A recent study conducted by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has shed light on the concerning relationship between access to firearms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Californians ages 15–24. The study, based on data from the 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey, revealed alarming statistics and implications.According to the study, youth who expressed fears of gun violence were nearly twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts compared to those who did not harbor such concerns. Additionally, in 2022, researchers found that young individuals...
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has announced plans to conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on May 3, 2024, with a focus on reducing collisions between motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The operation aims to address violations that commonly lead to accidents involving these road users.According to the SMPD, officers will be deployed to locations with high rates of pedestrian and bike collisions to enforce traffic laws and promote safety. The enforcement efforts will target violations such as speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield to...
The Santa Monica Public Library is gearing up to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month throughout the month of May. The library will be showcasing the rich and diverse contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent through various displays, book lists, and special events.One of the highlighted events at the Main Library on Santa Monica Blvd. is on May 11 at 2 p.m. Filmmaker Brian Tadashi Maeda will screen his award-winning feature documentary, "We Said No! No!: A Story of Civil Disobedience," which tells the story of...
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 29, 2024) – Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a non-profit organization, and the city of Santa Monica have come together to commence the construction of Berkeley Station, a new affordable housing development. This project aims to provide 13 units of 100% affordable housing for low-income families and transition-aged youth in Santa Monica.Tara Barauskas, the executive director of Community Corporation, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "Berkeley Station is an exciting, innovative project and represents two firsts for us –...
At last week's meeting, the Santa Monica City Council made significant progress in the development of the city’s ordinance on adult-use cannabis, with a specific focus on advancing social equity within the industry.The council's decision was guided by the goal of ensuring that communities most impacted by cannabis enforcement policies have the opportunity to benefit from the newly legalized industry. As stated by an unidentified council member, "The goal of the cannabis social equity component is to develop a program that helps ensure that the communities most impacted by...
The City Council of Santa Monica, California, has approved an ordinance mandating the use of low-carbon concrete for all new construction projects, swimming pools, and spas. This move is part of the city's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce embodied carbon emissions.Chief Sustainability Officer Shannon Parry expressed her enthusiasm for the city's progress, stating, "I’m thrilled to see our city continue to advance towards the goal of carbon neutrality." She highlighted the readiness of the concrete industry to supply low-carbon alternatives and emphasized...
In honor of Earth Week, Santa Monica is set to welcome two new microforests, described as "fast-growing, low maintenance, tiny preserves that mimic natural woodlands." The initiative is made possible through a collaboration involving the Malibu Foundation, Santa Monica College (SMC), and the city itself.The microforests, which are designed to capture stormwater, mitigate heat, sequester carbon, and improve biodiversity, are part of a sustainable effort to restore nature in urban areas. The partnership has brought these innovative ecosystems to life within the city,...
A recent study led by UCLA researchers has uncovered significant differences in the language used to describe male and female suicides in public health records. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, analyzed 271,998 suicides over a 17-year period in the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System. The findings show that words associated with male suicides often referenced job loss, alcohol abuse, financial stress, and unusual behavior, while those related to female suicides more frequently mentioned mood, psychological state, and mental health...
The city’s Housing and Human Services Department is making significant strides in addressing the housing crisis and providing support to the homeless population. In a recent update, a spokesperson for the department highlighted some of the positive changes and initiatives that have been implemented.One of the key priorities for the department is funding permanent supportive housing and partnering with nonprofits on affordable housing projects. According to the spokesperson, efforts are also being made to help residents stay housed through voucher programs and supportive...
Los Angeles County residents living in lower-income areas like South Los Angeles and the Antelope Valley face a considerably higher risk of preventable hospitalizations or emergency department visits, according to a recent study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.The study revealed that South Los Angeles has the highest rate of preventable hospitalizations (1,252 per 100,000 adults), followed by the Antelope Valley (888). Ninez Ponce, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, emphasized that these disparities highlight the healthcare system's...
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 23, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is gearing up for its summer recreation programs as registration opens for residents and non-residents. According to the announcement, registration will commence on Wednesday, April 24, at 6 a.m. for Santa Monica residents, and a week later on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 a.m. for non-residents.The summer recreation programs offer a variety of indoor and outdoor classes for individuals of all ages. These activities are held at city parks, the Santa Monica Swim Center, and the Annenberg Community Beach House...
The new director of Santa Monica's Recreation and Arts Department shared a heartfelt message with the community, expressing their love for the city and excitement to serve its residents. The director emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration in shaping the future of recreational and artistic offerings in Santa Monica.Reflecting on their newfound love for Santa Monica, the director stated, "Though I couldn’t tell you exactly when I fell in love with Santa Monica, I just knew it -- I was home." They expressed gratitude to the community for the warm...
UCLA School of Law has received a $1 million donation from Alicia Miñana de Lovelace, chair of The UCLA Foundation board, to enhance its Critical Race Studies program, marking the largest-ever single contribution to the initiative. The program, founded in 2000, is the sole law school-based program in the nation devoted to Critical Race Theory and related scholarship.Alicia Miñana de Lovelace's generous gift aims to advance Latino legal scholarship at UCLA Law by establishing the Laura E. Gómez Teaching Fellowship on Latinx People and the Law in honor of retiring UCLA Law...
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...