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: Michael covers immigration enforcement and an interview with historians discussing Cole’s French Dip

July 13, 2025 • 33 mins

Michael Monks covers immigration enforcement and an interview with historians discussing Cole’s French Dip set to close permanently after more than 100 years in operation.

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@MicMonksReports: A look back - Six months after the fires: with Heather Brooker.

July 13, 2025 • 34 mins

Michael Monks takes a look back - Six months after the fires: with Heather Brooker.

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@MicMonksReports: Fireworks, Housing, Wages, & The New Los Angeles Bank?

July 6, 2025 • 34 mins

Michael Monks continues covering Fireworks, Housing, Wages, The Los Angeles Bank?

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@MicMonksReports: ICE & LAPD, Film Credit, the surprise for the Mayor of Palmdale, The Olympic winds in LBC.

July 6, 2025 • 35 mins

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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@MicMonksReports: Michael observes that LA should be just as enjoyable as Carmel-by-the-Sea, so why isn't it?

June 29, 2025 • 39 mins

Michael observes that LA should be just as enjoyable as Carmel-by-the-Sea, so why isn't it? LA's broken budget has gotten worse in recent weeks as police overtime piles up and hundreds of employees prepare for layoffs. A retiring city official shows up at City Hall with a warning for LA: the current path is not sustainable.

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@MicMonksReports: LA's broken budget has gotten worse in recent weeks as police overtime piles up

June 29, 2025 • 37 mins

Immigration arrests across LA and Southern California are having an impact on markets, transit, medical centers, and people have even stopped showing up for their free food. Local officials have announced their plans, including legal action, to reverse the effects. Plus, a new bathroom is coming to Hollywood.

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@MicMonksReports: U.S. Bombs Iran's Nuclear Sites

June 22, 2025 • 32 mins

The US strikes Iran in a surprise military action against nuclear sites and some verbal bombs are hurled in LA by the Vice President against local and state leaders. LA Mayor Bass returns verbal fire.

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@MicMonksReports: US's Surprise Military Action

June 22, 2025 • 33 mins

Continuing coverage of the US's surprise military action against nuclear sites in Iran and while we may not see the impact of tariffs yet, we may very soon, according to new data from the Port of Los Angeles.

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@MicMonksReports: Protest Fallout, Bass's Blind Spot & Anthem Outrage

June 15, 2025 • 37 mins

Michael Monks breaks down the aftermath of the “No Kings” protests in LA, with dozens arrested and economic ripples continuing downtown. He critiques Mayor Karen Bass’s CNN appearance, where she downplayed the disruptions, calling downtown “a tiny sliver”—a claim Monks pushes back on, noting its vital role in SoCal’s economy. Plus: how the progressive left is interpreting the protests, a protestor’s severe injury draws renewed scru...

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@MicMonksReports: ICE Raids, Empty Districts & Downtown’s Breaking Point

June 15, 2025 • 36 mins

Michael Monks continues covering the fallout from LA’s ICE raids and protests, sharing listener talkbacks that reflect the city’s raw mood. He’s joined by Cassie Horton and Leslie Ridings of the Downtown LA Residents Association to discuss the financial devastation hitting neighborhoods like the Fashion District, the toll of curfews on small businesses, and what it feels like living in a city center that’s becoming a ghost town. Mo...

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Michael recaps the No Kings rally that drew tens of thousands of people to downtown L.A.

June 15, 2025 • 34 mins

Michael recaps the No Kings rally that drew tens of thousands of people to downtown LA and monitors the ongoing unrest as agitators and law enforcement continue to butt heads amid the ongoing demonstrations against immigration enforcement.

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Michael is joined by the co-founders of the Downtown Residents Association.

June 15, 2025 • 36 mins

Michael is joined by the co-founders of the Downtown Residents Association who say they're worried about the lingering impact of a curfew on downtown Los Angeles, but the vandalism and violence seem to leave little choice for City Hall.

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Federal immigration enforcement efforts have been met with intense demonstrations across LA County.

June 8, 2025 • 34 mins

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

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Federal immigration enforcement efforts have been met with intense demonstrations across LA County.

June 8, 2025 • 35 mins

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@MicMonksLA Reports: A series of fires break out around the LA area, Mayor Bass's homeless emergency, LA city council bank proposal.

June 1, 2025 • 34 mins

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

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@MicMonksLA Reports: An activist group has released a report on the Palisades fire, Interview with Elaine Culotti, a Palisades resident.

June 1, 2025 • 37 mins

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

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Diving into the winners and losers of the new city budget in Los Angeles, Plus, Catalina Island advice.

May 25, 2025 • 36 mins

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

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@MicMonksLA Reports: LA city council lays off employees, asks union workers to delay their promised pay raises, more Catalina Island tips.

May 25, 2025 • 34 mins

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

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Mother's Day, Bad Words, Zoo Elephants!

May 11, 2025 • 33 mins

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

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@MicMonksLA Reports: Menendez Crime, Teen Bike Gangs, Hollywood Tariffs!

May 11, 2025 • 33 mins

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

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Michael Monks Reports

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}@MicMonksReports: Michael covers immigration enforcement and an interview with historians discussing Cole’s French Dip

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}@MicMonksReports: A look back - Six months after the fires: with Heather Brooker.

@MicMonksReports: Fireworks, Housing, Wages, & The New Los Angeles Bank?

@MicMonksReports: ICE & LAPD, Film Credit, the surprise for the Mayor of Palmdale, The Olympic winds in LBC.

@MicMonksReports: Michael observes that LA should be just as enjoyable as Carmel-by-the-Sea, so why isn't it?

@MicMonksReports: LA's broken budget has gotten worse in recent weeks as police overtime piles up

@MicMonksReports: U.S. Bombs Iran's Nuclear Sites

@MicMonksReports: US's Surprise Military Action

@MicMonksReports: Protest Fallout, Bass's Blind Spot & Anthem Outrage

@MicMonksReports: ICE Raids, Empty Districts & Downtown’s Breaking Point

@MicMonksLA Reports: Michael recaps the No Kings rally that drew tens of thousands of people to downtown L.A.

@MicMonksLA Reports: Michael is joined by the co-founders of the Downtown Residents Association.

@MicMonksLA Reports: Federal immigration enforcement efforts have been met with intense demonstrations across LA County.

@MicMonksLA Reports: Federal immigration enforcement efforts have been met with intense demonstrations across LA County.

@MicMonksLA Reports: A series of fires break out around the LA area, Mayor Bass's homeless emergency, LA city council bank proposal.

@MicMonksLA Reports: An activist group has released a report on the Palisades fire, Interview with Elaine Culotti, a Palisades resident.

@MicMonksLA Reports: Diving into the winners and losers of the new city budget in Los Angeles, Plus, Catalina Island advice.

@MicMonksLA Reports: LA city council lays off employees, asks union workers to delay their promised pay raises, more Catalina Island tips.

@MicMonksLA Reports: Mother's Day, Bad Words, Zoo Elephants!

@MicMonksLA Reports: Menendez Crime, Teen Bike Gangs, Hollywood Tariffs!

Popular Podcasts

@MicMonksReports: Michael covers immigration enforcement and an interview with historians discussing Cole’s French Dip

@MicMonksReports: A look back - Six months after the fires: with Heather Brooker.