News - The Santa Barbara Independent

Featured Stories

Trump Administration Rescinds Definition of ‘Harm’ in Endangered Species Act

Trump Administration Rescinds Definition of ‘Harm’ in Endangered Species Act

Environment By Callie Fausey

Santa Barbara County species at risk include frogs and fish.

Biggest Federal Housing Bill in Decades Opens More Pathways to Affordable Housing on South Coast

Biggest Federal Housing Bill in Decades Opens More Pathways to Affordable Housing on South Coast

Housing By Christina McDermott

The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act paves the way for more low-income housing tax credits, makes it easier to build manufactured housing, and more.

Santa Barbara City College Temporarily Shuts Down Raíces Program

Santa Barbara City College Temporarily Shuts Down Raíces Program

Education By Izadora Hamm

SBCC program serving first-generation and Hispanic students has been put on indefinite pause amid loss of federal funding and permanent staff.

Latest Stories | See More Stories

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 Through Buellton to Shift August 12

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 Through Buellton to Shift August 12

Announcement By Caltrans

Santa Barbara Sewer Main Replacement Expected to Cause Daytime Delays for Drivers

Santa Barbara Sewer Main Replacement Expected to Cause Daytime Delays for Drivers

Infrastructure By Izadora Hamm

City of Santa Barbara Temporarily Blocks Off Popular Cliff Drive Overlook

City of Santa Barbara Temporarily Blocks Off Popular Cliff Drive Overlook

Transportation By Izadora Hamm

Santa Barbara’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance Moves Slowly Forward

Santa Barbara’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance Moves Slowly Forward

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

Full Overnight Closure of Highway 192 Near Carpinteria Set to Take Place Thursday, July 30

Full Overnight Closure of Highway 192 Near Carpinteria Set to Take Place Thursday, July 30

Announcement By Caltrans

Regresan por Cuarto Año las Ferias de Salud de Regreso a Clases en el Condado de Santa Bárbara

Regresan por Cuarto Año las Ferias de Salud de Regreso a Clases en el Condado de Santa Bárbara

Anuncios By Departamento de Salud del Condado de Santa Bárbara

Back-to-School Health Fairs Return for a Fourth Year Across Santa Barbara County

Back-to-School Health Fairs Return for a Fourth Year Across Santa Barbara County

Announcement By County of Santa Barbara Health Department

Harrowing Account from Venezuela, Veteran of Disaster Relief Reveals Dire Conditions, Tremendous Shelter Needs

Harrowing Account from Venezuela, Veteran of Disaster Relief Reveals Dire Conditions, Tremendous Shelter Needs

Announcement By ShelterBox USA

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

More Stories

Immigration

‘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

Carpinteria Community Commemorates One-Year Anniversary of Glass House Farm Raids

Carpinteria Community Commemorates One-Year Anniversary of Glass House Farm Raids

Community By Ingrid Bostrom

Vigil Held at Santa Barbara Courthouse for Victims of ICE Killings

Vigil Held at Santa Barbara Courthouse for Victims of ICE Killings

Photo By Ingrid Bostrom

View More Immigration

Energy

California Restricts Utility Shutoffs as Dangerous Heat Ripples Across State

California Restricts Utility Shutoffs as Dangerous Heat Ripples Across State

Energy By Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

Congress Votes to Give Department of War Power over State on Behalf of Sable Offshore

Congress Votes to Give Department of War Power over State on Behalf of Sable Offshore

Politics By Nick Welsh

California Attorney General Sues Feds over Sable Offshore Yet Again

California Attorney General Sues Feds over Sable Offshore Yet Again

Courts & Crime By Nick Welsh

View More Energy

Science & Tech

Two UC Santa Barbara–Led Projects Selected for DOE’s Genesis Mission

Two UC Santa Barbara–Led Projects Selected for DOE’s Genesis Mission

Science & Tech By Andrew Masuda, UCSB's 'The Current'

UC Santa Barbara Comm Scholar Dan Lane Named UC Fellow for Research on AI and Civic Engagement

UC Santa Barbara Comm Scholar Dan Lane Named UC Fellow for Research on AI and Civic Engagement

Science & Tech By Debra Herrick, UCSB's 'The Current'

Quantum Computing Startup in Santa Barbara Gets $54 Million from UC Investments

Quantum Computing Startup in Santa Barbara Gets $54 Million from UC Investments

Science & Tech By Callie Fausey

View More Science & Tech

Election 2026

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Announces the Statewide Voter Information Guide for the November 3, 2026, General Election Is Available for Public Review

Announcement By Office of California Secretary of State

City Planning Commissioner Devon Wardlow Jumps into Santa Barbara City Council Race

City Planning Commissioner Devon Wardlow Jumps into Santa Barbara City Council Race

Election 2026 By Nick Welsh

2026 Carpinteria City Council Election Nomination Period Opens July 13

Announcement By City of Carpinteria

View More Election 2026

Housing

Biggest Federal Housing Bill in Decades Opens More Pathways to Affordable Housing on South Coast

Biggest Federal Housing Bill in Decades Opens More Pathways to Affordable Housing on South Coast

Housing By Christina McDermott

Santa Barbara’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance Moves Slowly Forward

Santa Barbara’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance Moves Slowly Forward

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

Q&A: Rent Stabilization with Santa Barbara City Councilmember Wendy Santamaria

Q&A: Rent Stabilization with Santa Barbara City Councilmember Wendy Santamaria

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

View More Housing

Community

Harrowing Account from Venezuela, Veteran of Disaster Relief Reveals Dire Conditions, Tremendous Shelter Needs

Harrowing Account from Venezuela, Veteran of Disaster Relief Reveals Dire Conditions, Tremendous Shelter Needs

Announcement By ShelterBox USA

Gator Boy Rides Again: Cajun Kitchen Reopens with Familiar Mural

Gator Boy Rides Again: Cajun Kitchen Reopens with Familiar Mural

Community By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara Zoo Mourns Loss of Second Red Panda Cub

Santa Barbara Zoo Mourns Loss of Second Red Panda Cub

Animals By Callie Fausey

View More Community

Public Safety

City of Santa Barbara Temporarily Blocks Off Popular Cliff Drive Overlook

City of Santa Barbara Temporarily Blocks Off Popular Cliff Drive Overlook

Transportation By Izadora Hamm

SUV Crashes into Toy Crazy in Montecito Country Mart

SUV Crashes into Toy Crazy in Montecito Country Mart

Public Safety By Izadora Hamm

Suspect Sought in Goleta Target Robbery; Public Urged to Call 911 if Seen

Suspect Sought in Goleta Target Robbery; Public Urged to Call 911 if Seen

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

View More Public Safety

Courts & Crime

Masks Are Off in Half-a-Million-Dollar Carpinteria Cannabis Heists

Masks Are Off in Half-a-Million-Dollar Carpinteria Cannabis Heists

Courts & Crime By Elaine Sanders

Inmate Walks Away from Minimum-Security Lompoc Prison Camp

Inmate Walks Away from Minimum-Security Lompoc Prison Camp

Courts & Crime By Tyler Hayden

Santa Barbara Jury Hits UCSB Police Department with $3.3 Million Verdict

Santa Barbara Jury Hits UCSB Police Department with $3.3 Million Verdict

Courts & Crime By Tyler Hayden

View More Courts & Crime

Politics

‘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

Congress Votes to Give Department of War Power over State on Behalf of Sable Offshore

Congress Votes to Give Department of War Power over State on Behalf of Sable Offshore

Politics By Nick Welsh

‘Good Trouble Lives On’ Rally Draws Hundreds to Santa Barbara Waterfront

‘Good Trouble Lives On’ Rally Draws Hundreds to Santa Barbara Waterfront

Politics By Izadora Hamm

View More Politics

Environment

Trump Administration Rescinds Definition of ‘Harm’ in Endangered Species Act

Trump Administration Rescinds Definition of ‘Harm’ in Endangered Species Act

Environment By Callie Fausey

The Long and Winding Road to Open Hollister Ranch’s Remote Beaches to the Public

The Long and Winding Road to Open Hollister Ranch’s Remote Beaches to the Public

Environment By Jean Yamamura

State-Funded Study Offering Santa Barbara County Homeowners $500, Free Home Improvements

State-Funded Study Offering Santa Barbara County Homeowners $500, Free Home Improvements

Housing By Izadora Hamm

View More Environment

Education

Santa Barbara City College Temporarily Shuts Down Raíces Program

Santa Barbara City College Temporarily Shuts Down Raíces Program

Education By Izadora Hamm

White House Admits It Used Keywords to Kill Billions Worth of California Research Grants

White House Admits It Used Keywords to Kill Billions Worth of California Research Grants

Education By Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

California Pulled the Plug on New School Air Conditioners, Leaving $200 Million Unspent

California Pulled the Plug on New School Air Conditioners, Leaving $200 Million Unspent

Education By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, CalMatters

View More Education

Business

Gator Boy Rides Again: Cajun Kitchen Reopens with Familiar Mural

Gator Boy Rides Again: Cajun Kitchen Reopens with Familiar Mural

Community By Ryan P. Cruz

Ocean Nails & Spa Receives Goleta Business Recognition Award

Ocean Nails & Spa Receives Goleta Business Recognition Award

Announcement By City of Goleta

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Grand Opening of REH Contemporary Studio and Gallery with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Grand Opening of REH Contemporary Studio and Gallery with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Announcement By Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association

View More Business

Health

Regresan por Cuarto Año las Ferias de Salud de Regreso a Clases en el Condado de Santa Bárbara

Regresan por Cuarto Año las Ferias de Salud de Regreso a Clases en el Condado de Santa Bárbara

Anuncios By Departamento de Salud del Condado de Santa Bárbara

Back-to-School Health Fairs Return for a Fourth Year Across Santa Barbara County

Back-to-School Health Fairs Return for a Fourth Year Across Santa Barbara County

Announcement By County of Santa Barbara Health Department

California Reports 52 Cases of Measles in Last Six Months amid National Outbreak

California Reports 52 Cases of Measles in Last Six Months amid National Outbreak

Health By Jean Yamamura

View More Health

Homeless

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

Santa Barbara Nonprofit Holds All-Hands Meeting on Homelessness

Santa Barbara Nonprofit Holds All-Hands Meeting on Homelessness

Homeless By Christina McDermott

View More Homeless

Transportation

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 Through Buellton to Shift August 12

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 Through Buellton to Shift August 12

Announcement By Caltrans

Santa Barbara Sewer Main Replacement Expected to Cause Daytime Delays for Drivers

Santa Barbara Sewer Main Replacement Expected to Cause Daytime Delays for Drivers

Infrastructure By Izadora Hamm

City of Santa Barbara Temporarily Blocks Off Popular Cliff Drive Overlook

City of Santa Barbara Temporarily Blocks Off Popular Cliff Drive Overlook

Transportation By Izadora Hamm

View More Transportation

Infrastructure

Santa Barbara Sewer Main Replacement Expected to Cause Daytime Delays for Drivers

Santa Barbara Sewer Main Replacement Expected to Cause Daytime Delays for Drivers

Infrastructure By Izadora Hamm

California Public Utilities Commission Approves $33M to Expand Broadband Access on Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

California Public Utilities Commission Approves $33M to Expand Broadband Access on Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

Infrastructure By Izadora Hamm

Santa Barbara’s State Street to Stay Car-Free

Santa Barbara’s State Street to Stay Car-Free

Infrastructure By Ryan P. Cruz

View More Infrastructure

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

View More Cannabis

Labor

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

Labor Board ‘Pierces Corporate Veil’ and Orders McCaw to Pay $3.6M

Labor Board ‘Pierces Corporate Veil’ and Orders McCaw to Pay $3.6M

Labor By Jean Yamamura

KEYT Workers Picket in Santa Barbara While Contract Negotiations Stall

KEYT Workers Picket in Santa Barbara While Contract Negotiations Stall

Labor By Elaine Sanders

View More Labor

Login

Please note this login is to submit events or press releases. Use this page here to login for your Independent subscription

Not a member? Sign up here.