George Lavender

Independent Producer

George Lavender is an award-winning independent radio and print journalist. His radio reporting has aired on NPR, KCRW, WBUR, KQED, and Radio France International.

George Lavender on KCRW

Southern California has long been associated with street racing. And law enforcement officials say they’re gearing up for another deadly summer.

What's fueling the rise in illegal street racing?

Southern California has long been associated with street racing. And law enforcement officials say they’re gearing up for another deadly summer.

from KCRW Features

Businesses that grow or sell cannabis still face a challenge when it comes to what to do with the money they make. At the Higher Path dispensary in Sherman Oaks,…

The business of legal weed poses banking challenges

Businesses that grow or sell cannabis still face a challenge when it comes to what to do with the money they make. At the Higher Path dispensary in Sherman Oaks,…

from News Stories

Most banks are unwilling to serve an industry that is illegal in the eyes of the federal government.

Banking and cannabis

Most banks are unwilling to serve an industry that is illegal in the eyes of the federal government.

from KCRW Features

More from KCRW

After polling missed the extent of Donald Trump's appeal in 2016 and overstated Joe Biden's strength in 2020, why should we believe what polls are telling us now?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Kamala Harris is doing worse among Black voters than Joe Biden did in 2020 — Black men are driving that decline, according to a new poll.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Hurricane Milton intensified from Category 1 to Category 5 in just nine hours.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Little Saigon’s Vietnamese community has long leaned Republican. Now local Democrat Derek Tran is trying to peel away votes in an OC swing district.

from KCRW Features

As LA officials ramp up operations to clear RV encampments from city streets, RV dwellers parked on one Sun Valley street wonder where to go next.

from KCRW Features

In the 365 days following the events of Oct. 7, the situation in the Middle East is as complicated as ever.

from Scheer Intelligence

In Tuesday’s debate, Republican Steve Garvey and Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff tried to use Donald Trump against each other. They’re vying to fill Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

What is a “never Trump” Republican? Both Trump and Harris are trying to win over swing and Centrist voters. Plus, conflict in the Middle East turns to Lebanon.

from Left, Right & Center

A 165-page court filing unsealed on Wednesday outlines special counsel Jack Smith's new strategy to cast Donald Trump's actions on January 6 as those of a private citizen and not a…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand