Days after the 20-point Gaza peace plan was unveiled, questions remain about Hamas’ response, the fate of hostages, delivery of humanitarian aid, and whether this plan can stabilize the region.

At least seven people who were part of a class-action sex abuse settlement with LA County were solicited to join the lawsuit, according to an LA Times investigation. In two cases, the claimants allegedly made up their stories of sex abuse with help from the person soliciting their participation.

Dancer Heidi Duckler came to LA with a car full of props. She soon ditched the props, and brought dance to real-life locations like City Hall and the LA River. Her company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend.

Film critics William Bibbiani and Christy Lemire review the latest film releases: The Smashing Machine, Are We Good, Play Dirty, and Good Boy.

Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, and Nihar Patel.

On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed generals and admirals at Marine Corps Base Quantico, saying the military had gone soft and woke. He decried diversity initiatives and declared the era of “gender delusion” to be over. “The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” he said. Critics argue that the new rules disproportionately impact Black and Brown soldiers, many of whom have pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), which makes it impossible to shave without developing painful bumps and ingrown hairs.

Since its inception in 2012, American film studio A24 has established itself as a zeitgeisty innovator willing to invest in budding auteurs. It has also become a cultural touchstone that manages to thread the needle between commercial success and arthouse credibility. How long can that last, especially now that there’s VC money invested and a new division devoted to AI?

Multidisciplinary artist Derek Fordjour’s new show at David Kordansky Gallery pays tribute to Black music by transforming the white box that is the art museum into a dreamy, wooded glade filled with art and performers. Plus, Jeff Koons’ 37-foot-tall sculpture, called Split-Rocker, is being installed outside LACMA.

Today's episode was produced by Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin, Robin Estrin, Jack Ross, Zeke Reed, and Nihar Patel.

LA County was plagued by understaffing, underfunding, plus outdated and unclear policies and procedures during January’s wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, according to a new independent review, commissioned by the LA County Board of Supervisors. Some Altadena residents want the state to investigate this too, which Supervisor Kathryn Barger says she would support.

Susan Choi’s latest and sixth novel, Flashlight, opens with a mystery. It’s 1978, and a precocious 10-year-old named Louisa is walking on the beach with her father, Serk. He’s carrying a flashlight. The two of them, along with Louisa’s mother, Anne, are spending the summer in coastal Japan. Japan is where Serk, who’s ethnically Korean, spent his childhood, and where he disappears. Tragedy unfolds, and Louisa is found washed up by the tide, barely alive. Serk, who can’t swim, is never found, presumed to be dead. Drowned. The novel is told through multiple perspectives. It spans four generations of Serk’s family as they move through Japan, the United States, and North Korea after World War II. In that way, the story – an exploration of fractured identity, loss, and loneliness – is also a geopolitical story. Flashlight was recently nominated – and shortlisted – for the prestigious Booker Prize.

If you don’t consume a lot of meat or fish, good alternate protein sources include legumes (beans, lentils, peas), cottage cheese, and tofu. Cooking Indian and Mediterranean dishes is a great way to add protein. And it’s easy to make protein bars at home.