|
Police, Fire Unions Make Single Council Endorsement, More to Come
August 31, 2026 – Continuing a trend of unusual City Council endorsements, Santa Monica's public safety unions backed an initial candidate Monday and said more endorsements will be made in the coming weeks.
Santa Monica Project Not in Trailer Bill
August 31, 2026 -- California environmentalists celebrated this weekend after Governor Gavin Newsom's trailer bill failed to include a "carve out" for a large Downtown Santa Monica development by a major campaign donor.
Parcel Tax Fails to Win Dem Club Backing
August 28, 2026 – The Santa Monica Democratic Club won't be endorsing a $495 parcel tax on the November ballot to help fund the School District after opponents on Wednesday blocked the measure from gaining the necessary votes.
SMC Film Program Named Among Top 30 in North America
August 28, 2026 -- For the third straight year, MovieMaker Magazine named Santa Monica College (SMC) among the top 30 film schools in the U.S. and Canada, school officials announced Wednesday.
Political Establishment Lacks Unified Front in Council Race
August 27, 2026 – Unlike the 2024 race for Santa Monica City Council, which saw record spending and unified slates, this year's Council race is generating little funding and splintered backing from major political groups.
Americana in the Park Returns for 6th Season
August 27, 2026 – The sixth annual Americana in the Park -- a free concert series showcasing authentic American music -- returns to Gandara Park next month, City officials announced Wednesday.
Last-Minute Budget Deal Would Exempt Major Downtown Project from Review
August 26, 2026 – Gov. Gavin Newsom's office on Tuesday sent a trailer bill proposal to State legislative leaders that would strip Santa Monica and Coastal Commission oversight of a major Downtown project, a leading California environmentalist said Tuesday.
Voyager, Mercury and Light at the SMC Planetarium
August 26, 2026 -- The Santa Monica College Planetarium will explore the Voyager Missions, the planet Mercury and "a nearly mathless explanation of Light" during shows on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons in September.
Police Beef Up Patrols After Weekend Shootings
August 25, 2026 – Santa Monica is boosting its police presence along the beach, Pier, Palisades Park and Downtown in the wake of two shootings this weekend, one involving a police officer, City officials announced Tuesday morning.
Single-Family Neighborhoof Pushes Back on Transit Oriented Development
August 25, 2026 -- A single-family neighborhood targeted for transit-oriented multi-family development will be the focus of a meeting tonight held by City Community Development officials.
Police Arrest Juvenile in Pier Shooting
August 24, 2026 – A juvenile suspect was taken into custody Sunday night in connection with a shooting near the Pier ramp earlier in the evening, as police continue looking for additional suspects, SMPD officials said.
Officer Fatally Shoots Knife-Wielding Assailant in Palisades Park
August 24, 2026 – A Santa Monica police officer shot and killed a man who allegedly charged officers with a knife in Palisades Park Saturday afternoon, SMPD officials said.
Top City Earners Made More than $500,000 in Pay
August 21, 2026 – Six Santa Monica City employees earned more than half a million dollars in pay last year, excluding benefits, and were among the 71 municipal workers who made more than $350,000, according to data compiled by Transparent California.
Deadline for Route 66 Songwriting Contest Fast Approaching
August 21, 2026 – Musicians and songwriters have less than one month to submit a song that celebrates Santa Monica's ties to Route 66 as the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the legendary Mother Road.
Malibu Set to Launch Speed Camera Program on PCH
August 20, 2026 – The City of Malibu this week launched efforts to educate motorists about its new PCH Speed Safety System that uses cameras to catch drivers speeding along Malibu's 21-mile stretch of coastal highway.
SMC Planetarium Preps Stargazers for Big Celestial Event
August 20, 2026 -- Next week's Blood Moon lunar eclipse will be visible across North America, and the Santa Monica College (SMC) Planetarium will present a show Friday for stargazers to prepare.
Promenade Billboards Go Up, Alternate Vision Stirs Debate
August 19, 2026 – As large digital billboards begin going up that opponents fear will turn the Promenade into a mini Las Vegas strip, an idyllic vision of the walk street is generating plenty of comments on social media.
Conservancy Introduces 'Sidewalk Talks'
August 19, 2026 -- A pioneering structure in the Pico Neighborhood will be the subject of the Santa Monica Conservancy's first "Sidewalk Talks," a series to build awareness of structures that are worthy of being preserved.
National Drop in Crime Reflected in Local Trend
August 18, 2026 -- Data released by the FBI Friday indicates violent crime nationwide saw its largest year-to-year decline last year, a trend reflected in Santa Monica, according to an analysis of crimes reported in 2025.
America’s Black Botanical Legacy Focus of SMC Author Talk
August 18, 2026 – Did you know sycamore trees were havens and signposts for slaves trying to escape, or that pecan trees were domesticated by an enslaved African named Antoine?
11 Candidates Qualify to Run for Council
August 17, 2026 -- Eleven candidates are in the running for three City Council seats -- including two incumbents and a former mayor -- down from 20 hopefuls who pulled nominating papers for the November 3 race.
Waymo Can Operate Lots Overnight for Now
August 17, 2026 – Waymo has started operating its charging and servicing lots on Broadway around the clock after the California Court of Appeals on Friday temporarily paused enforcement of a preliminary injunction blocking the activity overnight.
Affordable Housing Airport Measure Fails to Meet Deadline
August 14, 2026 – Sponsors of a ballot initiative to build 3,000 units of affordable housing on Airport land did not submit signed petitions by Wednesday's deadline and will have to start again if they want to place the measure on the 2028 ballot.
LETTERS -- Unfair Parcel Tax Ballot Language Misleads Voters
August 14, 2026 -- Nowhere in any of the ballot materials does it expressly state that Malibu gets the benefit of the Santa Monica parcel tax without paying. The language used is inaccurate and misleading and must be amended.
City Seeks Property Owners to Rent to Homeless
August 13, 2026 -- Los Angeles County landlords can now lease their vacant units or buildings to the City to provide transitional housing for the homeless living on Santa Monica's streets, City officials announced Wednesday.
Santa Monica to Showcase Diverse Cuisines During Restaurant Week
August 13, 2026 – Food lovers can experience Santa Monica's diverse cuisines at more than 40 local restaurants that will offer prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus during Dine LA Restaurant Week from August 14 to 28.
Radically Opposing Views on Parcel Tax
August 12, 2026 – Supporters of a $495 parcel tax on the November ballot say the money is needed to “protect educational excellence,” but opponents counter it is in effect a City tax that won't increase school funding, according to ballot arguments submitted to the City Clerk last week.
School District Gets State Funding Boost
August 12, 2026 – The School District will have an additional $11.23 million this school year after the State boosted funding under its enacted budget for the current fiscal year, and more money could be on the way, District officials announced Tuesday.
City To Evaluate Civic Auditorium's Potential as Live Venue
August 11, 2026 – Can the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium make a comeback as a live entertainment venue? That's the question the City hopes to answer by entering into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with a major entertainment firm.
Put Safety First as Schools Open, Police Advise
August 11, 2025 – With the opening of schools fast approaching, the Santa Monica Police Department is reminding everyone to "slow down, stay alert and help make the trip to and from school a safe one."
SMRR Endorses Torosis, Ivanov for Council
August 10, 2026 -- Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMMR) endorsed Mayor Caroline Tororis and Rent Control Board member Danny Ivanov at the group's annual convention Sunday, but failed to make a third endorsement in the race for three open City Council seats.
Elderly Couple Dies in Fire
August 10, 2026 -- An elderly couple died early Sunday morning after fire consumed their two-story Tudor-style home on Santa Monica's north side.
SMPD Rejects ICE's Take on Immigration Arrest
August 7, 2026 – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials criticized Santa Monica police Thursday for releasing a twice convicted burglar who had been placed on an immigration hold, an action police officials said is required by State and County laws and policies.
Santa Monica Man Sentenced to Life in Hate Crime Attack
August 7, 2026 – A Santa Monica Man was sentenced Thursday to life in state prison for "a brutal, unprovoked hate crime attack" aboard a Metro bus on the night of March 25, 2023, the LA County District Attorney's office announced.
The $35 Million Cost of Rehabbing a Rent Control Building
August 6, 2026 – An effort to save the apartments of 40 households in a 77-year-old rent control building has turned into what is likely the most expensive housing renovation in Santa Monica's history, according to information provided in a staff report to the City Council.
Guests Can Bet on Pier's Future During Benefit Next Month
August 6, 2026 – The Pier's historic Merry Go-Round Building will be turned into a "floating casino" for one night next month for a fundraiser honoring two families who helped preserve the pleasure pier's storied past and shaped its future.
Half of Remaining San Vicente Coral Trees in Poor Condition but 'Stabilizing'
August 5, 2026 -- More than half of San Vicente Boulevard's remaining coral trees are in "poor condition," and the City is racing to save the dwindling population plagued by two pests and the lack of water.
City Hosts Ceremony to Rename Street After Black Entrepreneur
August 5, 2026 – The City will host a ceremony Monday to rename a stretch of street after a Black entrepreneur who planned to open a beach club on land taken by the City some 70 years ago.
Council Delays Samoshel Closure
August 4, 2026 – In a confusing move that failed to add up the homeless people who would be displaced, the City Council last week delayed the closure of Samoshel, a key component of the Realignment Plan the Council approved last October.
City Kicks Off New Concert Series
August 4, 2026 -- The City will kick off a new six-week free live music and film series in Tongva Park on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m., City officials announced Monday.
More than 550 Community Corp Rent Control Units Could See Rent Hikes
August 3, 2026 – Effective September 1, Santa Monica's largest non-profit affordable housing provider could raise the rents on more than 550 rent-controlled households by as much as 10 percent a year to offset rising maintenance and management costs.
City Implements Changes Under State Open Meetings Law
August 3, 2026 – The City has implemented changes made under the State's updated open public meetings law that aim to "increase public participation, accessibility and transparency in local government," City officials announced Monday.
|