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In Las Vegas today, construction began on a train that would get travelers from Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County to the Las Vegas strip in about two hours.

In Las Vegas today, construction began on a train that would get travelers from Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County to the Las Vegas strip in about two hours.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

SCOTUS homelessness ruling could shift LA policy

A Ninth Circuit case has limited how LA responds to homelessness. If the Supreme Court tosses out that decision, the city could ban camping in more places.

Who are the private companies selling Arizona water rights?

Private companies are buying farmland in rural Arizona. The goal isn’t to farm crops but to access water from the Colorado River.

Oregon homelessness law seems to divide Supreme Court

The Supreme Court appeared divided after oral arguments over a Grants Pass, an Oregon law that bans camping in public areas.

Voter ID law sparks legal battle in OC

California has filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach over its recently passed voter ID law.

A look at Jeff Skoll’s decision to close Participant Media after 20 years and why Congress is going after Disney-Fox-Warner’s joint sports streamer.

from The Business

Is the media’s coverage adding to the difficulties of Donald Trump’s criminal case? Where does protest cross the line into hate speech?

from Left, Right & Center

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.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Featured Shows

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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

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.

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.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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.

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.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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.

Inside Guantánamo Bay detention camp: Latest ‘Serial’ podcast season

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.

House Speaker Johnson’s Ukraine vote may cost him his job

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.

LA reduces LAPD homeless response – now what about housing?

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

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

Shoppers mourn 99 Cents Only as stores wind down operations

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

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.

USC cancels speech from Muslim valedictorian, citing security threats

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

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