T12:00

In the California recall election, Gov. Gavin Newsom crushed the opposition 64 to 36, though votes are still being counted as of noon on Wednesday. Exit polls showed that voters stuck to Newsom bec...

US struggles to send COVID vaccines abroad, CA bill aims to bring truth to recycling from 2021-09-14T12:00

President Biden announced in May that the United States would ship 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to dozens of countries. But due to major delays, communication lapses, and international red...

Some Republicans claim the recall election is rigged as Newsom pulls ahead in the polls from 2021-09-13T12:00

September 14 is the last day for Californians to vote in the gubernatorial recall election, and the latest polls show Governor Gavin Newsom is likely to keep his job. Meanwhile, high-profile Republ...

How one family processed the pain of losing their son on 9/11 from 2021-09-10T12:00

Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in American history. For the families who lost loved ones on 9/11, those scars never healed, or they evolved alongside our country ...

Difficulty of closing Gitmo, quiet tragedy of police suicides from 2021-09-09T12:00

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Guantánamo Bay detention center is still open, and 39 detainees are still in custody, down from a high of nearly 800. What exactl...

Cash incentives to fight drug abuse, decriminalized abortion in Mexico, Britney Spears’ possible freedom from 2021-09-08T12:00

California lawmakers are pushing to pay addicts not to use illegal drugs. State Senator Scott Weiner says the strategies would be spearheaded by community organizations and health care clinics that...

COVID booster confusion, Texas’ controversial abortion law, long hours on Hollywood sets from 2021-09-07T12:00

U.S. federal regulators said late last week that they may only be able to recommend a third coronavirus vaccine dose for some Pfizer recipients by September 30. The U.S. Department of Justice annou...

‘Let’s Talk to Lucy’: New podcast unearths personal side of TV icon Lucille Ball from 2021-09-03T12:00

Lucille Ball made her name on TV, but she also had a radio show called “Let’s Talk to Lucy.” A trove of old reel-to-reel tapes has been pulled from her archives. They include interviews with the bi...

Can US invest in better infrastructure to protect against fires and floods? from 2021-09-02T12:00

The Caldor Fire has burned more than 200,00 acres in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and 53,000 residents of South Lake Tahoe have evacuated. Hurricane Ida in Louisiana is leaving residents without el...

Evacuating Kabul for LA, plus whether Latinos can help keep Newsom in office from 2021-09-01T12:00

Some 100,000 refugees are resettling in America so far after the U.S. ended its 20-year war in Afghanistan, and some are settling in Los Angeles. Plus, as the California gubernatorial recall electi...

Preventing wildfires, predicting war, and treating COVID from 2021-08-31T12:00

As the Caldor Fire threatens thousands of homes and businesses in South Lake Tahoe, the new documentary called “Bring Your Own Brigade” looks at the Woolsey Fire in Malibu and Camp Fire in Paradise...

If a Republican wins CA recall race, will mask and vaccine mandates end? from 2021-08-30T12:00

If Gov. Gavin Newsom is recalled, whoever replaces him will face a series of mounting crises: wildfires, coronavirus pandemic, homelessness. What could a possible new Republican governor accomplish...

How’s in-person school so far? Third grade teacher, social worker, and football coach weigh in from 2021-08-27T12:00

LAUSD’s fall semester began two weeks ago with mandatory, weekly COVID testing for around half a million teachers, staff and students. So far, around 6500 students have either tested positive or ar...

ISIS-K springs up amid Kabul airport evacuations. What do we know about this terrorist group? from 2021-08-26T12:00

Today explosions erupted outside the Kabul airport, leaving dozens of people dead or injured, including 12 U.S. service members. The Taliban condemned the attack. It’s too soon to say who’s respons...

‘Tough to keep people calm’: Caldor Fire could threaten Lake Tahoe community from 2021-08-25T12:00

The Caldor Fire in El Dorado County has already burned more than 125,000 acres. CAL FIRE is calling it the “number one priority in the nation” for firefighters.
“We've had the worst air quali...

How will Paralympians compete without their caregivers? from 2021-08-24T12:00

More than 4000 athletes are competing in this year’s Paralympics, which kicks off today in Tokyo. Their families aren’t allowed to travel with them because of COVID restrictions, but some rely on t...

Pfizer’s full FDA approval may not be enough to win over vaccine skeptics from 2021-08-23T12:00

Pfizer’s COVID vaccine earned full approval from the FDA. However, Felipe Osorno from Keck Medicine of USC says misinformation is still out there.
He recalls a recent town hall meeting in Boy...

How 9/11 era and War on Terror weakened US politics and produced President Trump from 2021-08-20T12:00

KCRW has spent this week talking about the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the American-backed government in Afghanistan, and what the departure of U.S. troops means for Afghan people.
The U.S. s...

Haiti grapples with food insecurity and political corruption in aftermath of 7.2 magnitude quake from 2021-08-19T12:00

Aftershocks are still rocking Haiti following Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake. To date, more than 2200 people are dead, thousands are injured, and tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed...

US will allow COVID vax boosters for adults next month. But is it the right time? from 2021-08-18T12:00

The Biden administration today encouraged booster shots for people who got the Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations. “Starting the week of Sept. 20, fully-vaccinated adults could begin getting their boo...

Afghan refugee evacuation: US’ lack of planning is unconscionable, says lawyer from 2021-08-17T12:00

After the Taliban took over Afghanistan, nine U.S. Air Force planes arrived at the Kabul airport overnight to assist in evacuation efforts. The Pentagon says it hopes to send out one flight per hou...

What’s the future for Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule? from 2021-08-16T12:00

Afghan women made huge strides in equality over the past 20 years — going to schools, working outside their homes, and becoming police officers, journalists, and elected members of Parliament. Will...

Can the pandemic be a turning point in how we value motherhood? from 2021-08-13T12:00

It’s hard enough to be a mom outside of a pandemic. Factor in lost jobs, reduced hours, juggling working from home with virtual learning, and anxiety about sending kids back to the classroom amid a...

Is California’s recall process unconstitutional? from 2021-08-12T12:00

Californians will soon receive their mail-in ballots for the September 14 recall election. They’ll face two questions: Should Governor Gavin Newsom be removed from office, and if so, who should rep...

Could a vaccine mandate stop the COVID surge in LA? Supervisor Janice Hahn wants to find out from 2021-08-11T12:00

The LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to draft a report exploring how a vaccine mandate for certain indoor businesses — such as gyms, bars and restaurants — would work. LA...

Kids are at risk for COVID due to unvaccinated family and friends from 2021-08-10T12:00

No coronavirus vaccines are approved for anyone under age 12, and right now, kids of all ages are suffering from a massive spike in new COVID infections. Last week, about 94,000 new cases were repo...

Expect extreme and unavoidable climate catastrophes, warns new UN report from 2021-08-09T12:00

The consequences of global warming are now unavoidable, while climate catastrophes are likely to get worse. Those are the findings of a new report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on...

Weighing the risks and rewards of kids heading back to the classroom from 2021-08-06T12:00

After more than a year of disruptions, many parents and kids are excited about schools fully reopening for in-person learning as the new school year approaches. But there are also big concerns abou...

CA recall election intensifies as more than 40 candidates vie for Newsom’s job from 2021-08-05T12:00

California’s gubernatorial recall election is on September 14, and 46 candidates are vying to oust Governor Gavin Newsom. Mail-in ballots will be distributed in less than two weeks. Democrats had b...

CA’s illicit weed market still thrives. New state agency aims to help legal sellers and growers from 2021-08-04T12:00

Recreational marijuana has been legal in California for five years, but red tape and local resistance have made business tough for legal growers and sellers. Meanwhile, the illicit market is thrivi...

Immunocompromised patients might not get COVID protection from vaccines from 2021-08-03T12:00

The U.S. is reporting more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases a day. The Delta variant is even more nerve-wracking for people with weakened immune systems. Trevor Achilles, a 27-year-old resident of C...

Weekly COVID tests will be mandatory for all LAUSD students and staff despite vax status from 2021-08-02T12:00

LAUSD says it will require weekly testing for students, teachers, and employees regardless of vaccination status. On top of mandatory masks and social distancing, those regular tests serve as an ad...

Summer Mixtape: KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe shares post-Brexit post-punk, Armenian funk, LA newcomers from 2021-07-29T12:00

All week, Press Play has been bringing you DJ and artist interviews, along with custom DJ sets. In this fourth installment of our “Summer Mixtape” series, KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe shares some of the...

Summer Mixtape: Yola on being an outsider, discovering American music, and learning to ‘Stand for Myself’ from 2021-07-29T12:00

All week, Press Play has been bringing you DJ and artist interviews, along with custom DJ sets. This fifth and final installment of “Summer Mixtape” features singer-songwriter Yola , whose new albu...

Summer Mixtape: Ledisi on honoring Nina Simone and staying true to herself from 2021-07-28T12:00

Press Play’s “Summer Mixtape” series continues with Ledisi, an R&B singer who released her first album in 2000 and hit the Billboard charts seven years later with the song “ Alright .” Ledisi was n...

Summer Mixtape: How Jackson Browne balances songwriting about his personal life v. politics from 2021-07-27T12:00

Press Play continues its weeklong “Summer Mixtape” series, featuring artist interviews and custom sets from KCRW DJs. In today’s installment, Jackson Browne reflects on songwriting for the past and...

Summer Mixtape: Seasonal songs hand-picked by KCRW listeners from 2021-07-26T12:00

Press Play is kicking off a weeklong series called “Summer Mixtape,” which features artist interviews and custom sets from KCRW DJs. In this first installment, Morning Becomes Eclectic hosts Novena...

Finding love in quarantine, trying to keep it alive in person from 2021-07-23T12:00

Finding and getting to know a love interest was difficult before COVID-19. Then came the pandemic lockdown, and rather than give up on love, singles started dating virtually. With many people scare...

Top conservatives make an about-face on vaccines, will more people decide to get shots? from 2021-07-22T12:00

Steve Scalise, the second highest ranking Republican in the House, got vaccinated against COVID on Sunday. He said today outside the Capitol: “We’ve expressed confidence in the safety and effective...

We need a cultural shift when it comes to vaccine requirements, says state lawmaker Buffy Wicks from 2021-07-21T19:00

Pasadena will be the first Southern California city to require its city employees to get vaccinated against COVID. The UC system is also requiring its students and teachers to be vaccinated before ...

Doctor on both frustrations and hope in managing COVID surge from 2021-07-20T12:00

Coronavirus cases are rising in every state, fueled by the highly contagious Delta variant. In the last week, the U.S. averaged 32,000 cases a day, according to John Hopkins University .
CDC ...

Tokyo Olympics: COVID anxiety rises as major athletes and staff test positive from 2021-07-19T12:00

With the Tokyo Olympics opening this Friday, about 60 new COVID-19 cases have been reported, including among U.S. athletes Kara Eaker, Coco Gauff, and Katie Lou Samuelson.
“Think about all of...

People living with HIV have higher risk of severe consequences from COVID, says WHO from 2021-07-15T12:00

Patients infected with HIV have a higher chance of dying from COVID-19 by 30%, according to a new study from the World Health Organization. HIV-positive patients are also more likely to become seve...

LA’s latest COVID surge: 1000 cases for fifth day in a row from 2021-07-14T12:00

On Tuesday, for the fifth consecutive day, LA County reported more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases. The county hasn’t seen these numbers since early March, when the fall/winter surge was easing. Hosp...

Why Olympic athletes in Japan must sign liability waivers from 2021-07-13T12:00

The 2021 Olympics are less than two weeks away, and Tokyo is entering another state of emergency prompted by a resurgence of COVID-19 in the region. The International Olympic Committee says the gam...

Nation’s largest reservoir hits record low. What does that mean for West Coast residents? from 2021-07-12T12:00

Heat and drought are both straining the state’s water supply, and Governor Gavin Newsom is asking residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption. People across California, Nevada, Arizona, and M...

How US leadership failed during COVID, according to former White House senior advisor from 2021-07-09T12:00

LA County says the average daily COVID case rate and test positivity rate have doubled in the past week. That’s partly due to the highly contagious Delta variant, which is affecting unvaccinated pe...

Some LA restaurants struggle to hire staff and get out of financial hole from 2021-07-08T12:00

Nearly a third of California’s restaurants went out of business and 1 million jobs were lost since the beginning of the pandemic. Now restaurants are struggling to rehire wait and kitchen staff. Th...

Adapting the human body and infrastructure to high temperatures from 2021-07-07T12:00

Another heatwave is sweeping through California this week. Some regions could see record-breaking temperatures above 110 degrees. Death Valley could hit 130 degrees.
“We're seeing record temp...

For Black Angelenos, COVID cases and hospitalizations are spiking as Delta variant spreads from 2021-07-06T12:00

The Delta variant is the most common strain across California now, and in LA County, the coronavirus infection rate for African Americans has jumped nearly 20% over a recent two-week period. Hospit...

Amazon: Its rise, influence over consumers, and calls to break it up from 2021-07-02T12:00

On July 5, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will step down as CEO but remain the company’s executive chairman. Press Play looks at how Amazon became the world’s most powerful retailer and got consumers ho...

San Jose considers mandatory insurance and fees for gun owners from 2021-07-01T12:00

San Jose could become the first city in the U.S. to require gun owners to carry liability insurance. It’s also exploring the introduction of an annual fee for all gun owners. This week, the city vo...

Austin Beutner’s record and reputation as LAUSD superintendent from 2021-06-30T12:00

Austin Beutner is stepping down after three years as superintendent of the second-largest school district in the U.S. In his farewell speech on Monday, he said the LA Unified School District is “we...

‘Hotshot’ firefighters quit over low pay and dangerous conditions as heat and drought increase from 2021-06-29T12:00

Three major fires are now roaring in the Inland Empire, Central Valley, and California-Oregon border. More than 10,000 acres have burned so far, forcing thousands to evacuate and a highway to close...

Delta variant of COVID rapidly spreads worldwide from 2021-06-28T12:00

The delta variant of COVID-19 was first identified in India and is now surging in the U.K., Israel, and South Africa. In California, the delta variant accounts for nearly 15% of cases . While vacci...

Actor/director Andy Señor, Jr. on taking ‘Rent’ to Cuba from 2021-06-25T12:00

Nearly 25 years ago, “Rent” took Broadway by storm. The show focuses on struggling artists in the East Village during the late 1990s, dealing with the AIDS crisis. A film adaptation later followed....

New documentary ‘A Sexplanation’ explores stigma around sex from 2021-06-24T12:00

It’s safe to say that for many people, high school sex education can lead to more confusion about sex, rather than answers. That was especially true for freelance science reporter Alexander Liu, wh...

New documentary highlights trans student athletes struggle to play from 2021-06-23T12:00

Over the last six months, Republican-led state legislatures nationwide have passed a slate of laws restricting the rights of transgender Americans. Nine states now ban trans girls from playing on s...

Why critical race theory has become a key issue for conservatives from 2021-06-22T12:00

In late September 2020, then-President Trump ordered an end to racial sensitivity training for federal employees, though later President Biden reversed that order.
It was after conservative a...

What will public spaces look like post-pandemic? from 2021-06-21T12:00

Since the pandemic, restaurants have taken over curbside parking for outdoor eating, and some streets have been closed to traffic. Might these changes be permanent, and what could U.S. cities look ...

Juneteenth is an official holiday. California looks into reparations for Black Americans from 2021-06-17T12:00

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law today declaring June 19, commonly referred to as Juneteenth , a federal holiday. It marks the 1865 day when slaves in Texas learned they were free. The re...

Recall threats and turf fights heat up over LA homelessness from 2021-06-16T12:00

Political fallout is mounting as LA grapples with how to house its many residents living on the streets. Councilmembers Joe Buscaino and Mike Bonin are butting heads with LA County Sheriff Alex Vil...

California reopens today. Here’s what listeners don’t want to change from 2021-06-15T12:00

KCRW’s Press Play asked audience members to share one habit they’ve picked up in the past year that they hope to keep. More than 120 responses flooded our voicemail, email inbox, and social media d...

Gov. Newsom plans a vaccine verification system as California fully reopens Tuesday from 2021-06-14T12:00

California plans to roll out a statewide electronic vaccine verification program, which Gov. Gavin Newsom does not call a passport. As the state fully reopens this Tuesday, businesses can still enf...

‘In the Heights’ has thrilling musical numbers and big story, says critic from 2021-06-11T12:00

Critics review “ In the Heights ,” the film adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s 2008 Tony Award-winning musical, all about the Washington Heights neighborhood in New York City; “The Power of the Kan...

Lots of goods are more expensive. Is this temporary? from 2021-06-10T12:00

The cost of living surged 5% last month, according to the Department of Labor. That’s the highest inflation rate we’ve seen in more than a decade. Used cars, furniture, and even bacon have gotten m...

Kamala Harris, Guatemala, and what’s driving the migrant crisis from 2021-06-09T12:00

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Central America this week. She told would-be migrants in Guatemala “do not come” (to the U.S.), which drew criticism from progressive democrats. Republicans and...

Political tension rises over homelessness in Venice from 2021-06-08T12:00

LA City Councilman Joe Buscaino is running to replace Mayor Eric Garcetti, and he held his first official campaign event on Monday along the Venice Beach boardwalk. LA County Sheriff Alex Villanuev...

Amazon wants to network its devices using your home internet from 2021-06-07T12:00

Starting Tuesday, your Amazon devices, along with everyone else’s in your neighborhood, will be able to connect to each other and the internet systems they use. The project is called Amazon Sidewal...

Hyperlocal app Citizen pushes the limits of public safety platform from 2021-06-04T12:00

Last month, LA saw its first major fire of what’s expected to be a devastating season. That night, neighborhood watch app Citizen was blowing up users' phones with notifications about the blaze. As...

Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin on losing his son to a drug overdose from 2021-06-03T12:00

Josiah Citrin, the Michelin-starred force behind Mélisse and Citrin in Santa Monica, lost his 23-year-old son Augie to an opioid overdose in December. Citrin is speaking out about the tragedy to ho...

The future of work post-pandemic from 2021-06-02T12:00

More than half of all American adults have been vaccinated, according to the Biden administration, and life is seemingly speeding back to normal. But offices aren’t quite sure how to approach bring...

Closing racial wealth gap: What Biden plans to do from 2021-06-01T12:00

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, President Biden today marked the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, and he unveiled new measures to address the racial wealth gap. They focus on housing and governmen...

Memorial Day replay: Roxana Jullipat, Stacy Michelson, Evan Kleiman, Ellen Reid from 2021-05-31T12:00

On this Memorial Day, Press Play replays some of our favorite interviews. Baker Roxana Jullipat shares how to go back in time and cook with ancient grains. Illustrator Stacy Michelson’s new book ha...

Santa Monica lawmaker says 1991 hate-filled letter could help fight racism today from 2021-05-28T12:00

Santa Monica has a reputation as a paradise for lefties. But the city isn’t exactly welcoming to Latinos. That’s according to Jean Guerrero, an author and journalist who wrote about a shocking raci...

San Jose shooting: Gunman had history of domestic violence from 2021-05-27T12:00

A gunman in San Jose killed nine people and then himself at a light rail yard on Wednesday. His neighbors told local media outlets they were scared of him and that he had a temper, while court reco...

After pandemic wanes, emotional effects remain from 2021-05-26T12:00

The worst days of the pandemic appear to be over in the U.S., and a lot of us are trying to return to some semblance of normalcy. But the sum total of these past 14 months is astonishing: Nearly 60...

New California Attorney General Rob Bonta wants to take a different approach to criminal justice from 2021-05-25T12:00

Last year, California passed legislation that requires the Office of the State Attorney General to investigate all police shootings that result in the death of an unarmed civilian.
“We are ab...

Year after George Floyd’s murder, what happened to ‘defund the police?’ from 2021-05-24T12:00

Tuesday marks one year since George Floyd walked into a store to buy cigarettes and ended up dying at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Immediately afterward, people nat...

Indigenous US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo explores ideas of home from 2021-05-21T12:00

As a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo is the descendant of Native Americans who were forcibly removed from their land in the 19th century Trail of Tears. Thousands ...

The ‘big lie’ won’t die. San Luis Obispo GOP call for Trump election recount from 2021-05-20T12:00

In California, the “big lie” that fueled the January 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection — that Trump actually won the November election — continues to fester. After Arizona Republican lawmakers pushed for...

Complicated layer to the grief: Californians are still dying of COVID as state reopens from 2021-05-19T12:00

In California, events are being rescheduled, restaurants are filling up, and vaccinated residents will soon be able to stop wearing masks. The state is averaging about 1400 new cases daily and abou...

WarnerMedia-Discovery merger: What’s behind it, how it may affect TV streaming from 2021-05-18T12:00

AT&T will spin off WarnerMedia (the parent company of HBO, CNN, and Warner Brothers film studio) and merge it with Discovery (which owns HGTV, TLC, and Animal Planet) to create a new company.
...

Supreme Court takes up abortion case that could overturn Roe v. Wade from 2021-05-17T12:00

Today the Supreme Court agreed to take up a challenge to a Mississippi law that bans all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Former Mississippi Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed it three ye...

How Parkland shooting survivors transformed into gun control activists from 2021-05-13T12:00

On Valentine’s Day 2018, 17 students and staff were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, students who were directly affect...

Hollywood Bowl and Disney Hall are coming back. Here’s how the concerts will work from 2021-05-12T12:00

The Hollywood Bowl is reopening this summer. Gustavo Dudamel will conduct many of the classical concerts. Artists like Christina Aguilera, Flying Lotus, and Kool and the Gang will also perform. The...

Instagram Youth draws fire over safety and privacy from 2021-05-11T12:00

Instagram Youth is specifically targeted at kids ages 13 and younger. Facebook, which owns Instagram, says the separate platform could be safer for children who are already finding ways to use the ...

Newsom promises $600 stimulus checks as California projects budget surplus from 2021-05-10T12:00

Today Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his California Comeback Plan , which means two-thirds of Californians would receive $600 stimulus checks, and some families with children would get $1100 checks...

Camp Fire survivors haven’t received promised payouts from PG&E. Where’d the money go? from 2021-05-07T12:00

The Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise in November 2018, becoming the most destructive and deadliest fire in state history. The fire was sparked by Pacific Gas and Electric’s faulty equi...

Economy reopens but where are workers? from 2021-05-06T12:00

LA County has moved to the least restrictive yellow tier in California’s reopening plan. But as businesses try to meet demand, some employers say they’re struggling to hire workers, despite million...

Vaccine misinformation sweeps through Latinx community from 2021-05-05T12:00

Latinos make up less than 40% of the California population — but more than 55% of the state’s coronavirus cases. Just a quarter of all vaccines administered in the state have gone to Latinos . Ther...

California home prices hit record high, and buyers are moving fast from 2021-05-04T12:00

In the Golden State, the median home price is $758,990 , which is up nearly 24% from a year ago, according to The California Association of Realtors.
Prices have hit a record high due to an e...

How Caitlyn Jenner’s anti-trans comments are affecting LGBTQ community and her gubernatorial bid from 2021-05-03T12:00

Caitlyn Jenner, reality TV star and California gubernatorial hopeful, said over the weekend that she was against trans girls competing in girls’ sports. She suggested support for a growing Republic...

Olympics will go on in Tokyo despite local COVID surge from 2021-04-30T12:00

The 2021 Olympics in Tokyo are slated to start at the end of July. But last week, Japan declared a coronavirus-related state of emergency. The country’s been hit by another surge of new cases. Movi...

Kamala Harris’ first 100 days as vice president: How is she tackling the historic role? from 2021-04-29T12:00

Kamala Harris has been using her voice as a woman of color and former California attorney general to connect with the Black community after the Derek Chauvin trial, and to speak out against xenopho...

Cut back on excessive sanitizing to save ‘good germs’ as pandemic eases, says scientist from 2021-04-28T12:00

More than a year ago when people knew nothing about how COVID-19 spread, hygiene theater was in overdrive. That meant wiping down everything, and even disinfecting groceries. That resulted in killi...

Apple’s software update could eat into Facebook’s bottom line from 2021-04-27T12:00

This week , Apple released a software update that would let its device users decide whether to share their data and activities with apps and websites. The update could spell trouble for companies w...

India is now the COVID epicenter, US plans to send medical supplies from 2021-04-26T12:00

For four straight days , India has broken the global daily record for new coronavirus cases, but experts say the actual number of new infections could be much higher. The country’s health care syst...

Whether schools and businesses can require COVID-19 vaccinations from 2021-04-23T12:00

The UC and Cal State college systems say they plan to require students and faculty to get COVID-19 vaccines before returning to campus this fall — but that’s only after the FDA approves the vaccine...

Can LA house Skid Row residents by October? from 2021-04-22T12:00

U.S. District Court Judge David Carter has ordered the city and county of Los Angeles to offer shelters for people on Skid Row by October 18. The deadline is sooner — within 90 days — for women and...

Individual accountability won’t solve systemic racism in policing, says USC professor from 2021-04-21T12:00

On Tuesday, the jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin was deemed guilty on all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, t...

LA’s $1 billion proposed plan to fight homelessness from 2021-04-20T12:00

Mayor Eric Garcetti’s so-called “justice budget” for the next fiscal year includes nearly $1 billion to fight homelessness. That money would go to renting, buying and building more housing. It woul...

Analysis: Derek Chauvin chooses not to testify in his trial, and the defense rests from 2021-04-16T12:00

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin elected not to testify on Thursday in his own defense — in the trial over George Floyd’s death. After his decision, the defense rested its case. Clos...

How crime patterns have changed, and why Californians are buying more guns from 2021-04-15T12:00

This year kicked off with an alarming rise in shootings in Los Angeles, according to the LAPD’s public stats. Homicides are up, robberies are down, rapes are down, car thefts are up. And people loo...

How can an officer confuse a firearm for a taser? from 2021-04-14T12:00

Former police officer Kim Potter has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after fatally shooting 20-year-old Daunte Wright in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center last weekend. He was ...

Johnson and Johnson vaccine is paused. Don’t panic, says doctor from 2021-04-13T12:00

The federal government decided this morning to pause Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Officials are looking into six cases where women who got the shot developed a serious and rare blood clot....

California green lights indoor concerts. But venues face a challenging path to reopening from 2021-04-12T12:00

California is allowing indoor entertainment events to resume this week at reduced capacity.
However, the summer is written off at Pomona’s the Glass House, an independent, all-ages venue know...

Amazon workers vote against unionization in Alabama. What does this mean for the online retail giant? from 2021-04-12T12:00

Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama voted against unionization on Thursday night. It was a big win for Amazon, the second largest employer in the U.S. after Walmart. The vote drew n...

Eating disorders are up among teens during COVID. How adults can spot red flags and help from 2021-04-08T12:00

Eating disorders jumped in the last year as more young people spent time on screens, according to new research from UC San Francisco. Hospitalizations at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital doubled si...

Long Beach to shelter migrant kids from 2021-04-07T19:00

The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously last night to make the Long Beach Convention Center a temporary shelter for migrant children.
The move follows a surge in the number of unaccompa...

Role of kids in spreading COVID, tips for protecting vaccine cards from 2021-04-06T21:00

As states continue to reopen, COVID-19 cases are spiking nationwide, and variants are starting to make up a growing share of them. That includes the highly infectious U.K. variant, which has been f...

Georgia’s new voting law faces pressure from MLB, Fortune 500, civil rights activists from 2021-04-05T14:00

Major League Baseball announced on Friday that it would move this year’s All-Star game and baseball draft out of Georgia. It came in response to the state’s new law that overhauls voting, one that ...

Derek Chauvin trial week 1: Emotions ran high from 2021-04-02T14:00

Today wraps up the first week of testimony in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who is accused of killing George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than nine min...

What Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan means for California from 2021-04-01T14:00

President Biden unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure plan on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, which Congress would have to approve. He wants to pay for it mostly by raising taxes on corporations. The pl...

Health care access for transgender youth get restricted in some states from 2021-03-31T14:00

Mississippi’s Republican Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill earlier this month that prohibits trans girls from participating in girls’ sports. Similar bills were signed in Tennessee and Arkansas. A...

Will California have a fourth COVID wave and vaccine passports? from 2021-03-30T14:00

CDC director Rochelle Walensky says COVID-19 cases overall are up about 10% nationwide compared to last week, and big increases are happening in Michigan, New York and New Jersey. California and LA...

Senator Alex Padilla on vaccine hesitancy and immigration reform from 2021-03-29T14:00

California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is in Inglewood today, touring the coronavirus mass vaccination site at SoFi Stadium. “We have to get the right information out there. Yes, the vaccine is...

Cesar Chavez Day replay special: Films on Billie Holiday, ‘9 to 5,’ Bee Gees from 2021-03-26T13:00

On this Cesar Chavez Day, Press Play revisits some of our favorite interviews with filmmakers from the year so far. Director Lee Daniels shares his movie about the FBI’s fight against singer Billie...

Is long-haul COVID the next public health crisis? from 2021-03-25T13:00

Last month, the National Institutes of Health announced a $1 billion four-year study to research so-called “ long COVID .” According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of...

What can you do — and not do — when fully vaccinated against COVID? from 2021-03-24T13:00

About 46 million Americans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — some 18% of all U.S. adults — according to the Centers for Disease Control. California state data says about 17% of residents ...

Colorado’s history of mass shootings from 2021-03-23T13:00

Colorado has a long history of high-profile mass shootings: King Soopers grocery store in Boulder on Monday, Columbine High School in 1999, the Aurora movie theater in 2012. Colorado has more mass ...

Newsom recall effort gains traction thanks to KABC-AM show from 2021-03-22T20:00

The recall of Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to appear on the fall ballot as state officials announce they’ve validated more than 1.2 million signatures on the petition. The recall campaign has ...

How Asian American women have endured a history of sexualized racism from 2021-03-19T13:00

Women of Asian descent were six of the eight victims killed in the shootings at three Atlanta-area spas earlier this week. Their killings increased fear among Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)...

Fighting hate crimes in LA and across the nation from 2021-03-18T13:00

The shootings in Georgia earlier this week that left eight people dead have refocused the country’s attention on hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. A Hous...

Vaccine access: confusion and cutting the line from 2021-03-17T20:00

Nearly 4.5 million Californians are newly eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The state opened up appointments for people with underlying health conditions and disabilities on Monday. However, there...

Fears of blood clots pause AstraZeneca vaccinations in Europe from 2021-03-16T13:00

Four European countries, including France and Germany, announced a pause in the usage of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine this week. That’s due to reports of blood clots in some recipients. But the d...

LA County moves from purple to red tier. Business owners are cautiously optimistic from 2021-03-15T13:00

LA County has officially moved out of California’s most restrictive purple tier and into the red tier. The shift means movie theaters, gyms, museums, and restaurants can resume indoor operations in...

LAUSD kids might go back to campuses in April. A teacher and a parent weigh in from 2021-03-12T13:00

On Thursday, the LAUSD board voted unanimously on a tentative deal with the teachers union (UTLA) to reopen elementary schools in mid-April and middle and high schools in late April. Rank-and-file ...

Coronavirus became a pandemic 1 year ago today: A recap from 2021-03-11T13:00

On this day last year, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic. Governor Gavin Newsom warned that gatherings of more than 250 people should be canceled and social distanci...

Gov. Gavin Newsom fights recall effort and pandemic from 2021-03-10T13:00

Governor Gavin Newsom mainly focused on the coronavirus pandemic during his annual State of the State address on Tuesday night, which he delivered at a nearly empty Dodger Stadium. And in what soun...

Biden administration faces surge of unaccompanied kids at US-Mexico border from 2021-03-09T13:00

An increasing number of unaccompanied minors have been trying to enter the U.S. via the Mexico border. More than 400 of them were arrested today alone, and thousands are now in the custody of U.S. ...

Fully vaccinated Americans: What you can and can’t do from 2021-03-08T13:00

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky today announced that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can gather in small groups indoors without wearing masks. They can also be with unvaccinated fam...

When to reopen classrooms? Debate continues among school staff, parents, lawmakers from 2021-03-05T13:00

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a bill that sets aside nearly $7 billion for schools that reopen for in-person instruction by the end of March. It had bipartisan support in the state legislature...

Manhattan Beach, Bruce’s Beach, and race from 2021-03-04T13:00

Two Black men, Gage Crismond and Brick Howze, were surfing near Manhattan Beach pier when a white man paddled to them and called them racial slurs. Other white surfers told them that Manhattan Beac...

Is California reopening too fast? from 2021-03-03T13:00

Seven counties across California, including San Francisco, moved into a less restrictive tier this week in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s reopening plan. Indoor dining can resume at 25% capacity, stores can w...

With COVID numbers down, what’s next for LA? from 2021-03-02T13:00

The FDA issued emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine over the weekend, and the Biden administration says it could start arriving today. There’s a sense of optimism...

Ethics of COVID vaccine shopping from 2021-03-01T13:00

Johnson & Johnson says it will ship out nearly 4 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this week — after the FDA authorized it for emergency use on Saturday. It’s a single shot and doesn’t need to ...

Pandemic perk? Less influenza this season from 2021-02-26T13:00

The CDC says across the entire country, flu activity is minimal . In California , only a tiny percentage of tests have come back positive. Dr. Tara Vijayan of UCLA says the last time a patient of h...

Science behind ‘Zoom fatigue’ from 2021-02-25T13:00

“Zoom fatigue” is a generic term for feeling drained after sitting in front of any kind of video conference for much of the day. That’s according to Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of Stanford ...

Why rapid at-home COVID tests are still pending FDA approval from 2021-02-24T13:00

Innova Medical Group, based in Pasadena, has developed a test people can buy over the counter and use at home. It costs $5 and produces results in about 30 minutes. It’s complete with a nasal swab,...

What’s in California’s new $7 billion COVID relief package from 2021-02-23T13:00

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a $7.6 billion stimulus package for California. Millions of residents will receive $600 checks. There’s money for small businesses, and relief for child care prov...

When might Southern California reach COVID herd immunity? from 2021-02-22T13:00

Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths have all been declining in LA County. Dr. George Rutherford, professor of epidemiology at UC San Francisco, says cases in Southern California are drop...

Why museums are still closed while other businesses have reopened in California from 2021-02-19T13:00

Indoor museums are still closed — while malls, tattoo shops, hair and nail salons have been open since Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted parts of the state’s stay-at-home order last month. There’s now an od...

Reopening California schools: Public officials v. teachers unions from 2021-02-18T13:00

The Biden administration and the CDC say it’s safe for teachers to return to classrooms before they’re vaccinated. California Governor Gavin Newsom agrees. In LA County, teachers will be eligible f...

What climate change means for America’s aging power grids from 2021-02-17T13:00

The central and southern U.S. is still reeling from a winter storm that brought snow, ice, and the coldest temperatures in decades. Millions of Texans woke up this morning still without power. Texa...

Blue Shield takes over vaccine distribution from 2021-02-16T13:00

Governor Gavin Newsom is partnering with Blue Shield and Kaiser to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. The contract with Blue Shield is now public, and the goal is to administer 3 million doses a week st...

Recapping Trump’s second impeachment trial from 2021-02-12T13:00

Maryland Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, the lead House impeachment manager, gave closing remarks on Thursday in the second Senate trial of former President Donald Trump, this time on the char...

Why COVID is spreading in some LA courts from 2021-02-11T13:00

Hundreds of employees and several judges have tested positive for coronavirus — and courts are still open for in-person trials. Americans are dealing with more political division than ever before, ...

What’s fueling attacks on elderly Asian Americans in NorCal? from 2021-02-10T13:00

Elderly Asian Americans in the Bay Area have been targets of violence in the past few weeks. In one video , a suspect runs up to an 84-year-old San Francisco resident — who was originally from Thai...

Judge blocks many of George Gascón’s criminal justice reforms from 2021-02-09T13:00

On Monday, a judge blocked LA District Attorney George Gascón from enforcing one of his major promises: ending the use of prison sentencing enhancements in thousands of criminal cases. The judge’s ...

COVID variants vs. vaccines from 2021-02-08T13:00

The U.K. variant of COVID-19 is doubling every 10 days in the U.S., according to a report out Sunday. Dr. Anthony Fauci says this variant could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by the end of ...

Disability rights activists push to get COVID vaccines earlier in California from 2021-02-05T13:00

People ages 65 and up can get the coronavirus vaccine now in California. After all, they’re more likely to die of COVID-19 than any other group. But people with serious disabilities — who are young...

The fight over reopening schools intensifies from 2021-02-04T20:00

Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday suggested that in-person instruction in public schools could resume if teachers are prioritized in coronavirus vaccinations. President Biden says he wants to reop...

UC Davis and Long Beach ramp up COVID protection for residents from 2021-02-03T20:00

The University of California, Davis offers free coronavirus testing and quarantine housing not just to students and university employees, but to the nearly 70,000 Davis residents too. The program, ...

Will Gov. Gavin Newsom be recalled? from 2021-02-02T20:00

More than a third of California voters say they would vote to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom from office, according to a new poll from UC Berkeley. His job approval is now below 50% , compared to above 80%...

Johnson & Johnson vaccine: What you need to know from 2021-02-01T20:00

Johnson & Johnson has submitted its vaccine to the FDA for approval. Unlike the vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna, this one is a single shot, doesn’t have to be stored at freezing temperatu...

Doug Emhoff, Jill Biden, and rethinking gender roles from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Doug Emhoff, an LA-based entertainment lawyer who hasn’t been overtly political, married Kamala Harris in 2014. When she takes office as U.S. vice president, he’s going to quit his job and support ...

No regular COVID tests for UCI hospital nurses, not enough space for both staff and patients from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

California surpassed a million COVID-19 cases this week. KCRW talks to a frontline nurse in Irvine who says her hospital is running out of space as they receive a daily influx of coronavirus patien...

COVID testing and hospital capacity buckle during pandemic surge from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

As COVID cases surge across the country, some states say they're nearing the point where they'll have to ration care to those with a better chance of survival. We'll look at the different types of ...

Why Moroccan-born author Laila Lalami calls her US citizenship ‘conditional’ from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Millions of people in the United States are citizens on paper. They’ve waited their turn, taken the test, and sworn the oath. But in practice, their patriotism, place and purpose in this country ar...

Joe Biden’s environmental agenda from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

President-elect Joe Biden says rejoining the Paris Agreement on climate change would be among his first actions after he’s sworn in. Biden wants to restrict oil and gas drilling, expand mileage sta...

Karen Bass and Eric Garcetti look ahead to a Biden-Harris administration from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

President-elect Joe Biden said on the campaign trail that he hopes to have a close relationship with his vice president. Kamala Harris will be the first woman – and first Black and first South Asia...

George Gascón wins district attorney race in LA from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This morning, Jackie Lacey conceded to former George Gascón in the race for Los Angeles County’s next district attorney. Gascón’s victory is a big win for the movement to elect progressive prosecut...

Ballot counts continue, Trump campaign files lawsuits from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Nevada, with six electoral votes, could get Joe Biden to the necessary 270 electoral votes to be declared the next U.S. president. As of noon today, the Associated Press says Biden has 264 electora...

What we know about national race results from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Donald Trump said he won the presidential election late Tuesday night, but Democratic contender Joe Biden continues to rake in votes. The Trump campaign says it will ask for a recount in Wisconsin,...

Election Day is here: Voting issues and watching results from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Election Day has arrived. Press Play looks at what’s happening at voting centers across the country. And since tens of millions voted by mail, election night this year will look a lot different tha...

US democracy is resilient despite doubt and conflict, says professor from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

A video shows that on a Texas highway over the weekend, a caravan of Trump supporters in pickup trucks intimidated members of the Biden-Harris campaign. The FBI is investigating the incident. Harva...

How Trump’s hyper masculinity plays with voters from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Much of President Donald Trump’s image revolves around an aggressive, alpha dog persona. It appeals to many men and women in America. One anthropology professor argues it could be tied to an “untet...

Mail-in ballot signatures: Verifying them is complicated from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

California mailed ballots to every registered voter this year because of the pandemic. Everyone must sign their ballot envelopes for their votes to be counted, and the signatures must be verified. ...

How the LA Dodgers won this year’s World Series from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The LA Dodgers won their first World Series in 32 years, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in game six on Tuesday night. Fans celebrated in the streets of LA with fireworks. The Dodgers’ title came just...

COVID vaccine researchers turn to immunity boosters from a Chilean tree from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Vaccines commonly contain adjuvants — substances that help fire up people’s immune systems. These adjuvants are sourced from obscure places like the soapbark tree, which only grows in Chile. The tr...

Dodgers’ chances of winning the World Series from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The LA Dodgers are up 3-2 in their World Series run against the Tampa Bay Rays. They came back on Sunday night after a devastating loss on Saturday that tied the series. Game six is Tuesday, and if...

LA schools inch closer to reopening. How does COVID spread among kids? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

LA County announced this week that schools here can bring up to a quarter of their students back to campus at a time. This applies only to students who need special services, like those with disabi...

California early voter turnout is smashing records. Will it continue? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

More than 5 million Californians have already cast ballots in the general election. That’s roughly 24% of all registered voters. There are still 12 days to go. Political analysts say this historica...

How the White House bungled the COVID-19 response from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

President Trump told Americans in late January that the government was ready for coronavirus. In an interview with CNBC, on the day Seattle recorded the first U.S. case of COVID-19, Trump said, “We...

QAnon followers attack California State Senator Scott Wiener from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory are targeting incumbent lawmakers with vicious online attacks and death threats. California State Senator Scott Wiener is one of those lawmakers. He talks t...

What are the Dodgers’ chances of winning the World Series? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Dodgers are going to the World Series — their third trip in four years. They’ll play against the Tampa Bay Rays. Sports podcast co-host Randy Sklar says, “Tampa Bay has the 28th highest payroll...

Feinstein and Graham at Senate hearing, Giuliani and Russian disinformation from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Senate Judiciary Committee wrapped up its hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Thursday. California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein praised Republican Lindsey Graha...

Census count ends early — implications for California from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Census count ends midnight Hawaii time. The Supreme Court earlier this week allowed the Trump administration to cut the Census count by about two weeks. It’s bad news for civil rights groups an...

On the ballot: Affirmative action and property taxes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Proposition 16 would overturn California's ban on affirmative action. Proposition 15 would raise taxes on some commercial properties. KCRW hears arguments for and against each ballot measure.

How to submit 2020 ballots the right way from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Many Californians are nervous about mail-in voting. How do they know if they signed in the right place, and will their signatures be recognized? What if they spilled coffee on their ballot? The pre...

Coping with COVID during the holidays from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Feelings of loneliness and depression have intensified during the pandemic, and not seeing any end to COVID-19 adds to the anxiety. Family therapist Maria Mir says it’s important to build new tradi...

LA Opera puts on ‘The Anonymous Lover’ during COVID from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

LA Opera ’s first production since the coronavirus pandemic hit, “ The Anonymous Lover ,” was written by 18th century composer Joseph Bologne. He was one of the first known Black classical composer...

Some schools stay open as COVID hits record numbers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

California on Monday recorded its highest number of new cases since the pandemic began — more than 13,000 . Most of the state is now in the most restrictive tier in the governor’s reopening plan. B...

Why Lancaster is unhappy with LA County public health department's COVID approach from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

On Thursday, the City of Lancaster in the Antelope Valley issued a vote of no confidence in Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH). Lancaster also pl...

How COVID shutdowns are hurting kids’ brain development from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

With LA’s new citywide stay-at-home order, children are not able to socialize on playgrounds or in schools. How is that affecting their mental health? “That social milieu, as we call it, on the pla...

Rep. Katie Porter on economic relief and health care during COVID from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Many of the programs established by the first COVID relief package — the CARES Act — expire at the end of the year. On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected a new bipartisan stimu...

California’s COVID vaccine rollout plan from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday warned that he could impose stay-at-home orders for most of the state soon. COVID hospitalizations in California are at record highs, and hospitals may run out of IC...

New public health rules as California hits a record for hospitalizations from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

California set a record for COVID-19 hospitalizations over the weekend — nearly 7500 patients. That’s triple the number from a month ago. Officials estimate that one in every 145 people in LA Count...

Black Friday: James McBride’s novel, Chicago Bulls series, Aloe Blacc’s music from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

On this day after Thanksgiving, Press Play rebroadcasts some favorite interviews from the last few months. James McBride talks about his latest novel, “Deacon King Kong,” which is set in a Brooklyn...

Delaying regular medical checkups during COVID? Not a good idea from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Because of COVID-19, about 40% of adults are canceling or postponing their regular medical appointments, according to the Centers for Disease Control . And for diseases like breast and colon cancer...

Air travel during this pandemic Thanksgiving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Despite repeated public health warnings, more Americans are expected to fly for Thanksgiving than any time since the pandemic started. Anyone coming into California is supposed to quarantine for 14...

Independent restaurant owner on LA suspending outdoor dining ahead of Thanksgiving from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Public health officials have suspended outdoor dining in LA County for the next three weeks — starting 10 p.m. this Wednesday. Restaurants are still allowed to do takeout and delivery. Greg Amsler ...

Another Safer at Home order coming to LA? COVID cases are skyrocketing from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Governor Gavin Newsom just announced a mandatory stay-at-home order for most of the state from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. This begins Saturday and will last for one month. LA County reported more than 5000 ...

Future of the GOP from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, there’s a growing movement within the Republican party to divorce themselves from President Donald Trump and his brand of politics. Repu...

Who were the Trump supporters that stormed the US Capitol, how did they pull it off? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building on Wednesday, ransacking the House and Senate chambers and the offices of some lawmakers. Four people died and more than 50 Capitol and DC ...

The latest on insurrection at US Capitol from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In Washington D.C. today, at Donald Trump’s urging, thousands of people protested the results of the November election. A mob stormed the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers debated certifying President-elec...

COVID contagion at LA workplaces from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

One of the nation’s worst COVID outbreaks is in LA County, where the positivity rate over the last week is nearing 20%. Workplaces are partially responsible for this recent surge, including grocery...

Why COVID vaccine rollout is slower than federal officials promised from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

LA County continues to be the nation’s hotspot for COVID-19 cases. The county has been averaging around 16,000 new cases every day since the new year. Around 436,000 people have been vaccinated in ...

Christmas Eve special: Sopan Deb, ‘Mr. SOUL!’ and David Byrne from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

On this Christmas Eve, Press Play re-airs some favorite interviews of the year. Sopan Deb shares how his Indian heritage informs his standup comedy. The documentary “Mr. SOUL!” looks at a 1970s-era...

COVID in San Diego, anti-vaccine messaging, presidential pardons from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

San Diego County’s big box stores, restaurants and group living situations are sites of the most prevalent COVID-19 contagion, according to a KPBS investigation. Anti-vaccine and alt-right groups a...

Alex Padilla to fill Kamala Harris’ Senate seat from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Gov. Gavin Newsom has named Secretary of State Alex Padilla to fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ Senate seat. He’ll be California’s first Latino U.S. Senator. He began his political career a...

California hospital sets up ‘COVID pods’ and treats patients in hallways from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley reportedly have no ICU space. Hospitals are creating special COVID-19 wards to handle the influx. There are plans now for how to ration care. St. Mary...

Science's race against COVID from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

LA, San Diego, and Riverside counties have run out of ICU space at their hospitals. COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are still ballooning. Given the devastation, it’s hard to appreciate ...

A timeline for when the COVID pandemic might end from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

LA County broke another record on Wednesday, reporting more than 22,000 new coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, Moderna’s vaccine may be available as early as next week. Frontline health care workers are...

COVID among construction workers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

One reason why COVID-19 spreads so quickly is because a lot of people who have it never show symptoms — between 20-40% of all cases. A new report finds that certain professions seem to have higher ...

Will vaccinating teachers mean in-person classes can restart? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The first round of Pfizer vaccines arrived in California on Monday. The state’s vaccine plan prioritizes frontline medical workers, seniors in long-term care facilities, and those directly exposed ...

Andrew Bird’s new Christmas album ‘Hark!’ from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

“Hark!” is Andrew Bird’s new holiday album featuring classics like “Oh Holy Night” and “Christmas is Coming,” plus pandemic-inspired original songs, and less-traditional holiday tunes such as John ...

Congress passes week-long spending bill, but what about another COVID stimulus package? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

At the end of the year, in three weeks, some 14 million people will lose the extra unemployment benefits that came with the first round of COVID relief. Meanwhile, the U.S. is hitting records when ...

Taylor Mac’s ‘Holiday Sauce...Pandemic!’ focuses on families and living a virtuous life from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Playwright, drag performer, and singing historian Taylor Mac will present a virtual show for one night only on December 12. “ Holiday Sauce...Pandemic! ” features characters such as Sexual Consent ...

George Gascón on ending cash bail and reviewing police use of force from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

George Gascón was sworn in on Monday as LA’s new district attorney. He announced big reforms, including no more cash bail for nonviolent crimes. He won’t seek the death penalty. Juveniles will no l...

Amid resistance to California COVID shutdowns, how to rebuild trust between residents and officials from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Some local lawmakers are against the latest coronavirus restrictions, and some county sheriffs and police departments say they won’t enforce them. How can public health officials fight both lockdow...

COVID cases double in a week. LA doctor pleads people to obey public health orders from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

LA County experienced more than 10,000 new COVID cases on Sunday. That’s double the number of new cases reported just a week ago. All of Southern California is now under a state-issued stay-at-home...

California eviction moratorium gets five-month extension from 2021-01-29T13:00

Today Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law an extension of California’s eviction moratorium through June. SB-91 allows the state to use more than $2 billion in federal stimulus money to cover 80% ...

Foreign policy under the Biden administration from 2021-01-28T13:00

Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s first full day on the job was Wednesday. He must restaff the department as he confronts serious problems: Iran untethered from the nuclear agreement, an embolden...

CDC suggests possible restart of in-person classes. LAUSD doesn’t see that happening soon from 2021-01-27T16:00

The Centers for Disease Control released a new study that shows little spread of COVID if masks, social distancing and proper sanitation are enforced. Schools would still have to limit indoor athle...

Gov. Newsom abruptly lifts COVID restrictions. Epidemiologist says to be extra cautious from 2021-01-26T17:00

Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday canceled the statewide stay-at-home order he put in place last month because of surging COVID-19 cases. Newsom says he looked at projections that ICU capacity will s...

Ideas for improving California’s COVID vaccine rollout from 2021-01-25T20:00

When it comes to administering the coronavirus vaccine, California is faring worse than most other states. Less than half of the state’s available doses have made it into peoples’ arms, Bloomberg r...

COVID mutations and vaccine efficacy from 2021-01-22T13:00

COVID-19 mutations have emerged in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and California. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center say a variant that originated in this state accounted for half of all viru...

Immigration reform under Biden from 2021-01-21T20:00

On President Joe Biden’s first day in office, he sent a comprehensive immigration bill to Congress that would put the U.S.’ estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship. He...

Joe Biden becomes 46th US president: inauguration recap and lookahead from 2021-01-20T13:00

In his inaugural address today, President Joe Biden emphasized unifying this country and ending what he called an uncivil war: “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus...

Fact-checking COVID vaccine myths and fears from 2021-01-19T13:00

Five new mass vaccination sites are opening today in LA County, and Angelenos ages 65 and up can start getting vaccinated this Thursday. But was the vaccine developed too quickly to be safe? Should...

Traveling nurse on COVID in South LA, vaccine skepticism among physicians from 2021-01-18T20:00

LA County became the first in the nation to hit 1 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. Traveling UC nurse Cherie Perry-Smith is stationed at Martin Luther King Jr. Community H...

Who’s now eligible for COVID vaccination in LA? from 2021-01-15T13:00

Dodger Stadium reopened today as a coronavirus vaccine site, with the capacity to vaccinate up to 12,000 people a day. Earlier this week, California announced it would make the COVID-19 vaccine ava...

Preparing for Inauguration Day security threats from 2021-01-14T20:00

The nation’s capital will have extensive military presence next week when Joe Biden takes the oath of office and becomes the 46th U.S. president. Washington D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said on ...

Trump is first president to be impeached twice from 2021-01-13T13:00

Today the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump for inciting an insurrection against the federal government. Ten Republicans broke party ranks to vote in favor. This came a week...

Will latest recall attempt against Gov. Newsom succeed? from 2021-01-12T20:00

Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval rating was above 60% in June. Now California is one of the world’s coronavirus hotspots, and Governor Newsom is facing another recall attempt. “The COVID pandemic h...

Will Trump be impeached for inciting insurrection? from 2021-01-11T20:00

Today the House of Representatives introduced an article of impeachment against President Trump, charging him with “incitement of insurrection.” “Which, in plain terms, means that he encouraged the...