Monks & Merrill

Hour 1 - The homelessness crisis faces renewed scrutiny as an accounting glitch is blamed for nearly half of the city’s reported increase in homelessness. Meanwhile, a new village of 200 tiny homes is opening as officials look for solutions, while political changes reshape the city’s homelessness leadership. Plus, an L.A. councilmember is ordered to stand trial on 12 corruption felony charges.

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Hour 2 - The County District Attorney faces backlash after charging an LAPD officer who recorded colleagues’ racist remarks. Plus, county supervisors consider creating an Office of Gender Equity, LAUSD confronts a severe budget crisis, and a long-promised L.A. River bike path hits a billion-dollar roadblock.

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Hour 3 - Netflix says it’s doubling down on Los Angeles even as it expands its footprint in New Jersey, while Paramount’s David Ellison threatens to pull the company out of California if states refuse to negotiate an antitrust settlement. Plus, wildfire survivor advocate Joy Cheg discusses criticism of California utility companies’ ad campaign, and National Union of Healthcare Workers’ Benjamin Eichert weighs in on the growing debate over AI “therapists” and new proposed guardrails.

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Hour 1 - Two more violent street takeovers took place in Los Angeles today, yet despite the ransacking of a nearby AutoZone and a vehicle being set ablaze, no arrests were reported in either case, authorities said. No injuries or arrests were reported. A couple hours later, another large takeover was reported in the Gramercy Park community of South Los Angeles.

In the days since he charged a Los Angeles police officer with a crime for capturing evidence of his co-workers’ racist remarks, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman has been the subject of withering criticism from Mayor Karen Bass, former cops and even some of his own prosecutors.

Rich McHugh joins the show to talk about a California mom's fight to strengthen DUI laws.

Plus, Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle, has passed away.

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Hour 2 - Monks and Merrill continue to talk about the passing of Big Bear bald eagle Jackie, and share reactions from KFI listeners on the iHeartRadio app talkback feature.

A recent report from Feeding America shows food insecurity increased year over year between 2022 and 2024. Advocates say today’s reality could be much worse. The report published last week showed that about 1 in 6 kids in Orange County experienced food insecurity in 2024 — that’s up 27% from the year before. For some advocates, the report published last week was not surprising.

Friday’s Café LA Menu Tasting Event, hosted by newly minted LAUSD Superintendent Andrés E. Chait, featured popular TV chef Nyesha “The Ninja” Arrington, who helped mentor the students who created some of the tasty new selections, and LAUSD’s Manish Singh, Executive Director of the district’s Food Services Division.

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Hour 3 - In 2017, Hollywood’s Sunset Square was named a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, solidifying its place in L.A.’s architectural history.

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt spent just under $71,000 on hotels for himself, his campaign staff and his fundraising operation, mostly at the Hotel Bel-Air and the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, according to recently released campaign finance filings in the mayoral race. Pratt had AI-designed billboards placed across the city.

Bass removed 6,200 people off the streets.

Burbank mogs Downtown LA.

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There is a crackdown on AI political influencer campaigns. It's expensive to be single in California. Cal Tech says fewer than 4% of applicants get accepted. Just say no to drugs kids!

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Pedestrian tunnels in Los Angeles are being overrun with homeless people. Joy Chen comes on the show to talk about SoCal Edison electrical arching sparked the Eaton Fire in Altadena in January 2025 and a possible bailout that is in the works for SCE. Metro says there are more seats available now because homelessness is down. Meg James comes on the show to talk about Hollywood being worried about the Paramount/Warner merger.

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Hour 1 - Waymo robotaxis frustrate Los Angeles residents by taking parking spaces and blocking traffic. Guests' Sarah Jepson from SCAF's Chief Planning Office and Patrick Chandler from Metro join the show to discuss Metro offering up to $600 to drive less to expand driving reduction program. KFI's Heather Brooker also joins the show to discuss LAPD crackdown on hate crimes, as well as to talk about the mystery surrounding ex-Marine's possible motives and movements at Trump golf course.

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Hour 2 - Experts warn strong El Niño could bring record sea levels to California coast with flooding concerns. LA County to conduct earthquake preparedness review. South Coast AQMD approves modified abatement order against Lineage. Plus, California's Cyclosporiasis cases are higher than expected.

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