LA Observed

LA Observed

Hosted by
4 min

The week's top stories in LA media, politics and culture.

All Episodes

Warner Music just moved its employees to a new home in an old factory building in the Arts District.

Friends, family and fans continue to mourn the loss of rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed over the weekend outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles.

The L.A. County Coroner’s Office has concluded that a man who died at the home of a prominent Democratic donor in West Hollywood overdosed on crystal meth.

Before former Governor Jerry Brown left office, last year, he put his pen to a couple, new transparency laws.  Both have to do with public access to internal police investigations and…

Think of Santa Monica and there are a number of things that come to mind: an idyllic, beachside setting; a tech-saturated economy; a bastion of liberal politics.

Those who cast their ballot in the LA Unified School Board election at a local school or church likely did so for the last time.

It’s the team that’s had to deal with a geography and identity crisis for years, with some of the most supportive fans in Major League Baseball. The L.A.

A landmark bill signed by then-Governor Brown last year is intended to make records of police misconduct available to the public.

More from KCRW

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the collection of past-due student loans will resume on May 5. How will this affect your financial reality?

from KCRW Features

Rebecca Lemov, a professor of the history of science at Harvard University, explores the origins of brainwashing and delves into the concept of how our minds can be influenced through…

from Life Examined

Critics review the latest film releases: “The Accountant 2,” “Until Dawn,” “Havoc,” and “On Swift Horses.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

“He showed us what simplicity could offer:” Pico Iyer and Paul Elie share their insights on the late Pope’s global impact.

Pico Iyer and Paul Elie remember Pope Francis

“He showed us what simplicity could offer:” Pico Iyer and Paul Elie share their insights on the late Pope’s global impact.

from Life Examined

Let's examine the evidence and clarify what we really know about measles and why it's important.

Science, Safety, and the Return of Measles

Let's examine the evidence and clarify what we really know about measles and why it's important.

from Second Opinion

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about “Sinners” — his first non-franchise film since 2013 and latest collab with actor Michael B. Jordan.

Ryan Coogler on duality and the song that shaped ‘Sinners’

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about “Sinners” — his first non-franchise film since 2013 and latest collab with actor Michael B. Jordan.

from The Treatment

Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy shares how the book "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt inspired him to embark on a life-changing adventure.

How a 500-mile hike changed Andrew McCarthy forever

Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy shares how the book "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt inspired him to embark on a life-changing adventure.

from The Treatment

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about his new hit film “Sinners.” Plus, Andrew McCarthy has our Treat.

Ryan Coogler, and Andrew McCarthy on The Treat

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about his new hit film “Sinners.” Plus, Andrew McCarthy has our Treat.

from The Treatment

Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite,” “Nacho Libre”) speaks to how his oddball sensibilities helped make “A Minecraft Movie” such a hit.

Filmmaker Jared Hess on knowing what ‘Minecraft’ fans were going to like

Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite,” “Nacho Libre”) speaks to how his oddball sensibilities helped make “A Minecraft Movie” such a hit.

from The Business

60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned amid mounting pressure on Paramount Global to settle a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump.

Filmmaker Jared Hess on leaning into his oddball humor for ‘A Minecraft Movie’; An alarming personnel shake up at ‘60 Minutes’

60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned amid mounting pressure on Paramount Global to settle a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump.

from The Business

Nasim Alikhani spent decades working various jobs before realizing her calling — opening a restaurant to showcase the food of Iran.

In "Sofreh," Nasim Alikhani shares the beauty of modern Iranian food

Nasim Alikhani spent decades working various jobs before realizing her calling — opening a restaurant to showcase the food of Iran.

from Good Food