Lou Penrose on KFI

Lou Penrose is on after the Chargers game with a grim San Diego story: A man walked into an adult bookstore threatening to burn it down, police sent in K-9 Ryder, the suspect set the dog on fire and then died at the scene. Ryder survived; PETA wants the dog retired and K-9 units phased out.   Lighter fare: Friday was National One-Hit Wonder Day. Lou’s picks are CW McCall’s &l...

ALDI is slashing prices on about a third of what it sells through November 3 to fight the affordability crunch — even chicken, which is music to thigh-loving Uncle Lou. Boar’s Head vanishing from Ralphs and Food 4 Less isn’t a mystery plague: Kroger pulled it over rising costs. Relax, people, it’s salami. Lou riffs on phony-baloney food fights (dark meat vs. white, egg whit...

Remember the USS Lincoln, stuck at sea more than 250 days on that extended Middle East run? Trump sent the sailors and Marines to Pattaya, Thailand, for a break before San Diego — and in a town famous for the sex trade, Lou lets you connect the dots; the whole district’s built on that cash.   Closer to home: If you want Costco’s viral $55 Frankenstein cake for Halloween...

Hour 1 - We get some extra Lou Penrose this week as he fills in for Monks and Merrill. A new poll finds widespread frustration among Californians as voters head toward the November election. Are voters looking for a change? Plus, two ballot measures are drawing support from younger voters, and the Penrose Theory explores why some young people are increasingly attracted to Democratic socialism. And...

Hour 2 -  We get extra Lou Penrose this week as he fills in for Monks and Merrill. California and Los Angeles report August job growth—but what’s driving the gains, and are government and healthcare jobs enough? Plus, Starbucks announces more than 600 store closures nationwide; Napa Valley wineries cut prices by 20% or more, and a Raiders quarterback teams up with In-N-Out for a p...

Hour 1 - A Los Angeles high school teacher has started a financial literacy course and the students are loving it. Will classes like this be adopted statewide? And a viral trend has couples trying out "sleep divorce." Stevie Nicks tells the story of her first run-in with Janis Joplin, and Lou takes talkbacks discussing who had it worst during the recent SoCal heatwave. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Hour 2 - The Oreo Karen has struck LA public schools, requesting parents stop packing Oreos in their kids' lunch boxes. This led to an AI-generated song based on the controversy. And a new ABC7 report shows traffic deaths surge 15% on days that popular new albums are released. Lou gets into the songs he can't resist rocking out to on the road. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After one of the hottest weeks on record in Southern California, the heat finally feels like it’s breaking — but not before it made everyone a little nuts in that unseasonably humid high-90s-to-triple-digit stretch Californians just can’t handle. Uncle Luigi runs through who had it worst out there: Caltrans crews paving roads, Marines training at Camp Pendleton, AC installers, an...

The brutal heat still hanging over Southern California: The back of a UPS truck can hit 140 degrees, AC techs are slamming jobs, one caller admits he garden-naked’d his way through the heatwave, and Valley parents say classrooms are too hot for their sticky, gross kids. Down in OC, a high-school football team treasurer allegedly stole $400,000 — used it to pay off a delinquent mortgage...

Hour 1 - Nearly 5,000 sailors and Marines on board the USS Abraham Lincoln had a 5-day party in Thailand. Cocktails to-go could be extended in CA. And Guns N' Roses rocked the Rose Bowl this weekend. Eileen Gonzales was there and gives Penrose her glowing review of the concert. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2 - Funeral costs are skyrocketing and people are debating whether $100,000 is enough to live on in LA. Chili's is back on top among casual dining restaurants. They're responding with a questionable remodeling effort. And Panda Express is being accused of inauthenticity. Lou jumps to their defense. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 - A local mom is demanding no more Oreos in her daughter's classroom. It's sparking controversy and inspiring catchy AI-created music. The owner of South Point Casino in Las Vegas is losing millions of dollars voluntarily to provide affordable buffets to his customers. Lou wraps up the hour with your listener talkbacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1-  A Los Angeles high school teacher has started a financial literacy course and the students are loving it. Will classes like this be adopted statewide? Packing school lunches this year is getting more expensive. Lou reminisces on his childhood bologna sandwich and talks accommodating classmate food allergies. A viral trend has married couples trying out “sleep divorce.” St...

Hour 2-  Stevie Nicks recently told the story of her first run-in with Janis Joplin before the creation of Fleetwood Mac. Nicks was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Lou talks about some of his favorite Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks solo songs. Did you know? If you’re single and live in California, you’re likely paying more for your car ins...

Hour 3-  What is the best, most ultimate American sandwich? MTV turns 45 years old this year. A new ABC7 report shows traffic deaths surge 15% on days that popular new albums are released. Taylor Swift, Drake, Bad Bunny, and Kendrick Lamar are among the main culprits. Lou gets into the songs he can’t resist rocking out to on the road. Lou takes listener talkbacks on their own...

Hour 1 - Darth Vader made an appearance at San Diego City Hall in support of flock cameras. California is considering a new plan to pay kids for perfect school attendance. And Lou reflects on his guest appearance on Monks & Merrill this week and laments the lack of fast food talk on their show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2 - Lou Penrose pays tribute to the final Led Zeppelin record, In Through the Out Door, released 47 years ago this weekend. From John Bonham's legendary drumming to the band's new musical direction, there is plenty to unpack. And, a viral trend has people "tanmaxxing," but doctors are warning against it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 - A new report shows traffic incidents go up when new albums are released. Lou Penrose shares the top 3 musicians this rule relates to. A new rule proposes a one drink per 30 minute limit at bars. And, only 35% of teenagers had a summer job in 2026. What is going on? In the final segment, Lou reviews the new burger taco from Del Taco. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial literacy is making a comeback in Southern California classrooms, and the Golden State will soon require high-school students to take personal finance courses to graduate — turns out framing math around money gets kids hooked. Meanwhile, school lunch prices are climbing: Bread up about 3%, fruit around 5%, plus pricier bologna, peanut butter and juice,...

It’s called a “sleep divorce” — when perfectly happy married couples ditch the shared bed and sleep in separate bedrooms over snoring, light sleeping, or one partner running too hot under the covers, and the trend is catching on.   Meanwhile, people are begging hotels to slap QR codes on the nightstands so guests can tip housekeepers, room service, and v...

Jackie’s remains will head to the National Eagle Repository to be distributed to enrolled members of federally recognized Native American tribes for religious and cultural purposes — but the Big Bear community where she lived gets nothing. Animal communicator Lori Cowen claims she spoke with Jackie’s partner Shadow (who may already have a new romantic bird interest) before Jackie...

Back-to-school shopping is already in full swing in early August, and Lou is not alone in wondering when September stopped being the start of the school year. Some Arizona kids reported back as early as July 15. Meanwhile, LAUSD is rolling out a new lunch menu this year that looks award-worthy on paper — Lou reads it out and delivers his official verdict.   Grocery prices have jump...

People are falling in love with their AI companions, and Lou predicts that human-robot marriage is coming — and it’ll eventually land in the Supreme Court. China is already cracking down on AI boyfriends and girlfriends to fight loneliness and emotional dependence on chatbots.   Daily cannabis use has now officially overtaken daily alcohol consumption in the US, but with so m...

Even when money’s tight, some things are still worth the splurge. Financial expert Rachel Cruze says she’ll always pay for Instacart and Costco runs, airport valet, quality jewelry she can pass down, a solid financial team, and a good face serum. Lou’s personal luxury list? A top-tier washer and dryer, high-end vodka, and expensive bedding.   After Taco Bell’s shr...

They still can’t keep the kids from cliff-jumping at San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs. One teenager took a running leap this week, cracked his tailbone on the edge in an eyewatering wipeout, and the viral video hasn’t slowed anyone down — is this the new form of aura farming?   Over in Santa Cruz, 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams pulled a 10-year-...