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Council Places Measure to Amend Bed Tax on Ballot
July 31, 2026 – In an effort to boost City revenues during major special events, the City Council on Tuesday placed a measure on the November ballot that imposes a bed tax on corporate hotel bookings of more than 30 days.
Santa Monica Celebrates National Night Out Tuesday
July 31, 2026 – Santa Monica residents Tuesday evening will join 38 million neighbors in 17,000 communities for National Night Out, an annual event promoting police-community relationships.
Council Scraps Ballot Measure Provision Allowing Tenant to Add Occupant
July 30, 2026 – The City Council Tuesday night scrapped a key provision of a ballot measure that would have allowed tenants to move a family member into their units without giving the landlord a reason why.
Appian Way Reopens Ahead of Schedule
July 30, 2026 -- It took one day, instead of eight, to tear down a portion of the Pier Bridge over Appian Way, allowing the roadway that provides access to the south side of the Pier parking lot to reopen Tuesday, City officials said.
Judge Halts Waymo's Overnight Operations
July 29, 2026 -- Waymo will be barred from operating its charging and servicing lots on Broadway overnight after an LA County Superior Court judge on Monday granted the City's motion for a preliminary injunction in its public nuisance case.
Suspects Arrested Shortly After Two Killings Last Week
July 29, 2026 -- Santa Monica police took two murder suspects into custody for separate killings that took place this week, with one arrest coming within three hours and the other within two days of the killings.
Councilmember Item Could Delay Plan to Move Samoshel
July 28, 2026 -- An item added to tonight's City Council agenda could delay a plan six months in the making to close Samoshel and relocate the Downtown shelter's residents to a local motel and a shelter outside the city.
City-Run Diversion Court Sees Increase in Cases
July 28, 2026 -- A City-run diversion court that provides homeless individuals who commit misdemeanor crimes a path to treatment and housing has produced 29 graduates and dismissed 58 criminal cases in its first two years.
Homeless Count Hit Record Low Amid Questionable Numbers
July 27, 2026 -- Santa Monica's homeless population dropped to 718 individuals this year, the lowest number recorded since the first homeless count was taken 23 years ago.
Woman Killed in Assisted Living Facility
July 27, 2026 – Santa Monica Police arrested a suspect Saturday night in the killing of a woman inside an assisted care housing facility for homeless residents in the Pico Neighborhood.
Former Mayor Retires After Heading Move LA
July 24, 2026 --Former Santa Monica mayor Denny Zane retired this month after nearly two decades heading Move LA, the non-profit behind countywide ballot measures that are generating nearly $4 billion a year from tax increases.
Five SMC Students Attend 'Space Camp'
July 24, 2026 -- Five Santa Monica College (SMC) students have been selected to receive the highly competitive Space Camp Scholarship awarded by the Proctor Foundation for Art and Science.
ICE Apprehends Suspect Released After Burglary Arrest
July 23, 2026 -- (UPDATED) U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents on Thursday morning took a man into custody who was released by Santa Monica police after being arrested on suspicion of vehicle burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Las Vegas Juvenile Turns Himself in for Fatal Shooting
July 23, 2026 -- A 16-year-old male from Las Vegas has turned himself in to police for the fatal shooting that took place near the Pier shortly after midnight Sunday, police officials said Thursday.
Renter Aid Program Taking Applications
July 22, 2026 -- Applications are now open for a financial aid program that provides one-time payments for vulnerable renters "experiencing a temporary housing crisis," City officials announced Wednesday.
Road Rage Shooter Arrested After High Speed Chase
July 22, 2026 -- The suspect in a road rage shooting in Santa Monica on July 3 was arrested Tuesday after a televised high-speed chase on two major freeways that reached speeds of up to 100 mph.
Appian Way to Close for Pier Bridge Demolition
July 21, 2026 -- The road that provides access to the south side of the Pier parking lot will be closed next week as the City starts tearing down the 90-year-old Pier bridge, City officials announced Monday.
Police Investigating Fatal Shooting Near Pier
July 21, 2026 -- Santa Monica police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting near the Pier shortly after midnight Sunday as the suspect or suspects remain at large.
Council Race Kicks off as 15 Hopefuls Pull Papers
July 20, 2026 -- Fifteen potential candidates pulled papers to run for three open City Council seats during the first week of the nominating period that kicked off Monday.
Police Seek Help Finding Missing Elder
July 20, 2026 --Santa Monica police are seeking the public's help finding a 93-year-old woman with dementia who was last seen in the Downtown.
LETTERS -- Who Gets a Seat at the Table?
July 20, 2026 -- Public confidence depends on knowing that decisions are guided by the merits of an issue -- not by who has the greatest access to elected officials.
Major Acts to Headline New Music Festival
July 17, 2026 -- Santa Monica will launch its first major music festival on the beach in September, 13 years after the Twilight Dance Concert series brought major musical acts -- and enormous crowds -- to the Santa Monica Pier.
Dem Club Makes Endorsements in Three Local Races
July 17, 2026 -- While the Democratic Club for the first time on Wednesday failed to endorse a City Council slate, its expanded membership base successfully weighed in on three other local races.
COAST Returns for World Cup Final
July 16, 2026 -- COAST -- Southern California's signature open streets festival -- will return after a six-year hiatus to celebrate the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain on Sunday.
Wildlife Officials Nab Lobster Poachers on Pier
July 15, 2026 -- State wildlife officials arrested six lobster poachers on the Santa Monica Pier Tuesday and seized 34 lobsters as evidence, which they released alive back into the ocean.
PAL Students Awarded More Than $31,000 in Scholarships
July 15, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) last week awarded more than $31,000 in scholarships to ten high school juniors and graduating seniors, most of them from the Pico Neighborhood.
LETTERS -- California Roadhouse Remains Ready to Sign Lawful Lease
July 15, 2026 --- We are not asking for special treatment, writes Roadhouse founder Sean Ahaus. We are asking for a fair opportunity to operate under the same legal framework that governs private employers throughout California.
Latest Plan to Save the Civic Auditorium Pulled
July 14, 2026 -- A consortium of top-ranking concert promoters that has been pursuing plans to restore and operate the historic Civic Auditorium is pulling out after two years, a group championing the effort said Monday.
Judge Tosses Airport Lawsuit
July 14, 2026 -- (UPDATED) A Superior Court judge this month dismissed a lawsuit claiming the City illegally allowed a charter air carrier to operate at Santa Monica Airport without conducting an environmental review.
LETTERS -- Will the City Relapse Into Out-of-Control Crime?
July 14, 2026 -- A better-resourced SMPD is doing a stellar job suppressing crime, but November’s election will either help or harm their efforts.
Construction to Start on Housing for Homeless Seniors
July 13, 2026 -- Construction will start this month on an 82-unit senior housing project -- which includes supportive housing for homeless seniors -- at the site of a public parking lot near Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center.
Residents Invited to Upcoming State of the City
July 13, 2026 -- Next week's State of the City address -- which has traditionally been held in a hall filled with civic leaders and stakeholders -- will once again resemble a big block party.
Camera Obscura Building to Become a Swiss Space for Olympics
July 9, 2026 -- Santa Monica's quaint and iconic Camera Obscura building in Palisades Park will get a major makeover for the 2028 Summer Olympics as part of the City's efforts to cash in on major regional events.
Police Make Arrests Involving Illegal Firearms
July 9, 2026 -- During the final week in June, Santa Monica police were involved in three incidents involving illegal fire arms and, in an unusual occurrence, a shoplifter bit an officer during an arrest.
City Ends Roadhouse Negotiations
July 8, 2026 -- After a year in the works, the City has ended negotiations to lease a restaurant space on the Santa Monica Pier to the California Roadhouse, which promised to bring back live music.
Council to Consider Parcel Tax for November Ballot
July 8, 2026 -- (UPDATED) The City Council is expected to place a parcel tax measure on the November ballot to fund local schools after Santa Monica voters approved seven tax measures in the past two elections.
Council Race Kicks Into High Gear
July 7, 2026 -- (UPDATED) The race for three open City Council seats is kicking into high gear next week, as candidates begin circulating nominating petitions on Monday and a major political group picks its slate two days later.
Santa Monica Hate Crime Assaults at Center of New Law
July 7, 2026 -- A mental health policy at the center of a high profile racial attack in Santa Monica has been amended under a bill signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week.
City Issues First Fines in Automated Bike Lane Enforcement Program
July 6, 2026 -- The City of Santa Monica last week began issuing $93 tickets to the owners of vehicles that were caught on camera stopped or parked illegally in bike lanes.
Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint Friday
July 6, 2026 -- Santa Monica police will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint Friday as the Department boosts efforts to crack down on impaired drivers.
Franklin to Install Natural Grass Field
July 2, 2026 -- The School Board last month voted to temporarily install a natural grass field at Franklin Elementary and expressed support for a moratorium on new synthetic turf fields at elementary school campuses.
Santa Monica Celebrates Independence Day
July 2, 2026 -- Santa Monica will celebrate the nation's 250th birthday this weekend with a parade, Ferris Wheel light shows and the closure of numerous City facilities.
Proposed Coastal Trailer Bill Thwarted, But Could Return
July 1, 2026 -- A last-minute bill to add mixed-use housing projects along Santa Monica's coast didn't make it into the State's new budget but could return in August, a State environmental leader warned Tuesday.
World Cup Matches Boosting Local Economy
July 1, 2026 -- The World Cup is helping kick-start Santa Monica's lagging economy and tonight's Watch Party on the Promenade for Team USA's knockout match could draw record crowds.
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