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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    'Negroland,' Unreliable Isis Intel, and Suing Your Bank

    Margo Jefferson grew up taking dance classes and attending great schools, but the comforts of her life would never match the privilege of being white. Then, if you’re behind on your mortgage, Brookstone Law in Orange County will sue your bank. Whether that lawsuit has merit, however, is highly questionable. And the characters behind Brookstone are a whole different story.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Sep 10, 2015 • 51m Listen

    California may be about to adopt its own version of a “right-to-die” law. Yesterday, the End of Life Option Act cleared the State Assembly, and it’s expected to also be approved in the Senate. If the governor signs it, the law will take effect next year. The proposal gained attention last year when 29-year-old Brittany Maynard moved from California to Oregon to end her life. Oregon enacted its death with dignity laws nearly 20 years ago. And Apple rolled out its fall line of new products yesterday; we take a look at that and other tech news in our weekly web roundup. Then, 50 intelligence analysts say their reports on ISIS and Al Qaeda are being watered down by senior officials. And now the Pentagon’s inspector general is investigating. Next, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Margo Jefferson explores the world of African American privilege in her new memoir, Negroland. It’s the story of growing up black and affluent in Chicago in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Finally, the story behind Brookstone Law, which is suing banks on behalf of homeowners. But whether these lawsuits have merit is highly questionable. And the characters behind Brookstone are a whole different story.

    In this episode

    5 stories
    1. 0:00

      California's Right to Die Law on the Horizon

      California may be about to adopt its own version of a “right-to-die” law. Yesterday, the End of Life Option Act cleared the State Assembly, and it’s expected to also be approved in the Senate. If the governor signs it, the law will take effect next year.

      Read the story
      9 min
    2. 9:46

      Web Roundup: Apple Rollout and More

      Apple rolled out a fall line of new products yesterday, including a new Apple Watch, and an Apple Pencil. We take a look at that perennial tech spectacle, and other tech news in our weekly web roundup.

      Read the story
      8 min
    3. 18:22

      Unreliable Isis Intel

      Fifty intelligence analysts say their reports on ISIS and Al Qaeda are being watered down by senior officials. According to an exclusive story in the Daily Beast , the analysts complain that higher-ups are deleting assessments they consider too pessimistic, or pushing them back down the chain of command.

      Read the story
      7 min
    4. 26:35

      'Negroland'

      Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Margo Jefferson explores the world of African American privilege in her new memoir, Negroland . It’s the story of growing up black and affluent in Chicago in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Jefferson took dance classes, went to great schools, and had a wardrobe full of beautiful dresses…everything a little girl could want.

      Read the story
      15 min
    5. 42:50

      Should You Sue Your Bank?

      Let’s say you’re a homeowner behind on your mortgage. You could try for a loan modification, or simply not pay and risk foreclosure. Or you could hire the attorneys at Brookstone Law, in Orange County. For about $6,000 they’ll add your name to a lawsuit against the bank that has your mortgage.

      Read the story
      8 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

      News

    In this episode

    5 stories
    1. 0:009 min

      California's Right to Die Law on the Horizon

    2. 9:468 min

      Web Roundup: Apple Rollout and More

    3. 18:227 min

      Unreliable Isis Intel

    4. 26:3515 min

      'Negroland'

    5. 42:508 min

      Should You Sue Your Bank?

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand