Monks & Merrill

Hour 2 - The David Pearce murder trial resumes with investigators testifying that blood found in a Tesla matched Celeste Rivas Hernandez's DNA. KFI's Heather Brooker joins the show to discuss how California's expanded film and TV tax credits are helping bring production back to the state. Plus, movie theater popcorn buckets have become a $100 million business, and Amazing Brands CEO Stephen Siegel...

Hour 3 - California nurses say technology is getting in the way of patient care, not improving it. Cathy Kennedy, RN and President of the California Nurses Association, joins Monks & Merrill to explain why Kaiser nurses are raising concerns about the growing role of tech in hospitals. Plus, the federal government cracks down on student loans for low-paying degree programs, a new report names t...

Hour 1 - Pasadena residents are taking their fight to new heights as activists climb trees and lawsuits mount over the school district's controversial tree removal plan. Jessica Richards, Co-founder of PUSD Trees, joins Monks & Merrill to discuss the growing standoff. Plus, why do vacant buildings in Downtown L.A. keep catching fire on the same block? And neighbors near the Boyle Heights wareh...

Hour 2 - As the AI revolution accelerates, even the people who helped build it are sounding the alarm. Rachel Frazin, reporter for The Hill, joins Monks & Merrill to discuss Silicon Valley workers protesting AI's growing threat to jobs and society, along with how California's "billionaire playground" is feeling the strain of a booming tech industry. Then, Heather Brooker, KFI reporter and host...

Hour 3 - Questions are mounting after a homeless services nonprofit reportedly paid more than $1.7 million to companies owned by its own CEO. Monks & Merrill break down the controversy as new projections suggest homelessness in Los Angeles could climb another 3.5%. Plus, Orange County launches an innovative program that will send some 911 calls to social workers instead of law enforcement, and...

Hour 1 - Orange County officials and families demand answers after several children in Ladera Ranch are diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, raising calls for a federal investigation. Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and attorney Jackie French join the show to discuss the growing concerns and what's being done. Then, USGS geologist Kate Scharer explains why a long-quiet section of the San A...

Hour 2 - Could water taxis become part of the transportation plan for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics? Monks & Merrill discuss the growing interest in bringing ferries to the Games and whether Burbank's legal battle over a proposed North Hollywood-to-Pasadena bus rapid transit line could derail key transit projects before LA28. Then, Dr. Jay Doucet joins the show to discuss the rapid rise of e-b...

Hour 3 - A controversial California bill could reshape how shoppers save at the checkout, with critics warning it may eliminate popular grocery coupon and rewards programs. Monks & Merrill also dive into the rise of personalized pricing as retailers use consumer data to tailor prices and promotions, raising new questions about fairness and privacy. Plus, the federal government withholds hundre...

Hour  1 - Attorney General candidate Michael Gates joins Monks & Merrill to discuss the city's preparedness and accountability. Plus, the hosts break down a deputy-involved shooting that ended a vicious dog attack, the troubling rise in dead animals found on L.A. streets, the long-awaited sale of a graffiti-covered Downtown L.A. eyesore, and new polling showing Californians strongly suppo...

Hour 2 - Oliver Roberts, Co-Director of the WashU Law AI Collaborative and Adjunct Professor of Law, joins Monks & Merrill to explain why AI data centers may be America's competitive advantage—not the threat many fear. Plus, Ben Affleck's AI company lands a deal worth more than $500 million, Lake Hollywood Park is plagued by a string of revolting incidents just as visitors gather to eat,...

Hour 3 - Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps joins Monks & Merrill to discuss California's fight against the Trump administration over the reopening of a long-dormant Santa Barbara oil pipeline and why local leaders say the coast is "not for sale." Plus, the Justice Department alleges UC San Diego illegally considered race in admissions, and new questions arise after Denver Public Scho...

Hour 1- Another heatwave may be coming to Southern California and Monks and Merrill are diving into it. PLUS 5 popular coastal beaches found bacteria above state health standards, and we're sharing where and what to know. AND we talk to Christopher Lowe from Long Beach Shark Lab about funding and sharks on the beaches. All this and MORE on KFIAM-640.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are delving into the pipe that bursts in WeHo and how it revealed miles of aging pipes, the latest with the Boyle Heights fire, and copper thieves are out of control. It's all on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3- Although CA home sales strengthened in June, buyers aren't really relieved and Monks and Merrill are breaking it down. PLUS California sued Costa Mesa and 4 others for failing to complete state-mandared housing plan for over 2 years and we have Costa Mesa's response and MORE on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monks and Merrill talk homelessness on Skid Row and its impact on both people and animals. After touching on a recent food safety story making headlines, they explore the delayed homeless count, the challenges facing local agencies, and what it will take to create meaningful change.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monks and Merrill tackle two stories that spark bigger questions about safety, responsibility, and public policy. They examine controversial comments about meth use among people experiencing homelessness and discuss new research showing that speeding saves little time while wasting fuel and money. The conversation also explores the growing use of AI-powered traffic cameras, weighing the tradeoffs...

Monks and Merrill unpack the military's proposal to test service members' testosterone levels, with guest Dr. Jim offering medical insight into the benefits, risks, and misconceptions surrounding testosterone treatment. They also explore the broader cultural questions raised by the policy before shifting to California's push to reduce plastic packaging and the growing use of facial recognition tec...

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are diving right into the LADWP trunk line that ruptured and caused flooding and a sinkhole in WeHo. How often does LADWP replace their equipment? We get into it.  PLUS Metro recorded a $26.2 million increase but there are some contributing factors that we get into. AND LAX 2.25 mile automation train is still in the testing phase after 7 years and $3.3billlion. It's...

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are diving into AB311 which would allow insurers monitor a driver's activity through their phone. Will it be voluntary or will it impose on out privacy? We break it down. PLUS what behavior triggered the DMV test retake and why are they being so hush hush about it? Not only does it overcrowd the DMV, but it also makes us question credibility. We get into all of it on KFIA...

Hour 3- Officials have given Boyle Heights 45 days to clean up the mess from the Boyle Heights fire. But when will the odors end? We break it down on Monks and Merrill. PLUS we are breaking down the latest with Yusef Robb and Karen Bass. No law was broken evidently, but trust has been broken. AND the latest in the Ramen vs Bass drama. It's all on KFIAM-640.  See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

A warehouse fire in Boyle Heights left behind more than smoke—it sparked a public health concern, political scrutiny, and unanswered questions. In this episode, we break down the city's response, the ongoing odor affecting residents, the companies at the center of the crisis, and what accountability could look like. Is Los Angeles moving fast enough, or just managing the optics?  See om...

Monks and Merrill unpack the latest examples of government dysfunction. This episode examines Los Angeles' flawed street sweeping enforcement, the millions paid in legal settlements, and growing controversy surrounding the FCC's role in the proposed Paramount-Skydance merger. The hosts break down the politics, accountability, and what these stories reveal about how government serves—or fails...

Monks & Merrill examine the growing homelessness crisis in Southern California, from Los Angeles' ongoing struggles to San Bernardino County's emerging approach. Featuring an interview with Derek Armstrong, the conversation explores accountability, affordability, mental health, and the policies shaping outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. Plus, updates on the Santa Clarita wildfire a...

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are talking to John R. Johnson,  Curator Emeritus of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and an adjunct anthropology professor at UCSB about the bones off of the California coast that could change history. PLUS we need to read and author of  Attention Span, Gloria Mark  is here to help. AND Anime gets a huge discount on rent. Are the...

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are covering California's lawsuit to block Paramount from acquiring Warner Bros. What will happen in California actually wins this lawsuit? Paramount may move their headquarters out of California as a result. It's a layered situation and we break it all down on KFIAM-640 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.