Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Wage theft in LA restaurants, GMO Labeling and the reality of reality TV
Today we preview KCRW’s five-part investigation into wage theft and other abuses among restaurant workers. The series, Burned, airs this week.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenToday we begin with a preview of KCRW’s five-part investigation into wage theft and other abuses in LA’s restaurant industry. The series, Burned, airs this week and reporter Karen Foshay talks about findings. Next, President Obama has signed a new law that will require food makers to label items that contain genetically modified ingredients. But there’s no scientific evidence of health risks related to GMOs, so what’s the purpose of the labels? Then, we revisit a conversation from earlier this year with historian Kathryn Olmsted, who says that the foundations of today’s Republican party -- including Trump’s presidential campaign -- have surprising origins in California. And finally, on the day of The Bachelorette season finale, we take stock of the business and popularity of reality television.
Image: California Labor Commissioner Julie Su. Her office handles wage claims filed against thousands of California restaurants. (Credits: Karen Foshay)
In this episode
4 storiesKCRW Investigates wage theft and abuse in LA's restaurant industry
The minimum wage is going up to $15 an hour in LA, but who’s going to make sure the laws are enforced? UCLA researchers estimate that employers steal $26 million every week from the city’s low-wage workers. In a new investigation, KCRW finds that most of those workers will never get that money back.
Read the story15 minA new bill requires GMO labeling
How closely do you look at the labels of the foods that you eat? Soon, you’ll have even more information to consider in the supermarket aisle. President Obama signed a new law a couple of days ago requiring food makers to label items that contain genetically modified ingredients.
Read the story9 minThe early roots of GOP talking points
Donald Trump spent a week at the Republican National Convention repeating his campaign promise to “make America great again.” But it’s not a new message; Republican Herbert Hoover built his 1932 presidential campaign around the same idea.
Read the story16 minWhat's the reality of reality TV
It’s the night fans have been waiting for: the final rose ceremony on ABC’s The Bachelorette. The big question on fans’ minds is whether JoJo will choose the former competitive swimmer Robby or the former football quarterback Jordan. The bigger question, however, is whether reality shows like The Bachelorette are still capturing viewers.
Read the story8 min
