Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles from the January 15, 2026 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 14 of 14

  • BREAKING NEWS: NASA's Crew-11 Mission Returns Early from ISS Due to Medical Concern, January 14, 2026

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 14, 2026

    January 14, 2026 — In an unprecedented move in the 25-year history of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA is bringing the four-member Crew-11 team back to Earth approximately one month ahead of schedule following a medical issue affecting one crew member. The affected astronaut is reported to be stable and not in acute distress, according to NASA officials. The agency has emphasized that the situation is precautionary, driven by the limited diagnostic and treatment c...

  • Santa Monica Appoints Darrick Jacob as New Police Chief in Historic Internal Promotion

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 15, 2026

    SANTA MONICA, Calif. - The City of Santa Monica has named Darrick Jacob as its new Chief of Police, a decision announced by City Manager Oliver Chi on December 19, 2025. Jacob, a veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) since 2004, had been serving as acting chief since August 2025 following the resignation of former Chief Ramon Batista. The appointment, which took effect on December 14, marks the first time in more than 40 years that the department has selected...

  • Mother Charged with Murder in Tragic Death of 17-Month-Old Daughter in Santa Monica

    Sarah Storkin, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Jan 15, 2026

    SANTA MONICA, Calif. - January 15, 2026 - A 24-year-old Santa Monica woman faces murder charges in the death of her young daughter, following an incident that authorities described as involving extreme violence. Carmen Anita Degregg, who was arrested after confessing to harming the child, appeared in court last week where her arraignment was postponed, highlighting the ongoing investigation into the heartbreaking case. The events unfolded on January 6, 2026, around noon, when...

  • Why many first-time investors choose a hard money loan

    Stacker, Ryan G. Wright for The Investor's Edge|Updated Jan 14, 2026

    Note: If you're looking for a good local hard money lending company, we recommend Crescent Lenders: https://www.crescentlenders.com/santa-monica-hard-money-lenders/ Why many first-time investors choose a hard money loan The real estate investment arena hasn’t exactly been rolling out the red carpet for new investors, but things are about to change. According to industry insiders, we’re stepping into a Goldilocks zone over the next six to 12 months. For the last few years, you...

  • San Francisco's Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Spends $300,000 per year per Participant; Gives Away Booze to Alcoholics

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 14, 2026

    San Francisco, CA - A harm reduction initiative known as the Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), operated in partnership with the nonprofit Community Forward SF and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH), has drawn widespread attention and criticism following viral social media posts highlighting its funding and participant numbers.Launched in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program provides supervised, nurse-administered doses of alcohol - typically...

  • King of the Cubicle Comic, Scott Adams Passes After Brave Fight With Prostate Cancer. He Was 68

    Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    Scott Adams (June 8, 1957 – January 13, 2026) was an American cartoonist, author, and commentator best known as the creator of the Dilbert comic strip. Early Life and Career--Born in Windham, New York, Adams began drawing cartoons as a child, inspired by Peanuts. He earned a BA in economics from Hartwick College (1979) and an MBA from UC Berkeley (1986). He worked in corporate roles, including as a teller at Crocker National Bank (where he was held up at gunpoint twice) and l...

  • How is seasonal affective disorder linked to substance use disorder?

    Stacker, Siobhan Neela-Stock for Rula|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    How is seasonal affective disorder linked to substance use disorder? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is sometimes flung around casually in conversation. But it’s more than just feeling sad when the winter and darker days set in. SAD is classified as a major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. About 25% of people living with serious mental health conditions, including SAD, deal with addiction. Similarly, if you have bipolar disorder, symptoms of depression may worsen...

  • Seasonal affective disorder? It might be your hormones

    Stacker, Aviva Patz for Hone Health|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    Seasonal affective disorder? It might be your hormones The “winter blues” are real. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects roughly 5% of U.S. adults, and nearly 4 in 10 people say their mood reliably tanks in winter. Less sunlight, shorter days, and melatonin going into overdrive all play a role. While SAD may be a convenient scapegoat for every low mood between November and March, its symptoms—like fatigue, irritability, low motivation—can also be driven by hormone...

  • What drivers pay for auto insurance in every state: A monthly cost snapshot

    Stacker, John Davey for Cheap Insurance|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    What drivers pay for auto insurance in every state: A monthly cost snapshot Auto insurance costs continue to rise nationwide, reflecting factors such as increasing claim severity, repair costs, and state-specific insurance regulations. Cheap Insurance, a consumer-focused insurance comparison website, investigates the premium cost averages for minimum liability and full coverage auto insurance across the U.S., including state-by-state breakdowns. Keep in mind that these are...

  • Worried about surveillance, states enact privacy laws and restrict license plate readers

    Stacker, Shalina Chatlani for Stateline|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    Worried about surveillance, states enact privacy laws and restrict license plate readers As part of its deportation efforts, the Trump administration has ordered states to hand over personal data from voter rolls, driver’s license records and programs such as Medicaid and food stamps. At the same time, the administration is trying to consolidate the bits of personal data held across federal agencies, creating a single trove of information on people who live in the United S...

  • The most popular cities to move to in 2026

    Stacker, Jessica Share for moveBuddha|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    The most popular cities to move to in 2026 Many former sweetheart cities are losing their crowns to these up-and-comers. MoveBuddha data shows Austin’s out, while cities like Knoxville, Saint Paul, and Chicago are rising up. After years of buzz, Florida’s real estate market is “nursing a hangover.” And Austin’s once red-hot real estate market is now sagging under price reductions as homes linger on the market. So where will Americans land next? To determine which way the w...

  • How policy is setting the stage for markets in 2026

    Stacker, Taresh Batra for Range|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    How policy is setting the stage for markets in 2026 As we step into 2026, the fundamental backdrop for markets appears more favorable than anything we’ve seen since 2021. It may be hard to remember after wrapping up a strong year for global markets, but investors climbed a significant wall of worry throughout 2025. Policy uncertainty dominated headlines: Would DOGE trigger a recession? Was the U.S. heading into a trade war? Would the Fed prioritize fighting inflation or s...

  • Copper Wire Thieves Strike Mar Vista, Leaving Neighborhood Streets in Darkness

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    Mar Vista, Los Angeles - Homeless addicts targeted streetlight poles in the Mar Vista neighborhood overnight, stripping copper wiring and plunging multiple blocks into darkness, according to local reports and on-scene footage captured early Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The incident affected areas along Purdue Avenue, Stanwood Drive, and Corinth Avenue, where dozens of streetlights were vandalized. Residents reported entire blocks left unlit, raising immediate concerns about...

  • After Outcry Controversial Sacramento County Solar Project That Would Have Destroyed 3500 Old Growth Oak Trees, Loses Utility Sponsor

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 13, 2026

    Sacramento, CA – January 13, 2026 – A proposed 200-megawatt solar farm in eastern Sacramento County, which would require the removal of thousands of mature and old-growth native oak trees, has hit a major roadblock after the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) canceled its power purchase agreement with the developer. The Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch Project, spanning roughly 2,700 acres on the historic Barton Ranch near Scott Road and White Rock Road (southeast of...