Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Santa Monica public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
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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 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, 2026To The Polls
(Next can’t endorse candidates as part of a federally recognized 501c(3) public charity, but we can ballot measures. Vote Yes on ES! And if you haven’t voted yet, the city provides information on where to find drop boxes and voting locations. At this...
Nov 3, 2026Westside Voters Weigh Urban Planning and Incumbency in First Post-Wildfire Mayoral Race - Santa Monica Mirror
As Pacific Palisades rebuilds in the wake of devastating wildfires, voters across coastal Westside communities—from Ocean Park to the bluffs—are scrutinizing city leadership ahead of the upcoming mayoral electi...
Nov 3, 2026Santa Monica's election descends into incivility—here's what's happening
Santa Monica's city council election faces unprecedented incivility with online harassment, false allegations, and smear campaigns targeting female candidates like Mayor Torosis and Ashley Oelsen.
Nov 2, 2026Twenty Locally Owned Businesses Receive the City’s First Small Business Microgrants
Every week, Next republishes a piece by City Manager Oliver Chi from his newsletter. Thanks to the funding support provided by the City Council, we’re excited to share that our Economic Development team recently announced the first recipients of the ...
Nov 2, 2026Federal judge bars prosecution threats against California election workers as UCLA researchers challenge disputed voter list - Santa Monica Mirror
UCLA Voting Rights Project filing reveals 42% of names targeted by Justice Department do not exist on state voter rolls. By Carlos Reyes. Federal Following a federal court injunction, research from the UCLA Voting Rights Project revealed that 42% of names on a federal voter list are nonexistent.
Nov 2, 2026