KCRW Features

KCRW Features

KCRW's stories, special interviews, and in-depth reporting from the field. KCRW's features air on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

The Rent Brigade says that six months after the January wildfires in Southern California, some landlords are still engaging in rent gouging.

Rent gouging enforcement ‘nonexistent’ 6 months after LA fires, says watchdog

The Rent Brigade says that six months after the January wildfires in Southern California, some landlords are still engaging in rent gouging.

You’ve heard of ballroom dancing? Tuxedos, waltz music — forget all that. Queer “ballroom” is raw, edgy, and gritty. Balls are popping up all over LA.

Queer Black dancers keep ballroom culture alive in LA

You’ve heard of ballroom dancing? Tuxedos, waltz music — forget all that. Queer “ballroom” is raw, edgy, and gritty. Balls are popping up all over LA.

Tom Morello's new song, “Pretend You Remember Me,” is part of his first solo rock project in conjunction with the nonprofit CHIRLA.

Tom Morello teams up with immigration nonprofit on new song

Tom Morello's new song, “Pretend You Remember Me,” is part of his first solo rock project in conjunction with the nonprofit CHIRLA.

In May, the Trump administration said it would revoke student visas from some Chinese nationals. Now some LA Chinese students feel vulnerable and unsure about their future.

Chinese students are left uncertain after Trump threatens visa revocations

In May, the Trump administration said it would revoke student visas from some Chinese nationals. Now some LA Chinese students feel vulnerable and unsure about their future.

Six months after the deadly Eaton Fire, residents are still dealing with a lasting wound: collective trauma.

Altadena therapists struggle to treat a traumatized community

Six months after the deadly Eaton Fire, residents are still dealing with a lasting wound: collective trauma.

Six months after the Palisades and Eaton Fires, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 88% finished with cleanup. Here’s a breakdown of the debris.

Fire debris cleanup tallies 2 million tons and counting

Six months after the Palisades and Eaton Fires, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 88% finished with cleanup. Here’s a breakdown of the debris.

An artist who lost her home in the Eaton Fire is collecting shards from the rubble to create a mosaic project – one she hopes will help the community heal.

Altadena mosaic takes shape from ashes – and broken shards

An artist who lost her home in the Eaton Fire is collecting shards from the rubble to create a mosaic project – one she hopes will help the community heal.

Mayor Karen Bass celebrates a $750 million Hollywood tax credit and claims the Trump administration’s lawsuit against her is part of an ‘all out assault’ on LA.

LA mayor praises film credits, slams sanctuary city lawsuit

Mayor Karen Bass celebrates a $750 million Hollywood tax credit and claims the Trump administration’s lawsuit against her is part of an ‘all out assault’ on LA.

The number of newly-issued business licenses dropped by half over the last decade or so in LA, according to a report from Crosstown LA.

LA’s economy blinking red, fewer businesses are opening

The number of newly-issued business licenses dropped by half over the last decade or so in LA, according to a report from Crosstown LA.

About six months after the Eaton Fire, homeowners in Altadena are frustrated by hurdles to rebuilding, including the LA County building permit process.

Rebuilding Altadena bogs down in red tape and frustration

About six months after the Eaton Fire, homeowners in Altadena are frustrated by hurdles to rebuilding, including the LA County building permit process.

The Santa Ana City Council is meeting to discuss proposals aimed at federal immigration enforcement.

Santa Ana could give financial support to families affected by ICE

The Santa Ana City Council is meeting to discuss proposals aimed at federal immigration enforcement.

Pride Riders LA is a group of queer motorcyclists who want to bring Dykes on Bikes to LA.

LA’s got Pride Riders but no Dykes on Bikes yet – that’s trademarked

Pride Riders LA is a group of queer motorcyclists who want to bring Dykes on Bikes to LA.

Iranian Americans react with hope, fear, disappointment, and weariness to instability in the Middle East.

Iranians in LA praise ceasefire but long for regime change

Iranian Americans react with hope, fear, disappointment, and weariness to instability in the Middle East.

The Getty Center’s latest exhibit explores how photos of the U.S. and international queer community have evolved and shifted the public's perception.

‘Queer Lens’ exhibit spotlights 200 years of LGBTQ+ photos

The Getty Center’s latest exhibit explores how photos of the U.S. and international queer community have evolved and shifted the public's perception.

LACMA is getting a 110,000-square-foot space: the David Geffen Galleries. Before the opening, Kamasi Washington and over 100 musicians will perform there.

Preview LACMA’s new gallery space with live music by Kamasi Washington

LACMA is getting a 110,000-square-foot space: the David Geffen Galleries. Before the opening, Kamasi Washington and over 100 musicians will perform there.

After the January firestorms tore through Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, what does rebuilding look like when some people want density while others want safety?

Density or safety? Dilemma of rebuilding homes in fire zones

After the January firestorms tore through Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, what does rebuilding look like when some people want density while others want safety?

The Hollywood Fringe Festival , now 15 years old, is LA's largest performance art celebration featuring hundreds of unique shows throughout the city.

Hollywood Fringe Festival celebrates 15 years of performing arts

The Hollywood Fringe Festival , now 15 years old, is LA's largest performance art celebration featuring hundreds of unique shows throughout the city.

The Department of Homeland Security violently detained an immigrant landscaper, who has sons in the U.S. Marines, outside a restaurant in Orange County.

Marine’s father detained and punched outside IHOP in Santa Ana

The Department of Homeland Security violently detained an immigrant landscaper, who has sons in the U.S. Marines, outside a restaurant in Orange County.

Business for animals in the entertainment industry — and their trainers — is drying up, as jobs move away from California and onto computers.

Digital tigers: Economic change comes for animal actors

Business for animals in the entertainment industry — and their trainers — is drying up, as jobs move away from California and onto computers.

ICE raids and chaotic downtown streets are bad enough for adults, but how are kids handling all this?

Are kids ready to talk about immigration raids? Therapists say yes

ICE raids and chaotic downtown streets are bad enough for adults, but how are kids handling all this?