Full Belly Files | Matt Kettmann’s 2025 in Review
Here are my favorite food, drink, travel, and other stories from the past year.
Year: 2025
The Home Page | Home For The Holidays (Scout Included)
A cozy goodbye to 2025 — with travel dreams, good reads, and high hopes for the new year.
Ella Heydenfeldt’s 2025 in Review
Our newest news reporter’s top picks.
Why Are Americans So Loud?
The United States sounds at a cultural and political frequency, a constant, buzzing presence reverberating across global news cycles, pop culture, social media, and global public discourse.
Jackson Friedman’s 2025 in Review
Our associate editor shares his favorite stories of the year.
Callie Fausey’s 2025 Year in Review
Our reporter shares her favorite stories from the ‘Independent’s news team this year.
Tyler Hayden’s 2025 Year in Review
Crime, Trump, and happier things.
Winter Camping at Lake Cachuma
When the coast gets too crowded, look to the hundreds of sites around the lake.
Book Review | ‘Plastic’ by Scott Guild
A surreal debut novel casting our world in a compelling new mold.
Santa Barbara Holiday Classic: The Dons and Royals Capture Hard-Fought Victories on Saturday
Santa Barbara will host Bishop Diego in a crosstown clash on Monday.
