> ## 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 09, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-feb-09-2026/ - Published: 2026-02-09T20:18:52.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-09T20:18:52.000Z - Author: Editor Overcast. High 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Today: 🌤️ High 72° / Low 57° Tomorrow: ☁️ High 64° / Low 58° ### **First Up** ![Karen Bass](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/2026/02/DSC_0005.JPG) SMDP Photo ### Santa Monica sponsored law could turn the tide on coastal development Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur introduced legislation that would allow qualifying coastal cities to bypass California Coastal Commission...[READ](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-sponsored-law-could-turn-the-tide-on-coastal-development/) ### **Close to Home** [Santa Monica-Malibu Schools Expand Camera Surveillance, Update SafetySMMUSD is updating visitor policies and surveillance camera usage on Santa Monica-Malibu campuses to enhance security, with changes to be finalized February 19.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-220.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER-_-smmusd-meeting.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/school-board-considers-safety-policy-updates-surveillance-changes/) [Children’s Hospital LA Brings Top-Ranked Heart Care to Santa MonicaChildren’s Hospital Los Angeles is expanding to Santa Monica with specialty cardiology services starting January 26, offering pediatric and fetal heart care on the Westside.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-219.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---8997682048-ACC-Santa-Monica-WU-0002.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/childrens-hospital-los-angeles-expands-services-to-santa-monica-with-cardiology-clinic/) [California’s once soaring population has hit a plateau. So will its national political cloutBy Dan Walters, CalMatters This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The federal Census Bureau annually announces new population numbers for the country and its 50 states based on calculations of how births, deaths and migration have changed the numbers from July 1 to June![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-218.png)SMDPCal Matters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_0286.JPG)](https://www.smdp.com/californias-once-soaring-population-has-hit-a-plateau-so-will-its-national-political-clout/) [California State Parks Foundation Seeks Nominations for Best Parks PollCalifornia State Parks Foundation announced Monday it is accepting nominations for the 2026 “Best of California’s State Parks” poll, inviting Californians to share their favorite state parks across 12 categories. Categories include best parks for camping, hiking, birdwatching and family-friendly adventures. This year’s poll features two new categories: “Best State![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-217.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Best-Wildflowers_Anza-Borrego_Susan-Eskridge.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/california-state-parks-foundation-seeks-nominations-for-best-parks-poll/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [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/) --- [ ![](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/184438/image/0?seed=) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/184438/click/0?seed=&ref=smdp.com) --- ### Events [ **City Council Meeting** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/city-council-meeting/13799967/2026-02-10T17) Santa Monica City Hall Tue. Feb 10 5:30PM 1685 Main St., Santa Monica [ **Memories & Movement Senior Club** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/memories-movement-senior-club/14853634/2026-02-10T10) Virginia Avenue Park Tue. Feb 10 10:30AM 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica [ **Walk-In Tutoring With Laurie** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/walkin-tutoring-with-laurie/17128550/2026-02-10T14) West Los Angeles Regional Library Tue. Feb 10 2:00PM 11360 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles [ **Wine Wednesday at the Whaler** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/wine-wednesday-at-the-whaler/16952883/2026-02-11T00) 101 Broadway Wed. Feb 11 12:00AM CA 90401 Contact Info (424) 330-0166 info@venicewhaler.com Does not apply on holidays, Santa Monica [ **Author Talk with Dr. Lindsey Stewart** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/author-talk-with-dr-lindsey-stewart/17839310/2026-02-12T11) Santa Monica College Thu. Feb 12 11:00AM 1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica [ **Rebuild Committee - Santa Monica & PaliBu Chamber** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/rebuild-committee-santa-monica-palibu-chamber/15499169/2026-02-12T15) Zoom link to be sent before the meeting Thu. Feb 12 3:00PM , Santa Monica [ **Rent Control Board Meeting** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/rent-control-board-meeting/13406661/2026-02-12T19) Santa Monica City Hall Thu. Feb 12 7:00PM 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica [ **Westside Witches Presents: Club Cupid** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/westside-witches-presents-club-cupid/17939422/2026-02-12T19) West Side Comedy Theater Thu. Feb 12 7:45PM 1323-A 3rd St, Santa Monica [ **Delphi** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/delphi/17882464/2026-02-13T19) Getty Villa Fri. Feb 13 7:00PM 17985 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades [ **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/17896821/2026-02-13T11) Santa Monica History Museum Fri. Feb 13 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020926.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)