More Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (05/02) - Susan Shelly, Vice President of Communications in the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association joins the show to discuss the anti-mansion tax. LA’s biggest money fight as guest Joseph Donlin, Director of United to House LA, breaks down the high-stakes push to roll back the controversial “mansion tax” and why a statewide measure heading for November isn’t a done deal yet. State Sen. Roger Niello joins to break down his push to curb lawsuit abuse after a single individual filed nearly 1,800 disability lawsuits against Southern California small businesses—sparking outrage among shop owners. Plus - fireworks or drones? We talk to Sgt. Frank Garza about Placentia's strict fireworks law and we ask you what you prefer.

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Hour 1- Chris Merrill is flying solo today and he is covering gas prices. CA gas prices are still out of control and we check in with Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy.com to help you find the cheapest gas locations. PLUS we check in with Heather Brooker about LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia and his claims about fraud, waste, and abuse and the need for more auditors. It's all on KFIAM-640.

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Hour 2 - All Chris Merrill and no Michael Monks and he is covering the question fireworks or drones? We talk to Sgt. Frank Garza about Placentia's strict fireworks law and we ask you what you prefer. All that and more on KFIAM-640.

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Hour 3 -  LA rent is down and Chris Merrill is talking to Jiaui Xu of realtor.com about the best places to rent right now. PLUS the latest in politics with Pratt vs Bass & Ramen and where the mayor's race stands? It's all on KFIAM-640. 

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Hour 1 - Special guest Joseph Cabrera, gubernatorial candidate, breaking down his run and the shifting race as new polls show Newsom leading while Becerra and Hilton battle for the top two. Then it’s from ballots to billionaires—inside the jaw-dropping $400M Bel-Air mega-mansion and a surge in high-profile squatting cases. Plus, LA rents hit a 4-year low… so why does six figures still feel like scraping by? Buckle up—this episode covers power, property, and the price of living in LA. 

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Hour 2 - LA’s biggest money fight as guest Joseph Donlin, Director of United to House LA, breaks down the high-stakes push to roll back the controversial “mansion tax” and why a statewide measure heading for November isn’t a done deal yet. Then, from policy to progress—new affordable housing opens in East Hollywood while Metro turns up the energy with D Line station launches featuring pop-ups, pickleball, and even salsa lessons.

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Hour 3 - A wave of high-stakes issues shaping LA and beyond. A new push from a city council member could open local elections to noncitizens—what would that mean for the future of voting? Then, legal insight from The Hill’s Zach Schonfeld on a major Supreme Court ruling and its potential ripple effects on California’s Voting Rights landscape. Plus, serious concerns raised at Pomona College as allegations of racism spark community response and a broader conversation about bias and accountability.

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Hour1 - California’s gubernatorial candidates repeatedly talked over one another while sparring on the state’s most urgent issues. Affordability dominated the stage, with sharp exchanges and pointed attacks aimed at figures like Steyer and Becerra. The debate also exposed deep divisions over how to address gaps in Governor Newsom’s CARE Court mental health system, particularly around involuntary care. New proposals from Sen. Catherine Blakespear seek to expand access and create clearer pathways for higher-level treatment, but candidates remain split on how far reforms should go.

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Hour 2 - State Sen. Roger Niello joins to break down his push to curb lawsuit abuse after a single individual filed nearly 1,800 disability lawsuits against Southern California small businesses—sparking outrage among shop owners. Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials warn of a looming budget crisis as competing ballot measures could put up to $1 billion at risk, even as the city proposes hiring 510 new police officers, expanding the “Inside Safe” homelessness program, and grappling with delayed street repairs. A proposed sales tax to fund the fire department adds to the pressure, while a broader statewide ballot fight is emerging as a “tax cage match,” pitting a billionaire wealth tax for public services against efforts to limit local tax increases and roll back measures like LA’s controversial “mansion tax.”

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Hour 3 - Councilmember Nithya Raman faces scrutiny after pledging to break from LAHSA if elected—despite records showing she’s considered the move for nearly two years. Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Adam Miller unveils his ambitious “7x7 Plan” to dramatically reduce street homelessness through stricter enforcement, expanded services, and faster shelter solutions. Plus, KFI’s Heather Brooker joins to assess whether Los Angeles’ film and TV industry is finally rebounding, even as major player Quixote scales back its local soundstage footprint and exits other key production hubs, raising fresh questions about the region’s entertainment future.

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