Lost Landmarks
A devastating start to 2025 has seen more than 40,000 acres and 12,000 structures burned as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires that first erupted in the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7. ABC News states that “the Los Angeles fires are already the costliest wildfires in history — not only in California, but in all of the U.S.” This is not only due to the wide range of the fires in a densely populated area, but also the damage done to iconic historical sites and cultural landmarks.
Proposition 36
Proposition 36, if passed this Nov., will increase felony charges, turning some current misdemeanors [low-profile criminal offenses] into felonies [high-profile criminal offenses].
Newsom attempts to tackle homelessness crisis
Governor Newsom has recently approved two new bills in order to address the homeless crisis by expanding housing options in California.
Election aftermath: Democrats shaky as right sweeps
Donald Trump and the Republican Party came out
victorious after a historic election this past month. In
congress, the Republicans maintained control of the
House with a majority of 220 to 215 and flipped four
senate seats to secure a 53 to 47 majority. In regards to
the presidential race, all seven swing states voted con-
servative as Trump won both the electoral college and
popular vote—312 to 216 and 50 percent to 48.3 per-
cent, respectively. Contrarily, in Samo’s mock election,
Harris received 71 percent of the votes while Trump
received 12.4 percent. When Trump is inaugurated
as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20,
2025, the Republican party will control the judicial,
legislative and executive branches of the United States.
Samo alum stephen miller to advise trump
21 years ago Stephen Miller (’03), now President Trump’s nominee for Deputy Chief of policy, walked the halls of Santa Monica High School. Raised by a liberal- leaning Jewish family in the heart of Santa Monica, Miller’s childhood environment contrasted the political ideas he would later promote. Miller's time at Samo was marked by controversy, where he would deliver speeches to the student body and write conservative opinion pieces to various newspapers. Later he became a polarizing political figure as Senior Advisor to Trump’s 2016 administration.
What’s going on around Samo?
Pier Bridge to undergo construction, Big Blue Bus to implement new law for safety, Annual Ice Rink opens in Santa Monica, New wellness fairs at Samo
Samo students found first SM Youth Advisory Board
Created by Samo students, the City of Santa Monica’s new Youth Advisory Board aims to give a voice to the juvenile demographic of Santa Monica. The board was officially created in May with approval from the former Santa Monica mayor, Phil Brock.
PROPS 33 and 34 challenge california voter EDUCATION
On the Nov. ballot, California voters faced two controversial propositions: 33 and 34. These propositions have raised eyebrows regarding their true objectives and their implications for public policy. Both 33 and 34 are linked to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and have been described as misleading by design due to their complex messaging and potential consequences that extend beyond their surface-level objectives.
Turning Pages on the promenade
A new chapter begins in Santa Monica as the grand opening of Barnes & Nobles on the Third Street promenade emerges.
ADHD meds linked to increased psychosis risk, study finds
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that taking ADHD medication may lead to a greater risk of developing psychosis or mania. ADHD medicine is one of the most common prescription medicines among adolescents. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 15 percent of high school seniors reported use of ADHD medication in 2022. This figure may translate to roughly 100 kids at Samo.