Chess Park will soon become chess-less. Years of crime, drug use, pollution and lewd behavior has led Rec and Parks Commissioners to throw in the towel and vote to temporarily shut down Chess Park. In this week's episode, Editor in Chief Matt Hall and Reporter Clara Harter discuss how the situation came to be, what the future of the park might look like and what its unfortunate closure says about the state of the City.

Reporter Clara Harter speaks with James Carroll, the former Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, known colloquially as the Drug Czar, about the dangers of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid deadly in quantities as small as one grain of sand. In light of the tragic death of Santa Monica teen Sammy Berman Chapman, they discuss the rise in sales of lethal fentanyl-laced pills over social media and what can be done to combat it.

Matt Hall talks to Santa Monica Police Sargent Cody Green about catalytic converter thefts, where they are happening, what cars are targets, and what you can do about it.

Fourteen Santa Monica restaurants were recognized in this year's Michelin guide and in this week's podcast Reporter Clara Harter speaks with Chef Andy Doubrava about exactly what it takes to make that Michelin mark. Andy is the Executive Chef at Rustic Canyon, which is one of three local restaurants to achieve a Michelin Star. Together they discuss the turbulence the restaurant industry has faced in the last year, the meaning of a Michelin and Rustic Canyon's philosophy of a living, breathing menu.

In this week's news brief reporters Clara Harter and Daniel Farr share what they have been working on and what topics readers should have their eye on next week. Daniel talks school board's proposed vaccine mandate for students and his new role on the bakery beat, while Clara discusses complaints around homelessness Downtown and the upcoming expiration of the eviction moratorium.

Ross and Matt discuss the current state of the potential split of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

Meet the Daily Press's newest reporter Daniel Farr, a Santa Monica native!

Reporter Clara Harter speaks with Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, the CEO and President of St. Joseph's Center, who oversaw the massive effort to provide 211 people living on the Venice Boardwalk with a pathway to permanent housing in just six weeks. They discuss how the program was planned, what led to its success, and what is next for both the Boardwalk and the hundreds of people who are no longer living on it.

Clara and Ross discuss some of the latest news items that will affect you this week. Protest at the Pier on Sunday, illegal vendors on the pier and beach, stormwater runoff.

Reporter Clara Harter speaks with pro-reform Sheriff candidate Cecil Rhambo, who makes his case for running against controversial L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. The pair dig into tough questions around the role of law enforcement in addressing homelessness, the defund the police movement, and where the limits of the Sheriff's jurisdiction should lie.