Promenade Store Owner Fatally Shoots Attacker
May 19, 2025 -- A coordinated robbery at a closed store on the Third Street Promenade Sunday night turned deadly when one of the two suspects attacked the owner and was fatally shot.

State Bill Could Deal Blow to City's Climate Goals
May 19, 2025 -- The City Council last Tuesday voted to oppose a State bill that would speed up the rebuilding of homes devastated by January's wildfires but could cripple Santa Monica's climate goals.

Ed Foundation Fundraiser Raises Nearly $400,000
May 19, 2025 -- This month's tenth annual Wine Auction raised more than $388,000 to support essential staff and programs at local public schools, the Santa Monica Education Foundation announced Friday.

SMPD Remembers Officers Who Died on Duty
May 16, 2025 -- Ten Santa Monica police officers who died between May 1927 and August 2010 while on duty were remembered during National Police Week.

SMC Music Department Presents 1786 Hit Opera
May 16, 2025 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Music Department next week will present a 239-year-old box office hit that weathered a stormy opening and years of censorship to become a timeless classic.

Pier Water Remains Under Public Health Advisory
May 16, 2025 -- The Santa Monica Pier remained under a beach area warning Friday with visitors advised to "avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters," County Health officials said.

Council Changes Meeting Rules
May 15, 2025 -- People strolling Santa Monica's commercial streets will soon be able to check City meeting agendas on electronic wayfinding kiosks, under rule changes adopted by the City Council Tuesday.

Council Approves Scaled Down Entertainment Zone
May 14, 2025 -- Santa Monica will launch Southern California's first entertainment zone next month, allowing visitors to buy alcoholic drinks on the Promenade and consume them on the street.

Survey Seeks Input on Parks and Arts Needs
May 14, 2025 -- Santa Monica residents have until May 31 to weigh in on the City's arts, parks and recreation offerings in a survey to help officials set priorities.

Bill to Boost Housing Near Transit Gets Council Backing
May 13, 2025 -- The City Council voted Tuesday night to support a controversial State housing bill that allows new residential buildings of up to seven stories near major transit stops.

Coyote Encounters Increase in Wake of Wildfires
May 13, 2025 -- In recent weeks, accounts of coyote sightings and attacks linked to the Palisades Fire have been increasing, mainly in the north side of Santa Monica, according to police.

Malibu Vote to Split From District Delayed
May 12, 2025 -- A vote denying Malibu's petition to separate from the School District will be retaken later this month after a key County Committee rescheduled last Thursday's meeting.

Two Burglary Suspects Arrested
May 12, 2025 -- Two burglary suspects, one on parole for attempted murder, were arrested Friday by officers conducting periodic checks near a bank drop box that had been repeatedly tampered with.

Santa Monica Loses Spirit Awards
May 9, 2025 -- Santa Monica -- once host to the Academy Awards -- has lost its second major film event in little over a year.

Pier Could Become Major Music Venue Again
May 9, 2025 -- Eight years after the City pulled the plug on the legendary Twilight Dance Concert series on the Pier, major acts could return to the landmark venue.

Retail Clerk Cited During Minor Decoy Sting
May 8, 2025 -- Santa Monica police cited a retail clerk at Bristol Farms Wednesday for selling alcohol to a minor during a sting operation conducted by detectives, according to police officials.

SMC Seeks Applicants for Bond Committee
May 8, 2024 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) is seeking applicants for the citizens committee that oversees implementation of bond measures funding capital improvement projects on its campuses.

Airport Rift Widens, Raises Fears
May 7, 2025 -- Housing and parks advocates faced off over the future of Santa Monica Airport land again Wednesday night, heightening fears the division will be exploited by pro-aviation interests.

Local Physical Therapist Arrested for Sexual Assault
May 7, 2025 -- Santa Monica police are seeking help identifying any additional victims of a local therapist arrested for sexual assault last month.

Council to Consider Alcohol Ads on City Property
May 6, 2025 -- Public parking structures and digital kiosks could soon become advertising venues for alcohol in an effort to boost revenues for Santa Monica's cash-strapped government.

County Boosts Funding for Sick Sea Mammals
May 6, 2025 -- The LA County Board of supervisors on Tuesday took "urgent" action to rescue and rehabilitate a rising number of marine mammals stranded on area beaches, including Santa Monica.

Public Health Launches Vending Machines with "Lifesaving" Products
May 5, 2025 -- LA County Public Health has launched vending machines at three Community Health Stations in Santa Monica that dispense "lifesaving products," including Fentanyl test strips and condoms, to the homeless.

Police Crack Down on Retail Theft Downtown
May 5, 2025 -- Police last month made 9 arrests during a one-day Retail Theft operation Downtown that cracked down on shoplifting, which has been driving up Santa Monica's annual crime rate.

More Marine Animals Wash Up on Santa Monica Beach
May 2, 2025 -- Over the past two months, dolphins, sea lions and a variety of sea birds have been washing up on Santa Monica's shore injured or dead.

Plane Headed for Santa Monica Airport Lands on Golf Course
May 2, 2025 -- A small airplane meant to land at Santa Monica Airport made a bumpy but safe landing at Riviera Golf Course in Pacific Palisades early Friday afternoon.

City to Adopt Clean Energy Targets for Existing Buildings
May 1, 2025 -- The City Council this summer will take up a Building Performance Standards Policy that requires existing large buildings citywide to meet clean energy goals.

Fire Service Day Offers Inside Look at Downtown Station
May 1, 2025 -- Community members can get a close-up look at the workings of Santa Monica's largest and busiest fire station during Fire Service Day on Saturday, May 10.

SMC Police Seek Suspect in Sexual Assault
May 1, 2025 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Police Department is seeking the public's help finding the suspect in an alleged sexual assault that took place at the school's library Wednesday morning.

Santa Monica Exempted from Voting Rights Bill
April 30, 2025 -- Santa Monica has been exempted from a State Assembly Bill that could have forced it to hold district elections while a voting rights lawsuit against the City winds its way through the courts.

Santa Monica Rents See Slight Increase
April 29, 2025 -- Santa Monica rents remained relatively flat in April, inching up 0.2 percent and furthering the streak of monthly increases this year, according to Apartment List's rent report released Tuesday.

Local Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Federal Counts
April 29, 2025 -- A Santa Monica man on Tuesday pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering and concealing more than $13 million in income from the IRS.

County Homeless Budget Cuts Won't Impact City
April 28, 2025 -- The steep budget cuts LA County Supervisors made to homeless services over the past month will have little or no impact on the City, City officials said.

Santa Monica Wheel to Glow on World Wish Day
April 28, 2025 -- Pacific Park's iconic solar-powered Ferris Wheel on the Pier will join other iconic LA landmarks that will glow a brilliant blue on Tuesday in honor of World Wish Day.

Bill to Boost Major Housing Developments Easily Clears Committee
April 25, 2025 -- A bill that would focus and streamline California's environmental process for major developments was approved by a key Senate committee this week.

Police to Hold DUI Checkpoint Under New Laws
April 25, 2025 -- Santa Monica police next Friday will hold a DUI checkpoint after penalties for driving under the influence were enhanced under new State laws that took effect this year.

City Seeks Volunteers to Adopt Bus Stops
April 25, 2025 -- The City is seeking volunteers to help keep Big Blue Bus (BBB) stops clean and safe under a new Adopt-A-Stop volunteer program.

Search for City Manager Intensifies
April 24, 2025 -- The search for a City Manager is picking up steam with the City Council on Tuesday holding a special closed door meeting dedicated entirely to filling the post.

Housing Bill to Help End Single-Family Zoning Fails
April 23, 2025 -- A State Senate housing bill to make it easier and faster to build as many as four units on a single family lot failed to advance out of committee on a 4 to 3 vote Tuesday.

Rent Control Rates Inch Up, Turnover Remains High
April 23, 2025 -- The price of a rent control apartment in Santa Monica increased slightly in each of the past four years, while the turnover rate for recently rented units remains high, according to the Rent Board's 2024 annual report.

Pali High Returns to Class in Santa Monica
April 22, 2025 -- For the first time since the devastating Palisades Fire drove them from their high school in January, more than 2,500 students flocked to a quickly constructed campus in Downtown Santa Monica on Tuesday.

SMC Planetarium Celebrates 35 Years of Hubble
April 22, 2025 -- The Santa Monica College Planetarium next month will explore radio astronomy and look back at the history of the Hubble Space Telescope that has been circling Earth for 35 years.

Two Stabbed on Beach, One Suspect Arrested
April 21, 2025 -- A man and a woman were stabbed on the beach south of the Pier in the early morning hours Saturday, and one of the two suspects has been arrested for attempted murder, according to police.

Poll Gauges Support for Homeless Initiatives
April 21, 2025 -- Santa Monica residents are divided over a new program that gives homeless individuals who commit minor crimes an alternative to jail, a monthly poll found.

Santa Monica Celebrates Earth Day
April 21, 2025 -- Santa Monica will celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday with free bus rides, educational events and special flashing colors on the world's only solar powered Ferris Wheel.

Santa Monica First California City to Use AI Trip Planning Tool
April 18, 2025 -- Travelers headed to Santa Monica can now have their entire itinerary instantly planned and their questions answered both before and during their stay using AI technology.

Homelessness Emergency Now in Third Year
April 17, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to ratify a proclamation extending Santa Monica's local homelessness emergency for a third year.

Long Beach Takes Radically Different Approach to Olympics
April 16, 2025 -- One week after Santa Monica failed to reach a deal with the organizing committee for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, the City of Long Beach eagerly embraced the chance to host beach volleyball.

Owner of Dog that Mauled Poodle Identified
April 16, 2025 -- Santa Monica police have identified the owner of the dog that killed a toy poodle near Main Street on Friday but did not release the man's name.

Proposed Ordinance Requires Council Appoint Residents to Key Boards
April 15, 2025 -- Only Santa Monica residents will qualify for City Council appointments to three major Boards under an ordinance the Council is expected to approve Tuesday.

Pier Rolls Out Red Carpet for Locals
April 15, 2025 -- Local artists and guests will be in the spotlight once again Thursday when "Locals Night" returns to the Santa Monica Pier.

LETTERS -- It’s Time to Expel Hug-a-Thug Criminal Enablers from City Hall
April 15, 2025 -- The City's myriad programs not only allow the homeless who commit crimes to escape punishment, but rewards them with a “respite hub” or even free housing.

Pit Bull Owner Sought By Police Unlikely to Face Arrest
April 14, 2025 -- The owner of a pit bull that fatally mauled a toy poodle near Main Street on Friday evening will not likely be arrested if he is found, police officials said Monday.

Bomb Threat Suspect Not Talking to Police
April 14, 2025 -- A Santa Monica man arrested for allegedly threatening to bomb the Coachella Music & Arts Festival remained in custody Monday afternoon after declining to talk to police.

Zwick Takes Back Suggestion to Sell Fairview Library
April 11, 2025 -- City Councilmember Jesse Zwick said Tuesday night that he was "wrong" to suggest selling the Fairview Branch Library to address the City's budget crisis.

New Federal Task Force to Probe Homeless Funding
April 11, 2025 -- The Federal government this week announced it has formed a criminal task force to investigate potential "fraud, waste, abuse and corruption" involving funding for homeless programs in Southern California.

Public Health Cites Upscale Food Market for Roaches
April 10, 2025 -- Erewhon Market in Santa Monica -- known for its celebrity clientele and a $19 strawberry -- made global headlines Thursday after its cafe was shut down due to a "vermin infestation."

Art Fellowship Winners Chronicle LA Life
April 10, 2025 -- Four artists who chronicle hot-button issues -- from affordable housing to human rights -- are the recipients of Santa Monica's 2025 Artist Fellowship.

Santa Monica to Explore Options to Beach Curfew
April 9, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday voted to explore ways to make the beach safer late at night in the wake of several deaths but stopped short of backing a curfew.

Fire-Related Beach Water Advisory Lifted
April 9, 2025 -- Beachgoers can enter the water at nearly all Santa Monica beaches and recreate on the sand but should avoid any debris from the recent Palisades Fire, LA County Health officials said Wednesday.

County Committee to Vote Again on Malibu Split
April 8, 2025 -- A County committee's vote last week denying Malibu's split from the School District will need to be taken again, District officials confirmed Monday.

Santa Monica Won't Host Beach Volleyball at 2028 Olympic Games
April 8, 2025 -- Santa Monica's dream of hosting beach volleyball during the Summer Olympics was dashed last week after the City and organizing committee for the 2028 Games failed to reach a deal.

City to Quickly Build "Greenway" on Congested Street
April 7, 2025 -- A congested road where speeding drivers routinely compete with students walking or biking to school could soon become safer under a project that will test traffic measures that can be permanently implemented.

Fire Department Launches Program to Fight Stress
April 7, 2025 -- The Fire Department this week unleashed a new weapon to help firefighters and other City employees combat stress and support mental health, City officials announced Monday.

Program Gives Homeless Offenders Alternative to Jail
April 4, 2025 -- Starting this month, homeless individuals who have committed low-level crimes in Santa Monica can choose between going to jail or entering the SaMo Bridge program.

Police Make Multiple Arrests for Parole Violations, Warrants
April 4, 2025 -- Nearly a dozen individuals with criminal records who are on parole or have existing warrants were arrested in Santa Monica during a one-week stretch this month.

Beach Curfew, Remote Work on Council Agenda
April 3, 2025 -- The City Council next week will explore establishing a night-time curfew for Santa Monica Beach and posting criminal prosecution data on a public dashboard.

Council to Take Positions on 2 Key Housing Bills
April 3, 2025 -- Councilmember Jesse Zwick is asking the City Council to support State legislation that makes it faster and easier to develop multi-family housing near transit stops and in single-family neighborhoods.

County Supervisors Overhaul Homeless Services
April 2, 2025 -- Santa Monica, along with the other 87 LA County cities, will begin working with a new County department to tackle homelessness that replaces the beleaguered Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).

Supporters of Fairview Library to Rally at City Hall
April 2, 2025 -- One month after Councilmember Jesse Zwick floated the idea of selling the Fairview Branch Library, a rally will be held at City Hall opposing the potential move.

Malibu Fails to Meet Criteria for District Split
April 1, 2025 -- Malibu's proposal to separate from the School District has likely been dealt a fatal blow eight years after it was first submitted to the LA County Office of Education (LACOE).

Police Remind Drivers to Stay Focused
April 1, 2025 -- Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. That's the message Santa Monica police want to drive home during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.