Germans head to the polls Sunday at a time of increasing popularity for far-right politicians and Europe at a crossroads over Ukraine. 

Trump wants to stop funding schools with diversity initiatives. LAUSD officials fear losing more than a billion dollars in federal funding.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Old Guy,” “The Monkey,” “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”

Two foods that are fun to make and satisfying to eat: onigiri (Japanese rice balls) and spring rolls. Both involve steamed rice wrapped in seaweed sheets or rice paper, and a wide variety of fillings. 

The Museum of Jurassic Technology has recreated a meditative space from medieval Andalusia as part of the Getty’s region-wide PST Art event. 

With President Trump back in the White House, Ukraine finds its once top ally has now become a wild card in its three-year war with Russia.

The U.S. has frozen billions of dollars earmarked for foreign aid, significantly hampering medical, food, and other humanitarian aid and development assistance programs overseas.

Instrumentalist and audio engineer Daniel Ramirez lost his family’s rental home in the Eaton Fire. He reflects on his sons’ learning music there, and what the disaster meant for his history of depression. 

Kelsey McKinney hosted the podcast “Normal Gossip” for two years, spilling the tea with guests and dramatizing certain details. Her lessons about gossip are now published in a new book, which combines research, personal essays, and memoirs. 

A federal judge held an emergency hearing on Monday to consider how much access Elon Musk and his DOGE team should have to sensitive government information.

Trump’s rollbacks on DEI and civil rights mark a national shift threatening decades of progress on equality and equal justice across America. 

The second season of Netflix’s award-winning “Mo” is out now. For co-creator and star Mo Amer, the series and the world have gotten more complicated.

Hollywood Forever Cemetary’s new, five-story-tall mausoleum will be able to store the remains of tens of thousands of people.

The image of Elon Musk’s Tuesday press conference in the Oval Office — the unelected billionaire not even eligible to be president — punctuated the unprecedented developments we’ve seen over the past three-and-a-half weeks.

Critics review the latest film releases: “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Paddington in Peru,” “Universal Language,” and “Sly Lives!”

A new book explores the history of romantic comedies. The genre is as old as Shakespeare, but the modern era begins with the screwball comedies of the 1930s.

Investigators are looking into whether one of SoCal Edison’s idle power lines may have become re-energized and caused the Eaton Fire. The utility already faces over 40 lawsuits.

Old press releases from ICE raids dating back to 2008 are topping Google search results, inflating the perceived number of ongoing enforcement operations. 

“Death By Numbers,” now nominated for an Oscar, follows Sam Fuentes as she recovers from the Parkland school shooting and prepares to confront the gunman during his sentencing.

Flip Phone February is a challenge to swear off your iPhone or Android, and return to the app-free days of the Motorola Razr. One Toronto student did this for two years.

Heavy rains could bring flash flooding and debris flows, especially in burn scar areas. Officials advise staying off the roads Thursday during the peak of the storm.

Shrinking budgets, withering newsrooms, and President Trump’s assault on the free press have made covering his second administration tougher than ever.

“Instruments of a Beating Heart” follows a group of first graders in Japan who form an orchestra to play Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” as part of a welcoming ceremony for the incoming class of 6-year-olds.  

Valentine’s Day can mean not just romantic love, but kindness. Get a little something for that person who showed up for you this past month. Bring sweetness to someone who could use it.

A federal judge in Rhode Island says the Trump administration didn’t comply with a court order to unfreeze federal funds. Yesterday Vice President J.D. Vance said, “Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power.”

Russell Vought is known in conservative circles for being an architect of Project 2025. Now he has the job to implement its goals of remaking the government.

“I Am Ready, Warden,” nominated for an Oscar, follows John Henry Ramirez in the days before he was executed in Texas for murder. It also spotlights the sons of both Ramirez and his victim. 

Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave, Primal Scream and other artists have produced new music compilations, including “Los Angeles Rising,” to help survivors of the recent LA fires. 

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post. DOGE now reportedly has access to millions of federal workers’ highly sensitive records.

Scientists are worried about chemicals from burned materials (heavy metals, plastics, fire retardants) polluting the ocean. This week’s rain makes it easier for particulates to each the coastline. 

Critics review the latest film releases: “Love Hurts,” “Heart Eyes,” “Parthenope,” and “Armand.” 

Whether it’s called Chūn Jié in China, Tết in Vietnam, or Seollal in Korea, there are commonalities to the Lunar New Year celebrations. Sticky rice in one form or another is found on every table. 

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land. 

In 1966, Leonard Bernstein gave Orin O’Brien a spot on the New York Philharmonic. She was the first woman to become a full-time, permanent member, and is the subject of a Netflix documentary nominated for an Oscar.

Can LeBron James whip Luka Doncic into shape following the Lakers’ blockbuster trade for the young point guard from the Dallas Mavericks? 

The staff working for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are mostly inexperienced engineers in their early 20s. They now have direct access to the U.S. federal payments system.

The Army Corps of Engineers released water from two dams in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. State officials had no warning, and there seems to be no practical reason why it happened.

HBO’s “Nature of the Crime” documentary follows three men who repeatedly go before parole boards. It also gives perspectives of their lawyers and the parole board members. 

A mystery photographer documented key moments in 1960s San Francisco, including the Summer of Love and formation of the Black Panther Party. One project is trying to uncover the person’s identity.