Community Corp. Breaks Ground on Its First Prefab Development
April 26, 2024 -- Community Corp. broke ground Friday on its first affordable housing development for vulnerable youth that is also its first pre-fabricated building.

EXTRA -- Final 4 Santa Monica Hotels Sign Union Contracts, Protests End
April 26, 2024 -- The last four Santa Monica hotels engaged in bitter contract negotiations with the hotel workers union have signed agreements that provide "life-changing" wages for workers, union officials announced Friday.

Council Bans Use of Traditional Concrete in New Construction
April 25, 2024 -- The City Council on Tuesday literally took a concrete step to fight carbon emissions by requiring the use of low-carbon concrete for all new construction, swimming pools and spas.

Santa Monica Marks Two Microforest Firsts
April 25, 2024 -- Two "microforests" are springing up in Santa Monica to celebrate Earth Week -- marking what are likely two firsts for the nation.

EXTRA -- Judge Rules Controversial State Housing Law Unconstitutional
April 24, 2024 -- In a major blow to State control over local development, a Superior Court judge on Monday found a California law allowing multi-family buildings on single-family lots unconstitutional.

Santa Monica Hotel Wins Top Award
April 24, 2024 -- The Shore Hotel in Santa Monica has been awarded the nation's top hotel in TripAdvisor's 2024 Best of the Best Traveler’s Choice Awards.

Santa Monica Hotel Signs Union Agreement, 4 Hold Out
April 23, 2024 -- The Proper Santa Monica is one of seven hotels that have reached tentative agreements with the union, leaving four local hotels embroiled in contentious negotiations and ongoing protests.

From Mt. Wilson to SpaceX at the SMC Planetarium
April 23, 2024 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Planetarium next month will focus close and far -- from a look at yesterday's ground-based observatories to an exploration of the outer reaches of the solar system.

LETTERS -- Look and Come to Your Own Conclusion
April 23, 2024 -- John Alle would do well to check if the videos he himself links to counter his fake news narratives.

Mayor Seeks to Speed up Councilmember Items
April 22, 2024 -- Two and a half years ago, the City Council took steps to stem the flood of items its members place on the agenda. On Tuesday it will take up a proposal to shorten the time it takes to go through the often lengthy list.

Premier Punk/Jazz Guitarist to Play in Santa Monica
April 22, 2024 -- Guitarist Joe Baiza -- whose punk band Saccharine Trust made one of Kurt Cobain's favorite albums -- will bring his new quartet to the Santa Monica Public Library Saturday, May 4, for a special performance.

LETTERS -- Stop Inciting Division
April 22, 2024 -- Public safety and drug addiction are not 'Right' or 'Left' issues, writes John Alle, a leader of the Santa Monica Coalition, which organized the rally against the County's needle distribution program.

Santa Monica's First Black Women's Clubhouse Designated a Historic Landmark
April 19, 2024 -- A modest commercial building in the Pico neighborhood that served as a meeting hall for Santa Monica's oldest active Black women's club is now a historic landmark.

SMC’s Global Motion World Dance Company Presents Spring Performance
April 19, 2024 -- SMC’s Global Motion World Dance Company will perform two folklórico dances from Mexico as part of its spring performance that appropriately takes place on Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Reforms to Prop 47 Likely Headed for Ballot
April 18, 2024 -- (UPDATED) Proponents of a statewide ballot initiative to amend California's Prop 47 announced they are submitting more than 900,000 signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

Metro Bus Driver Attacked in Santa Monica
April 18, 2024 -- LA County sheriff's deputies arrested a suspect after he attacked a Metro bus driver inside an out-of-service bus in Downtown Santa Monica early Thursday morning.

LETTERS -- Public Safety Must Be the Number One Priority of All Governments
April 18, 2024 -- I worked with people in Vietnamese Refugee Camps who tried to survive without Public Safety, they didn’t make it.

Impact Fee Ruling to Have Little Effect in Santa Monica
April 17, 2024 -- A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday that paves the way for developers and builders in California to challenge "impact fees" will have little effect in Santa Monica, according to local land use experts.

Miramar to Host Ed Foundation's Wine Auction Sunday
April 17, 2024 -- Education supporters will gather under the Fairmont Miramar's iconic fig tree Sunday to help raise money for local schools during the Education Foundation's 9th annual Wine Auction.

LETTERS -- It's Time to Return Decorum to City Hall
April 17, 2024 -- Our residents deserve better than the public vitriol and nativism we see from our officials in City Hall.

Rally to Stop Outdoor Needle Program Draws Councilmembers, Press
April 16, 2024 -- About 50 demonstrators -- including the mayor and three City Councilmembers -- participated in a rally Tuesday morning at Reed Park to protest LA County's outdoor needle distribution program in Santa Monica.

Council Set to Approve License Plate Reader Cameras
April 16, 2024 -- Santa Monica is poised to triple the number of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras mounted on light poles under a proposal the City Council is expected to approve Tuesday.

Opponents Fail to Talk Developer into Scaling Down Gelson's Project
April 15, 2024 -- A last-ditch effort by opponents of an approved 521-unit residential project on Lincoln Boulevard failed to scale down Santa Monica's largest housing development in nearly 60 years.

'Milestone' Reached in Efforts to Split School District
April 15, 2024 -- School District and Malibu officials have reached a revenue sharing arrangement that marks a "significant milestone" in the beach city's 13-year effort to split from the district, officials announced.

Three Theft Ring Suspects Arrested, Released With Citations
April 12, 2024 -- Three suspects believed to be part of an organized retail theft ring with gang connections were arrested Thursday for stealing more than $23,000 in merchandise from a Santa Monica beauty store last month.

The Robots Are Coming
April 12, 2024 -- For four hours on a Saturday this month robots will take over Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica, City officials announced this week.

Hotel Union Steps Up Actions Amid Stalled Contract Negotiations
April 11, 2024 -- Workers at two union hotels in Santa Monica went on strike Thursday and will join workers from two other local hotels locked in bitter contract negotiations in a parade on Friday.

Big Blue Bus to Hold Public Hearings Next Week
April 11, 2024 --- The Big Blue Bus will hold two public hearings next week to discuss enhancing service by increasing frequency and adding hours of operation, City transit officials announced Thursday.

EXTRA -- Council Approves $1 Million Per Unit Homeless Housing Project
April 10, 2024 -- The City Council on Tuesday approved a 122-unit apartment building for the homeless that will cost more than $1 million per unit, making it one of the most expensive affordable housing projects in the nation.

Lyft Driver Charged with Sexually Assaulting Santa Monica Passenger
April 10, 2024 -- Police on Friday arrested a Lyft driver for sexually assaulting an unconscious Santa Monica resident last September during her ride home, police officials said Wednesday.

Bob's Market Owner Who Kept Spirit of Neighborhood Grocery Stores Alive Dead at 92
April 9, 2024 -- Bob Rosenbloom, owner of one of the last independent neighborhood markets on the Westside, died Friday, leaving behind the legacy of a simpler time that is rapidly vanishing in Santa Monica.

Police Arrest Homeless Man After Standoff in Bluffs
April 9, 2024 -- After a tense hour-and-a-half standoff, Santa Monica police on Monday arrested a homeless man who threatened a beach lifeguard with a metallic rod then ran into the bluffs above PCH.

Antisemitic Graffiti Spree in Santa Monica Part of Skyrocketing Trend
April 8, 2024 -- Santa Monica police are investigating a spate of antisemitic graffiti as protests and hate crimes targeting Jews and Israel continue to spread across the nation.

Vandalism Suspect Charged for Tossing Bricks at Cars
April 8, 2024 -- LA County prosecutors on Monday announced vandalism charges against a woman who threw bricks at a dozen vehicles in Santa Monica and Los Angeles.

Council to Take Up 38 More Child Sex Abuse Cases
April 5, 2024 -- One year after the City Council announced the closing of a "sad chapter in Santa Monica history," it will take up sexual abuse cases on Tuesday filed on behalf of 38 additional plaintiffs.

Needle Resolution Set for Council Approval
April 5, 2024 -- The City Council Tuesday is expected to approve a tersely worded resolution that "strongly demands" that LA County Health relocate its needle distribution program indoors.

County Health Pushes New COVID Booster
April 4, 2024 -- LA County Health officials are urging residents to get the newly-released COVID booster shot despite key indicators showing the virus is rapidly waning and a major study that reveals rare, but serious, vaccine-related risks.

Santa Monica Selects its First Poet Laureate
April 4, 2024 -- Santa Monica's first poet laureate, Anne Carmack, is a "self-taught writer and multidisciplinary artist" who has published an Amazon best-selling book of poems, City officials said in a statement this week.

Crime Driving Residents from Parks, Transit, Poll Finds
April 3, 2024 -- A monthly poll of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found an overwhelming majority avoid using City parks or public transportation due to crime and drug use.

Police Crack Down on Drivers Using Phones
April 3, 2024 -- Santa Monica police this month will be "actively looking" for motorists talking on their phones while driving, Police Department officials announced this week.

LETTERS -- Latest Effort to Thwart Measure GS Will Fail
April 3, 2024 -- Santa Monica voters will not be fooled into signing petitions for a ballot measure that takes money from our schools and affordable housing programs to further enrich greedy developers and landlords.

Carousel Operator Poised to Get Contract Extension
April 2, 2024 -- Arguably the most nostalgic and iconic attraction in Santa Monica will be kept going 'round and 'round for the next five years under a contract the City Council is poised to approve on Tuesday.

Homeless Man Sentenced for Series of Sexual Assaults
April 2, 2024 -- A homeless man who sexually preyed on homeless women, including one victim in Santa Monica, has been sentenced to eight years in State prison, according to police.

EXTRA -- Proposed Ballot Initiative Exempts Multi-Family Housing from Transfer Tax
April 1, 2024 -- Former Santa Monica mayor Pam O'Connor filed a ballot initiative with the City Clerk on Thursday that would exempt the sale of multi-family housing from the transfer tax hike approved by Santa Monica voters in 2022.

Pedestrian Killed in Crash Near Pier
April 1, 2024 -- A pedestrian was struck and killed by a car near the Santa Monica Pier early Monday morning, marking third pedestrian death this year.

Santa Monica Rents Rise After 4-Month Drop
March 28, 2024 -- After dropping for four straight months, Santa Monica rents rose 1.5 percent in March but remain down 4.3 percent over the past 12 months, according to the latest monthly report by Apartment List.

Rotary Grant Helps SMC Foster Youth Students
March 28, 2024 -- Current and former foster youth enrolled at Santa Monica College (SMC) will get help paying for textbooks, food and transportation thanks to a $21,750 grant from the local Rotary Club.

How Santa Monicans Can Prepare for a Tsunami
March 27, 2024 -- It can arrive within minutes or take hours to reach the coast, but if a tsunami strikes Santa Monica, ocean waves could reach as high as a five-story building.

Soundwaves Presents a Spiritual New Music Odyssey
March 27, 2024 -- Three contemporary works that stretch the boundaries of acoustic music will be performed in the Edye Theater at the Broad Stage next month.

Lifeguard Contract Vote Delayed
March 26, 2024 -- A one-year extension to a contract with LA County for lifeguard services was pushed back two weeks after Tuesday's City Council meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum.

DTSM Announces Spring Lineup of Promenade Events
March 26, 2024 -- Chess, outdoor movies, Conscious Markets and a Cinco de Mayo celebration are all part of the lineup of events on the Third Street Promenade this spring.

Workers Ratify Union Contracts at 2 Local Hotels
March 25, 2024 -- Workers at two Santa Monica hotels overwhelmingly voted to ratify union contracts Monday, but protests will continue at five others where agreements have not been reached, union officials said.

Council Majority Denounces Needle Program in Parks
March 22, 2024 -- After a heated discussion, the City Council Tuesday narrowly approved a resolution denouncing a County program that distributes clean needles in parks to homeless addicts.

Council Chooses Developer for Affordable Housing Projects
March 21, 2024 -- The City Council on Tuesday chose the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) to build 130 housing units for low-income and homeless tenants on three City-owned properties.

Pacific Park Ferris Wheel to Go Dark for Earth Hour
March 21, 2024 -- Pacific Park’s world-famous Ferris wheel will join the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and the Great Wall of China and go dark during Earth Hour Saturday night.

Workers at Nearly 3 Dozen Hotels Set to Ratify Contracts
March 20, 2024 -- Workers at 34 Southern California hotels -- including the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica -- will vote Thursday on whether to ratify tentative labor agreements negotiated by the hotel workers union.

LETTERS -- Santa Monica Should Not Give Special Treatment to Local 11
March 20, 2024 -- Ted Winterer's recent letter to The Lookout is full of questions, so here's one for him: Why should the City prioritize a labor union that's not based in Santa Monica over peace and quiet for local taxpayers?

Santa Monica Review Authors Reimagine the Familiar
March 20, 2024 -- The spring 2024 issue of Santa Monica Review (SMR) celebrates "diversity and enduring relationships" with work from new and returning contributors, as well as a debut writer.

Santa Monica Receives Nearly $2 million in Federal Funding
March 19, 2024 -- Santa Monica will receive nearly $2 million in federal funding for three community projects under appropriations bills signed into law this month.

LETTERS -- Stop Blaming the Striking Hotel Workers
March 19, 2024 -- "Clearly, the AFM has not decamped to Brigadoon," writes former Mayor Ted Winterer. "So is the local hotel workers union the villain in this story? I think not."

Land Reparations, Needles and Noise on Council Agenda
March 18, 2024 -- Tuesday's City Council agenda is packed with Councilmember items supposedly curbed by updated procedures, with rival items addressing reparations for a City owned property near the beach.

FBI Seeks Potential Sex Slave Victims of Santa Monica Suspect
March 18, 2024 -- The FBI is looking for potential victims of a Santa Monica man charged with recruiting underage girls to engage in "sexually explicit conduct" and prostitution.

Former Santa Monica City Manager Wins Pasadena Council Seat
March 15, 2024 -- Former Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole -- who resigned from the post four years ago -- will return to the Pasadena City Council after four decades away.

Police Seek Help Finding Sexual Assault Suspect
March 15, 2024 -- Police issued a bulletin Friday seeking help searching for a suspect in a sexual assault that took place near John Adams Middle School two weeks ago.

Pacific Park Bought by Private Equity Firm
March 14, 2024 -- Pacific Park -- the iconic amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier -- has been bought by the New York City-based private equity firm SC Holdings for an undisclosed amount.

Suspected Assailant of Girl Arrested in Venice
March 14, 2024 -- A man suspected of assaulting a six-year-old girl in Santa Monica Sunday has been arrested by Los Angeles police following a similar incident in Venice, SMPD officials said Thursday.

Police Chief Addresses Assault on Six-Year-Old Girl
March 13, 2024 -- Police Chief Ramon Batista on Wednesday denounced Sunday's assault on a six-year-old girl on Main Street as "an affront to public safety" and said detectives are "working hard" to arrest the suspect.

LETTERS -- LA County Policies Put Arrestees Right Back on the Street
While SMPD’s February arrests of four felony burglary suspects at the Santa Monica “Real Real” retail store was met with well-deserved cheers, a deeper dive shows there’s less to celebrate than those initial cheers suggest.

Free Parking Downtown Fails to Lure Holiday Shoppers, Analysis Finds
March 12, 2024 -- An extra 90 minutes of free parking failed to lure more late holiday shoppers Downtown last December, with parking revenues dropping during the three-day offer, according to a parking study released Tuesday.

Police Search for Homeless Suspect Who Assaulted Girl
March 12, 2024 -- Police are searching for a homeless man who assaulted a six-year-old girl Sunday evening as she was walking with her parents on Main Street near the Venice border.

Two Top City Officials Cancel Vienna Housing Trip
March 11, 2024 -- Two top City officials have scrapped plans to attend a "social housing study trip" to Vienna next month that focuses on the Austrian city's public housing projects.

EXTRA -- Santa Monica Loses Lucrative Film Market
March 10, 2024 -- After 33 years in Santa Monica, the American Film Market (AFM) announced Friday it is moving to Las Vegas, dealing a crushing blow to the city's slowly recovering economy.

City Acquires Artwork by Wrongfully Convicted Artist
March 8, 2024 -- A quilt created by a Los Angeles-based artist who spent 42 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit has been acquired by the City of Santa Monica’s Art Bank.

Guards to Begin Patrolling City Buses
March 8, 2024 -- Unarmed security guards will begin patrolling Santa Monica buses and bus stops on Saturday to assist passengers and deter crime and unwanted behavior, according to City transit officials.

County Committee Rejects Trustee Voting Areas for School District
March 7, 2024 -- (UPDATED) A plan to divide the School District into trustee voting areas fell through on Monday after the County Committee in charge of redistricting shot down the map presented by proponents.

Monthly Poll Finds Support for Increasing Drug and Theft Penalties
March 6, 2024 -- There is overwhelming support locally for a proposed statewide ballot measure to toughen penalties for drug and theft crimes, according to a monthly poll of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents.

Police to Crack Down on Traffic Violations
March 6, 2024 -- On Thursday and Friday, Santa Monica traffic officers will crack down on violations that endanger the safety of those who walk and bicycle on the city's streets.

Gelson's Project Gets First and Final Board Approval
March 5, 2024 -- What planning officials deemed inevitable two years ago became a done deal Monday night -- the city's biggest housing development in nearly 60 years was approved unanimously at its only public hearing.

Suspect in Ocean Park House Break-in Charged
March 5, 2024 -- LA County prosecutors on Tuesday charged Anthony Romero, 28, with burglary and indecent exposure after he broke into an Ocean Park house early Thursday and masturbated next to the victim's bed.

Council Approves Contracts for Gas, Wood and Temp Workers
March 4, 2024 -- The City Council last Tuesday approved contracts to gas up the City's fleets, provide lumber for the Pier and hire temp workers for the Building and Safety Division.

Parolee Arrested for Burglary, Attempted Rape
March 4, 2024 -- A homeless man on parole was arrested for burglary and attempted rape after breaking into a house in Ocean Park early Thursday morning.

State of the City Speeches Express Cautious Optimism
March 1, 2024 -- Santa Monica has weathered the storm and is "turning the corner," but there is still work to be done before the city prospers and thrives again, Mayor Phil Brock and City Manager David White said in their State of the City speeches Thursday.

Santa Monica Rents Continue Trending Down
February 29, 2024 -- Rents in Santa Monica dropped for the fourth straight month in February and have now seen a much steeper annual decrease than rents in both the nation and State, according to the latest monthly report by Apartment List.

SMC Pre-Law Program Wins Diversity Award
February 29, 2024 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Law Pathway program was recognized this month for its efforts to promote diversity within the law field, college officials announced Thursday.

Workers Comp Claims Drop, Settlement Payments Rise
February 28, 2024 -- During the fiscal year that ended June 30, the number of workers compensation claims dropped to the lowest level in more than a decade, according to a report to the City Council this week.

Santa Monica Senator Introduces Bill to Fund Maintenance of State Parks
February 28, 2024 -- State Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) has introduced legislation that creates a fund to "support the stewardship and preservation" of State parks, his office announced Wednesday.

School Board Appoints New Head of Educational Services
February 28, 2024 -- The School Board on Tuesday appointed Dr. Stacy Williamson as the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's new assistant superintendent of educational services.

Santa Monica Beach Ranked Among Top in U.S.
February 27, 2024 -- Santa Monica State Beach was named one of the top ten beaches in the U.S. by Tripadvisor based on reviews posted on the popular travel website.

Black Apology Fails to Deliver, Racial Justice Advocates Say
February 26, 2024 -- Black History month has been celebrated in Santa Monica this year with food trucks and dancing, proclamations and special events. That the City is not funding the community events is indicative of an underlying problem.

Baroque Meets Pop Art at SMC Gallery
February 26, 2024 -- The eye-popping art created by Santa Monica College (SMC) alum Nehemiah Cisneros during his academic training will be exhibited next month at the school's Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery.

Local Deaths with COVID Persist As Virus Wanes
February 23, 2024 -- Three Santa Monica residents died with COVID-19 over the past month, while indicators of the virus continue to decrease countywide, according to data from LA County Public Health.

SMC Planetarium Looks at Lunar Landings and Solar Eclipses
February 23, 2024 -- Space telescopes, lunar landings and solar eclipses are the focus of presentations at the Santa Monica College (SMC) planetarium (SMC) next month.

EXTRA -- Orange County Museum Showcases Iconic Santa Monica Mosaic
February 22, 2024 -- An iconic half-century-old Santa Monica mosaic -- transported and installed piece by piece in the City of Orange -- was officially welcomed during a ceremony for the re-opening of the Hilbert Museum Thursday afternoon.

Learnin' the Blues During Black History Month
February 22, 2024 -- School District students were immersed in the legacy of the blues during a crash course offered by the New York non-profit JazzReach during Black History Month.

City's Economic Recovery Hampered By 'Challenges'
February 21, 2024 -- While Santa Monica's economy continues to recover, it faces local challenges and national uncertainty that will hamstring efforts to enhance programs and services, according to the the Midyear Budget Review released Wednesday.

BBB Seeks Input for 5-Year Road Map
February 21, 2024 -- The last time the Big Blue Bus (BBB) conducted a major planning effort, the Expo light rail had not yet rolled into town and the coronavirus shutdown was more than five years away.

More Than Half of City's Emergency Housing Voucher Holders Are 'Leased-Up'
February 20, 2024 -- A total of 56 homeless individuals and families living on Santa Monica streets have moved into LA area apartments under an emergency housing program funded by the federal government.

Santa Monica Celebrates Black History Month with Greens Festival Saturday
February 20, 2024 -- Santa Monica continues its month-long celebration of Back history with a free community festival at Virginia Avenue Park on Saturday.

25 Santa Monicans Take Major Step Out of Homelessness
February 16, 2024 -- Twenty-five people living on the streets of Santa Monica were shuttled Wednesday to the first rooms they've had in years in their first big step out of homelessness.

Santa Monica Group Files Lawsuit Over Needle Program
February 16, 2024 -- The Santa Monica Coalition on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the LA County Health Department to halt a program that distributes clean needles in the beach city's parks and other outdoor spaces.

Council Authorizes Funds for Trip to Vienna
February 15, 2024 – The City Council on Tuesday gave two Councilmembers the go-ahead to use their travel funds to attend a week-long housing program in Vienna, Austria, making them the most expensive Councilmember trips bankrolled with taxpayer money.

Theft, Assaults Drove Increase in Crime Last Year
February 14, 2024 -- Crime in Santa Monica increased by 352 reported incidents last year -- driven by stolen property, auto theft and simple assault -- while homeless individuals once again accounted for some two-thirds of the total arrests made.

SMC Students Take Home 5 Journalism Awards
February 15, 2024 -- Santa Monica College's (SMC) student-run media outlet The Corsair has won six Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) awards, including two first-place awards for individual photojournalists.

Authors in Conversation at Public Library
February 14, 2024 -- Two emerging Black novelists will engage in a dialogue about the art of fiction next Wednesday at the Santa Monica Public Library.

Four Teens Arrested for Attempting to Burglarize Store
February 13, 2024 -- Four teenage suspects were arrested early Friday morning after trying to break into The Real Real Store that was the target of a smash-and grab robbery in November.

Brock Endorses State Measure to Increase Drug and Theft Penalties
February 12, 2024 -- Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock on Monday became the first mayor in Los Angeles County to endorse a proposed statewide ballot measure that will toughen penalties for drug and theft crimes.

Property Owners Scramble to Meet New Trespassing Notification Law
February 12, 2024 -- Some Santa Monica property owners and managers were caught off guard after police officers stopped enforcing trespassing laws in their absence unless notarized authorization was given.

EXTRA -- Appeals Court Bounces Voting Rights Case Back to Trial Court
February 9, 2024 -- A California Appeals Court on Friday remanded the voting rights case against the City of Santa Monica to the lower court that ruled in favor of the Latino plaintiffs.

Council to Discuss Wide-ranging Issues
February 9, 2024 -- From public nuisances to a trip to Vienna, the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday will discuss a number of wide-ranging items its members placed on the agenda.

Most Continue to Disapprove of Council's Performance, Poll Finds
February 8, 2024 -- A monthly poll of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found most disapproved of the City Council's performance and believe the hotel workers union has had a negative influence on the city.

OPINION -- Why I Support Fair Elections in SMMUSD
February 8, 2024 -- A history of disparities in public school resources and educational outcomes is evidence enough to change the status quo, writes Councilmember Oscar de la Torre.

Santa Monica to Celebrate Julia Morgan's Legacy
February 7, 2024 -- The legacy of Julia Morgan -- California's first licensed female architect -- will be celebrated next month at the guest house and pool she designed in Santa Monica.

Police to Hold Bicycle Safety Operation
February 7, 2024 -- Santa Monica police on Thursday are conducting an enforcement operation focused on "primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists."

Council to Launch Process to 'Reframe' Controversial City Hall Murals
February 6, 2024 -- The Ciy Council on Tuesday is expected to take initial steps to "reframe" the towering murals that have greeted visitors to City Hall since 1939 but have recently become a subject of controversy.

Bomb Threat Shuts Down Pier
February 6, 2024 -- Police evacuated the Santa Monica Pier for two hours Tuesday after receiving reports of a bomb threat targeting the popular tourist destination.

Reforms to Prop 47 Could Be Headed for Ballot
February 5, 2024 -- Reforms to California's Prop 47 -- which reduced the prison population by reclassifying certain crimes as misdemeanors -- could be headed for the November ballot.

Ring Discontinues App Police Use to Request Video Footage
February 5, 2024 -- Ring's announcement that police will no longer be able to request users' doorbell footage on its Neighbors app will have some impact on crime investigations, Santa Monica police officials said Monday.

Appeals Court Orders Reduced Sentence for Convicted Rapist
February 2, 2024 -- A state appeals court panel on Wednesday ordered a reduced sentence for a homeless man convicted of raping a Santa Monica woman in her Ocean Park apartment in June 2018.

SMC Celebrates Black History Month
February 2, 2024 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) will celebrate Black History Month with a series of talks, discussions and author readings, as well as a workshop to help students enter historically Black colleges and universities.

Santa Monica Man Who Hacked Campaign Website Sentenced
February 1, 2024 -- A Santa Monica man was sentenced Thursday for hacking into the computer of a Congressional Democratic candidate in 2018 that set off a domino effect resulting in Republicans regaining the key seat.

SMC Presents 'Pearls & Insights' Literary Series
February 1, 2024 -- Santa Monica College this month will present its SMC Library’s Pearls & Insights series featuring "a noteworthy spectrum" of writers reading and discussing their works.

Santa Monica Sees Biggest Annual Rent Drop in Region
January 31, 2024 -- Santa Monica had the largest annual rent decrease in the LA region, dropping by -5.4 percent after prices fell in January for the third straight month, according to the latest monthly report by Apartment List.

Newsom Designates Santa Monica Prohousing Community
January 31, 2024 -- Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday designated Santa Monica as a prohousing community recognized for "cutting red tape and speeding up housing approvals."

Sunset Park Shooter Charged with Murder
January 30, 2024 -- (UPDATED) A homeless woman responsible for violent crimes in Los Angeles was charged Tuesday with the murder of a 46-year-old man in Sunset Park last Thursday.

School Redistricting Hearings Resume Wednesday
January 30, 2024 -- Hearings to divide the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District into trustee areas will resume in Malibu on Wednesday, one year after a redistricting plan was submitted by supporters.

Few Volunteers, Tech Glitches Hamper Homeless Count
January 29, 2024 -- Wednesday's annual homeless count in Santa Monica had far fewer volunteers than previous years and may have encountered some technical glitches, according to data and statements from County officials.

Hotel Union Wage Measure Fails to Meet Deadline
January 29, 2024 -- An initiative requiring Santa Monica hotels to pay their workers at least $30 an hour failed to meet Monday's deadline for filing signatures, according to the City Clerk.

OPINION -- Close the Loophole in Permit Parking
January 29, 2024 -- Massive new development is coming to our city and hundreds of new apartments are already in construction that will offer “unbundled” parking, threatening to jam neighborhood streets throughout Santa Monica.

Suspect Arrested, Victim Identified in Sunset Park Homicide
January 26, 2024 -- Police arrested a homeless woman Friday morning for the fatal shooting of a 46-year-old resident of Los Angeles in Sunset Park Thursday.

Former Mayor Appointed To Landmarks Commission
January 26, 2024 -- Former mayor Pam O'Connor, who served a record 24 years on the City Council, will return to the Landmarks Commission, where she launched her political career more than three decades ago.

Santa Monica Hires New Fire Chief
January 25, 2024 -- City Manager David White on Thursday announced the hiring of Monterey Park Fire Chief Matthew Hallock to lead a much larger fire department in Santa Monica.

Man Fatally Shot in Sunset Park
January 25, 2024 -- Santa Monica police are searching for one or more suspects in a deadly shooting in Sunset Park Thursday morning that marked the year's first homicide.

Security Heightened After Council Members Threatened
January 24, 2024 -- The Police Department beefed up security at Tuesday night's City Council meeting after three Councilmembers received death threats, according to several sources familiar with the situation.

Council Strengthens Tenant Protections Amid Uptick in Evictions
January 24, 2024 -- (UPDATED) Spurred by 67 eviction notices filed in Santa Monica last year, the City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to strengthen the City's "robust" tenant protection laws already in place.

Housing Commission Pushes to Connect Voucher Holders and Landlords
January 24, 2024 -- More than 100 prospective tenants with housing vouchers may be finding it difficult to rent an apartment in Santa Monica, and the City's Housing Commission wants to do something about it.

COVID-Related Deaths Spike in Santa Monica
January 22, 2024 -- Seven Santa Monica residents have died with COVID since December 28 and ten local facilities have reported outbreaks of the virus, according to data released Thursday by LA County Public Health.

Miramar Matching Grant to Boost Ed Foundation's Fundraising Drive
January 22, 2024 -- For the seventh year in a row, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has given the Santa Monica Education Foundation a matching grant to boost funding for programs and staff at local schools.

Security Guards Could Patrol Santa Monica Buses
January 19, 2024 -- Amid a rise in crime and disturbances, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus (BBB) fleet could soon be patrolled by unarmed security guards as part of a contract the City Council will consider Tuesday.

SMC's Accreditation Reaffirmed
January 19, 2024 -- After "an extensive self-evaluation and peer review process," Santa Monica College's accreditation has been reaffirmed for another seven years, College officials announced this week.

City to Explore Ways to Boost Minority Contractors
January 18, 2024 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to hire a consultant to begin exploring ways to boost the number of minority contractors hired by the City.

Motel Voucher Program Activated for Upcoming Storm
January 18, 2024 -- Homeless individuals in the City and County of Los Angeles can apply for motel vouchers if they have nowhere to stay during an upcoming winter storm.

Council Considers Fee for Candidate Statements
January 17, 2024 -- Local candidates who want the City Clerk to distribute their candidate statement to voters will have to pay more than $1,000, under a staff proposal the City Council will take up Tuesday.

Santa Monica Man Sentenced in Bitcoin Money-Laundering Scheme
January 17, 2024 -- A Santa Monica man who helped launder millions of dollars through his crypocurency exchange was sentenced to four months in federal prison Wednesday.

Injury Crashes Involving Pedestrians Rising
January 16, 2023 -- Two homeless women killed in traffic collisions in the past month are part of a trend that is seeing more pedestrians hit by motorists in Santa Monica.

OPINION -- Supercharged Densification With No EIR
January 16, 2024 -- Huge increases in the size of housing projects allowed by a new State law will result in "a rolling environmental and financial train wreck" for Santa Monica.

Second Pedestrian in a Month Killed in Saturday Crash
January 16, 2024 -- A woman in her fifties was killed by a car as she walked across Lincoln Boulevard Saturday, marking the second pedestrian fatality in the past month, according to police.

New Group Formed to Fight City Hall
January 12, 2024 -- A new player entered Santa Monica's crowded political arena this week with a website focused on public safety and a video that has garnered more than 1,400 views.

City Closes Facilities, Reduces Services Monday
January 12, 2024 -- City Hall will be closed on Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Big Blue Bus (BBB) will operate on weekend hours and some parking meters won't be charging.

Santa Monica Preps for Homeless Count
January 11, 2024 -- When volunteers fan out across Santa Monica this month for the 2024 homeless count, they will comb the streets earlier than usual armed with updated technology.

City Launches 'Diversion Court' for Minor Offenses
January 11, 2024 -- Homeless individuals suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues who commit minor crimes can now have their cases dropped if they complete a social services regimen.

City Requests Proposals for Civic Auditorium
January 10, 2024 -- The City has issued a request for "letters of interest" to revitalize the shuttered Civic Auditorium as an entertainment, events and cultural arts venue, City officials announced Wednesday.

'Stop the Hate' Theme of MLK Celebration Monday
January 10, 2024 -- “Stop the Hate, Start the Healing” is the theme of this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration held in Santa Monica on Monday.

Indebted Downtown Building Sells for More Than $86 Million
January 9, 2024 -- A Downtown office complex that became a cautionary tale of navigating Santa Monica's notoriously slow planning process has sold for $86.7 million -- far below the value of the debt on the building, according to reports.

SMC Extends Record Transfer Streak
January 9, 2024 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) maintained its streak as the No.1 transfer college to the University of California that began the year the Cold War ended and Justice Clarence Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court.

EXTRA -- Union, Miramar Reach Tentative Agreement
January 8, 2024 -- The hotel workers union announced Monday that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Fairmont Miramar Hotel, ending a 6-month-long intermittent strike that heightened tensions with neighboring residents.

Mental Health Crisis Team Hits Streets
January 8, 2024 -- A mental health crisis team was deployed in Santa Monica Monday as part of a pilot program to help, and eventually alleviate, the heavy workload of first responders dealing with the homeless.

Police Reform Agenda Item Stirs Pot
January 5, 2024 -- (UPDATED) An unusually worded item on Tuesday's Police Reform Commission agenda has widened the rift over the hotly debated issue of racial profiling in traffic stops.

BBB Ridership Far Below 2019 Despite 2-Year Rise
January 4, 2024 -- Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus (BBB) gained ridership for the second straight year, but it remains far below the levels before the coronavirus shutdown, a new report shows.

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Murder
January 5, 2024 -- A Santa Monica man was arrested for murder New Year's Day after trying to force a tenant from a property he owns in San Bernardino County.

Santa Monica Rents Drop in 2023 After Two-Year Rise
January 4, 2024 -- Rents in Santa Monica dropped -4.2 percent last year, after seeing steep rises over the previous two years, according to the latest monthly report by Apartment List.

Police to Hold Bike Safety Enforcement Operation as City Boosts Efforts to Protect Cyclists
January 3, 2024 -- With the City Council focused on boosting bicycle safety, Santa Monica police will crack down Thursday on behaviors responsible for collisions involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Monthly Poll Takes Pulse on Noisy Protests, Parking Tax and Homeless Cleanup Efforts
January 3, 2024 -- An overwhelming majority of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents supports limiting "disruptive" early morning protests in residential areas and boosting homeless cleanup efforts, according to a monthly poll.

COVID Levels Remain Low Despite Expected Rise
January 2, 2024 -- The spread of a more contagious COVID variant and lower than expected vaccination rates have failed to result in a winter surge of the coronavirus, according to LA County Public Health data.