Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Host Madeleine Brand looks at news, culture and emerging trends through the lens of Los Angeles.

William Taylor, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, testified today before the House Intelligence Committee. He sat alongside another career State Department official, George Kent.

Highlights and analysis: Day 1 of the public impeachment hearings

William Taylor, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, testified today before the House Intelligence Committee. He sat alongside another career State Department official, George Kent.

You’ve heard of Impossible Burgers and Beyond Burgers, which contain meat made from plants. Now there’s something called “air protein.” That’s meat made from air.

Making meat out of air: How does it work?

You’ve heard of Impossible Burgers and Beyond Burgers, which contain meat made from plants. Now there’s something called “air protein.” That’s meat made from air.

Nine USC students have died since school started in late August. While campus officials haven’t disclosed the causes behind all of deaths, three have been attributed to suicide.

Tainted drugs may be the cause of some USC student deaths

Nine USC students have died since school started in late August. While campus officials haven’t disclosed the causes behind all of deaths, three have been attributed to suicide.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the U.S. conducted dozens of nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests forced people from their homes.

Climate change threatens Marshall Islands, where the U.S. has dumped a lot of nuclear waste

In the 1940s and 1950s, the U.S. conducted dozens of nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests forced people from their homes.

The 30-year mortgage might be a casualty of global warming. That’s because rising sea levels, worsening drought and wildfires make the future of many homes uncertain.

Climate change now affects whether you can get a mortgage

The 30-year mortgage might be a casualty of global warming. That’s because rising sea levels, worsening drought and wildfires make the future of many homes uncertain.

Mike Birbiglia never really wanted a kid.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia on feeling lost, isolated, and reluctant when it comes to fatherhood

Mike Birbiglia never really wanted a kid.

San Diego State University has suspended all 14 fraternities on campus after a student died. Dylan Hernandez was 19 years old. He was pledging Phi Gamma Delta.

Frat life, drinking, and student deaths at SDSU

San Diego State University has suspended all 14 fraternities on campus after a student died. Dylan Hernandez was 19 years old. He was pledging Phi Gamma Delta.

In California, if you’re a cop who’s been convicted of a crime, there’s a good possibility you can keep your job.

Some California cops are convicted of crimes but allowed to stay on the job

In California, if you’re a cop who’s been convicted of a crime, there’s a good possibility you can keep your job.

Sesame Street debuted 50 years ago, and it’s still going strong, reaching more than 100 million children worldwide.  Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie and the other muppets…

Over 50 years, Sesame Street takes on serious adult issues

Sesame Street debuted 50 years ago, and it’s still going strong, reaching more than 100 million children worldwide.  Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie and the other muppets…

The impeachment inquiry enters a new public phase this week. Senior diplomats Bill Taylor and George Kent are scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

How will the GOP defend Trump amid public impeachment hearings?

The impeachment inquiry enters a new public phase this week. Senior diplomats Bill Taylor and George Kent are scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

In California, the 2004 Paid Family Leave Act provides new mothers six partially paid weeks of bonding time with their children.

Why paid family leave may not pay for many new moms

In California, the 2004 Paid Family Leave Act provides new mothers six partially paid weeks of bonding time with their children.

President Trump says he has the authority to end the DACA program, which President Obama created through executive order in 2012.

The legal arguments in the DACA cases before the Supreme Court

President Trump says he has the authority to end the DACA program, which President Obama created through executive order in 2012.

Another DACA recipient invested in the Supreme Court decision is a lawyers arguing in favor of the Obama-era legislation.

Attorney arguing before SCOTUS is also a DACA recipient

Another DACA recipient invested in the Supreme Court decision is a lawyers arguing in favor of the Obama-era legislation.

Dozens of demonstrators chanting “home is here” arrived in Washington DC on Sunday after a 230-mile march that began last month in New York.

DACA recipient’s 230-mile march for immigrants’ rights

Dozens of demonstrators chanting “home is here” arrived in Washington DC on Sunday after a 230-mile march that began last month in New York.

Some fans' love for Morrissey is wavering after the musician made questionable statements about race, such as “everyone ultimately prefers their own race.”

Morrissey’s politics divide his LA fan base

Some fans' love for Morrissey is wavering after the musician made questionable statements about race, such as “everyone ultimately prefers their own race.”

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to file papers today to be on the Democratic presidential primary ballot in Alabama.

Why do billionaires think they can be great presidents?

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to file papers today to be on the Democratic presidential primary ballot in Alabama.

Maz Jobrani is an immigrant from Iran. He likes to target President Trump, and was especially critical when Trump’s travel ban went into effect in 2017.

Comedian Maz Jobrani on handling pro-Trump hecklers, and how he nearly became Trump Jr.

Maz Jobrani is an immigrant from Iran. He likes to target President Trump, and was especially critical when Trump’s travel ban went into effect in 2017.

Christopher Lloyd Dennis died this week in the San Fernando Valley. He was one of the first people on Hollywood Blvd.

Remembering Christopher Dennis, who played Superman on the Walk of Fame

Christopher Lloyd Dennis died this week in the San Fernando Valley. He was one of the first people on Hollywood Blvd.

A year ago today, the Camp Fire broke out in Paradise, Calif. More than 80 people died, and some 20,000 structures were destroyed. Damage was in the billions of dollars.

Influx of Camp Fire survivors strains Chico, California

A year ago today, the Camp Fire broke out in Paradise, Calif. More than 80 people died, and some 20,000 structures were destroyed. Damage was in the billions of dollars.

Our critics review “Doctor Sleep,” based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name and is a sequel to “The Shining;” “Honey Boy,” written by Shia LaBeouf about his own life…

‘Honey Boy’ feels like an intense therapy session for Shia LaBeouf

Our critics review “Doctor Sleep,” based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name and is a sequel to “The Shining;” “Honey Boy,” written by Shia LaBeouf about his own life…