California

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

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

Memo Torres visits an Inglewood backyard, where three generations of the Sandoval family make birria using an abuela's recipe.

Making pit-roasted birria is a family affair in this Inglewood backyard

Memo Torres visits an Inglewood backyard, where three generations of the Sandoval family make birria using an abuela's recipe.

from Good Food

Chef Caroline Leff of Stir Crazy turns up at the farmer's market for a favorite root vegetable.

Turnips turn up at farmers markets

Chef Caroline Leff of Stir Crazy turns up at the farmer's market for a favorite root vegetable.

from Good Food

Dina Ament spent about four years remodeling her historic Tudor-style cottage.

Angeleno explains tough decision to sell scorched dream home in Altadena

Dina Ament spent about four years remodeling her historic Tudor-style cottage.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Whales that get caught in Dungeness crab fishing gear have left fishermen and environmentalists scrambling for a solution.

Crabbing season keeps getting shorter due to climate change and the overlap between fisheries and whale feeding grounds

Whales that get caught in Dungeness crab fishing gear have left fishermen and environmentalists scrambling for a solution.

from Good Food

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new podcast has featured far-right stalwarts like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. It’s been angering his political base.

Newsom’s new podcast features far-right provocateurs Charlie Kirk, Steve Bannon

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new podcast has featured far-right stalwarts like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. It’s been angering his political base.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman discusses a new scathing audit of LAHSA.

To build more housing in LA, get the city out of the way: Nithya Raman

LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman discusses a new scathing audit of LAHSA.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In shades of pinks and greens, farmers market chicories are favored by chefs for creating balance in dishes.

C'est chic: Farmers market shoppers seduced by the beauty of winter chicories

In shades of pinks and greens, farmers market chicories are favored by chefs for creating balance in dishes.

from Good Food

Tejal Rao visits the renovated Panda Inn, where a precursor to orange chicken took flight.

Tejal Rao takes a spin around Pasadena's newly-renovated Panda Inn

Tejal Rao visits the renovated Panda Inn, where a precursor to orange chicken took flight.

from Good Food

Dora Herrera remembers her mother, Socorro, who took orders at Yuca's in Los Feliz for nearly 50 years.

At Yuca's, Socorro "Mama" Herrera changed the way many Angelenos saw tacos

Dora Herrera remembers her mother, Socorro, who took orders at Yuca's in Los Feliz for nearly 50 years.

from Good Food

Canada is the top export market for California wine.

Trump’s tariffs threaten California’s wine industry

Canada is the top export market for California wine.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Bass fired Crowley two weeks ago, and City Council denied Crowley’s appeal to be reinstated on Tuesday.

The fiery showdown between Mayor Bass and LAFD Chief Crowley

Bass fired Crowley two weeks ago, and City Council denied Crowley’s appeal to be reinstated on Tuesday.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Original Pantry Cafe, famous for its pancakes, abruptly shut down amid a labor dispute, leaving loyal patrons and decades-long employees heartbroken.

Original Pantry Cafe serves its last pancake and ham steak

The Original Pantry Cafe, famous for its pancakes, abruptly shut down amid a labor dispute, leaving loyal patrons and decades-long employees heartbroken.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Legal advocates are helping families with mixed immigration status make guardianship plans for their children, just in case the adults are detained by immigration authorities.

Immigrant families with ICE fears consider care options for kids

Legal advocates are helping families with mixed immigration status make guardianship plans for their children, just in case the adults are detained by immigration authorities.

from KCRW Features

A fraction of people in temporary shelters end up in permanent housing, according to CalMatters’ year-long investigation. Conditions are squalid. Fraud is rampant.

‘They're just warehousing people’: Abuse in CA homeless shelters

A fraction of people in temporary shelters end up in permanent housing, according to CalMatters’ year-long investigation. Conditions are squalid. Fraud is rampant.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA Fire HEALTH is a research consortium with experts from multiple universities.

Wildfire health effects: The 10-year monitoring plan

LA Fire HEALTH is a research consortium with experts from multiple universities.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Some Democrats and a few Republicans have announced they’re running in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

Who will be California’s next governor?

Some Democrats and a few Republicans have announced they’re running in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand