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.
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.
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.
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.
ICC’s mission to clean up clubs
Samo’s Inter-Clubs Council (ICC) stepped into the ’25-26 school year with new guidelines for clubs to concise the number of clubs, putting the focus on club quality and publicity rather than variety.
Fujinomiya and Santa Monica celebrate 50 years of friendship
On Oct. 23, Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and the city of Santa Monica welcomed the delegates from the city of Fujinomiya in Japan to Samo, commemorating 50 years of the sister city partnership between the two cities.
Closure of I-Bathrooms: The what, where, when and why?
Since the beginning of the school year, multiple Samo bathrooms, primarily those in the Innovation building, have been closed to the student body for extended periods of time. School administrators cite vandalism and vaping as some of the main reasons behind the bathroom closures.
Wrestling team shows promise in pre-season
Samo’s co-ed wrestling team is back and ready to prove themselves once again. The season ended strongly last year, with Arata Sakamoto (’26), Fred Ekberg (’25), and Kenji Ineno (’25) all qualifying for the CIF Masters Meet. The team’s commitment was evident in their early fall and summer training, with intense practices to build strength and cohesion.
E-bikes rise in popularity
E-bikes have experienced massive growth in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. With sales exceeding $ 1 million in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, this increase has been supported by government initiatives.
Students unite for climate action
On Nov. 14, students from Samo and Palisades Charter High School gathered for a joint climate rally in front of the Santa Monica Pier. The rally centered around the “Make Polluters Pay” campaign, which aims to hold large companies accountable for environmental and health issues that they have contributed towards.
Santa Monica City Council approves new ‘Realignment Plan’
A new reshaping effort for the city of Santa Monica has been approved by the Santa Monica City Council, promising to reinvigorate tourism while stabilizing the local economy. This ‘Realignment Plan’ was proposed by City Manager Oliver Chi on Oct. 27 and aims to make neighborhoods safer, keep streets cleaner and rebuild a solid foundation for generations to come.
Democrats gain political momentum heading into 2026
On Nov. 4, there were elections in New York, Virginia, New Jersey, and California. Each election resulted in favorable outcomes for the Democratic Party.
ASB petition for new sustainability position
On Oct. 22, students in the environmental advocacy club Team Marine released a petition urging the Associated Student Body (ASB) to add a position focused on sustainability at school events. Samo’s student body has specialized committees for various categories, such as spirit, media and community service, and this position would focus on making ASB events more environmentally friendly to reach the school's sustainability goals. Since the petition began, it has gained the support of over 55 verified signatures and is continuing to grow.
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