Damien Newton
321 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.
Hayden AI to Deploy on Parking Enforcement Vehicles for the First Time (Not Just Buses)
(Image: Santa Monica “yellow flag” bike lane violation (cars parked partially encroaching into bike lane) spotted by AI camera. Image via City of Santa...
Registration Open for CalBike Summit April 22-24
Registration is now open for the 2026 California Bicycle Summit, inviting bike advocates, planners, policymakers, and community leaders to Sacramento on April 22–24. You...
New Building Permits Will Streamline Business Openings, Aims to Boost growth
Santa Monica officials have approved a new pilot program aimed at dramatically speeding up the permitting process for commercial tenant improvements, part of the...
First Look at the First Draft of Newsom’s Budget for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year
On Friday, January 9, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his 2026–27 proposed state budget, presenting a balanced fiscal plan that aims to strengthen California’s financial...
Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights Tests the Waters on Housing Ballot Measure for Airport Land
Over the weekend, rumors swirled that leadership at Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) is preparing language for a citizen-led ballot initiative for the...
Latest
City Seeking New Members for new Restorative Justice Commission
Santa Monica is now accepting applications for the city’s...
Kool Happenings: The Face That Launched a Thousand Quips and The Devil Wears Nada
I could see that people all around the world...
Santa Monica to Spend “Up to” $650,000 on Rose Parade Float as Part of Economic Revitalization Push
The Santa Monica City Council voted this week to...
Legislators Urge Newsom to Restore Transit Funding as Budget Negotiations Continue
A coalition of 28 California legislators is calling on...

