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Council Keeps Homelessness Emergency Going
May 13, 2026 -- The City Council on Tuesday took another swift and routine vote to keep its Local Homelessness Emergency in place more than three years after it was declared.
Soundwaves Features Pianist, Eastern Sounds
May 13, 2026 -- The Soundwaves new music series will hold a concert next Tuesday featuring Vicki Ray and koven4tet at the Westside Music Conservatory just outside Santa Monica's border.
Last-Minute Special Meeting Called to Discuss Coastal Plan
May 12, 2026 -- The City Council Tuesday evening will hold a hastily called special meeting to discuss a plan in the works for more than a decade that exempts most programs and projects from Coastal Commission permits.
Authorities Seek Help Identifying Missing Woman
May 12, 2026 -- Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying a woman who was found in Santa Monica nearly a month ago and transported to a hospital in the Sylmar area for treatment.
A Tale of Two Fuels from Animal Fat and Landfills
May 11, 2026 -- Proposed City contracts totaling more than $10 million provide a snapshot of the kinds of fuel powering municipal fleets and their advantages and drawbacks.
Nanny's Arrest Spurs Concerns
May 11, 2026 -- Santa Monica police are looking for potential victims of a nanny arrested last month for physically abusing an infant and are offering advice on steps to take when hiring a childcare provider.
Terminally Ill Teen's Santa Monica Trek Making Headlines
May 8, 2026 -- A Santa Monica clinic is the focus of national attention after a 15-year-old boy traveled to the beach city from a small Alabama town for an experimental cancer treatment that could save his life.
“Reimagining Our Democracy" Subject of SMC Symposium
May 8, 2026 -- Dramatic readings of the Declaration of Independence, its implications and a debate on patriotism will take place during the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute's (PPI) 15th annual Spring Symposium this month.
Coastal Commission Bill Headed for Assembly Vote
May 7, 2026 -- A State Assembly bill that allows certain types of developments and activities along Santa Monica's coast without a Coastal Commission permit has unanimously sailed through its three committee hearings.
Police Seek Help Finding Missing Boy
May 7, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Department is asking for the public's help finding a 7-year-old boy last seen with his father, who may be experiencing "a mental health crisis."
Council Takes Up Contract for Jail Medical Services
May 6, 2026 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to add one year to a $3.8 million contract to provide on-site medical services to arrestees being booked into Santa Monica jail.
Be Extra Alert as Motorcyclists Hit the Road
May 6, 2026 -- With temperatures warming this month, more motorcycles are taking to the roads, and drivers need to be extra alert to avoid serious crashes.
Coastal Commission Bill Stirs Controversy
May 5, 2026 -- A State Assembly bill that exempts Santa Monica from Coastal Commission permits for certain activities and types of development is moving towards approval with unanimous committee votes.
Santa Monica Man Pleads Not Guilty to Rape, Kidnapping
May 5, 2026 --A Santa Monica man charged with kidnapping a UCLA student in March and raping another woman in Culver City last October pleaded not guilty in court Monday.
Council Race Taking Shape
May 4, 2026 -- Six months before November's City Council election, two potential slates are coalescing around rival incumbents who have announced they will seek reelection.
Ed Foundation Launches Student Investment Program
May 4, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Education Foundation raised more than $400,000 for the city's public schools and unveiled a first-of-its-kind student investment program at its eleventh annual wine auction last Sunday.
Approved Roadhouse Lease Could Unravel
May 1, 2026 -- The City Council declared a win-win Tuesday night after approving a long-stalled California Roadhouse lease, but the congratulatory statements may have been premature due to a last-minute verbal amendment.
City Celebrates National Bike Month
May 1, 2026 -- Santa Monica will celebrate the perks of life without a car during National Bike Month with two annual initiatives that offer free bus rides to students and bicyclists.
Council Unanimously Approves Roadhouse Lease
April 30, 2026 -- The City Council unanimously approved a lease for the California Roadhouse Tuesday night after a final push by the hospitality workers union to alter its terms.
International Jazz Festival Kicks Off
April 30, 2026 -- The inaugural Santa Monica International Jazz Festival -- which celebrates the Centennials of jazz giants Miles Davis and John Coltrane -- kicks off this weekend with a free community concert on the Promenade Sunday.
Council Renames Block Near Beach After Black Entrepreneur
April 29, 2026 -- The City Council Tuesday renamed a short stretch of street after a Black entrepreneur who planned to open a beach club on land taken by the City some 70 years ago.
SMC Planetarium to Offer Tours of the Solar System
April 29, 2026 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Planetarium will offer tours of the solar system during a special two-part series next month, school officials announced Tuesday.
Council Takes Up Plan to Implement Transit Housing Bill
April 28, 2026 -- The Planning Commission is advising the City Council to take a targeted approach to a controversial new State law that allows large housing developments in residential areas near major transit stops.
Negrete Announces Bid for Reelection
April 28, 2026 -- Councilmember Lana Negrete -- the lone voice on a dais dominated by Santa Monica's liberal establishment -- announced she is running for reelection in November.
Council to Vote on Roadhouse Lease
April 27, 2026 -- After half a year of stalled negotiations, the Santa Monica Roadhouse lease that would bring live club music back to the Pier seems set for approval by the City Council Tuesday.
SMRR Asks Council To Study Housing at Airport
April 27, 2026 -- Reigniting a heated debate, Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) last week called on the City Council to study the impacts of including affordable housing on Airport land.
Santa Monica Unveils 'Real Time' Crime Center
April 24, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officially joined a growing number of U.S. cities Wednesday that have launched real-time crime centers considered both a "game-changer" in fighting crime and a risk to personal privacy.
Council Poised to Expand Street Maintenance
April 24, 2026 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to expand a jobs program that hires homeless and low-income individuals to help clean Downtown streets.
Downtown Official Found Dead in Possible Murder Suicide
April 23, 2026 -- A top Downtown official was found dead Tuesday along with his wife at a home in Venice in what police are investigating as a possible murder suicide, according to LAPD.
Picnic Celebrates 100-Year Path to Great Park
April 23, 2026 -- The great park funded by Santa Monica residents 100 years ago is finally taking shape, and the group behind the effort is inviting residents to a free picnic Saturday.
LAHSA Announces Layoffs as Controversies Swirl
April 22, 2026 -- The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) -- which has come under increased scrutiny over its finances and operations -- will lay off 284 employees, the agency announced Monday.
Santa Monica Celebrates Earth Day
April 22, 2026 -- Santa Monica will celebrate Earth Day this Wednesday with a screening of shorts films by eco filmmakers, a special light show on the world's only solar powered Ferris Wheel and free rides on the Big Blue Bus.
Council Approves Funding for Automated Bike Lane Enforcement
April 21, 2026 -- The City Council last week gave the go-ahead to modify a contract to process citations for an automated bike lane enforcement program expected to launch in July.
Salvation Army Captain Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography
April 21, 2026 -- A Santa Monica Salvation Army captain was arrested this month in relation to an ongoing investigation "involving the possession of child sexual abuse material," according to police.
City Preps for Major Events
April 20, 2026 -- Santa Monica is posied to cash in on a series of upcoming regional and global events over the next three years, after the City Council last week greenlighted key license agreements.
SMFD Offers Close-Up Look at Firefighting
April 20, 2026 -- Santa Monicans can get an inside look at what it's like to be a firefighter during Fire Service Day next month. The open house will take place at Fire Station 1 Downtown on Saturday, May 9.
SMPD Warns Against Investment Scams
April 17, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Department is warning against fake “can’t lose” investment schemes in stocks and cryptocurrency circulating on social media.
SMC Dance Company Showcases New Works Next Month
April 17, 2026 -- Santa Monica College's Synapse Contemporary Dance Theater will showcase new works next month that evoke the forces that surround us.
Entertainment Zone Sees Limited Impact
April 16, 2026 -- The Promenade's new Entertainment Zone has boosted business at eating and drinking establishments during special events but has failed to drive weekend foot traffic to the struggling walk street, according to a report to the City Council this week.
Big Blue Bus Offers Free Rides on Earth Day
April 16, 2026 -- Next Wednesday, the Big Blue Bus (BBB) is offering free rides in celebration of Earth Day, an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
Roadhouse Lease Could Be Headed for Final Approval
April 15, 2026 -- (UPDATED) The City Council Tuesday night directed staff to continue negotiations over a lease agreement with the California Roadhouse that includes rehiring all former employees at a City-owned site on the Pier.
An April 15 Story
April 15, 2026 -- One of the interesting aspects of a universally known day, such as April 15k “tax day,” is that a tax preparer can vividly remember precisely where he or she was many, many years before.
Pacific Park Hires Government Affairs Director
April 15, 2026 -- Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier announced it has hired its first Director of Government and Community Affairs as the City embarks on an ambitious plan to revive the local economy.
Proposed Portal to Help Businesses Recover from Crime
April 14, 2026 -- Santa Monica businesses impacted by crime could soon have immediate access to available City resources to help them recover and stay open, according to an item the City Council will consider Tuesday.
City to Hold Bike Rodeo for Students
April 14, 2026 -- Youngsters who have ditched their training wheels can practice their bicycle skills before hitting neighborhood streets for National Bike Month in May.
Council to Take Up Plan for AI Use
April 13, 2026 -- Amid an intensifying debate about the benefits and perils of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the City Council on Tuesday will take up a proposal to make Santa Monica's government a national model for its "responsible" use.
SMC to Launch Cloud Computing 4-Year Degree
April 13, 2026 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) received State approval to launch a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Cloud Computing that will help fill a regional demand for jobs that can pay more than $150,000 a year.
County Officials to Take Up LAHSA Review
April 10, 2026 -- The County Board of Supervisors will take up a "corrective action plan" on Wednesday to pay providers contracted by the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) with County funding.
City Marks 'Major Milestone' on Road to Fully Electric Bus Fleet
April 10, 2026 -- The Transportation Department Thursday celebrated an "unprecedented" $56 million expansion of Big Blue Bus’s zero-emission fleet and charging infrastructure.
Social Justice and Historic Preservation
April 9, 2026 -- What can be done when a building is designated a historic landmark, and it's learned that the original owner, builder and longtime resident engaged in racist activities at the site?
City Selects Partners to 'Reimagine' Events
April 9, 2026 -- The City has selected two dozen partners to produce "activations" that range from World Cup celebrations to neighborhood events held across the city, officials announced Wednesday.
New Public Works Director Takes Helm
April 8, 2026 -- Christopher Dishlip -- who recently led some of the City's largest building projects -- has been promoted to head Santa Monica's Department of Public Works.
Police Boost Traffic Enforcement Operations
April 8, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations on Wednesday and Thursday this week as part of an enhanced effort to protect bicyclists and pedestrians.
Local Man Charged with Kidnapping, Rape
April 7, 2026 -- A 27-year-old Santa Monica man has been charged with kidnapping a UCLA student in March and raping another woman in Culver City last October, County prosecutors announced Monday.
SMC Student Exhibit Explores 'Home'
April 7, 2026 -- A Santa Monica College (SMC) student art exhibition that opened Monday explores the concept of "home" as a "living and fluid condition," school officials said.
Pier to Pier: The Route 66 'Symbolic' Connection
April 6, 2026 -- The famous piers in Santa Monica and Chicago were joined together last month as the symbolic start and finish of the nation's most legendary highway -- Route 66.
Santa Monica Opens Municipal Gallery
April 6, 2026 -- Santa Monica this month will celebrate the opening of the city's first municipal art gallery, which will showcase works the City has purchased and offer short-term exhibits, officials said.
Commercial Corridors to Get Makeover
April 2, 2026 -- Santa Monica's commercial corridors will be spruced up as part of a sweeping plan to revitalize the city and boost its struggling economy.
City Announces Winners of Sustainability Awards
April 2, 2026 -- Four Santa Monica businesses have been named winners of the 30th annual Sustainable Quality Awards for helping the beach city "realize a more sustainable future," City officials announced Wednesday.
LETTERS -- This Council Has Moved to Silence Our Voices
April 2, 2026 -- Mayor Caroline Torosis just didn't think Santa Monica's Neighborhood Groups were able to make a go of it without the City's grant.
Santa Monica Rental Market Cooling
April 1, 2026 -- Santa Monica's rental market -- while still one of the priciest in Los Angeles County -- has cooled over the past two years, according to Rent Control Board's annual report.
Pier Kicks Off 'Wellness & Waves' Saturday
April 1, 2026 -- Kick off Saturday mornings with an "easygoing" group run that starts at the top of the Pier, then relax to the waves at the structure's end with a session of yoga. |
