Katherine Wu

staff writer at the Atlanic who covers science

Katherine Wu on KCRW

If the CDC greenlights a new COVID booster, people could start getting shots after Labor Day. But “demand is really weak and tepid,” says one science journalist.

Fall COVID boosters could be here next week. How many actually want it?

If the CDC greenlights a new COVID booster, people could start getting shots after Labor Day. But “demand is really weak and tepid,” says one science journalist.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

“Flu is very wily. It shapeshifts a lot faster than the coronavirus we’re dealing with. There are so many strains bopping around all the time.

Got your flu shot? US didn’t have much of a flu season in 2020, but this year could be different

“Flu is very wily. It shapeshifts a lot faster than the coronavirus we’re dealing with. There are so many strains bopping around all the time.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Breakthrough COVID-19 infections — when fully inoculated people get the virus — were expected following the rollout of vaccines.

As COVID breakthrough infections rise, should vaccinated people worry?

Breakthrough COVID-19 infections — when fully inoculated people get the virus — were expected following the rollout of vaccines.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Does “working class” mean what it used to? Is fracking getting more attention than it deserves? Plus, KCRW examines what came out of one culture war in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

from Left, Right & Center

Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress proved to be a testimony of the U.S. government and its politicians’ stance on the genocide in Gaza.

from Scheer Intelligence

Seventy-nine years ago, the Truman administration dropped atom bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, instantly killing approximately 100,000 innocent civilians.

from Scheer Intelligence

An audio folk story examining the tradition of Black watermelon long-haulers, who drive to farms in the South for watermelon and sell them in Black neighborhoods around the US.

from Special Programming

Those seeking systemic change often aim to radically overhaul the existing structure and directly challenge the rot they see within.

from Scheer Intelligence

Democrats called Trump “weird” due to his remarks at the NABJ conference. U.S. policy is changing in the Middle East, and Chicago is preparing for a migrant surge.

from Left, Right & Center

Will SCOTUS’ immunity ruling increase election stakes? Several states are bringing religion into education. LA’s mayor is pushing for a mask ban at protests.

from Left, Right & Center

Joe Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in. What is next for Harris as she contends for the White House? Plus, how might age verification laws change online privacy?

from Left, Right & Center

California sent the largest delegation of any state to the Democratic National Convention, where local officials aim to build support for CA native Kamala Harris.

from KCRW Features