Feds Probe Waymo Collision with Child
January 30, 2026 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Waymo's protocols after one of the company's self-driving cars struck a child near Grant Elementary School last Friday.

SMPD Takes Part in Retail Theft Ring Bust
January 30, 2026 -- Santa Monica police took part in a crackdown on an organized retail theft operation that targeted multiple retailers throughout Southern California, including in Santa Monica, police officials said Thursday.

Poll Shows Strong Support for Keeping Airport Open
January 29, 2026 -- A poll released Wednesday found that 67 percent of Santa Monica voters want the Airport to stay open, a result met with skepticism by proponents of a "Great Park" and those pushing to include housing on the site.

City Sues Landlords for $18 Million
January 29, 2026 -- The City Attorney's office last week sued the owners of 28 Santa Monica rent-controlled apartment buildings who allegedly made $18 million illegally renting units as short-term rentals.

Council Approves $3.5 Million for 'Restorative Justice' Program
January 28, 2026 -- The City Council unanimously approved a $3.5 million Restorative Justice Program Tuesday that is one of the largest locally funded initiatives of its kind in the nation.

SMC's Homeless Service Program Gets Funding
January 28, 2026 -- Santa Monica College has received $355,000 in funding from United Way of Greater Los Angeles to expand its groundbreaking Homeless Service Work program, school officials announced Wednesday.

Council to Take Up Scaled Back Unionizing Ordinance
January 27, 2026 -- A proposed ordinance that originally required businesses on City-owned properties to sign labor peace agreements will return to the Council Tuesday in a dramatically scaled-back version.

Criminal Referrals Up
January 27, 2026 -- There has been a marked increase in the number of criminal cases taken up by the City Attorney's office, according to data released by Councilmember Lana Negrete on Monday.

What Is in the Airport Housing Initiative
January 26, 2026 -- The Great Park and Community Housing Initiative submitted to the City Clerk this month seeks to create 3,000 units of "permanently affordable housing" on Airport land that, in many cases, would rival or exceed current market rates.

Former City Communications Director to Head Downtown Agency
January 26, 2026 -- Former City communications director Debbie Lee returned to Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s Promenade office Monday to run the agency she re-branded 15 years ago.

Two Ballot Measures Filed
January 22, 2026 -- Two ballot measures were submitted to the City Clerk's office in the last week, one of which threatens to divide Santa Monica's political establishment.

MODE Expands Services After Milestone Month
January 22, 2026 -- A big Blue Bus program that offers discounted rides to those over 65 or disabled is expanding its services after its most successful month since the coronavirus shutdown five years ago.

Council to Consider Parcel Tax Measure
January 21, 2026 -- The City Council next Tuesday will decide whether to ask voters in November to approve another tax to help the cash-strapped municipal government make ends meet.

Find What You Are Looking For With Santa Monica Reads
January 21, 2026 -- In a month when two library branches are reopening for full service after closing for five years, Santa Monica has made an apt choice for its 2026 Santa Monica Reads program.

Council Casts Differing Votes on Previous Housing Actions
January 20. 2026 -- The City Council last week repealed a housing-related measure, reapproved another and sent a third back to the Planning Commission for reconsideration.

Recycling and Trash Request Changes Coming
January 20, 2026 -- Starting next month, customers who request changes to their recycling and trash services using 311 will need to provide an account number, according to Public Works.

Santa Monica Celebrates MLK Day
January 16, 2026 -- City Hall will be closed Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day as Santa Monica hosts one of Southern California's biggest celebrations honoring the civil rights icon.

City Extends Developer Perks for Off-Site Affordable Housing
January 16, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday expanded a pilot program eagerly embraced by market-rate housing developers that offers density bonuses and an opportunity to build mandated affordable units off-site.

Council Reveals Closed Session Negotiations
January 15, 2026 -- In a highly unusual move, the City Council on Tuesday disclosed the privileged discussion of a potential real estate deal involving Santa Monica's largest affordable housing provider and a controversial developer.

Police to Conduct Traffic Safety Operation
January 15, 2026 -- The Police Department will hold a traffic safety operation for the second time in a week Thursday that targets areas with a history of collisions, police officials said.

Downtown Improvements Pick Up Steam
January 14, 2026 -- The City has completed the latest phase of Downtown improvements under a "Realignment Plan" approved by the City Counciil less than three months ago.

Monthly Poll Gauges City Manager's Performance
January 14, 2026 -- A recent poll of "civically minded" Santa Monica residents gave new City Manager Oliver Chi a stronger approval rating than the City Council has received, with many holding judgment on his job performance.

CEO of Local Non-Profit Charged with Embezzling Over $5 Million
January 13, 2026 -- The CEO of a non-profit camp for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions headquartered in Santa Monica has been charged with embezzling $5.2 million.

Pier to Turn into a Classic Drive-In
January 13, 2026 -- The Santa Monica Pier will transform into a 1950s drive-in movie theater during "Locals' Night" on Thursday when Pacific Park presents a screening of "Grease."

Palisades Fire Victims Still Waiting for Help
January 12, 2026 -- One year after fire devastated Pacific Palisades, displaced residents are still waiting for long overdue financial help and greater government certainty.

Retired City Clerk Returns
January 12, 2026 -- Former City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren will assume her old post on an interim basis while the City embarks on a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.

Mother Charged with Her Baby's Murder
January 9, 2026 -- A mother has been charged with the extremely violent murder of her 17-month-old daughter, who was found by police in a Santa Monica apartment Tuesday.

Council to Revisit Housing Votes
January 9, 2026 -- The City Council Tuesday will recast votes on housing items Councilmember Jesse Zwick voted on after being hired by a housing advocacy group, resulting in a conflict of interest.

City Hires New Housing Director
January 8, 2026 -- A rising New York City official who helped secure housing for a record 43,000 vulnerable residents has been hired to run the City's Housing Authority and homeless services programs.

Santa Monica Holds Birthday Bash for Marion Davies
January 8, 2026 -- Santa Monicans have a chance this month to join a long list of legendary guests -- including Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill -- who once flocked to Marion Davies beachfront home.

Fairview, Ocean Park Libraries to Offer Full Service
January 7, 2025 -- For the first time since the coronavirus shutdown five years ago, the Fairview and Ocean Park Branch Libraries will reopen for full service this month, City officials announced Tuesday.

Mother Arrested After Injured Infant Dies
January 7, 2025 -- A woman was arrested Tuesday after allegedly killing her infant child, who was hospitalized with "significant injuries" and later died, police officials said.

Documents Sealed as Nick Reiner Faces Murder Charges
January 6, 2026 -- Nick Reiner's arraignment Wednesday will offer no further details on why he allegedly murdered his parents, Robert and Michelle Reiner, or his movements in Santa Monica that day.

Microgrants Fund 150th Anniversary Celebration
January 6, 2026 -- A total of 28 community projects commemorating Santa Monica's 150th anniversary were supported with $50,620 in microgrants provided by the City, officials said Tuesday.

New Laws Kick in This Month
January 5, 2026 -- New laws are taking effect this month that dictate everything from what appliances landlords must provide to how much motorists must pay for parking in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Starting Point for Route 66 Celebration
January 5, 2026 -- Route 66’s 100th Anniversary celebration officially began Saturday as nine classic cars that had taken the near-mythical highway over its 60-year reign departed from the final stop in Santa Monica.