Producer, 'Press Play'
Amy Ta has worked in public media since 2010, having produced NPR's Tell Me More with Michel Martin, Weekend Edition and NPR Music. She also photographed several special events and guests at NPR. Before coming to KCRW, she worked on the independent podcast Tiny Spark: Investigating the Business of Doing Good.
As some residents return to Malibu, what does the damage look like? The Woolsey Fire is 94 percent contained, after burning close to 100,000 acres. Authorities have begun allowing some residents back into Malibu. But officials warn that broken power poles, debris-filled roadways, and broken gas lines still pose serious threats to safety.
What both sides of the US-Mexico border look like as migrants arrive The migrant caravan has started arriving at the border. Thousands are expected over the coming days in Tijuana, where there has already been violence between locals and migrants. North of the border, some 6000 U.S. troops have been waiting. We visit both sides.
Should we keep rebuilding in fire-prone Malibu? Private firefighters successfully defended Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s $50 million mansion from the Woolsey Fire. Insurance companies with a lot at stake have recently started hiring private wildfire defense teams to protect their clients’ properties.
Why reading on a page is different from reading on a screen Reading literature not only stirs up empathy, it changes our brains. So what happens to our brains when we no longer deep-read, but skim through pages in between digital disruptions, or read only short blurbs on our phones and other devices?
Rep. Schiff’s priorities for the House Intelligence Committee In January, Burbank Congressman Adam Schiff is expected to be chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. We ask what investigations he will open, and what recourse there will be if Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker shuts down Mueller’s Russia probe.
‘A Private War’ director on whether the danger of war reporting is worth it What does it take to be a war correspondent? What kind of person is drawn to cover death and destruction? And does the reporting make any difference? They’re questions raised in “A Private War.” It stars Rosamund Pike as Marie Colvin, who’s covered atrocities in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria.
After midterms, is the U.S. more divided, or can we work across the aisle? In this special two-hour live show, we get the national and local picture. We talk to political pros, local candidates, and Southern California voters.
Historic voter turnout expected in Orange County Whether Democrats will take control of the House depends on a few key races across the country, and some of them are in Orange County. We check in with the OC Registrar’s office. In-person turnout is already significantly higher than it was in the 2016 election.
What you need to know before the midterm elections We devote the entire show to Tuesday’s midterm elections. We look at the Congressional races in Orange County. How are the candidates doing in the final hours, and what does early voting tell us? We also look at how Democrats have largely outspent Republicans, and how big money affects the propositions. Most importantly: how are voters feeling?
The slate of midterm candidates is the most diverse ever Georgia could elect its first black woman governor. Michigan and Minnesota could elect their first Muslim women to be U.S. representatives. In California, Young Kim could be the first Korean American woman in Congress. Of the 6000 or so state legislative races nationwide, almost a quarter feature non-white candidates.
Why epileptic seizures can cause strange behavior A woman suddenly gets up and starts running. A man sees seven cartoon dwarves run across the room. They are all manifestations of an epileptic seizure. Epilepsy can present in many different ways, which can make it tricky to diagnose. A new book looks at the disease.
Photojournalist Lynsey Addario on why she still covers the most dangerous places on earth Lynsey Addario has risked her life to document the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; and civil wars and humanitarian crises in Libya, South Sudan, and Syria. She’s come out with a book of some of her most striking images, called “Of Love and War.” She tells us remarkable stories from the field, how she was kidnapped in Libya, why journalists are in more danger now.
Eleni Kounalakis makes her case for being Lt. Governor of California Two Democrats are running to be California’s second in command: the lieutenant governor. We hear from both candidates this week. Eleni Kounalakis has never held elected office, but she says she’s ready. She was a real estate mogul and U.S. Ambassador to Hungary under Obama.
LA Jewish community responds to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting The Jewish community in LA vows to take action in the wake of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history. Eleven people were killed at a Pittsburgh synagogue over the weekend. We talk with two rabbis here about how they’re moving forward.
Widows One of the many things you may learn from “Widows” is that cemeteries don’t have gravediggers anymore; backhoes do the job.
Should we keep rebuilding in fire-prone Malibu? Private firefighters successfully defended Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s $50 million mansion from the Woolsey Fire. Insurance companies with a lot at stake have recently started hiring private wildfire defense teams to protect their clients’ properties.