Symposium on fair housing laws and youth poster contest finalists announced
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 18, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is commemorating Fair Housing Month this April with a series of events aimed at raising awareness about fair housing laws and celebrating the creativity of local youth. The city will be hosting a free symposium on local fair housing laws and housing discrimination at the Main Library, along with announcing the student finalists of the annual youth poster contest.The 2024 Fair Housing Symposium, scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room, will feature...
Mutations in noncoding DNA Linked to Cancer Pathways and Patient Survival, UCLA Study Finds
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has revealed a significant connection between mutations in noncoding DNA and genes associated with cancer pathways, as well as their impact on cancer patient survival.According to corresponding author Xinshu “Grace” Xiao, a UCLA professor of integrative biology and physiology, the research aimed to address the challenge of understanding the functions of mutations in noncoding regions. Xiao explained, “Predicting the outcomes of mutations in protein-coding regions is...
Los Angeles County Residents' Quality of Life Hits Record Low Due to High Cost of Living, UCLA Survey Shows
Los Angeles County residents are experiencing a record-low level of satisfaction with their quality of life, largely due to concerns over the high cost of living. The annual UCLA survey revealed that worries about affordability have pushed the overall rating down to 53, marking the second time in three years that it has fallen below the survey's midpoint of 55.Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the study at UCLA, highlighted the impact of rising housing costs on renters, who are feeling particularly pessimistic about their futures. Yaroslavsky noted, "Housing costs have gone...
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Santa Monica
- Supportive housing program for Californians experiencing homelessness shows promise
- Sean Astin to deliver UCLA College commencement address
- Advance in immune cell screening uncovers receptors that target prostate cancer
- UCLA Medical Center ranked among top 50 'Best Hospitals for Cancer'
U7+ Alliance of World Universities urge G7 to increase access to higher education
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block and Vice Provost Cindy Fan recently participated in the U7+ Alliance of World Universities meeting in Milan, Italy. The alliance, consisting of over 80 university leaders from 18 countries, adopted the 2024 U7+ Statement on Global Access to Higher Education.According to the U7+ Alliance of World Universities, the statement encourages the G7 to collaborate with the alliance to develop high-quality, inclusive education systems from primary through higher education. It also calls for support in investment in higher education in low- and...
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SMPD Bike/Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for March 18th
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has announced plans to conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on March 18, 2024. The operation will focus on enforcing laws related to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists to reduce collisions and enhance safety on the roads.According to the SMPD, the enforcement efforts will target areas with a history of pedestrian and bike collisions, aiming to address the violations that have contributed to these incidents. Officers will be deployed to patrol areas where bike and pedestrian traffic is high, with a specific...
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City of Santa Monica to Develop Plan to Support Vulnerable Residents
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 15, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica has announced its plans to develop a citywide action plan aimed at enhancing services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. This initiative is made possible through a $200,000 grant from the California Department of Aging Local Aging & Disability Action Planning (LADAP) program.Heather Averick, the Housing & Human Services Director, expressed the importance of this endeavor, stating, "By creating Santa Monica’s Local Aging & Disability Action Plan, we’ll ensure that we care for our most...
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Sustainable & Connected: Beach Restoration Project expands native coastal habitat, combats sea level rise
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (March 15, 2024) — Santa Monica successfully completed Phase 2 of the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Project Thursday, which will further restore natural dune habitat on Santa Monica beach just south of the Annenberg Community Beach House. "Following a successful first phase pilot program that restored three acres of beach dunes, the second phase aims to expand to an additional five acres of native coastal strand habitat."This week’s kickoff included installing post, rope and sand fencing to restrict beach city-operated grooming at the site,...
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Safety Alert and Request for Assistance- Sexual Assault
Authorities have issued a safety alert and a request for assistance following a recent incident of sexual assault. The assault took place on March 1 in the 1700 block of Ocean Park Boulevard as a lone female was waiting for a ride.According to reports, the male suspect approached the victim inappropriately, with the victim describing him as pulling down his pants and making lewd statements. The situation escalated when the suspect grabbed the victim from behind and began touching her inappropriately over her clothing. Fortunately, the victim managed to free herself and...
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Sustainable & Connected: Santa Monica furthers vision for a safe, multimodal transportation network
In a recent development, the California League of Cities recognized Santa Monica's efforts in enhancing transportation infrastructure. The city's Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue Project was acknowledged as a winner of one of the 2024 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Project Awards.According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), between 2015 and 2019, a concerning statistic revealed that 65 percent of all crashes in Santa Monica involved pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders. In response, the DOT has initiated 18 pedestrian and bicycle safety...
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Speaking without vocal cords, thanks to a new AI-assisted wearable device
Bioengineers at UCLA have invented a thin, flexible device that adheres to the neck and translates the muscle movements of the larynx into audible speech."People with voice disorders, including those with pathological vocal cord conditions or who are recovering from laryngeal cancer surgeries, can often find it difficult or impossible to speak." "A team of UCLA engineers has invented a soft, thin, stretchy device... that can be attached to the skin outside the throat to help people with dysfunctional vocal cords regain their voice function.""The new bioelectric...
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Assault on a Child in Santa Monica Prompts Police Response
Santa Monica, CA – An incident involving the assault of a child in Santa Monica has prompted a swift and determined response from law enforcement. The incident occurred on Sunday, March 10th, at about 7 pm on Main Street and Marine Avenue.Chief Rámon Batista expressed his concern, stating, "An incident like this one is an affront to public safety and will not be tolerated. Even more so that a child was involved. Any crime committed in Santa Monica is a crime too many; our department stands strong in the face of anyone who chooses to victimize those who are in this city."...
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UCLA Anderson Forecast: Higher Interest Rates and Restrained Growth, U.S. Recession Fear Fades
The UCLA Anderson Forecast released its latest report which highlighted key economic trends and projections for the near future. The forecast painted a positive picture, stating that the fear of a U.S. recession had diminished due to various factors, including fiscal policies and consumer spending.According to the report, despite a slight decline in January 2024 retail sales and housing starts, the cause was attributed to severe weather conditions in the eastern United States rather than a decrease in consumer or builder activity. The forecast also mentioned that hiring...
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Aggravated Domestic Violence Suspect Arrested by Santa Monica Police
Santa Monica, CA - Derrick Wright, a suspect in a significant domestic violence incident in Santa Monica, is now in custody following a multi-agency operation.According to Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), the incident occurred on March 6, 2024, when Wright, the victim's boyfriend, attacked her, leaving her with severe injuries that required hospitalization. Wright then proceeded to brandish a replica firearm at the victim and her daughter before fleeing the scene.SMPD detectives were able to track down Wright to an address in Long Beach and secure a search and...
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Clean & Safe: Enhancements coming to Reed Park
Improvements are on the horizon for Reed Park in Santa Monica, as the city prioritizes cleanliness, safety, and cultural vitality in the area. Concerns raised by neighbors regarding the park's condition have spurred the city into action to enhance the overall park experience for visitors.As part of a multi-departmental effort, the city has allocated $200,000 for improvements at Reed Park, focusing on various enhancements. These include creating an outdoor reception area for the Miles Memorial Playhouse with a decorative fence, initiating facility maintenance and repair...
