Business & Economy

A look at Jeff Skoll’s decision to close Participant Media after 20 years and why Congress is going after Disney-Fox-Warner’s joint sports streamer.

from The Business

Two Boeing whistleblowers testified about their safety concerns in a Congressional hearing this week. KCRW looks at how the company became mired in scandal.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Beloved 99 Cents Only stores are closing permanently, so customers are grabbing their final bargains.

Shoppers mourn 99 Cents Only as stores wind down operations

Beloved 99 Cents Only stores are closing permanently, so customers are grabbing their final bargains.

from KCRW Features

Francis Ford Coppola is having a tough time securing distribution for his expensive self-financed passion project, “Megalopolis.” Why aren’t studio execs biting?

Coppola struggles to find distribution for ‘Megalopolis’; David Ellison looks to acquire Paramount parent company National Amusements

Francis Ford Coppola is having a tough time securing distribution for his expensive self-financed passion project, “Megalopolis.” Why aren’t studio execs biting?

from The Business

All 371 locations of 99 Cents Only stores will close permanently, which means a big loss for those who rely on a low-income brick-and-mortar retailer in their neighborhood.

99 Cents Only stores: Can ‘fellowship of frugality’ be saved?

All 371 locations of 99 Cents Only stores will close permanently, which means a big loss for those who rely on a low-income brick-and-mortar retailer in their neighborhood.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After months of speculation and a headline-making final week, the Disney proxy war is finally over. Plus, what does the future hold for Endeavor after three years of public trading?

Disney, Iger win proxy war against Nelson Peltz; Endeavor goes private

After months of speculation and a headline-making final week, the Disney proxy war is finally over. Plus, what does the future hold for Endeavor after three years of public trading?

from The Business

The state’s mandatory $20/hour minimum wage for fast food workers goes into effect on April 1, but some say that amount isn’t enough. Higher menu costs and layoffs might come.

CA fast food workers get pay boost, brace for possible layoffs

The state’s mandatory $20/hour minimum wage for fast food workers goes into effect on April 1, but some say that amount isn’t enough. Higher menu costs and layoffs might come.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

New analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that Medicare spending on weight loss drugs like Ozempic rose to $5.7 billion in 2022 — up from $57 million in 2018.

Diabetes drug Ozempic is costing Medicare billions of dollars

New analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that Medicare spending on weight loss drugs like Ozempic rose to $5.7 billion in 2022 — up from $57 million in 2018.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Disney CEO Bob Iger is planning on retiring at the end of 2026. Who at the company is primed to take the throne?

Succession, Disney style: Meet the execs poised to replace Bob Iger

Disney CEO Bob Iger is planning on retiring at the end of 2026. Who at the company is primed to take the throne?

from The Business

A higher minimum wage benefits fast food workers in an expensive state. It could also mean higher menu prices for customers, and tighter budgets for franchises.

CA’s fast food workers will start earning $20/hr. Is that enough?

A higher minimum wage benefits fast food workers in an expensive state. It could also mean higher menu prices for customers, and tighter budgets for franchises.

from KCRW Features

Despite years of progress, California women make 89% of what men do for full-time work, according to a new report. The gap is worse for many women of color.

Pandemic slowed progress on closing gender pay gap in CA

Despite years of progress, California women make 89% of what men do for full-time work, according to a new report. The gap is worse for many women of color.

from KCRW Features

This week, corporate speaker, former professional poker player and author of “Quit: The Power Of Knowing When To Walk Away, ” Annie Duke says knowing when to quit can be helpful when…

Midweek Reset: When to Quit

This week, corporate speaker, former professional poker player and author of “Quit: The Power Of Knowing When To Walk Away, ” Annie Duke says knowing when to quit can be helpful when…

from Life Examined

It could soon be a lot cheaper to sell your home. A prominent industry group for realtors just agreed to lower commissions. What does this mean for the housing market?

After class-action lawsuit, real estate commissions are going down

It could soon be a lot cheaper to sell your home. A prominent industry group for realtors just agreed to lower commissions. What does this mean for the housing market?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Four years after the COVID pandemic made telecommuting a norm, Angelenos are getting lonely on the job. LA event organizers are now offering coworking pop-ups.

Lonely doing your job from home? Turn to pop-up coworking spaces

Four years after the COVID pandemic made telecommuting a norm, Angelenos are getting lonely on the job. LA event organizers are now offering coworking pop-ups.

from KCRW Features

ID’s docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” alleges years of abuse on Nickelodeon sets, with “Drake and Josh” star Drake Bell speaking out after years of silence.

ID series ‘Quiet on Set’ explores years of alleged abuse at Nickelodeon

ID’s docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” alleges years of abuse on Nickelodeon sets, with “Drake and Josh” star Drake Bell speaking out after years of silence.

from The Business

If you’re driving a new car, data like how fast you accelerate and how hard you brake might be influencing your insurance premiums. How can you find out if it is?

Your car may be sharing your driving data with insurance companies

If you’re driving a new car, data like how fast you accelerate and how hard you brake might be influencing your insurance premiums. How can you find out if it is?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Anaheim Planning Commission voted to change zoning laws to accommodate Disneyland. What does the city get in return, and what will the changes bring to the Magic Kingdom?

Disneyland is about to embark on a $2 billion expansion

The Anaheim Planning Commission voted to change zoning laws to accommodate Disneyland. What does the city get in return, and what will the changes bring to the Magic Kingdom?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

On Tuesday, Bitcoin’s value soared past previous records, largely because federal regulators started allowing it to be traded in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Bitcoin is stronger than ever. But you can’t buy anything with it

On Tuesday, Bitcoin’s value soared past previous records, largely because federal regulators started allowing it to be traded in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Why did Universal Music Group pull its catalog from TikTok last month? The two are in bitter contract negotiations fueled by AI, viewership, and royalty payments.

Why are some music videos silent on TikTok? Blame feud with Universal Music

Why did Universal Music Group pull its catalog from TikTok last month? The two are in bitter contract negotiations fueled by AI, viewership, and royalty payments.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Food and ag journalist Tom Philpott debunks the pro-ethanol POV.

Why is the US so devoted to corn-based ethanol when there are better ways to produce energy?

Food and ag journalist Tom Philpott debunks the pro-ethanol POV.

from Good Food