Matthew Hall

Jawa Tengah, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Windsor

Editor-in-Chief at Santa Monica Daily Press

Articles

No Kings protest moves through Palisades Park

1 week ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica’s No Kings protest was passionate but peaceful Saturday morning as thousands of residents took to Palisades Park. Participants chanted, held signs and walked through the park to the Pier entrance in opposition to the Trump administration and recent immigration raids.
A Focus on Homelessness

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica Police Department reported a 2% decrease in serious Part I crimes in 2024 while Part II crimes increased 16%, according to the department's annual report presented to the City Council on Tuesday and Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista said homelessness remains the most consistent factor in local law enforcement. The department recorded 4,840 Part I crimes in 2024, down 77 incidents from 4,917 in 2023.
Santa Monica's "no kings" Protest Plan

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica will participate in a nationwide "No Kings" protest Saturday as local authorities prepare for an estimated 1,000 demonstrators to gather at Palisades Park in opposition to President Donald Trump's policies.
Santa Monica is not actually a ‘sanctuary city’ but it does oppose immigration crackdowns

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

When federal officials released a list of Sanctuary Cities in advance of the recent Los Angeles raids, many Santa Monicans were surprised, albeit a little relieved, that the City was left off the list. While many assumed it was yet another error on the already questionable list, Santa Moncia is not actually a Sanctuary City but the municipality has aligned its legislative and law enforcement priorities with the movement.
Impact of Digital Billboards on Santa Monica's Signage Policy

2 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

The Santa Monica City Council will consider whether to allow the city's first large-format digital billboards in decades, potentially opening the door to expanded commercial signage and billboards throughout the city. Two development agreement applications from UNITED XYZ LLC propose installing massive LED displays wrapping around corners of buildings at 301 Arizona Avenue and 1202 Third Street Promenade.
Businesses prepare for opening of DTSM Entertainment Zone in two weeks

3 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica’s alcohol fueled entertainment zone opens in two weeks and stores along the Promenade are preparing for whatever flows from taps. Last week, local business owners peppered city officials with questions about restroom access, security and competition from pop-up vendors during a training session in advance of the June 13 launch.
Challenges and Solutions Revealed

3 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

The City of Santa Monica reported a 6.1% overall vacancy rate among its workforce as of December 2024, with 124 unfilled positions out of 2,037.55 budgeted full-time equivalent positions, according to a mandatory public hearing held by the City Council last week. The report, presented by Human Resources Manager Michael Arnald, fulfills new requirements under Assembly Bill 2561, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024.
Malibu's Petition for Independent School District Rejected Again

4 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization voted again this week to reject Malibu’s petition for an independent school district, in a process that was every bit as chaotic and confusing as the initial meeting that necessitated a revote. The rejection came during a revote prompted by procedural errors during the committee’s initial April vote.
Limiting New Hires and Maintenance

4 weeks ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Faced with years of potential budget deficits, the City Council voted Tuesday to address the crisis by raising fees and reducing staffing throughout the city. Staff presented Council with a draft of the $789.9 million biennial budget this week that will require draining $60.5 million from reserves over the next five years to maintain basic services, as the city grapples with ongoing economic fallout from the pandemic and mounting legal settlements.
Yoga classes coming to Reed Park as part of community activation effort

1 month ago | smdp.com | Matthew Hall

Santa Monica residents will soon have the opportunity to practice yoga under the open sky as free outdoor classes begin this summer at Reed Park, part of a broader effort to activate the space and build community connections. The weekly yoga sessions will start Saturday, June 7, running from 8 to 9 a.m. every Saturday in June at the park located in the Wilmont neighborhood. If successful, organizers plan to continue the classes throughout the summer.

Journalists covering the same region

Bill Esparza

Freelance Writer at Eater

Bill Esparza primarily covers news in Los Angeles, California, United States and surrounding areas including Long Beach and Santa Monica.

Michele Gile

Reporter at KCBS-TV (Los Angeles, CA)

Reporter at KCAL-TV (Los Angeles, CA)

Michele Gile primarily covers news in the Greater Los Angeles area, including cities like Long Beach and surrounding regions in California, United States.