Madeleine Brand

Madeleine Brand is the host of  the award-winning daily news and culture show, Press Play. On the show, she covers national, international and local stories through a Southern California lens.  She is also the co-host of KCRW's legal affairs podcast, The Legal Eagle Files.

Madeleine has hosted and reported for NPR and for affiliate stations for more than 30 years. She has a master's degree from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where she also taught documentary radio. Madeleine's undergraduate degree is from the University of California Berkeley, where she graduated with honors in English.

Madeleine Brand on KCRW

As Press Play takes a break for the holidays, here are a few of our favorite interviews from 2024.

Holiday special: Julia Louis Dreyfus, Morgan Neville, ‘Messiah’

As Press Play takes a break for the holidays, here are a few of our favorite interviews from 2024.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

On X, Elon Musk tried to kill a short-term budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Congress has until midnight Friday to strike a deal to avert a shutdown.

Potential government shutdown, bar cookies, ‘What Water Wants’

On X, Elon Musk tried to kill a short-term budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Congress has until midnight Friday to strike a deal to avert a shutdown.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

California Sen. Adam Schiff officially took office this month.

Sen. Schiff, alternative media, ‘Didion and Babitz’

California Sen. Adam Schiff officially took office this month.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

For nearly a decade, President-elect Trump has praised a 1954 program known as “Operation Wetback.” Now he’s proposing using the U.S. military to carry out larger mass deportations.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Despite ongoing concern about teen internet use, young people are online as much as ever.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President-elect Trump has suggested bypassing the Senate’s constitutional role providing “Advice and Consent” — to quickly install his Cabinet secretaries.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Anaheim City Council postponed their vote on a proposed ordinance to set a $50 limit for gifts to council members.

from KCRW Features

One way to prepare for the next natural disaster is to build relationships with neighbors, advises the LA Emergency Preparedness Foundation.

from KCRW Features

Syrian rebels are advancing on Hama after capturing Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. They’re challenging President Assad. Russia has joined the regime in counterstrikes.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

One of the biggest producers of raw milk had its product test positive for bird flu. What are the risks of drinking raw milk, and of bird flu in general?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

New polling shows Americans feel less divided post-election. Can Donald Trump “end all wars” this term? Plus, KCRW analyzes the future of the progressive agenda.

from Left, Right & Center

Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, after saying he wouldn’t. How did the nation’s founders want pardons to be used? Is this an abuse?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand