Press Play With Madeleine Brand

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.

Great white sharks call Southern California shores their home. Carlos Gauna, a photographer and drone pilot, documents the hot spots and shares safety tips.  A measure to create harsher penalties for some drug and theft crimes has qualified for the November ballot. It comes as California lawmakers debate rising crime. Jerry West, the perennial NBA All-Star and architect of the Lakers’ “Showtime” and Shaq/Kobe eras, dies at 86. The cookbook “Kismet” features family recipes and favorites from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants owned by Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson. 

Apple is the latest tech company to unveil AI tools for its most popular products. Will this be truly helpful, or is it another ploy to sell more iPhones? An FDA advisory committee has rejected a company's bid to use MDMA, or ecstasy, to treat PTSD. The panel was concerned about the strength of the evidence, allegations of participant abuse, and ill-defined therapeutic protocols. A new documentary looks at George Coulam's multi-million dollar Texas Renaissance Festival. He’s ready to step down, and a fight is brewing over who will step up.  University of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley said, “Thanks, but no thanks” to a reported six-year deal to be the Lakers’ new coach. The offer would’ve doubled his salary.

Mdocu Moctar’s “Funeral for Justice” is a blend of desert blues and sociopolitical commentary about his West African home country of Niger.  French President Emmanuel Macron has called for snap elections after far-right victories over the weekend. What's behind his risky strategy? An Orange County judge temporarily halted University of California academic workers’ strike. They walked off the job in response to the UC system’s response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The U.S. has spent millions on counterterrorism in West Africa since 9/11, but poverty and unrest are leading to military takeovers and the growth of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates.   

Popsicles should be ice-cold but not ice-hard. Texture and flavor are equally important. The goal: Keep ice crystal formation small, which will produce a softer texture. On the 80th anniversary of the storming of the beaches of Normandy, France, a new book chronicles the experiences of those involved — from generals and troops to allies and enemies. The GA appeals court issued a stay on the Fulton County case. None of Trump’s remaining three criminal trials are likely to conclude before the November election.   Critics review the latest film releases: “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” “Robot Dreams,” “Handling the Undead,” and “The Watchers.”

Many touring musicians say they’re earning less than ever. How has the industry changed since COVID, and what strategies are some artists using to keep performing live? Donald Trump insists he won’t ban contraception in a potential second presidential term. But he and his allies are drafting policies that would come close. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third term, but the smaller margin of victory says a lot about how the world’s biggest democracy views him today.  A series of recent rule changes in the LDS Church have made missionary work more appealing to young members, but many still face mental health challenges. 

Gillian Anderson talks about playing Margaret Thatcher, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Emily Maitlis, the BBC anchor who did the exclusive 2019 interview with Prince Andrew. President Biden signed an executive order temporarily barring undocumented immigrants from seeking asylum. It’s what Trump tried to do in his first term.  Amid a largely self-censored media landscape, Israel’s leading left-wing publication Haaretz critiques the country’s government and provides an unflinching view on the war in Gaza. One in five employers is less likely to hire recent college grads who took part in pro-Palestinian protests, a new survey shows. But other employers seem to support protest involvement.

The Flaming Lips’ “The Soft Bulletin” is 25 years old. Critics have called it a rock masterpiece for the trippy experimental sounds and big, sweeping orchestral pieces.  Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has promised to continue her mentor Andrés Manuel Lopéz Obrador’s leftwing policies, but must contend with rampant cartel violence and corruption. Plus, how will she work with (or against) President Biden or a future President Trump? Jury selection began today for Hunter Biden’s federal gun case. Charged with three felonies, he allegedly lied about his drug use to buy a gun in 2018. The CDC recommended six feet of social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The decision pushed schools online, but wasn’t backed by data.

Sea otter 841 went viral last summer for stealing surfboards and evading authorities. Now she’s returned to the Santa Cruz waters where she made her name.  Can Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money trial, be impartial about the former president, given their actions outside the courtroom that could be perceived as political bias? Noah Gittell’s new book, “Baseball: The Movie,” traces the lineage of and connection between two great American pastimes — baseball and film. Critics review the latest film releases: “Young Woman and the Sea,” “Jim Henson Idea Man,” “In A Violent Nature,” and “The Young Wife.”

Some travel tips for summer: Set price tracking alerts based on locations or dates, fly earlier in the day, and consider cargo pants/vests for extra storage space.  The White House says the latest Israeli airstrikes in Rafah didn’t cross the red line, in spite of civilian casualties and the growing humanitarian crisis.  The French Open kicked off on Sunday. Rafael Nadal lost in the first round, Coco Gauff advanced, while Naomi Osaka fell to Iga Swiatek in an intense match. Decades worth of Negro League figures are now part of the Major League Baseball’s record books. Poet, historian, and author Rowan Ricardo Phillips argues that MLB should do more. Chow down on cherries — dozens of varieties exist — while they’re still in markets for the next few weeks. Use them in pudding, salads, pies, and more.

TV critics share the best shows to watch, including “We Are Lady Parts,” “Lady in the Lake, ”The Acolyte,” and the 2024 Summer Olympics.  UCLA academic workers are protesting the school’s response to its Gaza Solidarity Encampment — days after Congress members grilled Chancellor Gene Block on the unrest. Last week the Supreme Court upheld a voting map in South Carolina that concentrates Republican power. The ruling will make it harder to bring challenges on grounds that districts are racially gerrymandered. A bit of sun exposure can benefit many people — Australia recently updated its public health guidelines to reflect this. So how much — or little — sunscreen should you wear?  Bill Walton, a UCLA star-turned-Clippers player, died on Sunday. After shooting hoops in the NBA, he became an ESPN broadcaster known for colorful commentary.

As Disney plans to pour $1.9 billion into upgrading its Anaheim resort, workers say the company needs to look out for them too. The Department of Justice and more than two dozen states want to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster. Joe Biden’s former trust-busting architect discusses what it means. The LA Sparks host the Indiana Fever (and phenom Caitlin Clark) on Friday. They’ve moved the game from the 5,000-seat Walter Pyramid in Long Beach to the Crypto.com Arena in Downtown LA, which seats close to 20,000. Critics review the latest film releases: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Taking Venice,” “Hit Man,” and “Queen of the Deuce.”

The California coast spans 840 miles and boasts diverse flora and fauna. Pat Krug’s new book explains why these creatures live where they do, and gives tips on how to spot them.  Scarlett Johansson says ChatGPT’s new AI assistance, “Sky,” sounds alarmingly like her. She previously declined a request from OpenAI to be its voice.   Film critic Tim Grierson reviews what’s new at Cannes, including works from Francis Ford Coppola and Yorgos Lanthimos. A Donald Trump biopic is also in the lineup.  Alyse Whitney’s new cookbook is exuberant, fun, and filled with recipes for all kinds of dips — classics, five-minute ideas, plus light and healthy fare. 

The first laws criminalizing stalking in California stemmed from the 1991 trial of Tucson resident Robert Bardo, who tracked down and killed LA actress Rebecca Schaeffer.  Nevada is crucial for another Biden presidential victory in November. But an emerging group of evangelical Latino voters could deliver a win for Trump, who leads in the polls. After closing arguments next week, Trump’s legal fate will be with a New York jury. They must decide whether he ordered a hush money payout and falsified business records to cover it up.  A new HBO docu-series looks at the rise of Stax Records. The label that boasted Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes couldn’t survive the cut-throat music industry.

LA officials are increasing law enforcement presence on the county’s Metro system following a spike in violence over the last few weeks.  Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. His death leaves two major roles to fill in Iran’s regime. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito blamed his wife for displaying a "stop the steal" symbol at their home after the January 6 insurrection. It's just the latest example of a justice wading into partisan politics.  The LA City Council declared May 19 “Father Greg Boyle Day,” and Joe Biden recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Boyle for his anti-gang violence work. KCRW re-airs an interview with Boyle from 2022.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Back to Black,” “IF,” “Gasoline Rainbow,” and “Babes.” Google will start putting AI-generated answers at the top of search results. Content creators and media outlets say this will cost them clicks. A military historian and retired Army colonel discusses Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy against Hamas, and what the war in Gaza means for Israeli politics domestically and globally.  How are various sugars made, and what textures and flavors do they add to baked goods and other dishes? Evan Kleiman walks you through her library of sugars.

Billions in the UC system’s portfolio are tied to holdings targeted by pro-Palestinian protests. Plus, did CHP officers break California law during its UCLA encampment sweep? Cartels in Mexico have created one of the deadliest election years in the country’s history. What will this mean for voters heading to the polls next month? The 401(k) has increased the wealth of millions while exacerbating income inequality among older Americans. What can be done to close that gap? Growing up in mostly white, small towns in Ohio, Jamie Figueroa felt cut off from her Puerto Rican heritage. She chronicles her journey to connect with her Boricua roots in a new book.