Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Santa Monica public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
6 topics in parks rec
Great Park grants
Juneteenth / inclusion
Electronic billboards and trees
CIP budget — parks priorities
Urban Forest Task Force (11A)
Mental Health Awareness Month
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Santa Monica from local and regional media.
Negrete, Torosis lead Santa Monica council race; environmentalist Oelsen holds third in early returns
Editor's Note: Visit www.smdp.com/election for realtime updates. Councilmember Lana Negrete and Mayor Caroline Torosis led the race for three Santa Monica City Council seats in early returns Tuesday night. First-time candidate Ashley Oelsen held the third spot. Negrete had 9,728 votes (16.31%) and
Nov 4, 2026Justin Hartley films 'Tracker' at Santa Monica's Bayside Hotel
Justin Hartley, star of the CBS drama "Tracker," was spotted at the Bayside Hotel Tuesday afternoon, shooting a scene for the show's fourth season. The Bayside Hotel, a two-story, motel-style property, is located across the street from Cha Cha Chicken at 2001 Ocean Ave. The star shot
Nov 4, 2026Early Santa Monica election returns reveal frontrunners in tight council and measure votes - Santa Monica Mirror
Opening counts outline emerging leads in competitive local races and five citywide ballot questions. By Carlos Reyes. Early vote tallies released Early Santa Monica election results reveal emerging leads in city council contests, education boards, and five key local ballot measures.
Nov 4, 2026Negrete, Torosis, Oelsen lead Santa Monica council race; Raman edges Bass in LA mayor's race
Two incumbents and a challenger are likely to win the race for Santa Monica City Council with Councilwoman Lana Negrete, Mayor Caroline Torosis and Ashley Oelsen holding the top three spots through several overnight tally updates according to semi-official results from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Nov 4, 2026Negrete, Torosis and Oelsen Appear Poised to Advance to Santa Monica City Council; Voters Reject Measure ES
Early returns from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk show leading positions for three City Council candidates, clear frontrunners for the Rent Control Board, and Measure ES trailing, based on semi-final results posted at results....
Nov 4, 2026In early returns, a split-decision in Santa Monica Council races
The Santa Monica City Council race had largely been shaped as a showdown between two incumbents from opposite sides of the Democratic party. On one side, you had progressive mayor Caroline Torosis, on the other more moderate former-mayor Lana Negrete...
Nov 4, 2026Clean Sweep For the Left in California Ballot Measures. Becerra 18% Points Over Hilton. Ben Allen 48%, Jane Kim 52%
Updated California 2026 election results (as of roughly 6:30 a.m. PST on November 4, 2026). []( ) These figures come from the California Secretary of State’s unofficial tallies (23,837 of 23,860 precincts partially reporting, or about 99.9%) and cons...
Nov 4, 2026Early Results Shows a Clean Sweep For the Left in California Ballot Measures. Becerra 18% Points Over Hilton
Statewide, Democrats are ahead in most executive offices, while voters are supporting several housing- and education-related measures and rejecting others on voter ID, a billionaire wealth tax, and public campaign financing. These figures come from t...
Nov 3, 2026Santa Monica tightens construction rules, requires early tenant notice
Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved building code updates requiring landlords to notify tenants before construction permits and restricting after-hours work to specific activities.
Nov 3, 2026This seat belongs to the community By Ericka Lesley, candidate for Santa Monica City Council
You took twenty years to save for that house. Or you have held onto a rent-controlled unit through three landlords because it is the only reason your family is still in Santa Monica. Either way, you were here first, and you are not sure anyone at Cit...
Nov 3, 2026CA, LA County Assure Voters Election Is Secure Despite Trump Admin Challenge
California and Los Angeles County officials reassure voters that Tuesday's midterm election is secure, as the Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to set aside roughly 20,000 mail ballots. Voting locations and ballot drop boxes are available across LA County.
Nov 3, 2026PSA: All BBB Rides Are Free Today (Election Day)
Big Blue Bus (BBB) is making it easier for community members to get to the polls by offering FREE rides system-wide on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for General Election Day. As part of its commitment to connecting riders to essential destinations, Big ...
Nov 3, 2026