Charoset is a melange of dried and/or fresh fruits plus nuts — all chopped or ground to a paste. It’s typically prepared for seders or Passover ritual dinners. Two Boeing whistleblowers testified about their safety concerns in a Congressional hearing this week. KCRW looks at how the company became mired in safety issues. The World Health Organization is warning of the dangers of bird flu, should it jump from animals to humans. Last month, a second person in the U.S. contracted the disease. Critics review the latest film releases: “Abigail,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” “We Grown Now,” and “The People's Joker.”

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been fostering abandoned sea otter pups for release into the wild. Now the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is joining the effort, rehabbing its first orphaned baby. After months of pressure, House Speaker Mike Johnson has called a series of votes on foreign aid packages. Hard-right Republicans threaten to oust him if he follows through. After an unsuccessful attack on Israel, Iran faces more sanctions from the West and more retaliation from Israel. How do ordinary Iranians feel about this conflict? The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced this week that it will close the women’s prison in Dublin, California — where prison staff have reportedly assaulted inmates. The fourth season of the award-winning “Serial” podcast tells the stories of Guantánamo Bay, from the prisoners and the people who worked there. Host Sarah Koenig shares what she uncovered.

Hilton Carter, a.k.a. The Plant Doctor, is out with “The Propagation Handbook.” He shares his tips on how to propagate plants such as pothos, ficus, succulents, and more. USC has barred valedictorian Asna Tabassum from speaking at commencement next month. The school’s reasoning: safety concerns after groups criticized her pro-Palestinean views. Leading the GOP coup against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a sex scandal have defined Matt Gaetz’s tenure in Congress . Yet the Florida Republican maintains influence with his party’s standard-bearer, Donald Trump. ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” is a mockumentary that portrays the chaos within an inner-city school. Janelle James talks about playing the brash, self-centered principal.

The southbound 101 freeway in Agoura Hills will be closed nightly for the next few weeks — as Caltrans continues building a massive wildlife bridge. Donald Trump is now the first U.S. president to stand trial in a criminal case over charges he falsified records to cover up a $130,000 payment to buy the silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. After Iran’s unsuccessful missile attack, how will Israel retaliate? Plus, how long can Ukraine stave off Russian attacks? The Wall Street Journal’s Yaroslav Trofimov weighs in. KCRW DJ Ro Wyldeflower Contreras recommends new songs from Chicano Batman, Reyna Tropical, Baby Rose, Brainstory, and Hiatus Kaiyote.

OJ Simpson, 76, died on Wednesday. Thirty years ago, his murder trial and acquittal became a flashpoint of celebrity, race, and jurisprudence. Mexico City, home to 22 million people, is facing drought, drying reservoirs, and leaky infrastructure. Some parts of the city have no running water at all. Critics review the latest film releases: “Civil War,” “In Flames,” “Sting,” and “Sasquatch Sunset.” Love to eat artichokes but dread cooking with them just by looking at the spiny cones? Enter frozen and marinated artichoke hearts.

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. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban may be enforced. Meanwhile, polling suggests voters feel strongly about abortion — mostly favoring it — but that doesn’t necessarily translate into votes for Democrats. A neuroscience professor explains how episodic memory works and why our brains sometimes hold onto inane information. He also gives tips on strengthening your power of recall. LA’s animal shelters are so overcrowded that the City Council has paused issuing dog breeding licenses. The president of a local rescue explains what’s going on.

The group Open Books is giving what it calls “LGBTQ+ affirming literature” to public schools, including every elementary campus in the LAUSD. Rory Kennedy talks about “Synanon Fix,” a four-part documentary series on HBO about the drug rehab center that turned into a cult. KCRW also asks about her presidential candidate brother. California lawmakers revealed a slate of bills aimed at reducing retail theft. It’s an attempt to fight crime without violating Prop 47, the criminal justice reform passed in 2014. RFK Jr. is running an uphill campaign trying to pull from anti-establishment Democrats and Republicans, but liberals are worried that his campaign is a Biden spoiler.

Rudy Mancuso’s synesthesia means daily sounds transform into layered rhythms and melodies. He explores that beautiful and frustrating experience in “Música.” House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing pressure from Democrats and foreign leaders to pass more aid to Ukraine, while hard-right members of his own party threaten his speakership. Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark faces disbarment after his schemes to overturn the 2020 election. He’s just one of nearly a dozen lawyers facing legal action for their work with Trump. HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” ended its 12th and final season Sunday night. We review the episode and discuss how Westside Los Angeles featured prominently in the show.

Sonoran white wheat is core to making flour tortillas. It has resurged in the past decade thanks to its versatility in baked goods, sweet flavor, and white color. If re-elected, Trump has vowed not to defend NATO countries that haven’t paid their full share if Russia attacks. NATO leaders are scrambling to “Trump-proof” Ukraine aid. The proposed Right to Disconnect bill allows CA employees to ignore after-hours texts from bosses. It defines nonworking hours and imposes fines on violators. Critics review the latest film releases: “La Bête,” “Monkey Man,” “Girls State,” and “Musica.” A total solar eclipse will trace a path from Texas to Maine on April 8. One zoo curator explains how her animals responded last time.

The LA Festival of Movies debuts this week, featuring brand new films, world premieres, older independent flicks that may deserve a second look, and titles that haven’t played within the circuit yet. The damage is still unfolding from Taiwan’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake. But strong building codes and community preparedness helped lessen the disaster. We look at how LA compares. California auto-loan tycoon Don Hankey provided a $175 million bond to Donald Trump as he appeals a civil fraud charge. He says the deal is just good business. With a raspy voice and raw lyrics, Lola Young is poised to be one of the next major British pop artists. She shares her inspirations and career hopes.