Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Germans head to the polls Sunday at a time of increasing popularity for far-right politicians and Europe at a crossroads over Ukraine. 

Trump wants to stop funding schools with diversity initiatives. LAUSD officials fear losing more than a billion dollars in federal funding.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Old Guy,” “The Monkey,” “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”

Two foods that are fun to make and satisfying to eat: onigiri (Japanese rice balls) and spring rolls. Both involve steamed rice wrapped in seaweed sheets or rice paper, and a wide variety of fillings. 

The Museum of Jurassic Technology has recreated a meditative space from medieval Andalusia as part of the Getty’s region-wide PST Art event. 

With President Trump back in the White House, Ukraine finds its once top ally has now become a wild card in its three-year war with Russia.

The U.S. has frozen billions of dollars earmarked for foreign aid, significantly hampering medical, food, and other humanitarian aid and development assistance programs overseas.

Instrumentalist and audio engineer Daniel Ramirez lost his family’s rental home in the Eaton Fire. He reflects on his sons’ learning music there, and what the disaster meant for his history of depression. 

Kelsey McKinney hosted the podcast “Normal Gossip” for two years, spilling the tea with guests and dramatizing certain details. Her lessons about gossip are now published in a new book, which combines research, personal essays, and memoirs. 

The image of Elon Musk’s Tuesday press conference in the Oval Office — the unelected billionaire not even eligible to be president — punctuated the unprecedented developments we’ve seen over the past three-and-a-half weeks.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Paddington in Peru,” “Universal Language,” and “Sly Lives!”

A new book explores the history of romantic comedies. The genre is as old as Shakespeare, but the modern era begins with the screwball comedies of the 1930s.

Investigators are looking into whether one of SoCal Edison’s idle power lines may have become re-energized and caused the Eaton Fire. The utility already faces over 40 lawsuits.

Old press releases from ICE raids dating back to 2008 are topping Google search results, inflating the perceived number of ongoing enforcement operations. 

“Death By Numbers,” now nominated for an Oscar, follows Sam Fuentes as she recovers from the Parkland school shooting and prepares to confront the gunman during his sentencing.

Flip Phone February is a challenge to swear off your iPhone or Android, and return to the app-free days of the Motorola Razr. One Toronto student did this for two years.

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post. DOGE now reportedly has access to millions of federal workers’ highly sensitive records.

Scientists are worried about chemicals from burned materials (heavy metals, plastics, fire retardants) polluting the ocean. This week’s rain makes it easier for particulates to each the coastline. 

Critics review the latest film releases: “Love Hurts,” “Heart Eyes,” “Parthenope,” and “Armand.” 

Whether it’s called Chūn Jié in China, Tết in Vietnam, or Seollal in Korea, there are commonalities to the Lunar New Year celebrations. Sticky rice in one form or another is found on every table. 

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land. 

In 1966, Leonard Bernstein gave Orin O’Brien a spot on the New York Philharmonic. She was the first woman to become a full-time, permanent member, and is the subject of a Netflix documentary nominated for an Oscar.

Can LeBron James whip Luka Doncic into shape following the Lakers’ blockbuster trade for the young point guard from the Dallas Mavericks? 

The EPA designated two locations for sorting and processing locations for hazardous debris from the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Residents in both areas are concerned. 

We must rethink city planning and development following the LA fires, says UCLA Professor Alex Hall, who advises building homes away from wildlands.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Dog Man,” “Companion,” “Love Me,” and “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.”

Eat out to support restaurants that lost business due to the Palisades Fire. Evan Kleiman shares recommendations for west side eateries participating in DineLA, which is happening now.

Using film, models, music, and costumes, artist and futurist Liam Young envisions a world where everyone on earth lives together in a single city. 

On Monday, President Trump rescinded trillions in federal funding. On Tuesday, a federal court paused the freeze. Today, Trump walked the entire plan back. 

LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath addresses residents' criticisms of officials' initial response to the Palisades Fire. She also discusses fire department investments, cleanup, and rebuilding.

Architectural historian Erik Ghenoiu and his architect wife made their home more fire-resistant, and they were active in community fire mitigation efforts. Still, their house didn’t survive the Eaton Fire. 

The book “Mood Machine” explains how Spotify contracts with production companies to create so-called “perfect fit content” that it releases under pseudonymous artist profiles.

President Trump has deployed 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. But a nearly 150-year-old law, the Posse Comitatus Act, bars using the military for domestic law enforcement purposes.

The CA Environmental Protection Agency secretary explains the cleanup phases for LA’s wildfires, and expects no complications from the Trump administration.  

DeepSeek built an open-source AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT that it claims is more efficient. The company’s rise improves China’s position in the AI development race.  

Companies like Suno and Udio are releasing ever more sophisticated generative AI music tools, and more artists are starting to collaborate with the technology.

Monica Motta runs a small house cleaning business and has lost her clients in Pacific Palisades, an area that accounted for two-thirds of her income. 

President Trump’s executive orders on immigration face legal roadblocks. But he’s still sending U.S. troops to the southern border, and threatening to investigate local officials who stand in the way of arresting and deporting people.

From what to do if your home burned, to what to expect on your next insurance bill even if it didn’t, a consumer advocate answers urgent insurance coverage questions.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Presence,” “Rose,” “Inheritance,” and “Myth of Man.” 

LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger responds to reports of residents not receiving text evacuation alerts, and shares updates on rebuilding efforts. 

Among his executive orders, President Trump has discontinued diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government. It's part of a larger rollback of DEI efforts nationwide.  

Will Rogers State Park was beloved by Angelenos, especially Palisades residents. The January 7 fire destroyed the ranch house and outbuildings of the early 20th-century movie star, columnist, and leading political wit of his day.

Only by patronizing neighborhood restaurants can we keep them afloat and our communities vibrant. Evan Kleiman recommends eateries located in neighborhoods adjacent to the Eaton Fire.

A sculptor/printmaker and the J. Paul Getty Trust president share how the recent fires devastated LA’s artist community. 

Residents in western Altadena experienced a delay in getting evacuation notices as the Eaton Fire raged, according to an LA Times investigation.

President Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of every January 6 insurrection defendant, including Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right Proud Boys.

TV critics review “The Pitt,” “Apple Cider Vinegar,” “On Call,” and “Severance” season two.

President Trump took office today and immediately signed a slew of executive orders related to immigration, energy, trade, and gender. They’ll almost certainly face legal challenges.

President Trump’s embrace of tech bosses raises questions of conflicts of interest during his term. 

Poolside’s Jeffrey Paradise and rapper “Fat Tony” Obi both lost their homes and studios in the recent fires. Each vows to stay in LA.

Both the incoming and outgoing White House administrations played a role in negotiating, and applying necessary pressure, for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel. 

A senior from Palisades Charter High and a coordinator at the Westside Waldorf School share how students and staff are faring amid the wildfires.

There has been so much misinformation, and even outright conspiracy theories, circulating since the wildfires broke out last week. Press Play debunks some of the more egregious claims.

LA’s cooks, restaurateurs, caterers, small grocers, etc. went from (barely) making profits to donating meals to wildfire victims. They still need to make payroll, so please eat out.

A Palisades community leader and a co-owner of an Altadena restaurant both describe the destruction of their areas as apocalyptic. Still, they have plans to rebuild.

A trauma studies professor offers guidance on alleviating your own grief, talking to someone who’s lost everything, and preparing for the long recovery. 

Mayor Karen Bass has faced political blowback for being in Ghana as devastating wildfires broke out all across Los Angeles.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Hard Truths,” “Vermiglio,” “Diane Warren: Relentless,” and “The Last Showgirl.”

The entire LA basin is on high alert as three major fires are burning uncontrolled. The Palisades Fire has burned nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday 2 p.m. Altadena’s Eaton Fire has exceeded 10,000 acres. And Sylmar’s Hurst Fire: 700 acres. 

Residents of Topanga, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena share their experiences evacuating the fires. 

A KQED reporter describes the situation for Eaton Fire evacuees at the Pasadena Convention Center.

NOAA estimates how long the fierce winds will last and what the coming forecast may look like.