Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (03/12) - Newport-Mesa schools are considering banning most student e-bike use after growing safety concerns, highlighting a broader debate about how cities and schools should regulate the fast-growing trend. At the same time, California officials are cracking down on a $20 million luxury car tax scheme known as the “Montana Loophole,” where buyers allegedly avoided state taxes by registering high-end vehicles out of state. And as new car prices continue to soar, many Americans say they’re struggling just to afford the basics—raising bigger questions about the cost of living and financial pressure facing households today.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (03/12) - Los Angeles leaders are now considering reforms to Measure ULA—the so-called “mansion tax”—as concerns grow over its economic impact and whether it’s actually helping solve the housing crisis. Susan Shelley, Vice President of Communications for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, joins the show to break down the policy debate, the push for a new committee to study possible changes, and what it all means for homeowners and the housing market. The conversation also expands to how cities are spending millions on homelessness programs, legal battles over street cleanups, and the broader challenges Southern California communities face as they try different approaches to address the region’s homelessness crisis.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (03/11) - Federal authorities warn that Iran has explored using drones to target California in retaliation for escalating conflict, raising new security concerns across the state. Former FBI special agent in charge Rich Frankel joins the show to break down the threat and how seriously officials are taking it. With Los Angeles set to host some of the world’s biggest events—including matches tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the star-studded Academy Awards—security officials are closely monitoring potential threats to large public gatherings.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (03/11) - The Boys break down a significant development as L.A. County reports the first drop in deaths among unhoused residents in a decade, raising questions about what’s driving the change. The show also examines a tragic and unusual case in which the family of a man stabbed outside the Downey Library—while charging his car—has filed a $40 million claim after he died when the ambulance transporting him was stolen. Plus, a Santa Ana homeowner says her insurance company used a drone to inspect her roof without notifying her, sparking new concerns about privacy and insurance industry practices.

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Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (03/11) - On the Monks and Merrill Show, insurance watchdog Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, joins the conversation to expose growing concerns about insurance companies using drones to survey private property without homeowner permission. The discussion also breaks down the impact of a 17% State Farm rate hike for California homeowners following a settlement with the state. Plus, the latest shake-ups in California politics—including a new frontrunner in the governor’s race and a poll showing many Los Angeles voters still undecided about reelecting Mayor Karen Bass—as the state’s political landscape continues to shift.

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Hour 1 - Sergio Avedian, Senior Contributor at The Rideshare Guy, joins the Monks and Merrill Show to break down why Los Angeles International Airport is proposing steep rideshare fee increases that could make Uber and Lyft trips to and from the airport more expensive. The conversation also dives into major delays for the long-awaited LAX rail connection—now years behind schedule and potentially missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup timeline. Plus, lawmakers prepare transportation strategies for the 2028 Summer Olympics, including new OC transit plans and growing oversight questions at Los Angeles City Council surrounding LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman and reported ties to documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Hour 2 - Global bond markets are sliding as a spike in oil prices—driven by the escalating war in Iran—fuels fears that interest rate cuts could be delayed. Meanwhile in Southern California, drivers are seeing the immediate impact, with gas prices jumping about 50 cents in just a week. Veteran journalist Dan Walters joins the show to break down how much of California’s soaring gas prices stem from global turmoil versus state policy. We’ll also dig into the political fallout: Chevron warns of a potential economic collapse in California in a dire letter to Gavin Newsom, Republicans say Donald Trump could intervene in the state’s oil crisis, and California Democrats suddenly back away from a climate rule they supported just months ago amid fears the state’s energy market is nearing the brink.

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Hour 3 - The world of elite dining collides with labor controversy as the chef behind famed restaurant Noma responds to abuse allegations just ahead of an ultra-exclusive $1,500-a-ticket Los Angeles pop-up. Neil Saavedra joins the show to break down the backlash, the chef’s response, and why labor advocates say the controversy highlights deeper problems across the restaurant industry. Meanwhile, a major energy decision looms in L.A. as officials consider keeping the coastal Scattergood Generating Station running, testing the region’s clean-energy goals in the era of Donald Trump. We’ll also look at whether hydrogen—often touted as a cleaner fuel because it produces water vapor instead of carbon dioxide—could play a role in California’s energy future. 

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Hour 1 - Santa Ana winds tear through Southern California, sparking fires in the canyons and even knocking a tree onto railroad tracks in Anaheim. The Monks and Merrill Show brings in TikTok’s Weather Daddy, Jason Farhang, who breaks down the science behind the powerful wind events and the extreme weather patterns driving them. Meanwhile, street takeovers continue to plague the region as a mob storms a Downtown LA apartment lobby and clashes with staff, raising new questions about enforcement and the latest LA County Street Takeover Reduction Plan. And in a lighter moment, Merrill shares the painfully hilarious story of showing up to Gary and Shannon’s 10-Year Anniversary Party—only to discover his name was definitely not on the list.

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Hour 2 - Monks and Merrill examine what shifting economic signals could mean for Southern California with insights from a leading, unbiased economic forecasting organization that has analyzed global, national, state, and local economies for more than 70 years. The conversation turns to major retail shakeups as Saks Fifth Avenue announces closures in Orange County and Palm Desert, while Neiman Marcus prepares to shut down its Canoga Park location—raising questions about the future of high-end brick-and-mortar shopping. Monks and Merrill also respond to listener talkbacks before diving into a deeper debate about transportation: adding up what urban highways really cost and weighing the pros and cons of Southern California’s freeway system—from economic impact and mobility to congestion, pollution, and urban development. 

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