Monks & Merrill

Hour 1 - Monks and Merrill break down the latest developments involving Iran and turn to the growing federal scrutiny surrounding LAUSD, including an FBI raid reportedly sparked by a tip from New York prosecutors investigating alleged fraud tied to an AI firm. We’ll also discuss the expanding controversy surrounding Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, as past scandals resurf...

Hour 2 - Monks & Merrill, we’re joined by Bob Blue, co-founder and spokesperson for Angelenos for Historic Preservation, to unpack the growing controversy surrounding the potential demolition of the 1951 mid-century Barry Building.  We’ll explore whether the building is a landmark worth saving or a liability ready for the wrecking ball, and widen the lens to ano...

Hour 3 - Monks & Merrill  dive into a major shake-up proposed at City Hall: a Charter Reform Commission recommendation to expand the Los Angeles City Council from 15 to 25 members. Is fifteen too few for a city of nearly four million, or does this mean more bureaucracy and higher costs? We’ll also examine debate over creating a new Chief Financial Officer position to oversee th...

Hour 1 -  Jordana Miller, ABC News Correspondent in Jerusalem, joins the program as Israeli politicians publicly back expanding military operations expected to last weeks — while Donald Trump signals he’s prepared to go much longer. As the conflict with Iran intensifies and the U.S. pledges additional troops amid expectations of further casualties, the politica...

Hour 2 - California’s high-speed rail authority says a nonstop California High-Speed Rail Authority line from San Francisco to Los Angeles could be running by 2039 — but critics question whether the new business plan’s “creative” revenue projections truly add up. We break down the numbers, the skepticism, and what it means for taxpayers. Then, a lighter rail story: Lo...

Hour 3 -  An Agoura Hills homeowner says her annual premium with State Farm has skyrocketed to more than $44,000 — more than seven times what she paid when she bought her home in 2012. As wildfire risk becomes fully priced into California’s insurance market, the pressure on homeowners is reaching a breaking point.  Forecasters at the National Weather Service Los Angeles/...

Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (02/27) - Two recent reports detail firefighters who say they raised concerns about smoldering hot spots before larger flare-ups in major L.A. County fires, including the Palisades and the Lachman Fire. Sworn deposition testimony tied to the Lachman Fire and the later Palisades Fire is putting a harsh spotlight on internal attitudes in wildfire response, especially how fie...

Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (02/27) - KFI Entertainment Reporter Heather Brooker joins the show to talk about Netflix officially backing away from its $83 billion dollar agreement to acquire a large portion of Warner Bros Discovery, after Paramount Skydance raised its bid to $111 billion, as well as how Gen-Z wants "vulnerable men" in movies. Plus, a tax break tune-up and a tax relief reality. The Lo...

Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (02/27) - Los Angeles is moving toward "spacing rules" for sober living homes and recovery housing after clusters of facilities popped up in some neighborhoods with little-to-no citywide distance limits. The real fight over sober living homes in Los Angeles is not about whether recovery housing should exist, but rather density, oversight and whether certain neighborhoods a...

Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (02/26) - FOX 11 meteorologist Star Harvey breaks down Southern California’s sudden swing from chilly mornings to blazing heat waves. Plus, the FBI’s presence at Los Angeles Unified School District raises new questions about Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and what’s next for the nation’s second-largest school district. We also unpack how...

Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (02/26) - The Monks and Merrill Show, we dig into new data showing 74% of Altadena fire-impacted lots still have no rebuilding activity, raising tough questions about recovery delays. Meanwhile, Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump both vow to crack down on corporate home buying as lawmakers introduce a new bill aimed at cooling investor competition. Plus, an...

Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (02/26) - New California DMV data reveals Uber’s autonomous partner Nuro averaged fewer than 700 miles between required human takeovers during 2025 testing, raising fresh questions about driverless readiness. Meanwhile, Tesla promotes its California robotaxi vision while facing scrutiny over permits and a growing clash with state regulators. Plus, California floats a...

Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (02/25) - FBI agents executed search warrants at Los Angeles Unified School District Headquarters and at the home of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, according to multiple reports. Also, tourists hate the U.S. as the nation sees a decline in foreign visitors. Political tensions, tougher border policies, visa fees and shifting perceptions of the U.S. are all being cited as...

Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (02/25) - The L.A. City Council has been considering expanding its existing "Fair Works" protections - which require predictable scheduling and rights for retail workers... to include fast-food employees. Also, the fast-food and snack industry sits at a pressure point. Gov. Gavin Newsom is backing legislation that would impose stricter age-based limits on social media use...

Monks and Merrill Hour 3 (02/25) - With Governor Gavin Newsom unable to seek re-election due to term limits, the 2026 California gubernatorial contest has become a chaotic, crowded field with no clear frontrunner. With Southern California's top-two primary system, small shifts in turnout or turnout enthusiasm could dramatically reshape who advances to the November general election - including the...

Los Angeles officials are seeking an extension on state transportation funds as major transit projects face delays and rising costs. According to LAist, local leaders argue that construction setbacks, supply chain issues and inflation have made original timelines unrealistic. The request puts pressure on state lawmakers to decide whether flexibility keeps projects alive or encourages budget drift....

As more job seekers use AI tools to draft resumes and cover letters, some employers and hiring experts are pushing back, warning that AI-generated applications are flooding the system with generic submissions. At the same time, many companies rely on AI-powered applicant tracking systems to filter and score resumes before a human ever sees them. The result is a hiring process increasingly mediated...

According to LAist, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA, has been late in distributing some city and county homelessness funds to service providers. Nonprofits say delayed reimbursements have created cash flow problems and operational stress. The issue highlights ongoing administrative challenges in one of the nation’s most expensive homelessness response systems. The...

Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes — known as “El Mencho” — the founder and leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a military operation in Jalisco state. The takedown is considered one of the most significant blows to organized crime in decades, but it immediately sparked lethal retaliation and nationwide unrest....

California’s Senate Bill 79, known as the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2025 and takes effect July 1, 2026. The law overrides certain local zoning rules to allow higher density housing near major transit stops. Supporters call it essential to fixing the housing shortage. Opponents say it guts local control and risks displacement. The Los A...

The nonpartisan Tax Foundation published a report in February with similar findings: Tariffs created an average tax increase per U.S. household of $1,000 in 2025 and are expected to lead to an increase of $1,300 for 2026.  Alex Durante, senior economist at the Tax Foundation, joins the show to talk about it. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down most of the broad tariffs imposed under the Intern...

Monks and Merrill Hour 1 [Best Of] (02/21) - Monks and Merrill want a little more of an introductory of themselves for the audience. Let's get to know them! Plus, LA is unaffordable for homebuyers. Also, a blackjack bust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monks and Merrill Hour 2 [Best Of] (02/21) - Edison is making Eaton fire victims pay. The crime rate is going down and we talk about safe golf courses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (02/20) - We begin the show talking about the Hollywood reset and the Warner Bros deal, as production still remains low. Even Los Angeles "can't afford" to be in Los Angeles. Can you even operate the industry that made California what it is? Hollywood isn't Hollywood anymore - the below the line workers are hit hardest. KFI's Heather Brooker joins the show to tell more. Pl...

Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (02/20) - LA recorded its second annual budget deficit. Plus, sixth street bridge problems. More money for the homeless problem, and there is nothing to show for it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.