Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Plus, ebola is still spreading fast in Central Africa, how the arrest of “El Chapo” created a Sinaloa Cartel power vacuum, and an idea to move homes slated for demolition to Altadena’s burnt-out lots.

Plus, California lawmakers pass a bill that would let you put solar panels on your balcony, the Defense Department in disarray under Secretary Pete Hegseth, and why tennis is “the cruelest game.”

Plus, LA leaders are getting nervous about the Olympics’ price tag, why Southern California is wetter and hotter than it’s ever been, and a pair of court cases challenges the Pentagon on First Amendment claims.

Plus, why it’s so hard to get rid of LA’s oil wells, our critics review Wile E. Coyote’s fight against the all-powerful Acme Corporation, and Evan Kleiman on the disappointment of nonstick pans.

Plus, how Dolly Parton’s role in 9 to 5 became iconic, Meta’s $18 billion settlement and child safety online, and new tests can reveal if you have an increased risk of getting Alzheimer’s.

Plus, a new study finds that at least 25 percent of NFL players could have the brain disease CTE. And artist Charles Ross’ 50-year endeavor to build an observatory in the New Mexico desert.

Plus, is the electric grid up for LA’s hottest week of the year? California’s Supreme Court hears arguments over Chad Bianco’s ballot seizure, and how President Trump’s loyal aide became a major news story.

Plus, their plans for homelessness and housing; a young woman diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis finds relief in weightlifting, our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman’s heaven on Earth.

Plus, why polling missed the mark this primary season. A promising potential skin cancer vaccine. And a new biography of Howard Zinn looks at how A People’s History of the United States became a bestseller.

Plus, LA’s jazz version of the disastrous Fyre Festival, political commentator and feminist Molly Jong-Fast on why she wrote about her facelift, and World War II internment of Japanese-Americans as told in a new novel.

Plus, how evangelical Christians’ embrace of President Trump is costing them young worshipers, and longtime Dodgers pitcher Tommy John has died. He’s the namesake of a now-common surgical procedure.

Plus, a new study finds people really don’t like it when other people use GLP-1s to lose weight, our weekend movie reviews, and breakfast burritos do’s and don’ts with Evan Kleiman.

Plus, LAUSD students head back to the school as the district faces a fiscal crisis, declining enrollment, and rotting food stinking up Boyle Heights, and the loved-and-loathed Real Housewives turn 20.

Plus, a counting error means LA’s homeless numbers aren’t as bad as initially reported, LA’s Olympics tickets are the most expensive ever, and an Iranian documentary about murder and retribution.

Plus, Mark Zuckerberg’s manifesto for speeding up open source AI development, President Trump’s refusal to take no from the Supreme Court, and what led up to the arrest of the man accused of killing Tupac Shakur.

Plus, Iran launches cyberattacks on Minnesota and President Trump blames America, first. Our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman recommends the best chocolate chip cookies in town.

Plus, AIPAC's decline as a major political player, what happened to people with asthma when scientists replaced gas stoves with electric ones, and did you know avocados change their sex throughout the day?

Plus, Todd Blanche “pinky swears” to deep-six a slush fund for President Trump’s allies, most ovarian cancer actually starts in the fallopian tubes, and how Odyssey translator Emily Wilson ignited a nerdy civil war.

Plus, a third-generation Hollywood VFX artist on practical effects in an age of AI, why you have fewer rights at an airport, Colorado River cuts, and KCRW DJ LUXXURY’s summer spins.

Plus, Sam Altman and other AI leaders unite to ask the government for more regulation, our weekend movie reviews include the latest Spider-Man, and Evan Kleiman goes to Cambria to find some good eats.

Plus, Saudi Arabia is now involved in the Iran war, the administration allegedly shares confidential information with Iran to deport asylum seekers, and Venice homeowners hire a company made up of former gang members to clear encampments.

Plus, how President Trump’s Canada tariffs hurt California winemakers, people are drinking less and that’s hurting restaurants, and if the news has you filled with rage, try writing a manifesto.

Plus, there’ll be a trial between states and Paramount over the merger that could reshape Hollywood, President Trump’s new tariffs face legal challenges, and DJ J.Rocc shares his favorite summer songs.

Plus, the White House cancelled $2 billion in research grants at UC. They used key words like “diverse” or “gender” to make that decision. Our weekend film  reviews, and how to stay safe amid the lettuce crisis.

Plus, how to protect yourself from the biggest cyclosporiasis outbreak in U.S. history, the Trump administration cracks down on student visas, and why we’re using fewer words in daily conversation.

Plus, autonomous AI fighter jets tested over the Mojave Desert, a place treasured by writer Claire Vaye Watkins. And healthcare startup Tia promised better care for women. The results? Undetected pregnancies and surprise bills.

Plus, $6 billion in World Cup final wagers on prediction market apps, a judge pauses the $111 billion Paramount/WBD merger, and Meta wants smart glasses to be as indispensable as smartphones.

Plus, comedian Guy Branum presents history in a digestible manner with his Instagram series “What The Old Gays Remember,” our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman on where to get LA’s best granola.

Plus, the House votes to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, LA’s push to bring back more public bathrooms, and an argument for teaching the Bible as literature in public schools.

Plus, President Trump’s former personal attorney is up for confirmation as attorney general. And Israel has lost the Democratic Party. Even centrist Rahm Emanuel questions unconditional U.S. support.

Plus, a big federal housing bill quietly became law despite the president’s objections, the Sklar Brothers handicap this week’s World Cup semifinals, and summer music courtesy of our new DJ Olive Kimoto.

Plus, writer Susan Orlean on her critically acclaimed, bestselling love letter to libraries, our weekend film reviews, and Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay surprises with 19 Emmy nominations.

Plus, how 19th century immigration backlash led to the antisemitic trope of the Jewish arsonist, a documentary on the dangers of the Pacific Coast Highway, and Evan Kleiman’s chicken parmesan recs.

Plus, a real actor named John Early stars as a woman in Maddie’s Secret. And the family that ran Cafe Gratitude has moved out of California, turned their back on veganism, and is embracing MAHA.

Plus, President Trump pressures the House to pass a voting bill, the administration withholds federal aid to LA’s homeless housing organizations, and KCRW DJ John Tejada’s song of the summer.

Plus, Venezuela's natural disaster is exacerbated by a human one, our weekend film reviews including the latest Minions movie, and the U.S. survives and advances in the World Cup.

Plus, a hard-fought housing bill goes into effect today. The goal is to lower housing costs by building more homes near transit stops. And Evan Kleiman celebrates the Fourth of July…and the hot dog.

Activists screamed insults at him and accused him and “Zionist handlers” of supporting genocide. Plus, big Supreme Court decisions on birthright citizenship, trans athletes, and campaign finance - and this summer’s best TV.

Plus, the Supreme Court’s dramatic expansion of presidential power, the Democratic infighting as California voters decide whether to tax billionaires, and a celebration of Mel Brooks as he turns 100.

Plus, the Court’s ruling against a Rastafari man who sued prison officials for shaving his head has again turned Black hair into a political flashpoint, our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman loves tiki drinks.

Plus, the LAPD shooting of a dog renews questions about police shootings. And it’s not your imagination - fruit is a lot sweeter these days. It’s on purpose.

Plus, Congo’s soccer team is looking good both on and off the field, how Uber and Lyft use dynamic pricing in all sorts of ways to make you pay more, and the rise of the online apartment scout.

Plus, how a New York six-year-old’s disappearance changed parenting, the UK’s prime minister bans social media for kids as one of his last acts, and why summer concert season is becoming a financial flop.

Plus, a chance to amend the Los Angeles City Charter for the first time since the 1990s. One idea? Letting noncitizens vote in city elections. Our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman’s Ojai road trip recommendations.

Plus, how Luigi Mangione captivated people after he allegedly murdered a healthcare executive, how filmmakers use baseball to signal virtue, and using goats, sheep, and cattle to reduce wildfire risk.

Plus, Gov. Newsom says the DOJ is investigating him because he’s considering running for president, why some Iranian-Americans booed Iran’s soccer team while others cheered, and Serena Williams says taking a GLP-1 helped her get back on the tennis court.

Plus, the Justice Department’s top prosecutor in LA continues to push election fraud conspiracies, the DOJ approves the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, and remembering artist David Hockney.

Plus, how soccer’s success at the 1984 Olympics in LA set the stage for the ‘94 World Cup, our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman has easy dinners you can make even when you don’t feel like cooking.

Plus, immigration agents descended on Los Angeles a year ago this month, conducting mass arrests and sparking violent protests. Now the tactics have changed. And author Sarah Wang on her new novel about a Taiwanese immigrant addicted to plastic surgery.

Plus, President Trump says the Iran War is ending, but Iran doesn’t seem as eager to move on. And we remember Iranian novelist Marjane Satrapi, whose last book celebrated the women, life, freedom movement.