Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Right-wing figures who stoked conspiracy theories about alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and some on the left, aren’t buying the DOJ’s assessment that there’s no further evidence to release.

Maestro Leonard Slatkin opens up about his family, the story of the Hollywood String Quartet, and how the Summer of Angels festival honors their legacy.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Superman,” “Kill the Jockey,” “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” and “To A Land Unknown,”

Making your own ice cream sandwich? Focus on baking the cookie: chocolate chip, brownie, red velvet, snickerdoodle, peanut butter. Then choose an ice cream flavor that supports it. 

Staffing shortages at the NWS in Central Texas are being scrutinized for possibly affecting the flood response there. What does this mean for CA’s upcoming fire season?

The first major trial challenging Trump’s immigration policy began today in Boston. An association of university professors is arguing that non-citizen students were arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Hawaii is increasingly unaffordable for native residents. After her family’s land is threatened, Sara Kehualani Goo reconnects with her heritage in a new memoir.

This summer marks the 85th birthday of Bugs Bunny and the 35th anniversary of “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony.” Conductor George Daugherty talks about the concert’s creation and enduring appeal. 

Several civil rights groups filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that ICE agents are targeting people based on race and holding them in “deplorable” conditions.

ICE raids, the fire threat, or budget reasons are the reasons some LA-area communities won’t be having Independence Day festivities. But illegal fireworks will continue.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “40 Acres,” “Heads of State,” and “The Old Guard 2.”

Michael McKean shares behind-the-scenes tales from “Spinal Tap,” the film’s lasting impact, and a career filled with comedy, music, and satire.

Iran launches missiles at the largest American military base in the Middle East. Is this the beginning of a larger war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran?

The Constitution says Congress has the power to declare war. But it also designates the president as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, with the power to respond to emergencies, including limited military actions overseas.

Need a good book for summer? Consider “The Bombshell,” “An Oral History of Atlantis,” “A Marriage at Sea,” “A Truce That is Not Peace,” “The Hounding,” and “Tilt.”

Laguna Beach native Ty Segall has experimented with different music genres over the years. Now his 16th album centers on American storytelling.

In a 6-3 ruling today, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning some medical treatments for transgender minors. The decision could have broad implications nationwide.

C-SPAN is facing an existential crisis as more people cut the cable cord. Longtime CNN journalist Sam Feist took the reins of CSPAN last year with a mandate to turn things around.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Elio,” “The Damned,” “Meeting with Pol Pot,” and “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers.”

Each summer, tomatoes arrive in a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. Ripe tomatoes are so good that most ways to prepare them are very simple. Here are unusual recipes to try.

Israel says now is the time to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Five days into fighting, the conflict could turn into a war to topple the Islamic Republic.

As the toll of ICE raids weighs heavily on local immigrant communities, Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries says, “No. We reject this. This isn’t who we are.”

Jesse Armstrong offers a sharp take on power in the show “Mountainhead,” where four tech billionaires ignore the looming dangers of AI as the world unravels around them.

“Jaws,” which turns 50 this week, was shot as an “incredible exercise in suspense.” It also tapped into people’s fear of being alone and defenseless, and kept audiences engaged with the three lead characters. 

A Minnesota state representative and her husband were killed over the weekend. What’s driving the increase in American political violence? 

Amid federal pressure, Children’s Hospital LA is ending its gender-affirming care in July. Thousands of trans youth and families are scrambling for new options. 

In the final weeks of the Supreme Court’s term, we’re still waiting on major opinions concerning trans health care for minors, a birthright citizenship case that’s really about whether lower courts can issue nationwide injunctions, and a redistricting case that could affect the makeup of Congress.

The Oakland-based duo Tune-Yards has long sung about racism, gender, and white privilege. Their new album aims to inspire political change.

ICE sweeps through Ventura County farms, leaving fields almost empty and workers fearful. Community leaders and families face uncertainty and disruption.

Musical visionary Brian Wilson’s family announced on Wednesday that the Beach Boys’ co-founder died at 82. Biographer David Leaf has been a close friend of Wilson for more than 45 years, and his new book is “SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson.”

Critics review the latest film releases: “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Echo Valley,” “Materialists,” and “Prime Minister.”

Serve peaches on your favorite scone or pound cake with whipped cream, or stuff them with crumbled cookies and chocolate. Stone fruit also pairs well with fresh or briny cheeses. 

The Supreme Court issued 9-0 opinions today on big cases concerning employment discrimination, the liability of gun manufacturers, and tax exemptions for religious organizations. President Trump also unveiled a new travel ban better equipped to survive legal scrutiny.

After the Trump administration cut billions in foreign aid, two African countries that succeeded in curbing the spread of HIV are now in danger of backsliding.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Ballerina,” “Predator: Killer of Killers,” “This Is Chuck,” “Dangerous Animals.”

Why do so many young adults feel broke even when they’re not? Social feeds flaunt luxury, but thanks to money dysmorphia, many young adults feel left behind.