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.

The CDC says across the entire country, flu activity is minimal. In California, only a tiny percentage of tests have come back positive.

Following COVID and calls for flu vaccinations, where has influenza gone?

The CDC says across the entire country, flu activity is minimal. In California, only a tiny percentage of tests have come back positive.

Videoconferencing can make you feel socially, emotionally, and physically fatigued. That’s according to Jeremy Bailenson of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab.

Science proves Zoom meetings are awful. Here are tips to make them better

Videoconferencing can make you feel socially, emotionally, and physically fatigued. That’s according to Jeremy Bailenson of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab.

The reaction to Fry’s going under has been sentimental. Many customers have fond memories of the chain’s oddball stores, with themes like Alice in Wonderland or outer space.

Fry’s Electronics permanently closes due to pandemic plus competition from Amazon and new tech

The reaction to Fry’s going under has been sentimental. Many customers have fond memories of the chain’s oddball stores, with themes like Alice in Wonderland or outer space.

A U.S. intelligence report out today confirms what Joe Biden, when he was a presidential candidate, said more than a year ago.

How Biden administration’s attitude toward Saudi Arabia is changing

A U.S. intelligence report out today confirms what Joe Biden, when he was a presidential candidate, said more than a year ago.

More than 250 restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week, which runs March 1-14. It's also the first time dineL.A. is taking place during International Women’s Month.

Clementine, All Day Baby, Ms. Chi: Women-led eateries during dineL.A.’s Restaurant Week

More than 250 restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week, which runs March 1-14. It's also the first time dineL.A. is taking place during International Women’s Month.

While cases of COVID-19 and the flu are finally trending down, another illness appears to be rising fast. It’s called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MISC).

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: LA County has 100 total cases and one death

While cases of COVID-19 and the flu are finally trending down, another illness appears to be rising fast. It’s called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MISC).

Critics review “The United States vs.

First-time actor Andra Day shines in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday,’ says critic

Critics review “The United States vs.

Most people who come down with COVID-19 usually recover fully. But for about 10% of people, symptoms linger (sometimes for months).

Hospitals now offer special treatment centers for treat COVID long haulers

Most people who come down with COVID-19 usually recover fully. But for about 10% of people, symptoms linger (sometimes for months).

Actress and author Annabelle Gurwitch thought after she sent her kid to college, she’d be coasting into her golden years, taking Zumba classes and enjoying the extra “me time.”

Annabelle Gurwitch: Being human means ‘Calamity R Us,’ and it’s important to laugh about it

Actress and author Annabelle Gurwitch thought after she sent her kid to college, she’d be coasting into her golden years, taking Zumba classes and enjoying the extra “me time.”

Democrats want to include a federal minimum wage hike in the latest COVID-19 relief bill. They want it to go up to $15 per hour over the next four years.

How LA's 'hero pay' ties to federal fight over minimum wage

Democrats want to include a federal minimum wage hike in the latest COVID-19 relief bill. They want it to go up to $15 per hour over the next four years.

For those who can work from home during the pandemic, it’s tedious to sit in the same place all day.

Bored at home during COVID? Let ambience videos take you to a cafe, the woods, or outer space

For those who can work from home during the pandemic, it’s tedious to sit in the same place all day.

In spring 1992, South Central Los Angeles was on fire for nearly a week. The uprisings were sparked by the acquittal of four white police officers in the beating of Rodney King.

Remembering Latasha Harlins, who was shot and killed 30 years ago by a store owner in South LA

In spring 1992, South Central Los Angeles was on fire for nearly a week. The uprisings were sparked by the acquittal of four white police officers in the beating of Rodney King.

Innova Medical Group, based in Pasadena, has developed a test people can buy over the counter and use at home. It costs $5 and produces results in about 30 minutes.

At-home COVID tests by Innova Medical Group: How they work, why they’re still awaiting FDA approval

Innova Medical Group, based in Pasadena, has developed a test people can buy over the counter and use at home. It costs $5 and produces results in about 30 minutes.

There are about 1000 shops that sell weed in LA. Most of them are unlicensed and doing these sales illegally .

Recreational marijuana is legal in LA. But most shops selling it are not

There are about 1000 shops that sell weed in LA. Most of them are unlicensed and doing these sales illegally .

One new coronavirus variant is homegrown in California.

California’s COVID variant: How it spreads and if vaccines are less effective against it

One new coronavirus variant is homegrown in California.

With all the extra time people are spending at home and clicking around the internet, online romance scams are thriving .

Romance scams exploded during coronavirus pandemic

With all the extra time people are spending at home and clicking around the internet, online romance scams are thriving .

Tennis player Naomi Osaka took home her second Australian Open title over the weekend. She is one of only seven current players — male or female — to win four Grand Slams.

Serena Williams paved the way for Naomi Osaka on and off the tennis court

Tennis player Naomi Osaka took home her second Australian Open title over the weekend. She is one of only seven current players — male or female — to win four Grand Slams.

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a $7.6 billion stimulus package for California. Millions of residents will receive $600 checks.

California passes $7 billion COVID relief package to help residents, small businesses and college students

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a $7.6 billion stimulus package for California. Millions of residents will receive $600 checks.

“Bling Empire” (Netflix) and “House of Ho” (HBO Max) both follow lavish parties, vacations, drama and petty behavior.

Asian reality TV: What do ‘Bling Empire’ and ‘House of Ho’ mean for representation?

“Bling Empire” (Netflix) and “House of Ho” (HBO Max) both follow lavish parties, vacations, drama and petty behavior.

Scientists in Cuba say they’re close to developing a coronavirus vaccine of their own. It’s called “ Sovereign 2 ,” and it’s in its final trial stage.

Cuba is close to producing a COVID vaccine and hopes to draw tourists with it

Scientists in Cuba say they’re close to developing a coronavirus vaccine of their own. It’s called “ Sovereign 2 ,” and it’s in its final trial stage.