Damien Newton
336 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.
Landmarks Commission Far Outpaces Other Boards in Staffing Costs, City Data Shows
The Santa Monica Landmarks Commission costs nearly twice as much as the city’s next two highest-cost commissions combined, according to a city analysis of...
Los Angeles County, Santa Monica Mark One-Year Anniversary of Palisades Fire With Recovery Updates
One year after the January 2025 wildfires devastated Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding communities in the Santa Monica Mountains, local and county officials are...
Uber’s Controversial Ballot Measure Seeks Caps on Lawyers Fees in Traffic Crashes
Rideshare giant Uber Technologies Inc. (Uber) is pushing a ballot measure in California that has ignited fierce debate among trial lawyers, consumer advocates, and...
4 News Stories You Might Have Missed from the End of Last Year and Start of This One
Here at Next we don't aspire to cover every news story in the city, just to add context or go deeper on as many...
Reminder: New Car Parking Rates on January 12
Starting January 12, motorists will see a mix of higher hourly rates and new discounts as Santa Monica rolls out a revised parking pricing...
Latest
OPA Update 7/6/26: Main St. Parade Recap, OPA Meeting Next Monday, & Things To Do This Week
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the...
Kool Happenings: Our Flag Was Still There
As America was fighting its war against the British...
OPA Update 7/1/26: OPA Main St. 4th of July Parade Details, How to Keep Pets Safe on the 4th, & Other Things To Do...
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the...
Don’t Park in the Bike Lane! Santa Monica Started Issuing Automated Bike Lane Tickets Yesterday
Since May 1, the city of Santa Monica has been...

