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

405 Shutdown, Military Drills & Election Count Chaos

Hour 1 - KFI traffic reporter Ginny Harman breaks down the full closure of the 405 Freeway and what drivers need to know as major events pack the Southern California calendar. Plus, explosions and military training exercises rattle residents from Long Beach to Industry, while Rick Cole joins the show to discuss overnight drills featuring flash bangs and simulated gunfire that sparked concern in Pasadena. And with nearly one million ballots still uncounted across Los Angeles and Orange counties, we examine what the delayed vote tally could mean in the days ahead.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Olympic Tax Rejected, Mayor's Race Tightens, and the Battle for MacArthur Park

Los Angeles voters send a clear message by rejecting a hotel bed tax increase tied to Olympic planning. LA City Councilwoman, 7th District, Monica Rodriguez joins the show to discuss what the measure's defeat means for the city's future. Plus, the race for Los Angeles mayor heats up as the battle for second place could determine who faces incumbent Karen Bass in November. And after another major LAPD and DEA sweep through MacArthur Park results in multiple arrests, we examine whether law enforcement crackdowns alone can solve the deeper issues facing one of LA's most troubled neighborhoods.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Political Pressure, Stadium Labor Showdown & The Jingle That Won't Go Away

Hour 3 - LA28 Chairman Wasserman faces growing scrutiny but says he won't step down over past ties to Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus, California voters grow frustrated as election results continue to trickle in. Then, UNITE HERE Local 11 co-founder Kurt Petersen joins the show as SoFi Stadium workers prepare for a strike authorization vote ahead of the World Cup, and ABC News correspondent Alex Stone explains why the famously catchy Kars4Kids commercials can keep airing on radio despite listener complaints. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

California Primary Shake-Up

Hour 1 - The 2026 California primary is reshaping key races across the state. Heather Brooker joins Merrill to break down who’s advancing to the November runoff, Sonja Shaw’s surprising lead for state superintendent, Governor Newsom’s proposed education power shift, and the latest drama in Los Angeles’ city attorney race. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Smoke, Insurance & Homelessness

Hour 2 - From a chemical removal operation raising odor concerns in Garden Grove to a wildfire insurance battle that could change coverage statewide, Merrill tackle the issues impacting Southern Californians. Plus, Dr. Jana Lord of Sycamores explains California’s evolving mental health crisis response, and why the next mayor of Los Angeles may face homelessness with fewer tools than voters expect. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.