From Fighting Fires to Fighting for a Future

Hour 1 - From outrageous water bills to million-dollar studies and beachfront homes, this episode of Monks and Merrill takes a humorous look at California’s coastal conundrum. The hosts expose the absurdities of government spending, question the accountability of public utilities, and explore the risks of investing in luxury coastal real estate as erosion and flooding threaten the shoreline. Plus, a little celebrity scandal adds some extra spice to the conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 - What happens when you've spent thousands of hours risking your life fighting California's wildfires, only to find the doors to a firefighting career slammed shut when you get out of prison?Monks and Merrill explore the uphill battle facing formerly incarcerated firefighters and the efforts to give them a second chance. Hear from Rico Marquez, who brings more than 1,600 hours of wildfire experience, and John Cesario of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, as they discuss employment barriers, housing challenges, reentry resources, and the roadblocks built into California's system. Plus, we kick things off with a look at the incoming storm train and what it means for the coast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 - Monks and Merrill tackle California’s election results, corporate scandals, and the surprising world of corporate espionage. They also look ahead to the Los Angeles mayoral transition and the race to fill a vacant City Council seat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are covering the LAHSA shut down of their computers over a potential security issue, the Palisades arson trial plot twist, and Nithya Ramans' return to City Hall for the first time after winning the mayoral race. Her colleagues were against her running for mayor but now that she has won she has their support. She is also changing her tune on law enforcement. We break it all down and more on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2- Monks and Merrill are covering the real issues in SoCal. You may soon be able to volunteer to repaint crosswalks, IE vs warehouses, AND we talk to Mr. Kevin Neu about the 24/7 trucking facility. He is a resident and he is against it which is why he created his website https://2411glassell.com/. We get deep into it on KFIAM-640.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3- Did you think financial relief was on the way? Well not for renters any time soon. More voter fraud accusations in SoCal, appealing at City Hall can cost ya big, AND Texas turning Blue could be a big problem for conservative Californians that fled California's liberal ways. It's all on KFIAM-640. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1 - Los Angeles is gearing up for a $3.1 billion street overhaul under Mayor-elect Nithya Raman, but could drivers be squeezed even more? Meanwhile, the Supreme Court may limit victims’ ability to sue federal agents, LA City Council members push to expand public hygiene infrastructure, and LA County looks for ways to unlock millions in federal disaster funding. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 2 - Hollywood faces a massive shake-up as Skydance looks to slash more than $6 billion while integrating Warner Bros. Could entertainment's biggest merger reshape the industry? Then, could the roadways of the future charge your electric vehicle as you drive? James Campbell of Utah State University's ASPIRE Research Center joins us to discuss Utah's groundbreaking powered pavement technology. Plus, California's plastic reduction law may deliver far less than expected, and UC Riverside environmental scientist Aleksandra Karapetrova takes us into the Sierra Nevada, where she skied deep into the mountains to track microplastics hiding in the snow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 -Should California's wealthiest residents pay more, or would a billionaire tax drive money and businesses out of the state? We'll examine the economic debate as voters watch a series of closely contested local races. Orange County City Council battles remain neck and neck, while Acquanetta Warren and Alan Wapner trail in key San Bernardino County election contests. Plus, California has a new insurance commissioner — a San Francisco progressive whose leadership could shape the future of insurance affordability, availability, and regulation across the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1- Monks and Merrill are covering cleaning up encampments for LA28, Nithya Raman being AGAINST the Olympics in LA before she was the Mayor, strawberry grower layoffs, and ice cream shop weather bets. We're covering it ALL on KFIAM-640.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.