Sports

The Dodgers' home opener is today as a cloud hangs over star player Shohei Ohtani due to allegations that his now-former interpreter stole millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

It’s opening day for the LA Dodgers, who are feeling the pressure amid an ongoing investigation into star Shohei Ohtani and costly acquisitions during the off-season.

from KCRW Features

The Japanese American community in LA’s South Bay is taking pride in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ star Japanese players this season.

Japanese American Dodgers fans have a little more to root for

The Japanese American community in LA’s South Bay is taking pride in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ star Japanese players this season.

from KCRW Features

LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani said his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions to pay gambling debts. His story raises plausibility questions.

Questions remain after Ohtani says ex-interpreter stole money

LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani said his ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stole millions to pay gambling debts. His story raises plausibility questions.

from KCRW Features

Shohei Ohtani got two hits in his Dodger regular-season debut against the Padres. Plus, the NCAA women's basketball tournament is drawing more attention than the men’s competition.

Ohtani’s Dodger debut is a hit!

Shohei Ohtani got two hits in his Dodger regular-season debut against the Padres. Plus, the NCAA women's basketball tournament is drawing more attention than the men’s competition.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In Montecito, Patrick Saville cut off Mark Olson when surfing, then accidentally kicked his board toward him, hurting Olson’s back. Olson sued but lost the case.

Injured due to another surfer’s ‘kook’ behavior — can you sue?

In Montecito, Patrick Saville cut off Mark Olson when surfing, then accidentally kicked his board toward him, hurting Olson’s back. Olson sued but lost the case.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Poet and essayist Ross Gay shares stories of joy and theorizes that the experience of joy might possibly be the best tool for uniting and depolarizing us as a people.

Inciting joy: Poet Ross Gay on gardening, grief, and basketball

Poet and essayist Ross Gay shares stories of joy and theorizes that the experience of joy might possibly be the best tool for uniting and depolarizing us as a people.

from Life Examined

Plus, how “Madame Web” is symptomatic of Sony’s much bigger superhero problem.

Fubo files $1B lawsuit against ‘Spulu.’ What will a judge think?

Plus, how “Madame Web” is symptomatic of Sony’s much bigger superhero problem.

from The Business

The pop star’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is bringing even more eyeballs to America’s most watched TV event.

Taylor Swift is making the Super Bowl even more popular

The pop star’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is bringing even more eyeballs to America’s most watched TV event.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The 20-minute “In Living Color” special from 1992 paved the way for a modern Super Bowl halftime show. It featured young stars such as Jim Carey and Damon Wayans.

Thank ‘In Living Color’ for modern-day Super Bowl halftime

The 20-minute “In Living Color” special from 1992 paved the way for a modern Super Bowl halftime show. It featured young stars such as Jim Carey and Damon Wayans.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Right-wing provocateurs have lasered their sights on Taylor Swift as part of a conspiracy theory involving a rigged Super Bowl and an endorsement for Joe Biden.

Trump supporters accuse Taylor Swift of being part of Super Bowl conspiracy

Right-wing provocateurs have lasered their sights on Taylor Swift as part of a conspiracy theory involving a rigged Super Bowl and an endorsement for Joe Biden.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach. His older brother John’s Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Harbaugh hope? Chargers go all in on new head coach

The NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach. His older brother John’s Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Stanford University’s Tara VanDerveer has broken the all-time record for the amount of games any college basketball coach has won — man or woman. How did she do it?

Tara VanDerveer becomes winningest coach in college hoops history

Stanford University’s Tara VanDerveer has broken the all-time record for the amount of games any college basketball coach has won — man or woman. How did she do it?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The New York Jets quarterback is injured, giving him lots of time to spout anti-vax and Epstein Island conspiracies.

Why all-star QB Aaron Rodgers is increasingly dabbling in conspiracies

The New York Jets quarterback is injured, giving him lots of time to spout anti-vax and Epstein Island conspiracies.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Authors Katherine May and Bonnie Tsui share their love of water and swimming, from freezing mid-winter plunges to the history and draw of the water’s edge.

The wonder of water — and why we love to swim

Authors Katherine May and Bonnie Tsui share their love of water and swimming, from freezing mid-winter plunges to the history and draw of the water’s edge.

from Life Examined

Are Nikki Haley and Ron Desantis running for 2028? Plus, looming changes to Title IX are sparking intense debates over the future of women’s sports.

Can GOP candidates close gap on Trump ahead of first caucus?

Are Nikki Haley and Ron Desantis running for 2028? Plus, looming changes to Title IX are sparking intense debates over the future of women’s sports.

from Left, Right & Center

Michigan will face Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship. What to expect from that game, plus the NFL playoffs?

Football season heats up with NFL and college championships

Michigan will face Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship. What to expect from that game, plus the NFL playoffs?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After six years in Anaheim, the Japanese baseball phenom will play for the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a 10-year, $700 million contract.

Shohei Ohtani leaves LA Angels, signs record-breaking deal with Dodgers

After six years in Anaheim, the Japanese baseball phenom will play for the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a 10-year, $700 million contract.

from Greater LA

Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is joining the LA Dodgers with a 10-year, $700 million contract. It’s one of the largest deals in sports history.

‘He’s like a superhero’: LA celebrates Shohei Ohtani joining Dodgers

Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is joining the LA Dodgers with a 10-year, $700 million contract. It’s one of the largest deals in sports history.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Hall of Fame’s class of 10 includes a range of artists, athletes, and developers. Some of the inductees’ ties to the county are loose, at best.

Orange County creates Hall of Fame, announces inaugural inductees

The Hall of Fame’s class of 10 includes a range of artists, athletes, and developers. Some of the inductees’ ties to the county are loose, at best.

from Greater LA