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
We break down the powerful and troubling scenes emerging from Iran and what they mean globally and locally. LA City Councilman Adrin Nazarian joins us to discuss his personal ties to Iran, his approach to addressing homelessness in Los Angeles, and nine pending motions aimed at supporting the Hollywood industry. Plus, a look at a new movie studio being built near Skid Row in the Arts District and what it could mean for the neighbor...
The historic Hollywood Center Motel was on the verge of being landmarked before a devastating fire tore through the Sunset Boulevard property early January 4 at 4 a.m. We break down what happened, the current state of the site, and what the likely next steps could be. Esotouric Tours joins the show to share insight into the motel’s history and preview some of their upcoming tours.
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Developer Rick Caruso says he won’t seek a rematch with LA Mayor Bass in 2026; Federal immigration agents return to LA’s Fashion District sparking outrage from city officials; LA County seeks to bar ICE agents from using county property; and LA City Hall says it wants clarity on the federal government’s role in planning the 2028 Olympics here.
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Voters in LA could be asked to raise the sales tax again, this time in favor of more firefighters; Another potential ballot measure would financially penalize highly-paid CEOs; A proposed 8-mile path along the L.A. River which is to be funded by an earlier increase of the sales tax has more than tripled in cost; A Starbucks worker is fired for a drawing put on a cup of coffee ordered by an LA County Sheriff’s deputy; and the ...
It's been a year since a series of wildfires engulfed parts of Southern California, leveling entire parts of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and leaving a path of destruction and unanswered questions in their wake.
Now, a year later, residents in both burn areas are working to rebuild their homes and their lives, navigating bureaucratic issues and other challenges.
The KFI News Team revisits the events of last J...
It's been a year since a series of wildfires engulfed parts of Southern California, leveling entire parts of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and leaving a path of destruction and unanswered questions in their wake.
Now, a year later, residents in both burn areas are working to rebuild their homes and their lives, navigating bureaucratic issues and other challenges.
The KFI News Team revisits the events of last J...
Palisades Fire victim enters LA Mayor’s race; Nick Reiner’s high-profile defense attorney has left his client, leaving the 32-year old with a public defender on the case in which he’s accused of murdering his father, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his mother; Civil rights activists call for a demonstration in LA after an ICE agent is involved in a deadly shooting in Minneapolis; Warner Brothers Discovery once a...
The US military captures Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a special operation, taking him and his wife into custody and bringing them to the U.S. to face drug charges. Members of Congress representing Southern California react while KFI listeners respond to the news.
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The City of LA hasn't paved an inch of road since the fiscal year began on July 1. Two activists pushing for safer streets in the region say it's unacceptable. They question the city's priorities in this interview. Plus, the best day to create a dating profile if your New Year resolutions include finding love.
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A tornado hits L.A. and floods drown parts of Wrightwood as a Christmas storm hammers Southern California; One decades-old restaurant is closing its doors for good while a century-old restaurant says it’s not closing, after all, at least not yet.
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Fired employees at a local utility say their bosses used security cameras to spy on homeless people having sex outside the office building; L.A.’s rent control ordinance is signed into law but a supportive council member takes a beating on social media; Meanwhile, a new report from USC shows rents in SoCal are expected to keep going up over the next two years.
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A wet Christmas is on the way to Southern California and the forecast is only getting worse; LA Mayor Bass and LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath are fighting in public on social media; The LA Fire Department’s after-action report was revised at least seven times so that language could be softer be it was released to the public; and a look at a difficult week in Hollywood as actor/director Rob Reiner and his wife are ...
The Academy Awards are ditching broadcast television and heading to YouTube; Plus, how to deal with stress and grief at the holidays, and how to be more accommodating when hosting people with disabilities at your holiday events.
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A family lost their home in the Eaton fire and a lot of their business in the Sunset fire at the same time - now a small grant is helping them recover; LA has been crowned the nation's top "judicial hellhole"; How a big, looming Hollywood merger could affect all of us who stream content.
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Michael finds a Powerball ticket on the ground (seriously!) - is it ethical to keep it?; Mayor Bass kicks off her reelection campaign as City Hall squabbles over giving more money to the LAPD.
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A local children's hospital has a new program teaching kids how to battle tummy aches and other digestive issues using "food as medicine"; KFI's Heather Brooker joins Michael to compare LA's train system with New York City's where Heather spent Thanksgiving.
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LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger joins Michael Monks to discuss how 2025 was a deeply difficult year for the county: devastating wildfires, a shocking $4.8 billion in sex abuse settlement, and a legal claim filed by the county CEO over a ballot measure approved by voters.
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Los Angeles shoppers are gearing up to outspend the national average this holiday season — but what does that mean for the local economy? Michael speaks with Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez about the new security grants aimed at helping micro-businesses fight rising crime, the impact of copper wire theft on business corridors, and the latest debate over rent caps and how it could reshape ...
Michael speaks with Joey Tuccio, an animal rescuer at Starts With One Today, who exposes the hidden crisis facing dogs on Skid Row. From large-scale breeding operations run in the open to rescuers facing threats on the street, Joey breaks down why 90% of Skid Row’s dogs are being exploited for profit, the dangers rescuers confront daily, and why curre...
Record number of travelers hit the roads and skies in Southern California; One powerful local official votes against a proposed gondola but in favor of a water taxi to connect the ports of LA and Long Beach; Fake Christmas trees go up in price because of trade policy; and Baywatch is returning not just to TV, but to Los Angeles and that has local and state officials celebrating.
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