Disaster Preparedness — Santa Monica Council unanimously approved an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan addressing earthquakes and wildfires. The plan includes 13 mitigation actions like improved evacuation planning and seismic assessments, though residents voiced concerns about emergency evacuation capacity.
Arts Education Legacy — Watercolor instructor Freddie Manseau left a legacy gift after teaching at Santa Monica College for 35 years. He influenced thousands of students, particularly older adults, creating a personal museum in his home and fostering an artistic community.
Entertainment Returns — Scot Nery's Boobietrap variety show returned to Santa Monica's Illusion Magic Lounge after five years. The weekly show featured 15 acts including circus performances, comedy, and magic in 90 minutes of live entertainment.
School Relocation — Westside Waldorf School opened a new Santa Monica campus for grades 1-8 after fire destroyed its Pacific Palisades location. The facility ended months of student displacement, though fundraising continued for classroom furnishings and materials.
Healthcare Expansion — Sollis Health opened a membership-based concierge medical center in Santa Monica offering 24/7 urgent and emergency care. The facility featured advanced imaging and lab capabilities providing hospital-level services without wait times.
Housing Development Delayed — The Planning Commission postponed voting on new housing subdivision standards due to insufficient public engagement concerns. The proposed rules related to state laws allowing lot splits in single-family zones.
Medical License Revoked — Former Santa Monica physician Salvador Plasencia received 30 months in federal prison for distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry. He admitted selling the drug despite knowing Perry's addiction history and surrendered his medical license.
Security Patrols Approved — Malibu City Council voted to deploy armed security guards at Legacy and Malibu Bluffs parks for 120 days. The measure aimed to deter illegal camping, though concerns arose about displacing individuals into fire-prone areas.
Air Quality Research — UCLA researchers found recent wildfires, including the Palisades Fire, caused significant air quality degradation across Los Angeles. Studies emphasized the need for better real-time monitoring as smoke plumes spread dangerous particulate matter.
Leadership Departure — Santa Monica City Clerk Nikima Newsome resigned in January 2026 after six months, continuing a trend of senior leadership departures. Her exit followed resignations of the City Manager, City Attorney, and other department heads.
School District Separation — Malibu City Council approved agreements to separate from Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The historic step established frameworks for revenue sharing and operations toward forming an independent Malibu district.
Mental Health Awareness — Approximately 1,000 people participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk at Santa Monica Pier for suicide prevention awareness. The event featured a bead ceremony representing different types of personal grief.
Crime and Safety — Santa Monica Police handled a violent crash where a BMW struck a building on Santa Monica Boulevard and arrested a suspect involved in a multi-jurisdictional crime spree within 24 hours.
Library Expansion Rejected — Malibu City Council rejected a $13 million county proposal for simple library expansion, opting instead to plan a "world-class" facility. Council members directed staff to utilize the $25 million library fund surplus.
District Budget Outlook — SMMUSD projected multi-million dollar deficits over three years but received positive certification. Enrollment stabilized after years of decline, partially due to families displaced by fires moving into the district.
School Property Acquisition — SMMUSD negotiated to buy a home adjacent to Franklin Elementary for potential campus expansion. Parents protested concerns it might be used for parking, though the district stated no definitive plan existed.
Legislative Achievements — Assemblymember Rick Zbur highlighted legislative wins at a City Council meeting, including expanding film tax credits and combatting retail theft. He praised the city's public safety efforts and outgoing Mayor Negrete's leadership.
Sustainability Recognition — Santa Monica College received the Outstanding Higher Education Program award from the National Recycling Coalition. The award recognized its recycling curriculum training students in zero-waste practices and sustainable materials management.
Digital Signage Approved — City Council approved a digital display district for Third Street Promenade, allowing digital billboards to generate downtown revitalization revenue. Concerns arose about impacts on historic landmarks and effectiveness in increasing foot traffic.
Unpermitted Housing Facility — An unpermitted sober living facility attempted to open on Ocean Avenue over Thanksgiving, moving in 30 people before city officials intervened. The city issued a notice to vacate and investigated the operators.
Autonomous Vehicle Dispute — Waymo missed a city deadline to stop overnight operations at its Broadway charging hub, prompting officials to consider legal action. Residents complained about noise and traffic from the autonomous vehicles.
Architectural Icon Dies — Renowned architect Frank Gehry died at 96. Known for the Walt Disney Concert Hall and his Santa Monica home, Gehry revolutionized architecture with his deconstructivist style, designing iconic structures worldwide.
Ice Rink Tradition Continues — Willy Bietak, producer of Santa Monica's seasonal ice rink, continued his career creating ice skating experiences globally. Despite warm weather challenges, the rink remained a beloved local holiday tradition.
Airport Operations Extended — The City approved a three-year lease for JSX to operate flights from Santa Monica Airport until its 2028 closure. A resident lawsuit challenged the approval, citing environmental and noise concerns.
Major Beach Events Planned — City Council considered lease negotiations for large-scale beach and pier events involving ESPN, Anheuser-Busch, and Goldenvoice. The closed-session discussions suggested preparations for significant activations linked to upcoming global sports events.
Singer Killed at Home — Grammy-nominated singer Jubilant Sykes was found stabbed to death in his Santa Monica home. His son was arrested on suspicion of homicide in what officials considered an isolated incident.
Housing Project Controversy — Released emails revealed city staff and Mayor Torosis were aware of a proposed Ocean Avenue housing project earlier than previously stated. Torosis denied supporting it, but the revelation fueled transparency demands.
Pier Bridge Construction Begins — Construction started on a $35.5 million project to replace the 86-year-old Santa Monica Pier Bridge. The two-year project temporarily reduced parking capacity as crews utilized adjacent space for staging.
Olympic Events Partnership — Council authorized negotiations for five major entertainment events on the beach and pier through 2028, including a World Cup fan festival and annual music festival expected to boost the local economy.
Abuse Litigation Strategy — Santa Monica shifted strategy in Eric Uller sexual abuse litigation, moving to take "bellwether" cases to trial rather than settling. City officials cited concerns about potential fraud among new claims.
Conflict of Interest Ruling — The FPPC advised Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick must recuse himself from certain housing decisions due to his Housing Action Coalition employment. The commission found a conflict of interest.
Media Platform Redesign — The Santa Monica Daily Press launched a redesigned website to complement its growing digital newsletter. The update reflected adaptation to digital trends while maintaining independent local news coverage.
Restaurant Opening — Texas-style breakfast taco chain HomeState opened a Santa Monica location in mid-December. The restaurant, known for flour tortillas and brisket, planned a grand opening for January.
Coastal Development Changes — Malibu City Council unanimously voted to limit proposed Local Coastal Program amendments to only clarify beachfront property definitions, removing square footage restrictions after fire victims warned measures could devastate property values.
Wildfire Relief Distribution — Los Angeles County distributed $23.4 million in emergency relief funds to all 14,477 eligible applicants affected by January 2025 wildfires. The program provided grants to small businesses, nonprofits, and workers through public-private partnerships.
JSX Service Launches — JSX began 30-seat turboprop passenger service at Santa Monica Airport despite a resident lawsuit. The Dallas-based carrier operated at least six daily flights under a three-year lease approved in October.
Building Permit Reform — City Council unanimously approved a self-certification pilot program allowing businesses to obtain building permits in one day starting April 2026. Licensed architects could self-certify commercial tenant improvement projects comply with codes.