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‘Pencils, Not Pixels’: Parents Push for Stricter Tech Policies, Pause on AI in Santa Barbara Unified Schools

‘Pencils, Not Pixels’: Parents Push for Stricter Tech Policies, Pause on AI in Santa Barbara Unified Schools

Education By Callie Fausey

The district says some safeguards already exist and more are in the works, but some parents worry it’s too little, too slow.

MTD to Bring Back Electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Service in Partnership with City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara Zoo to Cover Free Rides for Zoo Visitors

MTD to Bring Back Electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Service in Partnership with City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara Zoo to Cover Free Rides for Zoo Visitors

Announcement By City of Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – Santa Barbara MTD is announcing the return of the all-electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle service to Santa Barbara’s

New California Law Bans Law Enforcement from Interfering in State Elections

New California Law Bans Law Enforcement from Interfering in State Elections

Election 2026 By Maya C. Miller, CalMatters

Newsom said the new law was just the first in a “mosaic” of legislation to address the “legitimate anxiety” that voters have about the safety and security of California’s elections.

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$Students Crunch the Numbers at 2026 Math Super Bowl$

Students Crunch the Numbers at 2026 Math Super Bowl

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Education Office

State Attorney General Wins Settlement in ‘Predatory’ Realty Scheme

State Attorney General Wins Settlement in ‘Predatory’ Realty Scheme

Courts & Crime By Ryan P. Cruz

Ashlee Buzzard Murder Case Moving to Santa Maria Courthouse

Ashlee Buzzard Murder Case Moving to Santa Maria Courthouse

Courts & Crime By Christina McDermott

Award and Memorial Created in Honor of Santa Barbara Teenager Tayden Tomblin

Award and Memorial Created in Honor of Santa Barbara Teenager Tayden Tomblin

Community By Matt Kettmann

Local Barber Jorge Salgado Purchases State Street Property, Signaling Continued Confidence in Downtown Santa Barbara

Local Barber Jorge Salgado Purchases State Street Property, Signaling Continued Confidence in Downtown Santa Barbara

Announcement By Radius Commercial Real Estate

A Rare Bid to Unseat a Santa Barbara County Judge

A Rare Bid to Unseat a Santa Barbara County Judge

Election 2026 By Tyler Hayden

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Voters that State Law Allows Time Off to Vote on Election Day

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Voters that State Law Allows Time Off to Vote on Election Day

Announcement By Office of the California Secretary of State

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Announces More Than 5.4 Million California Voters Signed Up to Track Their Ballot

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Announces More Than 5.4 Million California Voters Signed Up to Track Their Ballot

Announcement By Office of the California Secretary of State

Santa Barbara Police Department Asks for Public’s Help in East Beach Death Investigation

Santa Barbara Police Department Asks for Public’s Help in East Beach Death Investigation

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

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Immigration

Medi-Cal Shakeup Looms

Medi-Cal Shakeup Looms

Health By Nick Welsh

Central Coast Immigrant Rights Orgs Respond to Federal Raids

Central Coast Immigrant Rights Orgs Respond to Federal Raids

Immigration By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre Welcomes Mexican Stars for Concert Supporting Immigrants

Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre Welcomes Mexican Stars for Concert Supporting Immigrants

Music By Ryan P. Cruz

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Energy

$6 Gas and Refinery Fears Collide with California’s Climate Ambitions

$6 Gas and Refinery Fears Collide with California’s Climate Ambitions

Energy By by Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

Environmentalists’ Lawsuit Challenging Restart of Pipeline at Center of Refugio Oil Spill Removed from Santa Barbara Court

Environmentalists’ Lawsuit Challenging Restart of Pipeline at Center of Refugio Oil Spill Removed from Santa Barbara Court

Energy By Nick Welsh

Surfrider Hosts a Paddle-Out to Protect the Santa Barbara Coast

Surfrider Hosts a Paddle-Out to Protect the Santa Barbara Coast

Energy By Lauren Solway

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Science & Tech

UC Santa Barbara’s David Gross Wins Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

UC Santa Barbara’s David Gross Wins Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

Science & Tech By Shelly Leachman, UCSB’s ‘The Current’

Researchers Uncover ‘Treasure Trove’ of Bioactive Molecules in Coral Reefs

Researchers Uncover ‘Treasure Trove’ of Bioactive Molecules in Coral Reefs

Science & Tech By Sonia Fernandez, UCSB’s ‘The Current’

Sonic Booms from Artemis II’s Return to Earth May Reach Santa Barbara County

Sonic Booms from Artemis II’s Return to Earth May Reach Santa Barbara County

Science & Tech By Jackson Friedman

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Election 2026

New California Law Bans Law Enforcement from Interfering in State Elections

New California Law Bans Law Enforcement from Interfering in State Elections

Election 2026 By Maya C. Miller, CalMatters

A Rare Bid to Unseat a Santa Barbara County Judge

A Rare Bid to Unseat a Santa Barbara County Judge

Election 2026 By Tyler Hayden

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Voters that State Law Allows Time Off to Vote on Election Day

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Reminds Voters that State Law Allows Time Off to Vote on Election Day

Announcement By Office of the California Secretary of State

View More Election 2026

Housing

Santa Barbara City Council Checks Progress of Rent Stabilization Ordinance

Santa Barbara City Council Checks Progress of Rent Stabilization Ordinance

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

Yardi Systems, City of Santa Barbara Negotiate Deal for Vacant Macy’s Building in Paseo Nuevo Mall

Yardi Systems, City of Santa Barbara Negotiate Deal for Vacant Macy’s Building in Paseo Nuevo Mall

Business By Ryan P. Cruz

Proposed Family Village for Homeless Secures $11 Million in State Funds

Proposed Family Village for Homeless Secures $11 Million in State Funds

Housing By Nick Welsh

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Community

Award and Memorial Created in Honor of Santa Barbara Teenager Tayden Tomblin

Award and Memorial Created in Honor of Santa Barbara Teenager Tayden Tomblin

Community By Matt Kettmann

Goleta Gets New Splash Pad

Goleta Gets New Splash Pad

Community By Elaine Sanders

Chalk One Up for Art in Our Schools

Chalk One Up for Art in Our Schools

By Leslie Dinaberg, photos by Ingrid Bostrom

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Public Safety

Santa Barbara Police Department Asks for Public’s Help in East Beach Death Investigation

Santa Barbara Police Department Asks for Public’s Help in East Beach Death Investigation

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

Progress Made Against Gun Violence in Santa Barbara County

Progress Made Against Gun Violence in Santa Barbara County

Public Safety By Lauren Solway

Santa Barbara Police Department’s Co-Response Team Honored with Thomas Guerry Award

Santa Barbara Police Department’s Co-Response Team Honored with Thomas Guerry Award

Public Safety By Nick Welsh

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Courts & Crime

State Attorney General Wins Settlement in ‘Predatory’ Realty Scheme

State Attorney General Wins Settlement in ‘Predatory’ Realty Scheme

Courts & Crime By Ryan P. Cruz

Ashlee Buzzard Murder Case Moving to Santa Maria Courthouse

Ashlee Buzzard Murder Case Moving to Santa Maria Courthouse

Courts & Crime By Christina McDermott

Man arrested for Driving a Stolen Vehicle is also Found in Possession of an Illegal Gun and Drugs

Man arrested for Driving a Stolen Vehicle is also Found in Possession of an Illegal Gun and Drugs

Announcement By City of Ventura Police Department

View More Courts & Crime

Politics

New California Law Bans Law Enforcement from Interfering in State Elections

New California Law Bans Law Enforcement from Interfering in State Elections

Election 2026 By Maya C. Miller, CalMatters

A Rare Bid to Unseat a Santa Barbara County Judge

A Rare Bid to Unseat a Santa Barbara County Judge

Election 2026 By Tyler Hayden

Santa Barbara Supervisors Tap Boulder County Tsar to Replace Mona Miyasato

Santa Barbara Supervisors Tap Boulder County Tsar to Replace Mona Miyasato

Politics By Nick Welsh

View More Politics

Environment

Oil Blankets Beach Near UC Santa Barbara

Oil Blankets Beach Near UC Santa Barbara

Environment By Callie Fausey

Surfrider Foundation Paddleout Builds a Wave of Support to Oppose Oil Drilling off Santa Barbara Coast

Surfrider Foundation Paddleout Builds a Wave of Support to Oppose Oil Drilling off Santa Barbara Coast

Environment By Lauren Solway

Carpinteria Launches Beach Cleanup Stations

Carpinteria Launches Beach Cleanup Stations

Environment By Callie Fausey

View More Environment

Education

‘Pencils, Not Pixels’: Parents Push for Stricter Tech Policies, Pause on AI in Santa Barbara Unified Schools

‘Pencils, Not Pixels’: Parents Push for Stricter Tech Policies, Pause on AI in Santa Barbara Unified Schools

Education By Callie Fausey

$Students Crunch the Numbers at 2026 Math Super Bowl$

Students Crunch the Numbers at 2026 Math Super Bowl

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Education Office

Westmont, Santa Barbara Unified Partner on New Residency Program for Future Teachers

Westmont, Santa Barbara Unified Partner on New Residency Program for Future Teachers

Education By Callie Fausey

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Business

Local Barber Jorge Salgado Purchases State Street Property, Signaling Continued Confidence in Downtown Santa Barbara

Local Barber Jorge Salgado Purchases State Street Property, Signaling Continued Confidence in Downtown Santa Barbara

Announcement By Radius Commercial Real Estate

Yardi Systems, City of Santa Barbara Negotiate Deal for Vacant Macy’s Building in Paseo Nuevo Mall

Yardi Systems, City of Santa Barbara Negotiate Deal for Vacant Macy’s Building in Paseo Nuevo Mall

Business By Ryan P. Cruz

Depleted Reserves Cast Shadow over Santa Barbara City Budget Talks

Depleted Reserves Cast Shadow over Santa Barbara City Budget Talks

Business By Ryan P. Cruz

View More Business

Health

Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Threatens Santa Barbara County with $11 Million a Year in New Indigent Care Costs

Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Threatens Santa Barbara County with $11 Million a Year in New Indigent Care Costs

Health By Nick Welsh

Medi-Cal Shakeup Looms

Medi-Cal Shakeup Looms

Health By Nick Welsh

UC Santa Barbara’s Art of Wellness Program Offers Students Space to Pause, Create, and Connect

UC Santa Barbara’s Art of Wellness Program Offers Students Space to Pause, Create, and Connect

Health By Debra Herrick, UCSB’s ‘The Current’

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Homeless

Goleta Grapples with Car-Camping Community

Goleta Grapples with Car-Camping Community

Homeless By Jean Yamamura

Proposed Family Village for Homeless Secures $11 Million in State Funds

Proposed Family Village for Homeless Secures $11 Million in State Funds

Housing By Nick Welsh

After Six-Year Hiatus, Annual Foot-Washing Event Returns to Santa Barbara

After Six-Year Hiatus, Annual Foot-Washing Event Returns to Santa Barbara

Homeless By Elaine Sanders

View More Homeless

Transportation

MTD to Bring Back Electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Service in Partnership with City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara Zoo to Cover Free Rides for Zoo Visitors

MTD to Bring Back Electric Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Service in Partnership with City of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara Zoo to Cover Free Rides for Zoo Visitors

Announcement By City of Santa Barbara

Lane Reduction on Northbound Highway 101 North of Buellton set to Begin Tuesday, May 26

Lane Reduction on Northbound Highway 101 North of Buellton set to Begin Tuesday, May 26

Announcement By Caltrans

Repavimentación de la calle Anacapa

Repavimentación de la calle Anacapa

Anuncios By City of Santa Barbara

View More Transportation

Infrastructure

Solar Microgrid Project in Isla Vista Gets $15 Million in Funding

Solar Microgrid Project in Isla Vista Gets $15 Million in Funding

Infrastructure By Christina McDermott

Santa Barbara’s State Street Master Plan Comes into Focus, Without Return of Cars

Santa Barbara’s State Street Master Plan Comes into Focus, Without Return of Cars

Infrastructure By Ryan P. Cruz

Goleta Planning Commission Approves Ty Warner’s Revamp of Sandpiper Golf Course

Goleta Planning Commission Approves Ty Warner’s Revamp of Sandpiper Golf Course

Infrastructure By Jean Yamamura

View More Infrastructure

Cannabis

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

Santa Barbara Finance Committee Considers Increase on Cannabis Tax

Santa Barbara Finance Committee Considers Increase on Cannabis Tax

Cannabis By Ryan P. Cruz

View More Cannabis

Labor

KEYT Workers Picket in Santa Barbara While Contract Negotiations Stall

KEYT Workers Picket in Santa Barbara While Contract Negotiations Stall

Labor By Elaine Sanders

Major Open-Ended Strike Averted at UC Campuses, Hospitals as Tentative Deal Reached

Major Open-Ended Strike Averted at UC Campuses, Hospitals as Tentative Deal Reached

Labor By Callie Fausey

Thousands of UC Service, Patient Care Workers Threaten First Open-Ended Strike

Thousands of UC Service, Patient Care Workers Threaten First Open-Ended Strike

Labor By Ella Heydenfeldt

View More Labor

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