Local stories gathered from public news sources while this area builds its own coverage.
James Beard Award-winning Gott's Roadside is opening its first coastal location on October 2 at Fourth and Wilshire in Santa Monica. The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering items like burgers, tacos, and salads.
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Hendrick Rabitzsch and his wife Nicole Rabitzsch were found deceased inside their Santa Monica home. Cops say the man shot his wife before killing himself.
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Matilda's Bakery is hosting a second soft opening from October 2-4 at 3200 Airport Ave in Santa Monica. The bakery will feature hand-laminated pastries, sourdough bread, and an extensive global butter menu for morning service.
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Downtown Santa Monica reported a 26% visitor boost with 3.3 million visits during World Cup events. The city plans to reinvent the Third Street Promenade, aiming to bring it forward rather than restore it. DTSM held a meeting that included executive elections and restructuring.
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A new RAND study indicates that Santa Monica's economy has declined more sharply than neighboring cities. While concerns about retail sales are warranted, the report suggests assumptions regarding crime and homelessness are more nuanced across the city. The research analyzed data from 2015 to 2025.
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A RAND Corporation study found that while Santa Monica hotels reached 76% occupancy by March 2026, they are earning less revenue than regional competitors. The report suggests this gap between rising occupancy and falling revenue indicates price cuts to fill rooms.
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A RAND Corporation study found that Santa Monica's homeless population has remained stable since 2017 at around 800-1,000 people. Despite overall stability, the population is heavily concentrated in the downtown area. Business owners noted concerns regarding the severity of issues like mental illness and substance use.
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A RAND Corporation study indicates that despite housing reforms in Santa Monica, a typical project still requires over six years from application to move-in. The report notes the city built fewer new homes per resident than comparable LA-area jurisdictions between 2018 and 2025.
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A RAND Corporation study indicates that taxable sales at Santa Monica businesses fell to nearly 60% of their 2015 level by early 2026. The report also noted that the city's retail vacancy rate has been among the highest in the region, with the Third Street Promenade reporting a 31% vacancy rate.
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A RAND Corporation study found that aggravated assaults and robberies in downtown Santa Monica roughly doubled since 2013. However, the report noted that crime rates across the rest of the city have remained stable for two decades. The data suggests violent crime increases are primarily a downtown phenomenon.
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Summarized from public news sources, not original Juncture reporting. Open the linked sources for the full story.
