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KCRW Investigates

KCRW Investigates

7 min

KCRW Investigates is an ongoing series focusing on some of the most vulnerable workers and the industries that employ them. 

All Episodes

RoundUp is the most popular weed killer in the world, and lately the most controversial. Millions of gallons of it are sprayed on playgrounds, farms and backyards all over California.

Immigrant communities across California have been rattled by news of increased raids and detainments by the Trump administration.

Get hurt at work? File for workers comp. That's the fund that takes care of you if you have a job-related injury.

More and more workers are employed in the so-called "gig economy" - as temp workers, part timers or independent contractors.

The nature of work is changing with serious long lasting consequences for both employers and workers.

Imagine losing a limb, going blind or almost dying on the job. And then imagine not being able to hold those responsible accountable.

Seafarers move millions of people and billions of goods around the world every year.

At only nine years old, "Diana" struggled under the weight of heavy food trays at a local pupusería in Pacoima.

More from KCRW

Southern California saw its fire risk zones expand by 3.5 million acres in CalFire’s new hazard maps. Homeowners in those areas must now meet safety standards.

from KCRW Features

Andrea Nguyen questions the accuracy of those Prop 65 warning labels on many foods.

from Good Food

KCRW reacts to the mishandling of White House war plans. Donald Trump takes center stage in Canada’s snap election. Will any excuse for tariffs make sense?

from Left, Right & Center

The Latest

The federal government will not test soil in the fire zones, so USC researchers are doing it for them. For earth scientist Josh West, the work is close to home.

USC professor’s house burned down, now he’s helping victims test their soil

The federal government will not test soil in the fire zones, so USC researchers are doing it for them. For earth scientist Josh West, the work is close to home.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The federal government is planning to investigate the CA Dept.

Trump threatens to withhold education funding over CA law protecting trans kids

The federal government is planning to investigate the CA Dept.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The federal government is planning to investigate the CA Dept.

Students’ gender identities, soil testing in wildfire areas

The federal government is planning to investigate the CA Dept.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Trump administration has halted a program financing lawyers for immigrant children.

She represented kids in immigration court. Feds cut off her funding

The Trump administration has halted a program financing lawyers for immigrant children.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Trump administration has halted a program financing lawyers for immigrant children.

Big law firms under attack by Trump, giant-clawed dino is found

The Trump administration has halted a program financing lawyers for immigrant children.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President Trump continued his assault on the country’s biggest law firms by signing an executive order targeting Chicago-based Jenner & Block.

Trump’s targeting of US’ big law firms has chilling effect on legal industry

President Trump continued his assault on the country’s biggest law firms by signing an executive order targeting Chicago-based Jenner & Block.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How should Democrats respond to Trump? His second term has sparked an internal reckoning.

AOC and Bernie Sanders rally for a Democratic Party that fights

How should Democrats respond to Trump? His second term has sparked an internal reckoning.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Trump administration’s release of war plans on a group chat that included the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief raises questions about the competence of the president’s top national…

Democrats’ direction, ‘Severance’ finale, art by Charles Gaines and others

The Trump administration’s release of war plans on a group chat that included the Atlantic’s editor-in-chief raises questions about the competence of the president’s top national…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand