Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Trader Joe’s works with global suppliers to make eclectic products, but some small food producers say the company rips them off, reports Adam Reiner, founder of Restaurant Manifesto. Campus protestors nationwide are demanding universities divest of financial ties to Israel. Is that possible in today's complex, global economy? The NLRB has accused Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Amazon, and SpaceX of harassing and intimidating workers. The companies are challenging the power of the board to protect workers’ jobs. Author and USC professor Viet Thanh Nguyen won a Pulitzer Prize for his 2015 novel “The Sympathizer.” It’s been adapted into a new limited series from HBO. After the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Lakers from the NBA playoffs on Monday night, Lebron James refused to say whether or not he’ll be wearing purple and gold next season.

USC journalism professor Sandy Tolan talks about what he witnessed when visiting Gaza protest encampments on campus. He also responds to the commencement cancellation. Despite tense moments between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators at UCLA over the weekend, school administrators and police mostly stayed out of it. Hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested nationwide amid protests on college campuses. Law professor Jessica Levinson explains the free speech issues and how these schools have responded. Brian Eno pioneered “ambient music” and helped create the sounds of U2, David Bowie, and other rock stars. Multiple versions of a new documentary show his life and work.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Challengers,” “Uncropped,” “Egoist,” and “Alien” (re-release). The Supreme Court justices grant that presidents have some immunity when it comes to prosecution, but differ in how much and when it applies. A New York appeals court has overturned the rape conviction against Harvey Weinstein, saying a judge mistakenly allowed women who were not part of the charges to testify that the former Hollywood producer abused them. More than a dozen horses died during the 2023 racing season at events like the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. A new documentary looks at what’s behind the crisis.

Fava beans are one of the most ancient plants and among the easiest to grow. They’re key in Mediterranean and Middle East food cultures. Biden’s new legislation is forcing TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the social giant to a U.S. company. TikTok plans to challenge this in court. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author David Sanger’s new book chronicles America’s plunge into simultaneous confrontations with two very different adversaries — China and Russia.

LACMA has signed on as a partner in the development of Las Vegas’ only standalone art museum. Pieces from LACMA will be on rotating loan in Vegas once the museum is complete. Protests over the war in Gaza have engulfed college campuses across the country. Faith leaders offer guidance in these contentious times. Tesla sales are slumping. Its trucks have been recalled to fix a safety issue. And Elon Musk seems to be alienating potential buyers with his remarks on social media. In PBS’ “Art Happens Here,” actor John Lithgow goes back to high school to explore the power of arts education — dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing, and vocal jazz ensemble.

Erick Elliott’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton. The Supreme Court appeared divided after oral arguments over a Grants Pass, an Oregon law that bans camping in public areas. Lower courts say it amounts to “cruel and unusual punishment.” Private companies are buying farmland in rural Arizona. The goal isn’t to farm crops but to access water from the Colorado River. In Las Vegas today, construction began on a train that would get travelers from Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County to the Las Vegas strip in about two hours.

Charoset is a melange of dried and/or fresh fruits plus nuts — all chopped or ground to a paste. It’s typically prepared for seders or Passover ritual dinners. Two Boeing whistleblowers testified about their safety concerns in a Congressional hearing this week. KCRW looks at how the company became mired in safety issues. The World Health Organization is warning of the dangers of bird flu, should it jump from animals to humans. Last month, a second person in the U.S. contracted the disease. Critics review the latest film releases: “Abigail,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “We Grown Now,” and “The People's Joker.”

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been fostering abandoned sea otter pups for release into the wild. Now the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is joining the effort, rehabbing its first orphaned baby. After months of pressure, House Speaker Mike Johnson has called a series of votes on foreign aid packages. Hard-right Republicans threaten to oust him if he follows through. After an unsuccessful attack on Israel, Iran faces more sanctions from the West and more retaliation from Israel. How do ordinary Iranians feel about this conflict? The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced this week that it will close the women’s prison in Dublin, California — where prison staff have reportedly assaulted inmates. The fourth season of the award-winning “Serial” podcast tells the stories of Guantánamo Bay, from the prisoners and the people who worked there. Host Sarah Koenig shares what she uncovered.

Hilton Carter, a.k.a. The Plant Doctor, is out with “The Propagation Handbook.” He shares his tips on how to propagate plants such as pothos, ficus, succulents, and more. USC has barred valedictorian Asna Tabassum from speaking at commencement next month. The school’s reasoning: safety concerns after groups criticized her pro-Palestinean views. Leading the GOP coup against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a sex scandal have defined Matt Gaetz’s tenure in Congress. Yet the Florida Republican maintains influence with his party’s standard-bearer, Donald Trump. ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” is a mockumentary that portrays the chaos within an inner-city school. Janelle James talks about playing the brash, self-centered principal.

The southbound 101 freeway in Agoura Hills will be closed nightly for the next few weeks — as Caltrans continues building a massive wildlife bridge. Donald Trump is now the first U.S. president to stand trial in a criminal case over charges he falsified records to cover up a $130,000 payment to buy the silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. After Iran’s unsuccessful missile attack, how will Israel retaliate? Plus, how long can Ukraine stave off Russian attacks? The Wall Street Journal’s Yaroslav Trofimov weighs in. KCRW DJ Ro Wyldeflower Contreras recommends new songs from Chicano Batman, Reyna Tropical, Baby Rose, Brainstory, and Hiatus Kaiyote.

OJ Simpson, 76, died on Wednesday. Thirty years ago, his murder trial and acquittal became a flashpoint of celebrity, race, and jurisprudence. Mexico City, home to 22 million people, is facing drought, drying reservoirs, and leaky infrastructure. Some parts of the city have no running water at all. Critics review the latest film releases: “Civil War,” “In Flames,” “Sting,” and “Sasquatch Sunset.” Love to eat artichokes but dread cooking with them just by looking at the spiny cones? Enter frozen and marinated artichoke hearts.

All 371 locations of 99 Cents Only stores will close permanently, which means a big loss for those who rely on a low-income brick-and-mortar retailer in their neighborhood. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban may be enforced. Meanwhile, polling suggests voters feel strongly about abortion — mostly favoring it — but that doesn’t necessarily translate into votes for Democrats. A neuroscience professor explains how episodic memory works and why our brains sometimes hold onto inane information. He also gives tips on strengthening your power of recall. LA’s animal shelters are so overcrowded that the City Council has paused issuing dog breeding licenses. The president of a local rescue explains what’s going on.

The group Open Books is giving what it calls “LGBTQ+ affirming literature” to public schools, including every elementary campus in the LAUSD. Rory Kennedy talks about “Synanon Fix,” a four-part documentary series on HBO about the drug rehab center that turned into a cult. KCRW also asks about her presidential candidate brother. California lawmakers revealed a slate of bills aimed at reducing retail theft. It’s an attempt to fight crime without violating Prop 47, the criminal justice reform passed in 2014. RFK Jr. is running an uphill campaign trying to pull from anti-establishment Democrats and Republicans, but liberals are worried that his campaign is a Biden spoiler.

Rudy Mancuso’s synesthesia means daily sounds transform into layered rhythms and melodies. He explores that beautiful and frustrating experience in “Música.” House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing pressure from Democrats and foreign leaders to pass more aid to Ukraine, while hard-right members of his own party threaten his speakership. Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark faces disbarment after his schemes to overturn the 2020 election. He’s just one of nearly a dozen lawyers facing legal action for their work with Trump. HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” ended its 12th and final season Sunday night. We review the episode and discuss how Westside Los Angeles featured prominently in the show.

Sonoran white wheat is core to making flour tortillas. It has resurged in the past decade thanks to its versatility in baked goods, sweet flavor, and white color. If re-elected, Trump has vowed not to defend NATO countries that haven’t paid their full share if Russia attacks. NATO leaders are scrambling to “Trump-proof” Ukraine aid. The proposed Right to Disconnect bill allows CA employees to ignore after-hours texts from bosses. It defines nonworking hours and imposes fines on violators. Critics review the latest film releases: “La Bête,” “Monkey Man,” “Girls State,” and “Musica.” A total solar eclipse will trace a path from Texas to Maine on April 8. One zoo curator explains how her animals responded last time.

The LA Festival of Movies debuts this week, featuring brand new films, world premieres, older independent flicks that may deserve a second look, and titles that haven’t played within the circuit yet. The damage is still unfolding from Taiwan’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake. But strong building codes and community preparedness helped lessen the disaster. We look at how LA compares. California auto-loan tycoon Don Hankey provided a $175 million bond to Donald Trump as he appeals a civil fraud charge. He says the deal is just good business. With a raspy voice and raw lyrics, Lola Young is poised to be one of the next major British pop artists. She shares her inspirations and career hopes.

Atlantic writer Franklin Foer examines rising antisemitism from the political left, and why what he describes as a “Golden Age for American Jews” is over. An Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza on Monday, and the U.N. is warning that a famine might be imminent. The Florida Supreme Court enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the country this week. Abortion access is now going to be on the state’s 2024 ballot. Amy Chozick covered Hillary Clinton’s 2008 and 2016 presidential campaigns. Her memoir “Chasing Hillary” is the basis for the new Max series “The Girls on the Bus.”

Technology has devastated kids’ abilities to connect and learn. Pew data from 2022 says nearly half of teens were online almost constantly. The state’s mandatory $20/hour minimum wage for fast food workers goes into effect on April 1, but some say that amount isn’t enough. Higher menu costs and layoffs might come. Critics review the latest film releases: “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “La Chimera,” “The Shadowless Tower” and “Wicked Little Letters.” The Dodgers' home opener is today as a cloud hangs over star player Shohei Ohtani due to allegations that his now-former interpreter stole millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.

The Santa Monica City Council recently voted to explore compensating the descendants of a Black man named Silas White for his plot of land on Ocean Ave. New analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that Medicare spending on weight loss drugs like Ozempic rose to $5.7 billion in 2022 — up from $57 million in 2018. LA City Council officials have announced plans to eliminate traffic lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike and bus lanes to the storied Hollywood Boulevard. An excerpt from KCRW’s Life Examined talks about building community despite our isolated lifestyles. Plus, hear practical tips for forging meaningful connections. When vegetables begin to flower, they’re reaching the end of their life cycles. But you can still eat the plants, which have an added sweetness or bitterness.

Judy Baca’s collaborative effort to create “The Great Wall of LA” is the subject of a new LA Times short documentary. The mural is being extended to another half mile. Four men accused in Friday's terrorist attack at a Russian concert hall appeared in court bruised and bandaged — an example of Putin’s regime using violence to exert political control. The LA Innocence Project is pushing for new evidence and DNA testing in Scott Peterson’s quest for a retrial. Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife and their unborn son two decades ago. Beyoncé topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with a single from “Cowboy Carter,” but the album has drawn backlash over who’s qualified to make country music.