For readers in Santa Monica, this page covers city council decisions, elections, public policy and civic life. Reporting follows the actions of local government and how they impact the area.
Santa Monica's City Council voted 5 to 0 to overturn a planning commission denial and designate the Craftsman-style home at 1921 20th Street.
Live Poll
Should cities prioritize preserving old buildings over building new housing?
Early returns show Lana Negrete and Caroline Torosis ahead in a twelve-candidate field for three seats on the Santa Monica City Council.
Live Poll
Do you trust local ballot drop boxes to make voting easy and error-free in your area?
An official Los Angeles County ballot drop box at a Santa Monica branch library has drawn questions from voters about possible mix-ups with a nearby book return.
Live Poll
Would you support a $495 yearly parcel tax to fund local schools?
Measure ES, a $495-a-year tax to replace City school funding, is losing as ballots are counted in the November 2026 election.
Live Poll
Should campus police be required to obtain public approval before using military-style equipment?
The Board of Trustees held a hearing and vote to renew the college police department's military equipment policy.
Regular subjects here include city council sessions, local election results, public policy implementation and civic engagement initiatives. Reporting reaches across the city and the communities around it. Decisions regarding public land use and municipal budgets are defining features of the political landscape in Santa Monica. Zoning and housing policy updates are the recurring themes that most frequently influence local civic debate.
