Brian Watt Business and Economics Reporter
- Phone: (626) 583-5108
Brian Watt is KPCC’s lead Business and Economics Reporter. He joined the KPCC news team in 2007. Prior to that, he worked as a producer at "Marketplace," where he filed a number of his own stories and even filled in some mornings as host.
Brian holds degrees in Theater from Yale University and the Sorbonne, and has worked as an actor in France, Italy, Brazil, Hungary and Hollywood. He appeared in a few television shows, including "The West Wing," "Judging Amy," and "The District."
Stories by Brian Watt
Striking Writers Mentor Aspiring Writers on Picket Line
Hollywood writers on strike and studios are still talking informally about whether it's worthwhile to start negotiating formally. But Writers Guild members continue to picket outside studios after 11 weeks. Thursday, some strikers outside Warner Brothers in Burbank applied a twist to the informational picket. KPCC's Brian Watt went over to see what he could learn.
Striking Writers Weigh In On Oscars, Grammys
Striking writers had a lot on their minds Tuesday. Oscar nominations, the deal quickly cut between the Directors Guild and the studios, and what to do about the Grammys. KPCC's Brian Watt visited the picket line.
Season's Givings: Venice Program Gives Kids Access to the Arts
The non-profit Venice Arts gives children from low-income families in the Venice area the chance to learn photography, filmmaking and graphic arts from professionals.
Rose Bowl Puts Off Decision On USC
The USC Trojans couldn't make a deal at the Rose Bowl Thursday night. University officials submitted a lease proposal to the board of the Rose Bowl Operating Company to play their home games in Pasadena, but KPCC's Brian Watt says the Rose Bowl operators put off a decision.
Thieves Go After Valuable Copper Streetlight Wires
The crooks are after copper... and now the coppers are after the crooks. Copper prices are soaring, and that's inspired a wave of copper wiring thefts from streetlights in Los Angeles. KPCC's Brian Watt has more.
L.A. Launches Campaign to Test One Million Residents for HIV
On the eve of World AIDS Day, the City of Los Angeles kicked off an initiative to test a million Angelenos for HIV. KPCC's Brian Watt says for some elected officials, that meant an appointment at an East L.A. clinic.
Dodgers to Play 50th Anniversary Game vs. Red Sox at Coliseum
The Los Angeles Dodgers are about to reach a big milestone. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the team's cross-country move to Los Angeles from Brooklyn. Today, team officials announced the Dodgers' plan to observe the occasion by playing an exhibition game in their first Southland stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. KPCC's Brian Watt says that homecoming is scheduled for March 29th.
Group Calls for People to 'Buy Nothing' on Black Friday
On the day when retailers expect most Americans to shop, some people are crying "STOP!" A Canadian group called Adbusters started "Buy Nothing Day" 15 years ago. KPCC's Brian Watt tells us how some Southlanders have bought into the idea.
Striking Writers March on Hollywood Boulevard
Thousands of striking entertainment writers marched along Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday. KPCC's Brian Watt says the strikers got a lot of help from outside their union.
From "The Office" to the Picket Line
The Writers Guild strike is in its second week. KPCC's Brian Watt struck up a conversation with a writer for NBC's "The Office," someone with a knack for timing.
WGA Begins Strike Against TV, Film Producers
Monday was Day One of the TV and film writers' strike. KPCC's Brian Watt visited a Writers Guild picket line outside one Southland studio.
Some Evacuees Allowed to Return Home, Others Stuck Waiting
The fires in San Diego forced a lot of people north to evacuation shelters in Orange County. KPCC's Brian Watt spent Thursday morning at one busy shelter there.
Volunteers Convert Agoura Hills School Gym to Shelter
American Red Cross volunteers and Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies decided yesterday to convert the gym at Agoura High School in Agoura Hills into an evacuation shelter. KPCC's Brian Watt spent much of the day there and filed this report.
L.A. and Community Groups Start Midnight Basketball League in South L.A.
A new basketball league tipped off Tuesday night at South L.A.'s Rancho Cienega Sports Complex Gym. KPCC's Brian Watt says the league aims to give young men an alternative to gang activity.
Metropolitan Water District Officials Give Water Outlook for Southland
Southern Californians' drinking water comes from local supplies, the Colorado River, and Northern California. It's been drier than usual in all those places this year. KPCC's Brian Watt reports that regional water officials are worried.
