Malibu Sues MRCA Over Ownership of Two Hiking Trails
City claims Winding Way and Murphy Way easements transferred to Malibu at incorporation in 1993, voiding a later transfer to the parks agency.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Trail Residents Ask City: What Took You So Long?
Homeowners along Winding Way and Murphy Way say they handed Malibu legal proof of ownership more than two years ago.
Lawsuit Says MRCA Hikers Are Trampling Sensitive Habitat
The 257-page complaint alleges the parks agency is violating the California Coastal Act through poor trail management.
Agoura Hills Defends Plan That Could Close Kanan Road in Fires
Officials say emergency provisions are in place, but their traffic counts assume no surge of evacuees from Malibu.
$250,000 Porsche Flies Off Saddle Peak Road
Two men were flown to a hospital after the late-afternoon crash on Saddle Peak Road. They appear to have survived.
Three Ventura County Deputies Crash Into Each Other
The deputies and their patrol dogs were uninjured in a chain-reaction crash on Highway 118 north of Oxnard.
Steyer Leads Hilton in California Governor's Race Poll
A Survey USA poll shows Democrat Tom Steyer at 21% and Republican Steve Hilton at 18%, with Democrats favored 56-26 overall.
Santa Monica Lifts Franchise Ban; Chains Move to Promenade
Yogurtland, an upscale Taco Bell Cantina serving tapas and cocktails, and Raising Cane's are all coming to downtown Santa Monica.
Malibu's Mikke Pierson Pitches Disappearing House on Shark Tank
The Malibu West resident appears tonight at 9 on ABC to pitch HiberTec — a home that drops into a vault when fire approaches.
Mild Santa Ana Wind Event Setting Up for Friday
Mountain tops could see 45 mph gusts Thursday night into Friday in what forecasters call a moderate event.
KBUU Newscasts on Hiatus Through Middle of Next Week
Family time at Disneyland and out-of-town station business will pause newscasts; Democracy Now moves to morning drive.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Malibu sues MRCA over Escondido Falls trail ownership
City seeks court order transferring trail interests from county and parks agency, citing pedestrian deaths and environmental damage.
Agoura Hills plan would close Kanan Road in major fire
Draft evacuation plan up for public comment Thursday assumes no traffic leaves Malibu, alarming mountain residents.
Controlled pile burn planned Friday above Topanga Canyon
First intentional burn in the Santa Monica Mountains in decades will dispose of brush cuttings along Summit-to-Summit Motorway.
State Parks charges Malibu homeowners $150 to clear brush on park land
Residents within 100 feet of state parkland are legally responsible for fuel modification — and must pay for a permit to do it.
Edison nearly done burying PCH power lines — but cables stay
Telecom companies aren't required to underground their thick black lines and have no incentive to do so in Malibu.
Jury selection begins in Iskander civil suit against Grossmans
About 150 jurors summoned in Van Nuys for wrongful-death trial over two boys killed in Westlake Village crosswalk.
Runaway teen sparks Chumash Day brawl, two arrested
A 15-year-old's family confrontation with her new boyfriend turned into a fight in front of hundreds of festival-goers.
Today's weather
Dinky surf, mild temperatures, and gusty northerly winds returning later this week.
Monday, April 13, 2026
Council to vote tonight on PCH traffic circles west of Broad Beach
Malibu's city council is set to decide whether to install two traffic circles and narrow PCH for a half mile near Broad Beach.
County to begin clearing Zuma Creek underpass this week
L.A. County crews will start moving gravel off the flooded roadway tomorrow, with reopening tentatively planned for next week.
City council to discuss Palisades Fire lawsuit in closed session
Malibu is suing Los Angeles, the state, MRCA and others over the Palisades Fire. State Parks, also a defendant, will brief the council the same night.
Wildfire costs add $40 a month to power bills
Wildfire-related charges now make up 17% of monthly Southern California Edison bills, and the utility wants more from the state insurance fund.
Grossman civil trial begins today over crosswalk deaths
Rebecca Grossman and former boyfriend Scott Erickson face the Iskander family in civil court. The judge is already considering sanctions.
Pro-housing group sues over governor's SB 9 fire-zone suspension
YIMBY says Governor's emergency orders allowing Malibu to limit lot splits and ADUs in the fire area are unconstitutional.
Officials convene emergency meeting to keep Baywatch in Venice
Supervisor Horvath and Councilwoman Park brokered a deal at Fox Studios after a Facebook post sparked a week-long crisis over the show's permits.
Warm ocean, jellyfish and a possible 'Super El Niño' ahead
Zuma Beach water is 7 degrees above normal, jellyfish and stingrays are showing up early, and forecasters warn of a major El Niño this fall.
Today's surf and beach report
Two-foot swell, water 7 degrees above normal, and L.A. County warns swimmers to stay out for 48 hours after weekend rain.
Friday, April 10, 2026
Artemis Capsule Splashes Down Off Catalina Tonight
On the clearest days, the splashdown zone may be faintly visible from the highest peaks of western Malibu.
Today's Weather: Storm Misses, but Weekend Looks Wet
A 70 percent chance of rain arrives late Saturday, with stormy weather expected all day Sunday.
PCH Roundabouts Plan Returns to City Council Monday
Council will decide whether the western Malibu road-narrowing project meets legal findings to proceed.
Malibu Savings Drained as FEMA Money Stalled at White House
City manager proposes 10 percent cuts across all departments as reserves fall from $84 million to $55 million.
Getty Center to Close for a Year; Getty Villa Stays Open
The Brentwood museum closes in 11 months for renovations, with masterworks moving briefly to the Malibu villa.
Santa Monica Spending $56 Million to Electrify Big Blue Buses
The city is buying 73 battery-powered buses, with more than half the cost going to chargers.
Jury Acquits Cal State Professor Arrested at ICE Raid
Federal jurors needed only minutes to clear Jonathan Caravello of assault charges over a tear gas canister.
Riverside Sheriff's Ballot Seizure Built on Thin Evidence
Newly unsealed warrants show Sheriff Chad Bianco seized 650,000 ballots with no insider tips and no expert analysis.
GOP Governor Race Turns Vicious Between Hilton and Bianco
The two Republican front-runners are trading immigration attacks ahead of California's June jungle primary.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Bohm returns to court as unlocked phone yields evidence
The Malibu man accused of killing four Pepperdine students on PCH has another pretrial hearing today, with cellphone data potentially in play.
Six bystanders killed in pursuits; Friedman pushes for tech
Congresswoman Laura Friedman wants federal money to equip local police with grapplers, tracking darts and chase drones to end high-speed pursuits safely.
Santa Monica College approved for cloud computing degree
SMC will enroll students this fall in a new four-year baccalaureate program in cloud computing, only its second bachelor's offering.
Rocky Oaks mansion sells for $13 million, 70% off
The mountaintop estate above Kanan Road tunnels, originally listed at $49.5 million, finally sold this week after two auctions.
Disney plans another round of layoffs, possibly 1,000 jobs
The Walt Disney Co. is preparing major cuts as the Southern California studio industry continues to contract.
Artemis 2 to splash down off Southern California Friday
The moon-orbiting spacecraft and its four astronauts will land in the Pacific about 120 miles south of Malibu at 5:07 p.m. Friday.
Today's Weather
The first storm is a dud, but a second system arrives Saturday night with up to a half-inch of rain possible.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Triple Pacific cyclones may trigger record El Niño
A rare cluster of three tropical cyclones near the equator is pushing warm water eastward, setting up what could be the strongest El Niño in 140 years.
Mountain lion spotted again on Pepperdine campus
Public safety staff saw the cat near Huntsinger Circle at about 2 a.m. Tuesday before it headed up the hill toward the Graduate Campus.
Sixth rattlesnake bite of the year reported near Camarillo
A person was bitten Sunday afternoon at a gathering near Cal State Channel Islands, 15 miles west of Malibu.
Council subcommittee to rewrite public safety director job
With Susan Duenas planning to retire, the city is reshaping the role to include code enforcement before hiring a replacement.
UCSB study: PG&E overcharging $686 million for Diablo Canyon
Three professors say California ratepayers are subsidizing a profitable nuclear plant, costing the average SCE customer about $80 a year.
Pacific Surfliner adds daily Ventura-Santa Barbara commuter trains
Six daily trips begin next month, with a new morning train timed for commuters from Camarillo and Ventura.
Santa Monica police running two more traffic crackdowns
Extra officers will write tickets focused on violations endangering bicyclists and pedestrians, 2 to 8 p.m. today and Thursday.
Trader Joe's expanding on Westside — but still not Malibu
The chain is seeking liquor licenses for the old Fox Venice theater on Lincoln Boulevard and continues to pursue a third Santa Monica store.
Today's Weather
Warmer today, cooler Thursday, with rain and possible thunderstorms beginning Friday evening through the weekend.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Two storms to bring weekend rain to Malibu
A Friday system and a stronger, colder Sunday storm could deliver more than a half inch of rain — possibly more if thunderstorms develop.
Homeland Security threatens to pull customs from LAX
New DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin says sanctuary cities like Los Angeles may lose federal customs processing at their international airports.
SpaceX launch from Vandenberg lights up night sky
Twenty-five low-orbit satellites were sent up Monday night, with California suing to learn how much debris SpaceX dumps into the atmosphere.
Busch Drive tank flushed again as Malibu Park water deemed safe
Wind blew open an inspection hatch on the 80-year-old tank, prompting a boil-water order, drainage and superchlorination before service resumes Wednesday.
Tank water ran down hill into Zuma Creek underpass
Half the dumped tank water flowed past the Malibu Equestrian Center; the rest reached the PCH underpass where the county is preparing to divert the creek.
Analyst: Trump endorsement may hand California to Democrats
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters writes that Trump's surprise backing of Steve Hilton could keep two Republicans from advancing past the June primary.
Two governor debates set for April and May
KTLA hosts top-tier candidates April 22; CNN follows May 5 with a wider field for those polling at least 3 percent.
Malibu plans April 28 evacuation workshop at City Hall
Residents can identify their evacuation zone, learn how decisions are made, and weigh in on the city's draft Mass Evacuation Plan.
Wolf that wandered into LA County now heading north
After more than 1,000 miles, the first wolf seen in Los Angeles County in a century is approaching Bishop on her way back to Oregon.
Monday, April 6, 2026
County reverses course, will clear Zuma Creek underpass
L.A. County Beaches and Harbors will scrape rocks blocking the PCH underpass next week, after Malibu activists pressed for action.
Malibu Park boil water order lifted after weekend confusion
A Busch Drive water tank issue triggered a precautionary boil order for 300 households, but the city said it was never alerted by the county.
Why an 80-year-old Busch Drive tank is still in service
The 1947 concrete tank was flagged for replacement decades ago, but Planning Commission objections delayed permits for nearly 18 years.
State delays Zone Zero rules; public hearing set for April 23
California's Board of Forestry has paused the controversial defensible-space rule requiring clearing within five feet of homes.
Council to weigh $272,000 City Hall audio-visual upgrade
Malibu staff recommend new cameras and sound systems for the council chambers and Senior Center, replacing 12-year-old equipment.
Malibu may expand short-term rental tracking software
The City Council will consider new monitoring tools to track STR revenue, night limits, taxes, and zoning compliance.
Trump endorsement of Hilton may upend California GOP primary
Political observers say the president's backing of podcaster Steve Hilton could push Chad Bianco out and clear a path for Democrats.
Wildflowers putting on a show across Malibu area
Strong rains and recent warmth have brought goldfields, lupines and poppies to Paramount Ranch and Point Mugu State Park.
Rain — possibly a thunderstorm — in forecast for Friday
Forecasters give an 80 percent chance of weekend rain, with a 30 percent chance of an inch or more.
Friday, April 3, 2026
Santa Ana winds and heat hit Malibu through Sunday
Gusts up to 50 mph are expected in the mountains today, with warming through the weekend before a Monday cooldown.
54 more apartments coming to jammed Kanan Road interchange
Agoura Hills will add a four-story, income-restricted complex next to another 278-unit project at Malibu's emergency fire exit.
Abandoned mountain lion kitten rescued in Santa Monica Mountains
The 22-day-old cub, missing toes on one hind foot, was found alive after his mother left the den.
Council subcommittee questions library mental health hire
With $28 million in a library set-aside account, council members ask whether a proposed outreach worker duplicates Boys and Girls Club services.
Santa Monica to power-wash gunk off downtown sidewalks
The city is merging maintenance teams and hiring through Chrysalis to scrub commercial corridors that have gone uncleaned for years.
Diablo Canyon nuclear plant gets 20-year license renewal
The federal NRC extended California's last nuclear plant, which sits on two earthquake faults and supplies 8 percent of the state's electricity.
Malibu Library offers free e-book of Takei internment memoir
"They Called Us Enemy" is available with no wait list as part of a 190-library One Book, One Coast campaign.
Pet toucan on the loose in Topanga Canyon
Frieda was last seen Thursday on Old Topanga Canyon Road. Sightings should be reported to LA County Animal Control.
Record March heat across U.S. signals new pressure on Malibu water
With Sierra snowpack at 18 percent of normal and Colorado reservoirs near empty, desalination projects off the Malibu coast are gaining momentum.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Malibu shifts code enforcement to Public Safety Department
City Manager Joe Irvin moves code enforcement out of planning, doubling the size of the Public Safety Department.
Waterworks breaks ground on Carbon Mesa water main
Project will replace aging, undersized lines that have blocked some Carbon Mesa Road building approvals.
Point Dume food truck sweep finds zero valid licenses
A task force cited every truck checked, and operators are now playing cat and mouse with city officials.
Trump joins critics of State Farm over wildfire claims
President pledges a federal probe of insurers' handling of California fire claims as administration cuts disaster aid.
Heat and Santa Anas push Malibu toward early fire danger
Fire safety liaison warns brush moisture is dropping fast, with a possible heavy El Niño looming this winter.
Strong Santa Ana winds expected through the weekend
Gusts of 45 to 55 mph forecast for the western Santa Monica Mountains, with warmer temperatures on coasts and valleys.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Today's Weather: Rain Clears, Santa Anas Arrive
After overnight rain, skies clear today before gusty mountain winds build into a moderate Santa Ana event Friday and Saturday.
PCH Crashes Absent From Public Safety Commission Agenda
Malibu's Public Safety Commission meets at 5 p.m. but cannot discuss the recent Westward Beach Road crashes — they aren't on the agenda.
City Reviews Its Own Fire Response — But Only Its Own
Tonight's after-action report examines Malibu city staff during the Palisades and Franklin fires, but not the county fire department's actions.
Malibu Wrote Thousands of Parking Tickets in February
Sheriff's deputies issued 4,023 parking tickets last month; city officers wrote 2,725 more, most for license plate violations.
State Asked to Approve Sand Dumping at Zuma Beach
The California Coastal Commission will consider designating Zuma and Westward beaches as approved drop sites for clean inland sand.
Santa Monica Seeks Permits for Giant Electronic Signs
The cash-strapped city wants Coastal Commission approval for six Las Vegas-style digital billboards near the Third Street Promenade.
Hollywood in a Coma: L.A. Lost 40,000 Industry Jobs
The Wall Street Journal reports an unprecedented downward spiral in entertainment, with production at its lowest non-pandemic level since 1995.
NTSB Chief: Hands-Free Driving Systems Don't Improve Safety
Jennifer Homendy says drivers grow too reliant on driver-assist cameras and pay more attention to phones than the road.
Malibu Marks Earth Month With Talks, Cleanups, Giveaways
The city has lined up events on dark skies, chaparral fire ecology, hazmat collection, pollinator plants and a Bill McKibben talk.