By Lookout Staff
December 31, 2025 -- During the autumn months, the City Council took a series of bold steps that ushered in major changes, while Santa Monica found itself at the center of events that made national headlines.
The fourth quarter started with news that a housing facility for the mentally ill homeless was set to open in an upscale oceanfront neighborhood and ended with speculation that Nick Reiner may have spent time in the city after allegedly killing his parents.
Two pedestrians were fatally struck in a hit-and-run that triggered a manhunt across several states, a local doctor was sentenced to federal prison for his role in the overdose death of actor Mathew Perry and a celebrated opera singer was allegedly stabbed to death by his son in the family's Santa Monica home.
At City Hall, the Council voted to end negotiations with a high- powered group of experts to resurrect the Civic Auditorium, ended a 40-year ban on billboards by approving large digital displays Downtown and authorized a lease with a public charter air carrier offering flights at the airport in 30-seat turboprops.
The Council also approved an ambitious plan spearheaded by new City Manager Oliver Chi to restore order and bring back Santa Monica's faltering economy. Meanwhile, the State ethics watchdog advised Councilmember Jesse Zwick to recuse himself on housing issues, his top priority.
OCTOBER
Homeless Reunification Program Stirs Debate
October 1, 2025 -- A program launched by Santa Monica activist John Alle to reunite Santa Monica's homeless with their families made national headlines, and drew criticism from a top City official.
Council Approves New Program for Neighborhood Groups
October 3, 2025 -- Santa Monica's printed newsletter "Seascape," as well as its election forum, will return as part of a plan unanimously approved by the City Council Tuesday that bars neighborhood groups from engaging in politics.
Housing for Mentally Ill Homeless Slated to Open on Ocean Avenue
October 6, 2025 -- A County funded transitional housing program for homeless individuals with serious mental illness is slated to open this month on two adjacent oceanfront facilities in Santa Monica, The Lookout has learned.
City Bill Reaching $14.5 Million in Voting Rights Case
October 8, 2025 -- The City's legal bill fighting a voting rights lawsuit filed by Latino plaintiffs nearly a decade ago has climbed to nearly $14.5 million, according to the latest figures from the City.
LA Police Recover Stolen Cargo in Local Warehouse
October 8, 2025 -- On Thursday, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives recovered an estimated $500,000 worth of stolen train cargo -- including unreleased Nike shoes -- in a Santa Monica warehouse, police officials announced Tuesday.
Controversial Mental Health Housing on Ocean Avenue Paused
October 14, 2025 -- A County funded transitional housing program on Ocean Avenue for mentally ill homeless individuals has been paused to "allow for more robust community engagement," Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath announced Tuesday.
Democrats Remain Split Over Historic Housing Bill
October 15, 2025 -- California's liberal establishment remains divided over a controversial new housing law that allows large residential developments to be built near transit stops with no local input.
Council Ends Civic Auditorium Negotiations, Will Explore Other Options
October 16, 2025 -- Frustrated that a year of talks has led to little more than a "big beautiful vision," the City Council Tuesday night ended a exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) with an expert group to revitalize the shuttered Civic Auditorium.
City Manager Unveils Sweeping Plan for Santa Monica's Comeback
October 24, 2025 -- The City Manager's office on Thursday released an "overarching game plan" for Santa Monica that aims to "restore order, rebuild economic capacity and re-establish long-term fiscal health."
Two Pedestrians Killed in Hit-and-Run
October 25, 2025 -- Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who killed two pedestrians and injured two others on Wilshire Boulevard Friday night then fled the scene on foot.
Ocean Avenue Mental Health Projects Pulled
October 27, 2025 -- County Commissioner Lindsey Horvath has terminated the two transitional housing facilities for the mentally ill homeless in Santa Monica after community outcry and intensive lobbying from Mayor Lana Negrete
Council Approves Ambitious Plan to Revitalize City
October 30, 2025 -- Three months after City Manager Oliver Chi assumed the government's top post, the City Council enthusiastically approved an ambitious plan to bring Santa Monica back.
NOVEMBER
Council Votes to Make Homeless Housing Projects More 'Transparent'
November 3, 2025 -- The City Council last week unanimously approved steps to make the process for new homeless housing facilities more transparent, but not before setting off some political fireworks.
New SMC Planetarium Opens Next Week
November 4, 2025 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Planetarium will resume its live Friday evening shows this month at a new state-of-the- art dome that began construction in 2021.
SMRR Keeps Powerful Committee Intact
November 5, 2025 -- The powerful committee that shapes policy for Santa Monica's oldest and most influential political organization will remain unchanged after an uncontested election Saturday.
Police Arrest Fatal Hit-and-Run Suspect in Chicago
November 6, 2025 -- The 38-year-old suspect in a deadly hit-and-run collision that killed two pedestrians in Santa Monica was arrested in Chicago last Thursday after fleeing the State.
Rent Registry to Kick in for Market Rate Units
November 13, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday is set to give final approval to an ordinance that requires landlords of market-rate apartment buildings to register their rental units with the City.
Why Does the City Want to Buy a New Office Building?
November 17, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday will discuss purchasing a newly constructed office building at a time when the City is strapped for cash and has ample room for its workforce.
City Settles with Family of Black Entrepreneur
November 24, 2025 -- The family of a Black entrepreneur that claims the Civic Center land for his beach club was taken by the City in the late 1950s will receive $350,000 in a settlement announced last week.
DECEMBER
New Air Carrier to Launch this Month
December 1, 2025 -- JSX, a trendsetting alternative to major airlines, will begin operating at Santa Monica Airport this month with daily service to Las Vegas, company officials announced last week.
City Launches Pilot Program for Engineered Wood Construction
December 2, 2025 -- The City has launched a one-year pilot program that encourages developers to use engineered wood to build large multi-family and commercial buildings, Santa Monica officials announced Monday.
City Signs Airport Lease with JSX
December 3, 2025 -- A public charter air carrier offering flights in 30-seat turboprops has entered into a three-year lease agreement to operate at Santa Monica Airport (SMO), City officials announced Tuesday.
Local Doctor Charged in Actor's Death Sentenced to Prison
December 4, 2025 -- A former Santa Monica doctor was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in federal prison for repeatedly selling vials of ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, who died of an overdose in October 2023.
City to Give Low-Income Renters Free Appliances
December 8, 2025 -- Low-income Santa Monica renters can now apply to receive free heat pumps and other energy-efficient appliances as part of the City's electrification plan.
City Clerk Latest Top Official to Leave Post
December 8, 2025 -- City officials announced Friday that City Clerk Nikima Newsome will leave the post in January, marking the fifth department head to depart since July.
Celebrated Singer Killed in His Santa Monica Home
December 9, 2025 -- A celebrated opera singer was allegedly stabbed to death by his son in their Pico Neighborhood home in Santa Monica Monday night, according to police.
Pier Bridge Construction Officially Begins
December 10, 2025 -- Eight years after a new bridge leading to the Santa Monica Pier was initially scheduled to be completed, construction officially got underway this week to replace the 86-year old structure.
Malibu Council Seals Deal on Separation
December 11, 2025 -- In what is being touted as a "historic" vote that marks a "major milestone," the Malibu City Council Monday unanimously approved a "separation package" that paves the way to creating an independent Malibu School District.
City's Housing Trust Fund Stretched Thin
December 12, 2025 -- The City fund that helps subsidize affordable housing construction in Santa Monica ended the fiscal year with some $14.5 million, enough to subsidize 122 affordable units on City-owned sites.
Sexual Abuse Cases Against City to Go to Trial
December 15, 2025 -- Nearly six years after the City of Santa Monica began settling sexual abuse cases that so far have cost $230 million, a judge has ordered test trials for some of the pending cases.
Acting Chief to Hold Post on Permanent Basis
December 17, 2025 -- Acting Police Chief Darrick Jacob has been appointed as Santa Monica's next police chief, making him the first member of the force to be elevated to the top post in nearly half a century.
Did Nick Reiner Spend the Day in Santa Monica After Allegedly Killing His Parents?
December 18, 2025 -- The scant information available pinpointing Nick Reiner's whereabouts after allegedly murdering his parents indicates he may have spent much of the day in Santa Monica.
Zwick Can't Vote on Housing Development Issues, FPPC Rules
December 19, 2025 -- California's top political watchdog has concluded that City Councilmember Jesse Zwick is disqualified from participating in "housing production decisions" made by the Council, City officials said Thursday.
Council Takes Major Steps to Kick-Start Economy
December 19, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday took initial steps to host major events that will "put Santa Monica on the global stage" during the world's biggest sporting competitions.
Council Approves Digital Billboards Downtown
December 22, 2025 -- Spurred by a fiscal crisis, the City Council last week paved the way for as many as 16 digital billboards Downtown that can span 1,000 square feet each and remain in place for 30 years.
Developer Behind Ocean Avenue Homeless Facilities Defaults on $37.5 Million Loan
December 31, 2025 -- Leo Pustilnikov -- who sued the City after being ousted from the Downtown board and tried opening two mental health facilities on Ocean Avenue -- has defaulted on a $37.5 million loan on a Promenade building, according to a real estate website.