LA Observed

LA Observed

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4 min

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

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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

Great white sharks call Southern California shores their home. Carlos Gauna, a photographer and drone pilot, documents the hot spots and shares safety tips.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The cookbook “Kismet” features family recipes and favorites from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants owned by Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Jerry West, the perennial NBA All-Star and architect of the Lakers’ “Showtime” and Shaq/Kobe eras, dies at 86.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

Can women initiate sex? I’m thinking of breaking my celibacy, but men scare me. How do I set boundaries with my parents about my sex life?

Shoot your shot! with Allison Behringer

Can women initiate sex? I’m thinking of breaking my celibacy, but men scare me. How do I set boundaries with my parents about my sex life?

from How’s Your Sex Life?

This week, Katherine Morgan Schafler, author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control, explores our relationship with the ideal of being a perfectionist.

Midweek Reset: Perfectionism

This week, Katherine Morgan Schafler, author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control, explores our relationship with the ideal of being a perfectionist.

from Life Examined

University of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley said, “Thanks, but no thanks” to a reported six-year deal to be the Lakers’ new coach. The offer would’ve doubled his salary.

Search for Lakers coach continues after top candidate says no

University of Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley said, “Thanks, but no thanks” to a reported six-year deal to be the Lakers’ new coach. The offer would’ve doubled his salary.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A new documentary looks at George Coulam's multi-million dollar Texas Renaissance Festival. He’s ready to step down, and a fight is brewing over who will step up.

The power struggle over one of US’ biggest Renaissance theme parks

A new documentary looks at George Coulam's multi-million dollar Texas Renaissance Festival. He’s ready to step down, and a fight is brewing over who will step up.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA duo Brijean’s lush 'n' dreamy waltz, "Euphoric Avenue," lands at number one and invites us to slow down and savor the sounds.

KCRW’s Top 30 chart: June 3–9, 2024

LA duo Brijean’s lush 'n' dreamy waltz, "Euphoric Avenue," lands at number one and invites us to slow down and savor the sounds.

Japanese Americans have played baseball in SoCal for 100 years, but the last Japanese American youth league in LA County — Sansei Baseball — is shrinking.

Japanese American baseball legacy still hangs on in South Bay

Japanese Americans have played baseball in SoCal for 100 years, but the last Japanese American youth league in LA County — Sansei Baseball — is shrinking.

from KCRW Features

Mdocu Moctar’s “Funeral for Justice” is a blend of desert blues and sociopolitical commentary about his West African home country of Niger.

‘Funeral for Justice’: Music against colonialism and corruption

Mdocu Moctar’s “Funeral for Justice” is a blend of desert blues and sociopolitical commentary about his West African home country of Niger.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Doctor Elizabeth Comen and Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Linda Greenhouse talk about gender bias and its lingering impact on women’s healthcare and reproductive rights.

It’s all in her head: Gender bias in healthcare and reproductive rights

Doctor Elizabeth Comen and Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Linda Greenhouse talk about gender bias and its lingering impact on women’s healthcare and reproductive rights.

from Life Examined