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A Voters Guide to a Confusing Council Election
October 30, 2026 – Tuesday's City Council race is the most expensive in the city's history, with an average of $25 raised for every Santa Monica registered voter.
It is also the most splintered, with allied groups fielding different slates, backing rival candidates or making no endorsements at all.
Council Declares El Niño Emergency
October 30, 2026 – Santa Monica is under an El Niño emergency during this winter season after the City Council adopted a resolution Tuesday that will help the City obtain resources more quickly.
SMC Appoints New Superintendent
October 29, 2026 – The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board voted Wednesday to appoint as SMC's new superintendent/ president a top Long Beach City College (LBCC) administrator responsible for boosting the school's enrollment and erasing its deficit.
Iconic Clock Tower Sells for $28.5 Million
October 29, 2026 -- The Clock Tower in Downtown Santa Monica has sold for $28.5 million in a distressed sale that saw the iconic office building fetch about half its purchase price in 2019.
Police Arrest Murder Suspect in Mexico
October 28, 2026 – A suspect in a fatal shooting near the Santa Monica Public Safety Facility in March was arraigned for murder Monday after he was arrested in Mexico last week, police officials announced Wednesday.
City Wins Key Housing Voucher, Eviction Cases
October 28, 2026 – The City Attorneys Office has won two key court rulings in housing protection lawsuits involving low-income tenants in Santa Monica's affordable housing programs, City officials announced Tuesday.
Hotel Workers Union Resumes Attacks on Negrete
October 27, 2026 -- Four years after mounting the hardest-hitting campaign against a City Council incumbent in more than three decades, the hotel workers union targeted Lana Negrete once again this weekend.
Big Blue Bus Offers Holiday Discount Program
October 27, 2026 -- Beginning Sunday, Big Blue Bus (BBB) riders can receive special promotions at Santa Monica businesses as part of a holiday program that runs through the end of the year.
Council Challengers Lead in Fundraising
October 26, 2026 – Challengers trying to loosen the political establishment's hold on the City Council have amassed the largest warchests in next Tuesday's race for three Council seats..
Preservationists Rally to Save Rare 1913 House
October 26, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Conservancy is mounting a last-ditch effort to save what the City's historic resources consultant has deemed an "excellent" and "rare" example of a Craftsman-style Airplane Bungalow in the city.
Council Race Breaks Financing Records
October 23, 2026 – Next month's City Council race is the most expensive in Santa Monica history, with a total of more than $1.8 million raised and nearly $1.4 million spent, according to campaign finance statements filed this week
Large Properties Required to Transition to Sustainable Landscaping
October 22, 2026 – The City Council will take up an ordinance Tuesday that paves the way for large properties across the city to replace decorative grass areas that don't serve a recreational or community purpose with drought resistant plants.
LETTERS -- Revolving Door for Repeat Offenders
October 22, 2026 – Local arrest statistics provide the link between crime here and local officials’ flawed criminal justice policies.
City Expands Use of AI Camera Systems
October 21, 2026 – Parking enforcement scooters in Santa Monica will be equipped with automated license plate readers (ALPR) after the City Council last week approved a contract that expands the City's use of AI cameras.
SMFD Joins Statewide Information Platform
October 21, 2026 – The Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) is participating in a new statewide free mobile application platform that provides authoritative information on public safety, Fire officials announced last week.
Famous Pier Sign to Be Removed This Week
October 20, 2026 – Starting today, viewers can witness an event that has taken place in Santa Monica only a couple of times since 1941 -- the removal of Santa Monica's iconic Pier sign.
SMPD to Collect Unused Prescription Drugs
October 19, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Police Department will collect old, unwanted or expired prescription drugs during DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, police officials announced last week.
Couple Found Dead in Another Murder Suicide
October 19, 2026 – For the second time in less than three weeks, a married Santa Monica couple was found dead in a murder suicide at their home, police officials said.
'Realignment Plan' Succeeding After First Year, City Officials Say
October 16, 2026 -- One-year after the City launched its "Revitalization Plan," more homeless people are housed, the Downtown and beach are cleaner and City finances are back on track, City officials said Thursday.
Ballot Error Misleads Voters, Measure GG Opponent Says
October 16, 2026 – The November 3 ballot has erroneously listed no opposition to a controversial measure that has led to growing fears longtime tenants could be evicted from affordable units, a leading opponent says.
Campaign to Save Old Penguin Coffee Shop Takes Off
October 15, 2026 -- As Santa Monica celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, conservationist are mounting an intensifying campaign to block the demolition of the distinctive building that marks the end of the storied road.
The Victorian to Reopen as a Membership Club
October 14, 2026 – The Victorian on Main Street will close as a restaurant and night club after its annual Halloween celebration this month and reopen as a family membership club, The Santa Monican, in mid-2028, City officials announced Friday.
Santa Monica Review to Release Fall Issue
October 14, 2026 – Santa Monica College (SMC) will release the fall 2026 edition of its esteemed national literary arts journal, the Santa Monica Review (SMR), with a launch party on Sunday, October 25, school officials announced this week.
Council Set to Begin Negotiating Lease for Coveted Pier Space
October 13, 2026 –The City Council this evening is expected to give the go-ahead to negotiate a lease for a prime City-owned space after failing to reach an agreement with the California Roadhouse.
City Launches Aging and Disability Action Plan
October 13, 2026 – The City announced Monday that it has officially launched a three-year-effort to "build a more age- and disability-friendly Santa Monica."
Local Housing Production Stalled Despite Developer Incentives
October 9, 2026 – Santa Monica's efforts to kick-start housing production by providing incentives to developers have failed to meet the City's goals or keep pace with comparable jurisdictions, according to a RAND Corporation study released last week.
Council Poised to Extend Housing Program Deadline
October 9, 2026 – The City Council on Tuesday is expected to extend the deadline for two programs aimed to help kick-start stalled housing projects so developers can have more time to seek financing and meet other program requirements.
Local Man Charged with Kidnapping, Rape Kills Himself
October 8, 2026 – A 26-year-old Santa Monica man charged with kidnapping a UCLA student in March and raping another woman in Culver City last October was found dead by suicide Monday, one day before he was scheduled to appear in court.
Fairview Library Offers Financial Planning Workshops
October 8, 2026 – The Santa Monica Public Library is offering a series of monthly workshops this fall for those planning their retirement, funding their child's education or looking for safe ways to distribute assets to family and friends.
Community Event to Offer Glimpses of 'Great Park'
October 7, 2026 -- After more than two years helping to envision a "Great Park" on Santa Monica Airport land, community members this month will be able to picture themselves standing on its sprawling grounds for the first time.
Santa Monica Repeat Finalist for 'Most Business-Friendly City'
October 7, 2026 – Santa Monica, which has a longtime reputation as a difficult place to start a business, has been named a 'Most Business-Friendly City” finalist for the second year in a row, City officials announced Tuesday.
Santa Monica Coastal Bill Becomes Law
October 6, 2026 -- After an eight-year impasse and several months of negotiations, push back, debate and lobbying, Santa Monica finally has a clear path towards a certified Coastal Plan.
Santa Monica Celebrates Black History and Culture Sunday
October 6, 2026 -- Santa Monica will celebrate the city's little-known history as home to one of the oldest Black settlements in a California seaside community with a free, all-ages celebration on Sunday at Historic Belmar Park.
Another Tax Hike Goes Into Effect
October 5, 2026 -- Shopping and dining in Santa Monica -- which has the second highest local sales tax rate in California -- rose to 11.25 percent after the latest Los Angeles County sales tax hike took effect last Thursday.
Santa Monica Celebrates Life Without a Car
October 5, 2026 – Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus (BBB), along with other transit agencies, will offer free rides on Wednesday, while Santa Monica K-12 students will get free rides this Monday through Friday.
New RAND Study Sheds Light on Santa Monica's Economic Decline
October 2, 2026 – Santa Monica's economic decline over the past decade and its media portrayal as a "troubled" city reflects both unique problems and regional trends, according to a RAND Corporation study released Thursday.
Appian Way Closes for Pier Bridge Demolition
October 2, 2026 – Appian Way, the roadway that provides access to the south side of the Pier parking lot, will be closed next Monday through Friday as the City reconstructs a new Pier Bridge, City officials announced Thursday.
Couple Killed in Murder Suicide Identified
October 1, 2026 -- The husband and wife found dead in a Santa Monica apartment Saturday morning both died of gunshot wounds to the head in a murder suicide, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said Wednesday.
City Settlement Extends Protections for Deed Restricted Units
October 1, 2026 – Two Santa Monica property owners who failed to show deed-restricted affordable housing units were occupied by income-qualified tenants reached settlement agreements with the City.
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