News & Politics

News 24 | Now Playing

All Things Considered

All Events
Beloved 99 Cents Only stores are closing permanently, so customers are grabbing their final bargains.

Beloved 99 Cents Only stores are closing permanently, so customers are grabbing their final bargains.

from KCRW Features

WHO warns of bird flu outbreak in mammals, CDC downplays it

The World Health Organization is warning of the dangers of bird flu, should it jump from animals to humans. Last month, a second person in the U.S. contracted the disease.

How Boeing's business decisions tarnished its reputation for safety

Two Boeing whistleblowers testified about their safety concerns in a Congressional hearing this week. KCRW looks at how the company became mired in scandal.

NorCal women’s prison is shutting down due to sex abuse claims

The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced this week that it will close the women’s prison in Dublin, California — where prison staff have reportedly assaulted inmates.

How the people of Iran quietly dissent against their government

After an unsuccessful attack on Israel, Iran faces more sanctions from the West and possible retaliation. But many ordinary Iranians don’t approve of their government’s actions.

The fourth season of the award-winning podcast tells the stories of Guantánamo, from the prisoners and the people who worked there. Host Sarah Koenig shares what she uncovered.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After months of pressure, Speaker Mike Johnson has called a series of votes on foreign aid packages. Hard-right Republicans threaten to oust him if he follows through.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The City of LA operates an alternative to policing that’s geared towards unhoused Angelenos. The aims: Cut LAPD involvement and find permanent homes for more people.

from KCRW Features

USC has barred valedictorian Asna Tabassum from speaking at commencement next month. The school’s reasoning: safety concerns after groups criticized her pro-Palestinean views.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Featured Shows

All Shows >
Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly politics show where we take on the tough, divisive issues you’re afraid to talk about with your own family.

Left, Right & Center

Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly politics show where we take on the tough, divisive issues you’re afraid to talk about with your own family.

 Madeleine Brand hosts Press Play, examining the latest ideas and trends shaping our world and Los Angeles. Streaming & podcast daily at KCRW.com.

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Madeleine Brand hosts Press Play, examining the latest ideas and trends shaping our world and Los Angeles. Streaming & podcast daily at KCRW.com.

 Host Steve Chiotakis connects you to the people and places of Southern California.

Greater LA

Host Steve Chiotakis connects you to the people and places of Southern California.

 A weekly reality-check on the issues Americans care about most.

To the Point

A weekly reality-check on the issues Americans care about most.

This Week on KCRW

Leading the GOP coup against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a sex scandal have defined Matt Gaetz’s tenure in Congress .

Scandal-plagued, self-described ‘Firebrand’ Matt Gaetz keeps winning

Leading the GOP coup against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a sex scandal have defined Matt Gaetz’s tenure in Congress .

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After Iran’s unsuccessful missile attack, how will Israel retaliate? Plus, how long can Ukraine stave off Russian attacks? The Wall Street Journal’s Yaroslav Trofimov weighs in.

What to expect after Iran’s ‘dud’ attack on Israel?

After Iran’s unsuccessful missile attack, how will Israel retaliate? Plus, how long can Ukraine stave off Russian attacks? The Wall Street Journal’s Yaroslav Trofimov weighs in.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Donald Trump is now the first U.S.

Trump’s hush trial begins in a Manhattan courtroom

Donald Trump is now the first U.S.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Is there anything about Trump’s abortion position for Joe Biden to capitalize on? Will Biden’s change of tune on Israel win him more supporters?

Trump takes no stakes-stance on abortion

Is there anything about Trump’s abortion position for Joe Biden to capitalize on? Will Biden’s change of tune on Israel win him more supporters?

from Left, Right & Center

OJ Simpson, 76, died on Wednesday. Thirty years ago, his murder trial and acquittal became a flashpoint of celebrity, race, and jurisprudence.

OJ Simpson dies — his trial was a national conversation on race, class

OJ Simpson, 76, died on Wednesday. Thirty years ago, his murder trial and acquittal became a flashpoint of celebrity, race, and jurisprudence.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Mexico City, home to 22 million people, is facing drought, drying reservoirs, and leaky infrastructure. Some parts of the city have no running water at all.

North America’s largest city is running out of water

Mexico City, home to 22 million people, is facing drought, drying reservoirs, and leaky infrastructure. Some parts of the city have no running water at all.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA’s animal shelters are so overcrowded that the City Council has paused issuing dog breeding licenses. The president of a local rescue explains what’s going on.

What's behind the massive influx of dogs at LA's shelters?

LA’s animal shelters are so overcrowded that the City Council has paused issuing dog breeding licenses. The president of a local rescue explains what’s going on.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

All 371 locations of 99 Cents Only stores will close permanently, which means a big loss for those who rely on a low-income brick-and-mortar retailer in their neighborhood.

99 Cents Only stores: Can ‘fellowship of frugality’ be saved?

All 371 locations of 99 Cents Only stores will close permanently, which means a big loss for those who rely on a low-income brick-and-mortar retailer in their neighborhood.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban may be enforced.

Abortion’s legal and political future after Arizona Supreme Court upholds 1864 ban

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban may be enforced.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A neuroscience professor explains how episodic memory works and why our brains sometimes hold onto inane information. He also gives tips on strengthening your power of recall.

How to better remember what’s important (you can dump the rest)

A neuroscience professor explains how episodic memory works and why our brains sometimes hold onto inane information. He also gives tips on strengthening your power of recall.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Orange County Sheriff's Department had hundreds of ICE transfers last year, raising concerns from immigrant rights groups who say the actions defy California law.

Immigration activists raise alarms about OC ICE transfers

The Orange County Sheriff's Department had hundreds of ICE transfers last year, raising concerns from immigrant rights groups who say the actions defy California law.

from KCRW Features

RFK Jr. is running an uphill campaign trying to pull from anti-establishment Democrats and Republicans, but liberals are worried that his campaign is a Biden spoiler.

RFK Jr. campaign staffer says defeating Biden is ‘No. 1 priority’

RFK Jr. is running an uphill campaign trying to pull from anti-establishment Democrats and Republicans, but liberals are worried that his campaign is a Biden spoiler.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

California lawmakers revealed a slate of bills aimed at reducing retail theft. It’s an attempt to fight crime without violating Prop 47, the criminal justice reform passed in 2014.

Fight organized retail crime: CA Assembly lawmakers unveil plans

California lawmakers revealed a slate of bills aimed at reducing retail theft. It’s an attempt to fight crime without violating Prop 47, the criminal justice reform passed in 2014.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing pressure from Democrats and foreign leaders to pass more aid, while hard-right members of his own party threaten his speakership.

Ukraine aid hangs in the balance amid congressional infighting

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing pressure from Democrats and foreign leaders to pass more aid, while hard-right members of his own party threaten his speakership.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand