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.

These four festivals will make you remember why you love music so much. This Ain't No Picnic, Desert Daze, Ohana Festival, and Primavera Sound are coming your way.

Upcoming music festivals: LCD Soundsystem, Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala

These four festivals will make you remember why you love music so much. This Ain't No Picnic, Desert Daze, Ohana Festival, and Primavera Sound are coming your way.

The Senate just passed a massive bill aimed at fighting climate change, cutting prescription drug prices, and raising taxes on rich companies. What would California gain?

CA gets more funds to fight warming planet thanks to Inflation Reduction Act

The Senate just passed a massive bill aimed at fighting climate change, cutting prescription drug prices, and raising taxes on rich companies. What would California gain?

HBO Max and Discovery+ are merging into one service. It’s part of an aggressive course correction that isn’t centered on streaming content.

All-in on streaming? Warner Bros. says no. Will it work?

HBO Max and Discovery+ are merging into one service. It’s part of an aggressive course correction that isn’t centered on streaming content.

Georgia has new tax rules allowing an embryo to be claimed as a dependent on state tax returns. Indiana Gov.

Do new laws in Georgia, Indiana signal a push for nationwide abortion ban?

Georgia has new tax rules allowing an embryo to be claimed as a dependent on state tax returns. Indiana Gov.

A Texas court has ordered Alex Jones to pay nearly $50 million to a family whose child died in the Sandy Hook school shooting. Now he faces two more similar trials with other families.

Alex Jones to pay millions to Sandy Hook victim’s family. He’s declared bankrupcy

A Texas court has ordered Alex Jones to pay nearly $50 million to a family whose child died in the Sandy Hook school shooting. Now he faces two more similar trials with other families.

Mark Finchem, a member ​​of the Arizona House of Representatives and the far-right Oath Keepers, is now the Republican nominee for secretary of state.

What could happen if Trump supporter Mark Finchem becomes secretary of state?

Mark Finchem, a member ​​of the Arizona House of Representatives and the far-right Oath Keepers, is now the Republican nominee for secretary of state.

New texts from Alex Jones’ phone indicate he may have withheld evidence during his defamation case against the families of victims in the Sandy Hook shooting.

Alex Jones is confronted with lies in court. He’s also linked to insurrection

New texts from Alex Jones’ phone indicate he may have withheld evidence during his defamation case against the families of victims in the Sandy Hook shooting.

Critics review new film releases: “Bullet Train,” “Easter Sunday,” “Sharp Stick,” “Bodies Bodies Bodies.”

‘Easter Sunday’ is predictable, not as funny as Jo Koy’s standup, says critic

Critics review new film releases: “Bullet Train,” “Easter Sunday,” “Sharp Stick,” “Bodies Bodies Bodies.”

The repertoire of raw or lightly-cured fish on offer in Southern California restaurants is epic and includes crudo, sashimi, poke, ceviche and aguachile.

Poke, sashimi, ceviche: Summer’s light, no-cook dish

The repertoire of raw or lightly-cured fish on offer in Southern California restaurants is epic and includes crudo, sashimi, poke, ceviche and aguachile.

Street racers have performed stunts, donuts, and burnouts on the 6th Street Viaduct, drawing the attention of the LAPD and national news outlets.

What 6th Street Viaduct reveals about LA — the good and ugly

Street racers have performed stunts, donuts, and burnouts on the 6th Street Viaduct, drawing the attention of the LAPD and national news outlets.

The U.S. government is suing to block Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster on antitrust grounds.

Why feds are fighting book publishers merger and not taking on Amazon

The U.S. government is suing to block Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster on antitrust grounds.

Prosecutors would be able to sue social media companies for using designs they know are addicting to kids — if California Assembly Bill 2408 passes.

Designing social media to addict kids? It’d be illegal if CA bill passes

Prosecutors would be able to sue social media companies for using designs they know are addicting to kids — if California Assembly Bill 2408 passes.

On Tuesday the Senate approved the PACT Act, which would help veterans struggling with health problems after being exposed to toxic chemicals mainly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For military vets facing surprise cancer, PACT Act is critical

On Tuesday the Senate approved the PACT Act, which would help veterans struggling with health problems after being exposed to toxic chemicals mainly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Beyonce’s new solo album, “Renaissance,” feels like nourishment to the soul, says UC Santa Barbara Black studies professor Omise'eke Tinsley.

‘Renaissance’ is Beyonce’s love letter to Black, queer folks

Beyonce’s new solo album, “Renaissance,” feels like nourishment to the soul, says UC Santa Barbara Black studies professor Omise'eke Tinsley.

Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully died Tuesday at age 94. He spent 67 years as the voice of baseball for the Los Angeles team.

Vin Scully ‘painted a picture over 9 innings’ for LA Dodgers

Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully died Tuesday at age 94. He spent 67 years as the voice of baseball for the Los Angeles team.

“Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington” details the brave and sometimes salacious characters of Washington D.C.’s gay culture during the 20th century.

Being gay was DC’s most shameful secret during 20th century

“Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington” details the brave and sometimes salacious characters of Washington D.C.’s gay culture during the 20th century.

President Biden on Monday night announced the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri, who became al-Qaeda’s leader after Osama bin Laden died in 2011. What happens to the extremist group now?

After US killing of al-Zawahiri, how much does al-Qaeda need new leader?

President Biden on Monday night announced the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri, who became al-Qaeda’s leader after Osama bin Laden died in 2011. What happens to the extremist group now?

SoLa Impact says it costs them $250,000 to build one unit of affordable housing in LA, while more traditional affordable housing is costing the city upwards of $600,000, on average.

Turn a profit on affordable housing? SoLa Impact is doing it

SoLa Impact says it costs them $250,000 to build one unit of affordable housing in LA, while more traditional affordable housing is costing the city upwards of $600,000, on average.

Nearly a year after U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, some 19 million Afghans face life-threatening hunger, and women’s rights have deteriorated.

Hunger crisis, no jobs: Afghanistan in year since US withdrawal

Nearly a year after U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, some 19 million Afghans face life-threatening hunger, and women’s rights have deteriorated.

Girl Ultra (Mariana de Miguel) is a 27-year-old singer, producer and DJ from Mexico City. Her new album, “El Sur,” blends garage rock, house and techno.

Mariana de Miguel on passion in Spanish words, why she calls herself Girl Ultra

Girl Ultra (Mariana de Miguel) is a 27-year-old singer, producer and DJ from Mexico City. Her new album, “El Sur,” blends garage rock, house and techno.