Press Play With Madeleine Brand

In “Problemista,” a Salvadoran immigrant longs to become a toy designer when he arrives in New York. The challenges of getting a U.S. work visa threaten his dreams. In Texas, Senate Bill 4 would allow local police to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit blocked it ahead of oral arguments.  After the ousters of anti-LGBTQ school board members in Orange County and a watering down of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, are the culture wars calming down?  Armed gangs are roaming Haiti’s streets, attacking government buildings and shutting down the main airport in Port-au-Prince. The prime minister says he'll resign.  Shohei Ohtani got two hits in his Dodger regular-season debut against the Padres. Plus, the NCAA women's basketball tournament is drawing more attention than the men’s competition. 

Aging pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake are promoting new albums. Are audiences interested in new material, or just hoping they'll bring sexy back? Despite bans in 14 states, over 1 million abortions occurred in the U.S. last year, marking the highest number in a decade, per the Guttmacher Institute. It could soon be a lot cheaper to sell your home. A prominent industry group for realtors just agreed to lower commissions. What does this mean for the housing market? To make housing more affordable, President Biden is proposing new policies, some of which would need Congressional approval in an election year. Anthony Madu's ballet moves went viral in 2020, capturing hearts worldwide. His journey from Nigeria to a prestigious conservatory is told in the film “Madu.”

The world of 1970s Laurel Canyon is on full display in Ginny Winn’s book, “Grievous Angels, Trout Masks, and American Beauties: 1970s Rock & Roll Photography of Ginny Winn.” Gov. Newsom has made Prop 1, the mental health and housing bill, his signature piece of legislation in 2024. Though still expected to pass, a narrow victory is not what he was hoping for. A few swing states have decided recent elections. Third-party or independent candidates could impact Biden and Trump’s path to victory. KCRW looks at the latest developments in Trump’s multiple legal challenges, including the fate of the Georgia trial where he’s been accused of election interference. Conditions appear just right for a spring super bloom after a rainy winter, meaning colorful California hillsides and fields are coming. 

A classic fruit pie is vegan except for that buttery crust, which is the easiest part of the pastry to tweak. Several great plant butters are available. Some members of Congress view TikTok as a national security threat since it collects data on U.S. users, and the Chinese government could control the software.  If you’re driving a new car, data like how fast you accelerate and how hard you brake might be influencing your insurance premiums. How can you find out if it is? Critics review the latest film releases: “One Life,” “Arthur the King,” “The Animal Kingdom,” and “Little Wing.”

“High & Low” chronicles John Galliano’s rise with Givenchy and Christian Dior, then his downfall due to alcoholism and anti-Jewish remarks. Now his work for Maison Margiela is winning audiences.  An Atlanta judge has dismissed six charges against Trump and his co-defendants, but left most of the racketeering case intact. Will it delay his prosecution? Gemini, ChatGPT, and Grok — more Americans are concerned than excited about artificial intelligence. But how can these products make our lives easier and better?  Men get maximum health benefits if they log 300 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise, while women need only 140 minutes, a new study shows.  Kanye West, now Ye, will headline the hip-hop festival Rolling Loud. Despite past controversies like his antisemitic remarks, the comeback hints at a forgiving audience.