Edition 90402

Santa Monica

19 published main stories.

Jun 26, 2026

Employee Shot During Armed Robbery at Smoke World on Lincoln Boulevard

An employee at Smoke World on Lincoln Boulevard was shot in the leg during an armed robbery Wednesday morning, with Santa Monica police arriving around 8 a.m. and an officer applying a tourniquet before the victim was transported to a local hospital.

Zoom in: Two suspects fled the scene southbound in a dark gray Dodge Charger; as of Thursday's reporting, no arrests had been announced.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 24 · Forward

Jun 26, 2026

Newsom Trailer Bill Would Strip Coastal Commission Oversight From Santa Monica's Entire Coastal Zone

Areported Governor Newsom trailer bill would exempt all multi-unit housing in Santa Monica's coastal zone from California Coastal Act review until the city completes its certified Local Coastal Program — a move that sent officials and advocates into emergency-response mode on Wednesday.

Why it matters: Susan Jordan of the California Coastal Protection Network issued an urgent appeal after learning the language was confirmed to exist inside the Governor's office. Assemblymember Rick Zbur, whose district includes Santa Monica, said he had no advance knowledge and was "adamantly opposed," but noted the proposal may never formally advance as legislation.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 24 · Forward

Jun 26, 2026

Ousted LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley Sues Mayor Karen Bass for Defamation

Ousted Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley — removed from the role in February 2025 amid the post-Palisades Fire fallout — filed a defamation lawsuit today against Mayor Karen Bass, alleging Bass repeatedly mischaracterized Crowley's emergency response to the January 7, 2025 Palisades Fire in order to shield herself from political fallout during her reelection campaign.

The hook: The lawsuit lands as a second front in the post-fire accountability battle — and comes the same week a jury deadlocked in the federal arson case connected to the same disaster that destroyed nearly 6,800 structures next door to Santa Monica.

Westside Today, Jun 26 · Forward

Jun 26, 2026

Palisades Fire Arson Trial Jury Deadlocked; Deliberations Resume Today

YRS MAX
SENTENCE

After two days of deliberations in federal court, the jury in the arson trial of Jonathan Rinderknecht — accused of setting the Lachman Fire that prosecutors say became the deadly Palisades Fire — told U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang on Thursday that it could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the three charges.

What's next: Judge Hwang ordered jurors to return this morning to continue deliberating; if the deadlock holds, a hung jury and potential mistrial awaits the case that many Westside residents have followed since January 2025.

Westside Current, Jun 25 · Forward

Jun 26, 2026

Rent Control Board Weighs New Threshold to Block Eviction for Unpaid Rent

The Santa Monica Rent Control Board held a public hearing Thursday on a proposed charter amendment that would bar landlords from pursuing eviction for nonpayment unless the amount owed exceeds 150% of HUD fair market rent for an equivalent unit — a threshold that could shield tenants who are months behind but owe less than that benchmark from losing their homes.

A November 2026 ballot measure is possible if the Board advances the language.

Why it matters: Under current rules, a landlord can pursue eviction for any amount of unpaid rent; the proposed change would meaningfully raise the bar — and the hearing is one step in a months-long process that could put multiple amendments before voters this fall.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 25 · Forward

Jun 26, 2026

100,000 Attendees, 40% More Foot Traffic — and the Watch Parties Aren't Over Yet

100K

Attendees
Since Kickoff

+40%

Promenade
Foot Traffic

The City of Santa Monica reported hosting 20-plus World Cup events with over 100,000 total attendees since the tournament opened, along with a 40% jump in Third Street Promenade foot traffic and a 40% rise in downtown and beach parking revenues.

Worth knowing: Free watch parties continue today (Norway v. France at noon, Uruguay v. Spain at 5 p.m., New Zealand v. Belgium at 8 p.m.) and Saturday June 27 brings a "Golden Hour" event with live DJs and the Colombia v. Portugal and Jordan v. Argentina matches.

Santa Monica City News, Jun 24 · Forward

Jun 19, 2026

Raisin Heir Charged With Felony Hate Crimes for Threats to Pacific Palisades Rabbi

Bruce Lion, 64, heir to the Fresno-based Lion Raisins company, was charged Thursday by the LA County District Attorney with three felony hate crimes — two counts of criminal threats and one count of violating civil rights — for allegedly threatening to kill Rabbi Zushe Cunin of the Chabad of Pacific Palisades on June 5.

Zoom in: Lion allegedly made the threats while Cunin led Sabbath prayers at his home next door to Lion's newly purchased $5.3 million mansion, and allegedly accused "Jews" of burning down Pacific Palisades — he is currently held on $225,000 bail and faces more than nine years in prison.

KTLA, Jun 18 · Forward

Jun 19, 2026

Santa Monica's Seline Wins Best Chef California at the James Beard Awards

Chef Dave Beran of Seline — the tasting-menu restaurant at 3110 Main Street that opened in December 2024 — took home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: California on June 16, one of the most prestigious honors in American food.

Worth knowing: Beran won a previous Beard Award (Best Chef: Great Lakes) for NEXT in Chicago in 2014 before relocating to open Seline — so if you haven't snagged a reservation yet, expect the waitlist to get considerably longer.

Westside Today, Jun 16 · Forward

Jun 19, 2026

Council Votes Tuesday on a Record $908.8M City Budget

The Santa Monica City Council votes Tuesday, June 23 on a $908.8 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026–27 — the city's largest-ever proposed budget — covering 2,287.6 full-time equivalent positions and prepared by Finance Director Oscar Santiago under City Manager Oliver Chi.

Why it matters: The budget is timed around a historic run of global events — FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl, and LA28 Olympics — and city officials say it locks in the structural balance achieved under the October 2025 Realignment Plan, which they credit with a 12.5% drop in serious crime and the first fully staffed police department in over 20 years.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 23 · Forward

Jun 19, 2026

SMPD Seeks Help Finding 83-Year-Old Woman Missing From Santa Monica Place

The Santa Monica Police Department is searching for Chung Cho, 83, who went missing from Santa Monica Place Mall on June 17 at approximately 8 p.m.

Zoom in: Cho is described as 5'1", 120 pounds, and was last seen wearing a pink hooded jacket and pink pants — if you see her, contact SMPD immediately.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 18 · Forward

Jun 19, 2026

Two Drowning Deaths as King Tides Batter Santa Monica's Shore

The National Weather Service issued coastal flood and high surf warnings stretching from Northern California through Malibu after two drowning fatalities over the weekend, with June king tides sending waves across beach parking lots and creating dangerous rip currents along the Santa Monica shoreline.

Why it matters: NWS warnings for LA County beaches continue to flag rip currents and 3-to-6-foot breaking waves — conditions that can catch even experienced swimmers off guard, particularly during peak summer beach traffic starting this weekend.

Santa Monica Mirror, Jun 17 · Forward

Jun 19, 2026

Rideshare Liability Measure Heads to the November Ballot — Uber and Lyft on Notice

A ballot measure that would expand liability for rideshare companies including Uber and Lyft has qualified for the November 2026 statewide ballot, setting up a major fight between trial lawyers and the gig-economy giants.

What's next: Expect a well-funded campaign from both sides before November — and if it passes, riders and drivers across California could see changes to how injury claims and insurance obligations are handled.

Westside Current, Jun 18 · Forward

Jun 16, 2026

Controversial Coastal Development Bill Returns — With a Much Smaller Bite

AB 1740 — the bill that would have stripped the California Coastal Commission of oversight authority over Santa Monica's coastal zone for up to a decade — has returned to the Legislature with significant amendments that radically narrow its scope, according to a report published this morning.

What changed: Under the amended bill, if Santa Monica submits a complete Local Coastal Program (LCP) to the Coastal Commission by Dec. 31, 2027, the Commission must act within six months — and failure to comply would trigger financial penalties and quarterly reporting to the Legislature; the city would also receive priority consideration for Active Transportation Program funding.

Why it matters: The original bill ignited months of local fury — the city secretly co-sponsored it without a public council vote, Councilmember Dan Hall flew to Sacramento on Earth Day to testify in its favor, and Mayor Torosis briefed the North of Montana Association on the bill in a meeting residents say omitted key development provisions; the narrowed version replaces a sweeping override with an accountability mechanism, a meaningfully different proposition.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 16 · Forward

Jun 16, 2026

County Supervisors Move to Build a Unified Homelessness Prevention Referral System

The LA County Board of Supervisors considered a motion — introduced by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath — to create a public homelessness prevention resource page and a coordinated referral system connecting at-risk residents with housing assistance before they lose their homes.

Why it matters: The proposal specifically addresses fire survivors still in temporary housing after the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires — a population that remains at acute risk of housing loss as insurance claims, rebuild timelines, and rental markets continue to strain household finances.

Westside Current, Jun 16 · Forward

Jun 16, 2026

Free Concerts Across Santa Monica for Make Music Day — This Sunday

Santa Monica will host five free outdoor concerts for Make Music Day on June 21, with the central activation running 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Station — the city is launching its own standalone chapter this year rather than folding into the broader Los Angeles program.

Zoom in: Additional stages at Reed Park, Palisades Park, Colorado Center Park, and Beach South Lot 1 round out the day; the Metro station show will feature what organizers describe as the first live music performances on the Metro platform, plus jam sessions and interactive workshops — all free, all ages, no tickets.

Westside Current, Jun 21 · Forward

Jun 16, 2026

County Supervisors Order Coordinated Approach to Post-Fire Vegetation Hazards in the Santa Monica Mountains

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion directing county departments to develop a coordinated strategy for managing hazardous overgrown vegetation on fire-damaged properties in both Altadena and the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains, following last January's Eaton and Palisades fires.

Worth knowing: The county's approach emphasizes voluntary compliance, community outreach, and education before any enforcement action — meaning property owners in fire-affected mountain corridors should expect outreach from county departments before any penalties apply.

Santa Monica Daily Press, Jun 16 · Forward

Jun 16, 2026

Airport Affordable Housing Ballot Push Misses 2026 Deadline — Now Eyes 2028

7,038

SIGNATURES NEEDED

The campaign to put an affordable housing initiative on the November 2026 ballot for the 192-acre Santa Monica Airport site has failed to gather the 7,038 required signatures by the mid-June deadline, with proponents now targeting August 12 to qualify for the November 2028 ballot instead.

Worth knowing: The initiative would reserve roughly 25% of the airport site for income-restricted housing while keeping 75% as parkland; Unite Here Local 11 spokesperson Rachele Smith confirmed the shift in timeline, saying community volunteers are continuing to gather signatures.

LAist, Jun 16 · Forward

Jun 16, 2026

SMPD Made 98 Arrests in One Week — Arrests Are Up 72% Year-Over-Year

The Santa Monica Police Department made 98 arrests during the week of May 31–June 6, responding to 2,652 calls for service, with officers self-initiating more than half of all contacts — part of an expanded enforcement posture the department has tied to FIFA World Cup 2026 activations bringing large crowds to the city.

The hook: Year-to-date 2,281 arrests represent a 71.8% jump versus the same period last year, a figure the department reported directly to City Council in its weekly briefing.

Westside Current, Jun 16 · Forward

Jun 14, 2026

MC Launches California's First Community-College Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate

Santa Monica College and Oakland-based nonprofit Merritt Community Capital Corporation have jointly launched an Affordable Housing Property Management Certificate of Achievement — the first for-credit program of its kind at any California community college.

Why it matters: The certificate, developed through Merritt's RAMP (Resident and Asset Management Pipeline) initiative, is designed to address workforce shortages in affordable housing management by creating a direct pipeline into entry-level roles in the sector.

What's next: The full certificate program launches in fall 2026 at SMC's main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., with summer 2026 courses already available for enrollment now.

Santa Monica Mirror, Jun 14 · Forward