The Samohi’s scoop on the City of Santa Monica versus Waymo
On April 22, Waymo and the City of Santa Monica met at the Santa Monica Courthouse for the newest hearing in the city’s ongoing lawsuit against the autonomous driving technology company. In this hearing, Waymo requested to delay a preliminary injunction filed by the city that would require Waymo, in the months leading up to the trial, to shut down the activity in their charging lots from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Waymo’s legal counsel argued that they needed more time for discovery (the pre-trial period in which evidence is collected). The hearing delayed the date of the preliminary injunction to July 10 and set up a scheduled status conference for this meeting on May 18.
Investigation of Cesar Chavez uncovers sexual assault
In March 2026, the public legacy of labor organizer Cesar Chavez was tarnished after a major investigation by The New York Times reported allegations from multiple women who said Chavez sexually assaulted or abused them during the height of the farmworker movement in the late 1900s. According to reports from multiple news outlets, the accusations came from three women, two of whom were minors at the time and were connected to families involved in the farmworker movement.
California governor election
On June 2, 2026, California voters will go to the polls and select the state’s two gubernatorial candidates for the primary election on Nov. 3. There will be 62 candidates on this year’s ballot according to ABC10 News. The highest pollers according to the California Democratic Party’s poll on May 4 were Steve Hilton, Xavier Becerra, Chad Bianco, Tom Steyer and Katie Porter.
California governor candidate Swalwell drops out amidst allegations
On April 12, Former Democratic United States
(U.S.) Representative Eric Swalwell dropped out
of the California gubernatorial race amidst sexual
assault allegations.
Artemis II Revives Moon Exploration
The first astronauts to travel to the moon in 50 years have made it back to Earth safely on April 10, marking a huge milestone in humanity’s return to space.
School Threats: how samo responds
How does Santa Monica High School respond to threats on campus?
California state universities begin new direct admissions program
California Senate Bill 640 (SB 640), known for the Automatic CSU Direct Admission Program, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct. 6, 2025. SB 640 aims to simplify and encourage enrollment at California State Universities by automatically accepting eligible high school seniors from participating districts to 16 of the 23 campuses. Students can choose between these 16 campuses if they intend to enroll.
Karen Bass faces challenges as she seeks second term as LA mayor
Sophia Friedman / Contributor
Karen Bass and volunteers gather at the ‘Mayor for Los Angeles Volunteer’ event associated with Bass’s run for mayor on Sep. 22, 2024
SMMUSD Explores the use of AI in classrooms
Since fall of 2024, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) has sought to gradually implement Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the classroom in order to leverage its efficiency in a responsible way.
Declining Enrollment and Debt Leads to Layoffs at SMC
On February 3, Santa Monica College (SMC) board of trustees voted to approve laying off 57 classified employees. Classified employees are the lowest paid categories of employees at SMC, with the lowest in this group earning 50,000 dollars annually. Additionally, 9.5 [decimals equate to non-full time employees] vacant classified employee positions are set to be terminated. Furthermore, 3.8 managers and administrators are being laid off and four vacant management positions are being terminated.
Darrick Jacob appointed chief after 21 years of service
On Jan. 14, Darrick Jacob was sworn in as Santa Monica’s new police chief after serving as interim chief since Roman Batista stepped down from the job in October. Jacob has been working with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) since 2004 and is stepping into the permanent role while the department is still navigating staffing challenges, evolving public safety priorities and ongoing community scrutiny.
California Gives $90 Million to Planned Parenthood
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 106 on Feb. 11, which amended California’s Budget Act of 2025. SB 106 gave roughly $140 million to California’s Department of Healthcare Access and Information, with the money to be spent on the health care workforce, health care quality and affordability and facilities development. $90 million of this was provided to Planned Parenthood, a sexual and reproductive health care nonprofit organization, given in the form of grants.
Santa Monica receives $49.9 million grant for affordable housing and transportation
On Dec. 16, 2025, Santa Monica was awarded $49.9 million to supplement their affordable housing and transportation projects. This grant was given to Santa Monica from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC).
Government in Iran cracks down on anti-regime protests
In January, Iran experienced its most significant government crackdown since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, acting as a response to nationwide protests. Beginning as a movement against the country’s current economic state, the protesters’ intent shifted into a desire for an end to the current regime, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump Administration intervenes in Venezuela with seizure of President Maduro
On Jan. 3, President Donald Trump launched an attack-and-seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolàs Maduro in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also captured.
SMMUSD Board of Education unanimously vote to split district
On Dec. 1, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously to separate the two cities into their own districts, creating the Santa Monica Unified School District (SMUSD) and the Malibu Unified School District (MUSD). This split is set to go into effect in the next few months, according to board members.
Goings on: federal Edition
On Jan. 7, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Renee Good protested an ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operation allegedly blocking agents’ vehicles with her SUV. During the encounter, an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross, fired several rounds into the SUV, killing Good. While this is not the first time protestors and ICE agents have clashed and force has been used, the incident marked a new escalation in Minneapolis, which has become the forefront between protesters and ICE agents over the past several months.
Santa Monica and Waymo Head to Court
The City of Santa Monica is heading to court against Waymo, a self-driving car company, on the basis that Waymo’s cars are a nuisance to neighbors and people living near charging stations.
Franklin Elementary set to expand
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) have decided to expand their campus and have recently purchased 814 25th Street for $2.8 million using funds from the Capital Outlay Project Budget.
