Press Play With Madeleine Brand

PJ Morton wrote his latest album during a 30-day trip across Africa, where he collaborated with local artists Mádé Kuti, Asa, the Soweto Spiritual Singers, and others.  President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek another term means his delegates are no longer pledged to a candidate. Many have already said they will back Kamala Harris.  Now that Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic frontrunner in November's race against Donald Trump, Republicans have floated legal challenges to her candidacy and access to President Biden’s campaign war chest. Kamala Harris’ campaign says she raised more than $50 million since Sunday, when President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection bid. But Donald Trump has some major Silicon Valley money behind him too.

Mexican tomatillo salsa, Indian green chutney, and Italian salsa verde — use them as condiments for grilled meat, fish, or tofu.  KCRW looks at the Republican Party platform and The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which outlines deportations, massive cuts in government oversight, and strict limits on access to reproductive care.  LA county's health director says COVID cases, hospitalizations, and viral levels in wastewater have all doubled in the past month. Researchers warn that the new FLiRT variant is fueling the surge. Critics review the latest film releases Twisters, Oddity, Crossing, and Skywalkers: A Love Story.

The second day of the Republican National Convention featured tough talk against immigration. Latino voters are increasingly less concerned with that, compared to issues like the economy. Celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro died in May. But her daughter recently went public about being sexually abused by her stepfather and getting no support from her mom.  In Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s new novel, the patriarch of the Fletcher family establishes a lucrative business after escaping the Holocaust, then gets kidnapped. The focus is on inherited money and trauma.

JD Vance is the Republican vice presidential nominee. An Ohio political science professor discusses who he is, and what this pick means. After the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, many Democrats continue to have questions about Biden’s ability to win. But the incumbent isn’t stepping aside. At the height of #MeToo, Louis C.K. admitted that sexual misconduct allegations against him were true, then resumed his career nine months later. A new documentary looks at what his comeback says about how we view celebrities who’ve done wrong.  Ahead of the Olympics, Parisian officials are trying to convince people that it's safe for triathletes to swim in the Seine River. But recent water tests showed signs of E. coli bacteria linked to fecal matter.  

America is experiencing the worst spate of domestic violence since the 1960s and 1970s. July 13's assassination attempt against former President Trump should be a wakeup call. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case against former President Trump over his handling of classified documents, saying the special counsel's appointment violated the Constitution. What’s next? Long Beach-based video artist Bill Viola died this past Friday at age 73 after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. Musician Reggie Andrews mentored hundreds of students at LA’s Locke High School, some of whom became stars, like Thundercat and Kamasi Washington. Andrews is the focus of the latest “Lost Notes” episode. 

One approach to a stone fruit salad: Be inspired by savory hot dishes that combine the peaches, nectarines, etc. with meat and spices. The possibility of a second Trump term loomed over this week’s NATO summit in Washington. KCRW looks at what’s on his foreign policy agenda if he wins in November. Historian William Gow has written a history of LA’s Chinatowns (plural) – and how they were influenced by Hollywood and the people who lived there.   Critics review the latest film releases: “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Longlegs,” “Sing Sing,” and “Sorry/Not Sorry.”

Even though President Biden says he’s committed to staying in the race, a recent poll puts Vice President Kamala Harris slightly ahead of Donald Trump, Biden, and other prominent Democrats. The last time a sitting president chose not to run for reelection, the country was deeply mired in an unpopular war. Presidential historian Tim Naftali explains how Lyndon Johnson’s 1968 decision resonates today. San Jose is allowing the sale of accessory dwelling units, which it hopes will provide more options for buyers and lower housing costs. KCRW looks at the potential impact and what other cities could follow. Las Vegas’ Mirage hotel and casino, built in 1989, is set to close next week. It hosted Siegfried and Roy and their white tigers, plus a 40-foot-high erupting volcano and a dolphin habitat.

Screenwriter Meg LeFauve explains why Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy, and Ennui were added as new characters in “Inside Out 2,” plus why she personally thanks Anxiety.  Phoenix, Arizona is a microcosm of America’s rising challenges: hyper-partisanship, conspiracy theories, and culture wars exacerbated by drought and extreme heat.  Jury selection starts today in the trial of Alec Baldwin, who’s facing involuntary manslaughter charges related to the fatal shooting on the set of his film “Rust.” Americans eat about $9 billion worth of berries each year, mostly the bland supermarket kind. California-based Driscoll’s is betting people will pay more for a super-sweet variety.

Compton native Channel Tres, known for mixing West Coast rap and classic house, is out with a new album titled “Head Rush.” In a letter to House Democrats today, President Biden said he is “firmly committed” to running against Donald Trump. But more Democrats are privately calling for him to step aside. What if President Biden doesn’t voluntarily end his reelection campaign? The 25th Amendment lays out what to do if a president is “unable to discharge the powers and duties” of the office. As temperatures rise this season, the city is creating more bus shelters and cooling centers, and mapping all public hydration stations on an app.

Hwachae is a quenching drink that includes fruit (often watermelon), sugar, and ice. Some mixes include a tart-sweet fizzy soda or milk. President Joe Biden met with Democratic governors today as voters are increasingly worried about his age and job performance. In the polls, Trump is widening his lead against Biden, nationally and in key swing states. A few startups are (or will be) offering women of child-bearing age the chance to test period blood — to help them better detect diabetes, fertility issues, and HPV. Critics review the latest film releases: “Despicable Me 4,” “MaXXXine,” “Space Cadet,” and “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Robert Towne died on Monday at age 89. He won an Oscar for the screenplay of “Chinatown,” and worked on one of the first mainstream Hollywood flicks about a lesbian relationship.

MoviePass allowed customers to see one film per day in theaters — for $10/month. But its Black founders were ousted. And the new leaders — who ran it into the ground — now face fraud charges. Nationalist parties are controlling governments in Italy, Finland, and The Netherlands. France’s far-right party could also take power after Sunday’s elections. The Supreme Court ruled that courts no longer have to defer to experts when considering challenges to federal regulations. This could affect financial, health, and environmental regulations. Legal cannabis in California often contains banned pesticides, according to an LA Times investigation. Regulators recently pulled a vape product from the market.

Maurice Sendak, author of “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Alligators All Around,” is the focus of the Skirball Center’s new exhibit, which includes original art and first editions of his books.  The Supreme Court ruled that former President Trump has immunity for some of his official acts. How will this affect his federal trial regarding the January 6 insurrection?  The Supreme Court recently ruled that cities have the right to break up encampments of unhoused people under anti-camping ordinances. What does the Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling mean for LA? Press Play rebroadcasts our ur last in-person interview at the beginning of the COVID pandemic — it was with musician/humorist Kinky Friedman. He died last week at age 79.

Ceviche is a good option when summer tamps down on cravings for hot and rich food. Here are the top local restaurants and trucks offering the raw fish/seafood tossed with citrus juices.   It took years to negotiate a settlement between Purdue Pharma and victims of the opioid epidemic. Today, SCOTUS ruled that bankruptcy law shouldn't be used to shield the company's owners from future lawsuits. Some health researchers want the current alcohol consumption guidelines — two drinks a day for men, one for women — reduced to two drinks a week. Critics review the latest film releases: “A Quiet Place: Day One,” “Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1,” “Daddio,” and “Janet Planet.”

The new book “Hollywood Pride” is an encyclopedia of queer artists on-screen and behind the camera, spanning the late 1800s to today. Author Alonso Duralde gives a walkthrough.  For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Commission on Presidential Debates is not setting the rules of engagement for candidates. In Thursday’s debate, CNN will control the guidelines.  A majority of Supreme Court justices would reinstate a lower-court ruling that paused Idaho’s near-total abortion ban, suggested a document posted to the court’s website.  

KCRW looks at barriers to accessing clinical trials for Black and Latino people. Plus, one cancer patient explains how his life changed after becoming involved in a trial.  Folks who dislike both Donald Trump and Joe Biden make up 1 in 5 voters in swing states. How they go, so may the country.  Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who already faced a recall, defended herself on Monday after the FBI raided her home. Her city is facing high rates of crime and homelessness. “The Big Cigar” (Apple TV+) follows Black Panther co-founder Huey Newton's 1974 escape to Cuba, aided by a Hollywood producer who disguised the plan as a film production.

LA LOM creates a nostalgic feel through their music, inspired by cumbia, bolero, and retro soul. The instrumental trio’s debut album features songs named after Los Angeles streets. A ceasefire in Gaza seems unlikely. With escalating conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, U.S. officials fear this could lead to a broader Middle East war. The Lakers’ new hire, JJ Redick, has never coached a team, aside from his son’s youth basketball squad. Did his relationship with Lebron James make all the difference in his latest job? Waymo robotaxis have been cruising LA for about three months. Despite concerns about safety and logistics, one transit writer says it's only a matter of time before Angelenos widely accept them.

Customization is endless when it comes to baking pizza. Here’s a breakdown of what tools you need, how to make dough, and which toppings to choose.  Louisiana’s governor says all public schools in his state must display the Ten Commandments. Civil liberties groups have announced an intent to sue, saying the move violates the First Amendment’s establishment clause.  LAUSD leaders recently voted yes on a cellphone ban for students. Board member Nick Melvoin explains how this would work and what safety concerns might arise.   Critics review this week’s new films: “The Bikeriders,” “Kinds of Kindness,” “Fancy Dance,” and “Thelma.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about her new film role as a mom struggling to accept her daughter’s death. She also shares wisdom from conversations with women ages 70 and up.  California’s early-season fires might be a sign of more intense blazes to come. A scientist explains how climate change is fueling natural disasters locally and nationally.  The widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson has helped fund right-wing causes in the U.S. and in her native Israel. She’s expected to give more than $90 million to a pro-Trump super PAC. Actress Anna May Wong’s career spanned more than 60 films across the silent era and the talkies. Her life is now the focus of an exhibition at the Chinese American Museum.

“Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell” chronicles the singer’s experiences of loss and sacrifice — and the songs marking turning points in her life.  The surgeon general wants health warnings on social media platforms, similar to tobacco products. A psychologist explains how the platforms can harm teen mental health. A Houston bankruptcy judge ordered conspiracy theorist and right-wing provocateur Alex Jones’ personal assets be liquidated and sold to satisfy a defamation case brought by Sandy Hook parents. 

At five can’t-miss pop-ups this summer, treat yourself to Texas-inspired BBQ, vegan mofongo, hand-rolled bagels with homemade cream cheese, crispy duck mole, and more. The Supreme Court today upheld access to the abortion pill mifepristone, and issued rulings on labor and trademark cases. Russian prosecutors indicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on charges of espionage. If convicted, he could get up to 20 years in prison. Bird flu is spreading among cattle — as more people are drinking raw milk. Pasteurization is what kills off diseases. So why are folks choosing the unprocessed route, despite health concerns? Critics review the latest film releases: Inside Out 2, Treasure, Ghostlight, and Tuesday.