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.

For 25 years, race car enthusiasts have had a place to legally test the limits of their machines: the Irwindale Speedway. Now that space will be no more.

Racers take last spin to Irwindale Speedway finish line

For 25 years, race car enthusiasts have had a place to legally test the limits of their machines: the Irwindale Speedway. Now that space will be no more.

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

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.

LA saw big changes to its food scene in 2024, including historic restaurant closures and new legislation that passed for fast food workers.

LA’s 2024 food scene: Makeovers, closures, new laws

LA saw big changes to its food scene in 2024, including historic restaurant closures and new legislation that passed for fast food workers.

A red tide of Santas swept Koreatown and North Hollywood for LA’s annual SantaCon — a combo of performance art, pub crawl, and Christmas.

‘Everyone has a little Santa in them’ at annual SantaCon

A red tide of Santas swept Koreatown and North Hollywood for LA’s annual SantaCon — a combo of performance art, pub crawl, and Christmas.

With antisemitism on the rise, The Braid’s founder says it’s more important than ever for Jewish people to tell their stories, and gather for a good laugh.

Jewish theater finds a permanent stage in Santa Monica

With antisemitism on the rise, The Braid’s founder says it’s more important than ever for Jewish people to tell their stories, and gather for a good laugh.

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.

The Long Beach International Tamales Festival is December 14. How the event came to be is one of triumph, commitment, and never quitting.

What makes a good tamale? Festival honors cultural cuisine

The Long Beach International Tamales Festival is December 14. How the event came to be is one of triumph, commitment, and never quitting.

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.

We’ve all got them: holiday memories that make us laugh, cry, or even cringe. Share your story with KCRW.

Tell KCRW: What are your unforgettable holiday memories?

We’ve all got them: holiday memories that make us laugh, cry, or even cringe. Share your story with KCRW.

With the new stadiums in Inglewood, businesses with parking are thriving, while those without feel the city’s economic boom is passing them by.

Got parking in Inglewood? Congrats, you’re winning

With the new stadiums in Inglewood, businesses with parking are thriving, while those without feel the city’s economic boom is passing them by.

Gen X rockers L7 are doing more than nostalgia tours – they’re lifting up a new generation of rockers, especially women, with a recent festival in DTLA.

‘Some threat, some menace, and some humor’ at L7’s punk fest

Gen X rockers L7 are doing more than nostalgia tours – they’re lifting up a new generation of rockers, especially women, with a recent festival in DTLA.

LA spends tens of millions of dollars settling sidewalk injury lawsuits each year. But the city says that actually fixing the sidewalks would cost more.

Why can’t Los Angeles fix its broken sidewalks?

LA spends tens of millions of dollars settling sidewalk injury lawsuits each year. But the city says that actually fixing the sidewalks would cost more.

Residents of North Tustin say sharing a zip code with Santa Ana raises their taxes. A proposal aims to give them their own.

North Tustin wants its own zip code to pay fewer taxes

Residents of North Tustin say sharing a zip code with Santa Ana raises their taxes. A proposal aims to give them their own.

LA's status as the entertainment capital of the world is under threat, as more production companies leave for cheaper locations.

TV and film productions are leaving LA for tax-friendly places

LA's status as the entertainment capital of the world is under threat, as more production companies leave for cheaper locations.

KCRW collected a list of volunteer opportunities across the Los Angeles area for those who’d like to offer a helping hand this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in LA: Where to give back this turkey season

KCRW collected a list of volunteer opportunities across the Los Angeles area for those who’d like to offer a helping hand this Thanksgiving.

Young progressives with Chispa rallied Latino voters for Democrat Derek Tran in OC’s 45th District, a race that hasn’t been called.

Overlooked voters could sway close OC race, thanks to nonprofit

Young progressives with Chispa rallied Latino voters for Democrat Derek Tran in OC’s 45th District, a race that hasn’t been called.

Small business owners and renters are trying to prevent demolition of their Boyle Heights building — by arguing that solving the housing crisis shouldn’t worsen gentrification.

Can gentrification fears stop teardown? Tenants hope so

Small business owners and renters are trying to prevent demolition of their Boyle Heights building — by arguing that solving the housing crisis shouldn’t worsen gentrification.

At Kaos Network, students explore their creative potential through various tools, including hip-hop music, digital technology, and even AI.

Celebrate 40 years of Leimert Park creativity at new exhibit

At Kaos Network, students explore their creative potential through various tools, including hip-hop music, digital technology, and even AI.

A group of Ukrainian musician-soldiers recently stopped in LA on a goodwill tour, bringing gratitude and a healthy dose of appreciation for Hank Williams.

Ukrainian soldiers fresh from front lines bring music to LA

A group of Ukrainian musician-soldiers recently stopped in LA on a goodwill tour, bringing gratitude and a healthy dose of appreciation for Hank Williams.

The Anaheim City Council postponed their vote on a proposed ordinance to set a $50 limit for gifts to council members.

Anaheim failed to pass $50 limit on lobbying gifts to city officials

The Anaheim City Council postponed their vote on a proposed ordinance to set a $50 limit for gifts to council members.