Santa Monica has completed its latest downtown improvements, including 300 California native plants at the 4th/5th Street off-ramp, clearing the 20th Street off-ramp, and sidewalk repairs near Broadway and 6th Street, part of a $60M renewal plan.
Los Angeles County and City have launched a $2.8 million program providing over 280 free, health-code-compliant food carts to eligible sidewalk vendors, helping them meet new legal requirements while reducing financial barriers to formalization.
State Senator Ben Allen has introduced legislation to create a state-backed, low-interest loan program for wildfire safety upgrades. SB 894 aims to make home hardening more affordable for California homeowners following devastating Los Angeles fires.
Barnes & Noble Santa Monica will host two free book talks this weekend focused on wellness and goal-setting. Debra Eckerling presents "52 Secrets for Goal-Setting" on Saturday, Jan. 24, while Dr. Portia Preston discusses "Hustle, Flow, or Let It Go?" on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Santa Monica City Council voted 4-2 to explore housing standards that could exceed state requirements, following a conflict of interest ruling that forced revotes on previous housing decisions. The Planning Commission will examine options for larger family-sized homes.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will hold its annual Kindergarten Roundup on Jan. 22, allowing parents to meet school staff and begin registration for 2026-27. California's Universal Prekindergarten now makes TK the entry-level grade for eligible children.
Rize Credit Union has partnered with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to provide $1,000 in direct financial relief to approximately 450 Southern California families impacted by recent wildfires, totaling over $500,000 in community assistance.
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will continue providing services through June 2026 for those affected by the Eaton and Palisades Fires, with two walk-in centers offering counseling, crisis support, and resource connections.
Registration for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games ticket draw received more than 1.5 million entries in its first 24 hours from fans in over 150 countries, setting unprecedented early registration records 2.5 years before the Games.
Santa Monica City Council voted 4-1 to expand a pilot program allowing developers to build affordable housing off-site rather than within market-rate projects. The expanded program covers approximately 4,000 units and includes stricter financial and timeline requirements.
Santa Monica City Council voted 4-1 to expand its affordable housing pilot program, allowing developers to build affordable units off-site rather than within market-rate projects. The expansion increases the program from 1,000 to approximately 4,000 units with stronger requirements.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved reforms to make the county's budget process more transparent and accessible. The changes, recommended by the Governance Reform Task Force, will affect budget hearings beginning with fiscal year 2026-27.
