Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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. 

The Trump administration halted major offshore wind projects in the Northeast, citing cost and national security concerns. Environmental advocates say wind power is key to meeting clean energy goals.  The Eames House survived the Palisades Fire, underwent smoke remediation and other repairs, and reopened in late July.   Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” is the story of a middle-aged professor with an insatiable obsession with little girls, who sexually assaults his 12-year-old stepdaughter. It’s also one of literature’s most celebrated novels — acclaimed for its prose and wordplay. Critics review the latest film releases: “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” “Preparation for the Next Life,” “Twinless,” and “The Threesome.”

Today, the governors of CA, OR, and WA launched a health pact to coordinate their states’ vaccine recommendations and “ensure residents remain protected by science, not politics.”  A deadly U.S. airstrike on a boat in the Caribbean signals a more aggressive turn in the war on drugs.  In 2020, Quibi offered phone-based 10-minute (or less) videos. Now, the Hollywood-based company MicroCo is launching a new version of that idea. Today’s protein-obsessed culture is rediscovering cottage cheese. On social media, people are blending it into ice cream, dips, pancakes, and even pasta sauces.  Downtown LA’s iconic Mayan Theater’s current operators have run the venue since 1989. KCRW looks at the history that’s showcased everything from Gershwin, to porn, to Mexican wrestling.

Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the Trump administration’s use of the military as domestic police violated federal law, setting the tone for legal challenges in other cities.  Thousands of people hoping to join ICE attended a recruitment fair in Texas. Many applicants were Latino.  Building atom bombs was a feat rivaling the science behind them. The Manhattan Project oversaw hundreds of thousands of workers in cities that technically didn’t exist.  The single bloodiest day of World War II was the firebombing of Tokyo — before atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Why isn’t it mourned that way? 

In the 1970s, actress Candy Clark shot relaxed, intimate portraits of her friends and boyfriends, including Jeff Bridges, Nicolas Roeg, and Ed Ruscha. The images are now part of a new book.

An anthropologist and a psychiatrist weigh in on “AI psychosis,” following several recent, high-profile cases of users losing touch with reality during conversations with bots. The summer COVID spike is here, but new FDA vaccine restrictions limit who can get a booster, and CDC turmoil impacts U.S. public health policy. Critics review the latest film releases: “Caught Stealing,” “The Roses,” “The Toxic Avenger,” and “A Little Prayer.” Finger clapping — touching your thumb and middle finger together in a form of silent applause — may seem like a hot new thing on TikTok. But the queer ballroom scene has been doing it for years.

The Federal Reserve was set up over 100 years ago to insulate monetary policy from politics. Now Trump is trying to exert authority over the organization.  The Spotify habits of politicians, celebrities, and other public figures were released on a site called Panama Playlists. The leak revealed just how much of our online lives may be less private than we think. Merle Oberon hid her mixed-race, impoverished background to become a movie star in Britain and then Hollywood. But her career fizzled out in the 1940s, and all that cover-up had a psychological impact.  Consider setting up a pickle bar for your Labor Day get-together. Pickles fit right in with cheese, charcuterie, and crackers. They can also be used for sandwiches and cocktails. 

After Kamala Harris declined to run for California governor, the crowded field lacks a clear frontrunner. Former Congresswoman Katie Porter has a slight edge, but Rick Caruso could shake up the race.  Heat waves are among the deadliest natural disasters. Shade is a vital defense. But in cities like LA, it’s treated as a privilege, not a right. A new Hulu series revisits the story of Amanda Knox, the American college student studying abroad who was accused of killing her roommate. Knox and Monica Lewinsky are executive producers.  The colonial-era Mercator map distorts continental size, making Africa look smaller than it is. The 55-nation African Union joins the push to embrace a new world map.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported to a Salvadoran prison. Now the Trump administration is trying to send him to Uganda.  States are redrawing congressional maps in an aggressive battle for control. Texas and California are leading the charge, sparking a partisan fight leading up to the midterm elections.  President Trump has said he wants to get rid of FEMA and shift relief responsibility to the states. FEMA employees say this leaves the U.S. unprepared for the next Hurricane Katrina.  Terry Riley is known for creating minimalist music, which influenced artists across genres, including ambient, electronic, pop, and rock. On Sept. 7, the Ford amphitheater will host a concert celebrating his work.

HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is cutting hundreds of millions of dollars of mRNA vaccine funding research. The groundbreaking technology is used in most COVID-19 vaccines, and shows promise in other areas. At the end of Ruth Asawa’s life, an encounter with an auction house curator turned her from a relatively obscure artist into one whose works command millions of dollars. Critics review the latest film releases: “Honey Don’t!,” “Splitsville,” “Lurker,” and “Suspended Time.” Granola and energy bars often start with the same pantry staples such as oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc. They diverge in the proportion of ingredients and the technique used to make them.

Israel has approved a West Bank settlement plan that would split the territory and pave the way for thousands of apartments, drawing global criticism and threatening hopes of a Palestinian state. Gov. Newsom last year accused oil companies of “screwing” customers, but now he wants to increase oil drilling in Kern County to prevent a possible rise in gas prices in 2026. Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead were counterculture icons. But according to author Jim Newton, Garcia himself wasn’t particularly political. At least not publicly, or even in ways we might traditionally think. Forty-two cats in a traditional portrait setting. Felines filling the frame in an array of poses on blue and pink fabrics, bathed in soft light. The 1891 masterpiece "My Wife's Lovers" is just as fabulous as it sounds.

Sam Tsemberis came up with Housing First — permanent housing with supportive services. He explains the root causes of homelessness and why Trump’s executive order paints a false reality.  When Amber Mariah Metzinger entered a Housing First program, she stopped using meth, and started working toward a career in drug and alcohol counseling.  After 15 years off air, “King of the Hill” returns with new laughs, old neighbors, and storylines that echo today’s political and social divide.  Dan Tana, 90, died of cancer on Saturday in his native Serbia — far from the city where his name welcomed diners and scenesters for decades.

A new California congressional map, commissioned by Democrats, seeks to counter Texas’ proposed gerrymandering. The man who drew the map had never drawn a partisan one before. Californians are likely headed to the ballot box in November for a special election on redistricting – and the state is likely headed to court over the scheme.  For 45 years, Blue Note in Greenwich Village served as New York City’s upscale club for jazz. Then came locations in Asia, Europe, and South America. Last week, LA got its own Blue Note. KCRW’s LeRoy Downs says Blue Note LA will appeal to a wide audience, even those who don’t often listen to jazz. He highlights some artists who will perform there this season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

UCLA is the latest college to settle an antisemitism case, and it will give several million to Jewish organizations. A lawsuit by pro-Palestinian activists remains pending.   6.6% of college-educated 20 to 24-year-olds are unemployed and actively job-hunting, according to the Labor Department. Why are they struggling to launch? Employers in coveted fields are turning to AI instead of hiring recent college graduates. The white-collar sector is threatened.  ‘It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ is the defining American sitcom because it satirizes the dark side of human nature, argues M.H. Miller.

UCLA is the latest college to settle an antisemitism case, and it will give several million to Jewish organizations. A lawsuit by pro-Palestinian activists remains pending.   6.6% of college-educated 20 to 24-year-olds are unemployed and actively job-hunting, according to the Labor Department. Why are they struggling to launch? Employers in coveted fields are turning to AI instead of hiring recent college graduates. The white-collar sector is threatened.  ‘It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' is the defining American sitcom because it satirizes the dark side of human nature, argues M.H. Miller.

In response to Texas' plan to redraw its congressional map to add GOP seats, CA Gov. Newsom is threatening to redistrict here to add Democratic seats. Is it legal? Considered the most powerful psychedelic, 5-MeO DMT causes extreme trips that last only 30 minutes. Two startups are trying to take it to market as a depression treatment.  Lollapalooza runs July 31 to August 3 in Chicago. Three decades ago, it was the country's biggest music festival. It peaked with the 1995 lineup, argues NYT culture editor David Malitz. Last week's “South Park” season premiere targeted President Trump for his lawsuits against media companies. What's next for creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone?

In response to Texas’ plan to redraw its congressional map to add GOP seats, CA Gov. Newsom is threatening to redistrict here to add Democratic seats. Is it legal? Considered the most powerful psychedelic, 5-MeO DMT causes extreme trips that last only 30 minutes. Two startups are trying to take it to market as a depression treatment.  Lollapalooza runs July 31 to August 3 in Chicago. Three decades ago, it was the country’s biggest music festival. It peaked with the 1995 lineup, argues NYT culture editor David Malitz. Last week’s “South Park” season premiere targeted President Trump for his lawsuits against media companies. What’s next for creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone?

ICYMI...something you should know from the team at Press Play. 

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has filed felony charges against 38 ICE protestors, but only secured seven indictments. Some in his office question whether his approach is based on the evidence.  PBS SoCal is losing millions in funding from the federal government. The cuts to public broadcasting will be particularly felt in rural areas. Can the system survive? Critics review the latest film releases: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “AJ Goes To The Dog Park,” “Cloud,” and “Diciannove.” DineLA Restaurant Week is an opportunity to support the local restaurant community after it was hit by COVID shutdowns, the Hollywood strikes, and January wildfires.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has filed felony charges against 38 ICE protestors, but only secured seven indictments. Some in his office question whether his approach is based on the evidence.  PBS SoCal is losing millions in funding from the federal government. The cuts to public broadcasting will be particularly felt in rural areas. Can the system survive? Critics review the latest film releases: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “AJ Goes To The Dog Park,” “Cloud,” and “Diciannove.” DineLA Restaurant Week is an opportunity to support the local restaurant community after it was hit by COVID shutdowns, the Hollywood strikes, and January wildfires.

LA Mayor Karen Bass said ICE was conducting a “reign of terror” in Los Angeles. Ironically, it was the War on Terror that produced ICE in the first place.  A proposed housing authority to help people affected by Palisades and Eaton Fires is on hold after some residents, like reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, complained. The 2025 California Biennial at the OC Museum of Art features works and artifacts from teen artists and adults reflecting on their teen years. It’s called “Desperate, Scared, but Social.” Ozzy Osbourne died on Tuesday at age 76. He transformed his image from Black Sabbath frontman to irascible TV dad. “The Osbournes” set the scene for the glut of celebrity TV family shows that followed. 

LA Mayor Karen Bass said ICE was conducting a “reign of terror” in Los Angeles. Ironically, it was the War on Terror that produced ICE in the first place.  A proposed housing authority to help people affected by Palisades and Eaton Fires is on hold after some residents, like reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, complained. The 2025 California Biennial at the OC Museum of Art features works and artifacts from teen artists and adults reflecting on their teen years. It's called “Desperate, Scared, but Social.” Ozzy Osbourne died on Tuesday at age 76. He transformed his image from Black Sabbath frontman to irascible TV dad. “The Osbournes” set the scene for the glut of celebrity TV family shows that followed. 

Since the end of the last cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in March, people in Gaza are facing increasingly dire humanitarian conditions. Over nearly seven decades, research conducted at Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory taught us that global warming is happening and humans are causing most of it. Trump's proposed budget for 2026 would shutter the observatory.  Before “Mister Rogers” or “Sesame Street,” Shari Lewis created, voiced, and performed a diminutive sock puppet named Lamb Chop. Her story is the focus of a new documentary. 

Since the end of the last cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in March, people in Gaza are facing increasingly dire humanitarian conditions. Over nearly seven decades, research conducted at Hawaii's Mauna Loa Observatory taught us that global warming is happening and humans are causing most of it. Trump's proposed budget for 2026 would shutter the observatory.  Before “Mister Rogers” or “Sesame Street,” Shari Lewis created, voiced, and performed a diminutive sock puppet named Lamb Chop. Her story is the focus of a new documentary. 

NPR, PBS, and member stations will lose $1.1 billion in federal funding. KCRW hears from two people who run smaller stations: KOSU in Oklahoma City and KCBX in San Luis Obispo. Harvard gets its day in court against the Trump administration. In Texas, Trump wants lawmakers to redraw Congressional maps ahead of schedule. “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” was reportedly losing money, though a pending merger for CBS’ parent company may have also factored into the network’s decision to cancel the TV program. Backstreet Boys are out with “Millennium 2.0,” and will perform concerts this summer in Las Vegas. KCRW talks about their long trajectory to fame in the U.S., lawsuit against their manager, and cross-generational appeal. 

NPR, PBS, and member stations will lose $1.1 billion in federal funding. KCRW hears from two people who run smaller stations: KOSU in Oklahoma City and KCBX in San Luis Obispo. Harvard gets its day in court against the Trump administration. In Texas, Trump wants lawmakers to redraw Congressional maps ahead of schedule. “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” was reportedly losing money, though a pending merger for CBS' parent company may have also factored into the network's decision to cancel the TV program. Backstreet Boys are out with “Millennium 2.0,” and will perform concerts this summer in Las Vegas. KCRW talks about their long trajectory to fame in the U.S., lawsuit against their manager, and cross-generational appeal. 

Former and current ICE officials and agents told The Atlantic morale is low due, in part, to the relentless pressure from the Trump administration to arrest people. After a judge blocked federal agents from carrying out “indiscriminate” raids and denying detainees access to lawyers, an attorney says compliance is “spotty.” Critics review the latest film releases: “Smurfs,” “Eddington,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”