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.

President Trump says there’s absolutely no doubt that Iran was behind attacks this week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. This follows the U.S.

U.S. says Iran fired on two oil tankers, but Iran says it didn't

President Trump says there’s absolutely no doubt that Iran was behind attacks this week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. This follows the U.S.

Comedian Hasan Minhaj devoted an episode of his Netflix show “The Patriot Act” to what’s going on in Sudan.

Crisis in Sudan becomes a cause on social media with #BlueforSudan

Comedian Hasan Minhaj devoted an episode of his Netflix show “The Patriot Act” to what’s going on in Sudan.

One of Donald Trump’s last California properties, a 5400 square foot Beverly Hills mansion, has been sold for $13.5 million.

Trump sells his Beverly Hills house to an Indonesian billionaire for $13.5 million

One of Donald Trump’s last California properties, a 5400 square foot Beverly Hills mansion, has been sold for $13.5 million.

Real estate developers have had a huge influence on New York state lawmakers for decades.

New York just passed sweeping protections for renters, while rent control measures died in California

Real estate developers have had a huge influence on New York state lawmakers for decades.

Our critics review "Shaft," about an FBI cyber security expert whose friend dies mysteriously, then pairs up with his father, cop John Shaft, to find the truth; "The Dead Don't Die," a…

Critic: 'Men in Black: International' is absolutely useless, but Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thomson are fun together

Our critics review "Shaft," about an FBI cyber security expert whose friend dies mysteriously, then pairs up with his father, cop John Shaft, to find the truth; "The Dead Don't Die," a…

There's one inevitable question for married couples: When are you going to have a baby? If you answer "never," people start raising their eyebrows.

Choosing to be childfree, and respecting family choices

There's one inevitable question for married couples: When are you going to have a baby? If you answer "never," people start raising their eyebrows.

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic Congressman from California, is centering his presidential campaign on gun safety.

Presidential hopeful Eric Swalwell on gun safety, housing, and impeachment

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic Congressman from California, is centering his presidential campaign on gun safety.

Santa Barbara County leads the state in marijuana growing, and the smell of skunk from all those greenhouses is overwhelming.

Is the smell of weed repelling tourists from Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara County leads the state in marijuana growing, and the smell of skunk from all those greenhouses is overwhelming.

President Trump told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News that if foreign countries offered dirt on his political rivals, he would take it.

Preventing election meddling before the 2020 election

President Trump told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News that if foreign countries offered dirt on his political rivals, he would take it.

Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross have refused to hand over documents about the proposed citizenship question on the next Census.

President Trump exerts executive privilege over the Census

Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross have refused to hand over documents about the proposed citizenship question on the next Census.

La Luz del Mundo church has come under scrutiny after its leader, Naason Joaquin Garciawas, arrested last week on multiple charges of sex abuse.

La Luz del Mundo and the Mexican immigrant community in the U.S.

La Luz del Mundo church has come under scrutiny after its leader, Naason Joaquin Garciawas, arrested last week on multiple charges of sex abuse.

Twelve years ago, director Leila Conners teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio to produce the eco-documentary “The 11th Hour.”

Reversing climate change and supporting nature in ‘Ice on Fire’

Twelve years ago, director Leila Conners teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio to produce the eco-documentary “The 11th Hour.”

The Bohemian Club has been around for 150 years in San Francisco, made up of rich and powerful men.

The Bohemian Club, an annual gathering of men in the redwoods, draws outrage

The Bohemian Club has been around for 150 years in San Francisco, made up of rich and powerful men.

For many people experiencing homelessness, access to a bathroom is a persistent problem.

Bathrooms for the homeless would cost more than $330,000 each, so how will LA pay?

For many people experiencing homelessness, access to a bathroom is a persistent problem.

Prosecutors wield the most power in the American criminal justice system -- more than police officers and judges.

The movement to transform the role of the prosecutor

Prosecutors wield the most power in the American criminal justice system -- more than police officers and judges.

We talk about season three of The Handmaid’s Tale, the TV series based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel.

Coming out as trans in a review of The Handmaid’s Tale

We talk about season three of The Handmaid’s Tale, the TV series based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel.

Workout pants, sneakers, swimsuits, and skinny jeans all contain plastic. Spandex, nylon, polyester are common fabrics you see listed on clothing tags, and they're polymers (a.k.a.

Most of our clothes are made with plastic, and it's polluting the earth

Workout pants, sneakers, swimsuits, and skinny jeans all contain plastic. Spandex, nylon, polyester are common fabrics you see listed on clothing tags, and they're polymers (a.k.a.

June traditionally brings a slew of Supreme Court decisions. We look at the big cases they will rule on: partisan gerrymandering and the citizenship question on the next Census.

Preview of Supreme Court rulings, and Kamala Harris' challenge to new abortion restrictions

June traditionally brings a slew of Supreme Court decisions. We look at the big cases they will rule on: partisan gerrymandering and the citizenship question on the next Census.

High winds and heat in Northern California recently caused PG&E to shut off power to communities in the Sierra Foothills.

As summer approaches, state utilities try to minimize wildfire risks

High winds and heat in Northern California recently caused PG&E to shut off power to communities in the Sierra Foothills.

For the first time ever, a global database is tracking violence directed at women politicians and activists.

Politically motivated violence against women is surging, and one group is tracking the global trend

For the first time ever, a global database is tracking violence directed at women politicians and activists.