Four stories you might have missed over the holidays: Waymo sues the city. The city sues Waymo. FAA says city mis-ued $17 million in airport funds. SMPD makes 22 arrest in pre-holiday traffic sting. santamonicanext.org/2026/01/4-ne...

Parking generates about $51.4 million annually, according to budget projections. 36.1 million supports the General Fund, while $15.3 million goes to the Beach and Pier Funds. City officials say the new rates could generate up to $9 million more per year. santamonicanext.org/2026/01/remi...

UCLA Study Finds Metro Transit Ambassador Program Is Benefitting Metro Riders santamonicanext.org/2026/01/ucla...

Brief tip for bringing your bike on Metro trains: look for the yellow sticker with the bike symbol - enter the train via that door. #bikela

Catch the only volume for the fall-winter 2025 The Swish, and the last issue by Dr. Drew as he retires from leading the Y's youth basketball league. santamonicanext.org/2026/01/the-...

As we return "back to normal" we welcome back the OPA Newsletter with its first stack of headlines and events for 2026. santamonicanext.org/2026/01/opa-...

Via Streetsblog - Monthly good news from across the country in 2025. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/stre...

OPA Newsletter : One last stack of local headlines and upcoming events from the Ocean Park Association before 2026. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/opa-...

This goes for Next too. Enjoy some Streetsblog this week!

Don't forget both our EOY fundraising drive AND our AMA. Donate below. Email questions for Damien to [email protected] for our first podcast of 2026. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/dont...

Don't Forget Our EOY Fundraising Drive, or the AMA Podcast with Me! santamonicanext.org/2025/12/dont...

Opinion: If illegal e-motorcycles are the downfall of legitimate e-bikes, manufacturers and retailers should look themselves in the eye, not blame it on their customers. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/scof...

A Sparkling West Coast Tradition, the 90-Foot-Tall Greetings Shine Bright with 174,000 LED Lights to Ring in the New Year santamonicanext.org/2025/12/paci...

"While state regulators emphasized they did not find Zwick acted improperly or broke the law in the past, the advisory opinion applies prospectively and could sideline Zwick on key local issues." santamonicanext.org/2025/12/stat...

It's the last newsletter from OPA this year that will appear on Next, and there's A LOT going on. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/opa-...

Hmmmmm....

Matute New State Law Brings Safer Streets Within Reach for SaMo "<SMPD> has reduced traffic enforcement in recent years. However, after a leadership change in recent months, the interim police chief has made traffic enforcement a priority. " santamonicanext.org/2025/12/new-...

“The Emergency Rent Relief Program is open, and we encourage community members impacted by the fires or federal immigration actions to apply,” Horvath said in a statement. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/appl...

Sheila: Well, yeah, as they say, you can't make this stuff up.  Unfortunately, as we know, these descriptions of the resumes of the most hapless, unqualified presidential appointments in history were actually correct. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/kool...

Via @usa.streetsblog.org : Study: More Protected Bike Lanes = More Micromobility Users santamonicanext.org/2025/12/stud...

Big news! Big event stack! santamonicanext.org/2025/12/opa-...

Downtown Santa Monica will soon host a bold new wave of illuminating signage that is sure to alter the downtown fabric. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/coun...

Santa Monica PAL Celebrates the Spirit of the Season with Two Heartwarming Holiday Events Target’s Heroes & Helpers and PAL’s Annual Holiday Workshop Deliver Joy, Gifts, and Community Connection santamonicanext.org/2025/12/sant...

This holiday season, the Santa Monica Pier will sparkle with festive cheer, creative spirit, and community joy as “Holiday Cheer on the Pier” returns for a final magical evening on Thursday—offering free, all-ages programming filled with wonder by the waves. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/holi...

When faced with the option to hamstring the city by tying it to LA 2028, the previous city council made the right call by saying no to beach volleyball....when it comes to finding ways to capitalize on the Games and World Cup, SaMo is ready. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/new-...

JAMS Student Recognized with ACSA Region 14 Every Student Succeeding Award “This recognition means a lot to me. It means that my years of hard work have finally paid off,” said Lee. Lee was honored during a ceremony held Dec. 2 at El Camino College. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/john...

Pier Bridge Replacement Project Construction Begins santamonicanext.org/2025/12/pier...

CA Approves $1.1 Billion in Transportation Grants, Including Zero-Emission Transit santamonicanext.org/2025/12/ca-a...

Do you want to build a...or at least look at a really big...snowman? santamonicanext.org/2025/12/paci...

In Orwell's classic novel, 1984 (which was far in the future when he wrote it in 1949), the government is strictly controlled by a dictator who calls himself Big Brother. This despot has created and maintains an omnipresent and threatening presence... santamonicanext.org/2025/12/kool...

SMC Also Maintained No. 1 Spot for African American & Latinx UC Transfers, and Top Spot in Transfers to USC & Loyola Marymount University; Still Leading Transfer College to Columbia University, Outside of New York santamonicanext.org/2025/12/sant...

Interested in a tour? Please RSVP to reserve your spot on one of the available tours. Closed-toe shoes are required to participate. Each tour caps at 15 people per tour and the tour will take approximately 45 minutes. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/metr...

Office-to-residential conversion in the works at 2700 Main St. in Santa Ana https://la.urbanize.city/post/office-residential-conversion-works-2700-main-st-santa-ana

Torosis promises progress, transparency, accountability, and to stand up for Santa Monica's values in first speech as mayor. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/caro...

What Is an E-Bike, and What’s an Unlicensed Motorcycle: A Parents’ Guide - by Carter Rubin santamonicanext.org/2025/12/what...

Residents aged 21+ who are familiar with the Entertainment Zone are encouraged to take part. The confidential survey should take about 5–7 minutes to complete and will help city planners and community stakeholders better understand the impact of the zone. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/city...

SMPD: Holiday Safety Tips: Keeping the Season Merry, Bright, and Safe NOW WITH PUNS. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/smpd...

Announcing All the Parking Rate Increases Coming Next Year santamonicanext.org/2025/12/anno...

The list of events gets longer as we get closer to the end of the year. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/opa-...

Sheila: "Not everyone was aware that the military are not to be used to control, arrest, or attack civilians on our own land, not even in aid of local law enforcement.  Now, we are." santamonicanext.org/2025/12/kool...

City Offers Energy Efficient Appliances to Income-Qualified Renters. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/city...

California has set a very attainable target: reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries by 30% by 2035. Given the 3,807 traffic deaths recorded last year, one could call this goal Vision 2665. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/cali...

City's Annual Landlord/Tenant Forum to be held Dec. 10, Spanish Seminar Tonight! (12/4) santamonicanext.org/2025/12/city...

Santa Monica College Presents the SMC Voice Showcase Dec. 18 Evening Concert Features Singers from Many Genres santamonicanext.org/2025/12/sant...

Us!

OPA Newsletter: Plenty of Merriment this weekend and the rest of the month. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/opa-...

The pig is out! That means it's time for our End of the Year fundraising drive. Keep Next strong for 2026. tinyurl.com/smn-2025-eoy

City Says JSX Lease Doesn't Change Cities Long-Term Plans for Airport Park santamonicanext.org/2025/12/city...

SMMUSD Board Unanimously Approves Agreements to Split Into Santa Monica and Malibu School Districts santamonicanext.org/2025/12/smmu...

This holiday season, the Santa Monica Pier will sparkle with festive cheer, creative spirit, and community joy as “Holiday Cheer on the Pier” returns for three magical Thursdays—December 4, 11, and 18—offering free programming filled with wonder by the waves. santamonicanext.org/2025/12/holi...