EXTRA -- Transit Oriented Housing Bill Headed for Assembly Vote
August 31, 2025 -- A State bill to boost major housing developments near public transit stops scaled a major hurdle Friday and is headed for a full vote of the Assembly.

Labor Day Weekend Brings Closures, Traffic Operations and a Water Quality Warning
August 29, 2025 -- Labor Day weekend is expected to stay dry and mostly sunny as the Santa Monica prepares to celebrate the holiday by closing or scaling back hours at City facilities.

Santa Monica Rents Remain Flat
August 29, 2025 -- After decreasing for three straight months, rents in Santa Monica remained relatively flat in August amid a sluggish market nationwide, according to Apartment List's rent report released Wednesday.

E-Bike Vouchers Cut Down Short Car Trips, Study Finds
August 28, 2025 -- In its first year, a program that provided e-bike vouchers to Santa Monica residents to help reduce emissions resulted in more frequent shorter trips without a car, according to a report released by the City Wednesday.

Santa Monica to Stage 'The House on Mango Street' at Reed Park
August 28, 2025 -- The City's Cultural Affairs will present Santa Monica Rep's youth play reading of Sandra Cisneros' classic coming of age novel "The House on Mango Street" on September 6.

War Over Transit-Oriented Housing
Bill Heats Up
August 27, 2025 -- The battle over a State bill to allow major housing developments near public transit is intensifying leading up to a decisive committee vote on Friday.

Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint Friday
August 27, 2025 -- Santa Monica police will hold DUI checkpoint Friday that comes in the wake of a series of unusual arrests for driving under the influence during a one-month stretch.

LETTERS -- Changing the Way You Think About the Pier
August 26, 2025 -- The Pier is an enduring and incredible place run by a dedicated little nonprofit that is not a branch of the City, and you can help.

City Manager Names Acting Police Chief
August 26, 2025 -- City officials on Monday formally announced the resignation of Police Chief Ramón Batista and the appointment of Deputy Chief Darrick Jacob as Acting Chief of Police.

City to Begin Citing Vehicles Parked in Bus Lanes and Stops
August 26, 2025 -- Starting next Monday, vehicles that are illegally parked in bus lanes and bus stops in Santa Monica will receive $293 citations as the Transportation Department formally launches its automated enforcement program.

Clashing Views on Public Safety May Have Led to Police Chief's Departure
August 25, 2025 -- Police Chief Ramon Batista's abrupt resignation Friday not only shocked his officers -- who learned the news from an open letter to the community -- but it raised questions about the reasons for his exit.

Slow Growth Group Blasts Council Actions
August 25, 2025 -- In an email sent to supporters Friday, the City's predominant slow-growth group said its "worst fears" about the four newly elected Councilmembers it opposed last year "are playing out."

EXTRA -- Letter from Police Chief Ramon Batista to the Residents of Santa Monica
It is with deep gratitude and reflection that I share the news that on today’s date, I submitted my letter of resignation to City Manager Oliver Chi. I will be stepping down as your Chief of Police, effective October 4, 2025.

Businesses Warn Pro-Union Ordinance Could 'Destroy' Pier's Character
August 22, 2025 -- Nearly three dozen local businesses sent a letter to City officials Thursday strongly opposing a proposed ordinance that would require businesses on the City owned Pier to sign labor peace agreements.

Opponents Mount Last-Ditch Effort to Kill Housing Bill
August 22, 2025 -- A controversial housing bill that allows major developments in residential zones near public transit was opposed by the LA City Council Thursday, two days before protests are scheduled across the State.

Police Make Dent in City's Homeless Population
August 21, 2025 -- Police have been helping homeless individuals transition from life on the street, as the Department continues to be swamped with calls for service involving the homeless.

C.A.M.P. Out at Tongva Park Saturday
August 21, 2025 -- Santa Monica's Endless Summer C.A.M.P. returns for a third year Saturday, and it requires no tents or bug sprays -- just a blanket, beach chair and a picnic.ugust 21, 2025 -- Santa Monica's Endless Summer C.A.M.P. returns for a third year Saturday, and it requires no tents or bug sprays -- just a blanket, beach chair and a picnic.

Withdrawn Rental Units Return to Market
August 20, 2025 -- A total of 26 units in five Santa Monica rent control buildings have been returned to the rental market this year, according to occupancy permits approved by the City.

Free Park Concert Series Kicks Off
August 20, 2025 -- Americana in the Park -- a free concert series showcasing American music -- returns next month with a special edition celebrating Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary, Ciy officials announced last week.

Pedestrian Killed in Year's First Fatal Crash
August 19, 2025 -- A pedestrian was struck by a car near the Expo train station Downtown Friday afternoon, marking the first traffic fatality in Santa Monica this year.

HelloFresh Ordered to Pay $7.5 Million Settlement
August 19, 2025 -- A Superior Court judge has ordered the nation's largest meal kit delivery service to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a task force of California County prosecutors that includes the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office.

LETTERS -- Council's 'Outrageous' Duplicity on Equity
August 19, 2025 -- On the same evening the City Council adopted a Citywide Equity Plan, it voted to keep fighting in court against the California Voting Rights Act.

City Hikes Parking Rates
August 18, 2025 -- The City Council last Tuesday restructured the rates at its Downtown parking structures and hiked prices for meters and lots citywide, generating more than $8 million a year for the cash-strapped local government.

Police Seek Victims of Suspected Date Rapist
August 18, 2025 -- Los Angeles police detectives are seeking help identifying victims and witnesses in a series of sexual assaults that took place in the Venice and Santa Monica areas.

Trump's Spending Bill Gives Big Boost to Local Affordable Housing
August 15, 2025 -- President Donald Trump's historic spending bill will provide a major boost for affordable housing development in Santa Monica, which has been struggling to meet its State mandated target.

Suspect in Stabbing of German Tourists to Stand Trial
August 15 -- A homeless man charged with the attempted murder of two German tourists near the Promenade in May of last year will appear in court today to face trial.

Downtown Zoning Changes Made Permanent
August 14, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday permanently adopted interim zoning measures that were approved and amended over the past two years to revitalize the Promenade area.

Motorist Urged to Help Students Get Back to School Safely
August 14, 2025 -- With Palisades Charter High School back in session Wednesday and Samohi set to kick off the new school year next Thursday, City officials are encouraging commuters around the Downtown area to plan ahead.

Council Takes Up Voting Rights Case Again
August 13, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday took up a nine-year-old voting rights lawsuit filed by Latino plaintiffs that could drag on for several more years.

Free Pet Adoptions Fail to Make Dent at City Shelter
August 13, 2025 -- Despite offering free adoptions to help alleviate overcrowding, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter is taking in more pets than are being adopted, police officials said Tuesday.

Poll Takes Pulse on Vehicle Dwellers, Council Actions
August 12, 2025 -- A monthly poll of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found overwhelming support for the City to crack down on an increasing number of individuals living in their vehicles.

LETTERS -- Fear of Coyotes Not Backed by Stats
August 12, 2025 -- Coyotes don’t attack people because they don’t eat people. You’re more than eight times more likely to be hit by lightning than attacked by a coyote.

Inaugural Fundraiser Will Help Keep Pier 'Magical' and 'Accessible'
August 12, 2025 -- The independent non-profit organization that runs the Santa Monica Pier will celebrate the iconic destination's 116th anniversary next month with its first ever fundraiser.

Council Takes Up Emergency Ordinance to Kick-start Housing Construction
August 11, 2025 -- Despite local efforts to speed up housing development, building permits for only 181 units have been issued since 2023, prompting the City Council to explore incentives to kick-start construction.

'Move, Breathe and Recharge' Saturday Mornings at the Pier
August 11, 2025 -- Kick off Saturday mornings with a "breezy" group run that starts under the iconic Santa Monica Pier sign, then relax to the waves at the Pier's end with a session of yoga.

Airport Security Walks Out, Leaves Airfield Exposed
August 8, 2025 -- For at least two weeks in May, Santa Monica Airport was without a critical security system that monitors and controls access to the airfield, according to a staff report to the City Council.

Coyotes in Santa Monica Grow More Aggressive
August 8, 2025 -- Reported encounters with coyotes have become more prevalent in Santa Monica, with the animals displaying more aggressive behavior, according to police.

City Explores Transition to Engineered Wood Construction
August 7,2025 -- In an effort to make a dent in Santa Monica's carbon footprint, the City Council is expected to accept a grant from the mass timber industry to explore shifting its construction policies.

City Seeks Artworks for Public Display
August 7, 2025 -- The City of Santa Monica is seeking works from Los Angeles County artists to transform vacant storefronts in commercial corridors into "dynamic public art displays."

City Poised to Pay Nearly $35 Million to Save 40 unit Building
August 6, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday is poised to approve the balance of a $34.8 million loan to rehab a 76-year-old courtyard building in the Pico Neighborhood with 40 rent control units.

City Set to Help Students Get to School Safely
August 6, 2025 -- The new school year is around the corner, and the City is revving up to help students get to school safely, including unveiling new pedestrian improvements around six District campuses.

Police Crack Down on Illegal Bikes
August 5, 2025 -- Amid growing complaints from Santa Monica residents, traffic officers last month impounded 15 off-road electric vehicles driven illegally in public spaces, according to police.

Santa Monica Celebrates National Night Out
August 5, 2025 -- Santa Monica will join some 17,000 communities nationwide Tuesday evening when it celebrates National Night Out, an annual event promoting police-community relationships.

Unredacted Portions of Snapchat Lawsuit Made Public
August 4, 2025 -- Unredacted portions of a lawsuit against Santa Monica's largest employer, Snap, Inc., offer "new alarming details" of how drug dealers and sex predators use its app to target children, according to Utah State officials who filed the suit.

City to Mediate with Family of Black Entrepreneur
August 4, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to begin mediation with the family of a Black entrepreneur that claims his Civic Center property was taken by the City in the late 1950s.

Santa Monica Rents Drop for Third Straight Month
August 1, 2025 -- Rents in Santa Monica declined for the third straight month in July, reflecting a nationwide trend that has seen a sluggish market during the normally active peak moving season, according to Apartment List's rent report released Wednesday.

Big Blue Bus Launches Summer Service Change
August 1, 2025 -- On Sunday, August 10, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus (BBB) will roll out more buses running longer hours and covering a broader area as new farees kick in, transportation officials announced this week.