🎉Wishing all our readers a very happy New Year! Thank you for all your support. We have plenty in store for 2026. Stay tuned.
Front & Center
Controversial developer defaults
Caltrans will close a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in advance of predicted rainstorms and potential debris flows.
Santa Monica's December 2025 featured significant developments including controversial City Council decisions, the start of Pier Bridge construction, approval of Olympic beach events, and shifting positions on housing development and abuse litigation.
Santa Monica ordered Waymo to halt overnight operations after noise complaints, while Malibu approved $1.6M for PCH safety improvements. The month also saw new businesses announced and LA was named the 'Rattiest City' in America.
Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved City Manager Oliver Chi's comprehensive revitalization plan addressing a projected $29.6 million budget deficit and operational inefficiency. The multi-year strategy reorganizes departments and deploys $60 million in reserves for immediate investments.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has appointed Crystal Gonzalez as transportation supervisor, effective Dec. 1. With over 10 years of experience, Gonzalez previously worked at Antelope Valley Schools Transportation Agency as a driver and dispatcher.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has approved a $2.8 million purchase of property adjacent to Franklin Elementary School to expand the campus, which is currently half the recommended size for its student population.
The iconic Pacific Wheel on Santa Monica Pier will display New Year's greetings in 16 languages using 174,000 LED lights from sunset to midnight on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Visitors can view the illuminated 90-foot Ferris wheel from the beach or watch online.
August 2024 brought major leadership changes to Santa Monica as Police Chief Ramon Batista and City Attorney Doug Sloan resigned, marking three senior departures. The month also saw controversial housing policy changes and continued challenges with retail theft.
In September 2024, charter carrier JSX applied to operate daily flights from Santa Monica Airport starting in 2025 using quiet turboprop aircraft, even as city officials reaffirmed the airport will still close permanently in 2028.
Leo Pustilnikov, a developer who has clashed repeatedly with Santa Monica city officials over downtown governance and housing projects, has defaulted on a $37.5 million loan
The FAA has determined Santa Monica Municipal Airport violated federal law by accumulating surplus revenues intended for general city services after the airport's closure, rather than using those funds for aviation purposes as required.
