The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has chosen Santa Monica as a study location, offering 500 randomly selected households free comprehensive health screenings while contributing to vital public health research.
The Santa Monica City Council has selected retired City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren to return in an interim capacity while launching a national recruitment for a permanent replacement. Anderson-Warren, who retired in 2023 after nearly eight years of service, will earn $119.13 per hour.
The City of Santa Monica has appointed Aileen Reynolds as Housing and Human Services Director. Reynolds brings over a decade of experience from NYC, where she helped secure housing for 43,000 households. She starts January 12 with an annual salary of $258,756.
LAHSA is recruiting volunteers for the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, scheduled for January 20-22. The count faces scrutiny after Santa Monica's homeless population rose 5% in 2024 despite decreases across LA County.
Santa Monica's weekend lineup includes the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Annenberg Beach House, Symphonic Bollywood at Broadstage, comedy shows, and the final weeks of beachside ice skating. Plus, new restaurant openings like HomeState and Holy Basil.
Santa Monica's four weekly farmers markets offer fresh local produce throughout January 2026. Highlights include peak-season citrus and avocados, new vendors like Bakeman Bars and Fat Uncle Farms, plus live entertainment at Pico and Main Street markets.
A longtime Santa Monica resident argues for closing SMO Airport by 2028 as mandated by a 2014 citywide referendum. The letter challenges claims about the airport's economic benefits and raises concerns about increasing jet fuel pollution.
The Santa Monica Daily Press's podcast 'A Developing Story' has topped national charts, ranking #1 for Local News on Goodpods and in the top 5% of podcasts worldwide. The six-episode series on Santa Monica's housing development has resonated far beyond city limits.
Santa Monica offers numerous New Year's Eve options from family-friendly countdowns to upscale dining and dance parties. Plus, don't miss the historic Route 66 Centennial Kickoff on January 3 at the Santa Monica Pier.
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.
