Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Sex Trade Study, Massage Laws & Return to the Bubble?
A study of the sex trade in 8 U.S. cities, massage laws, housing prices on the rise in Southern California, Candy Crush, and more.
By Madeleine Brand • • 1h 0m ListenA 2008 law that was supposed to help regulate California’s massage parlors is about to expire. Critics say the law just protected the industry and didn’t do what it was supposed to. Plus, we look at a new study of the sex trade in eight US cities. Also, housing prices are on the rise in parts of Southern California, reaching levels unseen since the last housing bubble. Meanwhile, the tech company behind the “Candy Crush” game expects to be worth more than 7.5 billion dollars when it goes public later this month. Are we headed towards another financial bubble?
Banner Image Credit: Thomas Hawk
In this episode
6 storiesBack to the Bubble?
Housing prices are on the rise in Southern California, in some places much more than others. In Venice, a house that the website Curbed LA described as a “hideous shack” is on the market for one and a half million dollars. And don’t go looking next door for something more reasonable.
Read the story7 minCandy Crushing It
King Digital Entertainment, maker of the addictive smartphone game “Candy Crush Saga,” expects to be worth more than $7.5 billion dollars when it goes public this month -- a figure that seems a bit inflated (to say the least) to some observers.
Read the story9 minWhere Should We Go To Eat?
In a land of endless options, it’s an unenviable task to come up with a list of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. But that didn’t stop L.A. Weekly restaurant critic Besha Rodell from giving it her best. She joins us to discuss her list of “99 Essential Restaurants.”
Read the story9 minMassaging the Rules
A 2008 law that was supposed to help regulate California’s massage parlors -- and crack-down on illegal ones -- is about to expire. Critics say the law just protected the industry and didn’t do what it was supposed to.
Read the story5 minState of the Sex Trade
A new study of the sex trade in eight US cities sheds some light on a business that’s conducted mostly in the dark. For instance, pimps in Atlanta could make up to $30,000 a week, while a sex act in Dallas may cost a person as little as $5.
Read the story10 minSXSW Check-in
The music portion of the SXSW festival kicked-off yesterday with some big name acts like Coldplay and rapper Pitbull. Later in the week, Lady Gaga is scheduled to perform. That shows how much has changed since the festival started back in 1987. Back then, it wasn’t a showcase for huge names - it was a place to discover new acts.
Read the story8 min
