August
Beach Club Mediation — The City Council voted to mediate with Silas White's family regarding Ebony Beach Club. The city seized the property via eminent domain in the 1950s, preventing what would have been the first Black-led beach club. Officials acknowledged the need for restorative justice.
Retail Theft Crackdown — California law enforcement arrested over 22,000 suspects and recovered $150 million in stolen goods during a retail theft crackdown. Despite statewide progress, Santa Monica continued struggling with theft, which constituted nearly 60% of its reported major crimes.
Firefighting Fleet Expansion — California assembled the world's largest civilian firefighting helicopter fleet by adding two Fire Hawks. Governor Newsom highlighted the fleet's expanded capacity for night missions and rescues, noting these resources were critical amid federal funding cuts.
Tourism Career Day — The Marina del Rey Tourism Board hosted a Career Day for nearly 50 high school students. The event exposed students to hospitality careers through tours and networking, supporting the local tourism economy which hosts over a million visitors annually.
Health Center Week — Venice Family Clinic celebrated National Health Center Week by offering free services, including food, medical check-ups, and haircuts. Homeless Connect Day provided essentials like hygiene kits and DMV services to unhoused individuals.
Interfaith Children's Book — Two SMMUSD students wrote "Brighter Together," a children's book featuring a Jewish star and Muslim crescent as friends. The project, born from the October 7 conflict, aimed to foster empathy and understanding between communities.
'Carmen' Ballet Production — Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre performed "Carmen" in Santa Monica. Artistic Director Natasha Middleton reimagined the classic tale with bold choreography. The production featured principal dancers and an ensemble blending local and international talent.
Bus Stop Relocation — The City Council approved relocating a bus stop on Pico Blvd. despite opposition from businesses concerned about losing parking. Council members argued for better public engagement, as business owners felt excluded from planning.
Housing Ordinance Passed — A new emergency zoning ordinance passed 5-2, allowing up to 20 units on single-family lots. Proponents cited the housing crisis, while critics including Mayor Negrete argued it benefited developers without ensuring genuine affordability.
School Power Plan — SMMUSD approved an emergency plan to install backup power systems after outages caused 22 lost school days in Malibu. The district also sought grants to reinforce hillsides against rockslides disrupting school access.
Parking Rates Rise — The City Council unanimously approved increasing parking rates to generate over $8 million annually. A compromise retained a 30-minute free period in downtown structures, addressing economic challenges and sluggish revenue.
City Attorney Resignation — City Attorney Doug Sloan resigned after three years to return to Fresno. During his final meeting, he reflected on the joy of living and working in Santa Monica. His departure marked the second high-level exit.
Businesses Rebuild After Fire — Two businesses, Palisades Dentists and Forge Makerspace, reopened following the Palisades Fire. They utilized LA County grants to cover equipment and payroll costs, aiding their rapid recovery.
Sand Reuse Program — LA County approved a "living shoreline" program to combat erosion at beaches including Zuma and Dockweiler. The initiative used native vegetation and natural habitats rather than concrete walls to protect against rising sea levels.
Emergency Alert Systems — Malibu explored new emergency alert systems, such as FM radio alerts, because current cellular and web-based systems often failed during power outages. Officials tested radio receivers to ensure residents received warnings during high-fire danger.
Firefighters Honored — The Santa Monica Fire Department honored personnel for heroic acts, including a paramedic who saved a lifeguard and swimmer in treacherous conditions. An 8-year-old girl was also recognized for calm assistance during a medical emergency.
DTSM Board Reorganization — The new Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. board met following the Council's removal of previous appointees. The shakeup followed the CEO's departure and transparency concerns. New members included residents with diverse backgrounds.
Shoreline Protection Grants — LA County awarded $5.1 million for nature-based protection projects at Dockweiler, Zuma, and Redondo beaches. The "living shoreline" initiatives aimed to defend against climate change while maintaining public access using Measure A funding.
Swim Team Victories — The Santa Monica Sharks swim team won two consecutive meets, showcasing strong talent. Victories included the BASE qualifying meet, demonstrating the team's rising competitive level.
Indoor Heat Protections — LA County passed an ordinance setting a maximum indoor rental temperature of 82 degrees. The measure protected tenants from extreme heat and prohibited landlords from retaliating against those installing cooling devices.
Theater Workshop Enrollment — The Santa Monica Playhouse opened enrollment for its 56th annual Fall Theatre Workshop. The program offered play production and musical theatre classes for youth, boasting alumni like Kate Hudson and Zooey Deschanel.
New School Campus Opens — MUSE Global School opened a new campus in Santa Monica. The school emphasized interdisciplinary learning and sustainability, offering programs allowing students to explore subjects like robotics and environmental science.
Student Health Policy Overhaul — SMMUSD overhauled student health policies, including fentanyl prevention and cell phone restrictions. New rules allowed students to carry overdose reversal drugs and required high schoolers to silence and store phones during class.
Immigrant Population Decline — The U.S. immigrant population declined for the first time in 50 years, dropping by 1.4 million. Pew Research attributed this to stricter enforcement and policy changes making border crossings harder.
Affordable Housing Pilot — The Council approved a pilot program allowing developers to build affordable housing off-site. The measure passed 6-1, with the Mayor dissenting over concerns about economic segregation.
Clean Financial Audit — Santa Monica received a clean financial audit. The Audit Subcommittee discussed the city's financial health and upcoming permitting system overhauls, alongside a performance audit of the 311 customer service system.
Resilience Scholarships — LA County honored 15 women with Resilience Scholarships for overcoming adversity. Recipients, including students from various districts, were recognized for their determination and academic success despite significant life challenges.
School Policing Film — The LA County Commission on Human Relations released an animated film titled "Echoes of a System." The film documented the negative impact of school policing on a Black student to spark conversations about racial disparities.
RAND Corporation Expansion — The City Council approved an amendment allowing the RAND Corporation to expand commercial uses at its headquarters. The changes permitted leasing space for technology, media, and other offices.
Waymo Noise Complaints — Waymo claimed to have reduced its vehicles' reversing alarm volume at a Santa Monica depot following resident complaints. However, neighbors reported the noise and alley blockages persisted, creating safety concerns.
Great White Shark Sighting — A 14-15 foot great white shark was spotted near the Santa Monica Pier. The large adult shark was swimming near a paddleboarder, a notable event as the area typically hosted juvenile sharks.
Chez Jay Anniversary — Chez Jay, a Santa Monica landmark, celebrated 66 years. Known for its celebrity clientele and dive bar atmosphere, the restaurant hosted history, including an astronaut's peanut that went to the moon.
Film Permit Localization — Santa Monica localized film permit approvals as the industry shifted. A new non-profit, Film Santa Monica, handled permitting to market the city as a filming destination, distinct from regional bodies.
Pizza Fling Opens — A new restaurant, Pizza Fling, opened on Wilshire Blvd. It emphasized authentic Italian ingredients and offered a casual dining experience, joining other concepts in the same space.
Mountain Lion Attack — An 11-year-old girl survived a mountain lion attack in Malibu. The animal was euthanized. The incident added to growing concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region following a previous attack in 2024.
Students Return to School — Students returned to Santa Monica schools, starting with Palisades Charter High School at its temporary campus. The city warned drivers to expect increased traffic as thousands of students headed back to class.
Charity Boxing Match — The Santa Monica Pier hosted a charity boxing match created by Mario Lopez. The event, "Rumble on the Pier," raised funds for the City of Hope and featured law enforcement and fire department contenders.
MOVE Fitness Event — A fitness event called MOVE took over the Santa Monica Pier. Organized by CITY SHRED, the session combined yoga, dance, and HIIT workouts to promote community health and connection.
Malibu Sewer Project — The Malibu City Council advanced exploration of a $124 million wastewater project. The system would serve fire-damaged properties, though concerns remained about the high cost to residents.
Federal Funding Cuts Warning — LA County officials warned of devastating service cuts due to a $1.5 billion reduction in federal funding. The cuts, stemming from new federal legislation, threatened Medicaid and food assistance for thousands.
Pedestrian Fatality — A pedestrian was killed in a car crash near Palisades High's temporary Santa Monica campus. The driver cooperated with police, and drugs were not suspected. The victim was not a student.
Olympic Naming Rights — For the first time, LA28 organizers sold venue naming rights for the Olympics. The "Comcast Squash Center" and "Honda Center" retained corporate names during the games to generate revenue.
Summer Heat Wave — A significant heat wave hit the region as summer ended. Forecasters warned of high temperatures and potential thunderstorms, urging residents to stay hydrated and avoid direct sun exposure.
Malibu Murder Plea — Fraser Bohm pleaded not guilty to murdering four Pepperdine students in a PCH crash. Prosecutors alleged he was driving over 100 mph. He appeared in court with a new high-profile defense attorney.
Samohi School Start — Santa Monica High School students returned to class. The district reminded the community to drive safely as traffic increased with the start of the new school year.
Downtown Zoning Changes — The City Council approved zoning changes to revitalize Downtown Santa Monica. Updates streamlined permitting for alcohol and entertainment and removed bans on chain restaurants on the Promenade to boost economic activity.
Housing Rehabilitation Loan — The Council approved a $35.7 million loan to rehabilitate 40 rent-controlled units on Virginia Ave. The funding helped the Community Corporation of Santa Monica preserve affordable housing in a complex requiring significant repairs.
Police Chief Resignation — Police Chief Ramon Batista resigned, citing differences with the new administration. His departure made him the third senior official to leave recently. Deputy Chief Darrick Jacob was named acting chief.
SB 79 Protests — Residents in Pacific Palisades protested Senate Bill 79, which mandated high-density housing near transit. Opponents argued the bill overrode local zoning and risked safety, while supporters believed it necessary for housing.
Nordstrom Closure — Nordstrom officially closed its store at Santa Monica Place. Despite reporting strong company-wide earnings, the closure reflected local retail challenges and left a significant vacancy in the mall.
Raising Cane's Opening — Chicken chain Raising Cane's announced it would open a location on the Third Street Promenade. This followed the city's relaxation of restrictions on chain restaurants to combat high vacancy rates.
Police Union Statement — The Santa Monica Police Officers Association thanked the departing Chief Batista while expressing support for the City Manager and Interim Chief. The union emphasized the need for leadership stability during transition.
Citywide Equity Plan — Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved the city's first comprehensive equity plan following a year-long community engagement process with 60+ listening sessions. The five-year roadmap through 2030 established goals including confronting historical harms.
Homelessness Credit Dispute — California state and local leaders disputed credit for homelessness declines, with Governor Newsom claiming his administration was "reversing decades of inaction." Counties countered that state budget cuts jeopardized progress. Santa Monica's count increased 5% to 812 people.