Greater LA

Once a year, an all-female demolition derby at Irwindale Speedway offers a high-adrenaline night of destructive mayhem — all to benefit breast cancer research. The LA Zoo wants to expand within Griffith Park, but some say it’s an environmental mistake. And a retiring librarian shares a farewell to LA’s Central branch.

Native plants are vital to the health of the local ecosystem, particularly during a time of climate change, hotter weather, and droughts. KCRW tours the Theodore Payne Foundation to learn about the power of native plants and how to grow them yourself. Plus, there are 18 endangered butterfly and moth species that the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works to protect. And Santa Ana is Orange County’s...

According to a recent USC report , one in 10 households in LA County struggle to provide their family with three meals a day. Organizations and governments are trying to address nutrition insecurity through innovative approaches like doctors prescribing produce and farmers matching EBT dollars at markets. Plus, theater is beginning to return after almost a two-year hiatus, but female playwrights a...

What will it take to finally end veteran homelessness? U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough says progress in Los Angeles could have a domino effect across the country. He promises to revive a languishing plan to build affordable housing for needy veterans on the VA’s West LA campus.  Plus, LA’s first-ever Vegandale Festival this weekend will feature a smorgasbord of plant-based treat...

The ports of LA and Long Beach handle more shipping containers per ship than any other port complex in the world, and right now, dozens of cargo ships are anchored off the coast. Dock workers are hustling 24/7 to reduce the backlog, and one of them tells KCRW what it all looks like on the ground. As the holidays approach, many sought-after items won’t be on store shelves, but do people really need...

The recent oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach has raised questions about the state of offshore oil in California, like how many structures are there and who owns them. Plus, Angelenos share their landscape with thousands of chemical-releasing oil wells that can harm their health. Lastly, a bomb detonation killed Palestinian American activist Alex Odeh in 1985 in Santa Ana, and the case we...

Lester Solis was a junior at Belmont High School in Los Angeles when the pandemic caused his mother to lose her job and him to work full-time at Home Depot in addition to going to school. His story exemplifies the emotional strain COVID-19 continues to put on high school students, and how LAUSD is responding to an increased need for mental health support. Writer Raquel Gutiérrez shares part of the...

The song "Nature Boy" was a huge hit for Nat King Cole and recorded by hundreds of artists, including Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, and Lady Gaga. But most people don’t know the story of the composer, Eden Ahbez, who wrote it about himself. He lived much of his life outside, despite all the royalties from his music. Also, Eater LA’s Mona Holmes helps navigate the patchwork of COVID-19 regulations at...

KCRW profiles a resident of Homekey, a statewide program to turn hotels and motels into homeless housing. But how do you build stability in a place designed for temporary stays? The LA Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants — two bitter rivals — face off in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. And as Orange County confronts a recent oil spill, political fallout ensues over what needs to ch...

The broken oil pipeline off the coast of Huntington Beach is an environmental catastrophe that has killed fish, contaminated wetlands, and left nearby birds covered in oil. Now wildlife experts are rescuing sick and injured animals, one by one. Plus, a nonprofit organization called the Sidewalk Project supplies unhoused people with Narcan, clean syringes, condoms, pipes, and marijuana. And a new e...

The LA City Council passed a sweeping vaccine mandate today, requiring businesses and city employees to check your vaccine status when entering many indoor public locations, large events, and city buildings. If LA Mayor Eric Garcetti signs off — which seems highly likely — enforcement of this ordinance will begin on November 29. Reporter Benjamin Gottlieb explains how the rules work, who they appl...

Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a historic bill for California last week. Senate Bill 796 returns a parcel of land in Manhattan Beach, known as Bruce’s Beach, to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce. The Black couple bought the property in 1912, and ran a dancehall, cafe, and lodge on it. But by 1924, city officials condemned the land and forced the Bruces to sell and leave. Now, almos...

A reported 126,000 gallons of crude oil is leaking out of a broken pipeline located some four miles off the coast of Huntington Beach. Some of it is making its way onshore. The pipeline connected an offshore oil platform named Elly to a refinery station in Long Beach. This spill is comparable to the 2015 spill at Refugio Beach in Santa Barbara — in terms of size, scope, and public sentiment. That’...

Beginning October 7, everyone who enters a bar, wine bar, brewery, lounge, or nightclub in LA County will be required to show proof of at least one COVID-19 shot. Full vaccination will be required by November 4. Augustine Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks has required proof since August. Despite some negative feedback, owner Gus Renaud says he made the right call. Camila Perry, owner of The North End Holly...

Piñatas are often the centerpiece at parties, birthdays, and quinciñeras. But they’re also artistic objects that have been overlooked. One art exhibit wants to change that: “ Piñatas: The High Art of Celebration ” at Craft in America in Mid-City. Also, Italian architect Renzo Piano has restored the 1939 May Company Building. It’s now the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which opens Thursday. Reu...

There are over 50,000,000 creators monetizing their online content. From TikTok to YouTube to Instagram, influencers are advertising products on their feeds. But there isn’t a lot of transparency on how much money they actually make and how much money brands are paying them. Enter F*** You Pay Me , a platform that’s being called the Glassdoor for influencers. Plus, LA County District Attorney Geor...

People can rent the historic telescopes at LA’s Mt. Wilson Observatory for one night — complete with snacks and a guide — for $1,700. How did this sanctuary of science become a fun night out for anyone with a credit card? Plus, a local watchdog panel wants the California attorney general to investigate the LA Sheriff’s Department for illegal activity. And there’s controversy in Orange County over...

From “Back to the Future” to “The Jetsons,” when pop culture imagines the future, it often includes flying cars. KCRW recently looked at how LA is hoping to have flying cars zipping around in two or three years. But what if a more realistic future isn’t so high-tech, and instead involves more bikes and public transit? Plus, West Hollywood is about to have the strictest vaccine mandates in LA. And...

Political leaders in LA are now turning to the race for LA’s next mayor and the candidates so far include Kevin de León, Joe Buscaino, Mike Feuer, and Jessica Lall. Congresswoman Karen Bass says she is also “seriously considering” a run. National forests in Southern California reopen on Thursday, but some say we should get used to annual closures due to climate change. And a proposed high-speed ra...

To get medical treatment without waiting weeks, you might have to break the bank. For those who can afford it, they’re increasingly turning to “concierge medicine,” so they can avoid crowded and potentially infectious waiting rooms. Some are concerned that this private option for the wealthy will complicate efforts to create an equitable health care system. Plus, LA Public Health Director Barbara...

After the fatal stabbing of an unhoused military veteran outside the VA in Brentwood last week, county officials say they plan to move everyone at the camp into housing by the end of the year. It was the second homicide this year at the same location. Last week, the LA City Council took a step toward developing an unarmed crisis response program . The idea is to divert certain 911 calls away from...

Flying cars are coming to LA, possibly as early as 2023. The “urban air mobility” industry sees the city as an ideal place to build highways in the skies, but there are safety and regulatory hurdles aplenty, and even sky highways won’t cure LA’s congestion problems. Also, you’ve likely seen an old couch or bedside table sitting idly on a sidewalk in LA. Writer Julissa James explores the sometimes...

The LA City Council has passed a motion that aims to curb street racing. According to City Council member Monica Rodriguez, the motion would push multiple government agencies to roll out traffic calming measures like street humps and curb extensions. Then, GLA breaks down local reactions to Gov. Gavin Newsom defeating his opponents in the recall election. Also, we get a preview of Swiss artist Pip...

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash is cultivating native plant species in its nursery — as a way to preserve its indigenous culture. Extreme heat is causing preterm pregnancies and even infant death in some cases. A new bill would allow farmworkers to cast remote votes in union elections, and it’s awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.

California’s recall election has been powered by some small business owners who are disgruntled about pandemic-era restrictions and pessimistic about the state’s future. But in a state where Democrats outnumber Republican registered voters two to one, is there a path toward victory? Plus, LA police officers are collecting social media data on every civilian they stop, regardless of whether they ar...