Damien Newton
387 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.
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...
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...
Latest
Streetsblog Legislative Update: On to the Governor’s Desk
The 2026 legislative session was gaveled to a close...
City’s First Renter Aid Application Window Closes with 876 Applications
Every week, Next republishes an article from City Manager...
Santa Monica Public Library Celebrates Library Card Sign-Up Month with Special-Edition Cards and Local Business Discounts
The following is a submission from the City of...
Big Blue Bus Service Reminder: Weekend Schedule on Monday, Labor Day
In observance of Labor Day, Big Blue Bus will...

