> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Newsletter: Feb 05, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-feb-05-2026/ - Published: 2026-02-05T19:02:39.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-05T19:02:39.000Z - Author: Editor Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. Today: 🌤️ High 79° / Low 57° Tomorrow: 🌤️ High 67° / Low 52° ### **First Up** ![Karen Bass](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/2026/02/mayor.png) ### Race for L.A. Mayor descends into chaos amid new accusations against Karen Bass The race for Los Angeles mayor has erupted into turmoil this week as incumbent Karen Bass faces explosive allegations of altering a critical wildfire report...[READ](https://www.smdp.com/race-for-l-a-mayor-descends-into-chaos-amid-new-accusations-against-karen-bass/) ### **Close to Home** [Two fatalities on PCH underscore persistent safety crisisTwo people died in separate incidents on Malibu roadways this week, highlighting an ongoing traffic safety emergency that has claimed dozens of lives in recent years despite millions of dollars in improvements. A single-vehicle crash on Malibu Canyon Road killed one person Wednesday morning after their vehicle went over the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-204.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/PCH.png)](https://www.smdp.com/two-fatalities-on-pch-underscore-persistent-safety-crisis/) [EPA chief outlines Trump’s plan to speed up the rebuilding of homes after LA wildfiresTrump administration officials traveled to Los Angeles on Wednesday to outline the president’s plan to override state and local rules and speed up the permitting process for the reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes destroyed by last year’s wildfires. Last week the president signed an executive order that the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-203.png)SMDPAssociated Press![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Dashboard.png)](https://www.smdp.com/epa-chief-outlines-trumps-plan-to-speed-up-the-rebuilding-of-homes-after-la-wildfires/) [California judges defend their independence and the rule of lawWhen the rule of law is under attack, judges are among its natural defenders. But the very nature of their positions prevents them from doing or even saying much outside of their courtrooms. They have to avoid any appearance of bias or partisanship. That’s why it was so noteworthy,![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-202.png)SMDPCal Matters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/012326-Judges-Bench-Placer-Co.-Superior-Court-MG-CM-01.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/california-judges-defend-their-independence-and-the-rule-of-law/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [Santa Monica Council Debates Meeting Changes to Boost AccessSanta Monica City Council rejected 10 a.m. meetings but is exploring closed session changes, longer public comment times, and weekend town halls to increase public participation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-201.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_8217-2.JPG)](https://www.smdp.com/council-considers-meeting-changes-but-not-early-meetings/) [LA County Extends Eviction Protections Amid Immigration RaidsLos Angeles County now requires two months of unpaid rent before landlords can evict tenants in unincorporated areas, up from the previous one-month threshold.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-200.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/SD4_JHahn_2021_4LGO1_RvrsdTitle.png)](https://www.smdp.com/county-extends-eviction-protections-for-renters-impacted-by-immigration-raids/) ### Events [ **Book Release for The Invasion of Pantomime by Tim Xonnelly** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/book-release-for-the-invasion-of-pantomime-by-tim-xonnelly/17913859/2026-02-05T19) Beyond Baroque Thu. Feb 5 7:30PM 681 Venice Blvd., Venice [ **Chasing Monarchs** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/chasing-monarchs/16112586/2026-02-05T19) Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Thu. Feb 5 7:30PM 1310 11th St, Santa Monica [ **TRAKTR RECORDS PRESENTS** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/traktr-records-presents/17821024/2026-02-05T20) Harvelle's Santa Monica Thu. Feb 5 8:30PM 1432 4th St,, Santa Monica [ **Date Night Flower Arranging Workshop** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/date-night-flower-arranging-workshop/17600940/2026-02-06T18) Viola Floral Studios Fri. Feb 6 6:00PM 1639 11th St. Suite 162, Santa Monica [ **Electric Lodge Presents: High Voltage** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/electric-lodge-presents-high-voltage/15774947/2026-02-06T20) Electric Lodge Fri. Feb 6 8:00PM 1416 Electric Avenue, Los Angeles [ **New Exhibition at the history museum celebrates Food & Family** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/new-exhibition-at-the-history-museum-celebrates-food-family/17896821/2026-02-06T11) Santa Monica History Museum Fri. Feb 6 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [ **Ryan Presents; the 90s!** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/ryan-presents-the-90s/17453983/2026-02-06T21) Harvelle's Santa Monica Fri. Feb 6 9:00PM 1432 4th St,, Santa Monica [ **Downtown Walking Tour** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/downtown-walking-tour/15830816/2026-02-07T10) Hosteling Intl. Sat. Feb 7 10:00AM 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica [ **New Exhibition at the history museum celebrates Food & Family** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/new-exhibition-at-the-history-museum-celebrates-food-family/17896821/2026-02-07T11) Santa Monica History Museum Sat. Feb 7 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [ **Craft Café & Supply Swap with Peo Vee** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/craft-caf-supply-swap-with-peo-vee/17776352/2026-02-08T14) Circular Library Sun. Feb 8 2:30PM 1221 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020526.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)