Posts in News
Santa Monica Beaches Crowded on Labor Day
Santa Monica Beaches Crowded on Labor Day

During an ongoing quarantine caused by a global pandemic that has taken the lives of roughly 190,000 Americans, and a record-breaking heatwave, people flocked to Santa Monica State Beach to celebrate Labor Day over the weekend.

A sea of umbrellas spanned across the beach. California’s COVID-19 positive case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths have been slowly declining, but local officials worried that gatherings over Labor Day weekend may cause a spike in cases, threatening the progress made.

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News, Coronavirus, 2020 in ReviewAllie LeedsAllie Leeds, Johaira DilauroComment
A New Normal for California's Local Farmers Markets
A New Normal for California's Local Farmers Markets

Even during these unparalleled times, the line to get into the Santa Monica Farmers Market begins to build and grow robust by as early as 6:45 a.m. Restaurant owners, chefs, and patrons alike patiently wait in a line - six feet apart with masks on - for up to an hour to go into the Farmers Market.

Laura Garcia, a Venice local who has been an advocate of fresh sustainable food since long before the pandemic, regularly commits to the wait time.

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News, Coronavirus, 2020 in ReviewCaroline LeffCaroline Leff, Johaira DilauroComment
A Week of Nationwide Protests Continue in Los Angeles
A Week of Nationwide Protests Continue in Los Angeles

Protests originally forming in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin have quickly spread nationwide, as many organized protests continue to take place across Los Angeles county and neighboring cities. Los Angeles protests sparked as early as May 28 and public officials have since called for police and military intervention.

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News, ProtestAleah Antonio & Michael GoldsmithMichael Goldsmith, Aleah Antonio, Missael soto, Maxim Elramsisy, Yasamin Jtehrani, LA ProtestsComment
How Petitions Work
How Petitions Work

In light of the recent death of George Floyd, multiple petitions surfaced on the internet in order to call for charges against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who had killed Floyd. Other petitions regarding deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and other deaths from police brutality are being widely spread through social media, reaching over a million signatures each. Petitions are nothing new and are one of the founding rights that Americans have used to induce social change.

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NewsAleah Antonio & James ShippyJames Shippy, Aleah AntonioComment
Sunday Protests Pop Up in Santa Monica
Sunday Protests Pop Up in Santa Monica

A protest sparked in Santa Monica, Calif. in response to police brutality and racial injustice on Sunday, following multiple demonstrations taking place throughout the country in the last few days. These protests started in Minneapolis on May 26, the day after the killing of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25. Protests have occurred in Los Angeles since May 27, taking place in downtown Los Angeles (L.A.) and Beverly Hills and turning violent in some areas.

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Protest, NewsJohan RosdahlLA Protests, Marco Pallotti, Johan Rosdahl, Jackie Sedley, Aleah Antonio, Kiran BaezComment
Should I stay or should I go?: How Four International Students are Dealing with Online Classes
Should I stay or should I go?: How Four International Students are Dealing with Online Classes

When Santa Monica College (SMC) made the decision that the spring semester was going to be completely remote through the summer, some international students made the decision to travel back to their home countries whereas others decided to stay. International students in the United States now lead an uncertain future as SMC among other schools, announced the fall semester will be online and the US borders are still closed due to COVID-19.

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NewsJames Shippy and Karoline BergJames Shippy, Karoline Berg, international studentsComment
Cal State System to Close Its Doors and Go Online for Fall Semester 2020
Cal State System to Close Its Doors and Go Online for Fall Semester 2020

A question on many California State University (CSU) transfer and current students' minds about what is going to happen for the fall semester was answered on Tuesday, May 12. CSU Chancellor Timothy White announced that CSU institutions will be holding most of their fall classes online and keeping nearly all their classrooms closed, with a few exceptions.

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NewsDamaris GaleanoDamaris Galeano, Maxim ElramsisyComment
The Last Wave of Bioluminescence
The Last Wave of Bioluminescence

After nearly a month of lighting up shores from Baja California to Santa Cruz, the bioluminescent waves have faded. The phenomenon, which drew national media attention, entertained thousands of people eager to see the rare spectacle despite California’s beaches being closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Along several beaches, some local police gave up trying to enforce beach closures due to the large crowds.

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News, 2020 in ReviewKiran BaezKiran BaezComment
FDA Issues First At-Home COVID-19 Test, Done With a Saliva Sample
FDA Issues First At-Home COVID-19 Test, Done With a Saliva Sample

The first saliva at-home test for COVID-19 has been approved by the FDA, as it becomes available online to many states throughout the country including California. Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory is able to return results after approximately 48 hours by the time received. Tests are available through Vault Health company online, as it offers its virtual medical supervision.

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Coronavirus, NewsChrissa LoukasChrissa Loukas, Maxim Elramsisy, coronavirusComment
SMC Board of Trustees Unveil Fall Developments
SMC Board of Trustees Unveil Fall Developments

The true reality of Santa Monica College’s (SMC) future as a remote learning environment showed its face at the college’s Board of Trustees meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, which was held via Zoom. The discussion of possible technological shortfalls, severance of academic programs, and reopening development plans only scratched the surface of SMC’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) response.

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Board of Trustees, NewsMichael GoldsmithMichael Goldsmith Comment
A Check in the Mail for Students in Need
A Check in the Mail for Students in Need

CARES ACT, $12 million emergency relief money for Santa Monica College, will distribute $6 million to students affected by the pandemic and the rest for institutional support. Primarily pell grant students qualify, while undocumented and international students are left out. Administration sends out surveys necessary to determine if a student qualifies. Students can reapply for financial aid if income has been affected due to COVID-19.

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Coronavirus, News, 2020 in ReviewChrissa LoukasChrissa Loukas, Marco PallottiComment
Associated Students pass resolution “in solidarity” with Jewish students after criticism
Associated Students pass resolution “in solidarity” with Jewish students after criticism

The board members of Associated Students (AS) unanimously approved and sponsored the “Expressing Solidarity for Jewish Students at Santa Monica College” resolution at their Zoom-hosted board meeting on Monday. This approval comes after a week’s worth of impassioned criticism and support of the resolution from Santa Monica College (SMC) students and members of the public.

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News, Associated StudentsAleah Antonio and Tatiana LouderAleah Antonio, Tatiana Louder, Michael GoldsmithComment
California's Steps to Reopen Amid COVID-19
California's Steps to Reopen Amid COVID-19

California’s four steps to reopen include the retail industry and manufacturing, while gyms, hair and nail salons will follow later. Offices that are able to work virtually, will continue to do so in an attempt of maintaining social distancing. Fourth step is the end of "Safe at Home" measures, while people fear for their financial situation during this process.

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Coronavirus, News, 2020 in ReviewChrissa LoukasChrissa LoukasComment