January 30, 2026
January 30, 2026
Santa Monica Airport reverts to the City on January 1, 2028 after 120 years as an airport. A few residents want to turn it into high density housing or a park or both. Others want to keep it an airport. A new poll reveals that they are in the majority. A newly released independent poll indicates that a solid majority of Santa Monica voters want to keep the Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) operating in some form, directly challenging years of city planning that has leaned toward...
The City of Santa Monica has filed a lawsuit seeking approximately $18 million in restitution and penalties against a landlord and his family, accusing them of illegally converting dozens of rent-controlled apartments into short-term rentals listed on Airbnb and VRBO. This action continues the city's enforcement efforts against illegal short-term rentals to protect its rent-controlled housing stock, explained the City Attorney in a press release. In a complaint filed on...
San Francisco, CA – In a quintessential Bay Area moment blending urban life with wild surprises, a young mountain lion was safely tranquilized and captured in the upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, after days of sightings that captivated-and concerned-residents. But the story took an even more ironic twist when a coyote casually strolled into the frame during a live television report on the big cat's removal. The 2-year-old, 77-pound male...
The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in a federal lawsuit accusing the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) of using race as a factor in its admissions process, in violation of federal civil rights laws and California's long-standing ban on affirmative action.In a statement released on January 28, 2026, the Justice Department announced it was joining the existing class-action suit originally filed in May 2025 by...
Minneapolis, MN – January 28, 2026 - Newly surfaced video footage has revealed an earlier confrontation involving Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the 37-year-old intensive care nurse fatally shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. The video, which appears to have been recorded on January 13, 2026-11 days before Pretti's death-shows a man identified by multiple sources as Pretti engaging in aggressive behavior toward U.S....
A Waymo robotaxi hit a child near Grant Elementary School on January 23 during morning drop-off hours. The low-speed incident (vehicle slowed from 17 mph to 6 mph) caused minor injuries after the child entered the roadway from behind a double-parked SUV. Federal regulators (NHTSA) opened an investigation, highlighting ongoing concerns about self-driving cars in school zones. A Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near Grant Elementary School in Santa Monica on January 23,...
5 ways Gen Z is defining themselves differently online in 2026 For millennials and Gen X, the internet was once a place to build a personal brand using real names, consistent usernames, and polished profiles. These would often serve as signs of credibility and ambition. Gen Z, however, has taken a different approach. As true digital natives, this generation is reshaping how online personas work, opting to reject visibility, permanence, and a polished front in favor of...
Diverse, younger, ready to buy: Inside the demographic trends set to drive housing demand Demographics are perhaps some of the most important indicators for the housing market. An area’s demographics can impact housing demand, where builders operate, what type of housing product is required, and what design elements are most important. As the U.S. becomes more diverse — with nonwhite populations accounting for a growing share of the nation’s workforce, household...
Stock picking is harder than ever: What 2025’s sector splits reveal The U.S. stock market had another solid year in 2025. The S&P 500 gained about 18% in total — the third straight year of double-digit returns, thanks mostly to the AI hype. But dig a little deeper, and things look a lot messier for anyone trying to pick individual stocks. The gains weren’t spread around evenly. A few superstar stocks crushed it, while tons of others barely moved or even tanked....
What happens when you make minimum payments Every credit card bill includes a minimum payment warning — required by law — that shows how long it will take and how much it will cost to pay off your balance if you only make the minimum payment. Most people barely notice it. More than one in nine credit card holders at the nation’s largest banks made only the minimum payment on their balances, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. For millions of...
How employers can combat the $190B burnout crisis Employee burnout can’t be treated simply as a “nice-to-have” wellbeing topic. It’s a financial issue hiding in plain sight, one that shows up in rising claims, leaves of absence, turnover, and stalled performance. In fact, research has linked workplace stress to up to $190 billion in healthcare costs each year in the U.S. That number should change how we think about wellness programs. If the cost of burnout is already...
How to screen tenants fairly and stay compliant as a small landlord As a small landlord, a single bad tenant can devastate your business. Unlike large management companies with diversified portfolios and legal departments, you don’t have the financial cushion to absorb months of unpaid rent, costly eviction proceedings, or thousands of dollars in property damage. When your livelihood depends on finding reliable tenants, the temptation to rely on gut feelings, personal...
The rise of fiber in 2026: The nutrient driving today’s wellness conversation The phrase “gut health” is coming up a lot lately online and in the wellness world. Digestive health has gone from being a niche topic to a critical element to feeling good overall: from energy levels and mood to comfort and balance. At the same time, fiber has stepped out of the background. It’s no longer just something nutrition experts talk about; it’s something people actively say they...
