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Judge: Immigration Agents Must Stop the Way They’re Conducting Warrantless Arrests

Judge: Immigration Agents Must Stop the Way They’re Conducting Warrantless Arrests

Immigration By Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry, CalMatters

A Los Angeles judge ruled federal immigration agents likely violated the Constitution by not assessing flight risk when making warrantless arrests.

How a Santa Barbara County Gym, a Farmers Market, and MMA Fighters Landed Millions in Newsom’s Last Budget

How a Santa Barbara County Gym, a Farmers Market, and MMA Fighters Landed Millions in Newsom’s Last Budget

Politics By Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters

The California Legislature’s secretive earmark process allows lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to dole out money for projects with little public scrutiny or notice, raising transparency and equity concerns even among some lawmakers.

Attorney General Bonta Secures Supreme Court Victory Blocking Trump Administration’s Attempt to Restrict Mail Voting

Attorney General Bonta Secures Supreme Court Victory Blocking Trump Administration’s Attempt to Restrict Mail Voting

Announcement By California Department of Justice

OAKLAND —Co-leading a coalition of 24 attorneys general and the Governor of Pennsylvania, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today welcomed the

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California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Encourages Californians to Take Action in Honor of National Voter Registration Day

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Encourages Californians to Take Action in Honor of National Voter Registration Day

Announcement By Office of the California Secretary of State

Lompoc Fire Department Response to Structure Fire on Palm Drive on September 10, 2026

Lompoc Fire Department Response to Structure Fire on Palm Drive on September 10, 2026

Announcement By City of Lompoc

Santa Barbara Unified Sets Sights on Higher Achievement Targets as Preliminary Test Scores Show Continued Growth

Santa Barbara Unified Sets Sights on Higher Achievement Targets as Preliminary Test Scores Show Continued Growth

Announcement By Santa Barbara Unified School District

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Music Academy of the West Groundbreaking Ceremony

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Music Academy of the West Groundbreaking Ceremony

Announcement By Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association

Join the Virtual El Niño Community Meeting

Join the Virtual El Niño Community Meeting

Announcement By County of Santa Barbara

Sable Offshore Digging Up 12 Spots of Pipeline for Corrosion

Sable Offshore Digging Up 12 Spots of Pipeline for Corrosion

Energy By Nick Welsh

Santa Barbara Unified Students Sound Off on YouTube Ban

Santa Barbara Unified Students Sound Off on YouTube Ban

Education By Callie Fausey

Santa Barbara County Jury Returns First Degree Murder Conviction in 2023 Santa Maria Shooting

Santa Barbara County Jury Returns First Degree Murder Conviction in 2023 Santa Maria Shooting

Announcement By Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch

Officials Look to Get a Handle on E-Bikes in Santa Barbara County

Officials Look to Get a Handle on E-Bikes in Santa Barbara County

Public Safety By Nick Welsh

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Immigration

Judge: Immigration Agents Must Stop the Way They’re Conducting Warrantless Arrests

Judge: Immigration Agents Must Stop the Way They’re Conducting Warrantless Arrests

Immigration By Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry, CalMatters

ICE Agent Sprays Observer at Santa Barbara County Jail

ICE Agent Sprays Observer at Santa Barbara County Jail

Public Safety By Nick Welsh

‘Justice for All’ Protests Held in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria in Wake of ICE Killings

‘Justice for All’ Protests Held in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria in Wake of ICE Killings

Politics By Ingrid Bostrom

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Energy

Sable Offshore Digging Up 12 Spots of Pipeline for Corrosion

Sable Offshore Digging Up 12 Spots of Pipeline for Corrosion

Energy By Nick Welsh

Santa Barbara County Supervisors Ban New Onshore Oil Drilling

Santa Barbara County Supervisors Ban New Onshore Oil Drilling

Energy By Nick Welsh

Newly Passed Bill Would Prohibit Use of Old State Infrastructure for New Offshore Oil Drilling Proposed by Feds

Newly Passed Bill Would Prohibit Use of Old State Infrastructure for New Offshore Oil Drilling Proposed by Feds

Energy By Callie Fausey

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Science & Tech

California Enacts Laws Restricting Chatbots and Banning Teens from ‘Addictive’ Social Media

California Enacts Laws Restricting Chatbots and Banning Teens from ‘Addictive’ Social Media

Science & Tech By Colin Lecher, CalMatters

Co-Founded by UC Santa Barbara Physics Professor, LUX-ZEPLINSees Surprising Result in Search for Dark Matter

Co-Founded by UC Santa Barbara Physics Professor, LUX-ZEPLINSees Surprising Result in Search for Dark Matter

Science & Tech By Sonia Fernandez, UCSB's 'The Current'

Meta to Pay $17 Billion — and Limit ‘Likes’ for Teens — in Social Media Settlement with States

Meta to Pay $17 Billion — and Limit ‘Likes’ for Teens — in Social Media Settlement with States

Science & Tech By Colin Lecher, CalMatters

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Election 2026

Attorney General Bonta Secures Supreme Court Victory Blocking Trump Administration’s Attempt to Restrict Mail Voting

Attorney General Bonta Secures Supreme Court Victory Blocking Trump Administration’s Attempt to Restrict Mail Voting

Announcement By California Department of Justice

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Encourages Californians to Take Action in Honor of National Voter Registration Day

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Encourages Californians to Take Action in Honor of National Voter Registration Day

Announcement By Office of the California Secretary of State

Santa Barbara City Council District 6 Election: Who Will Lead the Downtown District?

Santa Barbara City Council District 6 Election: Who Will Lead the Downtown District?

Election 2026 By Ryan P. Cruz

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Housing

Santa Barbara Housing Authority Head Rob Fredericks Retiring

Santa Barbara Housing Authority Head Rob Fredericks Retiring

Housing By Christina McDermott

Officials, Formerly Homeless Tenants Celebrate Opening of Patterson Point in Santa Barbara County

Officials, Formerly Homeless Tenants Celebrate Opening of Patterson Point in Santa Barbara County

Housing By Jean Yamamura

Housing Authority Executive Director/CEO Rob Fredericks Announces Planned Retirement at End of 2027

Announcement By Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

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Community

Santa Barbara County First Responders Mark 25th Anniversary of September 11

Santa Barbara County First Responders Mark 25th Anniversary of September 11

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

Santa Barbara Zoo’s White-Handed Gibbon Gives Birth in Front of Visitors

Santa Barbara Zoo’s White-Handed Gibbon Gives Birth in Front of Visitors

Animals By Callie Fausey

CommUnify to Open New Childcare Center for Low-Income Families in Santa Maria

CommUnify to Open New Childcare Center for Low-Income Families in Santa Maria

Community By Callie Fausey

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Public Safety

Lompoc Fire Department Response to Structure Fire on Palm Drive on September 10, 2026

Lompoc Fire Department Response to Structure Fire on Palm Drive on September 10, 2026

Announcement By City of Lompoc

Join the Virtual El Niño Community Meeting

Join the Virtual El Niño Community Meeting

Announcement By County of Santa Barbara

Officials Look to Get a Handle on E-Bikes in Santa Barbara County

Officials Look to Get a Handle on E-Bikes in Santa Barbara County

Public Safety By Nick Welsh

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Courts & Crime

Santa Barbara County Jury Returns First Degree Murder Conviction in 2023 Santa Maria Shooting

Santa Barbara County Jury Returns First Degree Murder Conviction in 2023 Santa Maria Shooting

Announcement By Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch

Bellosguardo Foundation Sues Santa Barbara County over Property Taxes

Bellosguardo Foundation Sues Santa Barbara County over Property Taxes

Courts & Crime By Tyler Hayden

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Announces 1988 Cold Case Investigation Reopened

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Announces 1988 Cold Case Investigation Reopened

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office

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Politics

How a Santa Barbara County Gym, a Farmers Market, and MMA Fighters Landed Millions in Newsom’s Last Budget

How a Santa Barbara County Gym, a Farmers Market, and MMA Fighters Landed Millions in Newsom’s Last Budget

Politics By Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters

Santa Barbara City Council District 6 Election: Who Will Lead the Downtown District?

Santa Barbara City Council District 6 Election: Who Will Lead the Downtown District?

Election 2026 By Ryan P. Cruz

Did a Member of Santa Barbara City Council Curse at Constituent on Hot Mic?

Did a Member of Santa Barbara City Council Curse at Constituent on Hot Mic?

Politics By Ryan P. Cruz

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Environment

Coastal Cleanup Day — California’s Largest Volunteer Event — Is Back for 42nd Year

Coastal Cleanup Day — California’s Largest Volunteer Event — Is Back for 42nd Year

Environment By Callie Fausey

California Sues over Trump Administration’s Attempt to Weaken Endangered Species Act

California Sues over Trump Administration’s Attempt to Weaken Endangered Species Act

Environment By Callie Fausey

September Heat Wave Breaks Records in Santa Barbara County

September Heat Wave Breaks Records in Santa Barbara County

Environment By Jean Yamamura

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Education

Santa Barbara Unified Sets Sights on Higher Achievement Targets as Preliminary Test Scores Show Continued Growth

Santa Barbara Unified Sets Sights on Higher Achievement Targets as Preliminary Test Scores Show Continued Growth

Announcement By Santa Barbara Unified School District

Santa Barbara Unified Students Sound Off on YouTube Ban

Santa Barbara Unified Students Sound Off on YouTube Ban

Education By Callie Fausey

Teachers Call On Santa Barbara School District to Combat Extreme Heat

Teachers Call On Santa Barbara School District to Combat Extreme Heat

Education By Callie Fausey

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Business

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Music Academy of the West Groundbreaking Ceremony

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Music Academy of the West Groundbreaking Ceremony

Announcement By Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association

Famed Santa Barbara Eatery Roy Preparing to Hang Closed Sign, for Good

Famed Santa Barbara Eatery Roy Preparing to Hang Closed Sign, for Good

Business By Josef Woodard

Bye-Bye to Bibi Ji

Bye-Bye to Bibi Ji

Food & Drink By Matt Kettmann

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Health

West Nile Virus Activity at Five-Year High

West Nile Virus Activity at Five-Year High

Announcement By California Department of Public Health

Measles Cases in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties Linked to Same International Flight

Measles Cases in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties Linked to Same International Flight

Health By Jean Yamamura

Sutter Health Confirms Measles Case at One of Its Facilities in Santa Barbara County

Sutter Health Confirms Measles Case at One of Its Facilities in Santa Barbara County

Health By Nick Welsh

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Homeless

Officials, Formerly Homeless Tenants Celebrate Opening of Patterson Point in Santa Barbara County

Officials, Formerly Homeless Tenants Celebrate Opening of Patterson Point in Santa Barbara County

Housing By Jean Yamamura

For Many of Santa Barbara’s Unhoused, Their Car Is Their Castle

For Many of Santa Barbara’s Unhoused, Their Car Is Their Castle

Homeless By Nick Welsh

Downtown Santa Barbara’s FARO Center Turns Two

Downtown Santa Barbara’s FARO Center Turns Two

Homeless By Nick Welsh

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Transportation

Daytime One-Way Reversing Traffic Control on Highway 166 for Vegetation Control Work Set to Begin Monday, September 21

Daytime One-Way Reversing Traffic Control on Highway 166 for Vegetation Control Work Set to Begin Monday, September 21

Announcement By Caltrans

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 Through Buellton to Shift September 30

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 Through Buellton to Shift September 30

Announcement By Caltrans

Two Major Active Transportation and Coastal Access Projects Moving Forward in Summerland

Two Major Active Transportation and Coastal Access Projects Moving Forward in Summerland

Announcement By Public Works Department

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Infrastructure

State Street Master Plan Approved by Santa Barbara City Council

State Street Master Plan Approved by Santa Barbara City Council

Infrastructure By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara’s Castillo Street ‘Drastically’ Drier Following Emergency Repairs

Santa Barbara’s Castillo Street ‘Drastically’ Drier Following Emergency Repairs

Infrastructure By Jean Yamamura

Carbajal Announces Over $1 Million in Federal Funding for Santa Barbara Airport

Carbajal Announces Over $1 Million in Federal Funding for Santa Barbara Airport

Announcement By Office of U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal

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Cannabis

Santa Barbara County Cannabis Company ‘Uplisted’ to New York Stock Exchange

Santa Barbara County Cannabis Company ‘Uplisted’ to New York Stock Exchange

Cannabis By Nick Welsh

Santa Barbara Increases Cannabis Sales Tax Rate by 2 Percent

Santa Barbara Increases Cannabis Sales Tax Rate by 2 Percent

Cannabis By Ryan P. Cruz

No Time Extensions on Cannabis Odor Scrubbers in Carpinteria Greenhouses

No Time Extensions on Cannabis Odor Scrubbers in Carpinteria Greenhouses

Cannabis By Nick Welsh

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Labor

KEYT Workers Strike as Fiesta Kicks Off in Santa Barbara

KEYT Workers Strike as Fiesta Kicks Off in Santa Barbara

Labor By Christina McDermott

KEYT Reporters, Producers, Videographers to Participate in One-Day Strike

KEYT Reporters, Producers, Videographers to Participate in One-Day Strike

Labor By Christina McDermott

Eric Schmidt, Santa Barbara Resident and Former Google CEO, Signs ‘We Must Act Now’ AI Statement

Eric Schmidt, Santa Barbara Resident and Former Google CEO, Signs ‘We Must Act Now’ AI Statement

Science & Tech By Izadora Hamm

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