Michael Monks continues covering ICE & LAPD, the LA Film Credit, the surprise for the Mayor of Palmdale, The Olympic winds in LBC.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
KFIM six forty lined everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. This
is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI News.
We've got another hour together on this holiday weekend. I'm
hoping you and your family and your friends have enjoyed
Independence Day. It's been a different one this year around LA,
with many communities canceling their Fourth of July festivities out
(00:25):
of fear of immigration enforcement. Federal agents have continued their
operations even on Friday, the holiday. I saw a video
of a bus at a car wash in West Hollywood.
It seems like a lot of car washes and street
vendors have been targeted here, along with home depot locations
so far. But with the passage of President Trump's Big
Beautiful Bill, which he signed into law on the fourth,
(00:47):
border security and immigration enforcement will see their budgets increase
to their highest levels. Ever, so what can we expect
from that here? That is not clear yet, But local
officials are trying to prepare a defense an even offense,
perhaps through the legal system. The Department of Justice has
(01:08):
already filed suit against the City of Los Angeles to
try to get a court to invalidate the city's sanctuary
status ordinance. Lamare Bass says the city will defend its
policy and now more legal action is planned. The La
County Board of Supervisors has approved a directive ordering its
attorneys to explore legal remedies to prevent what they call
(01:31):
unconstitutional federal immigration enforcement. Local officials are particularly angry with
how federal agents have presented themselves in public. They're often
masked and they're in regular street clothes. There have been
fears express that maybe some federal agents aren't who they
say they are, and we have already seen one arrest
(01:52):
in La of a guy who was allegedly impersonating an
immigration officer. The supervisors have also asked its Department of
Youth Development and its Public Defender's Office to develop a
know Your Rights campaign for young people who show up
at demonstrations against immigration enforcement, and at La City Hall
Council members Unsices Hernandez and Bob Blumenfield, they filed a
(02:14):
motion for the LAPD to enact new policies requiring officers
to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be federal
law enforcement and to increase penalties for impersonating public safety personnel. Meanwhile,
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell was at the weekly meeting of
the LA Police Commission, and he explained some of what
his department is dealing with as immigration enforcement continues around
(02:37):
the city, especially now that officers are being called to
the scenes of what are reported as kidnappings that turn
out to be federal immigration enforcement activity.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Officers responding to calls involving possible federal immigration enforcement are
required to request a supervisor if one has not already
been dispatched by our Communications division. As far as verification
and accountability, if officers individuals engaged in enforcement actions who
are not clearly identifiable as local, state, or federal law enforcement,
(03:08):
they are directed to verify credentials with the on SCEEN
supervisor or the federal agent in charge. This verification must
be captured on body one video to ensure transparency and accountability.
As far as impersonation protocols, if it's determine that an
individual is not a legitimate federal enforcement officer, officers are
instructed to take appropriate enforcement action, which may include detaining
(03:31):
or arresting the individual from impersonating a peace officer consistent
with department policy and applicable law.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
The LAPD is kind of getting it from all sides.
The federal government has criticized it multiple times for not
responding fast enough when crowds get out of hand. Meanwhile,
activists who oppose the immigration enforcement they've accused the LAPD
of cooperating and working with ice and Border patrol. We've
seen LAPED on the scene of immigration activity, but they're
usually there as a buffer between protests and the Federal
(04:00):
Agent's chief. McDonnell outlines what he sees as the role
of his department in these events.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Our role is strictly limited. Once it's confirmed that the
scene involves a federal enforcement action, the role of the
LAPD personnel is strictly limited to maintaining public safety. This
includes creating tactical separation between the parties, maintaining a safe perimeter,
directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic if necessary, and most importantly,
(04:27):
ensuring that no one gets hurt. We understand that public
perception can be sensitive during these operations. Some may see
our presence as cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. However, our
officers are being reminded and are actively communicating on scene
that their presence is solely to prevent injury, de escalate tension,
and protect lives.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
The LAPED has a policy that predates the city Sanctuary
City ordinance by decades. It does not enforce immigration law.
It wants everyone to feel comfortable with the police in
case they're needed as witnesses in other crimes times. But
it's a tricky spot, and even though the large scale
demonstrations against immigration enforcement have dialed back, a lot, enforcement
(05:08):
has continued, and based on the new federal spending plan,
could likely ramp up in a big way. So what
comes next, That's what we'll be looking for. One thing
is clear, though, these immigration enforcement efforts have already had
a significant impact on life in Los Angeles, especially in
the businesses where illegal immigrants work or used to work
(05:29):
in the parts of the city where they operate or
operated businesses. At Tuesday's LA City Council meeting, the last
meeting before their month long break, council member Isabelle Herado,
whose district includes northeast La neighborhoods and most of downtown,
including the Flower and Fashion districts, she brought bouquets to
all her fellow council members.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
These flowers come from the original flower market in downtown
La part of the Flower District, a vibrant, irreplaceable community
made up of small starfronts and street vendors, many of
whom are immigrants. They are the heart and soul of
this industry. They rise before dawn, arranged by hand, and
bring beauty into our lives, one stem at a time.
But these days, what should be joyful work has become
(06:12):
a source of anxiety for many. Ice rates have devastated
not only the storefronts in the Flower District, but also
the entire industry. Just yesterday, two street flower vendors were
detained outside Forest Lawn Cemetery while working providing flowers to
grieving families. These aren't isolated incidents. They are part of
a disturbing pattern of racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and the
(06:36):
silencing of people who are just trying to make an
honest living.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Kelselman Marquis Harris Dawson, who's the president of the council
and who represents South la He also noted the emptiness Angelino's.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
We have specific business districts in our city that are
empty right now. The flower mart is one. The Sante
Fashioned Alley is another. The Eleventh Street Electronics Bizarre is another.
If you have occasion to use those places, please go
use them, because there's going to be some time I
think before people feel comfortable populating those places and conducting
(07:12):
business in the way they have in years past.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez from the San Fernando Valley, she says,
there's another industry hurting because of immigration enforcement.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Folks.
Speaker 6 (07:22):
We need to remember the restaurant industry and how they're
being decimated right now across the city and the backbone
of that workforce that keeps our restaurants alive. And so
I just want to remind everybody while we have an
opportunity here to not just voice our support, we need
to show up when policy to make a substantial difference
to actually ensure that these businesses remain intact so that
(07:45):
they can actually continue to employ people. And so that's
another reminder of what we have to be really focused
on in this city because we have to lend more
than our voices of support. We have to show up
in ensuring that the able to remain in business and
continue to offer employment.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
And KFI will continue to follow the enforcement activity the
response of local officials and federal officials, demonstrations, and the
impact on the community as this pivotal period in the
city's history continues. And up next on Michael Monks Reports,
one part of the La economy got a long awaited
dose of good news, and a fledgling business in the
(08:25):
Palisades is being told to hit the road by city Hall,
just not the roads in the Palisades.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Demand KFIAM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you till the end of the hour. Looking
back on the week end news, it was a big
day in Burbank and for Hollywood. As Governor Newsom, state lawmakers,
local officials, and entertainment workers all pushed through legislation they
(08:58):
hope save a troubled industry.
Speaker 7 (09:01):
That's the investment we're making today to create the conditions
where your passion could be met with action. Your creativity,
your daring, your innovation can be brought to light. And
that's a point of pride for me as a Californian
and someone who grew up mindful that the world we
(09:21):
invented eighteen seventy eight in Palo Alto, California, the first
cinematic images, that the world we invented is now competing
against us, and then we've got to step up our game.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Governor Newsom says, other states and other countries picked up
the slack offering lucrative incentives as California grew complacent.
Speaker 7 (09:41):
I think we put our feet up. We took things
for granted. Success leaves clues after all, and we saw
that recognition all across the globe, not just across the
United States.
Speaker 8 (09:52):
It was first up.
Speaker 7 (09:53):
There in Vancouver and Toronto, and then we started reading
about New Zealand, Australia, and then quietly the UK emerges
as a dominant force. We started to compete with Louisiana
and New Mexico. We saw new tax incentives in New York,
but we never saw what was coming in places like
Georgia that invested in a sustainable mindset, not a situational mindset,
(10:14):
to commit to the long haul, to the long term,
to do more of this.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
But now the film tax credit program in California has
more than doubled, and here to talk about it is
kfi's Heather Brooker.
Speaker 8 (10:26):
Heather Brooker, nice to spend some time with you.
Speaker 9 (10:28):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
I know you've been filling in on wake up call.
You'll be filling in on wake up call all next
week while Amy King is away, so we don't get
to play in the newsroom.
Speaker 9 (10:37):
I know I miss our newsroom time.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
I have to pick on Will Cole Schreiber all but
myself because you're not there to tag team m.
Speaker 9 (10:43):
I know he loves it though he loves the attention.
Speaker 8 (10:46):
He does love the attention. I'll tell you else loves attention.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Actors Hollywood and they got some from the California Assembly.
Governor Newsom. Newsom flies into Burbank. He's joined by ellemre Bass,
Hollywood officials, and actor Noah Wiley at this press conference
in Burbank, touting the expansion of the film tax credits.
It has gone up bigly, from three hundred and thirty
million dollars every year to seven hundred and fifty million dollars.
(11:13):
What does this mean for an industry that has been
in trouble, Well.
Speaker 9 (11:16):
This is huge news for the industry. We're talking about
they're saying sixty seven hundred new jobs for cast and
crew could come out of this development and out of
this new tax credit increase. And what I'm hearing and
seeing from people in the industry, they're thrilled with this,
and some of them are saying, we hope it's not
too late. You know, this has been something that's been
(11:38):
ongoing and been talked about and moving through the you know,
the legislature for quite a long time. They're hopeful it's
not too late. But mostly they're hopeful, that's what I'm hearing.
They're hoping that this approves more jobs, more productions to
be coming back here, not just in Los Angeles, but
all of California.
Speaker 8 (11:55):
I mean right where we're sitting right now.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
We're surrounded by Warner Brothers, Disney, I mean, big classic
Hollywood iconic brands. But stuff's not been getting made here
in Los Angeles and in California, not at the rate
that it used to. And what you heard from the
industry is, look, we've been hit by a triple dose
of things. We had the COVID pandemic that hit every industry.
Then we had the writers and actors strikes, and then
(12:18):
the Palisades fire, the Eaten fire impacted people who were
living here and working in the industry. But this situation
seems to be also heavily impacted by the fact that
other states and other countries got wise to what producers want,
and that is to spend less money on big budget things,
(12:39):
and so there's a huge competition out there. So tell
us a bit about what California was facing as the
home of Hollywood when places like Georgia or even Europe
started to lure productions away.
Speaker 9 (12:51):
I mean, yeah, that's basically the bottom line. Other states
and other countries caught on early on years ago, even
before the COVID and all the strikes and things. Years ago,
they started saying, oh, we've got to start luring these
producers out here. So they raised their tax credit. Georgia
doesn't even have a cap, so you could go and
(13:12):
get infinite amount or apply for infinite amount of credits
back there in Georgia, which is very appealing. So California
has been behind this curve for quite some time. So
this is a long time coming, but it is such
a good step in the right direction, and hopefully these
producers and people making movies and TV shows and now
(13:33):
this what's great about this too is it expands the
kinds of projects that can be made and can apply
for this tax credit. Short form projects, short films, more
digital projects can now apply. It's a modernization of the
bill as well as the tax incentive increase, so hopefully
it will bring more jobs back.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
I don't want to rain on the parade because I
think there is another threat to this industry as we
know it in the pe who live and work here specifically.
I'll ask you that at the end, But first let's
touch upon that issue of the jobs. We heard at
this press conference from Renata Ray. She is with the
IATZE Local forty four. IATZE is the union, the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. And I think there's a
(14:17):
bunch of other words after that, but that's what IATZE
stands for. Here's what she had to say about who
benefits from this.
Speaker 10 (14:23):
We are the thousands of artisans whose names went by
in the credit role at the end of the movie,
not those that appear in large letters and fade slowly
at the beginning of the movie. We don't go to
the award shows. We work the award shows. We don't
walk the red carpet, we lay the red carpet. We
don't go to hear the orchestra play. We play in
(14:46):
the orchestra. We are parents navigating the availability of childcare.
We are renters, concerned that soon we may be priced
out of our moderst departments. Where the Sandwich generation caretakers
balancing the maze of healthcare with the rising cost of
food and gas. We lost much. But we are survivors
(15:09):
of both the Altadena and Palisage fires.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
So it's not the Tom Cruise and the brad Pits,
the big, big producers or actors of the world. I mean,
when a movie is shot here, when a television show
is shot here, a lot of people get the opportunity
to work and thus build a life here.
Speaker 9 (15:25):
Right, right, that's exactly right. I mean, listen, already the
governor has awarded he announced sixteen new television shows through
this program that are going to be collectively Now, this is,
according to the Governor's office, anticipated to bring in one
point one billion dollars in total spending and sixty seven
hundred cast and crew jobs. It's hard to ignore if
(15:47):
that is the case, and if that is truly the
amount of revenue that could be pumped in to our
communities and jobs. It's hard to ignore that that has benefits.
And they're not just going, like you said, to the
Tom Cruises and Brad Pitt. It's they're going to your
neighbor who is a costume designer. They're going to your
friend at church who is a makeup artist. It is
(16:08):
maybe not your friend at church.
Speaker 8 (16:09):
No, you don't know how. I pray no.
Speaker 9 (16:12):
Judgment, but it's it's truly, it will be interesting to
see how this will be seen in the community. It's
going to take some time. It's not going to be
an instant.
Speaker 8 (16:24):
Handed out, big activity started.
Speaker 9 (16:27):
I think that is a misconception here. I think people
are thinking that they hear seven hundred and fifty million
dollar tax credit, that that means these producers are going
to be instantly getting you know.
Speaker 8 (16:36):
Wads of cash.
Speaker 9 (16:38):
It truly will trickle down eventually and result in jobs,
which means people spending more at your local coffee shop,
you know, people shopping more, hopefully at local businesses. And
that's really the ultimate goal of what Governor Newsom is
saying that he hopes you can accomplish with this.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
We'll continue with Heather just ahead. It's not like all
Hollywood productions have left Hollywood after Noah Wiley was at
this press conference and he talks about how his show
The Pit on HBO is made right here and he
explains the economic benefits as he sees it. Next, this
is Michael Monks Reports on KFI AM six forty.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you til the end of the hour on
this Independence Day weekend.
Speaker 8 (17:28):
Hope you're having a good one.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
You can check in with me online, shoot me a message, X, Insta,
TikTok at Mike Monks La m I C Monksla. We're
going to talk about the new restrictions on a burgeoning
disaster tourism industry and Pacific palisades, the Lacity councils, but
the kibosh on it. We'll get to that in a
few minutes, but first we finished with kfi's Heather Brooker.
We've been talking about the expansion of California's film tax
(17:52):
credits and the state's attempt to save the Hollywood industry.
One of the big productions that is taking place in
Los Angeles is HBO's The Pit, this hospital drama starring
actor Noah Wiley.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
He was good.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I haven't checked it out yet. I'm going to watch it.
He was at this press conference too. Noah Wyley was
and he explained the numbers the economic impact of a
production like his.
Speaker 11 (18:14):
Last year, we filmed for about one hundred and thirty
five days over seven months, plus two months of pre production.
We employed about three hundred and fifty people full time.
We then brought on an additional about eleven hundred people,
averaging two hundred new people every day. We worked with
about fourteen hundred background performers, averaging about two hundred a day.
(18:35):
We spent about thirty five million dollars in wages. We
spent about twenty million dollars in purchasing lubber, construction materials, rentals, food,
in addition to sag after a DJA WGA. We work
extremely closely with sixteen different local chapters YAZZI to create
our show, so it's.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Not always easy to quantify what those numbers mean. I mean,
I guess you can get an act count on the
number of people who worked, but whether or not. It
has you know, the massive economic impact that they project.
Speaker 8 (19:06):
It's always hard to prove.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
That, but it sounds nice and it makes people feel
good and optimistic. But in addition to employing a lot
of people, there is a lot of tax revenue that
can be gained by local and state governments from this.
Speaker 8 (19:18):
I know that's important to them.
Speaker 9 (19:19):
Yeah, no, that is very important because you're talking about
a state and a community, especially here in La who,
as you mentioned earlier, has been hit by these wildfires,
by a massive economic downturn and in a lot of ways,
and having this infusion of jobs and people being able
to spend money in our community again, I think will
(19:41):
make a big difference. Now, is it again too little,
too late? That remains to be seen Hopefully not. Hopefully
we will start to see more productions coming back here.
It's also about the legacy of Hollywood. This is where
the movie industry started, This is where you want to
come and make your movies. And I feel like, you know,
maybe we need our own KFI movie. Maybe we need
(20:03):
like a you know what'd be great, a KFI docuseries
like the documentary Crew follow us around, see us give
will Cole Schreiber a hard time, and maybe I.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Feel like Tim Conway would hog the camera and we
would get very little screen time, and that might be
the right choice.
Speaker 8 (20:20):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
He might be more interesting than all of us, I'm
not sure, on his way to Santa.
Speaker 8 (20:23):
Anita and that sort of thing.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
But in addition to the general struggles that the industry
is faced by way of the situations that we described earlier,
the fires, the strikes, COVID and all of that, they
don't make it easy. They being the government here, they
don't make it easy. It's not easy to build things.
It's not easy to do anything when the local government
is involved, especially in the city of Los Angeles, and
(20:47):
that is where Hollywood is. Ellie mare Bass seems to
recognize the permitting issues and other government regulations or regulatory
issues related to filmmaking.
Speaker 12 (20:57):
Here's what she says, the film here, How can we
remove the barriers so that when the text credits go
into full bloom and production is back here in a
major way, we make sure that there is no impediment
on any level.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
So the city seems conscious that, hey, we're not doing
a great job and making this as seamless as it
needs to be.
Speaker 8 (21:18):
So there are other layers of this problem.
Speaker 9 (21:20):
Yeah, that is a big stumbling block that a lot
of filmmakers and producers have been complaining about for quite
some time. I mean just a few weeks ago there
was the whole issue with the city Council where everyone
was complaining with the Oh I just forgot the name
of it la.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
Oh, film LA. Yes, that was at the Board of
Public Works. Yes, oh, that's right.
Speaker 9 (21:39):
So you know, the permitting process has been a slog
for some people.
Speaker 8 (21:45):
They say that.
Speaker 9 (21:46):
It's too slow, it's too expensive. There's a lot of questions,
a lot of issues they have there, and that I
think also is something that needs to be addressed in
a real thoughtful way. I know they're going to be
doing like a review of film LA, but that is
a big stumbling block for a lot of producers who
are trying to get their movies made here. You can
offer them all the tax credits in the world, but
(22:07):
if it takes them a year and twenty thousand dollars
just to get a permit to film at Griffith Park,
then that's a problem.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
They say it takes a long time. They say it's expensive.
No matter how large or small your budget is.
Speaker 8 (22:19):
In our last three seconds. Let me ask you this.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
It feels like there's some other issue facing the livelihood
of people who work in Hollywood, especially the folks that
we mentioned earlier. Not the big stars that might get
a big check up front, but the people who work
on the people who write them. Even TV shows aren't
like they used to be. And I don't mean that
from a quality standpoint. We don't consume them the same way.
We don't get twenty two episode seasons. We're getting six, eight, ten,
(22:44):
and sometimes there's eighteen months two years between seasons. If
you work on that show and only that show, there's
no way you're making enough for the year, right, so
you have to piece meal a bunch of projects very quickly.
Speaker 8 (22:58):
How big of an issue is that in the I
think it's a very big issue.
Speaker 9 (23:01):
That's why the WGA went on strike all those years ago,
because they're saying, hey, making these eight to ten episode
you know shows once a year is not sustainable for
our livelihood. They're looking for better ways to make money
more consistently. Back in the old days, you used to
get a twenty four twenty six episode you know season
(23:23):
for a major network show that was enough to sustain
you as an employee of whatever network for the year.
But if you're only making eight episodes of television, that's
maybe a couple of months of work and then you're
off to find the next one. It's the gig economy
that I think a lot of people in the industry
are struggling with. And now it's become even more of
a gig economy because those gigs are shorter and shorter
(23:45):
and shorter. So that in itself is a really big problem.
But that is something that again has to be addressed
between the WGA and the union SAG after unions and
the Producers Guild.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yeah, I don't know if there's a way that a
union can tell some or a producer to tell your
story differently. Some stories are eight episodes long. We didn't
have that option before. So it's a very challenging conversation
to have, but I'm always grateful to have it with you.
Heather Brooker from right here at KFI News, Thanks so much,
Thank you, Michael Monks.
Speaker 13 (24:13):
The Pacific Palisades reopened to the public on June fourteenth,
and sadly, since that time, my office and others have
received numerous reports about commercial tour operators conducting disaster tours
in the Pacific Palisades disaster area.
Speaker 8 (24:34):
That's at least aity.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Councilman Tracy Park, she's not happy about tour buses rolling
through the remnants of Pacific Palisades as people start to
rebuild their lives following January's wildfires. I remember being in
the Palisades and Alta Dina as the flames were raging,
and then again when they were out and thinking people
need to see this. Maybe tours make sense in some capacity,
(24:56):
strongly regulated, unobtrusive to residents who've gone through hell. May
be a fundraiser of sorts for community needs. But these
commercial tours that sprung up, people taking money and tourists
through the burn zones, well, they've not sat well with
Councilwoman Park.
Speaker 13 (25:13):
These are people that are looking to profit off of
destruction and other people's losses. It's really gross and it
needs to be stopped. It's also a plan that's dangerous
because we are still actively clearing fire debris. We have
a lot of very narrow, windy, substandard roads that are
difficult for trucks and large vehicles to maneuver through on
(25:35):
a good day, and they're all currently busy with the
Army Corps and the other heavy equipment that we are
trying to maneuver in and around the area and will
continue to do as we launch what is going to
be the largest construction zone in our city's history.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
So the city Council voted to restrict those tours. As
long as there is an emergency declaration still in place,
they may in the future ban these tours permit.
Speaker 8 (26:01):
And up next we go.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
To Palmdale City Hall, which had the weirdest interaction between
government officials I've perhaps ever seen, and a speech at
LA City Hall one of the most impassioned ever may
have worked and changed the course of the twenty twenty
eight Olympics. That's next on Michael Monks Reports on KFI
AM six forty.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News finishing up this hour on this long holiday weekend.
I hope it's been a good one for you. It's
been a weird one for the Mayor of Palmdale, Richard Lowa.
He was surprised by the city council on Tuesday when
the city attorney announced a late addition to the agenda.
Speaker 14 (26:46):
Good evening, Mayor, Mayor pro Tim and City Council members, Tonight,
I have for you item three point one, and for
this one, I'm going to ask you, mister Mayor, to
recuse yourself because there's a conflict of interest.
Speaker 15 (26:59):
Well, may I ask when this item was put on
the agenda, and was it and why if it concerns me,
why is it that it's not put on the agenda
that it concerned me.
Speaker 14 (27:12):
I'm not saying that it concerns you. It is confidential.
There's just a conflict of interest.
Speaker 15 (27:19):
Well, that's very extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Now, in Palmdale, the mayor is chosen from among the
elected council members by the council members not directly elected,
but Richard Loa is or was mayor.
Speaker 8 (27:29):
When this motion for.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
A closed session about some mysterious confidential investigation is brought up,
the rest of the council decides to go into closed
session without Mayor Loa. They come back to open session,
and the mayor moves to adjourn the meeting. This all
happened at the end of the meeting, so he moves
to adjourn the meeting, but is stopped.
Speaker 14 (27:48):
There is no reportable action from closed session.
Speaker 16 (27:52):
Okay, that case before your Mayor, as a point of order,
before we move forward with the adjourning motion, I'd like
to make a motion that we as a council take
action to add an item to our agenda this evening
(28:12):
based on the California Statute which allows us to do
so because.
Speaker 17 (28:17):
Information has arisen and been brought to light subsequent to
the posting of our agenda, and that information requires urgent
action this evening. So that will be a motion. If
I get a second, would that.
Speaker 15 (28:33):
Include activities as a councilwoman, I'm second at her marshall.
Speaker 17 (28:39):
There is emotion and a second on the floor can.
Speaker 15 (28:42):
Call for the question for the question.
Speaker 17 (28:48):
Yes, council Member Bishop Olsen and Alexon Yes.
Speaker 10 (28:54):
Motion passes.
Speaker 8 (28:56):
Okay, So that was.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
A vote basically to have a vote, and the next
vote is the big one that really surprised the mayor
in Palmdale. As Councilwoman Andrea Alercon makes her move.
Speaker 15 (29:08):
All right, so then we will adjoin the meeting too.
Speaker 17 (29:10):
We are the item that we are now going to
discuss based on the information that was just recently brought
to light. I'd like to now make a subsequent motion.
I'd like to move that we authorize the initiation of
an investigation of confidential allegations that were brought forth during
this closed session. I'd like to also move that we
(29:36):
remove Mayor Richard Lowell from all committees and committees in
city assignments that he is sitting on currently, and also
to remove his title as mayor during the pendency of
this investigation.
Speaker 15 (29:56):
Well, that's multiple items in one single motion. I don't
know what the council being asked to do.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
A second fit mars now the mayor asks for clarity
for what's happening.
Speaker 15 (30:06):
We're good. So if the Council decides this, then I'm
being taken off of the all of my assignments to
the various boards and commissions that I serve on, and
I'll be taken out as a mayor. Is that is
that what's going on here?
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Correct?
Speaker 15 (30:19):
Okay? Is that permanently?
Speaker 14 (30:20):
Then that's just Penningy investigation.
Speaker 15 (30:24):
It's tip all right, Well then I accuse myself, So
you go ahead.
Speaker 17 (30:33):
Don't we have to vote if there is no council discussion.
I'd call for the question, Yes, council members, Bishop, Yes, Olsen, Yes,
motion passes.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
All right.
Speaker 15 (30:48):
In that event, we will join the meeting to July fifteen,
twenty twenty five, at five o'clock.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
And that's the end of the meeting. The mayor or
former mayor has since dated it was a power grab
by the council members, he says. He plans to find
We still don't know exactly what the confidential investigation was about. Meanwhile,
back in Los Angeles, a city councilman developed a bit
of a beef with Long Beach. That's because LA twenty eight,
the twenty twenty eight Olympic Organizing Committee decided that all
(31:14):
sailing events would be held in Long Beach and not
in Councilman Tim Mcoscar's district, which includes San Pedro. A
couple months ago, Mcoscar took to the floor to explain
why the winds in San Pedro are so much better
than Long Beach.
Speaker 18 (31:28):
From the international down, the entire sailing community, folks that
know thing about sailing, says that the venue in San
Pedro or what I'll call Hurricane Gulch or the Port
of Los Angeles has fantastic consistent wins that the venue
that is now pending does not have and it does
(31:48):
not have it, and the experience in eighty four told
us so.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
So he starts rather calm, but then he gets angry
because he says it's more than when there will be
more police and security in Sanda Pedro, there would be
more spectators San Pedro eats long beaches lunch.
Speaker 18 (32:05):
When LA twenty eight came to us, came to us
and said we want to analyze it. We were able
to analyze what will it be for the athlete, better
wind and spectators? What will it be for safety and security?
I guarantee you that Sam Peterrol would be the safest,
the safest Olympic event in the history of the Olympics,
(32:29):
given our capacities.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
What will it.
Speaker 18 (32:32):
Be for finances? You will hear from these guys who
will tell you, oh, a new site will have to
spend ten million dollars with absolutely no math. When I
came up in school, the nuns told me, show your math,
show your work. We've seen nothing, absolutely nothing. But I
will tell you that selling tickets to the number of
maybe ten thousand, or selling tickets to the number of
(32:55):
zero has a mathematical and financial difference. And it's not
gonna be born by Long Beach. It's gonna be born
by us.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
It's not gonna be born by Long Beach. I've never
heard that kind of passion for Wind before. But if
you thought he was finished.
Speaker 18 (33:11):
They will say, oh, this is an Olympics where we
have so many more events in Los Angeles than we
had in eighty four. I don't care. That's your arguing point,
that's not my arguing point. My point is that moving
sailing to San Pedro is better for the athlete, it's
better for the sport of sailing, it's better for safety
(33:31):
and security, it's better for the viewer, and it's better
for Los Angeles. It's better for us financially. When we
say that this has been studied and studied and studied,
maybe it's been studied. Show your math, show us. So
when I'm asking today is vote yes on this amendment.
It says we will approve your venue plan. I'm not
(33:53):
gonna question whether we should go to Oklahoma City for softball,
but I do question what.
Speaker 8 (33:59):
Is obvious a mistake.
Speaker 18 (34:02):
And instead of some back room and a couple of
bros making this decision somewhere. Let's do something for the sport.
Let's do something for the Olympic movement. Let's do something
for Los Angeles. Most importantly, let's do something for the
spectator that will be nobody in the other venue and
thousands of people in this venue. I'm gonna ask you
for an.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
I vote, But here's the thing. Councilman to mcoscar one
sort of. LA twenty eight has revised its venue plan
and now sailing events at the twenty twenty eight Olympics
will be shared by Long Beach and the Superior Wins
of San Pedro. The Port of LA in mccosker's district
will host six events including dingy, skiff, mix dinghy and
(34:47):
mixed multi hole. Now I don't know what any of
those words mean, but I know where to look for
them in twenty twenty eight, not Long Beach, San Pedro.
And that's Michael Monks Reports for this week. I'll be
back all wee long, bringing the news and chatting with
your favorite host right here on KFI. We'll be back
for our regular show next Saturday. Every Saturday from seven
(35:08):
to nine o'clock at night. I hope to see you.
Then in the meantime at Mike monks La on x,
Insta and TikTok. That's at m I C m O
n ks La. Shoot me a message anytime. This is
KFI AM six forty KFI AM six forty on demand
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
KFIM six forty lined everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. This
is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI News.
We've got another hour together on this holiday weekend. I'm
hoping you and your family and your friends have enjoyed
Independence Day. It's been a different one this year around LA,
with many communities canceling their Fourth of July festivities out
(00:25):
of fear of immigration enforcement. Federal agents have continued their
operations even on Friday, the holiday. I saw a video
of a bus at a car wash in West Hollywood.
It seems like a lot of car washes and street
vendors have been targeted here, along with home depot locations
so far. But with the passage of President Trump's Big
Beautiful Bill, which he signed into law on the fourth,
(00:47):
border security and immigration enforcement will see their budgets increase
to their highest levels. Ever, so what can we expect
from that here? That is not clear yet, But local
officials are trying to prepare a defense an even offense,
perhaps through the legal system. The Department of Justice has
(01:08):
already filed suit against the City of Los Angeles to
try to get a court to invalidate the city's sanctuary
status ordinance. Lamare Bass says the city will defend its
policy and now more legal action is planned. The La
County Board of Supervisors has approved a directive ordering its
attorneys to explore legal remedies to prevent what they call
(01:31):
unconstitutional federal immigration enforcement. Local officials are particularly angry with
how federal agents have presented themselves in public. They're often
masked and they're in regular street clothes. There have been
fears express that maybe some federal agents aren't who they
say they are, and we have already seen one arrest
(01:52):
in La of a guy who was allegedly impersonating an
immigration officer. The supervisors have also asked its Department of
Youth Development and its Public Defender's Office to develop a
know Your Rights campaign for young people who show up
at demonstrations against immigration enforcement, and at La City Hall
Council members Unsices Hernandez and Bob Blumenfield, they filed a
(02:14):
motion for the LAPD to enact new policies requiring officers
to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be federal
law enforcement and to increase penalties for impersonating public safety personnel. Meanwhile,
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell was at the weekly meeting of
the LA Police Commission, and he explained some of what
his department is dealing with as immigration enforcement continues around
(02:37):
the city, especially now that officers are being called to
the scenes of what are reported as kidnappings that turn
out to be federal immigration enforcement activity.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Officers responding to calls involving possible federal immigration enforcement are
required to request a supervisor if one has not already
been dispatched by our Communications division. As far as verification
and accountability, if officers individuals engaged in enforcement actions who
are not clearly identifiable as local, state, or federal law enforcement,
(03:08):
they are directed to verify credentials with the on SCEEN
supervisor or the federal agent in charge. This verification must
be captured on body one video to ensure transparency and accountability.
As far as impersonation protocols, if it's determine that an
individual is not a legitimate federal enforcement officer, officers are
instructed to take appropriate enforcement action, which may include detaining
(03:31):
or arresting the individual from impersonating a peace officer consistent
with department policy and applicable law.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
The LAPD is kind of getting it from all sides.
The federal government has criticized it multiple times for not
responding fast enough when crowds get out of hand. Meanwhile,
activists who oppose the immigration enforcement they've accused the LAPD
of cooperating and working with ice and Border patrol. We've
seen LAPED on the scene of immigration activity, but they're
usually there as a buffer between protests and the Federal
(04:00):
Agent's chief. McDonnell outlines what he sees as the role
of his department in these events.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Our role is strictly limited. Once it's confirmed that the
scene involves a federal enforcement action, the role of the
LAPD personnel is strictly limited to maintaining public safety. This
includes creating tactical separation between the parties, maintaining a safe perimeter,
directing pedestrian and vehicular traffic if necessary, and most importantly,
(04:27):
ensuring that no one gets hurt. We understand that public
perception can be sensitive during these operations. Some may see
our presence as cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. However, our
officers are being reminded and are actively communicating on scene
that their presence is solely to prevent injury, de escalate tension,
and protect lives.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
The LAPED has a policy that predates the city Sanctuary
City ordinance by decades. It does not enforce immigration law.
It wants everyone to feel comfortable with the police in
case they're needed as witnesses in other crimes times. But
it's a tricky spot, and even though the large scale
demonstrations against immigration enforcement have dialed back, a lot, enforcement
(05:08):
has continued, and based on the new federal spending plan,
could likely ramp up in a big way. So what
comes next, That's what we'll be looking for. One thing
is clear, though, these immigration enforcement efforts have already had
a significant impact on life in Los Angeles, especially in
the businesses where illegal immigrants work or used to work
(05:29):
in the parts of the city where they operate or
operated businesses. At Tuesday's LA City Council meeting, the last
meeting before their month long break, council member Isabelle Herado,
whose district includes northeast La neighborhoods and most of downtown,
including the Flower and Fashion districts, she brought bouquets to
all her fellow council members.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
These flowers come from the original flower market in downtown
La part of the Flower District, a vibrant, irreplaceable community
made up of small starfronts and street vendors, many of
whom are immigrants. They are the heart and soul of
this industry. They rise before dawn, arranged by hand, and
bring beauty into our lives, one stem at a time.
But these days, what should be joyful work has become
(06:12):
a source of anxiety for many. Ice rates have devastated
not only the storefronts in the Flower District, but also
the entire industry. Just yesterday, two street flower vendors were
detained outside Forest Lawn Cemetery while working providing flowers to
grieving families. These aren't isolated incidents. They are part of
a disturbing pattern of racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and the
(06:36):
silencing of people who are just trying to make an
honest living.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Kelselman Marquis Harris Dawson, who's the president of the council
and who represents South la He also noted the emptiness Angelino's.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
We have specific business districts in our city that are
empty right now. The flower mart is one. The Sante
Fashioned Alley is another. The Eleventh Street Electronics Bizarre is another.
If you have occasion to use those places, please go
use them, because there's going to be some time I
think before people feel comfortable populating those places and conducting
(07:12):
business in the way they have in years past.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez from the San Fernando Valley, she says,
there's another industry hurting because of immigration enforcement.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Folks.
Speaker 6 (07:22):
We need to remember the restaurant industry and how they're
being decimated right now across the city and the backbone
of that workforce that keeps our restaurants alive. And so
I just want to remind everybody while we have an
opportunity here to not just voice our support, we need
to show up when policy to make a substantial difference
to actually ensure that these businesses remain intact so that
(07:45):
they can actually continue to employ people. And so that's
another reminder of what we have to be really focused
on in this city because we have to lend more
than our voices of support. We have to show up
in ensuring that the able to remain in business and
continue to offer employment.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
And KFI will continue to follow the enforcement activity the
response of local officials and federal officials, demonstrations, and the
impact on the community as this pivotal period in the
city's history continues. And up next on Michael Monks Reports,
one part of the La economy got a long awaited
dose of good news, and a fledgling business in the
(08:25):
Palisades is being told to hit the road by city Hall,
just not the roads in the Palisades.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Demand KFIAM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you till the end of the hour. Looking
back on the week end news, it was a big
day in Burbank and for Hollywood. As Governor Newsom, state lawmakers,
local officials, and entertainment workers all pushed through legislation they
(08:58):
hope save a troubled industry.
Speaker 7 (09:01):
That's the investment we're making today to create the conditions
where your passion could be met with action. Your creativity,
your daring, your innovation can be brought to light. And
that's a point of pride for me as a Californian
and someone who grew up mindful that the world we
(09:21):
invented eighteen seventy eight in Palo Alto, California, the first
cinematic images, that the world we invented is now competing
against us, and then we've got to step up our game.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Governor Newsom says, other states and other countries picked up
the slack offering lucrative incentives as California grew complacent.
Speaker 7 (09:41):
I think we put our feet up. We took things
for granted. Success leaves clues after all, and we saw
that recognition all across the globe, not just across the
United States.
Speaker 8 (09:52):
It was first up.
Speaker 7 (09:53):
There in Vancouver and Toronto, and then we started reading
about New Zealand, Australia, and then quietly the UK emerges
as a dominant force. We started to compete with Louisiana
and New Mexico. We saw new tax incentives in New York,
but we never saw what was coming in places like
Georgia that invested in a sustainable mindset, not a situational mindset,
(10:14):
to commit to the long haul, to the long term,
to do more of this.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
But now the film tax credit program in California has
more than doubled, and here to talk about it is
kfi's Heather Brooker.
Speaker 8 (10:26):
Heather Brooker, nice to spend some time with you.
Speaker 9 (10:28):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
I know you've been filling in on wake up call.
You'll be filling in on wake up call all next
week while Amy King is away, so we don't get
to play in the newsroom.
Speaker 9 (10:37):
I know I miss our newsroom time.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
I have to pick on Will Cole Schreiber all but
myself because you're not there to tag team m.
Speaker 9 (10:43):
I know he loves it though he loves the attention.
Speaker 8 (10:46):
He does love the attention. I'll tell you else loves attention.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Actors Hollywood and they got some from the California Assembly.
Governor Newsom. Newsom flies into Burbank. He's joined by ellemre Bass,
Hollywood officials, and actor Noah Wiley at this press conference
in Burbank, touting the expansion of the film tax credits.
It has gone up bigly, from three hundred and thirty
million dollars every year to seven hundred and fifty million dollars.
(11:13):
What does this mean for an industry that has been
in trouble, Well.
Speaker 9 (11:16):
This is huge news for the industry. We're talking about
they're saying sixty seven hundred new jobs for cast and
crew could come out of this development and out of
this new tax credit increase. And what I'm hearing and
seeing from people in the industry, they're thrilled with this,
and some of them are saying, we hope it's not
too late. You know, this has been something that's been
(11:38):
ongoing and been talked about and moving through the you know,
the legislature for quite a long time. They're hopeful it's
not too late. But mostly they're hopeful, that's what I'm hearing.
They're hoping that this approves more jobs, more productions to
be coming back here, not just in Los Angeles, but
all of California.
Speaker 8 (11:55):
I mean right where we're sitting right now.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
We're surrounded by Warner Brothers, Disney, I mean, big classic
Hollywood iconic brands. But stuff's not been getting made here
in Los Angeles and in California, not at the rate
that it used to. And what you heard from the
industry is, look, we've been hit by a triple dose
of things. We had the COVID pandemic that hit every industry.
Then we had the writers and actors strikes, and then
(12:18):
the Palisades fire, the Eaten fire impacted people who were
living here and working in the industry. But this situation
seems to be also heavily impacted by the fact that
other states and other countries got wise to what producers want,
and that is to spend less money on big budget things,
(12:39):
and so there's a huge competition out there. So tell
us a bit about what California was facing as the
home of Hollywood when places like Georgia or even Europe
started to lure productions away.
Speaker 9 (12:51):
I mean, yeah, that's basically the bottom line. Other states
and other countries caught on early on years ago, even
before the COVID and all the strikes and things. Years ago,
they started saying, oh, we've got to start luring these
producers out here. So they raised their tax credit. Georgia
doesn't even have a cap, so you could go and
(13:12):
get infinite amount or apply for infinite amount of credits
back there in Georgia, which is very appealing. So California
has been behind this curve for quite some time. So
this is a long time coming, but it is such
a good step in the right direction, and hopefully these
producers and people making movies and TV shows and now
(13:33):
this what's great about this too is it expands the
kinds of projects that can be made and can apply
for this tax credit. Short form projects, short films, more
digital projects can now apply. It's a modernization of the
bill as well as the tax incentive increase, so hopefully
it will bring more jobs back.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
I don't want to rain on the parade because I
think there is another threat to this industry as we
know it in the pe who live and work here specifically.
I'll ask you that at the end, But first let's
touch upon that issue of the jobs. We heard at
this press conference from Renata Ray. She is with the
IATZE Local forty four. IATZE is the union, the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. And I think there's a
(14:17):
bunch of other words after that, but that's what IATZE
stands for. Here's what she had to say about who
benefits from this.
Speaker 10 (14:23):
We are the thousands of artisans whose names went by
in the credit role at the end of the movie,
not those that appear in large letters and fade slowly
at the beginning of the movie. We don't go to
the award shows. We work the award shows. We don't
walk the red carpet, we lay the red carpet. We
don't go to hear the orchestra play. We play in
(14:46):
the orchestra. We are parents navigating the availability of childcare.
We are renters, concerned that soon we may be priced
out of our moderst departments. Where the Sandwich generation caretakers
balancing the maze of healthcare with the rising cost of
food and gas. We lost much. But we are survivors
(15:09):
of both the Altadena and Palisage fires.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
So it's not the Tom Cruise and the brad Pits,
the big, big producers or actors of the world. I mean,
when a movie is shot here, when a television show
is shot here, a lot of people get the opportunity
to work and thus build a life here.
Speaker 9 (15:25):
Right, right, that's exactly right. I mean, listen, already the
governor has awarded he announced sixteen new television shows through
this program that are going to be collectively Now, this is,
according to the Governor's office, anticipated to bring in one
point one billion dollars in total spending and sixty seven
hundred cast and crew jobs. It's hard to ignore if
(15:47):
that is the case, and if that is truly the
amount of revenue that could be pumped in to our
communities and jobs. It's hard to ignore that that has benefits.
And they're not just going, like you said, to the
Tom Cruises and Brad Pitt. It's they're going to your
neighbor who is a costume designer. They're going to your
friend at church who is a makeup artist. It is
(16:08):
maybe not your friend at church.
Speaker 8 (16:09):
No, you don't know how. I pray no.
Speaker 9 (16:12):
Judgment, but it's it's truly, it will be interesting to
see how this will be seen in the community. It's
going to take some time. It's not going to be
an instant.
Speaker 8 (16:24):
Handed out, big activity started.
Speaker 9 (16:27):
I think that is a misconception here. I think people
are thinking that they hear seven hundred and fifty million
dollar tax credit, that that means these producers are going
to be instantly getting you know.
Speaker 8 (16:36):
Wads of cash.
Speaker 9 (16:38):
It truly will trickle down eventually and result in jobs,
which means people spending more at your local coffee shop,
you know, people shopping more, hopefully at local businesses. And
that's really the ultimate goal of what Governor Newsom is
saying that he hopes you can accomplish with this.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
We'll continue with Heather just ahead. It's not like all
Hollywood productions have left Hollywood after Noah Wiley was at
this press conference and he talks about how his show
The Pit on HBO is made right here and he
explains the economic benefits as he sees it. Next, this
is Michael Monks Reports on KFI AM six forty.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you til the end of the hour on
this Independence Day weekend.
Speaker 8 (17:28):
Hope you're having a good one.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
You can check in with me online, shoot me a message, X, Insta,
TikTok at Mike Monks La m I C Monksla. We're
going to talk about the new restrictions on a burgeoning
disaster tourism industry and Pacific palisades, the Lacity councils, but
the kibosh on it. We'll get to that in a
few minutes, but first we finished with kfi's Heather Brooker.
We've been talking about the expansion of California's film tax
(17:52):
credits and the state's attempt to save the Hollywood industry.
One of the big productions that is taking place in
Los Angeles is HBO's The Pit, this hospital drama starring
actor Noah Wiley.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
He was good.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
I haven't checked it out yet. I'm going to watch it.
He was at this press conference too. Noah Wyley was
and he explained the numbers the economic impact of a
production like his.
Speaker 11 (18:14):
Last year, we filmed for about one hundred and thirty
five days over seven months, plus two months of pre production.
We employed about three hundred and fifty people full time.
We then brought on an additional about eleven hundred people,
averaging two hundred new people every day. We worked with
about fourteen hundred background performers, averaging about two hundred a day.
(18:35):
We spent about thirty five million dollars in wages. We
spent about twenty million dollars in purchasing lubber, construction materials, rentals, food,
in addition to sag after a DJA WGA. We work
extremely closely with sixteen different local chapters YAZZI to create
our show, so it's.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
Not always easy to quantify what those numbers mean. I mean,
I guess you can get an act count on the
number of people who worked, but whether or not. It
has you know, the massive economic impact that they project.
Speaker 8 (19:06):
It's always hard to prove.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
That, but it sounds nice and it makes people feel
good and optimistic. But in addition to employing a lot
of people, there is a lot of tax revenue that
can be gained by local and state governments from this.
Speaker 8 (19:18):
I know that's important to them.
Speaker 9 (19:19):
Yeah, no, that is very important because you're talking about
a state and a community, especially here in La who,
as you mentioned earlier, has been hit by these wildfires,
by a massive economic downturn and in a lot of ways,
and having this infusion of jobs and people being able
to spend money in our community again, I think will
(19:41):
make a big difference. Now, is it again too little,
too late? That remains to be seen Hopefully not. Hopefully
we will start to see more productions coming back here.
It's also about the legacy of Hollywood. This is where
the movie industry started, This is where you want to
come and make your movies. And I feel like, you know,
maybe we need our own KFI movie. Maybe we need
(20:03):
like a you know what'd be great, a KFI docuseries
like the documentary Crew follow us around, see us give
will Cole Schreiber a hard time, and maybe I.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Feel like Tim Conway would hog the camera and we
would get very little screen time, and that might be
the right choice.
Speaker 8 (20:20):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
He might be more interesting than all of us, I'm
not sure, on his way to Santa.
Speaker 8 (20:23):
Anita and that sort of thing.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
But in addition to the general struggles that the industry
is faced by way of the situations that we described earlier,
the fires, the strikes, COVID and all of that, they
don't make it easy. They being the government here, they
don't make it easy. It's not easy to build things.
It's not easy to do anything when the local government
is involved, especially in the city of Los Angeles, and
(20:47):
that is where Hollywood is. Ellie mare Bass seems to
recognize the permitting issues and other government regulations or regulatory
issues related to filmmaking.
Speaker 12 (20:57):
Here's what she says, the film here, How can we
remove the barriers so that when the text credits go
into full bloom and production is back here in a
major way, we make sure that there is no impediment
on any level.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
So the city seems conscious that, hey, we're not doing
a great job and making this as seamless as it
needs to be.
Speaker 8 (21:18):
So there are other layers of this problem.
Speaker 9 (21:20):
Yeah, that is a big stumbling block that a lot
of filmmakers and producers have been complaining about for quite
some time. I mean just a few weeks ago there
was the whole issue with the city Council where everyone
was complaining with the Oh I just forgot the name
of it la.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
Oh, film LA. Yes, that was at the Board of
Public Works. Yes, oh, that's right.
Speaker 9 (21:39):
So you know, the permitting process has been a slog
for some people.
Speaker 8 (21:45):
They say that.
Speaker 9 (21:46):
It's too slow, it's too expensive. There's a lot of questions,
a lot of issues they have there, and that I
think also is something that needs to be addressed in
a real thoughtful way. I know they're going to be
doing like a review of film LA, but that is
a big stumbling block for a lot of producers who
are trying to get their movies made here. You can
offer them all the tax credits in the world, but
(22:07):
if it takes them a year and twenty thousand dollars
just to get a permit to film at Griffith Park,
then that's a problem.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
They say it takes a long time. They say it's expensive.
No matter how large or small your budget is.
Speaker 8 (22:19):
In our last three seconds. Let me ask you this.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
It feels like there's some other issue facing the livelihood
of people who work in Hollywood, especially the folks that
we mentioned earlier. Not the big stars that might get
a big check up front, but the people who work
on the people who write them. Even TV shows aren't
like they used to be. And I don't mean that
from a quality standpoint. We don't consume them the same way.
We don't get twenty two episode seasons. We're getting six, eight, ten,
(22:44):
and sometimes there's eighteen months two years between seasons. If
you work on that show and only that show, there's
no way you're making enough for the year, right, so
you have to piece meal a bunch of projects very quickly.
Speaker 8 (22:58):
How big of an issue is that in the I
think it's a very big issue.
Speaker 9 (23:01):
That's why the WGA went on strike all those years ago,
because they're saying, hey, making these eight to ten episode
you know shows once a year is not sustainable for
our livelihood. They're looking for better ways to make money
more consistently. Back in the old days, you used to
get a twenty four twenty six episode you know season
(23:23):
for a major network show that was enough to sustain
you as an employee of whatever network for the year.
But if you're only making eight episodes of television, that's
maybe a couple of months of work and then you're
off to find the next one. It's the gig economy
that I think a lot of people in the industry
are struggling with. And now it's become even more of
a gig economy because those gigs are shorter and shorter
(23:45):
and shorter. So that in itself is a really big problem.
But that is something that again has to be addressed
between the WGA and the union SAG after unions and
the Producers Guild.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yeah, I don't know if there's a way that a
union can tell some or a producer to tell your
story differently. Some stories are eight episodes long. We didn't
have that option before. So it's a very challenging conversation
to have, but I'm always grateful to have it with you.
Heather Brooker from right here at KFI News, Thanks so much,
Thank you, Michael Monks.
Speaker 13 (24:13):
The Pacific Palisades reopened to the public on June fourteenth,
and sadly, since that time, my office and others have
received numerous reports about commercial tour operators conducting disaster tours
in the Pacific Palisades disaster area.
Speaker 8 (24:34):
That's at least aity.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Councilman Tracy Park, she's not happy about tour buses rolling
through the remnants of Pacific Palisades as people start to
rebuild their lives following January's wildfires. I remember being in
the Palisades and Alta Dina as the flames were raging,
and then again when they were out and thinking people
need to see this. Maybe tours make sense in some capacity,
(24:56):
strongly regulated, unobtrusive to residents who've gone through hell. May
be a fundraiser of sorts for community needs. But these
commercial tours that sprung up, people taking money and tourists
through the burn zones, well, they've not sat well with
Councilwoman Park.
Speaker 13 (25:13):
These are people that are looking to profit off of
destruction and other people's losses. It's really gross and it
needs to be stopped. It's also a plan that's dangerous
because we are still actively clearing fire debris. We have
a lot of very narrow, windy, substandard roads that are
difficult for trucks and large vehicles to maneuver through on
(25:35):
a good day, and they're all currently busy with the
Army Corps and the other heavy equipment that we are
trying to maneuver in and around the area and will
continue to do as we launch what is going to
be the largest construction zone in our city's history.
Speaker 2 (25:51):
So the city Council voted to restrict those tours. As
long as there is an emergency declaration still in place,
they may in the future ban these tours permit.
Speaker 8 (26:01):
And up next we go.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
To Palmdale City Hall, which had the weirdest interaction between
government officials I've perhaps ever seen, and a speech at
LA City Hall one of the most impassioned ever may
have worked and changed the course of the twenty twenty
eight Olympics. That's next on Michael Monks Reports on KFI
AM six forty.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News finishing up this hour on this long holiday weekend.
I hope it's been a good one for you. It's
been a weird one for the Mayor of Palmdale, Richard Lowa.
He was surprised by the city council on Tuesday when
the city attorney announced a late addition to the agenda.
Speaker 14 (26:46):
Good evening, Mayor, Mayor pro Tim and City Council members, Tonight,
I have for you item three point one, and for
this one, I'm going to ask you, mister Mayor, to
recuse yourself because there's a conflict of interest.
Speaker 15 (26:59):
Well, may I ask when this item was put on
the agenda, and was it and why if it concerns me,
why is it that it's not put on the agenda
that it concerned me.
Speaker 14 (27:12):
I'm not saying that it concerns you. It is confidential.
There's just a conflict of interest.
Speaker 15 (27:19):
Well, that's very extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Now, in Palmdale, the mayor is chosen from among the
elected council members by the council members not directly elected,
but Richard Loa is or was mayor.
Speaker 8 (27:29):
When this motion for.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
A closed session about some mysterious confidential investigation is brought up,
the rest of the council decides to go into closed
session without Mayor Loa. They come back to open session,
and the mayor moves to adjourn the meeting. This all
happened at the end of the meeting, so he moves
to adjourn the meeting, but is stopped.
Speaker 14 (27:48):
There is no reportable action from closed session.
Speaker 16 (27:52):
Okay, that case before your Mayor, as a point of order,
before we move forward with the adjourning motion, I'd like
to make a motion that we as a council take
action to add an item to our agenda this evening
(28:12):
based on the California Statute which allows us to do
so because.
Speaker 17 (28:17):
Information has arisen and been brought to light subsequent to
the posting of our agenda, and that information requires urgent
action this evening. So that will be a motion. If
I get a second, would that.
Speaker 15 (28:33):
Include activities as a councilwoman, I'm second at her marshall.
Speaker 17 (28:39):
There is emotion and a second on the floor can.
Speaker 15 (28:42):
Call for the question for the question.
Speaker 17 (28:48):
Yes, council Member Bishop Olsen and Alexon Yes.
Speaker 10 (28:54):
Motion passes.
Speaker 8 (28:56):
Okay, So that was.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
A vote basically to have a vote, and the next
vote is the big one that really surprised the mayor
in Palmdale. As Councilwoman Andrea Alercon makes her move.
Speaker 15 (29:08):
All right, so then we will adjoin the meeting too.
Speaker 17 (29:10):
We are the item that we are now going to
discuss based on the information that was just recently brought
to light. I'd like to now make a subsequent motion.
I'd like to move that we authorize the initiation of
an investigation of confidential allegations that were brought forth during
this closed session. I'd like to also move that we
(29:36):
remove Mayor Richard Lowell from all committees and committees in
city assignments that he is sitting on currently, and also
to remove his title as mayor during the pendency of
this investigation.
Speaker 15 (29:56):
Well, that's multiple items in one single motion. I don't
know what the council being asked to do.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
A second fit mars now the mayor asks for clarity
for what's happening.
Speaker 15 (30:06):
We're good. So if the Council decides this, then I'm
being taken off of the all of my assignments to
the various boards and commissions that I serve on, and
I'll be taken out as a mayor. Is that is
that what's going on here?
Speaker 12 (30:18):
Correct?
Speaker 15 (30:19):
Okay? Is that permanently?
Speaker 14 (30:20):
Then that's just Penningy investigation.
Speaker 15 (30:24):
It's tip all right, Well then I accuse myself, So
you go ahead.
Speaker 17 (30:33):
Don't we have to vote if there is no council discussion.
I'd call for the question, Yes, council members, Bishop, Yes, Olsen, Yes,
motion passes.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
All right.
Speaker 15 (30:48):
In that event, we will join the meeting to July fifteen,
twenty twenty five, at five o'clock.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
And that's the end of the meeting. The mayor or
former mayor has since dated it was a power grab
by the council members, he says. He plans to find
We still don't know exactly what the confidential investigation was about. Meanwhile,
back in Los Angeles, a city councilman developed a bit
of a beef with Long Beach. That's because LA twenty eight,
the twenty twenty eight Olympic Organizing Committee decided that all
(31:14):
sailing events would be held in Long Beach and not
in Councilman Tim Mcoscar's district, which includes San Pedro. A
couple months ago, Mcoscar took to the floor to explain
why the winds in San Pedro are so much better
than Long Beach.
Speaker 18 (31:28):
From the international down, the entire sailing community, folks that
know thing about sailing, says that the venue in San
Pedro or what I'll call Hurricane Gulch or the Port
of Los Angeles has fantastic consistent wins that the venue
that is now pending does not have and it does
(31:48):
not have it, and the experience in eighty four told
us so.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
So he starts rather calm, but then he gets angry
because he says it's more than when there will be
more police and security in Sanda Pedro, there would be
more spectators San Pedro eats long beaches lunch.
Speaker 18 (32:05):
When LA twenty eight came to us, came to us
and said we want to analyze it. We were able
to analyze what will it be for the athlete, better
wind and spectators? What will it be for safety and security?
I guarantee you that Sam Peterrol would be the safest,
the safest Olympic event in the history of the Olympics,
(32:29):
given our capacities.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
What will it.
Speaker 18 (32:32):
Be for finances? You will hear from these guys who
will tell you, oh, a new site will have to
spend ten million dollars with absolutely no math. When I
came up in school, the nuns told me, show your math,
show your work. We've seen nothing, absolutely nothing. But I
will tell you that selling tickets to the number of
maybe ten thousand, or selling tickets to the number of
(32:55):
zero has a mathematical and financial difference. And it's not
gonna be born by Long Beach. It's gonna be born
by us.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
It's not gonna be born by Long Beach. I've never
heard that kind of passion for Wind before. But if
you thought he was finished.
Speaker 18 (33:11):
They will say, oh, this is an Olympics where we
have so many more events in Los Angeles than we
had in eighty four. I don't care. That's your arguing point,
that's not my arguing point. My point is that moving
sailing to San Pedro is better for the athlete, it's
better for the sport of sailing, it's better for safety
(33:31):
and security, it's better for the viewer, and it's better
for Los Angeles. It's better for us financially. When we
say that this has been studied and studied and studied,
maybe it's been studied. Show your math, show us. So
when I'm asking today is vote yes on this amendment.
It says we will approve your venue plan. I'm not
(33:53):
gonna question whether we should go to Oklahoma City for softball,
but I do question what.
Speaker 8 (33:59):
Is obvious a mistake.
Speaker 18 (34:02):
And instead of some back room and a couple of
bros making this decision somewhere. Let's do something for the sport.
Let's do something for the Olympic movement. Let's do something
for Los Angeles. Most importantly, let's do something for the
spectator that will be nobody in the other venue and
thousands of people in this venue. I'm gonna ask you
for an.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
I vote, But here's the thing. Councilman to mcoscar one
sort of. LA twenty eight has revised its venue plan
and now sailing events at the twenty twenty eight Olympics
will be shared by Long Beach and the Superior Wins
of San Pedro. The Port of LA in mccosker's district
will host six events including dingy, skiff, mix dinghy and
(34:47):
mixed multi hole. Now I don't know what any of
those words mean, but I know where to look for
them in twenty twenty eight, not Long Beach, San Pedro.
And that's Michael Monks Reports for this week. I'll be
back all wee long, bringing the news and chatting with
your favorite host right here on KFI. We'll be back
for our regular show next Saturday. Every Saturday from seven
(35:08):
to nine o'clock at night. I hope to see you.
Then in the meantime at Mike monks La on x,
Insta and TikTok. That's at m I C m O
n ks La. Shoot me a message anytime. This is
KFI AM six forty KFI AM six forty on demand
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