On this special combined edition of Which Way, LA? and Politics of Culture, it's been a period of vast upheaval at the Los Angeles Times under Sam Zell's ownership. How exactly did he manage to use the employees' pension fund as collateral? How secure are the futures of Times employees? Also, will California Republicans and Democrats take off for their national party conventions without passing a state spending plan?

By the rules that applied to everyone who grew up in the Russia of yesteryear, I was destined to live and die in the same city, the same apartment, holding the same job all my life. But in my lucky case, the city happened to be beautiful St. Petersburg -– then called Leningrad -– and the job I had was in a very special place: the Hermitage, the famous museum founded in the 18th century by Catherine the Great...

KCRW's Elvis Mitchell and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders have produced a critically acclaimed documentary called The Black List, that profiles prominent African-Americans. It's spawned a companion book and an art exhibition.

KCRW's Elvis Mitchell and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders have produced a critically acclaimed documentary called The Black List, that profiles prominent African-Americans. It's spawned a companion book and an art exhibition.

Nobody doubts that the US has a responsibility to rebuild Iraq, but US taxpayers are paying six times more than Iraqis, while Iraq banks draw new wealth from rising oil prices. Also, NATO scolds Russia while pledging to help Georgia rebuild, and the Summer Olympics -- beyond Michael Phelps.

Russia claims it's pulling out of Georgia, but its troops and tanks remain near the capital city of Tiblisi. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has called for negotiations to prevent "the definitive estrangement of our two countries." We get an eyewitness account and debate whether, after invading Iraq, the US is using a double standard when it condemns Russia’s action across its own, international border.

The Democrats will convene in Denver just a week from today. The Republicans will be in St. Paul a week later. What did McCain and Obama reveal in Saturday's "conversations" with evangelical pastor Rick Warren? What about the vice presidential selections? Also, Pakistan's Musharraf announces his resignation, and the US continues to condemn the Russian attack on Georgia as a violation of sovereignty.

We serve up refreshing Mexican cocktails, round-up some of the best ice cream in Los Angeles and taste flavorful flatbreads from around the world. Plus, we get a fresh Market Report with Laura Avery.

Russia continues to occupy Georgia and doesn't appear to be backing down. Is this Georgia's fault? Instead of windsurfing in Hawaii, should Obama have been making daily press statements, in a suit, with flags waving behind him? Also, the big debate about the Clintons at the Convention. (Bob Scheer and Matt Miller are away. Marc Cooper moderates.)

Tomorrow, for the first time since they became presumptive presidential nominees, Barack Obama and John McCain will be in the same place at the same time. We find out what to expect from back-to-back interviews with Pastor Rick Warren. Also, Georgia's ceasefire with Russia, and American business finds loopholes in economic sanctions against Iran.

Raphael Saadiq is a founding member of the R&B trio Tony! Toni! Tone! The neo-soul singer pays tribute to the sultry sound of soul...

Just as her most committed supporters have been demanding, Hillary Clinton’s name will be put in nomination at the convention in Denver.

Knockemstiff (Doubleday) Knockemstiff, Ohio, inspires Donald Ray Pollock to explore the miseries and ferocities of small-town life.

Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@ (Pantheon) A sneak preview of the new Art Spiegelman book, which collects Art's early underground commix and includes his next autobiographical sequence...

From Jacksonville, Florida,The Black Kids will showcase their work on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

From Jacksonville, Florida,The Black Kids will showcase their work on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Barack Obama has agreed to let Hillary Clinton be nominated at the Democratic convention, complete with a roll call of states and a parade on the floor. The "symbolic" gesture raises questions about who's really running the show. Also, Defense Secretary Gates sees no prospect for US military force in Georgia, and Julia Child and Lucky Luciano were spies for the US during World War II. We hear about other famous names revealed today by the National Archives.

The world has been waiting for the U.S. response to Russia's invasion of Georgia. Early today, the President announced that the pentagon would lead a humanitarian effort.

Ben Stiller (Zoolander, Meet the Fockers, The Cable Guy, Reality Bites) is a director, producer and writer. But he's first and foremost an actor who's done comedy and drama on the stage and on the screen.

President Bush is promising ongoing involvement in the struggle between Georgia and Russia. What about the next president's view? We'll talk with top foreign policy advisors to John McCain and Barack Obama.

The Airborne Toxic Event have been around for less than two years but they've managed their time well: writing songs, playing in clubs and releasing their debut...

In Moscow today, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he's ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current President of the European Union, said the two had worked out terms for a provisional cease-fire. He's on his way to present them to leaders in Georgia, where President Mikail Saakashvili continues to accuse Russia of indifference to world opinion in its commitment to regime change.

It's been a period of vast upheaval at the Los Angeles Times under Sam Zell's ownership. How exactly did he manage to use the employees' pension fund as collateral? How secure are the futures of Times employees?

It's been a period of vast upheaval at the Los Angeles Times under Sam Zell's ownership. How exactly did he manage to use the employees' pension fund as collateral? How secure are the futures of Times employees?

In Moscow today, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he's ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current President of the European Union, said the two had worked out terms for a provisional cease-fire. Also, the author accused of "gutter journalism" by the Bush White House.

Inara George lives in Los Angeles and breathes music. She's a member of the Bird & The Bee, has a solo career, collaborates with many artists, and has just finished a...

As Russian troops moved further into his country and bombs fell close to his capital city, Georgia's president, Mikheil Saakashvili, decried Russia's actions as an "invasion, occupation and annihilation of an independent, democratic country." Also, the impact of the war in Georgia on the campaign for the president, and Hillary Clinton's role at the Democratic convention in Denver.

As Russian troops moved further into his country and bombs fell close to his capital city, Georgia's president, Mikheil Saakashvili, decried Russia's actions as an "invasion, occupation and annihilation of an independent, democratic country." Also, the impact of the war in Georgia on the campaign for the president, and Hillary Clinton's role at the Democratic convention in Denver.

We round up Chicago-style hot dogs, sip affordable wines and learn how to select and maintain kitchen knives. Plus, we get a fresh Market Report with Laura Avery.