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Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Host Madeleine Brand looks at news, culture and emerging trends through the lens of Los Angeles.

Latest Episodes:

Many Americans falsely think crime is rising. Blame ‘copaganda’ Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

President Trump claims crime is rising in D.C., when it’s actually down there — and across the country. Critics say his rhetoric is part of a longer history of “copaganda.”

The Dodgers hit a rough patch, losing to the Angels and slipping to second place in the NL West. LAFC made headlines by signing soccer star Son Heung-Min. Tennis legend Venus Williams returns to the US Open at 45.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Highest 2 Lowest,” “Nobody 2,” “The Knife,” “Went Up the Hill.”

Who doesn’t love noodles? Japchae is served hot or cold, with bouncy and chewy sweet potato starch noodles. Hiyashi chuka is cold and found in many ramen shops.

Family shares impact of CHLA ending its gender-affirming care Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

After two months of denied access, Rep. Brad Sherman tours LA’s secretive ICE facility, raising questions about masked raids, detainee living conditions, and oversight rights.

Matt, 19, got hormones and surgery through CHLA. After the hospital ended its gender-affirming care, he turned to a new clinic but is considering leaving the U.S.

By now, you or someone you know has probably ridden a Waymo in LA. What lies ahead for the company, its rivals, human ride-share drivers, and customers?

Around 160,000 Americans still receive dial-up internet. AOL is ending the service. KCRW takes a trip down the memory superhighway.

What does back-to-school season look like for Pali High? Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Pali High starts its new academic term on August 13. Instruction will still temporarily happen at the old Sears in Santa Monica. There’s optimism for rebuilding the old campus and community.

Over the weekend, an Israeli airstrike killed Anas Al-Sharif and four other Al Jazeera journalists in what the Israeli military said was a targeted attack on their media tent.

In the novel “Wanting,” two childhood friends grow up and commit to lives they feel were never meant for them, and begin questioning their choices.

In the early 1990s, there was no bigger football team than the Dallas Cowboys. The team won three Super Bowls in four years, before the dynasty fell apart amid rampant allegations of drug use and violence.

Woody Guthrie’s never-before-released songs are relevant today Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

A new chapter is unfolding in the power struggle between President Trump and cities as he sends the National Guard into DC — and defends the LA deployment in court.

UC regents are meeting to discuss whether to settle with the Trump administration over their freezing of grants. But an appeals court may unfreeze the money first.

New research reveals the death toll from the January fires in LA County may be far higher than official counts. Many deaths linked to smoke, stress, and health disruptions are unreported.

“Woody at Home, Volume 1 and 2” contains Woody Guthrie’s 22 previously unreleased songs that protest against racism, facism, and corruption.

How does LAUSD superintendent see his role in protecting students from ICE? Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

LAUSD starts its new academic term a week from today. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho talks about student proficiency in math and reading, enrollment, and protecting kids from ICE raids.

Writer Peter Beinart says American Jews need to reckon with Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, and they should support equality for Palestinians.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Freakier Friday,” “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,” “Weapons,” and “Souleymane’s Story.”

‘The Devil Wears Rothko’ traces Knoedler Gallery fake art scandal Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration froze UCLA’s roughly 800 grants, covering research into medicine, science, energy, and climate. How are scholars and the university responding?

Luke Farritor, a 23-year-old tech prodigy with no government experience, is at the center of sweeping federal cuts reshaping how government works.

For about a decade, the director of the Knoedler Gallery ended up buying fake art from a Bonnie and Clyde-like duo. An FBI criminal probe and lawsuits ensued.

Garlic brings its unique aroma, pungency, heat, and sometimes mellow nuttiness to each dish you’re making.

Inside Nobu Matsuhisa’s global sushi empire Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Texas lawmakers are trying to gerrymander their way to five more Republican seats in Congress. California Democrats want to retaliate — can they?

Will fully autonomous military machines be the future of war, or will nations like the U.S. abide by certain constraints?

Nobuyuki Matsuhisa — whose signature sushi flavors feature citrus, cilantro, and spice — owns restaurants and hotels worldwide. He’s the focus of a new documentary.

Influencers have been posting videos of themselves sampling Erewhon products, and now the store has become one of LA’s biggest tourist destinations.

‘He's become untouchable’: Jeff Buckley is star of new documentary Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

A federal appeals court upholds a ruling that blocks ICE from broad immigration stops in LA, raising questions about what this means for immigrant communities and enforcement moving forward.

President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship is not faring well in court. This time, the Supreme Court may not save him.

COVID ticked up in parts of California and is expected to peak in the LA area in late August. Should you get boosted now?

Jeff Buckley’s vocals drew comparisons to Nina Simone and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. He died at age 30, but his fan base is still strong today. He’s the subject of Amy Berg’s new documentary.

Major Western nations recognize Palestinian statehood Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

France and Canada have promised to formally recognize Palestine at the U.N. General Assembly in September. The U.K. will join them if Israel doesn’t agree to a ceasefire with Hamas.

Humans are extracting fresh water from underground aquifers, accelerating the drying of land all over the world and driving sea level rise, according to a new study.

Critics review the latest film releases: “The Naked Gun,” “Bad Guys 2,” “Together,” and “Folktales.”

Consider these cold soup recipes: One from Eastern Europe, one from Spain, and one starring the summer ingredient corn.

Life amid Trump’s ICE is tougher than era of illegal street vending in LA Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

A 2009 Obama-era environmental finding has underpinned a lot of climate-related regulation. It’s now the latest target of the Trump administration.

Street vending in LA is now tougher than when it was illegal, a MacArthur Park clothes merchant says. SB 635 would prohibit state agencies from sharing street vendor data with ICE.

Ever wonder what your life would look like if you made one radically different choice? Magician Penn Jillette takes that idea and runs with it in his new book.

An unattractive little plush doll from China has taken the world by storm. Labubus’ rising popularity also comes with higher price tags, sparking an underground market of counterfeits.

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