> ## 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 14, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-feb-14-2026/ - Published: 2026-02-14T17:25:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-14T17:25:35.000Z - Author: Editor A mostly cloudy Valentine's Day with some sun, but rain is coming Monday/Tuesday. Current forecast calls for 1.5"+. Today: 🌥️ High 64° / Low 52° Tomorrow: ☁️ High 63° / Low 54° ### **First Up** ![ambulance](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w960/format/webp/2026/02/ambulance2.png) Santa Monica Fire Department ambulances and personnel now handle emergency medical transports throughout the city. ### SM Fire Department takes over emergency medical transports The Santa Monica Fire Department has launched an in-house Ambulance Operator Program and expanded its Advanced Provider Unit, reshaping..[READ](https://www.smdp.com/with-new-and-expanding-programs-santa-monica-fire-department-takes-over-emergency-medical-transports-in-the-city/) ### **Close to Home** [Federal Study Could Make Santa Monica Bay Beaches National ParksThe National Park Service is studying if Los Angeles coastal areas from Will Rogers to Torrance Beach should become national parkland, with public comments open until April 2026.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-241.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Cover---Untitled-1.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/parks-service-says-federal-control-of-local-beaches-could-spur-new-protections-conservation-efforts-and-economic-activity/) [VA Cancels Private Leases to Build Veterans Housing in West LAThe VA has canceled leases with Brentwood School, a parking company and an oil firm at its West LA campus to clear land for housing 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-242.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/va-map.png)](https://www.smdp.com/va-terminates-private-leases-at-west-la-campus/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [Santa Monica, Malibu Representatives Face 2026 Election ChallengersSupervisor Lindsey Horvath and Councilwoman Traci Park face challengers in 2026 LA elections, with Pacific Palisades fire response and homelessness concerns driving opposition.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-235.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/horvath-map.png)](https://www.smdp.com/westside-incumbents-draw-challengers-in-supervisor-council-races/) [Facing ‘extinction vortex,’ California grants new protections to some mountain lionsBy Rachel Becker, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. 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Just weeks after a mountain lion wandered into San Francisco, state officials voted to permanently protect populations of the charismatic predators that prowl the coastal mountains between the Bay Area and the Mexican border.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-239.png)SMDPCal Matters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/021226-Mountain-Lions-NPS-CM-03.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/facing-extinction-vortex-california-grants-new-protections-to-some-mountain-lions/) [New Roads Baseball Aims for Historic Fourth Coastal League TitleNew Roads School’s varsity baseball team in Santa Monica seeks a fourth consecutive Coastal League championship, led by seniors Xavier Walker, Ellio LaPorta, and Asamino Spong.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-233.png)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Team-NRS-26-CB0I3851.jpeg)](https://www.smdp.com/new-roads-ready-to-continue-revitalized-baseball-dominance/) [California announces investigation into delayed evacuation orders during LA-area wildfireCalifornia’s top prosecutor announced a civil rights investigation Thursday into how delayed evacuations impacted a historically Black community ravaged by one of last year’s deadly wildfires near Los Angeles. Attorney General Rob Bonta said the investigation was spurred by months of conversation with community members and fire survivors concerned about![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-238.png)SMDPAssociated Press![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Alerts.png)](https://www.smdp.com/california-announces-investigation-into-delayed-evacuation-orders-during-la-area-wildfire/) ### Events [ **Love Lights the Pier: Ferris Wheel Serenade** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/love-lights-the-pier-ferris-wheel-serenade/18091552/2026-02-14T16) Santa Monica Pier Sat. Feb 14 4:30PM 200 Santa Monica Pier, Ste A, Santa Monica [ **Venice Electric Light Parade - Sundays at Sunset** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/venice-electric-light-parade-sundays-at-sunset/14970341/2026-02-15T00) Windward Plaza Sun. Feb 15 12:00AM 1501 Ocean Front Walk, Venice [ **The Gordons Improv Residency** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/the-gordons-improv-residency/14863274/2026-02-16T19) Westside Comedy Theater Mon. Feb 16 7:00PM 1323-A 3rd St, Santa Monica [ **Karaoke Mondays at The Whaler** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/karaoke-mondays-at-the-whaler/17408730/2026-02-16T00) 101 Broadway Mon. Feb 16 12:00AM CA 90401 Contact Info (424) 330-0166 info@venicewhaler.com Does not apply on holidays, Santa Monica [ **Food for Thought Book Club** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/food-for-thought-book-club/18045439/2026-02-17T11) Santa Monica College Tue. Feb 17 11:15AM 1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica [ **IMPROV 101: Intro to Improv (Tuesday Nights)** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/improv-101-intro-to-improv-tuesday-nights/17764629/2026-02-17T19) Tue. Feb 17 7:00PM 1424 4th Street, Santa Monica [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021326.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)