News & Politics

The 401(k) has increased the wealth of millions while exacerbating income inequality among older Americans. What can be done to close that gap?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President Biden today announced higher tariffs on Chinese goods, saying the aim is to protect the U.S. economy from overseas competitors.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Decades of erosion and climate change constantly shut down Highway 1 through Big Sur. The damage is worsening as more intense storms hit the coast.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The New York Times uncovered a wide range of COVID vaccine side effects as part of its year-long probe. Despite reports to the CDC, concerns have gone unanswered.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Featured Shows

This Week on KCRW

The New York Times/Siena College polls show Biden losing to Trump in Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia. Biden has lost support with key Democratic demographics.

Latest polling has Biden losing 5 key swing states

The New York Times/Siena College polls show Biden losing to Trump in Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia. Biden has lost support with key Democratic demographics.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The state of California tried to stop a lawsuit relating to a fatal COVID-19 outbreak at San Quentin prison. Today, the Supreme Court allowed it to go forward.

SCOTUS allows lawsuit connected to COVID-19 deaths at San Quentin

The state of California tried to stop a lawsuit relating to a fatal COVID-19 outbreak at San Quentin prison. Today, the Supreme Court allowed it to go forward.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The number of Orange County’s unhoused population surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to the Point in Time Count , as the county pushed for more federal funding.

OC leaders strategize after report shows homelessness spike

The number of Orange County’s unhoused population surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to the Point in Time Count , as the county pushed for more federal funding.

from KCRW Features

Are threats to a free press signs of bigger issues in Israel? Did Kristi Noem risk a shot at becoming VP to troll the left? Plus, we discuss bias in political satire.

Should Netanyahu’s raid on Al Jazeera shift US’ view of Israel?

Are threats to a free press signs of bigger issues in Israel? Did Kristi Noem risk a shot at becoming VP to troll the left? Plus, we discuss bias in political satire.

from Left, Right & Center

Despite announcing streaming profitability during Q1, there’s plenty of room for improvement at Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Q1 earnings: Stiff competition, stunted growth?

Despite announcing streaming profitability during Q1, there’s plenty of room for improvement at Warner Bros. Discovery.

from The Business

The new book “White Rural Rage” explores anger in the heartland and the threat it poses to American democracy.

Why does so much of white rural America still worship Trump?

The new book “White Rural Rage” explores anger in the heartland and the threat it poses to American democracy.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Ryan Crocker, a former U.S. ambassador to Middle Eastern countries, says Israel should heed the message behind the Biden administration’s withholding of bombs.

What is US’ leverage in preventing full Israeli invasion of Rafah?

Ryan Crocker, a former U.S. ambassador to Middle Eastern countries, says Israel should heed the message behind the Biden administration’s withholding of bombs.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lookout Santa Cruz has earned the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting. The winning coverage was about the flooding and mudslides along the Central Coast last January.

Double-editing and digital tools: Santa Cruz newsroom wins Pulitzer

Lookout Santa Cruz has earned the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting. The winning coverage was about the flooding and mudslides along the Central Coast last January.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Once viewed as a progressive movement for a Jewish state, Zionism has taken on a settler colonialist connotation for many pro-Palestinian protestors.

Has ‘Zionism’ become a dirty word?

Once viewed as a progressive movement for a Jewish state, Zionism has taken on a settler colonialist connotation for many pro-Palestinian protestors.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

One reason for sky-high veterinary bills? Private equity funds and big corporations have been gobbling up small, independent vets .

Why private equity sees veterinary care as a good investment

One reason for sky-high veterinary bills? Private equity funds and big corporations have been gobbling up small, independent vets .

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Hundreds of teachers are facing potential layoffs amid low enrollment and financial constraints at the Anaheim Union High School District.

Anaheim teacher layoffs: Who stays, who goes?

Hundreds of teachers are facing potential layoffs amid low enrollment and financial constraints at the Anaheim Union High School District.

from KCRW Features

After violence broke out between pro-Palestinian activists and counter-protestors at UCLA, campus officials are launching its new Office of Campus Safety.

UCLA overhauls security overhaul after pro-Palestinian camp attack

After violence broke out between pro-Palestinian activists and counter-protestors at UCLA, campus officials are launching its new Office of Campus Safety.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Student protesters are demanding universities divest from Israel. But in California, divestment may not be legally achievable because of a little-known civil rights law.

As students protest, California law could prevent divestment

Student protesters are demanding universities divest from Israel. But in California, divestment may not be legally achievable because of a little-known civil rights law.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Six months after the Hollywood strikes, film and TV productions are still down. Now IATSE is at the table with the AMPTP. Could a strike be on the horizon?

We don’t want a strike but we’re ready, says IATSE propmaster

Six months after the Hollywood strikes, film and TV productions are still down. Now IATSE is at the table with the AMPTP. Could a strike be on the horizon?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand