Damien Newton
352 POSTS
Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.
Exclusive articles:
City Touts Success of Realignment Plan on Safety, Infrastructure. Calls for Renewed Economic Focus
The Santa Monica City Council is touting measurable progress on public safety, city services, and fiscal stability as it shifts its focus toward long-term...
BBB Reminder: Service Changes on April 5th
From the Big Blue Bus:Beginning Sunday, April 5, new service improvements will take effect. These enhancements are part of our ongoing Brighter Blue service improvement plan,...
Santa Monica Airport Park Planning Gets Funding Boost
The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) announced its 2026 Measure A grant awards this week, including $499,149 for the...
Santa Monica Could Use This One Trick to Increase Density Near Transit Stops
New research and story maps from UCLA's Institute of Transportation Studies pose an interesting—and potentially useful—hypothetical question: how does California define the area of...
Westside Cities Advance Bus Lane Plan Ahead of 2028 Olympics
A coalition of Westside cities is moving forward with a plan to speed up bus service across some of the region’s most congested corridors,...
Latest
Letter: California Roadhouse Invites the City Council to the Negotiating Table.
Last month, the City of Santa Monica has terminated...
Santa Monica Reports Double-Digit Decline in Homelessness in 2026 Count, Plans More Frequent Surveys
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Santa Monica...
OPA Update 7/27/26: City Moves to Shutter SaMoShel, Details on City’s AI Enforcement of Illegal Bike Lane Parking, & Things To Do This Week
Snow Skiing in Ocean Park??? This SaMo History Museum Facebook...
Full Text from Mayor Caroline Torosis’ State of the City: A City that Works, Belongs and Welcomes
Last week, Mayor Caroline Torosis delivered the State of...

