Monks & Merrill

Hour 1 - U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli explains why prosecutors are retrying the Palisades fire arson case after a 10–2 jury split; we break down a multi‑agency sex‑trafficking sweep that led to at least five arrests across SoCal; and federal officials accuse 99 Ranch of workplace discrimination against non‑Chinese employees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2 - Animal advocate Jennifer Raymond joins to recount finding a mass dog grave next door to her NorCal Victorian and the sleuthing that followed; plus California lawmakers clash over community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees and whether the state’s transfer system can withstand the change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 - Noncitizen voting and police‑oversight measures won’t appear on the Nov. 3 L.A. ballot; Sen. Tony Strickland breaks down California’s gas‑tax increase as holiday travel kicks off; and Assemblymember Carl DeMaio joins to spar over a new law letting people lodge complaints with officials remotely — a bill he says is so bad it even wins unlikely critics. See omnystudio.com/...

Hour 1-Monks and Merrill are delving into the conversation about gas tax vs vehicle weight tax with Assembly Member Chris Ward. PLUS we are getting into Watson vs Republican National Committee and what that means for counting votes. It's all on KFIAM-640 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are talking all things fireworks just in time for the 250th birthday of America. Fireworks are illegal and they come with a fine. People are getting paid to turn in their neighbors for illegal fireworks. PLUS Lebron James left the Lakers and we check in with Matt Money Smith for the latest on KFIAM-640 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3- Monks and Merrill are covering the latest with the half way house in Santa Ana, the mayor wants to put it to an end. We hear from Mayor Amezcua with the latest. PLUS the LA zoo is not doomed but at risk. We break it down on KFIAM-640.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are getting into the Palisades fire mistrial and what this may mean for the lawsuits against LADWP. PLUS the Boyle Heights fire and air quality aren't the only issue. Clean up can take longer than you'd expect. We break it all down on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are delving into the payouts in LA county's $4 billion child abuse sexual settlement. The request to freeze payouts was denied and we are getting into it. PLUS Sushi drama. San Diego county sued 5 grocery store sushi companies for misclassifying employees as contractors or franchisees. It opened a can of worms and we are deep diving on KFIAM-640.  See omnystudio.com/...

Hour 3- Monks and Merrill are covering the latest with sexually abused student and where LAUSD went wrong. PLUS LA28, the Olympics are around the corner and the World Cup has been an indicator of how the 2028 Olympics will be handled. We break it down on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (06/27) - Conversations about A.I. is fascinating Merrill. From "world wide web" to "surfing the web" when the digital age was born, will A.I. be called "A.I." forever? A.I. has become so good, teachers can't detect it in schools. Plus, are expiration dates on food accurate? CA has a new bill taking affect on July 1 that would ban the "sell by" dates. Also, have you n...

More Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (06/27) - Hannah Brandt of NewsNation joins the show to discuss the latest push for UFO transparency as experts and lawmakers gather for the Disclosure Forum. Plus, are the needs of MacArthur Park and the plan to close Wilshire Blvd realistic? Monks & Merrill are talking to Scott Cameron, Acting Head of Reclamation, about the Colorado River water supply. Also, aut...

Hour 1 - A massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights has been knocked down, but the controversy is just heating up. As investigators examine reports of rotting meat, foul odors, and the site's history of safety concerns, Noah Ropp of Food & Water Watch joins us to discuss why the property had already been under scrutiny before the blaze. Then, attorney Lou Shapiro breaks down the mistrial in the...

Hour 2 California voters are set to weigh in on a controversial billionaire tax proposal this November, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association backs a competing anti-tax measure—setting up a major showdown over the state's financial future. Then, Jordan Harris, CEO of Solar AquaGrid, joins Monks & Merrill to discuss an innovative project that could help solve two of California's b...

Hour 3 - An alleged hidden-camera scandal involving a former Orange County State Parks chief has raised disturbing questions about trust and accountability among lifeguards. At the same time, Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles are clashing over control of lifeguard operations and public safety. Plus, the high-profile Palisades Fire arson case ends without a verdict as a jury deadlocks,...

Hour 1 - Michael Monks and Chris Merrill examine the aftermath of the Boyle Heights fire and the legal battle unfolding on behalf of impacted residents. Trial attorney William (Will) Sykes of Claggett & Sykes Law joins the show to discuss the victims he represents and what's next in their pursuit of justice. The hosts also cover the latest developments in the Palisades fire arson trial, the de...

Hour 2 - Michael Monks and Chris Merrill tackle the red tape slowing Los Angeles' housing crisis with Nolan Gray, Senior Director of Legislation and Research at California YIMBY, who explains how bureaucracy has turned homebuilding into a waiting game—and what reforms could change that. Then, Hannah Brandt of NewsNation joins the show to discuss the latest push for UFO transparency as expert...

Hour 3 - Michael Monks and Chris Merrill dig into the future of California's troubled high-speed rail project as private investors continue to keep their distance. Herb Morgan, candidate for California State Controller, joins the show to discuss the project's mounting challenges, costs, and what accountability should look like moving forward. The hosts also break down a jury's $6.5 million award t...

Hour 1 - The massive Boyle Heights fire continues to send shockwaves across Los Angeles. Michael Monks and Chris Merrill examine the growing scrutiny surrounding the company at the center of the blaze, the widespread impact of toxic smoke on neighborhoods throughout the region, and the political fallout facing Mayor Karen Bass as comparisons emerge to the Palisades fire response. Plus, former LAFD...

Hour 2 - LAUSD adopts one of the nation's toughest screen-time policies for young students while approving a $21 billion budget that spends beyond current revenues and sets the stage for painful future cuts. Meanwhile, district leaders preserve a key Black student equity program amid growing financial pressures. Plus, Los Angeles voters may soon face another tax increase—this time to bolster...

Hour 3 - Los Angeles' Measure ULA is generating millions for affordable housing and tenant assistance, but critics say it's also slowing real estate sales, discouraging development, and reducing multifamily housing construction. Then, David Kline, Vice President of Research and Communication for CalTax, joins the show to discuss why California is bracing for one of the largest tax increases in a d...

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are covering the latest with the Boyle Heights Fire and we're talking to attorney Lou Shapiro about the Palisades Fire trial. PLUS we are delving into everything World Cup. It's all on KFIAM-640.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are covering all things taxes. There may be a new tax measure going into effect in November. Is the Billionaire Tax happening? Do higher taxes mean a better life? We're breaking it all and MORE on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3- Monks and Merrill are talking to Scott Cameron, Acting head of reclamation, about the Colorado River water supply. PLUS CA water vs energy vs AI. Everyone is at odds. AND autonomous heavy duty trucks may be coming to a road near you. We're covering all of it on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are covering the latest with the Boyle Heights fire and it's impact on the air quality. PLUS Spencer Pratt is attacking Mayor Karen Bass. It's all on KFIAM-640.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are talking to Bob Blue about the Barry Building Demolition Project. We have an update. PLUS what the Woodland Hills Country Club fight is exposing about the housing crisis. AND MacArthur Park has had some drug operations and we're breaking it all down on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.