Malibu PCH Safety Funding — Malibu City Council approved $1.6 million for Pacific Coast Highway safety upgrades. The funding supported speed detection technology and infrastructure to slow traffic, responding to hazardous conditions and recent tragedies on the coastal road.
Los Angeles "Rattiest City" Ranking — Los Angeles topped a national "Rattiest City" list. Pest control experts warned of structural damage and disease risks, advising residents to seal gaps and reduce clutter to prevent rodent infestations.
SMC Holiday Food Drive — Santa Monica College Foundation hosted its 9th annual holiday event, providing free groceries to 2,400 students facing food insecurity. The initiative grew from a small backyard dinner to a massive campus distribution effort.
Ukraine Convoy Mission — Recent Santa Monica High graduate Brody Wilkes drove 1,300 miles to deliver a vehicle to Ukrainian forces. Moved by the soldiers' spirit, he planned to organize another convoy mission to support the war effort.
Día de los Muertos Exhibition — Students from six area schools created altars at Santa Monica History Museum for a Día de los Muertos exhibition. The collaborative event honored the deceased while building cultural bridges among local youth.
Veterans Day Ceremony — Santa Monica held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on the Pier, featuring a Chinook helicopter flyover and military performances. The event honored veterans and recognized first responders involved in the Palisades Fire recovery.
County Sustainability Plan — Los Angeles County adopted the 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan. The comprehensive initiative targeted accessible streets, clean air, affordable housing, and a shift toward renewable energy to combat climate change.
SMC Science Building Opens — Santa Monica College opened a new LEED Gold-certified Mathematics + Science Building. The facility united four departments under one roof and featured a planetarium with a high-tech telescope, transforming undergraduate science education.
GO Campaign Launch — Santa Monica nonprofit GO Campaign launched its #35toThrive initiative to fund grassroots projects for vulnerable children globally. The campaign supported education and safety, leveraging a "Local Hero" model to empower community leaders.
Malibu Senior Center Decision Deferred — Malibu City Council deferred a decision to designate a room exclusively for seniors, voting instead to study programming expansion over 90 days. The council opted for further review despite proponents' arguments.
Magic for Charity Show — Two young Magic Castle headliners, Aidan Corcoran and Jacob Martinez, organized a charity show at Illusions Magic Lounge. Ticket proceeds from the event benefited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to fight childhood cancer.
Waymo Operations Halted — Santa Monica ordered Waymo to stop overnight charging operations at two facilities following noise complaints. Residents reported sleep disturbances from beeping vehicles and light pollution, prompting the city to declare the operations a nuisance.
Nutcracker Ballet Returns — Westside Ballet returned to the Broad Stage for its 52nd Nutcracker season. The production featured New York City Ballet principals and student dancers, blending Balanchine traditions with new visual elements.
Housing Legislation Update — The Rent Control Board received an update on state housing laws, which included a controversial error regarding appliance requirements. The update noted that major tenant protection bills stalled, though some eviction protections passed.
Side Hustles in California — Research indicated California ranked second nationally for side hustle interest due to the high cost of living. With housing costs far above the national average, many residents sought supplemental income.
Improv Documentary Released — A new documentary, "Homegirls in Outer Space," chronicled the journey of two Black women in L.A.'s improv comedy scene. The film followed their audition for a residency at the Westside Comedy Theater.
Paliskates Reopening — The beloved skate shop Paliskates reopened in Brentwood after being displaced by fire. While the community welcomed the return, the owner and patrons expressed longing for the original Palisades location.
Route 66 Song Contest Launched — Santa Monica launched a song contest for the Route 66 Centennial. Musicians from ten countries were invited to compete for a $10,000 prize by creating original music celebrating the highway's 100th anniversary.
Illegal Gambling Sentencing — A Santa Monica man was sentenced to 21 months in prison for running an illegal sports betting operation. He admitted to tax evasion and money laundering involving millions of dollars in wagers.
Conflict of Interest Allegations — Historic preservation votes sparked conflict-of-interest accusations against Councilmember Jesse Zwick due to his employment with a pro-housing group. Zwick denied a conflict, but residents demanded his recusal or resignation.
Digital Billboard District Proposal — Planning commissioners reviewed a proposal for a digital billboard district on Third Street Promenade. The plan for 16 displays aimed to generate revenue but faced opposition regarding historic preservation.
Hit-and-Run Arrest — A suspect in a fatal Santa Monica hit-and-run was arrested in Chicago. The crash killed two people leaving a restaurant; the suspect fled the state but was apprehended by investigators.
Councilmember Email Controversy — A released email suggested Councilmember Torosis was involved in a controversial mental health housing project earlier than admitted. Torosis denied involvement, despite the email linking her to funding discussions.
Restaurant Turnovers — Santa Monica's dining landscape shifted with closures like Blue Plate Oysterette and openings like HomeState. High costs and lease issues drove turnover, though new concepts continued to arrive in the city.
Ebony Beach Club Settlement — The city settled with the family of Silas White for $350,000 over the historic seizure of the Ebony Beach Club. The settlement included renaming a street and a library exhibit to honor White's legacy.
Housing Podcast Launch — The Daily Press launched "A Developing Story," a narrative podcast hosted by filmmaker Brian Peter Falk exploring Santa Monica's housing debate. The series examined zoning battles, displacement, and development history.
DUI Wrongful Death Lawsuit — Parents of a teen killed by an alleged drunk driver filed a $200 million lawsuit against the driver. They aimed to push for stricter DUI laws and accountability following the tragedy.
State Farm Investigation — L.A. County investigated State Farm's handling of wildfire claims after complaints of delays and denials. Officials demanded the insurer honor policies for residents rebuilding after the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Hit-and-Run Accomplice Charged — A woman was charged with aiding the suspect in a fatal Santa Monica hit-and-run to flee to Chicago. She was arrested shortly after the primary suspect was captured by authorities.
School District Split Vote — Votes were scheduled for December on agreements to separate the Santa Monica and Malibu school districts. This marked a major milestone in the decade-long effort to create independent educational entities.
Bankruptcy Filings — Two Santa Monica businesses filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November. The filings allowed them to reorganize debt while remaining open, reflecting ongoing economic headwinds for local commerce.
Giant Puppet Workshop — A giant puppet workshop at the Church in Ocean Park taught locals to create massive figures for parades and protests. The event fostered community creativity and civic expression through art.
Truly Pizza Expansion — Truly Pizza announced it would open a new location in Venice, expanding into Los Angeles. The pizzeria was known for its artisan pies and community atmosphere.
Baywatch Returns — Fox confirmed "Baywatch" would return for the 2026-27 season, filming on Southern California beaches. The reboot secured a state tax credit, promising to create local jobs and boost the entertainment economy.
Airport Operations Lawsuit — Residents filed a lawsuit against Santa Monica over the approval of a commercial permit for JSX Air at the airport. They alleged the city violated environmental quality acts by bypassing necessary reviews.
Downtown Police Substation Opening — Santa Monica announced a new police substation at Santa Monica Place as part of the city's Realignment Plan. The facility would serve as a command center and community hub, with enhanced patrols addressing crime and disorder.
Malibu Fire Hazard Designation — Malibu City Council unanimously designated the entire city as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The designation allowed stricter fire regulations but sparked debate over impending state vegetation rules requiring tree elimination.
Downbeat 720 Returns — The teen open mic program Downbeat 720 returned to Miles Memorial Playhouse for its 24th year. The free monthly event welcomed high school students to perform poetry, music, comedy and dance.
Deputy City Manager Takes Malibu Post — Christopher J. Smith, Santa Monica's deputy city manager for 14 years, was appointed interim assistant city manager in Malibu. The move came as Malibu struggled with leadership stability.
Storm Brings Heavy Rain — A powerful storm system hit Los Angeles Thursday night through the weekend, bringing 1-2 inches of rain to most areas. The National Weather Service issued warnings for burn scar areas vulnerable to flooding.
Volunteer Coat Drive — A volunteer-run winter coat drive in its fourth year aimed to collect 1,000 coats for Santa Monica College students. Organizers held their main collection event before SMC's Giving Thanks(giving) event.
LA28 Olympic Schedule Revealed — The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles would run July 14-30, featuring 51 sports across 49 venues. Day 1 would feature the most women's finals ever in a single day.
Malibu Streamlines Fee Waiver Process — Malibu City Council approved delegating facility fee waiver authority to the city manager for amounts up to $10,000 for new events. The change addressed a dramatic increase in fee waivers.
Malibu Strategic Plan Approved — Malibu City Council unanimously approved a 2025-2028 Strategic Plan addressing recovery from devastating wildfires that destroyed $1.6 billion in property. The plan outlined seven major goals and 27 projects.
Gott's Roadside Coming to Santa Monica — Napa Valley-based restaurant chain Gott's Roadside would open a Santa Monica location in summer 2026 at 401 Wilshire Boulevard. The 6,600-square-foot restaurant marked the family-owned business's first expansion outside the Bay Area.
Record November Rainfall — Southern California received 2-13 inches of rain from Thursday through Monday, breaking decades-old records and marking the wettest November in 40 years. Downtown LA recorded 2.8 inches, surpassing a 1952 record.
Mayor Seeks Extended Mortgage Relief — Mayor Karen Bass called for banks to extend mortgage payment relief for wildfire survivors from one year to four years total. Under the proposal, deferred payments would be added to existing mortgages without penalties.
Council Upholds Historic Status — The City Council upheld the historic "Structure of Merit" designation for a 1923 Craftsman bungalow at 1125 18th Street, denying property owner H. Joseph Naim's appeal. The controversial designation denied demolition plans.
California Roadhouse to Replace Rusty's — The California Roadhouse, a new restaurant from Santa Monica native Sean Ahaus, would replace the recently closed Rusty's Surf Ranch. Opening ahead of Route 66's 100th anniversary, the venue would feature live entertainment.
Waymo Faces Operations Deadline — Santa Monica ordered Waymo to cease overnight operations at two Broadway charging facilities by November 26, threatening litigation for public nuisance violations. Residents filed 40+ complaints about excessive noise and light pollution.
Holiday Events Begin — Santa Monica's holiday celebrations began December 4 with the official tree lighting on Third Street Promenade. Additional events included the 33rd Annual Candy Cane Drive and the return of the nativity scene tradition.
SMPD Holiday Safety Tips — Santa Monica Police Department increased patrols during the holiday season while advising residents on theft prevention. Police warned against pickpockets and recommended securing vehicles and packages. The department received a $285,000 grant.
Malibu Approves PCH Safety Project — Malibu City Council voted 3-1 to approve Caltrans' comprehensive Pacific Coast Highway safety improvements. The state-funded project included 19 new guardrails, 22 upgraded curb ramps, 6,956 feet of sidewalks, and 9.7 miles of bike lanes.