KFI Featured Segments

We’re stuck in that awkward stretch between the holidays and Valentine’s Day—and Lou Penrose leans into it. From single women searching for a real gentleman on social media to Lou revisiting his rules for single women, the conversation gets honest and spicy. As birthrates continue to fall, Lou breaks down why even progressives say the left needs real solutions—while the White House rolls out a pro-family agenda and Lou delivers a blunt take: if you want to be married, get married—don’t let divorce laws scare you off. Plus, Under Armour suffers a major data breach. Love, politics, and hard truths—all in one episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IT’S FOODIE FRIDAY! Food enthusiast and host of ‘The Fork Report’ on KFI Neil Saavedra joins Bill to talk about Walmart frozen pizza, Pasadena Burger Week, and the best way to reheat leftovers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame list drops—and Lou Penrose isn’t holding back. He weighs in on the legends, the head-scratchers, and the very bad songs, then shares a hilarious family argument sparked by a BLONDIE track and reminisces about the pre-Google days of wildly misheard lyrics. Lou also checks in on the ice storm hammering multiple states with power outages and travel shutdowns. research claims your cell phone might be hurting your brain, and major spirits brands are drowning in a $22 billion pile of unsold booze.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blizzard of 2026 slams the brakes on travel out of LAX and sends shoppers into a full-on grocery grab. Lou Penrose digs into listener talkbacks on why a 48-hour storm triggers stockpiling madness, tracks an ice storm stretching from Texas to Virginia, and asks the big survival question: how long could you really last on what’s in your kitchen? Plus, a lighter turn as the Songwriters Hall of Fame list dropsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research says cell phones might be hurting your brain—so Lou Penrose says go speaker or grab the headphones. He digs into the FCC taking aim at talk radio in the fight over “equal time” for politicians, then jumps into the heated debate over setting an age limit for members of Congress. Plus, a cross with George Noory, listener talkbacks, and—believe it or not—more reasons Lou loves Los Angeles… earthquakes and all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goodbye, ATLAS: #StrangeScience looks at the final farewell to the 3I/ATLAS interstellar visitor as it disappears from our solar system forever today. The Location of Heaven: A physicist claims that Hubble data and the "Cosmic Horizon" point to a physical location for the afterlife. Is it science or just high-altitude speculation? The Phallic Fossil: A 26-foot "woody" giant from the prehistoric past represents a life form we thought was long extinct. What exactly are we looking at?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Google’s Gemini AI reading your personal emails? Marc breaks down the trade-off between productivity and privacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes heat on the world stage while Trump lays down the law in Western Europe—teasing a Greenland deal and rattling NATO with tariff talk. Plus, Lou Penrose reflects on his Political Science roots and digs deeper into Trump’s Greenland gambit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Immigration raids sweep Anaheim and across Orange County as a viral confrontation between ICE and an immigration attorney ignites debate. Lou Penrose breaks it all down, reacts to listener talkbacks, and explains why he says there’s “no such thing” as an immigration attorney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lou Penrose dives into a wild mix of politics and pop culture—from a quirky payphone project linking San Francisco and Texas to bridge America’s partisan divide, to Lou’s own stories from the campaign trail as a young intern. The show also covers Second Lady Usha Vance announcing she’s pregnant with her fourth child, the renewed push to make daylight saving time permanent, and a lively cross with George Noory. Plus: Nathan’s Famous hot dogs gets sold, Burger King starts picking a fight, and the headlines keep getting stranger.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jim Keany, Chief Medical Officer at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, joins The Bill Handel Show for 'Medical News'! Dr. Keany talks with Bill about  food borne bacteria causing urinary infections, Shingles vaccine reducing the risk of heart attack, and wildfire smore exposure in pregnancy linked to Autism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KFI Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro joins Wake Up Call for ‘Wired Wednesday’! Rich talks about Sony & TCL teaming up, ads coming to ChatGPT, Netflix working on an interactive feature, and mirrors that can scan your body and deliver health information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The College Football Championships saw Indiana trounce Miami, with Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza gave “all the glory and thanks to God.” His mom has multiple sclerosis, and God must be Catholic. It seems every 10 years we have a spiritual revival of some kind. There's been a cheese recall due to listeria fears.  Is it due to deregulation? There’s also been a recall of grilled chicken breasts. Perhaps air fryers are the answer. They’re remarkable and do exactly what they promise. There are only a few things in life that deliver on their promise. They include the Oral-B Sonicare Electric Toothbrush and On Cloud Running Shoes. The Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, CES 2026, was so good this year because of all the robots, including ones that fold our laundry! The future is here and it’s populated by robots that were built to serve us. Lastly, the GOP-1 journey many have been on has resulted in airlines saving on fuel costs to the tune of more than $500 million — because big butts are no longer weighing down the plane! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been exactly one year since Trump was sworn in as US president. And in that time, he has made a lot of “unpresidential” statements, which his supporters love and his detractors loathe. Lou recalls Trump tariffs on Canada that would have potentially devastated the Canadian economy. Amid the threats, former PM Justin Trudeau hotfooted it down to Mar-A-Lago to negotiate a deal on timber and oil sales. Listeners also love Trump’s brash personality when it comes to press conferences. We have three more years to go of the Trump administration. Many people are loving on Trump’s McDonald’s moment when he worked the drive thru during his campaign. People from the Midwest hate a phony, which is why Kamala Harris lost there. Lou hopes the proposed California wealth tax on billionaires does not pass, because billionaires bring money into the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellen DeGeneres is in the news for her Instagram post regarding anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis. And she is receiving backlash over the post, in which she said she was proud of the protesters who are being peaceful and feels for the ones who have been hurt by law enforcement. Meanwhile, other protesters are targeting Target as part of a reverse boycott, in which they buy salt — why? Because salt melts ice! — and then returning it to encourage the chain store to slow down sales and consequently step up morally regarding ICE arrests and staging on store premises. There is a lot of misinformation and commentary regarding ICE arresting convicted sex offenders who are in the country illegally. Are these arrests done with or without arrest warrants? Are ICE agents accidentally nabbing and detaining US citizens? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy talks with the host of ‘How to Money’ Joel Larsgaard talking about young people ditching credit cards, Ozempic reducing grocery bills, and store brands costing less.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy speaks with Dr. Dana Varble about what pet owners need to know to keep their animals healthier, longer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the exodus of California billionaires due to the potential wealth tax, how will this shake out for the rest of us Golden State taxpayers? Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s tax incentives, film and TV productions are also exiting the state, as evidenced by Radford Studio Lot potentially declaring bankruptcy. Also, a historic 1920s West Hollywood house facing demolition was physically moved to Altadena to replace a home burned down in the Eaton Fire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in celebration of the civil rights leader who fought racial segregation. There was a big earthquake today registering 4.6 east of Palm Springs in San Bernardino. The battle for Greenland is on! President Donald Trump says we need the land mass for strategy such as shipping routes and protecting it from incursions from the likes of China and Russia. It’s controlled by Denmark, but the US has always had military stationed there. And is this all due to Trump not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize? If you’re a billionaire, you may consider moving out of California due to the potential incoming wealth tax that Democrats want to introduce to the state. Several have already purchased homes in Florida in a bid to escape the billionaire tax. Iconic Italian fashion designer Valentino died at his home in Rome at the age of 93. His body will lie in repose at the HQs in Rome.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s big trouble in the Beckham family, with eldest offspring Brooklyn Beckham going nuclear on his parents Victoria and David and stating he does not wish to reconcile. Tonight's special guest on the phone with Mark is famed Hollywood fixer Brad Herman. He talks about the publicly reviled California DMV, but Herman says the staff there really do care, from top to bottom. The SNAFU with the Real ID was not the fault of DMV staff, rather, it was a software glitch that saw about 325,000 California residents having to get new IDs. Brad Herman continues talking about his long career as a Hollywood fixer, including that time in the 1980s when, as a wet-behind-the-ears kid in his 20s, he was sent to an address in Beverly Hills to take care of none other than Frank Sinatra, who was caught driving on an expired driver’s license. Amazon is taking on Saks 5th Avenue after Saks filed bankruptcy. In 2024, Amazon invested $500M in Saks, and now Amazon is saying that investment was worthless.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SoCal Edison sues L.A. County and multiple agencies over responsibility for the Eaton Fire. Rick Caruso shuts down rumors of a run for governor or mayor. A brutal Beverly Hills attack leaves one man dead. Plus, Merrill dives into Gary Hoffman’s sports league and KFI teams—and why Elon Musk’s X is pulling back on explicit AI-generated images with Grok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump announces tariffs against European countries opposing his Greenland takeover plan as thousands march in Greenland to defend the Arctic island. A new high shows 45% of Americans now identify as political independents. Plus, mounting evidence that smartphones before age 13 may cause lifelong mental health harm—and a groundbreaking new law banning Americans from more than one hour of phone use per day.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Streaming costs explode far beyond inflation in 2025. Billy Bob Thornton says rumors about Landman are fake and AI-made. Merrill dives into the future of ChatGPT ads influenced by user conversations—and the surprisingly popular idea of an “airport divorce” to save relationships. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil shares two valuable kitchen hacks. First, he reveals a simple technique for de-boning a rotisserie chicken without the mess or hassle. Neil also talks about the benefits of using a rice cooker, showing you how to get the most out of this often-overlooked kitchen appliance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neil Saavaedra chats with Debra Borden, a licensed social worker and author who's pioneering culinary therapy. They dive into the world of cooking as a therapeutic tool, exploring how it can help people connect with their emotions and well-being. Debra shares her personal journey, from working with troubled teens to developing a formalized curriculum for culinary therapy. She discusses the science behind the benefits of cooking, including the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This conversation is a delicious exploration of the intersection of food, therapy, and creativity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're sipping on some delicious French wines and enjoying Charcuterie with Thibaud Duccini - the owner of the Wine Station in downtown LA. Tibo shares his story of bringing a taste of France to LA, from his early days working in restaurants to opening his own wine bar. We dive into the world of wine, from his favorite French wines to the process of becoming a sommelier. Plus, we're talking about his unique zero-ABV wine options and how they're perfect for Dry January.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Single women are consistently outpacing single men in homeownership, accounting for 19% of homes sold nationwide last year. What’s Lou’s advice for single-woman homeowners? Do not let the boyfriend move in. If you do let him stay over, do not give him a key. Do not let him forward his mail and bills to your address. Do not let him make any improvements to the home or fix anything. And under no circumstances, do not allow him to pay any utility bills — except if it’s in cash. It seems young singles don’t know how to date these days; for starters, women do not like splitting the bill. If a man asks a woman out, he should pay the bill and NOT go Dutch. For a single woman, there are no such things as relationships with men. Instead, men should be classed as either acquaintances, fiancés or husbands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oprah Winfrey talked about her lifelong struggles with weight gain and yoyo dieting, and her GLP-1 journey. She insists she has an “obesity gene.” Health experts weigh in on her theory that obesity is predetermined by genetics. Spoiler: It has never been proven. “You don’t overeat and become obese; obesity causes you to overeat,” Oprah explained to the dimwits of “The View.” She’s framing obesity as a disease that must be treated, which is handy, seeing as she owns a minority stake in Weight Watchers, which now sells GLP-1s. Is Oprah selling surrender as science? Health and nutrition experts seem to think so. Wegovy now comes in a pill form, and the weightloss company is projected to make $1 billion over the next year. Also, shark attacks are making a comeback in Southern California. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manufacturing has traditionally been a tentpole of the American economy. And car manufacturing has historically played a big part in the nation’s strong economy. President Trump made a deal with Japanese vehicle maker Toyota to reshore its car manufacturing on US soil. It appears the threat of tariffs worked. Meanwhile, at the Port of Long Beach, the amount of trade has exploded, moving a record amount of cargo last year. Because of Trump tariffs, American workers now have the advantage. In the 1980s, we shipped all manufacturing overseas to countries like Mexico, Canada and parts of Asia. But now manufacturing is making a return to prop up our economy. And we don’t even have to build the infrastructure — because all the old factories and rail lines are still here. President Trump was in Detroit this week to talk about bringing the manufacturing plants back to the US. US auto workers historically got a bad rap because of the way they were treated, not because of anything bad they did. They lived under constant threats of factory closures, robot replacement and docked pay, which was demoralizing to the American labor force. Meanwhile Frigidaire mini fridges are being recalled as a fire hazard. Where are they manufactured? Mostly in China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The host of ‘Home’ on KFI Dean Sharp joins the show and talks about the four types of American houses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economically, we’re doing well! The stock market is looking good; unemployment is down (4.4%); and consumer spending is up. So why aren’t people feeling more prosperous? Gen Z, aged around 18–28, is being criticized for being the laziest workforce ever, transactional and unmotivated, claiming they’re not failing at work, rather, work is failing them. Podcaster and hundred-millionaire businessman Patrick Bet-David is using his platform to school the younger generation on why communism is not the answer, and that they must embrace capitalism. If you insist on being poor, you will be. If you want to be rich, do what rich people do. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The anti-ICE protests, sparked by the fatal shooting of Renee Good, presently happening throughout the USA, don’t appear to be dying down. So why does it appear to be mostly white women protesting? There are several theories as to why that is, but one is that a lot of these women are unmarried and childless but still have the instinct to mother, so they see ICE agents as their ex-husbands and the illegal immigrants as the children they don’t have. Plus, they’re sick and thus overly medicated on a chemical cocktail of antidepressants and SSRIs. The ICE agents are there to do their job, which is to enforce the law, and process warrants for people who are in the country illegally. So why are so many white women angry about it? Listeners certainly have their opinions about why this is. Meanwhile, what’s with all the whistles?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things are changing in the restaurant industry. Prices are through the roof, no matter the dining experience. People are now eating earlier, with over 51% of Gen Z and Millennials preferring the early bird special. The 5.00 p.m.–5.30 p.m. slot is exploding in popularity, with younger diners enjoying a happy-hour feed. Looks like booze is off the menu! With drinking down around the nation, people are no longer cocktailing it up at bars and restaurants, causing several bourbon businesses to go bust. Lots of listener opinions tonight about eating out and getting down with that early bird special. Plus, the best kind of booze to down in your downtime. Vodka from Idaho, anyone? Lou is particular about his martinis, including the olive juice and where said olive juice comes from. And don’t even get him started on blue cheese; that’s a big no for Lou. Martinis are like women’s breasts: One is not enough, but three are too many.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#TechTalk follows with Marc Saltzman breaking down CES standouts like robots and AI accessories, plus a Snowmageddon update from TorontoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host of ‘How to Money’ Joel Larsgaard joins the show to discuss investing in Pokemon cards, the Polymarket craze, and timeshares making a comeback.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merrill recalls his sporty youth in which he lost at a record speed during a wrestling match. Should President Trump intervene to help the citizens of Iran? What happens if the US faces off against Denmark? Trump says we must have control of Greenland for national security. When it comes to purchasing a home in LA, nobody can afford a darn thing! Even downsizing doesn’t seem worth it as interest rates remain on the higher end. Merrill longs for the days of the recession, with high unemployment and economic disaster you could take advantage of for housing gains. Swappers are trading in their low interest mortgages for high interest rates. It may sound stupid, but it’s a monetary strategy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California’s Prop 50 went to the courts, and federal judges upheld the maps, going against GOP claims that the maps were unconstitutional and racist. The man in the U-Haul truck who plowed through the crowd of people marching in support of Iranian civilians in LA’s Westwood is now speaking out. He claims the protestors attacked him, not the other way around. What’s Merrill’s solution? No more protests! You’re cut off! Whittier Councilman Fernando Dutra thinks there are way too many carwashes being built in his community and there needs to be a carwash moratorium. How to get your mitts on tickets for the LA Olympics 2028? You can register for free at https://la28.org for the chance to buy tickets as part of a lottery draw, although actual ticket sales don’t start until April and you won’t be guaranteed a win.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One way to make your money work for you while you’re sleeping is to invest in NFTs — take Merrill’s word for it! Glenn Beck of The Blaze has been using AI-generated podcasts during the overnight shift. Did his fans notice? If you're under a certain height, you won’t be allowed to enjoy Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show! Remember Quibi? It was the short-form streaming platform that lasted about five minutes. And now? We’re gifted with scripted micro dramas. Is your kid too fat? The obesity epidemic is causing us to get fatter younger, although GLP-1 weightloss meds like Ozempic and Wegovy seem to be helping adults. Now, kids may need to hop on the weightloss-shot gravy train. Processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle are to blame. The bald and the beautiful? It’s no longer a sad rite of passage when men lose their hair — it’s now considered a glow-up! Gen Z is now embracing the Mr. Sheen look. It’s called baldmaxxing and it means choosing to embrace hair loss rather than feeling ashamed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January is Stalking Awareness Month, and new research from Harvard is changing the conversation. A long-term study shows women who experience stalking face a dramatically higher risk of heart disease, turning stalking into a serious public health issue. In this Featured Segment with KFI's Heather Brooker, we talk with Maricela Rio-Faust, CEO of Human Options, about why trauma shows up in the body, how stalking escalates intimate partner violence, and why survivors need medical and trauma-informed medical support, not just legal protection. Listen to Heather's podcast, Entertain Me on iHeartRadio and follow her on Instagram @theheatherbrooker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KFI Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro joins Wake Up Call for ‘Wired Wednesday’! Rich talks about Apple partnering with Google, a new health food scanning app, Nissan wireless charging, and the ‘You Dead’ app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Merrill returns from his holiday break with a personal health update before breaking down the DOJ’s decision not to pursue a civil-rights probe in the ICE shooting. The show examines rising home and auto insurance rates hitting California residents, explores quality-of-life trends outside the state, and looks at new data naming L.A. home to the world’s worst major tourist attraction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Merrill breaks down President Trump’s warning of strong U.S. action if Iran executes protesters and reports on Trump officials preparing an executive order aimed at housing affordability. Plus, backlash grows as Elon Musk’s AI bot Grok limits some image generation on X amid concerns over explicit content — and Chris plays listener talkbacks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Merrill is introduced to the new Linkin Park song by “The Foosh” before diving into Paramount’s looming board fight with Warner Bros. Discovery. The show takes a hard look at Hollywood behaving badly, with multiple high-profile arrests and charges making headlines, and wraps with a consumer push urging car manufacturers to bring back old-fashioned, physical controls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KTLA & KFI tech reporter Rich DeMuro joins the show for ‘Tech Tuesday.’ Today, Rich talks about Apple tapping Google to help bring more AI features to the iPhone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy talks with the host of ‘How to Money’ Joel Larsgaard talking about President Trump proposed 10% interest cap rate, ditching credit cards for debit, and overdraft feesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Andy Reismeyer breaks down his love for Hollywood with a Golden Globes recap, then sparks a fiery Pizza Week debate—from deep dish to classic NY style. He covers Santa Ana winds and warm SoCal temps, ocean water warnings at L.A. County beaches, and the bizarre trend of grilling hot dogs in their plastic packaging. Plus, James Reddick joins his pal Andy to talk the latest on mortgage rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy kicks things off with a hilarious ChatGPT fail that can’t spell “strawberry,” then dives into Talkbacks and the chaos at an abandoned Southern California mall taken over by vandals. Plus, a bear moves in again under an Altadena home, the debate over whether waking up at 5 a.m. is a terrible idea, a mysterious fireball lighting up the SoCal sky, and a guy’s thick Boston accent going viral after a “Say The Word On Beat” challenge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy covers breaking news as a bomb squad responds to a suspicious device in the San Gabriel Valley, then shares a deeply touching story about his late father and his battle with pancreatic cancer. The show also brings hope with a promising new drug being tested at Penn, updates on Santa Ana winds, and Andy’s dive into a Facebook group for radio folks. Plus, a moving tribute to the legendary Sam Rubin, highlights from Nikki Glaser’s Golden Globes opening monologue, a cross with George Noory, and a look at Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers managing just three points.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy talks with the CEO of Team Rubicon Jim Brooks about the veteran-led humanitarian organization aiming to welcome 5,000 new volunteers nationwide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 It’s Golden Globes night! It’ll be hosted by the very funny roast mistress Nikki Glaser. Following the last few years of economic hardship and misery, San Francisco is coming back with a vengeance. CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil can’t stop talking about himself and making on-air gaffs. He was appointed by controversial new CBS head Bari Weiss. It’s Chargers night! There’s a trend of people who cook their hotdogs on the grill — but in its packaging. A black 2013 BMW parked on the side of the parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the unofficial welcome to the small town. Back to San Francisco and its iconic Victorian homes known as the Painted Ladies, the colorful homes you see in the opening credits of sitcom “Full House.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.