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M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXX • NO. XXXVIII
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026
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New study released by Pepperdine predicts slow road to fire rebuilds
California congressman fights for more federal disaster funds for wildfire recovery Representative from northern Los Angeles County leads California delegation in demanding more federal aid
Report details rebuilding timelines lag behind public perception By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
A new report from Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy shows California’s wildfire recovery effort is far slower — and more fragile — than most people realize. The information may not be news to those Malibu residents who lost their homes in the Woolsey Fire — with fewer than 50% rebuilt seven Flames can be seen coming up over the hills of Malibu during the Palisades Fire last January.. Photo by CalFire years later — but for the latest group of fire-affected in Malibu the report CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
California exodus continues in 2025 New data show a net loss of roughly 216,000 Californians, with LA leading the outflow By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
California once again led the nation in outbound migration in 2025, as more residents packed up and left the Golden State than moved in, continuing a trend that has now stretched six consecutive years. New data from U-Haul, combined with population figures from the California Department of Finance and policy analysts, paint a picture of a state still struggling to retain residents despite modest overall population growth. In 2025 alone, California recorded a net loss of approximately 216,000 residents. That follows a net loss of about 239,000 residents during 2023–2024, and even larger losses during the pandemic years. Between 2020 and 2023, California CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Pausing to reflect: One year since Palisades Fire
and whose lives were lost on that awful day. Attendees of all ages respectfully bowed their heads in silence, many painfully aware that they had lost all their material possessions but had at least escaped with their lives.
City Hall gathering honors lives lost, reflects on recovery, and reaffirms commitment to healing and rebuilding By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Colorful knit works created by the Malibu Senior Center’s knitting club warmly embraced those who entered City Hall on Jan. 7 to attend “Palisades Fire Commemoration: Finding Strength in Community,” a remembrance gathering for the entire community marking the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire. The purpose of the commemoration, the event program noted, was to provide “a time to recognize the challenges and traumatic losses we have endured, and reaffirm our shared commitment to healing, rebuilding and moving forward.” The event began with a video recounting the ravenous inferno, including harrowing moments when fire imminently threatened those trying to flee and providing an overview of firefighters’ valiant efforts to stop the flames. The movie also included somber moments — moments that anyone who experienced the devastation experienced when the reality of the disaster’s
Shown in this collage are seens from the Jan. 7 gathering at City Hall, a year to the day of the start of the Palisades Fire. Photos by. Photos courtesy of City of Malibu
impact on Malibu came to light. The Malibu Senior Choir’s rendition of “What the World Needs Now is Love,” helped inject a little positivity into the gathering. Mayor Marianne Riggins’ comments focused on the significance of the community’s recognizing the first anniversary of the fire. “The one-year mark reminds us both of the pain we experienced and the strength we discovered in one another,” Riggins said. “Through loss, uncertainty, and recovery, our
community has shown extraordinary resilience. As we look ahead, we remain focused on supporting every resident, honoring what we’ve overcome, and building a future rooted in hope and long-term restoration.” All city officials, Riggins noted, are committed to increasing the community’s safety, supporting those who are rebuilding and all residents, and fashioning a more resilient Malibu. Then, it was time to honor those who succumbed to the fire
Let’s allow the worst to bring out the best in us Remarks by elected officials followed, with State Sen. Ben Allen noting that he and other public officials are pressing for FEMA reimbursement to hasten the recovery efforts and are seeking to find a way to expedite the granting of permitting, a comment that garnered wide applause from the crowd. “Thank you to our public workers who worked so hard to help fire victims,” he said. “We know that Malibu is a resilient community, but we all have to take fire resiliency and home hardening very seriously.” Allen also discussed that communities and homeowners must work with insurance companies to convince them that both the city and owners have done all they can to arm themselves for wildfires. Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin discussed how the fire caused not only the loss of lives, but also of livelihoods, stating, “what CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
One year after Palisades Fire, tragedy fuels reflection, reckoning — and a LA mayoral challenge As the community marks the anniversary of one of California’s most devastating wildfires, recovery continues and resident Spencer Pratt enters the Los Angeles mayoral race By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor IN Chief
Spencer Pratt speaks at the “They Let Us Burn” rally, announcing his candidacy for Los Angeles mayor on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire. Photo shared by Spencer Pratt social media
One year after the Palisades Fire tore through the Santa Monica Mountains and forever altered the lives of thousands, the scars of one of the most destructive wildfires in California history remain deeply visible — in the landscape, in ongoing recovery efforts, and now, in the city’s political arena. On Jan. 7, residents gathered in Pacific Palisades
to mark the anniversary of the fire that ignited a year earlier and exploded under hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, ultimately killing 12 people, destroying more than 6,800 structures, and scorching more than 23,000 acres in a “They Let Us Burn” rally. Among the speakers at the rally was longtime Palisades resident and media personality Spencer Pratt, who announced his candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles, directly linking his campaign to the CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Santa Clarita Congressman George Whitesides is demanding more financial support from the federal government to support wildfire-affected communities in Southern California and to strengthen long-term wildfire resilience. Speaking on the one -year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires, the representative from the 27th District of California said, “The message that we are sharing here in Washington, D.C., is that the recovery is far from complete, and we need more federal assistance to help rebuild our communities, to rebuild our homes, and help those who are affected, rebuild their lives.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
INSIDE
this week
Prolific restaurateur Nando Silvestri returns to Malibu with Prima Cantina Malibu |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . A3 • Light display in Pacific Palisades honors fire victims and survivors
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . .A7 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . B1 • Mike Mulligan’s enduring legacy: Building champions, character, and a water polo dynasty at Malibu High
People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Malibu Scene: The Resconstruction: Part Two
Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . .B4 Business & Directory . . .B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .B8 • Waves men’s volleyball dominates early matches as tough season looms