Press Play With Madeleine Brand

OJ Simpson, 76, died on Wednesday. Thirty years ago, his murder trial and acquittal became a flashpoint of celebrity, race, and jurisprudence. Mexico City, home to 22 million people, is facing drought, drying reservoirs, and leaky infrastructure. Some parts of the city have no running water at all.  Critics review the latest film releases: “Civil War,” “In Flames,” “Sting,” and “Sasquatch Sunset.” Love to eat artichokes but dread cooking with them just by looking at the spiny cones? Enter frozen and marinated artichoke hearts.

All 371 locations of 99 Cents Only stores will close permanently, which means a big loss for those who rely on a low-income brick-and-mortar retailer in their neighborhood. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban may be enforced. Meanwhile, polling suggests voters feel strongly about abortion — mostly favoring it — but that doesn’t necessarily translate into votes for Democrats. A neuroscience professor explains how episodic memory works and why our brains sometimes hold onto inane information. He also gives tips on strengthening your power of recall.  LA’s animal shelters are so overcrowded that the City Council has paused issuing dog breeding licenses. The president of a local rescue explains what’s going on. 

The group Open Books is giving what it calls “LGBTQ+ affirming literature” to public schools, including every elementary campus in the LAUSD. Rory Kennedy talks about “Synanon Fix,” a four-part documentary series on HBO about the drug rehab center that turned into a cult. KCRW also asks about her presidential candidate brother. California lawmakers revealed a slate of bills aimed at reducing retail theft. It’s an attempt to fight crime without violating Prop 47, the criminal justice reform passed in 2014. RFK Jr. is running an uphill campaign trying to pull from anti-establishment Democrats and Republicans, but liberals are worried that his campaign is a Biden spoiler.

Rudy Mancuso’s synesthesia means daily sounds transform into layered rhythms and melodies. He explores that beautiful and frustrating experience in “Música.” House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing pressure from Democrats and foreign leaders to pass more aid to Ukraine, while hard-right members of his own party threaten his speakership.  Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark faces disbarment after his schemes to overturn the 2020 election. He’s just one of nearly a dozen lawyers facing legal action for their work with Trump. HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” ended its 12th and final season Sunday night. We review the episode and discuss how Westside Los Angeles featured prominently in the show.

Sonoran white wheat is core to making flour tortillas. It has resurged in the past decade thanks to its versatility in baked goods, sweet flavor, and white color.  If re-elected, Trump has vowed not to defend NATO countries that haven’t paid their full share if Russia attacks. NATO leaders are scrambling to “Trump-proof” Ukraine aid. The proposed Right to Disconnect bill allows CA employees to ignore after-hours texts from bosses. It defines nonworking hours and imposes fines on violators. Critics review the latest film releases: “La Bête,” “Monkey Man,” “Girls State,” and “Musica.” A total solar eclipse will trace a path from Texas to Maine on April 8. One zoo curator explains how her animals responded last time. 

The LA Festival of Movies debuts this week, featuring brand new films, world premieres, older independent flicks that may deserve a second look, and titles that haven’t played within the circuit yet.  The damage is still unfolding from Taiwan’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake. But strong building codes and community preparedness helped lessen the disaster. We look at how LA compares. California auto-loan tycoon Don Hankey provided a $175 million bond to Donald Trump as he appeals a civil fraud charge. He says the deal is just good business.  With a raspy voice and raw lyrics, Lola Young is poised to be one of the next major British pop artists. She shares her inspirations and career hopes.

Atlantic writer Franklin Foer examines rising antisemitism from the political left, and why what he describes as a “Golden Age for American Jews” is over. An Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza on Monday, and the U.N. is warning that a famine might be imminent.  The Florida Supreme Court enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the country this week. Abortion access is now going to be on the state’s 2024 ballot.  Amy Chozick covered Hillary Clinton’s 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns. Her memoir “Chasing Hillary” is the basis for the new Max series “The Girls on the Bus.”

Technology has devastated kids’ abilities to connect and learn. Pew data from 2022 says nearly half of teens were online almost constantly.  The state’s mandatory $20/hour minimum wage for fast food workers goes into effect on April 1, but some say that amount isn’t enough. Higher menu costs and layoffs might come.  Critics review the latest film releases: “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “La Chimera,” “The Shadowless Tower” and “Wicked Little Letters.” The Dodgers' home opener is today as a cloud hangs over star player Shohei Ohtani due to allegations that his now-former interpreter stole millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. 

The Santa Monica City Council recently voted to explore compensating the descendants of a Black man named Silas White for his plot of land on Ocean Ave. New analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that Medicare spending on weight loss drugs like Ozempic rose to $5.7 billion in 2022 — up from $57 million in 2018. LA City Council officials have announced plans to eliminate traffic lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike and bus lanes to the storied Hollywood Boulevard. An excerpt from KCRW’s Life Examined talks about building community despite our isolated lifestyles. Plus, hear practical tips for forging meaningful connections. When vegetables begin to flower, they’re reaching the end of their life cycles. But you can still eat the plants, which have an added sweetness or bitterness.

Judy Baca’s collaborative effort to create “The Great Wall of LA” is the subject of a new LA Times short documentary. The mural is being extended to another half mile.  Four men accused in Friday's terrorist attack at a Russian concert hall appeared in court bruised and bandaged — an example of Putin’s regime using violence to exert political control. The LA Innocence Project is pushing for new evidence and DNA testing in Scott Peterson’s quest for a retrial. Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife and their unborn son two decades ago.  Beyoncé topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with a single from “Cowboy Carter,” but the album has drawn backlash over who’s qualified to make country music.

A new AI company called Suno wants everyone to be able to produce their own pro-level songs. What does that mean for artists? The U.N. Security Council called for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the U.S. abstaining from the vote. Will it make a difference in the conflict? The Supreme Court will hear arguments challenging the major abortion drug mifepristone, which is used in more than half of all abortions in the U.S.  Alynda Segarra latest’s album, “The Past is Still Alive,” honors people, places, and moments from their travels. The songs also talk about substance addiction.

Regarding Her, a nonprofit accelerating the growth of women entrepreneurs and leaders in food and beverage, is sponsoring a spattering of events this March.  California voters narrowly passed Prop 1, Newsom’s signature mental health initiative. It’s poised to overhaul treatment for drug addiction and homelessness. What happens next? A risk calculator caught actress Olivia Munn’s aggressive breast cancer a year early, while regular screenings missed it. Should other women use the tool too? Pine Mountain Club, about an hour north of LA, has suffered hundreds of break-ins and thousands of dollars of bear-related damage over the past decade. Critics review the latest film releases: “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” “Shirley,” “The American Society of Magical Negroes,” and “Carol Doda Topless at the Condor.”

In “Problemista,” a Salvadoran immigrant longs to become a toy designer when he arrives in New York. The challenges of getting a U.S. work visa threaten his dreams. In Texas, Senate Bill 4 would allow local police to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit blocked it ahead of oral arguments.  After the ousters of anti-LGBTQ school board members in Orange County and a watering down of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, are the culture wars calming down?  Armed gangs are roaming Haiti’s streets, attacking government buildings and shutting down the main airport in Port-au-Prince. The prime minister says he'll resign.  Shohei Ohtani got two hits in his Dodger regular-season debut against the Padres. Plus, the NCAA women's basketball tournament is drawing more attention than the men’s competition. 

Aging pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake are promoting new albums. Are audiences interested in new material, or just hoping they'll bring sexy back? Despite bans in 14 states, over 1 million abortions occurred in the U.S. last year, marking the highest number in a decade, per the Guttmacher Institute. It could soon be a lot cheaper to sell your home. A prominent industry group for realtors just agreed to lower commissions. What does this mean for the housing market? To make housing more affordable, President Biden is proposing new policies, some of which would need Congressional approval in an election year. Anthony Madu's ballet moves went viral in 2020, capturing hearts worldwide. His journey from Nigeria to a prestigious conservatory is told in the film “Madu.”

The world of 1970s Laurel Canyon is on full display in Ginny Winn’s book, “Grievous Angels, Trout Masks, and American Beauties: 1970s Rock & Roll Photography of Ginny Winn.” Gov. Newsom has made Prop 1, the mental health and housing bill, his signature piece of legislation in 2024. Though still expected to pass, a narrow victory is not what he was hoping for. A few swing states have decided recent elections. Third-party or independent candidates could impact Biden and Trump’s path to victory. KCRW looks at the latest developments in Trump’s multiple legal challenges, including the fate of the Georgia trial where he’s been accused of election interference. Conditions appear just right for a spring super bloom after a rainy winter, meaning colorful California hillsides and fields are coming. 

A classic fruit pie is vegan except for that buttery crust, which is the easiest part of the pastry to tweak. Several great plant butters are available. Some members of Congress view TikTok as a national security threat since it collects data on U.S. users, and the Chinese government could control the software.  If you’re driving a new car, data like how fast you accelerate and how hard you brake might be influencing your insurance premiums. How can you find out if it is? Critics review the latest film releases: “One Life,” “Arthur the King,” “The Animal Kingdom,” and “Little Wing.”

“High & Low” chronicles John Galliano’s rise with Givenchy and Christian Dior, then his downfall due to alcoholism and anti-Jewish remarks. Now his work for Maison Margiela is winning audiences.  An Atlanta judge has dismissed six charges against Trump and his co-defendants, but left most of the racketeering case intact. Will it delay his prosecution? Gemini, ChatGPT, and Grok — more Americans are concerned than excited about artificial intelligence. But how can these products make our lives easier and better?  Men get maximum health benefits if they log 300 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise, while women need only 140 minutes, a new study shows.  Kanye West, now Ye, will headline the hip-hop festival Rolling Loud. Despite past controversies like his antisemitic remarks, the comeback hints at a forgiving audience.

Karen Bass talks about the efficacy of her signature Inside Safe program, preparing LA for the Olympics, and Measure HLA.  The Anaheim Planning Commission voted to change zoning laws to accommodate Disneyland. What does the city get in return, and what will the changes bring to the Magic Kingdom? On Monday, students and Jewish community members gathered at UC Berkeley to protest antisemitism. Last month, violence led to the cancellation of an Israeli lawyer’s speech. The Peanuts gang’s 50-year journey with Franklin goes from controversy to redemption in “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin.” The new special is about acceptance.

The Grateful Dead has broken the record for most top 40 albums on the Billboard charts, beating Elvis Presley. What’s behind the band’s long-lasting popularity?   At the Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel tempted John Cena to bare all. Other than that, there were little surprises. “Oppenheimer” dominated with seven wins. A bill that would force TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent company is quickly advancing through Congress. First Amendment and national security issues could arise. On the fourth anniversary of the WHO declaring COVID a pandemic, what does the illness look like today, and what do we now know about long COVID?

In Montecito, Patrick Saville cut off Mark Olson when surfing, then accidentally kicked his board toward him, hurting Olson’s back. Olson sued but lost the case. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the film “Rust” where the cinematographer was fatally shot while rehearsing in 2021, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Researchers examined the brain of mass shooter Robert Card and found significant damage. Card was exposed to thousands of blasts as an Army grenade trainer. Most human bodies today are filled with microplastics. The tiny particles are even found in arteries. That could have major cardiovascular risks, a new study suggests. Critics review the latest film releases: “Kung Fu Panda 4,” “Love Lies Bleeding,” and “American Dreamer.” They also make Oscar Award predictions.