The Challenges Facing SoCal Right Now

More Monks and Merrill: Diet Soda + Aliens + Football and Wolves

More Monks and Merrill Hour 1 (05/30) - A post from The Wall Street Journal says there is now a discourse between Diet Coke and Coke Zero, with the latter gaining more popularity. The CIA is using your DNA data to determine if you are an extraterrestrial. Plus, from sex tapes in the NFL to overflowing trash - we are now in a constant state of surveillance. There's a grey wolf that's been spotted in Sequoia Park, and it is the first grey wolf spotted in the area in more than a century. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

More Monks and Merrill: Race for Facial Hair + Gubernatorial Candidate Sam Sandak + Psychedelics + Crime Is Down

More Monks and Merrill Hour 2 (05/30) - California politics takes a bizarre turn as the race for governor becomes a battle over facial hair. Gubernatorial candidate Sam Sandak joins us to discuss his run for California governor and the issues driving his campaign. Congressman Lou Correa joins Monks & Merrill to discuss psychedelic therapy legislation in Orange County. Crime is down in LA. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Challenges Facing SoCal Right Now

Hour 1 - From struggling businesses in Downtown L.A. to debates over public safety and homelessness, today's episode explores the issues driving conversation across the city. Michael Monks and Chris Merrill unpack why business owners are demanding action, what's behind a controversial proposal for an armed enforcement unit, concerns surrounding a new tiny home village, and the environmental impact of an East L.A. oil spill that has prompted a major wildlife rescue operation. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Psychedelics, AI Crackdowns & Wildlife on the Move

Hour 2 - Congressman Lou Correa joins Monks & Merrill to discuss psychedelic therapy legislation in Orange County. Then, Heather Brooker breaks down Democrats’ push to regulate AI-generated election ads ahead of 2027. Plus, a mountain lion sighting in Santa Monica has residents told to stay indoors, and we explore “whale finder” tools and how people are tracking marine life across Southern California neighborhoods. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Spelling Bee Glory, Metro Shakeups & California Politics Collide

Hour 3 - Shrey Parikh takes home the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee title after a dramatic spell-off finish, while Los Angeles Metro prepares for new leadership as the board unanimously appoints Karen Bass as Chair for Fiscal Year 2026–27. Maya Pagod joins Monks & Merrill to break down Metro’s new rapid bus line and touchless app rollout. Meanwhile, a state worker union is testing a new legal strategy to challenge Governor Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office order, and new polling shows Xavier Becerra leading the governor’s race, with Steve Hilton and Tom Steyer close behind.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.