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Governor Signs Hart Bill Strengthening County Jail Accountability

Governor Signs Hart Bill Strengthening County Jail Accountability

Announcement By Indy Staff

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s Assembly Bill 2257 into law, giving county boards of supervisors the option

California’s Biggest State Worker Union Authorizes Strike in Newsom’s Last Months

California’s Biggest State Worker Union Authorizes Strike in Newsom’s Last Months

Labor By Lynn La, CalMatters

Demanding better pay and a more flexible work-from-home policy, state workers in SEIU Local 1000 voted to authorize a strike as the union negotiates with Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Judge in ‘Santa Barbara News-Press’ Bankruptcy Case Hears Motions to Compel McCaw’s Deposition, Attorney’s Fees as He Sets Trial Date for 2027

Judge in ‘Santa Barbara News-Press’ Bankruptcy Case Hears Motions to Compel McCaw’s Deposition, Attorney’s Fees as He Sets Trial Date for 2027

Courts & Crime By Jean Yamamura

The trial will determine if the “News-Press” building in De la Guerra Plaza and the printing plant in Goleta can be sold to pay creditors.

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Saving Naples, Once and for All

Saving Naples, Once and for All

Cover Story By Callie Fausey & Tyler Hayden

The ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ Endorsements for the General Election, November 3, 2026

The ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ Endorsements for the General Election, November 3, 2026

Endorsements By Indy Staff

Partial Closure at Hollister Avenue Roundabout

Partial Closure at Hollister Avenue Roundabout

Announcement By City of Goleta

Goleta Railroad Museum, Community Center Vulnerable If El Niño Delivers Torrential Rains

Goleta Railroad Museum, Community Center Vulnerable If El Niño Delivers Torrential Rains

Public Safety By Jean Yamamura

Annual Chumash Intertribal Powwow Draws a Crowd in Santa Ynez Despite Soaring Temperatures

Annual Chumash Intertribal Powwow Draws a Crowd in Santa Ynez Despite Soaring Temperatures

Photo By Elaine Sanders

Beached and Abandoned: Santa Barbara County Confronts ‘Toxic’ Boat Wrecks

Beached and Abandoned: Santa Barbara County Confronts ‘Toxic’ Boat Wrecks

Environment By Callie Fausey

Equine Evac and Earl Warren Showgrounds Reach a Rental Agreement

Equine Evac and Earl Warren Showgrounds Reach a Rental Agreement

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

Santa Barbara City Council Supports New Rules for Short-Term Rentals

Santa Barbara City Council Supports New Rules for Short-Term Rentals

Business By Ryan P. Cruz

Parking Lot Crash Leaves One Passenger Dead and Driver with Major Injuries

Parking Lot Crash Leaves One Passenger Dead and Driver with Major Injuries

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

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Immigration

Officials Speak Out After ICE Surge Hits Santa Maria

Officials Speak Out After ICE Surge Hits Santa Maria

Immigration By Ryan P. Cruz

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

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Energy

Santa Barbara Supes Formally Condemn Feds’ Intervention on Sable Offshore’s Behalf

Santa Barbara Supes Formally Condemn Feds’ Intervention on Sable Offshore’s Behalf

Energy By Nick Welsh

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

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Science & Tech

UC Santa Barbara Researchers to Collaborate in Three of NSF’s Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes

UC Santa Barbara Researchers to Collaborate in Three of NSF’s Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes

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

Newsom Clamps Down on California Data Centers as Voters Turn Against the Industry

Newsom Clamps Down on California Data Centers as Voters Turn Against the Industry

Science & Tech By Katherine Ortiz, CalMatters

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

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Election 2026

The ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ Endorsements for the General Election, November 3, 2026

The ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ Endorsements for the General Election, November 3, 2026

Endorsements By Indy Staff

California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Encourages Californians to Vote Early in the 2026 General Election!

California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Encourages Californians to Vote Early in the 2026 General Election!

Announcement By California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.

Following Critical U.S. Supreme Court Victory, Attorney General Bonta Reaffirms Mail-In Voting Remains Safe and Secure for November General Election

Following Critical U.S. Supreme Court Victory, Attorney General Bonta Reaffirms Mail-In Voting Remains Safe and Secure for November General Election

Announcement By California Attorney General's Office

View More Election 2026

Housing

Santa Barbara City Council Adopts Rent Stabilization Ordinance in Milestone 4-3 Vote

Santa Barbara City Council Adopts Rent Stabilization Ordinance in Milestone 4-3 Vote

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara City Council Split, but Rent Stabilization Ordinance Moves Forward

Santa Barbara City Council Split, but Rent Stabilization Ordinance Moves Forward

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

City of Santa Barbara to Loan School District $1M for Employee Housing at Former Parma School Site

City of Santa Barbara to Loan School District $1M for Employee Housing at Former Parma School Site

Housing By Callie Fausey

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Community

Annual Chumash Intertribal Powwow Draws a Crowd in Santa Ynez Despite Soaring Temperatures

Annual Chumash Intertribal Powwow Draws a Crowd in Santa Ynez Despite Soaring Temperatures

Photo By Elaine Sanders

Eva Marie Saint, Hollywood Legend and Montecito Resident, Dies at 102

Eva Marie Saint, Hollywood Legend and Montecito Resident, Dies at 102

Community By Jean Yamamura

Fundraiser for Carpinteria’s Pool Gets a Big Boost from Monique Limón

Fundraiser for Carpinteria’s Pool Gets a Big Boost from Monique Limón

Community By Aj Nagbe

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Public Safety

Goleta Railroad Museum, Community Center Vulnerable If El Niño Delivers Torrential Rains

Goleta Railroad Museum, Community Center Vulnerable If El Niño Delivers Torrential Rains

Public Safety By Jean Yamamura

Equine Evac and Earl Warren Showgrounds Reach a Rental Agreement

Equine Evac and Earl Warren Showgrounds Reach a Rental Agreement

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

Parking Lot Crash Leaves One Passenger Dead and Driver with Major Injuries

Parking Lot Crash Leaves One Passenger Dead and Driver with Major Injuries

Public Safety By Elaine Sanders

View More Public Safety

Courts & Crime

Judge in ‘Santa Barbara News-Press’ Bankruptcy Case Hears Motions to Compel McCaw’s Deposition, Attorney’s Fees as He Sets Trial Date for 2027

Judge in ‘Santa Barbara News-Press’ Bankruptcy Case Hears Motions to Compel McCaw’s Deposition, Attorney’s Fees as He Sets Trial Date for 2027

Courts & Crime By Jean Yamamura

Sergio Rivas Sentenced for 2025 Fiesta Stabbing in Downtown Santa Barbara

Sergio Rivas Sentenced for 2025 Fiesta Stabbing in Downtown Santa Barbara

Courts & Crime By Callie Fausey

Victim Released from Hospital Following Sunday Shooting on Santa Barbara’s Westside

Victim Released from Hospital Following Sunday Shooting on Santa Barbara’s Westside

Courts & Crime By Elaine Sanders

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Politics

Governor Signs Hart Bill Strengthening County Jail Accountability

Governor Signs Hart Bill Strengthening County Jail Accountability

Announcement By Indy Staff

Santa Barbara’s Laura Piña Helps Gregg Hart Pass Domestic Violence Survivors’ Bill

Santa Barbara’s Laura Piña Helps Gregg Hart Pass Domestic Violence Survivors’ Bill

Politics By Nick Welsh

Santa Barbara County Providers Warn Trump Administration’s Latest Proposal Would ‘Gut’ Head Start

Santa Barbara County Providers Warn Trump Administration’s Latest Proposal Would ‘Gut’ Head Start

Politics By Callie Fausey

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Environment

Saving Naples, Once and for All

Saving Naples, Once and for All

Cover Story By Callie Fausey & Tyler Hayden

Beached and Abandoned: Santa Barbara County Confronts ‘Toxic’ Boat Wrecks

Beached and Abandoned: Santa Barbara County Confronts ‘Toxic’ Boat Wrecks

Environment By Callie Fausey

Santa Barbara Environmentalists Celebrate Newsom’s Signing of One of ‘Strongest Anti-Offshore Oil Bills in State’s History’

Santa Barbara Environmentalists Celebrate Newsom’s Signing of One of ‘Strongest Anti-Offshore Oil Bills in State’s History’

Environment By Callie Fausey

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Education

UC Santa Barbara Introduces Minor in Environmental Humanities

UC Santa Barbara Introduces Minor in Environmental Humanities

Education By Seren Snow, UCSB's 'The Current'

Washington Elementary Principal Placed on Administrative Leave

Washington Elementary Principal Placed on Administrative Leave

Education By Callie Fausey

Westmont College’s Faith.Climate.Action Program Spreads the Environmental Word

Westmont College’s Faith.Climate.Action Program Spreads the Environmental Word

Environment By Aj Nagbe

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Business

Santa Barbara City Council Supports New Rules for Short-Term Rentals

Santa Barbara City Council Supports New Rules for Short-Term Rentals

Business By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara Cracks Top-Five Best Small Cities in U.S.

Santa Barbara Cracks Top-Five Best Small Cities in U.S.

Travel By Ryan P. Cruz

Jeff Bridges and Family to Take Over Prime State Street Gallery in Santa Barbara

Jeff Bridges and Family to Take Over Prime State Street Gallery in Santa Barbara

Business By Josef Woodard

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Health

From Montecito Tragedy to Statewide Change

From Montecito Tragedy to Statewide Change

Health By Sara Bush

Santa Barbara High School Welcomes New-and-Improved Student Wellness Center

Santa Barbara High School Welcomes New-and-Improved Student Wellness Center

Education By Elaine Sanders

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Receives Five-Star CMS Rating for Cleanliness

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Receives Five-Star CMS Rating for Cleanliness

Announcement By Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital

View More Health

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

Partial Closure at Hollister Avenue Roundabout

Partial Closure at Hollister Avenue Roundabout

Announcement By City of Goleta

Tree Removal in Lompoc to Close One Lane on Highway 246 Beginning Tuesday, October 6

Tree Removal in Lompoc to Close One Lane on Highway 246 Beginning Tuesday, October 6

Announcement By Caltrans

Se ofrecen viajes gratuitos en autobús en todo el condado con motivo del Día del Aire Limpio de California

Anuncios By County of Santa Barbara

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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

View More Infrastructure

Labor

California’s Biggest State Worker Union Authorizes Strike in Newsom’s Last Months

California’s Biggest State Worker Union Authorizes Strike in Newsom’s Last Months

Labor By Lynn La, CalMatters

City of Solvang Workers Enter Second Week of Strike

City of Solvang Workers Enter Second Week of Strike

Labor By Christina McDermott

City of Solvang Union Members’ Strike Continues Through Weekend

City of Solvang Union Members’ Strike Continues Through Weekend

Labor By Christina McDermott

View More Labor

News Commentary

Does Santa Barbara Unified Have an Issue with Anti-Black Harassment?

Does Santa Barbara Unified Have an Issue with Anti-Black Harassment?

News Commentary By Maya Johnson

Political Tales of the Weird: Five Takeaways from the Election

Political Tales of the Weird: Five Takeaways from the Election

News Commentary By Jerry Roberts, SB Newsmakers

Monique Limón’s Key Environmental Housing Bill Passes Both Houses, Goes to Governor

Monique Limón’s Key Environmental Housing Bill Passes Both Houses, Goes to Governor

News Commentary By Jerry Roberts

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