KCRW Investigates

KCRW Investigates

7 min

KCRW Investigates is an ongoing series focusing on some of the most vulnerable workers and the industries that employ them. 

All Episodes

RoundUp is the most popular weed killer in the world, and lately the most controversial. Millions of gallons of it are sprayed on playgrounds, farms and backyards all over California.

Immigrant communities across California have been rattled by news of increased raids and detainments by the Trump administration.

Get hurt at work? File for workers comp. That's the fund that takes care of you if you have a job-related injury.

More and more workers are employed in the so-called "gig economy" - as temp workers, part timers or independent contractors.

The nature of work is changing with serious long lasting consequences for both employers and workers.

Imagine losing a limb, going blind or almost dying on the job. And then imagine not being able to hold those responsible accountable.

Seafarers move millions of people and billions of goods around the world every year.

At only nine years old, "Diana" struggled under the weight of heavy food trays at a local pupusería in Pacoima.

More from KCRW

Technology has devastated kids’ abilities to connect and learn. Pew data from 2022 says nearly half of teens were online almost constantly.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The state’s mandatory $20/hour minimum wage for fast food workers goes into effect on April 1, but some say that amount isn’t enough. Higher menu costs and layoffs might come.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Technology has devastated kids’ abilities to connect and learn. Pew data from 2022 says nearly half of teens were online almost constantly.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

The Santa Monica City Council recently voted to explore compensating the descendants of a Black man named Silas White for his plot of land on Ocean Ave.

Will Santa Monica compensate Silas White’s descendants after taking his property?

The Santa Monica City Council recently voted to explore compensating the descendants of a Black man named Silas White for his plot of land on Ocean Ave.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA City Council officials have announced plans to eliminate traffic lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike and bus lanes to the storied Hollywood Boulevard.

Hollywood Walk of Fame is getting a makeover

LA City Council officials have announced plans to eliminate traffic lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike and bus lanes to the storied Hollywood Boulevard.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

New analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that Medicare spending on weight loss drugs like Ozempic rose to $5.7 billion in 2022 — up from $57 million in 2018.

Diabetes drug Ozempic is costing Medicare billions of dollars

New analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that Medicare spending on weight loss drugs like Ozempic rose to $5.7 billion in 2022 — up from $57 million in 2018.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Judy Baca’s collaborative effort to create “The Great Wall of LA” is the subject of a new LA Times short documentary. The mural is being extended to another half mile.

‘Baca’ shows massive effort to expand ‘The Great Wall of LA’

Judy Baca’s collaborative effort to create “The Great Wall of LA” is the subject of a new LA Times short documentary. The mural is being extended to another half mile.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The LA Innocence Project is pushing for new evidence and DNA testing in Scott Peterson’s quest for a retrial.

LA Innocence Project pushes for Scott Peterson retrial with new evidence

The LA Innocence Project is pushing for new evidence and DNA testing in Scott Peterson’s quest for a retrial.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Four men accused in Friday's terrorist attack at a Russian concert hall appeared in court bruised and bandaged — an example of Putin’s regime using violence to exert political control.

Terror attacks deepen Russia’s culture of violence

Four men accused in Friday's terrorist attack at a Russian concert hall appeared in court bruised and bandaged — an example of Putin’s regime using violence to exert political control.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani said his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions to pay gambling debts. His story raises plausibility questions.

Questions remain after Ohtani says ex-interpreter stole money

LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani said his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions to pay gambling debts. His story raises plausibility questions.

from KCRW Features

The U.N. Security Council called for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the U.S. abstaining from the vote. Will it make a difference in the conflict?

Will UN’s ceasefire resolution mean real change in Israel-Hamas conflict?

The U.N. Security Council called for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the U.S. abstaining from the vote. Will it make a difference in the conflict?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand