Welcome back to This Week in Malibu, your weekly digest of local headlines and coastal curiosities. From the long-awaited reopening of the PCH to Mountain Lions, here’s what happened around town.
PCH Poised to Fully Reopen Before Memorial Day
After months of fire- and mudslide-related closures, Caltrans says the 11-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between Pacific Palisades and Sweetwater Canyon Drive should reopen in both directions by Friday. Soft soils and cleanup crews will keep speeds low, but commuters can finally look forward to continuous access.
Source: The LA Times
Mountain Lion Makes a Backyard Cameo
A sizable mountain lion was filmed scaling a backyard wall in Agoura Hills, a reminder that big cats still roam Malibu’s outer neighborhoods. Officials urge residents to secure pets and avoid feeding deer, which attract predators.
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles
Art & Couture: Sue Wong Exhibit Arrives at City Hall
The Malibu Arts Commission will present “Sue Wong: Glamour & Grace” from May 19 – June 27 in the City Gallery. A free opening reception is planned for Sunday, May 18, at noon, featuring the designer’s famed red-carpet gowns.
Source: City of Malibu
Wildlife Crossing Project Hits Halfway Mark
Crews say the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway is now more than 50 percent complete and remains on track for an early-2026 debut. The vegetated bridge will reconnect habitats split by the freeway, giving mountain lions, deer, and other wildlife a safer route between the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills.
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles
New Malibu High School Set to Open Early
Construction on the 70,000-square-foot Malibu High building is running five months ahead of schedule, with doors now slated to open in August for the 2025-26 school year. The campus will include modern classrooms, a library, food court, and administrative wing.
Source: Patch Malibu
High & Dry: Fire Victims Still Waiting to Rebuild
Four months after the Palisades Fire, hundreds of Malibu homeowners are still unable to rebuild due to outdated two-inch water lines that don’t meet county fire-flow standards. Without upgrades to larger eight-inch pipes—or an approved interim solution like booster pumps or on-site tanks—building permits remain on hold. The estimated $12–15 million project has no set timeline, and while debris removal is largely complete, cleared lots sit idle as residents face mounting costs and uncertainty. A City-County task force is exploring funding options, but progress remains slow.
Source: The Malibu Times
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