Politics

Mayor Bass announces a new directive to boost LA film production as shoot days drop 22%. And calls grow for expanded state tax credits to compete nationally.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Kirk is facing years in prison for pepper-spraying a woman in Lancaster. Department of Justice attorneys resigned after it intervened.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Five years since the George Floyd protests, has policing changed in Los Angeles? Chief Jim McDonnell sits down for a wide-ranging interview.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell on police helicopters, budget cuts and data-sharing with ICE

Five years since the George Floyd protests, has policing changed in Los Angeles? Chief Jim McDonnell sits down for a wide-ranging interview.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Cracks within the GOP turn the “Big, Beautiful Bill” into a mess. President Trump visits the Middle East. Plus, Democrats’ past and future collide.

Why are Republicans so far apart on a new tax bill?

Cracks within the GOP turn the “Big, Beautiful Bill” into a mess. President Trump visits the Middle East. Plus, Democrats’ past and future collide.

from Left, Right & Center

To put pressure on Hamas, Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza since early March. International groups say that’s a war crime.

Starvation is rampant in Gaza as Israel continues its blockade on food

To put pressure on Hamas, Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza since early March. International groups say that’s a war crime.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Supreme Court heard arguments today about whether lower court federal judges should have the power to block President Trump’s policies nationwide.

SCOTUS divided over judicial power in birthright citizenship case

The Supreme Court heard arguments today about whether lower court federal judges should have the power to block President Trump’s policies nationwide.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state’s budget problems are largely a result of volatility in the stock market, caused by President Trump’s tariffs. Newsom calls it the “Trump Slump.”

California faces $12 billion budget deficit, uncertainty ahead

Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state’s budget problems are largely a result of volatility in the stock market, caused by President Trump’s tariffs. Newsom calls it the “Trump Slump.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Far-right blogger Curtis Yarvin thinks democracy is outdated and wants to restore a monarchy to the U.S. Among his followers is Vice President JD Vance.

Blogger with Trump’s ear calls for ‘deleting’ democratic institutions in US

Far-right blogger Curtis Yarvin thinks democracy is outdated and wants to restore a monarchy to the U.S. Among his followers is Vice President JD Vance.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Port business slowed to a trickle after Pres. Trump’s imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. Even with a lower tariff, the uncertainty is hard on trade.

Cautious optimism at the ports after tariffs dry up business

Port business slowed to a trickle after Pres. Trump’s imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. Even with a lower tariff, the uncertainty is hard on trade.

from KCRW Features

The white South Africans were granted refugee status by the Trump administration, despite no evidence they face more danger than Black South Africans.

Afrikaners arrive in the US as ‘refugees,’ fleeing what?

The white South Africans were granted refugee status by the Trump administration, despite no evidence they face more danger than Black South Africans.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Qatar plans to give President Trump a plane to use as Air Force One, which even some supporters say crosses a line. But the appearance of corruption doesn’t stop there.

Trump is in the Persian Gulf region to make deals. Ethics concerns are baggage

Qatar plans to give President Trump a plane to use as Air Force One, which even some supporters say crosses a line. But the appearance of corruption doesn’t stop there.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA County supervisors approved a plan to create a county-only homeless agency after years of joint partnership with the City of Los Angeles.

Will LA City and County clash over separate homeless agencies?

LA County supervisors approved a plan to create a county-only homeless agency after years of joint partnership with the City of Los Angeles.

from KCRW Features

On May 15, the Supreme Court takes up President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for certain children of immigrants, but this case is really about the power of…

Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship case could alter lower courts’ ability to rein in Trump

On May 15, the Supreme Court takes up President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for certain children of immigrants, but this case is really about the power of…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

As surgeon general, Casey Means would be able to advocate for alternative medicines that may not have been scientifically vetted.

LA wellness influencer Casey Means is nominated to be next surgeon general

As surgeon general, Casey Means would be able to advocate for alternative medicines that may not have been scientifically vetted.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A new proposal for a 100% tariff on foreign-made movies has industry professionals seeking to understand what this could mean for the future.

Proposed film tariffs put Hollywood on its heels

A new proposal for a 100% tariff on foreign-made movies has industry professionals seeking to understand what this could mean for the future.

from The Business

Is the White House budget proposal an attempt to fight with Congress? Is America’s birth rate a policy problem? Plus, KCRW examines ChatGPT’s impact on campuses.

What do Project 2025 and the White House budget have in common?

Is the White House budget proposal an attempt to fight with Congress? Is America’s birth rate a policy problem? Plus, KCRW examines ChatGPT’s impact on campuses.

from Left, Right & Center

Public media in rural America is often the only source of local news and emergency information. They rely heavily on federal funding to fulfill their missions.

Rural NPR stations are especially vulnerable to federal cuts

Public media in rural America is often the only source of local news and emergency information. They rely heavily on federal funding to fulfill their missions.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Trump and Republicans are trying to end the Energy Star program and stop California from phasing out the sale of new gas vehicles. On EVs, they enjoy some Democratic support.

Some Democrats might join Trump and GOP’s aims to nix climate programs

Trump and Republicans are trying to end the Energy Star program and stop California from phasing out the sale of new gas vehicles. On EVs, they enjoy some Democratic support.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Russian disinformation is shaping some answers from major AI chatbots. Large language model grooming is the tactic of poisoning databases that bots pull from.

AI chatbots might be giving false answers, propaganda. Culprit: Russia

Russian disinformation is shaping some answers from major AI chatbots. Large language model grooming is the tactic of poisoning databases that bots pull from.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Hecklers at a recent town hall accused Congresswoman Laura Friedman of not fighting hard enough against the Trump administration. She says she understands the frustration.

Rep. Laura Friedman on whether Democrats are fighting Trump hard enough

Hecklers at a recent town hall accused Congresswoman Laura Friedman of not fighting hard enough against the Trump administration. She says she understands the frustration.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand