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

Critics review the latest film releases: “Challengers,” “Uncropped,” “Egoist,” and “Alien” (re-release).

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The recent missile exchanges between Iran and Israel stirred fears of World War III, and while the action has cooled down, the uncertain path still looms with tension.

from Scheer Intelligence

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the surprising decision made by the New York State Court of Appeals to overturn Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction.

from The Business

The Latest

The playwright talks his Hollywood debut, his obsession with tennis, and his marriage to “Past Lives” director Celine Song.

‘Challengers’ writer Justin Kuritzkes on his spicy Zendaya tennis drama

The playwright talks his Hollywood debut, his obsession with tennis, and his marriage to “Past Lives” director Celine Song.

from The Business

The latest film releases are Challengers, Uncropped, Egoist, and Alien (re-release).

Weekend film reviews: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Uncropped,’ ‘Egoist’

The latest film releases are Challengers, Uncropped, Egoist, and Alien (re-release).

from Weekend Film Reviews

More than a dozen horses died during the 2023 racing season at events like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. A new documentary looks at what’s behind the crisis.

How money and greed took over professional horse racing

More than a dozen horses died during the 2023 racing season at events like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. A new documentary looks at what’s behind the crisis.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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.

Nutrition-packed fava beans: Use them for purees, pastas, salad

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

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

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.

Places & Spaces: The Mizell Brothers’ LA Alchemy

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

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?