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‘Agent of Change’ Dennis Assanis Inaugurated as UC Santa Barbara Chancellor

‘Agent of Change’ Dennis Assanis Inaugurated as UC Santa Barbara Chancellor

Education By Keith Hamm, UCSB's 'The Current'

California dignitaries and scholars filled the Lobero Theatre on May 27 for the inauguration of UCSB Chancellor Dennis Assanis.

Fiesta Presidente Announces Plans to Expand Festivities in Downtown Santa Barbara

Fiesta Presidente Announces Plans to Expand Festivities in Downtown Santa Barbara

Community By Elaine Sanders

New additions this year include the expansion of El Mercado onto two blocks of State Street, a beer garden in De la Guerra Plaza, and poetry and photography contests.

Liberty Street Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Santa Barbara Court

Liberty Street Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Santa Barbara Court

Courts & Crime By Tyler Hayden

Carpinteria gang members Angel Varela and Oscar Trujillo-Gutierrez were convicted of two counts of first-degree murder.

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Isla Vista Street Mural Brings Color and Safety to a Busy Intersection

Isla Vista Street Mural Brings Color and Safety to a Busy Intersection

Transportation By Lauren Solway

‘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

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

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

$Students Crunch the Numbers at 2026 Math Super Bowl$

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

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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

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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

Fiesta Presidente Announces Plans to Expand Festivities in Downtown Santa Barbara

Fiesta Presidente Announces Plans to Expand Festivities in Downtown Santa Barbara

Community By Elaine Sanders

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

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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

Liberty Street Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Santa Barbara Court

Liberty Street Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Santa Barbara Court

Courts & Crime By Tyler Hayden

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

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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

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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

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Education

‘Agent of Change’ Dennis Assanis Inaugurated as UC Santa Barbara Chancellor

‘Agent of Change’ Dennis Assanis Inaugurated as UC Santa Barbara Chancellor

Education By Keith Hamm, UCSB's 'The Current'

‘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

View More Education

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

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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

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Transportation

Isla Vista Street Mural Brings Color and Safety to a Busy Intersection

Isla Vista Street Mural Brings Color and Safety to a Busy Intersection

Transportation By Lauren Solway

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

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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

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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

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