More Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (05/16) - It was a huge weekend for public transit after the Metros D-Line debut. Metrolink has seen ridership go up. What is the first movie you've gone to see in theatres? The Cinerama Dome went dark after the pandemic, and now the owners have been under pressure to bring it back. You might want to consider being a dog owner, as recent studies have shown dogs contribute to people living a longer life. A.I. videos of the L.A. Mayoral candidates are making rounds all over social media, but is using A.I. helping in the City of Hollywood?

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More Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (05/16) - Liza Frias from the LA Dept of Public Health joins the show to talk about the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation. Monica Rodriguez breaks down Council File 25-0006-S35 — a wildfire preparedness initiative launched after the devastating January 2025 wind and fire disaster, spearheaded by Nithya Raman, Katy Yaroslavsky, and seconded by Ysabel Jurado. Firefighters rally behind a new LAFD tax measure as Los Angeles voters brace for yet another possible sales tax hike tied to healthcare funding concerns.

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Hour 3 - Firefighters rally behind a new LAFD tax measure as Los Angeles voters brace for yet another possible sales tax hike tied to healthcare funding concerns. Plus, Monica Rodriguez joins The Monks & Merrill Show to break down Council File 25-0006-S35 — a wildfire preparedness initiative launched after the devastating January 2025 wind and fire disaster, spearheaded by Nithya Raman, Katy Yaroslavsky, and seconded by Ysabel Jurado.

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Hour 3 - The spotlight turns to Los Angeles’ deepening homelessness crisis—and the tough questions surrounding it. Under Karen Bass’s $300 million initiative, reports show nearly 40% of participants have returned to the streets, raising concerns about long-term effectiveness. From a mass brawl at a Venice Beach encampment to growing tensions at a Westlake post office and a grim discovery near Griffith Park, the situation on the ground paints a troubling picture. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s proposed budget takes aim at LA’s homelessness agencies, adding a national political dimension to a local crisis.

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In this Saturday episode of More Monks and Merrill they dive into the issue of California's tourism industry and its impact on local communities. They discuss the city of South Lake Tahoe's decision to allow mushroom homes. The conversation touches on the importance of preserving the character of resort towns and the need for sustainable solutions to the state's housing crisis. They also discuss an epidemic of face eating flies in the SGV and a cluster of squirrels vaping in London. 

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (04/03) - The Monks and Merrill Show breaks down falling rents across Southern California and what it means for tenants in a softening market. As downtown L.A.’s real estate landscape shifts—with wealthy renters buying distressed properties—and office vacancies hit record highs, the team explores whether this is a temporary dip or a deeper reset.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (04/03) - The Monks and Merrill Show covers a proposed rare earth mining project near Joshua Tree with expert insight from Virginia Tech’s Aaron Noble, alongside updates on Southern California wildfires. Plus, a look at Rose Bowl upgrades for the 2028 Olympics and new World Cup developments in Los Angeles.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (04/03) - The Monks and Merrill Show welcomes space expert Rod Pyle to break down Artemis II’s journey to the moon and the physical toll of space travel. Back on Earth, the team tackles rising costs—from the possibility of $10 gas to increasing bottled water prices—and dives into a volatile L.A. mayoral race, where 40% of voters remain undecided.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (04/02) - In this episode of the Monks and Merrill Show, we dive into a striking contradiction shaping California politics: voters say democracy is under threat—yet head to the polls focused on affordability and everyday survival. We unpack new tensions revealed in statewide polling, the legal battle over sealed records in Riverside County’s sheriff election probe, and the clash between Sheriff Bianco and Attorney General Bonta over Prop 50 ballots. Plus, a look at financial and campaign struggles hitting key Democratic figures like Eric Swalwell and Matt Mahan.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (04/02) - Matt Mahan joins to make his case for a statewide shakeup—starting with homelessness. He breaks down San Jose’s “shelter-first” approach as a real-world test model, touts the city’s rise as one of the safest large cities in America, and lays out a blunt critique of California’s political status quo. Now stepping into a crowded governor’s race, Mahan pitches a centrist reboot built on more housing, tougher enforcement, and less red tape—arguing it’s time to move past process and deliver results.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (04/02) - On this episode of the Monks and Merrill Show, climate concerns take center stage as Andrew Schwartz breaks down the alarming rate at which Lake Tahoe is losing snowpack—raising red flags for water supply and an intense wildfire season. Then, Kyle Kirkland joins to unpack the high-stakes legal fight between California cardrooms and the state over blackjack bans and new regulations. Plus, a roundup of uniquely California moments—from a tranquilized neighborhood bear in Fillmore to a dramatic rescue of a great white shark off the SoCal coast.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (04/01) - New data shows people leaving California are finding cheaper living and better odds at homeownership, while Kevin Kane joins Monks & Merrill to explain what Los Angeles County’s population decline means for the region’s future. Plus, which cities are seeing the most “stale” home listings, and how a little-known legal issue is quietly driving up the cost of condos across the state.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (04/01) - A political and financial clash is brewing as Donald Trump takes aim at California’s insurance giants over wildfire payouts, while the state investigates State Farm amid fallout from Los Angeles fires—even as a major rate hike moves forward. Then, Tim Campbell joins Monks & Merrill to examine whether Los Angeles is getting results from its $1 billion homelessness spending, and why the numbers may not add up. Plus, a troubling case out of Downtown L.A. as a man with a prior murder warrant is arrested in a random stabbing.

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Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are covering the latest with the Andres Virus, 4 California residents are being monitored after exposure. PLUS why Arcadia mayor, Eileen Wang has resigned, AND the latest with the Congressional District Race. All of that and more on KFIAM-640!

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (04/01) - Hollywood’s job market is drying up fast, with industry insiders warning Hollywood could become the “next Detroit auto” as production slows and uncertainty grows. Gavin Newsom rolls out expanded tax credits in an effort to revive filming, but questions remain about whether it’s enough to stop the bleeding. Meanwhile, Royal Oakes joins Monks & Merrill to break down the high-stakes birthright citizenship arguments, as the region wrestles with whether staying in Southern California still makes sense in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

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Hour 1 - A surprising new poll in the Los Angeles mayor’s race shows Nithya Raman ahead of Karen Bass, raising questions about shifting momentum—Fernando Guerra joins Monks & Merrill to break it down. Plus, the Los Angeles Police Department warns of a major officer shortage and a nearly $100 million security cost for the 2028 Summer Olympics, and a grim outlook for L.A.’s upcoming budget adds to the growing concerns.

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Hour 2 - Concern is growing as former Los Angeles Zoo elephants Billy and Tina reportedly struggle after relocation, while the Supreme Court of the United States rejects an appeal from Joe Exotic. Anais Medina Diaz joins the show to explain the surge of tiny black flies swarming faces across Southern California, as a spreading avian influenza outbreak impacts wildlife along the coast. Plus, NASA prepares for the Artemis II mission—a major step toward returning humans to the moon, with a Southern California native set to make history aboard the flight. 

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Hour 3 - Tariq Malik joins Monks & Merrill to break down how NASA is preparing for worst-case scenarios in deep space. Then, the Supreme Court of the United States declines to take up a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors, a decision that could ignite legal and political battles nationwide. Reporter with News Nation, Rich McHugh weighs in on why this case may be just the beginning of a much larger fight playing out across the country.

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Hour 1 - UCLA’s women stun Duke with a thrilling rally to punch their ticket to the Final Four. Meanwhile, Long Beach police crackdown on a chaotic street takeover involving teens and illegal e-bikes. Plus, Commerce Mayor Kevin Lainez joins the conversation as local leaders weigh controversial sales tax hikes amid new state restrictions on card room gaming—raising bigger questions about cities built on gambling dollars.

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Hour 2 -  Investigative editor Matt Drange breaks down the California Attorney General’s findings of “systemic failures” in how the El Monte Union High School District handled sexual abuse and harassment complaints. The conversation continues with a deeper look into a sweeping $22 million contracting scandal involving Los Angeles Unified School District, highlighting how massive bureaucracies, sprawling vendor networks, and weak oversight can create fertile ground for fraud and misconduct.

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Hour 3 - Dennis Richards joins to break down Los Angeles’ controversial plan to allow four-story buildings in some single-family neighborhoods while delaying SB 79. The discussion also covers the City Council’s push to raise streetlight assessment fees and a new wave of population loss across California—with migration trends revealing where residents are heading and why political and housing pressures are fueling a growing partisan exodus.

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In this weekend bonus episode of Monks and Merrill, they dive into a wild story about a woman who sued the Multi-State Lottery Association and the California State Lottery Commission for a billion dollars, claiming she won the Powerball jackpot. But here's the twist - she didn't even have a ticket! They also touch on the upcoming Olympics and the World Cup, and share a hilarious story about a job interview where the interviewer asked a ridiculous question.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (03/27) - From record-breaking heat across California to a sudden cooldown bringing showers to Southern California, it’s a week of weather whiplash. A Ventura County teen’s rattlesnake encounter and warnings of a “very sharky summer” have residents on alert, while outrage grows over the killing of a beloved local bear. Plus, a proposed law would publicly track animal abusers, and National Puppy Day brings dozens of adoptable dogs into the spotlight. Tune in as Monks and Merrill break down the biggest headlines shaping life across SoCal.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (03/27) - KFI host and KTLA personality Andy Riesmeyer joins to break down how AI is rapidly reshaping Hollywood—from Fiverr’s AI-powered video revolution to a new wave of “directors” challenging the traditional studio system. What’s behind the reported shutdown of Sora, and does it signal trouble for the AI boom? Then, legal expert Oliver Roberts explains how AI is entering the courtroom, with L.A. County testing tools to help judges craft rulings.

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Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are delving into the Mayoral race. It's getting dirty with some dirty money and the nonprofit Neighbors First sending mailers that attack left-wing City Council. PLUS the May 13th televised LA mayoral forum on Fox 11 has been cancelled after too many people dropped out and MORE on KFIAM-640.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (03/27) - From a burned-down home still facing a shocking $23,000 HOA bill to Altadena residents getting hit with water charges despite bone-dry lots, the financial pressure is mounting across Southern California. Meanwhile, home prices and sales are surging—especially in Orange County—raising questions about affordability. Orange Mayor Dan Slater joins to discuss a proposed smoking ban, and Mark Verge of Cole’s Restaurant shares what could be the final days of a historic L.A. institution, along with its last specials.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (03/26) - Live from Dodger Stadium, Tim Cates breaks down the latest on the Dodgers, while the show pivots to a major legal shakeup for Silicon Valley. With a jury finding platforms like Instagram and YouTube addictive and harmful to kids, Carolina Rossini joins to unpack what this ruling means, why leaders are calling it a “moment of reckoning,” and what could be next for Meta and other social media giants.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (03/26) - Baruch Feigenbaum exposes why Californians pay top dollar for the nation’s second-worst highway system, while Matthew Lewis of California YIMBY breaks down LA’s housing battles—from controversial four-story building plans to Newsom’s stern warnings to Bay Area cities. Plus, a shocking look at life on LA’s Metro, where buses and trains face violence, drugs, and chaos. Tune in for a hard-hitting conversation on the infrastructure and urban issues shaping California today.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (03/26) - Leslie Andrew Ridings, litigation associate at Sidley Austin and co-founder of a Downtown L.A. residents group, joins the show to break down what’s really ailing DTLA. From growing demands for law enforcement and accountability to big-money political influence shaping the June primary, the stakes are rising fast. Can revitalization plans—like subsidizing small businesses, filling empty storefronts, and even reviving Frank Gehry’s Grand Avenue vision—bring downtown back to life before 2028? This episode dives into the tension, the power plays, and the path forward.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (03/25) - ABC News legal analyst Royal Oakes breaks down a groundbreaking jury verdict holding Instagram and YouTube accountable in a social media addiction case that could reshape the tech landscape. Then, the focus shifts to California’s turbulent housing market—rising home sales and prices, a surge in inherited properties far above the national norm, and the hidden costs of homeownership. From steep impact fees derailing a Wildomar dream home to a shocking $23,000 HOA bill after a house fire, this episode uncovers the financial pressures redefining the California dream.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (03/25) - Description: NewsNation reporter Nancy Loo joins the show to break down a stunning $375 million verdict against Meta in a child exploitation case—and another landmark ruling holding Instagram and YouTube liable for social media addiction. Then, the conversation turns local as Los Angeles considers lowering the voting age to 16 for city elections, sparking a deeper debate about civic responsibility, maturity, and who gets a voice in shaping the future.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (03/25) - El Segundo resident Joseph Brandlin joins the show to share his story after being arrested for repainting what he says was a dangerous intersection—raising questions about safety, responsibility, and the law. Then, the focus shifts to Los Angeles’ ongoing homelessness challenges, from a multimillion-dollar Venice motel sitting empty years after purchase to the return of a notorious encampment, a storm drain now deemed a hazmat zone, and a surprising loophole in the city’s speed camera rollout.

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Hour 1 -  The first Los Angeles mayoral debate quickly turned into an anti-Karen Bass showcase after the mayor bowed out, citing a scheduling conflict. As Julia Wick explains, the race has been shaken by a series of pivotal moments—despite Bass maintaining a polling lead. While voters remain lukewarm, a powerful coalition of insiders, labor groups, and elected officials continues to rally behind her, underscoring a campaign defined by both vulnerability and institutional strength.

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Hour 2 - Xavier Becerra is calling foul after being excluded from a major gubernatorial debate, accusing organizers of an “election-rigging” setup as he makes his case directly to voters. Leaning on his record as former HHS Secretary and California Attorney General, Becerra argues he’s the steady hand who knows how to run government in a crisis—even as the race struggles to capture public attention. Meanwhile, new polling shows growing support for a billionaire tax, alongside sharp partisan divides over voter ID, highlighting the policy stakes beneath an otherwise low-energy campaign.

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Hour 3 - As Orange considers a public smoking ban tied to homelessness enforcement, scrutiny is intensifying in Los Angeles over how the crisis is being managed. City Controller Kenneth Mejia is sounding the alarm, revealing at least $473 million in unspent homelessness funds over two years. The takeaway: the region’s homelessness emergency is no longer just about funding levels—it’s about whether leaders can effectively deploy the resources they already have.

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Hour 3- More taxes on Monks and Merrill. We are covering the possible tax on golf courses and country clubs. Is this a fight over taxes or land? PLUS more problems with these e-bikes. There was a man attacked in Huntington beach by a few e-bike teens. OC is ending the e-bike problems on KFIAM-640. 

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Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are talking all things SoCal and money. There is a $40 million pool project in Griffith Park, and a $114 million fund for Wildlife Crossing. We talked to Herb Morgan about his thoughts. PLUS there is a luxury estate that may actually be choking apartment construction out. All that and more on KFIAM-640!

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Hour 3- Monks and Merrill want's you to know they are watching you! There are cameras EVERYWHERE and LAPD is installing more. Corona residents do not like the Flock cameras and Monks and Merrill are diving deep into that story and so much more. It's all on KFIAM-640!

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More Monks & Merrill with all new material for you to enjoy on your weekend. In this episode, Michael Monks and Chris Merrill  explore the lesser-known history of the mafia in Los Angeles, discussing its connections to the East Coast and the impact of its leaders. They also touch on the city's unique cultural landscape and the influence of the mafia on Hollywood. Later, they discuss recent legislation requiring landlords to provide air conditioning in rental units, sparking a conversation about the balance between tenant rights and property owner responsibilities.

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Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are delving into the idea of forcing compassion for the unhoused in San Jose, and the problem with graffiti. PLUS, all things voter fraud. $5 for your signature on ballot petitions and if California really has a voters fraud problem. All that and more on KFIAM-640.

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Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are getting into election irregularities in Riverside County. PLUS Trump vs Cali and County vs Trump, it's a fight against fraud and immigration. AND we are getting into Polyamorous couples and their rights with Dr. Wendy Walsh. It's all on KFIAM-640! 

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Hour 3- Monks and Merrill talk to Ken Levine about his newest project 'Guilty Pleasures- An Unapologetic Comedy' and more on the Monrovia bear. We are taking calls and hearing from you. It's all on KFIAM-640. 

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We are covering all things, Chavez. His sexual assault accusations and what could be renamed as a result. PLUS a bear funeral in Monrovia. It's all on KFIAM-640. 

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Michael Monks and Chris Merrill are covering the housing crowd and talking to Michael Schneider, founder of Streets for All, a Los Angeles-based advocacy organization dedicated to reallocating street space from cars to people, prioritizing safety, public transit, and active transportation, such as biking and walking. PLUS we are getting into all things Metro with the K Line extension and Metro fair evasions.  It's all on KFIAM-640!

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Gas prices are rising and making EV look really good. The prices aren't just hurting the driver, Monks and Merrill explain. PLUS texting isn't the only thing distracting drivers Pimping your ride comes at a cost. All that and more on KFIAM-640. 

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New “shocking” allegations tied to César Chávez are casting a shadow over Sacramento’s annual march honoring the labor icon, even as organizers push forward amid growing concern. At the same time, labor tensions escalate in Los Angeles, where the teachers union is poised to announce a strike date following an overwhelming 97% authorization vote by SEIU Local 99 members. Adding to the turmoil, LAUSD faces mounting financial pressure, dipping into reserves as rising costs and the end of pandemic relief funds strain its latest budget.

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Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are covering all things in the mayoral election. Karen Bass was a no show for the  televised mayoral forum, CA voters might be asked to undo states top two primary system, and Nithya Raman vs Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Rae Huang. PLUS is this a mayoral race or an endorsement fight? We're getting into all of it on KFIAM-640. 

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 Experts warn that more drivers are watching YouTube and TikTok behind the wheel—a growing and deadly trend driven by a digital economy designed to capture constant attention. As concerns mount, legal scrutiny is intensifying, with cases targeting platforms like Instagram for addictive design features that may reshape product liability laws, according to WashU’s Oliver Roberts. At the same time, troubling reports reveal teen girls are inundated with explicit content immediately after joining social media, while a former Meta employee testifies the company failed to adequately safeguard young users.

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A Section 8 tenant filing dozens of $100,000 lawsuits is spotlighting growing tensions in Southern California’s rental market. As LA County moves to strengthen tenant protections by raising eviction thresholds, experts like landlord attorney Avi Sinai weigh in on the shifting legal landscape. Meanwhile, Orange County cities are struggling to keep up with rising rents and eviction trends, even as major redevelopment plans—like twin 22-story condo towers replacing the Big Newport Theater—signal continued transformation and pressure on the region’s housing market.

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Hour 1 - A record-breaking March heat wave is set to scorch California, with experts calling it potentially one of the most extraordinary events in history. KTLA meteorologist Vera Jimenez joins Monks & Merrill to break down the alarming “Godzilla El Niño” and what it could mean for the state in the coming months. Plus, Kandace Redd from the Automobile Club of Southern California explains why gas prices in Los Angeles are climbing to their highest levels since late 2023—and what drivers can expect next. We also dig into the political battle over energy, from proposals to suspend the gas tax to renewed oil activity off the California coast and legal threats over offshore drilling.

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