Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Vets' Healthcare, LA Magazine Publishing & Beats by Dre
Blighted homes in LA, healthcare for veterans, our weekly film roundup, what it takes to succeed in LA's magazine world, and Apple's interest in Beats by Dre.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenThe foreclosure crisis is over, but vacant, blighted, bank-owned houses remain all over LA. Why isn’t the city enforcing laws to do something about it? Whistleblowers say the Phoenix VA kept a secret waiting list of patients to avoid reporting long wait times, and as many as 40 vets on the list died before getting to see a doctor. Apple may buy Beats by Dre for $3.2 billion. There’s a lot of road kill in the the world of LA magazines. What does it take to be successful? And on today’s film segment: Palo Alto, Chef, Neighbors, God’s Pocket... and why on earth do we need a movie version of 90’s kid show Power Rangers?
Banner Image: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James and recording artist Dr. Dre (L) attend MLB's 2010 season opener to watch the reigning World Series Champions New York Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox in their American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts April 4, 2010. REUTERS/Adam Hunger
In this episode
5 storiesBlighted Homes in LA
The foreclosure crisis has eased, but for a lot of L.A. neighborhoods, its remnants remain: vacant, blighted, bank-owned houses. Four years ago, the city passed a law to fine banks $1,000 a day for failing to maintain foreclosed homes. It has never been enforced. Advocates rallied in South Los Angeles yesterday to call on the city to act.
Read the story8 minVeterans Health Care
There are growing calls for Veterans Affairs chief Eric Shinseki to resign after whistleblowers came forward alleging that the VA kept a secret waiting list of patients. The whistleblowers say administrators kept the list to avoid reporting how long veterans had to wait before seeing a doctor.
Read the story7 minApple and Beats by Dre
Beats by Dre is reportedly up for sale and Apple wants to take a bite. We take a look at the headphones company, worth up to $3.2 billion, and why Apple would want to buy them.
Read the story8 minLA Magazine Publishing
LA’s a tough town to start a magazine in. Especially one focused on high art and culture. Remember Buzz, California, LA Style, Detour, or Venice? As the Los Angeles Review of Books turns three years old, we explore what it takes to succeed in the magazine world here in Los Angeles.
Read the story11 minFilm Roundup
This week’s film segment takes a look at new releases and the latest biz stories out of Hollywood. On the docket: Palo Alto, Chef, Neighbors, and God’s Pocket. And why on earth do we need a movie version of 90’s kid show Power Rangers?
Read the story10 min
