Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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.

At least two wildfires — in Pacific Palisades and West Hollywood — have started as the worst windstorm in more than a decade blasts SoCal. 

Meta announced today it would remove fact-checkers and have fewer speech restrictions on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The move signals an attempt to garner favor with the incoming Trump administration.

Jimmy O. Yang talks about his early difficulties landing bit parts in Hollywood, to now playing the lead in Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown.” He says Asian storytellers must be “undeniably good” to move Hollywood forward.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants cancer warning labels on all bottles of booze, but there are conflicting reports about the health impacts of alcohol. 

As Press Play takes a break for the holidays and wrap up 2024, we listen back to a few of our favorite interviews of the year.

The groundbreaking TV show “My So-Called Life” made waves 30 years ago, especially because of Wilson Cruz’s portrayal of biracial, queer teenager Rickie Vasquez.

Noel Fielding is known in the U.S. for co-hosting “The Great British Bake-Off.” In his latest streaming show, he plays an infamous British highwayman, but with a twist.

A new documentary series examines the world of 1980s hair metal music. KCRW talks to director Jeff Tremaine and founding Guns N’ Roses member Tracii Guns.

President Biden races to cement his stamp on the federal judiciary, while President-elect Trump may remain dogged by his hush-money convictions.

Rickey Henderson played for four California teams, and was the all-time leader in stolen bases, runs, and swagger. He passed away due to complications from pneumonia on Friday. 

The world of 1970s Laurel Canyon is on full display in Ginny Winn’s book, “Grievous Angels, Trout Masks, and American Beauties: 1970s Rock & Roll Photography of Ginny Winn.”

Critics review the latest film releases: “A Complete Unknown,” “Babygirl,” “Nosferatu,” and “Better Man.”

On X, Elon Musk tried to kill a short-term budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Congress has until midnight Friday to strike a deal to avert a shutdown.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Mufasa,” “The Room Next Door,” “The Brutalist,” and “Nickel Boys.” 

Bar cookies are easy to whip up for a crowd. Simply make the base, top it, pop the pan in the oven, and slice the bars to serve. The lemon bar is the queen of this type of pastry. 

Artist and community activist Rosten Woo’s “What Water Wants,” part of the PST ART event, is an immersive audio experience set on the banks of the LA River.

Despite ongoing concern about teen internet use, young people are online as much as ever. A new Pew survey of nearly 1,400 teens found surprising results across gender, racial, and political lines.

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s latest film is “The Room Next Door” — a former war correspondent has terminal cancer, makes a plan to kill herself, and asks her old friend to help. 

Film critic Alonso Duralde recommends holiday movies: “See You Next Christmas,” “Better Watch Out, “1985,” and “Christmas, Again.”

Texas sued a New York doctor who prescribed and sent abortion pills to a woman in a Dallas suburb. Texas has a near-total ban on abortion, but New York law protects doctors from lawsuits or prosecution if they send abortion medication across state lines.

The bands Pixies and The Breeders helped shape the alternative rock sound of the early ‘90s. Now, almost 40 years into her career, Kim Deal is out with her first solo album “Nobody Loves You More.”

Films are baked into the fabric of Press Play, so we’re going to pass the microphone around the staff. Meet everyone who makes this show happen, and hear about the holiday movies we can’t live without.

Hamas is reportedly willing to let Israel stage troops temporarily in Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement. Could it lead to annexation of the Palestinian territory?

LA City Council voted unanimously to approve new housing development in LA’s dense corridors, but critics say more units are needed in single-family neighborhoods.  

Critics review the latest film releases: “Kraven the Hunter,” “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” “The End,” and “September 5.” 

Sam Sanders shares his approach to a stress-free holiday; Madeleine Brand reveals the secret for a successful office party. 

Syrian rebels have taken Damascus. Their leader says he will protect minorities. What does the future look like in the war-torn state? 

LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong plans to install a "bias meter" next to every news article and op-ed. This comes after quashing the endorsement of Kamala Harris.

A federal judge rules the U.S. Naval Academy can use race as a factor in its admissions, citing the military’s unique needs regarding a diverse officer corps.

Emmy winner Ben Decter’s new musical shows the impact of his daughter’s epilepsy on their family, and the importance of communication. 

Cryptocurrency has been pumping since Donald Trump’s reelection and promise to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.”

Critics review the latest film releases: “Y2K,” “The Return,” “Get Away,” and “Nightbitch.”

At least five people are running to head the Democratic National Committee. Plus, familiar and potentially polarizing people like Rahm Emmanuel have been floated.

The best cookbooks contain stories of cultural and historical importance. Here are Evan Kleiman’s recommendations this year.