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President Biden races to cement his stamp on the federal judiciary, while President-elect Trump may remain dogged by his hush-money convictions.

President Biden races to cement his stamp on the federal judiciary, while President-elect Trump may remain dogged by his hush-money convictions.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Why are public health experts wary of RFK Jr. as HHS head?

What can we expect if RFK Jr. becomes health secretary? Will Trump take action on Dreamers? Plus, KCRW analyzes how progressives influenced the Democratic mandate.

UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination exposes divergence of America's justice system

The assassination of Brian Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealthcare insurance company, has prompted a national reckoning of how corporate entities commit crimes on a daily basis…

UCLA enrolls record number of students of color, other colleges fall short

The diversity of UCLA’s student body is growing after the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling.

Government shutdown looms after Musk, Trump scuttle budget deal

On X, Elon Musk tried to kill a short-term budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Congress has until midnight Friday to strike a deal to avert a shutdown.

Once “alternative” media figures like Joe Rogan, Steve Bannon, and Charlie Kirk are winning bigger audiences than legacy media and becoming the new mainstream.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

California Sen. Adam Schiff officially took office this month.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Despite ongoing concern about teen internet use, young people are online as much as ever.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Texas sued a New York doctor who prescribed and sent abortion pills to a woman in a Dallas suburb.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

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This Week on KCRW

A Nevada commissioner has blocked Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to shake up his family trust in favor of his son, Lachlan. Why did the commissioner block the move?

Rupert Murdoch’s family trust change denied, accused of acting in ‘bad faith’

A Nevada commissioner has blocked Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to shake up his family trust in favor of his son, Lachlan. Why did the commissioner block the move?

from The Business

Should the U.S. worry about post-Assad Syria? What’s behind the support for the man who fatally shot UHC’s CEO? Plus, KCRW discusses how sports fandom crossed into politics.

Will Trump’s tone shift on staying out of Syria?

Should the U.S. worry about post-Assad Syria? What’s behind the support for the man who fatally shot UHC’s CEO? Plus, KCRW discusses how sports fandom crossed into politics.

from Left, Right & Center

Hamas is reportedly willing to let Israel stage troops temporarily in Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement. Could it lead to annexation of the Palestinian territory?

WSJ: Hamas agrees to some Israeli ceasefire demands

Hamas is reportedly willing to let Israel stage troops temporarily in Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement. Could it lead to annexation of the Palestinian territory?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The City Council voted unanimously to approve new housing development in LA’s dense corridors, but critics say more units are needed in single-family neighborhoods.

LA approves new dense housing, but not in single-family zones

The City Council voted unanimously to approve new housing development in LA’s dense corridors, but critics say more units are needed in single-family neighborhoods.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

One way to prepare for the next natural disaster is to build relationships with neighbors, advises the LA Emergency Preparedness Foundation.

What the Franklin Fire teaches us about community preparation

One way to prepare for the next natural disaster is to build relationships with neighbors, advises the LA Emergency Preparedness Foundation.

from KCRW Features

The Biden administration is in its final 40 days and trying to make progress on Ukraine, Gaza, student loans, climate and immigration.

What can Biden do in his remaining time as president?

The Biden administration is in its final 40 days and trying to make progress on Ukraine, Gaza, student loans, climate and immigration.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Parents are suing Character.AI after its chatbots allegedly encouraged teens to hurt themselves or others. What’s making the tech push out this kind of language?

Some teens’ relationships with chatbots can spiral toward danger

Parents are suing Character.AI after its chatbots allegedly encouraged teens to hurt themselves or others. What’s making the tech push out this kind of language?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

“The Bibi Files” is a new documentary that features never-before-seen leaked footage of police interrogations of the Israeli Prime Minister, his family, and his associates.

‘The Bibi Files’ depicts Netanyahu corruption probe

“The Bibi Files” is a new documentary that features never-before-seen leaked footage of police interrogations of the Israeli Prime Minister, his family, and his associates.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Threatened by the Franklin Fire, Pepperdine University Professor Joel Johnson says his wife’s quick thinking and a baby monitor powering off helped them evacuate in less than an hour.

A baby monitor losing power alerts family to evacuate Franklin Fire

Threatened by the Franklin Fire, Pepperdine University Professor Joel Johnson says his wife’s quick thinking and a baby monitor powering off helped them evacuate in less than an hour.

from KCRW Features

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has unleashed a nationwide fury against health insurance companies, with horror stories shared online of how companies have denied…

UnitedHealthcare CEO murder sparks frustration over US health care

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has unleashed a nationwide fury against health insurance companies, with horror stories shared online of how companies have denied…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

To the chagrin of parents with young children, the holiday season is another opportunity to accumulate more toys.

American families are ‘drowning in toys’

To the chagrin of parents with young children, the holiday season is another opportunity to accumulate more toys.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Franklin Fire has caused thousands of residents to evacuate Malibu. The volunteer Community Brigade is working alongside firefighters to save homes.

Community Brigade helps save homes and residents in Franklin Fire

The Franklin Fire has caused thousands of residents to evacuate Malibu. The volunteer Community Brigade is working alongside firefighters to save homes.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Syrian rebels have taken Damascus. Their leader says he will protect minorities. What does the future look like in the war-torn state?

What’s next for Syria after the Assad regime?

Syrian rebels have taken Damascus. Their leader says he will protect minorities. What does the future look like in the war-torn state?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A federal judge rules the U.S. Naval Academy can use race as a factor in its admissions, citing the military’s unique needs regarding a diverse officer corps.

Judge rules Naval Academy can use affirmative action in admissions

A federal judge rules the U.S. Naval Academy can use race as a factor in its admissions, citing the military’s unique needs regarding a diverse officer corps.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand