Michael Monks Reports

Federal immigration enforcement efforts have been met with intense demonstrations across LA County. Now the White House and other federal officials have sharpened their words against local elected officials and law enforcement agencies. Michael breaks it down from all perspectives.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A series of fires, some large, some small, break out around the LA area including by Dodger Stadium during LA's game with the Yankees. Santa Monica residents are angry with Waymo's noise, but Michael's mom says the service is better at driving than he is. Immigration busts take place in LA and San Diego, worrying activists. Some at LA City Hall have pushed back against extending Mayor Bass's homel...

An activist group has released a report on the Palisades fire and concludes the official narrative from government officials about how it was an unprecedented event is unfounded. Elaine Culotti, a Palisades resident and real estate developer, says she's angry with the government response to the fire, particularly the removal of debris, and says she has a better idea on how to deal with it. Finally...

Michael dives into the winners and losers of the new city budget in Los Angeles: many jobs have been saved but others are still at risk. City council members spoke passionately for the budget and against it, with some saying the slow-down of police hiring and elimination of proposed new fire department positions puts the public at risk. Plus, Michael gets advice from listeners on what to do on Cat...

The LA city council lays off employees and asks union workers to delay their promised pay raises while at the same time demanding that hotels and airport businesses pay their workers a minimum wage of $30 an hour. Those businesses say they can't afford it and now some Olympic plans are in jeopardy. LA Metro promises to spend more money on security and cleanliness on its trains and buses, and at it...

LA City Hall has postponed its plan to crack down on slurs during city council meeting which have been derailed by vulgar, derogatory language. So why do people swear at these meetings, or even cuss in general? Michael chats with a language and profanity expert who says yes, there are physical benefits we feel when choose a dirty word at certain times. The city has also continued grappling with it...

A man and his husband were attacked outside a grocery store by a roving gang of teens of bikes who also stole liquor from the grocery. He says the police haven't been helpful so he's taken it upon himself to track down the culprits and hold them accountable. Plus, President Trump has suggested tariffs on foreign films but Hollywood doesn't seem to keen on that plan to save the troubled TV and movi...

Michael recaps a hectic week at LA City Hall where the city council is looking for a way to close a 1 billion budget shortfall. The City got a warning from the White House and guestions were raised about LAPD's use of helicopters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

is LA Metro safer now? When will we feel the tariffs. LA Counties new mental health campaign, Gondola madness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Monks breaks down LA’s growing financial emergency. As Mayor Karen Bass proposes a budget that includes 1,600+ layoffs and sweeping department cuts, Michael recaps her State of the City address — and explains why residents and workers are outraged. Plus, Michael reports on a major public backlash in Van Nuys, LA’s downgraded credit rating, and what’s next for a city facing a $1 billion def...

Senator Adam Schiff joins Michael Monks to break down California’s complicated future. Despite the state now ranking as the fourth-largest economy in the world, Schiff explains why a booming economy hasn't solved California’s worsening housing crisis or protected its signature industry, Hollywood. They also tackle the fallout from immigration policies, national security concerns at the Pentagon, a...

Michael Monks opens the show with a local sports update before diving into a sobering look at life in Los Angeles 100 days after the devastating fires. He contrasts Mayor Bass’s optimistic public comments with growing frustration from Palisades residents who feel left behind. Michael investigates the $10 million contract with Hagerty Consulting that’s yielded little visible recovery progress and s...

Michael Monks breaks down Mayor Karen Bass’s latest announcement: layoffs are officially on the table as LA stares down a $1 billion budget deficit. He then tackles the alarming 475% spike in homeless-related fires across the city and the broader toll the homeless crisis is taking on quality of life. Plus, with LAPD recruitment numbers lagging, the department is betting big on a new YouTube ad cam...

Michael Monks opens the show with updates on LA sports and shares his personal take on grocery store reorganizations. He then delves into a proposed California bill aiming to create "hospitality zones," allowing bars to serve alcohol until 4 a.m.. Through City Hall audio, Michael discusses the LA City Council's vote to continue plans for the Convention Center expansion, despite challenges posed by...

Michael Monks breaks down Bernie Sanders and AOC’s explosive "Fight the Oligarchy" rally that brought approximately 30,000 energized supporters to downtown LA. He also spotlights the historic LA28 Olympics, where women athletes will outnumber men for the first time ever, and explores how LA's rising minimum wage is unexpectedly hurting fast-food jobs. Plus, a Dodgers game gone wrong, and Huntingto...

Michael Monks breaks down the alarming $1 billion budget deficit haunting the city of Los Angeles, exploring exactly how city officials got it so wrong. With revealing clips from Mayor Bass and city administrators, Michael revisits the warnings and promises that didn’t add up. Plus, how is LA spending tens of millions more on parking enforcement than it brings in? Michael investigates the costly m...

Michael dives into LA's new effort to oversee homelessness spending after audits exposed transparency issues—Councilwoman Nithya Raman weighs in. Meanwhile, LA28 Olympic Chair Casey Wasserman reassures global leaders that U.S. politics won't block athletes' entry into the 2028 Games. Plus, Michael reveals a shocking report: LA Metro buses are cumulatively delayed by a full decade every single day,...

Michael Monks kicks off the show with an overview of his week covering City Hall, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion with LA City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. They delve into the city's financial turmoil and the council's recent decision to explore seizing control of LAHSA spending, addressing concerns over mismanagement and lack of transparency. The conversation sheds light on the fac...

Michael Monks delves into Governor Gavin Newsom's candid discussion with Ezra Klein on California's high-speed rail challenges and housing crisis. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman joins to explain his decision to reinstate the death penalty in select cases. Michael also examines LA City Council's expanded protections for undocumented immigrants, featuring insights from Councilman Hugo...

@MicMonksLA Reports: LA's Billion-Dollar Budget Crisis & Parking Enforcement Debacle   Description: Michael Monks breaks down the alarming $1 billion budget deficit haunting the city of Los Angeles, exploring exactly how city officials got it so wrong. With revealing clips from Mayor Bass and city administrators, Michael revisits the warnings and promises that didn’t add up. Plus, how is LA sp...

Michael dives into LA's new effort to oversee homelessness spending after audits exposed transparency issues—Councilwoman Nithya Raman weighs in. Meanwhile, LA28 Olympic Chair Casey Wasserman reassures global leaders that U.S. politics won't block athletes' entry into the 2028 Games. Plus, Michael reveals a shocking report: LA Metro buses are cumulatively delayed by a full decade every single day,...

Michael Monks opens the show by examining the impact of the Downtown LA Macy’s closing and what the disappearance of true department stores signals about the state of local business. He then speaks with LA County Supervisor Horvath about the county’s new homeless department and the upcoming motion aimed at addressing homelessness. Michael wraps up the hour by highlighting troubling wildlife news—f...

Michael Monks kicks off the hour by discussing new LA Times/UC Berkeley polls on Mayor Bass’s performance and what they reveal about her handling of the fires. He then delves into Ezra Klein’s analysis of how Democrats have sustained a dysfunctional government in California, highlights a poll showing that 10% of LA County residents are planning to leave in the wake of the fires, and wraps up with...

Michael Monks kicks off the hour with a recap of UCLA’s victory over USC to close out the Big Ten regular season before diving into Los Angeles’ deepening financial crisis. City Controller Kenneth Mejia joins to break down the city’s massive budget shortfall, overspending, and the alarming cycle of debt that could leave LA struggling to stay afloat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Michael Monks opens the hour with a deep dive into a scathing audit revealing LA’s failure to track billions in homelessness funding—while LA County residents brace for a sales tax hike to fund these programs. Then, UCLA economist Jerry Nickelsburg joins to discuss economic uncertainty fueled by shifting tariffs, inflation concerns, and the impact of potential mass deportations on California’s wor...