Pacific Palisades residents Frank Renfro, Mike Furnari, and Kambiz Kamdar have launched PaliBuilds, a technology platform transforming post-disaster home rebuilding with their Bidsy software that automates contractor bidding and introduces AI-powered comparison tools.
Santa Monica’s 2026 election season has officially begun with the filing of two competing citizen-initiated ballot measures and a potential third up for discussion by City Council on
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.
SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes DineLA is Back, Not So Dry January, Happy Birthday Marion Festival, Pizza and Bread
Santa Monica has expanded Fairview and Ocean Park branch libraries from self-service to full-service operations three days weekly, restoring librarian staffing and programming as part of the city's $60 million Realignment Plan approved last year.
Light rain ending this morning.
Today: 🌧️ High 64° / Low 51°
Tomorrow: 🌤️ High 65° / Low 52°
First Up
One Year After the Fires, Flexible Funding Helps Local Businesses Reopen and Rebuild
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.
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In a sense, California has been taxing wealth since it became a state 175 years ago.
Well into
A newborn infant discovered on a Main Street sidewalk last week has underscored the human cost of the region's homelessness crisis, even as thousands of volunteers prepare to
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.
