News & Politics

A media frenzy ensued following last week’s special counsel report questioning Biden’s mental faculties. Critics argue the coverage goes too far.

A media frenzy ensued following last week’s special counsel report questioning Biden’s mental faculties. Critics argue the coverage goes too far.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

States push back against Supreme Court decisions on guns, abortion

State supreme court rulings on gun control and abortion rights rebuke recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

LA DA debate: What to know about contenders vying to unseat Gascon

The ACLU is hosting a forum with 12 candidates running for LA County District Attorney tonight. Much of the attention will be on controversial incumbent George Gascon.

Do legislative failures this week signal trouble in the GOP?

Will failing to pass a border security bill backfire on Republicans? Can Joe Biden reconnect with Arab and Muslim communities? Plus, a moving Grammys duet provides a lesson.

SCOTUS hears arguments on disqualifying Trump from 2024 election

SCOTUS justices seem skeptical of Colorado’s decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot. Their decision is crucial for the 2024 election.

Designed to quickly channel water out to sea, the concrete waterway protects lives and property but limits how much rain percolates into groundwater reservoirs.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Join KCRW and NPR as the Supreme Courts hears arguments over the Colorado State Supreme Court's decision to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state's primary ballot.

For decades, the promise of higher education was the recipe for success. But many people today are now searching for an alternative to traditional college.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Congress is stalling on more funding for Israel, which has been the largest recipient of U.S. aid of any country since its founding in 1948.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory plans to lay off 500 employees and dozens of contractors. How will that affect space exploration?

Will NASA JPL layoffs set back Mars mission?

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory plans to lay off 500 employees and dozens of contractors. How will that affect space exploration?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A bipartisan immigration bill is paralyzing Congress. It leaves billions in aid for Ukraine in limbo, as their war with Russia grinds on.

What Ukraine will lose without US aid

A bipartisan immigration bill is paralyzing Congress. It leaves billions in aid for Ukraine in limbo, as their war with Russia grinds on.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A bipartisan group of senators announced an immigration deal with added funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Despite initial optimism, it’s now likely to fail.

Biden calls on GOP to ‘show some spine’ and approve immigration bill

A bipartisan group of senators announced an immigration deal with added funds for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Despite initial optimism, it’s now likely to fail.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Greenland’s Jakobshavn glacier is one of the fastest deteriorating glaciers in the world. But some researchers say they may have figured out a way to save it.

To try to save a fast-melting glacier, scientists use geoengineering

Greenland’s Jakobshavn glacier is one of the fastest deteriorating glaciers in the world. But some researchers say they may have figured out a way to save it.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

“The Big One” in California often refers to an earthquake. But seismologist Lucy Jones warns of another “Big One”: sustained rain storms that overwhelm flood control systems.

In California, are rainstorms deadlier than earthquakes?

“The Big One” in California often refers to an earthquake. But seismologist Lucy Jones warns of another “Big One”: sustained rain storms that overwhelm flood control systems.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Parts of LA County are getting half a year’s worth of rain in a single storm. Santa Monica Mountain communities like Topanga and Malibu are getting hit the hardest.

Heavy rainfall in LA turns Topanga Canyon into a river

Parts of LA County are getting half a year’s worth of rain in a single storm. Santa Monica Mountain communities like Topanga and Malibu are getting hit the hardest.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The 14th Amendment bans insurrectionists from holding political office. The Supreme Court will soon determine if that applies to former President Donald Trump.

SCOTUS to hear arguments on CO barring Trump from ballot

The 14th Amendment bans insurrectionists from holding political office. The Supreme Court will soon determine if that applies to former President Donald Trump.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Trillions of dollars worth of lithium could be bubbling up from the ground in the Imperial Valley, which is one of the hottest and poorest areas of California.

Imperial Valley: Domestic source for lithium to power the nation?

Trillions of dollars worth of lithium could be bubbling up from the ground in the Imperial Valley, which is one of the hottest and poorest areas of California.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Disneyland is eyeing a $2.5 billion plan that would extend its park into Anaheim's streets, raising concerns about potential traffic problems and increased influence for the park.

Disneyland to invest $2.5 billion in theme park expansion

Disneyland is eyeing a $2.5 billion plan that would extend its park into Anaheim's streets, raising concerns about potential traffic problems and increased influence for the park.

from KCRW Features

Will the U.S. response to an attack on troops in Jordan prevent wider conflict? Can state and federal officials resolve a dispute over border access in Texas?

Border access dispute raises tensions over immigration deal

Will the U.S. response to an attack on troops in Jordan prevent wider conflict? Can state and federal officials resolve a dispute over border access in Texas?

from Left, Right & Center

California will spend $2 billion to address learning loss, settling a lawsuit that alleged it violated children’s rights to equal education during the pandemic.

CA students stuck with pandemic learning loss win settlement

California will spend $2 billion to address learning loss, settling a lawsuit that alleged it violated children’s rights to equal education during the pandemic.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

UV light is a revolutionary tech that could crush viruses before they strike. So why aren't we embracing it?

Using UV light to kill COVID, flu, common cold

UV light is a revolutionary tech that could crush viruses before they strike. So why aren't we embracing it?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Middle-class Chinese immigrants are showing up at the U.S.-Mexico border. Most are trying to flee the communist government's authoritarian crackdown on dissent.

More people from China are trying to claim asylum in the US

Middle-class Chinese immigrants are showing up at the U.S.-Mexico border. Most are trying to flee the communist government's authoritarian crackdown on dissent.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Senators berated Mark Zuckerberg and four other social media CEOs on child safety and their platforms. But there’s no consensus on legislation to address it.

Emotions run high at Senate hearing on social media and child exploitation

Senators berated Mark Zuckerberg and four other social media CEOs on child safety and their platforms. But there’s no consensus on legislation to address it.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand