SMMUSD oversight meeting moved to Santa Monica amid red flag warningThe Financial Oversight Commission will meet Thursday evening in Santa Monica after Malibu power shutoff concerns forced a relocation.Thursday, October 15, 2026
Santa Monica High students protest hot classroomsSamo High kids organized an impromptu social media protest over excessive heat, echoing complaints at Malibu High and Malibu Middle schools.Friday, October 9, 2026
Santa Monica retail sales down a third since pandemicA new RAND study finds taxable sales still 32.8 percent below pre-pandemic levels, with clothing down 75 percent and home furnishings down 67 percent.Friday, October 2, 2026
Santa Monica probes misinformation it spread during Palisades fireCity Hall wrongly told media the fire had burned south into Santa Monica, adding to confusion on PCH and in the Palisades.Thursday, October 1, 20261
Pink dye to be released off Santa Monica Pier to track pollutionThe Santa Monica Bay Foundation and UCLA engineers will use vegetable dye Wednesday to study why water under the pier is consistently ranked extremely polluted.Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Santa Monica College to offer four-year degree in cloud computingThe new Bachelor of Science program targets a growing tech sector where median annual earnings exceed $150,000, with the four year tuition for California residents at less than $10,000 total.Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Santa Monica to close PCH ramps at Moomat Ahiko for two monthsThe ramps between PCH and Ocean Avenue close this weekend for bridge demolition and construction work.Friday, September 25, 2026
LA28 triathlon course skips Malibu, lands in VeniceThe 2028 Olympic and Paralympic triathlons will start on the sand at Venice Boulevard and loop through Marina del Rey and the Venice canals.Friday, September 25, 2026
Santa Monica Pier neon sign heading to Las Vegas for refurbishingThe iconic entrance sign will be removed by the end of the month and returned about a year later.Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Santa Monica homeless sweep yields four arrests, six citationsA one-day enforcement operation targeted the beach, pier and Palisades Park. Police also made 10 service-provider linkages and six shelter referrals.Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Santa Monica cancels Ocean Way Festival after Hurricane MarieGoldenvoice pulls the plug on the two-day beachfront concert after storm surf washed out the sand south of the pier.Saturday, September 12, 2026
Body found on Broad Beach identified as missing Santa Monica musicianThe L.A. County Medical Examiner identified 36-year-old Braden Pontoli, reported missing from downtown Santa Monica.Friday, September 11, 2026
Santa Monica to install red light traffic camerasThe City Council approved automated enforcement with fines from $100 to $500 as part of a broader traffic safety push.Friday, September 11, 2026
Legislature Kills Newsom Carve-Out for Santa Monica TowerA last-minute bill would have exempted an 11-story Ocean Avenue project by a major Newsom donor from Coastal Commission oversight.Monday, August 31, 2026
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
SMMUSD oversight meeting moved to Santa Monica amid red flag warningThe Financial Oversight Commission will meet Thursday evening in Santa Monica after Malibu power shutoff concerns forced a relocation.Thursday, October 15, 2026
Santa Monica retail sales down a third since pandemicA new RAND study finds taxable sales still 32.8 percent below pre-pandemic levels, with clothing down 75 percent and home furnishings down 67 percent.Friday, October 2, 2026
Pink dye to be released off Santa Monica Pier to track pollutionThe Santa Monica Bay Foundation and UCLA engineers will use vegetable dye Wednesday to study why water under the pier is consistently ranked extremely polluted.Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Santa Monica to close PCH ramps at Moomat Ahiko for two monthsThe ramps between PCH and Ocean Avenue close this weekend for bridge demolition and construction work.Friday, September 25, 2026
Santa Monica Pier neon sign heading to Las Vegas for refurbishingThe iconic entrance sign will be removed by the end of the month and returned about a year later.Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Santa Monica cancels Ocean Way Festival after Hurricane MarieGoldenvoice pulls the plug on the two-day beachfront concert after storm surf washed out the sand south of the pier.Saturday, September 12, 2026
Santa Monica to install red light traffic camerasThe City Council approved automated enforcement with fines from $100 to $500 as part of a broader traffic safety push.Friday, September 11, 2026
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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 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
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 High students protest hot classroomsSamo High kids organized an impromptu social media protest over excessive heat, echoing complaints at Malibu High and Malibu Middle schools.Friday, October 9, 2026
Santa Monica probes misinformation it spread during Palisades fireCity Hall wrongly told media the fire had burned south into Santa Monica, adding to confusion on PCH and in the Palisades.Thursday, October 1, 20261
Santa Monica College to offer four-year degree in cloud computingThe new Bachelor of Science program targets a growing tech sector where median annual earnings exceed $150,000, with the four year tuition for California residents at less than $10,000 total.Tuesday, September 29, 2026
LA28 triathlon course skips Malibu, lands in VeniceThe 2028 Olympic and Paralympic triathlons will start on the sand at Venice Boulevard and loop through Marina del Rey and the Venice canals.Friday, September 25, 2026
Santa Monica homeless sweep yields four arrests, six citationsA one-day enforcement operation targeted the beach, pier and Palisades Park. Police also made 10 service-provider linkages and six shelter referrals.Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Body found on Broad Beach identified as missing Santa Monica musicianThe L.A. County Medical Examiner identified 36-year-old Braden Pontoli, reported missing from downtown Santa Monica.Friday, September 11, 2026
Legislature Kills Newsom Carve-Out for Santa Monica TowerA last-minute bill would have exempted an 11-story Ocean Avenue project by a major Newsom donor from Coastal Commission oversight.Monday, August 31, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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 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
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 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
