Tight Budget Zeros in on Public Safety
June 30, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday narrowly approved an austere biennial budget that homes in on public safety improvements largely funded with a tax hike approved by local voters in November.
Suspect in Officer, Juvenile Shootings Charged
June 30, 2025 -- A homeless suspect has been charged with attempting to murder a Santa Monica police officer and two juveniles in two separate shooting incidents last week, the LA County District Attorney announced Friday.
Dem Club Rejects Housing on Airport Land
June 27, 2025 -- The Santa Monica Democratic Club Wednesday night overwhelmingly voted to recommend creating a "Great Park" on Airport land when it closes at the end of 2028, while excluding housing on the site.
City Takes Steps to Address Needs of Elderly Residents
June 27, 2025 -- Nearly one in five Santa Monica residents are over the age of 65, and the City is crafting an action plan to help meet their needs, City officials said.
Airport Plan Picks Up Speed
June 25, 2025 -- The lengthy process to shape the future of Santa Monica Airport will quickly accelerate over the next two weeks as a key political player weighs in and the City Council begins honing in on a preferred scenario.
Police Seek Break-in Suspects Caught on Video
June 25, 2025 -- Police are asking the public's help finding two masked men caught on video breaking into a Santa Monica coffee shop before dawn Monday.
Council Prepares to Approve Budget as City Faces Dire Economic Straits
June 24, 2025 -- Santa Monica will stop restoring City programs, dip into its "historically low reserves" and explore alternatives to federal funding to balance a biennial budget the City Council is expected to adopt Tuesday.
Two Juveniles Shot Sunday in 'Isolated Incident'
June 24, 2025 -- Santa Monica police are investigating the "targeted" shooting of two juveniles inside an autonomous rideshare vehicle in Downtown late Sunday night.
OPINION -- Santa Monica Democrats Use Appellate Process to Fight Latino Voting Rights
June 23, 2025 -- A Legislative bill to protect minority voting rights and taxpayer funds could soon become law. So why did Santa Monica's "progressive" government successfully lobby to exempt the City?
List of Items Banned at Protests Could Grow
June 23, 2025 -- In the wake of protests and rioting in Los Angeles over federal immigration policies, Santa Monica police officials are asking the City Council to expand the list of items banned at public assemblies.
Council to Make Four Dozen Appointments
June 23, 2025 -- Santa Monica's new ranked choice voting system will be put to a major test Tuesday night when the City Council makes 48 appointments to 19 different volunteer boards.
Final Budget Proposal Boosts Police Funding
June 20, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to adopt a proposed $793.3 million fiscal year budget that boosts the Police Department's efforts to fight crime.
Santa Monica Celebrates Make Music Day
June 20, 2025 -- Santa Monica on Saturday will join more than 2,000 cities around the world in a unique music celebration that originated in France in 1982.
Santa Monica Could Cash In on 2028 Olympics
June 18, 2025 -- Santa Monica may not be hosting beach volleyball during the 2028 Summer Olympics, but it could cash in and get plenty of global attention as a satellite hub for the games.
Santa Monica Commemorates Juneteenth with City Closures, Scaled Back Services
June 18, 2025 -- On June 19, 1865 -- two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation -- U.S. General Gordon Granger stood in Galveston, Texas and read General Orders No. 3.
Man Charged with Attempted Rape of Elderly Santa Monica Woman
June 17, 2025 -- A Long Beach man is facing felony charges after he dragged an elderly woman into a Downtown alley on the night of June 5 and tried to rape her, according to police.
Santa Monica Rolls Out Entertainment Zone
June 17, 2025 -- The "soft launch" of Southern California's first Entertainment Zone turned into a bustling weekend as visitors enjoyed their drinks strolling on the Promenade.
Local Doctor Pleads Guilty to Supplying Drugs Leading to Actor's Death
June 17, 2025 -- A Santa Monica doctor charged in connection with the overdose death of actor Mathew Perry pleaded guilty Monday to four counts of distribution of Ketamine.
Fall in Domestic Visitors Cushioned by Global Travel
June 16, 2025 -- Santa Monica's tourism industry, a key driver of the local economy, was dealt a setback for the second straight year in 2024 due to a steep drop in domestic visitors.
City to Make Purchases Using New High-Tech Platform
June 16, 2025 -- More than ten Santa Monica City departments can now make an estimated $3 million in annual transactions through government credit cards under a newly launched E-Commerce platform that could help boost local businesses.
Serious Crime Saw Slight Decrease Last Year
June 13, 2025 -- The number of serious crimes reported in Santa Monica dipped last year despite a rise in homeless-related calls for service and reported crimes, according to the Police Department's annual report released Wednesday.
Police Prepared for Saturday's Protest, Chief Says
June 13, 2025 -- The Santa Monica police force has been placed on tactical alert and is "actively monitoring intelligence sources" in anticipation of Saturday's planned protest in Palisades Park.
Brian Wilson's Deep Ties to Santa Monica
June 12, 2025 -- Beach Boys leader and composer Brian Wilson, a supreme genius of popular music whose death was announced by his family Wednesday, had long ties to Santa Monica.
Council Greenlights Bikes on Bus-Only Lanes
June 12, 2025 -- The City Council late Tuesday night voted to slowly roll out a program that allows bicycles and other mobility devices to use stretches of five major bus-only lanes.
Council Hikes Water and Sewer Rates
June 11, 2025 -- With little discussion, the City Council shortly after midnight Tuesday voted to increase water and sewer rates over the next five years to keep the services afloat.
SMC Fashion Show Features Global Collections
June 11, 2025 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) fashion students will showcase their latest designs next week during an annual show that includes fashion shoots, video interviews and a panel of professional judges.
OPINION --
How to Afford 'The Great Park'
June 11, 2025 -- Voters passed LC to win a park -- not to create a loophole for housing and development. The park is not only possible. It’s already paid for.
Santa Monica Feels Impacts of LA Raids, Riots
June 10, 2025 -- The fallout from federal immigration enforcement operations that have triggered protests and rioting in Los Angeles reached Santa Monica Monday, where false rumors of a local crackdown swirled and police beefed up deployment.
New City Art Work Honors Manual Labor
June 10, 2025 -- A handmade mural chronicling the often unseen work that keeps the city running has been installed on the facade of the Operations Building at the Santa Monica City Yards.
Billboards Could Return to Santa Monica
June 9, 2025 -- After a 40-year ban, new large billboards could soon return to Santa Monica using digital display screens that wrap around the upper level facades of existing buildings.
City Council Poised to Raise Water Rates
June 9, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to raise water rates over the next five years to keep Santa Monica's water and sewer services afloat.
The Rising Cost of Graffiti Removal
June 6, 2025 -- Santa Monica's constant race to remove graffiti proliferating on surfaces across the city will cost local taxpayers more than $1.7 million over the next 5 years.
Charges Filed Against Surviving Suspect in Fatal Robbery Attempt
June 6, 2025 -- A man arrested for homicide during a botched robbery on the Promenade last month is being held in County jail awaiting a July court date after being charged on two lesser felony counts.
Bikes Could Soon Share Bus Lanes in Santa Monica
June 5, 2025 -- Bicyclists in Santa Monica could soon be legally riding in several major bus lanes under a staff proposal the City Council will take up Tuesday.
Senate Narrowly Approves Bill for Bigger Housing Near Transit
June 5, 2025 -- A controversial bill that encourages denser housing development near transit stops barely passed the California State Senate Tuesday night and is headed to the Assembly for approval.
SMC to Hold Commencement for Second Largest Graduating Class
June 4, 2025 -- The second largest graduation class in Santa Monica College (SMC) history -- ranging in age from 16 to 97 -- will
receive degrees and certificates during the school's 95th Commencement Ceremony this month.
SMC Planetarium Explores Ways to View the Universe
June 3, 2025 -- From amateur telescopes to observatories to radio astronomy, the Santa Monica College (SMC) planetarium will survey the evolving ways to explore the universe this month.
Bay Cities Working to 'Come Back Better'
June 2, 2025 -- Bay Cities Italian Market and Deli is working to address health issues that led to its temporary closure last month and "come back better" when it reopens, according to a message on social media.
Elderly Women Critically Injured by Bus
June 2, 2025 -- A Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (BBB) critically injured an elderly pedestrian Friday morning near the eastern end of Pico Boulevard, police officials said.
