Negrete, Torosis Lead Santa Monica Council Race As Oelsen Holds Third

Newcomer Ashley Oelsen leads Doug Trussler by 1,398 votes, while four of Santa Monica's five ballot measures have majority support.

Real-Time Results: Santa Monica Midterm Election 2026

Ashley Oelsen leads Doug Trussler in the race for the third council seat, while three candidates lead the Rent Control Board contest.

Santa Monica Council Candidates Report Voting Problems On Election Day

Two Santa Monica council candidates report difficulties voting in person, echoing problems that surfaced during California's June primary.

Santa Monica Voter Guide: Everything You Need To Know

The stakes are high as voters prepare to decide local and statewide races, with candidates, ballot measures and polling places all in focus.

Giant Digital Billboard Advances On Historic Santa Monica Promenade Building

A 5-1 council vote advances the project despite concerns over historic preservation, housing potential and the removal of healthy trees.

Santa Monica Expands Rent Aid For Seniors, Advances $23.5M Housing Plan

Council expands rent aid for older residents and advances housing funding, but rejects a proposed worker protection ordinance.

Santa Monica To Count Homeless Monthly As RAND Questions Official Numbers

RAND researchers found significant gaps in LA homelessness counts. Now their methods are coming to Santa Monica.

Santa Monica's $77.5 Million Water Project Just Earned Some Major Recognition

An award-winning treatment system is helping Santa Monica produce more drinking water while reducing energy and chemical use.

Santa Monica Could Save 21 Million Gallons Of Water Under New Lawn Rules

Santa Monica could restrict watering decorative lawns at certain properties beginning in 2027, with rebates available to help owners.

Santa Monica's Airport Could Become A Spectacular New Park, But Who Pays For It?

New plans envision a sprawling park with nature trails, sports facilities and community spaces, but questions remain about how to fund it.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Danny Ivanov

Part 12 of 12: Patch speaks with Danny Ivanov as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Approves $700K License Plate Readers With Police Investigative Capabilities

The system will modernize parking enforcement while also providing data to the police department's Real-Time Crime Center.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Brett Morrow

Part 11 of 12: Patch speaks with Brett Morrow as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Wade Kelley

Part 10 of 12: Patch speaks with Wade Kelley as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Dead Pigeons Hang From Santa Monica Pier As City Weighs Netting Removal

Santa Monica acknowledged the damaged netting nearly a year ago, but has yet to set a date for its removal.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Eli Gill

Part 9 of 12: Patch speaks with Eli Gill as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Lindsay Davis

Part 8 of 12: Patch speaks with Lindsay Davis as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Doug Trussler

Part 7 of 12: Patch speaks with Caroline Torosis as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Voter Guide 2026: What's On The Ballot, Voting & More

From 12 City Council candidates and five local measures to voting locations and statewide propositions, here's your Santa Monica guide.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Caroline Torosis

Part 6 of 12: Patch speaks with Caroline Torosis as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Lana Negrete

Part 5 of 12: Patch speaks with Lana Negrete as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Ashley Oelsen

Part 4 of 12: Patch speaks with Ashley Oelsen as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Derrick Townsend

Part 3 of 12: Patch speaks with Derrick Townsend as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Ericka Lesley

Part 2 of 12: Patch speaks with Ericka Lesley as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica City Council Candidate Spotlight: Phil Brock

Part 1 of 12: Patch speaks with Phil Brock as candidates make their case for three Santa Monica City Council seats this November.

Santa Monica Settlements Extend Affordable Housing Protections On 5 Apartments

Settlements involving two apartment buildings extend affordability requirements and rent limits on five units for a combined six years.

Santa Monica Evacuation Capacity Study Remains Unfunded After Palisades Fire

Santa Monica knows how many people may need to evacuate, but a $150,000-plus study of whether its roads can handle them remains unfunded.

Santa Monica Upzones 89 Homes To Limit State Housing Law

The city increased development potential near Expo/Bundy in an effort to temporarily shield the wider area from SB 79 standards.

Prop-Plane Traffic, Complaints Surge At Santa Monica Airport

April propeller traffic rose 40 percent year over year as nearby residents push for relief from flight-school noise.

Santa Monica Coastal Carveout Is Dead, Zbur Says Developer 'Blindsided' Him: Report

The lawmaker told Patch the developer would be “crazy” to try reviving the Gehry-linked proposal after its defeat.

Santa Monica Airport Park Plans Draw Support, But Traffic And Parking Concerns Loom

More than 4,200 people participated in the city's latest survey as plans for the airport's future take shape.

Santa Monica Dems Back Goldsmith After Fiery State Senate Debate

Brian Goldsmith won the club's SD24 endorsement as members also backed four of five Santa Monica ballot measures.

SB 79 Explained: Why Santa Monica May Upzone 89 Homes To Delay Housing Law

A proposal affecting 89 single-family properties is part of Santa Monica's effort to retain control over where new housing density goes.

Santa Monica Sen. Ben Allen Picks Up Major Endorsement In Insurance Race

The San Francisco Chronicle editorial board has backed Allen in California's insurance commissioner race.

Santa Monica Returns To Rose Parade With Float That Residents Can Help Build

Mayor Caroline Torosis unveiled the design Thursday and invited residents to help decorate it before the parade.

Santa Monica To Remove Aging Coral Trees Along San Vicente Boulevard: Reports

An independent assessment found most of the trees are in poor health and pose a high risk of failure.

$6M Rent Aid Program Approved For Santa Monica Residents

The City Council on Tuesday approved funding for the new Santa Monica Renter Aid program.

Santa Monica Election Guide: What’s On The June 2 Ballot

As the 2026 election nears, here's what you need to know about what's on the ballot in Santa Monica.

Major Sports, Music Festivals Are Coming To Santa Monica

The Santa Monica City Council has paved the way for some major music and sporting events to be held in town over the next couple of years.

Santa Monica Economic Revitalization Strategy Launched

Santa Monica's City Council has approved an economic development package to attract private reinvestment and revitalize the local economy.