LA Observed

LA Observed

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4 min

The week's top stories in LA media, politics and culture.

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Warner Music just moved its employees to a new home in an old factory building in the Arts District.

Friends, family and fans continue to mourn the loss of rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed over the weekend outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles.

The L.A. County Coroner’s Office has concluded that a man who died at the home of a prominent Democratic donor in West Hollywood overdosed on crystal meth.

Before former Governor Jerry Brown left office, last year, he put his pen to a couple, new transparency laws.  Both have to do with public access to internal police investigations and…

Think of Santa Monica and there are a number of things that come to mind: an idyllic, beachside setting; a tech-saturated economy; a bastion of liberal politics.

Those who cast their ballot in the LA Unified School Board election at a local school or church likely did so for the last time.

It’s the team that’s had to deal with a geography and identity crisis for years, with some of the most supportive fans in Major League Baseball. The L.A.

A landmark bill signed by then-Governor Brown last year is intended to make records of police misconduct available to the public.

More from KCRW

LACMA has signed on as a partner in the development of Las Vegas’ only standalone art museum. Pieces from LACMA will be on rotating loan in Vegas once the new museum is complete.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lost Notes introduces a pair of brothers - one from NASA, the other from Motown - who launched an entire musical universe from their Hollywood Hills hideout.

from Lost Notes

Fava beans are one of the most ancient plants and among the easiest to grow. They’re key in Mediterranean and Middle East food cultures.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

This week, renowned writer and author Michael Pollan on the new science of psychedelics.

Midweek Reset: Michael Pollan on psychedelics

This week, renowned writer and author Michael Pollan on the new science of psychedelics.

from Life Examined

Southern California’s Kareem Maddox, a former radio host and Princeton alum, will compete in 3x3 basketball for Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

From radio waves to Olympics, Kareem Maddox shares his journey

Southern California’s Kareem Maddox, a former radio host and Princeton alum, will compete in 3x3 basketball for Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

from KCRW Features

This week Myisha and Jonathan Bastian, host of KCRW’s Life Examined, dig into the science of love and heartbreak.

Falling in love and falling apart with Jonathan Bastian

This week Myisha and Jonathan Bastian, host of KCRW’s Life Examined, dig into the science of love and heartbreak.

from How’s Your Sex Life?

In PBS’ “Art Happens Here,” actor John Lithgow goes back to high school to explore the power of arts education — dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing, and vocal jazz ensemble.

John Lithgow goes back to school to learn the arts from students

In PBS’ “Art Happens Here,” actor John Lithgow goes back to high school to explore the power of arts education — dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing, and vocal jazz ensemble.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

CA Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Green Amendment would ensure Californians have the right to clean air and water. Would it bring real changes?

Do Californians have the right to a clean environment?

CA Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Green Amendment would ensure Californians have the right to clean air and water. Would it bring real changes?

from KCRW Features

Erick Elliott’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.

Erick the Architect is no longer denying his truth on new solo album

Erick Elliott’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Michael Pollan, investigative journalist, writer, and author of numerous books including “This is Your Mind on Plants” talks about his trip into the world of food and the new science…

Michael Pollan’s long and strange trip: shifting perspectives on food and psychedelics

Michael Pollan, investigative journalist, writer, and author of numerous books including “This is Your Mind on Plants” talks about his trip into the world of food and the new science…

from Life Examined

America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.

Brain Drain

America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.

from Second Opinion