Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What’s it like to start your job as a congresswoman amid a government shutdown?
Part of the federal government is shuttered, but the new class of lawmakers will be sworn in Thursday. Among them are California Democrats Katie Hill from Northern LA County, and Katie Porter from Orange County. Both flipped Republican House seats.
By Madeleine Brand • • 47m ListenPart of the federal government is shuttered, but the new class of lawmakers will be sworn in Thursday. Among them are California Democrats Katie Hill from Northern LA County, and Katie Porter from Orange County. Both flipped Republican House seats. KCRW’s Michell Eloy is in DC following their progress this week.
In this episode
5 storiesOverflowing toilets, trash on trails, damaged Joshua trees: National parks during the government shutdown
It’s the 12th day of the partial government shutdown. National parks are largely unsupervised, including Yosemite and Joshua Tree in California. Joshua Tree has been open for visitors to enter -- for free, since no one was there to collect fees.
Read the story5 minIs it legal to force federal employees to work without pay?
About 800,000 federal workers aren’t being paid during this government shutdown. About half of them are “essential workers” and are expected to come to work every day. Now a union for federal employees is suing, saying that’s illegal.
Read the story8 minPizza, Ikea, and a government shutdown: How Katie Hill and Katie Porter have been preparing for their new lives in Washington
Part of the federal government is shuttered, but the new class of lawmakers will be sworn in Thursday. Among them are Democrats Katie Hill from Northern LA County, and Katie Porter from Orange County. Both flipped Republican House seats.
Read the story8 minHow schadenfreude -- taking pleasure in another’s pain -- helps us bond and celebrate failures
Written and produced by Amy Ta A speeding driver cuts you off, then gets pulled over by the cops. A co-worker brags about training for a marathon, then doesn’t finish it. The prettiest girl in school who always gets the guy -- finally gets…
Read the story13 minNew exhibit and podcast asks what’s worthy of collecting
A new exhibition at the Los Angeles Central Library called “21 Collections: Every Object Has a Story” showcases unusual collections by artists, ordinary people, and one celebrity -- Tom Hanks.
Read the story12 min
