An activist investor’s public letter to CEO Evan Spiegel rattled investors and sent Snap shares higher, urging layoffs, a Specs review and buybacks. The outreach sets up a test of whether outside pressure can force faster change at the Santa Monica company.

A state appeals court affirmed Roy Antonio Davis’s convictions in the 2018 pickax killing of Santa Monica resident John Hautz and left his 32-to-life term intact.

Bristol Farms is quietly winning Angelenos with chef‑made prepared foods, a famed 6‑oz $4 cookie and smoothies from about $9 as it expands — a Hollywood store opens mid‑April.

Wood framing is climbing into view on Carmel Partners' three‑building complex south of the Expo/Bundy station, bringing more than 600 apartments and 69 deeply affordable units.

Berkeley Station opened last Friday with 13 modular, factory‑built apartments for youth and low‑income families. City and nonprofit partners say the project is a test of faster affordable housing delivery.

The Dave & Buster's at Ovation Hollywood is temporarily closed after LA County health inspectors found vermin at the 151+-seat, high-risk entertainment venue on Level 3 of the Hollywood and Highland complex. A minor water supply violation was also cited alongside the major pest finding.

A late‑night shooting near Santa Monica police headquarters left one man dead. Detectives are probing whether a road‑rage confrontation led to the killing.

At a Pacific Palisades forum, insurance commissioner candidates pledged FAIR Plan fixes, rate transparency and ideas like a state reinsurance authority to ease homeowners' burden.

UCLA pulled away in the second half at Golden 1 Center, beating Minnesota 80-56. Kiki Rice led the Bruins as UCLA advanced to the Elite Eight.

UCLA police arrested a 24-year-old Santa Monica man after two students said he blocked them from leaving his car; detectives later tied him to an October sexual assault.

Ten No Meshi's Kyoto-style katsu is filling Sawtelle with diners. Wagyu and kurobuta pork come with loud tableside rituals and long weekend waits.

LAFD posted an alert that crews responded to a structure fire at 48 E Westminster Ct in Venice. Engines from FS63 were listed among responders; details remain limited.

Santa Monica will host a No Kings rally at Palisades Park on Saturday with a democracy fair and city safety guidance in place.