Press Play With Madeleine Brand

After two years and two days of devastating war, Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire, the return of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and an increase in humanitarian aid in Gaza. Los Angeles Rabbi Sharon Brous shares thoughts on moral integrity and moving forward. Gold hits records highs and the stock market is surging on AI optimism, but there are concerns about another tech bubble. Meanwhile, the labor market has cooled as companies invest in AI over new hires.  Film critics Witney Seibold and Alison Willmore review the latest film releases: Tron: Ares, Orwell: 2+2=5, After the Hunt, and A House of Dynamite. Cooking fish can be intimidating. Will it be too dry? Undercooked? What is the white stuff that comes out of salmon? Good Food host Evan Kleiman offers fail-safe methods for preparing fish. Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, Zeke Reed, and Nihar Patel.  

Federal authorities have charged a 29-year old Florida man for intentionally starting a New Year’s Day fire, which one week later rekindled into the Palisades Fire. The evidence against the suspect includes his actions from the night, including his ChatGPT searches. The LA Times’ Richard Winton tells KCRW, “He basically walked up the trail, and at some point, used a lighter, and he was smoking at the time, and ignited the fire with an open flame. … Seemingly in a panic, he started to then dial 911, he couldn't get through. And then he, a little bit later, tried to again. And then … this is probably the most obvious thing he did, which is … literally typed into his phone to ChatGPT: Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?” While most reporting on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has moved to Chicago and Portland, the online news outlet LA Taco is still documenting incidents in SoCal. In fact, though the outlet began as a food blog in 2

Malfunctioning high-power transmission lines weren't the only cause of January’s devastating Eaton Fire. Small distribution lines, which feed power to individual homes, were sparking throughout January 7, well before the blaze started, according to an NPR investigation. Little fakes everywhere: Sora 2 is a new, extremely realistic video generator from OpenAI. It’s pushing the rules of consent on the internet in unprecedented ways.  When it comes to trans people and sports, the debate and new laws have focused on women. Trans activist Schuyler Bailar is the first openly transgender athlete to compete in Division 1 sports on a men’s team. He says, “What does it mean to have these ‘biological advantages,’ and when are biological advantages permitted, and to whom are they permitted? Right? Michael Phelps, winningest Olympian of all time, he is praised for his ‘freak of nature’ body. He produces half the levels of lactic acid than the average athlete. He has dou

Almost 200 international activists who were detained by Israel have been released. They were part of a flotilla of 42 boats trying to break through an Israeli naval blockade to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to the Gaza Strip. One activist who hasn’t been released: 33-year-old LA native David Adler. KCRW hears from his parents, Ruth Kremen and Paul Adler. Legal challenges are flying as President Trump tries to deploy National Guard troops to Portland from other states, including California. Meanwhile, a new supreme court term begins. Barry Weiss built her brand as an anti-woke, “radical centrist” railing against the legacy media. Now she’s taking over as the editor-in-chief of CBS News as it faces an uncertain future.  Yaqui multi-instrumentalist and composer Cochemea talks about his new album, Vol. 3 Ancestros Futuros, which melds the sounds and rhythms of Indigenous music with jazz, soul and funk. “I wanted to create a vision for ancestral survival,” he says. 

Days after the 20-point Gaza peace plan was unveiled, questions remain about Hamas’ response, the fate of hostages, delivery of humanitarian aid, and whether this plan can stabilize the region. At least seven people who were part of a class-action sex abuse settlement with LA County were solicited to join the lawsuit, according to an LA Times investigation. In two cases, the claimants allegedly made up their stories of sex abuse with help from the person soliciting their participation. Dancer Heidi Duckler came to LA with a car full of props. She soon ditched the props, and brought dance to real-life locations like City Hall and the LA River. Her company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend. Film critics William Bibbiani and Christy Lemire review the latest film releases: The Smashing Machine, Are We Good, Play Dirty, and Good Boy. Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, and Nihar Patel.

On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed generals and admirals at Marine Corps Base Quantico, saying the military had gone soft and woke. He decried diversity initiatives and declared the era of “gender delusion” to be over. “The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” he said. Critics argue that the new rules disproportionately impact Black and Brown soldiers, many of whom have pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), which makes it impossible to shave without developing painful bumps and ingrown hairs. Since its inception in 2012, American film studio A24 has established itself as a zeitgeisty innovator willing to invest in budding auteurs. It has also become a cultural touchstone that manages to thread the needle between commercial success and arthouse credibility. How long can that last, especially now that there’s VC money invested and a new division devoted to AI? Multidisciplinary artist Derek Fordjour’s new show at David Kordansky Gallery

LA County was plagued by understaffing, underfunding, plus outdated and unclear policies and procedures during January’s wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, according to a new independent review, commissioned by the LA County Board of Supervisors. Some Altadena residents want the state to investigate this too, which Supervisor Kathryn Barger says she would support. Susan Choi’s latest and sixth novel, Flashlight, opens with a mystery. It’s 1978, and a precocious 10-year-old named Louisa is walking on the beach with her father, Serk. He’s carrying a flashlight. The two of them, along with Louisa’s mother, Anne, are spending the summer in coastal Japan. Japan is where Serk, who’s ethnically Korean, spent his childhood, and where he disappears. Tragedy unfolds, and Louisa is found washed up by the tide, barely alive. Serk, who can’t swim, is never found, presumed to be dead. Drowned. The novel is told through multiple perspectives. It spans four generations of S

A government shutdown is looming on Capitol Hill. Democrats are refusing to vote to fund the government unless Republicans negotiate on health care and other demands.  The state of Oregon – and the city of Portland – are suing the Trump administration to block the deployment of the state’s National Guard. The suit comes after Trump ordered federal troops into what he called “war-ravaged” Portland, under siege by “Antifa and other domestic terrorists.”  Keyboardist Meme del Real started in the popular Mexican band Café Tacvba, but he left Mexico City for a small mountain town to record his introspective solo debut. Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, Zeke Reed, and Nihar Patel.  

Wildland firefighters are now allowed to wear masks on the job to protect against smoke, but there are cultural and practical hurdles to widespread adoption. In the latest season of KCRW’s Question Everything, host Brian Reed sets out to reform Section 230, the provision in communications law that protects tech companies and social media from liability for content posted on their site. Critics review the latest film releases: One Battle After Another, Eleanor the Great, Predators, and Dead of Winter. Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, and Zeke Reed.  

What does President Trump's rambling, hour-long speech before the U.N. General Assembly mean for other countries, and how will world leaders respond to his accusations that their "countries are going to hell?" Experience heartbreak, hilarity, and the chaos of a very real Jewish family. From the mind behind BoJack Horseman, Raphael Bob-Waksberg talks about his new animated series, Long Story Short. Los Angeles is responsible for unique Asian fusion dishes, like the Korean taco, the California sushi roll, and the Chinese chicken salad. Evan Kleiman explains how the Chinese chicken salad came to be, and recommends where to get a good one. Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, and Zeke Reed.

Jimmy Kimmel is back on air – but not on stations owned by media giants Nexstar and Sinclair, whose standoff with Kimmel could shape the future of late-night TV. New Pentagon restrictions on journalists are the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration to control coverage and weaken First Amendment protections for the press.  A new documentary explores never-before-seen archives from Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, and how much she knew about what she did to glorify Hitler’s Germany. It’s Fat Bear Week! The annual tradition has attracted worldwide fans who vote for their favorite fat bears as they prepare for hibernation.

The effort to turn Charlie Kirk into a martyr reflects the rising tide of Christian nationalism (00:00 - 11:43).  President Trump is demanding the prosecutions of James Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff — echoing Richard Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre” (11:45 - 21:31).  Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker talks about the Britpop band’s first album in 24 years, plus sex, marriage, and growing up (21:33 - 42:22).  In a kayak made of mushrooms, LA artist Sam Shoemaker paddled 26 miles from Catalina to San Pedro, showing fungi could be an alternative to plastics (42:24 - 49:37).

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after threats from the Federal Communications Commission. The move has broader implications for press freedom in the Trump era.   New Yorker fact checkers go to extraordinary lengths to nail down the truth. It’s a rarity in today’s media landscape.  Critics review the latest film releases: “Him,” “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” “Where to Land,” and “Happyend.” Depending on how you treat it, eggplant can be meltingly tender, smoky, chewy, or crisp. But whatever you do, never undercook it. 

White supremacists recently disrupted memorials for Charlie Kirk in Huntington Beach. Their presence reignited concerns about hate groups in the community. Over the past decade, people have increasingly used medications that affect the brain and induce drowsiness, which are problematic in increasing the risk of falls. Amid severe hunger in Gaza, “Boustany,” a new cookbook by the Palestinian-British chef Sami Tamimi, highlights the diversity and vibrancy of Palestinian cuisine.  Some books to look forward to this fall are about long COVID-induced insanity, true crime, and a mother speaking to her son from the afterlife. 

Slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk combined organizational acumen and internet savvy to build a political machine. Now his death is being used to justify a crackdown on the left. Actor, filmmaker, and activist Robert Redford died today at 89. He made dozens of legendary movies and founded the Sundance Film Festival. LA Opera Music Director James Conlon talks about the Recovered Voices program, the importance of educating young people about classical arts, and why “West Side Story” is significant to him. The Dodgers fight through injuries and a tough loss ahead of the MLB playoffs. The Valkyries hope to make WNBA playoff history. And UCLA football scrambles after another coaching shakeup.  

The 2025 state legislative session has ended. Hundreds of approved bills include measures to unmask cops, boost oil drilling, and increase pay for incarcerated firefighters. A bill banning law enforcement officers from covering their faces is sitting on Gavin Newsom’s desk. Does California have the power to regulate federal agents?  “The Pitt” earned several Emmys, but the celebration comes with a twist. Michael Crichton’s estate says the show borrows heavily from “ER,” the hit medical drama he created based on his life. The long out-of-print pre-Fleetwood Mac album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks — the only album they ever released as a duo — is being re-released for the first time in decades this Friday.

A former Obama staffer was meeting a Project 2025 author when she got news of Charlie Kirk’s death. KCRW discusses political violence and a plea for calm. Voters are bombarded by mailers and ads for and against Prop 50, which would allow California's legislature to redraw its Congressional maps mid-decade. Millions are pouring in from unions, billionaires, and national players.   Critics review the latest film releases: “The Long Walk,” The History of Sound,” “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” and “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.” Writer Vanessa Anderson’s project “The Grocery Goblin” explores food and consumer culture via the grocery store. Her latest Substack post wondered what was in Evan Kleiman’s fridge.

An economist explains that people are staying put in their current jobs amid economic uncertainty, it’s tougher to find a new role, and mass deportation policies are affecting the overall economy.  Twenty-two TV series were just awarded the first round of expanded Hollywood tax credits. Is it enough to breathe life back into the industry? Families invent their own secret languages — nicknames, jokes, and mispronunciations — that bond them together, linger for years. Linguists call this “familect.” KCRW host Sam Sanders dishes on all things pop culture — the moments, movies, music, and TV shows people couldn't stop raving about over the summer.

Many immigrants have feared going to work amid ICE raids. Weekly earnings for immigrant renters fell 62% this summer, according to The Rent Brigade’s recent survey. As the trial for an alleged assassin of President Trump begins this week, KCRW looks back on September 1975, when two different women had plans to kill President Gerald Ford. A small-town paper gets the mockumentary treatment in a new spinoff from “The Office,” mixing newsroom chaos, nostalgia, and laughs about the future of print journalism.  A displeased astrologer weighs in after the New York Times reports that your zodiac sign is out of date. KCRW explains the long controversy between astronomers and astrologers.

In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked federal immigration agents from indiscriminately arresting people on sidewalks, at Home Depots, swap meets, etc. Santa Monica is on the verge of a fiscal emergency as massive sex abuse settlements and shrinking revenues stretch city services, reflecting a wider crisis across LA County. The book “Changeover” explores the budding rivalry between tennis phenoms Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and what it means for the future of the sport. No candidate exists for 2025’s “song of the summer.” Media consumption is fragmented, streaming allows people to listen to the same songs for longer, and more artists are competing for attention.