Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Transportation Mysteries, New Teacher Union Leader, and More
The Malaysian Airlines flight and anti-aircraft missile? We also talk to the new leader of LA’s teacher union. Film roundup: racist casting call? This weekend’s new releases. And, transportation mysteries of Southern California.
By Madeleine Brand • • 53m ListenThe United States believes pro-Russian separatists shot down the Malaysian Airlines flight with an anti-aircraft missile. We get the latest on that, and we hear about an internationally renowned AIDS researcher who lost his life in the incident. We also talk to the new leader of LA’s teacher union about his plans for the organization. In our weekly film roundup, we hear about a casting call that some are calling racist, and we hear about this weekend’s new releases. And we discuss some of the transportation mysteries of Southern California.
Banner Image: VTA Light Rail Transit, photo credit: DanTD
In this episode
5 storiesAIDS Researcher Among Malaysian Flight Victims
One of the people who died on the Malaysia Airlines flight was Joep Lange, a prominent HIV/AIDS researcher. He, along with as many as 100 others, was on his way to attend the International AIDS Conference starting this weekend in Melbourne, Australia.
Read the story5 minMalaysian Airlines FL MH17
The United States believes pro-Russian separatists shot down the Malaysian Airlines flight with an anti-aircraft missile. But it’s not clear yet exactly who launched the missile, or why. Russia, the separatists, and the Ukrainian government have all denied responsibility. Meanwhile, the crash site remains a gruesome scene.
Read the story5 minPurges, Sex Tapes, and a Dubious Casting Call
A casting call for the NWA biopic "Straight Outta Compton" is causing an uproar this week. We talk about that, plus the new releases “Sex Tape” and “Purge: Anarchy.”
Read the story5 minTransportation Mysteries
Last week, Governor Brown lifted a ban on light rail in the San Fernando Valley. But why was it banned in the first place? We get the answer to that and other transportation mysteries around Southern California.
Read the story5 minAlex Caputo-Pearl
Here in Los Angeles, public school students have less than a month of vacation left. School starts on August 12. With the new school year, comes a new teachers’ union leader. Alex Caputo-Pearl took office July First...and at a national convention last weekend, he promised a more aggressive union that’s not afraid to go on strike.
Read the story5 min
