Santa Monica tax vote could complicate Malibu school district splitA $495 parcel tax expiring this year would cost Santa Monica schools $12 million annually if voters reject its renewal.Friday, August 28, 2026
Newsom pushes coastal carve-out for Santa Monica donor's projectLast-minute bill would exempt a Frank Gehry-designed oceanfront project by Newsom appointee Jeff Worthe from state coastal environmental rules.Thursday, August 27, 2026
Santa Monica's giant digital billboards spark 'mini Vegas' backlashSixteen digital signs of up to 1,000 square feet each are going up near the pier and Third Street Promenade under a 30-year deal.Friday, August 21, 2026
Fake Karen Bass poll fools L.A. TV stationsThe outfit behind an official-looking survey showing the mayor 18 points ahead admitted it was a hoax after being questioned by the L.A. Times.Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Waymo wins appeal to keep late-night Santa Monica operationsA state appeals court restored Waymo's overnight access to Santa Monica charging lots, over the objections of the city and neighbors.Monday, August 17, 2026
Trump moves to seize control of California's coastA federal hearing in Santa Monica today is the first legal step toward stripping the state of authority over offshore waters — potentially opening the door to oil drilling off Malibu.Monday, August 10, 2026
Car crash sparks first major brush fire of the seasonA six-acre fire near Sandstone Peak briefly threatened Carlisle Canyon homes Friday. Separately, two people in their 90s died in a Santa Monica house fire.Monday, August 10, 2026
16-Year-Old Arrested in Santa Monica Pier KillingA juvenile from Las Vegas surrendered 40 hours after Sunday night's fatal shooting in the pier parking lot.Friday, July 24, 2026
Santa Monica Turns On Cameras to Ticket Bike Lane BlockersAutomatic cameras will mail out $93 tickets to vehicles blocking bike lanes and $293 tickets for bus stop violations.Friday, July 24, 2026
Road-rage suspect leads 100 mph chase across L.A. CountySanta Monica police tried to arrest a Range Rover driver Tuesday morning; he fled, hit 100 mph on the 405, and was stopped in South San Gabriel.Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Man shot dead in Santa Monica Pier parking lot after weekend partyPolice are seeking witnesses after a fight in Parking Lot 1 North ended in gunfire early Monday, hours after World Cup crowds packed the pier.Tuesday, July 21, 2026
85-year-old Santa Monica Pier bridge to be demolished this weekTemporary stairways will keep the pier open while Santa Monica replaces the seismically unsafe span at Ocean Avenue.Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Six arrested at Santa Monica Pier with 34 illegal lobstersFish and Wildlife officers found spiny lobsters — including egg-bearing females — hidden in duffel bags, backpacks and a baby stroller.Thursday, July 16, 2026
World Cup fan zone opens at Santa Monica PierMichelob ULTRA Pitchside Club runs June 12-25, raising concerns about PCH traffic at Malibu's only freeway connection.Friday, June 5, 2026
Santa Monica eyes federal grant to cap I-10 with parksCity council will vote next week on a $2 million grant to study capping the 10 Freeway between 11th and 20th streets.Friday, June 5, 2026
Malibu taxpayers set to help fund Santa Monica park rebuildSanta Monica College will contribute about $18 million toward rebuilding Memorial Park, echoing its $5 million Legacy Park contribution two decades ago.Thursday, June 4, 2026
Coastal Commission to weigh Santa Monica beach concert, LCP fightGoldenvoice wants to fence 900,000 square feet of beach for 35,000 ticket holders, as a state bill could exempt Santa Monica from coastal oversight.Thursday, June 4, 2026
Electric air taxi eyes Santa Monica Airport as closure loomsJoby Aviation wants to use the airport for 2028 Olympics test flights, even as Santa Monica plans to shut the field down at the end of that year.Friday, May 29, 2026
Santa Monica Pier beaches ranked dirtiest in CaliforniaDespite $100 million in city upgrades, only a Tijuana beach scored worse on Heal the Bay's annual report card.Friday, May 22, 2026
Santa Monica to ticket bike-lane parkers with automated camerasAfter a July 1 warning period, drivers blocking bike lanes will face $93 fines from cameras mounted on parking enforcement vehicles.Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Santa Monica restarts coastal plan as legislature eyes exemptionThe city council voted to begin its land use plan over after eight years, while still backing a bill to remove Coastal Commission jurisdiction.Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Santa Monica parcel tax push aims to replace school subsidyA citizens' initiative would impose a $495 parcel tax to replace the $12 million Santa Monica sends SMMUSD from its strained General Fund.Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Santa Monica pushes bill to escape Coastal Commission oversightAssembly Bill 1740 would strip the Coastal Commission of authority over development in the City of Santa Monica.Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Santa Monica Lifts Franchise Ban; Chains Move to PromenadeYogurtland, an upscale Taco Bell Cantina serving tapas and cocktails, and Raising Cane's are all coming to downtown Santa Monica.Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Santa Monica Spending $56 Million to Electrify Big Blue BusesThe city is buying 73 battery-powered buses, with more than half the cost going to chargers.Friday, April 10, 2026
Santa Monica College approved for cloud computing degreeSMC will enroll students this fall in a new four-year baccalaureate program in cloud computing, only its second bachelor's offering.Thursday, April 9, 2026
Santa Monica police running two more traffic crackdownsExtra officers will write tickets focused on violations endangering bicyclists and pedestrians, 2 to 8 p.m. today and Thursday.Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Trader Joe's expanding on Westside — but still not MalibuThe chain is seeking liquor licenses for the old Fox Venice theater on Lincoln Boulevard and continues to pursue a third Santa Monica store.Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Santa Monica to power-wash gunk off downtown sidewalksThe city is merging maintenance teams and hiring through Chrysalis to scrub commercial corridors that have gone uncleaned for years.Friday, April 3, 2026
Santa Monica Seeks Permits for Giant Electronic SignsThe cash-strapped city wants Coastal Commission approval for six Las Vegas-style digital billboards near the Third Street Promenade.Wednesday, April 1, 2026
