The story behind returning KFI series ‘Unsolved’

Saturday marks the start of the second season for KFI’S (640 AM) “Unsolved” series, hosted by Steve Gregory. The program runs 8-10 p.m. Saturdays.

“Unsolved” tells the story of major crimes that went cold. They remain on the books of local and federal police agencies — L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Riverside sheriff, the FBI and more — waiting for a new witness or last bit of evidence to finally be solved.

Or possibly, the exposure of someone like Gregory.

The show also covers crimes that Gregory calls “challenging,” giving behind-the-scenes looks at how they were solved and what techniques detectives used to gain information and insight.

It was actually an accidental show, or perhaps the better word would be unintentional.

“I had done a segment on the ‘Gary and Shannon Show,’ ” heard 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., explained Gregory, “and listeners responded very positively. [KFI programmer] Robin Bertolucci liked it as well, and when I passed her in the hallway I joked about doing a weekly show. She stopped and thought about it … we talked over the next few weeks … and eventually, it happened.”

After figuring a way to work it into his already busy schedule, that is. He’s still a top reporter for the KFI news team. This explains a bit about why there were only 11 episodes in Season 1 — 10 shows involving cases and one show with a recap of the 10, recorded live in front of a studio audience and featuring detectives and investigators involved in the cases. Hopefully, there will be more in Season 2.

“There are more than 10,000 unsolved homicides in Southern California,” said Gregory, and those numbers remain high. “At first, some of the agencies were reluctant to talk openly about many of the cases; now they contact me regarding cases they want to expose more!”

If you can’t already tell, I love shows like this … think of cable TV’S former “Homicide Hunter” and you can see my TV bingeviewing habits. Gregory — a seven-time recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for journalism as well as awards from the Associated Press and more — is a fantastic host. His background in news includes investigative reporting; that, along with his interest in mysteries and police work, makes him the perfect host for this show.

You can hear the entire first season kfiam640.iheart.com/featured/unsolved-with-steve-gregory.

Coming home

Raph (Raphael) Opida, once heard on KIIS-FM (102.7) until he left Los Angeles in 2021 to serve in the New York Army National Guard, has come home to take on the assistant programmer/afternoon drive personality positions at sister My FM (KBIG 104.3). He can be heard on the air from 3 to 7 p.m.

Sounds good

Is it my imagination, or is KIIS-FM sounding a bit better of late? Musically more balanced, a bit less clutter in presentation. Ratings edging back up. Could Top 40 radio be on an upward swing?