Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Several civil rights groups filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that ICE agents are targeting people based on race and holding them in “deplorable” conditions. ICE raids, the fire threat, or budget reasons are the reasons some LA-area communities won’t be having Independence Day festivities. But illegal fireworks will continue. Critics review the latest film releases: “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “40 Acres,” “Heads of State,” and “The Old Guard 2.” Michael McKean shares behind-the-scenes tales from “Spinal Tap,” the film’s lasting impact, and a career filled with comedy, music, and satire.

Immigration detention and enforcement may be getting around $150 billion in additional funding over the next four years. What will that go to? Some Black tenants are disproportionately being evicted by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in LA, a new UCLA study finds. KCRW hears from two sisters who’ve experienced this. Amelia Earhart is known as a pioneering aviator who died tragically — her remains are likely still lying in the Pacific Ocean. However, her choice to circumnavigate the globe was reckless, says author Laurie Gwen Shapiro. LACMA opened its new David Geffen Galleries building to the public last week for a sneak peek. Down the street, Blum Gallery closes after over 30 years in LA.

For years, many have blamed the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the state’s housing crisis. Will rolling it back lead to more housing A bestselling book argues blue states are undermining their agenda with red tape. Gov. Newsom answered the demand for a “politics of abundance” with new housing reforms. Women don’t often discuss some of their biggest issues, such as miscarriage, loneliness, lack of intimacy with their partner. The new book “Normalize It” aims to change that. “The Roundup” is a new newspaper celebrating queer cowboy culture, featuring line dance tips, boot picks, poems, and stories from the LGBTQ+ country scene.

Congress may be cutting hundreds of billions from Medicaid over the next decade. That could have massive implications for Angelenos, whether they’re on Medicaid or not. The proposed budget cuts would eliminate hundreds of billions in clean energy and EV credits. It’s the latest Republican retreat from addressing climate change. Julia Whelan is one of the most sought-after narrators in the $2 billion audiobook industry. She explains her extensive prep for the job, the physical toll, and potential impact of AI. Adrian Quesada’s new album, “Boleros Psicodelicos 2,” is a love letter to the Latin ballads of the 1960s and 70s, featuring around a dozen music stars from the contemporary Latin music scene.

When Trump appointed Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in 2020, he thought she was an easy right-wing vote. An analysis shows she’s “showing signs of leftward drift.” For the first time, LA restaurants have earned three Michelin stars. Somni, in West Hollywood, and Providence, on Melrose, both now have the highest honor a restaurant can receive. Three spicy condiments that are easy to make, easy to eat, and don’t require canning are candied jalpeños, shatta, and Korean soy sauce pickles. Critics review the latest film releases: “F1,” “M3GAN 2.0,” “Sorry, Baby,” and “Familiar Touch.”

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, 33, shocked political observers with his likely upset of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary. Tens of millions of people worldwide live with HIV. Lenacapavir can prevent the virus for months with one injection — a potential game changer. But President Trump and Elon Musk have upended foreign aid. Jackie Castillo’s new installation features terra cotta tiles hanging from the ceiling, suspended by rebar, creating a staircase of local construction materials. The work speaks to the city and immigrants. Tracy Anderson built a luxury fitness empire where movement is art, silence is part of the workout, and clients spend thousands chasing the perfect body.

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, 33, shocked political observers with his likely upset of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary. Tens of millions of people worldwide live with HIV. Lenacapavir can prevent the virus for months with one injection — a potential game changer. But President Trump and Elon Musk have upended foreign aid. Jackie Castillo’s new installation features terra cotta tiles hanging from the ceiling, suspended by rebar, creating a staircase of local construction materials. The work speaks to the city and immigrants. Tracy Anderson built a luxury fitness empire where movement is art, silence is part of the workout, and clients spend thousands chasing the perfect body.

The U.S. shipped a nuclear reactor to Tehran in the late 1960s. After it cut diplomatic ties with Iran after the Islamic Revolution and during the hostage crisis, Iran turned to Pakistan to keep its atomic ambitions alive. Federal officials aren’t saying how many immigrants they’ve detained. But immigrant advocates say the Adelanto detention center is “bursting at the seams.” Those inside lack access to family members and attorneys. In California, agents claiming to be ICE are wearing masks and refusing to show identification when arresting immigrants. A new bill seeks to make that illegal. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, and when she died in 2012, her obituary publicly revealed that she was gay. KCRW hears from her partner Tam O’Shaughnessy, plus the director of the documentary “Sally.”

The U.S. shipped a nuclear reactor to Tehran in the late 1960s. After it cut diplomatic ties with Iran after the Islamic Revolution and during the hostage crisis, Iran turned to Pakistan to keep its atomic ambitions alive. Federal officials aren’t saying how many immigrants they’ve detained. But immigrant advocates say the Adelanto detention center is “bursting at the seams.” Those inside lack access to family members and attorneys. In California, agents claiming to be ICE are wearing masks and refusing to show identification when arresting immigrants. A new bill seeks to make that illegal. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, and when she died in 2012, her obituary publicly revealed that she was gay. KCRW hears from her partner Tam O’Shaughnessy, plus the director of the documentary “Sally.”

Iran launches missiles at the largest American military base in the Middle East. Is this the beginning of a larger war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran? The Constitution says Congress has the power to declare war. But it also designates the president as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, with the power to respond to emergencies, including limited military actions overseas. Need a good book for summer? Consider “The Bombshell,” “An Oral History of Atlantis,” “A Marriage at Sea,” “A Truce That is Not Peace,” “The Hounding,” and “Tilt.” Laguna Beach native Ty Segall has experimented with different music genres over the years. Now his 16th album centers on American storytelling.

Iran launches missiles at the largest American military base in the Middle East. Is this the beginning of a larger war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran? The Constitution says Congress has the power to declare war. But it also designates the president as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, with the power to respond to emergencies, including limited military actions overseas. Need a good book for summer? Consider “The Bombshell,” “An Oral History of Atlantis,” “A Marriage at Sea,” “A Truce That is Not Peace,” “The Hounding,” and “Tilt.” Laguna Beach native Ty Segall has experimented with different music genres over the years. Now his 16th album centers on American storytelling.

In a 6-3 ruling today, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning some medical treatments for transgender minors. The decision could have broad implications nationwide. C-SPAN is facing an existential crisis as more people cut the cable cord. Longtime CNN journalist Sam Feist took the reins of CSPAN last year with a mandate to turn things around. Critics review the latest film releases: “Elio,” “The Damned,” “Meeting with Pol Pot,” and “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers.” Each summer, tomatoes arrive in a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. Ripe tomatoes are so good that most ways to prepare them are very simple. Here are unusual recipes to try.

In a 6-3 ruling today, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning some medical treatments for transgender minors. The decision could have broad implications nationwide. C-SPAN is facing an existential crisis as more people cut the cable cord. Longtime CNN journalist Sam Feist took the reins of CSPAN last year with a mandate to turn things around. Critics review the latest film releases: “Elio,” “The Damned,” “Meeting with Pol Pot,” and “Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers.” Each summer, tomatoes arrive in a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. Ripe tomatoes are so good that most ways to prepare them are very simple. Here are unusual recipes to try.

Israel says now is the time to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Five days into fighting, the conflict could turn into a war to topple the Islamic Republic. As the toll of ICE raids weighs heavily on local immigrant communities, Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries says, “No. We reject this. This isn’t who we are.” Jesse Armstrong offers a sharp take on power in the show “Mountainhead,” where four tech billionaires ignore the looming dangers of AI as the world unravels around them. “Jaws,” which turns 50 this week, was shot as an “incredible exercise in suspense.” It also tapped into people’s fear of being alone and defenseless, and kept audiences engaged with the three lead characters.

Israel says now is the time to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Five days into fighting, the conflict could turn into a war to topple the Islamic Republic. As the toll of ICE raids weighs heavily on local immigrant communities, Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries says, “No. We reject this. This isn’t who we are.” Jesse Armstrong offers a sharp take on power in the show “Mountainhead,” where four tech billionaires ignore the looming dangers of AI as the world unravels around them. “Jaws,” which turns 50 this week, was shot as an “incredible exercise in suspense.” It also tapped into people’s fear of being alone and defenseless, and kept audiences engaged with the three lead characters.

A Minnesota state representative and her husband were killed over the weekend. What’s driving the increase in American political violence? Amid federal pressure, Children’s Hospital LA is ending its gender-affirming care in July. Thousands of trans youth and families are scrambling for new options. In the final weeks of the Supreme Court’s term, we’re still waiting on major opinions concerning trans health care for minors, a birthright citizenship case that’s really about whether lower courts can issue nationwide injunctions, and a redistricting case that could affect the makeup of Congress. The Oakland-based duo Tune-Yards has long sung about racism, gender, and white privilege. Their new album aims to inspire political change.

A Minnesota state representative and her husband were killed over the weekend. What’s driving the increase in American political violence? Amid federal pressure, Children’s Hospital LA is ending its gender-affirming care in July. Thousands of trans youth and families are scrambling for new options. In the final weeks of the Supreme Court’s term, we’re still waiting on major opinions concerning trans health care for minors, a birthright citizenship case that’s really about whether lower courts can issue nationwide injunctions, and a redistricting case that could affect the makeup of Congress. The Oakland-based duo Tune-Yards has long sung about racism, gender, and white privilege. Their new album aims to inspire political change.

ICE sweeps through Ventura County farms, leaving fields almost empty and workers fearful. Community leaders and families face uncertainty and disruption. Musical visionary Brian Wilson’s family announced on Wednesday that the Beach Boys’ co-founder died at 82. Biographer David Leaf has been a close friend of Wilson for more than 45 years, and his new book is “SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson.” Critics review the latest film releases: “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Echo Valley,” “Materialists,” and “Prime Minister.” Serve peaches on your favorite scone or pound cake with whipped cream, or stuff them with crumbled cookies and chocolate. Stone fruit also pairs well with fresh or briny cheeses.

ICE sweeps through Ventura County farms, leaving fields almost empty and workers fearful. Community leaders and families face uncertainty and disruption. Musical visionary Brian Wilson’s family announced on Wednesday that the Beach Boys’ co-founder died at 82. Biographer David Leaf has been a close friend of Wilson for more than 45 years, and his new book is “SMiLE: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson.” Critics review the latest film releases: “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Echo Valley,” “Materialists,” and “Prime Minister.” Serve peaches on your favorite scone or pound cake with whipped cream, or stuff them with crumbled cookies and chocolate. Stone fruit also pairs well with fresh or briny cheeses.

From the vaults: Reporter Peter Gilstrap lives every audiophile’s dream — chatting with Brian Wilson about the goats from the “Pet Sounds” album cover.