Ross and Matt talk about AB5, the new bill that went into effect on January 1. AB5 eliminates the ability for many professions in the gig economy to operate as independent contractors. 

Ross Furukawa and Matt Hall discuss what they see are the main topics of news coverage going into 2020. 

Election year, voting districts, homelessness and some possible amendments to some of the propositions that are blamed with causing the increase in crime across the state. 

With lots of retail square footage coming online while retail in general is declining will create news stories, and the changing use of retail space will also be very reportable. 

Matt Hall discusses the most important issues we have tackled this year, and how they relate to larger, regional and national issues. 

They discuss 2019 coverage on the districting of our city council elections, homelessness, the Eric Uller case at PAL (Police Activities League) and crime. 

Other subjects include housing, development, traffic and what you may see on the front page shortly. 

Todd James and Matt Hall talk shop about the most read stories in the Santa Monica Daily Press for 2019. 

The most read story of the year was an obituary written by Tatiana Blackington James about the founder of Yogaworks passing while in Japan. 

https://www.smdp.com/yogaworks-founder-dies-while-in-japan/177356

Some other stories that got lots of readership was the Target and Tesla opening stories written by Madeleine Pauker.

https://www.smdp.com/target-and-tesla-announce-santa-monica-locations/172417

Breaking news and crime watch do very well, as does feature stories about local businesses. 

City Council coverage does not do well, but restaurant opening and closings do particularly well. 

Matt and Brennon discuss the new gastro-publication, Flavor. It's the only dedicated food magazine in the Los Angeles area, produced by the team at the Santa Monica Daily Press. 

Brennon and Matt talk about Hamburgers, Hornblower Dinner cruises, cocktails and new restaurant openings. 

Jenny give the inside scoop on great places to go to celebrate the holidays, how to get a fast pass to take a photo with Santa, and some of her local favorites for shopping. 

Ross and Greg talk about how to get projects done in Santa Monica.

Ross Furukawa and Matt Hall discuss crime, reporting and policy. 

Ben and Ross sit down and catch up over his life as a new father.

They talk about his vaccination bill, and dive into the nuances and details on the needs for better legislation around keeping our population safe.

The discussion moves on to environmental bills he has worked on, then the recycling manufacturing policy he has introduced that will force packaging manufacturers to use earth friendlier raw materials. 

Publisher Ross Furukawa interviews attorney Rob Lemle of Lemle Law Group. 

They discuss the Surfing Lawyers, dog bites and who's responsible. 

Scooter liability, what to do if you're injured. 

Auto accidents, insurance and who's at fault.

www.lemlelaw.com