Damien Newton
349 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.
Bipartisan Team of Assemblymembers Introduce DUI/Traffic Safety Laws
Even after the exceptional reporting by CalMatters in its License to Kill series, which demonstrated how California is failing its residents through lax enforcement and weak traffic safety...
Waymo Says Autonomous System Reduced Impact Speed in Santa Monica Crash Involving Child as Critics Call for Suspension
Waymo is releasing new details about a January collision in which one of its autonomous vehicles struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary...
OPA Update 2/2/26: February is Black History Month, LA Rents Decreasing, Final DineLA Days, & Other Things To Do This Week
OPA Boardmember Spotlight: Get to Know our New President Robbie Leer: A Minnesota native, Robbie joined the OPA Board in 2022 and began serving as...
Walkout on Friday, Protest Ride on Saturday: Santa Monica’s Most Recent Weekend of Protest
Photo: New Roads Students march down Nebraska Avenue towards the Water Garden. Credit: Sammy NewtonSanta Monicans took to the streets Friday as part of...
Waymo Robotaxi Strikes Child Near Santa Monica Elementary School, Prompting Federal Safety Probe
A Waymo autonomous robotaxi struck a child near a Santa Monica elementary school during morning drop-off hours on January 23, leading to a National...
Latest
Ocean Way Festival Marks Latest Step in Santa Monica’s Reinvention as an Entertainment Destination
Santa Monica's efforts to redefine itself as a destination...
Keeping Santa Monica Housed: New Renter Aid Program Launches
Every week, Santa Monica Next re-publishes a story from...
2026 State of the City Event Activates Main Street Entertainment Zone and Showcases Major Event Partners July
The following is a submission from the City of...

