Michael Monks Reports

Michael Monks Reports

Michael Monks joined KFI in 2024 after fulfilling a longtime dream of moving to L.A. He is a native of Covington, Kentucky where in 2011 he founded a multimedia local news operation called The River City News, which was acquired in 2021 and rebranded as LINK nky. At the same time, he was also the host of the award-winning daily radio program “Cincinnati Edition” on WVXU, an NPR member station. He holds a master’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in radio/TV from Northern Kentucky University. Michael and his spouse, Osmar, live in DTLA with their cat, Milo. Follow him on Twitter @MicMonksLA.

Episodes

@MicMonksReports - Federal Criticism Over Fire, LAPD Hiring Boost & Storm Eases

November 16, 2025 • 31 mins

US Senators from other states come to LA to hear from victims of the Palisades Fire, criticizing Democratic officials for the fire and the response to it; the LAPD has moved forward on hiring more officers than the city council said it could; A massive rainstorm has blown through Southern California but it looks like we've been spared from the worst of it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports - Controller Leaves Democratic Party, Rent Control Tightened, Gondola Opposed

November 16, 2025 • 32 mins

LA's city controller says he's no longer a Democrat and looks forward to other progressive leaders being elected in the city, specifically calling for more like New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani; the LA city council has tightened its rent control ordinance to the chagrin of landlords; the city council voices its opposition to a proposed Gondola between Dodger Stadium and Union Station; and Michael Monks gets a new cat f...

Mark as Played
Transcript

Which Famous House Comes to Mind First?

November 9, 2025 • 36 mins

LA County looks to crack down on predatory attorneys seeking to capitalize on fraudulent sex abuse claims; Orange County guides its law enforcement on how to move homeless camps - even if it means arrests; Only 17% of households in California can afford to buy the median-priced home; and the Brady Bunch House may soon be a historic cultural landmark.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

Air Travel and Gov Newsom's Prop 50 Victory Tour

November 9, 2025 • 36 mins

Air travel chaos with flights canceled and delayed at LAX and other SoCal airports; Governor Newson takes his Prop 50 victory tour to Texas; Port of Long Beach says fewer toys have passed through the harbor this year; and the law catches up to Dodgers fans who celebrated the World Series with street takeovers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports - Back-to-Back Glory: Dodgers Do It Again

November 2, 2025 • 34 mins
The Los Angeles Dodgers pull off a comeback for the ages, securing their second-straight World Series title in an epic Game 7 showdown. We break down the wild finish. Will we see a repeat of the chaos that erupted across L.A. during last year’s championship celebrations, or have city officials and fans learned their lesson?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports - US Attorney Title Loss, LA Wage Push, and Weed Woes

November 2, 2025 • 36 mins
Acting US Attorney Bill Essayli loses in court about his title but says he's still the top prosecutor; Another group of workers in LA may be targeted for a big raise in their minimum wage; Sales of legal cannabis have plummeted in LA and now City Hall is looking to help the businesses.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports - SNAP Cuts, Prop 50 Push, and Palisades Fire Fallout

November 2, 2025 • 37 mins
SNAP benefits and federal worker paychecks disappear as the calendar flips towards the holidays; Governor Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris rally supporters ahead of Prop 50's vote on Tuesday; Another investigation is called for the Palisades Fire and the recently revealed text messages from firefighters who say they may have left the scene an earlier fire too soon.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports - Curveballs and Controversy: The Dodgers Trade War

October 26, 2025 • 34 mins
An advertisement played during the Dodgers-Blue Jays games has reignited a trade war between the US and Canada; Governor Newsom makes a bet on the Dodgers as he and the Ontario Premier get political during a traditionally friendly wager; Local politicians vow to investigate federal immigration agents and administration officials when Democrats  regain power in Washington, DC; and the LA City Council seems confused about why it's be...

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonkReports - Bass, Benefits, and the Battle for California

October 26, 2025 • 35 mins
SNAP (food stamp) benefits may run out for a lot of residents in Southern California because of the federal government shutdown; Mayor Bass says downtown LA should be more like downtown Chicago and seems surprised people even live in DTLA; Polls look good for supporters of Prop 50 but not so good for the former California gubernatorial race frontrunner; the Inland Empire rates itself as "struggling" in new research from UC Riversid...

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports LA Under Pressure: Protests, Police, and Payout

October 19, 2025 • 39 mins
Thousands hit SoCal streets for "No Kings" protests; the LAPD's request to a judge ticks off the LA city council; More LA County money is going out in legal settlements for sex abuse and the County CEO's complaint.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports Trade, Transit, and Tension in California

October 19, 2025 • 35 mins
Vice President Vance and a celebration at Camp Pendleton leads to a dispute with a Governor Newsom and the closure of the 5 Freeway; Gas prices are dropping everywhere, except California; Metro's D-Line train extension is delayed; The Ports of LA and Long Beach both report their first drops in cargo this year raising questions about tariffs and trade policy; and on-location Hollywood productions drop again in Greater LA.

See omnystu...

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports Eaton Survivors Demand Justice and Beaches Face Extinction

October 12, 2025 • 36 mins
Survivors of the Eaton Fire say they want more from SoCal Edison, the utility many blame for the devastation; Local officials say they're ready to get tougher on copper thieves as lights continue to go dark and phone service is disrupted; Most of California's sandy beaches could disappear by 2100 according to a new report; and Long Beach's new minor league baseball team gets closer to a fresh name.

See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Mark as Played
Transcript

@MicMonksReports Helicopters, Mayors and Dead Birds

October 12, 2025 • 37 mins
Helicopter crashes in Huntington Beach; Actress Diane Keaton dies; LA Mayor Bass and developer Rick Caruso rekindle their "frenemy" status in a public forum; and is a dead bird outside the KFI studios a good sign or a bad one?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

Chevron Refinery, LAX People Mover Project and More!

October 5, 2025 • 37 mins
A massive fire at the Chevron Refinery in El Segundo has analysts predicting higher gas prices for Southern California; a new economic forecast from UCLA shows California's economy has weakened with unemployment much higher than the national average; the LAX People Mover project has been delayed again and pushed back to three years after its original planned opening; and primatologist Jane Goodall dies during a visit to SoCal in a ...

Mark as Played
Transcript

Trade Imbalance, October Sports and Convention Center

October 5, 2025 • 36 mins
Michael points out the "trade imbalance" and proposes tariffs on Los Angeles on behalf of down-trodden Cincinnati sports fans as the Dodgers and UCLA roll; Former USC quarterback and FOX football broadcaster Matt Sanchez is arrested in a stabbing in Indianapolis; Immigration enforcement ramps up in other cities as LA looks to keep city workers from joining the ranks of ICE; and ground is broken on LA's $2.6 billion convention cente...

Mark as Played
Transcript

Michael Monks Reports - City Hall Gadflies

September 30, 2025 • 9 mins
The public comments during LA city council meetings have become so frequently nasty that City Hall has formally banned racist and sexist slurs. But some regular antagonistic speakers continue to challenge the law and the expected decorum inside LA's center of government. KFI's Michael Monks has gone to City Hall to talk to these "gadflies", some of whom prefer profanity, others who turn to conspiracies, and even more who choose to ...

Mark as Played

The Decline of DTLA & LA Comic Con Returns

September 28, 2025 • 36 mins
A new report from a 100-year old advocacy group says LA City Hall needs to take the issues facing downtown seriously, and provides a roadmap to do it; LA Comic Con and Leonardo DiCaprio are both back!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

More Tariffs & Update On The Former LA Zoo Elephants

September 28, 2025 • 31 mins
Another round of new tariffs has been announced by the President just as the Ports of LA and Long Beach warn the White House's policies have created uncertainty among retailers and consumers; Two elephants taken from the LA Zoo in the dead of night four months ago are the focus of a new call for transparency from zoo officials.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

LA City Council Approves A $2.6 Billion Expansion Of The Convention Center

September 21, 2025 • 32 mins
LA city council approves a $2.6 billion expansion of the convention center downtown despite warnings from some members and the city controller that it will put the city in a more precarious and dangerous financial position; Michael visits LA City Hall and talks with the regular gadflies whose unruly and offensive behavior has resulted in the banning of racial and sexist slurs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Requiring Federal Agents To Take Off Their Masks

September 21, 2025 • 31 mins
Governor Newsom signs legislation requiring federal agents to take off their masks; Popular singer's relationship with teen girl found dead in his car has derailed his tour as police investigate; LA Metro's tap-to-enter program is halted because of a fire code; Ontario's new baseball mascot is revealed.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    Crime Junkie

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Breakfast Club

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.