Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Super PACs Wane, Compton's Cowboys, Oscars Diversity
Donald Trump is the established Republican front-runner, and Jeb Bush dropped out despite his massive super PAC. Is this the twilight of the super PAC? Also, cowboys and horses in Compton.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenToday we start with a political twofer: Donald Trump is now the established front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, and Jeb Bush dropped out despite his massive super PAC. Could the influence of super PACs be overblown?
Then, will Trump be able to keep his momentum for Super Tuesday on March 1?
Next, Compton has a long history as an agricultural horse town. We hear from a Compton rodeo rider and a historical expert.
After that, a discussion of the new book West of Eden.
And finally, what can be done to make Hollywood more diverse?
Banner image: Poster for Fire on the Hill
In this episode
5 storiesTwilight of the Super PAC
Donald Trump is now the established front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination after yet another win last night, this time in the Nevada caucuses. He often says he is self-financed. It’s true he’s spent some of his own money, around $17 million.
Read the story9 minSuper Tuesday GOP
As we just heard, Trump continues to dominate the GOP race even without much super PAC money. We’ll find out if he’ll be able to keep this momentum going next Tuesday, Super Tuesday. That’s when voters from around a dozen states head to the polls.
Read the story8 minCompton's History as a Horse Town
Yesterday, L.A. County supervisors voted to renovate Magic Johnson Park in South L.A. The park is near Compton. It’s 104 acres and the county plans to spend $135 million making it over. But some residents are unhappy about part of that plan, a new equestrian center.
Read the story9 min'West of Eden'
The history of Los Angeles is a history of the families that shaped it. Oral historian and author Jean Stein tells the stories of five families who shaped our city in her new book, West of Eden, including her own family, the Steins. Her father was Jules Stein, founder of the media giant MCA in the 1920s.
Read the story14 minOscar Diversity
The Oscar nominations are once again shining a spotlight on the lack of diversity in Hollywood. Not surprisingly, the author of a damning new report by USC Annenberg calls the business a “straight, white, boy’s club.” The question is: What can really be done about it?
Read the story11 min
