Sanden Totten Science Reporter
- Phone: (626) 583-5258
Sanden Totten is KPCC's Science Reporter. Prior to that, Sanden was a producer for KPCC's Take Two program. He’s been on staff since the launch of the Madeleine Brand Show in 2010.
As a Science Reporter, Sanden covers everything from advances in medical technology to dinosaur fossils and space exploration. Before joining Southern California Public Radio, Sanden worked at Minnesota Public Radio, where he was co-creator of In "The Loop," a program that made the audience part of the show. He was also part of the team behind the Public Insight Network, a crowd-sourcing project designed to bring unique perspectives to news.
Sanden is the winner of several honors, including the Radio and TV News Association’s Golden Mike for “best writing” and the National Entertainment Journalism's award for “best radio news story.” He was a 2011 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT. With a BA in Psychology and English from Oberlin College in Ohio.
Sanden also attended school in Japan and Sweden, and speaks both languages.He is a fan of fast music, comics and movies about time travel.
Stories by Sanden Totten
LA Metro will undergo federal investigation after civil rights complaint
Federal authorities say they will investigate whether L.A. County Metro’s planned cuts in bus service would have a disproportionate effect on poor and minority neighborhoods. The investigation follows an advocacy group’s civil rights complaint to the Federal Transit Administration last fall.
Federal officials to investigate fairness of LA Metro's planned bus service cuts
A public transit advocacy group is praising the news that a federal agency will take a look at bus line cuts in Los Angeles. The Federal Transit Administration plans to see if poor and minority communities will be hurt too much by L.A. Metro bus service cutbacks.
Bringing symphonies to Skid Row - playing a concert for LA's Downtown Mental Health Center
Last week on Skid Row, the melodies of Mozart, Bach and Handel filled the air. L.A. Philharmonic first violinist Robert Gupta performed an exclusive concert for clients of the Downtown Mental Health Center. It's part of his continuing effort to combat mental illness with music.
LA orders 140 pot dispensaries to close
This week, the Los Angeles city attorney’s office sent letters to 140 medical marijuana dispensaries ordering their immediate shutdown because they violate a new ordinance.
Using technology before bed can lead to insomnia
Feeling tired? Blame your computer. The National Sleep Foundation says technology before bed hurts your quality of sleep.
LAPD use computers and smartphones to fight graffiti
Los Angeles is deploying smartphones and computers in the fight against graffiti. Officials unveiled a new initiative Friday that allows work crews to track the most prolific taggers with the technology.
Villaraigosa signs plan to make LA more bike-friendly
Politicians and bike enthusiasts met on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall Wednesday morning to support a plan that promotes bicycle safety.
Lawyers give tips on managing a celebrity (like Charlie Sheen) in crisis
When famous people get in serious trouble, it can be too much for their managers and publicists. Charlie Sheen’s publicist resigned Monday after the TV star generated too much bad publicity. KPCC’s Sanden Totten recently attended a conference by the Beverly Hills Bar Association. The title was worthy of a reality TV show - "Celebrities in Crisis."
Archbishop Jose Gomez will soon lead LA’s Catholic community
On Sunday, Cardinal Roger Mahony celebrates his 75th birthday. It’s also the day he steps down as the head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Replacing him is Archbishop Jose Gomez. Gomez led dioceses in San Antonio and Denver. He's about to take the reins of one of the nation’s largest and most diverse Catholic populations.
Filling President Lincoln's size 14 shoes
Presidents Day is national holiday. But for presidential impersonators, it’s no day off. KPCC’s Sanden Totten took a stroll with a Lincoln look-alike in Old Town Pasadena to find out what it takes to fill the 16th president’s shoes.
Stardust spacecraft snaps 72 photos of Tempel 1 comet
Last night, a NASA spacecraft played interstellar paparazzi. Stardust snapped 72 pictures as it flew by a six kilometer comet. The goal was to get a better idea of what comets are made of - and where they come from.
The politics behind the flower business
The Valentine bouquet you may have offered the one you love during the weekend – or will tonight, after a swing by the supermarket floral department – may have traveled thousands of miles.
The pests hiding in your Valentine's Day flowers
Los Angeles International Airport may smell sweeter than usual this week. That’s because cargo jets are delivering millions of flowers in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Federal Customs and Border Patrol has stepped up inspections to ensure that the flowers you pick up at the store don’t harbor unwanted pests.
Immigrants' rights groups call for focus on women
Immigrants' rights supporters in Los Angeles on Tuesday said they plan to focus on issues many people tend to overlook - the concerns of women.
In Other News...
There's only so much you can cover in an hour of the Madeleine Brand Show. But there are plenty of stories just below the radar that nonetheless brighten our days. So, we've collected some of the bizzare headlines that made us smile.
