News - The Santa Barbara Independent

Featured Stories

Santa Barbara’s Temporary Rent Increase Moratorium Sparks Confusion

Santa Barbara’s Temporary Rent Increase Moratorium Sparks Confusion

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

Tenants battle uncertainty over rent hikes after temporary pause on rent increases went into effect on February 26.

Santa Barbara County Animal Control Seizes 58 Birds in Lompoc Cockfighting Investigation

Santa Barbara County Animal Control Seizes 58 Birds in Lompoc Cockfighting Investigation

Courts & Crime By Ella Heydenfeldt

Authorities seized dozens of birds in Lompoc during an investigation into illegal cockfighting, a practice officials say has surfaced repeatedly since new limits on rooster ownership took effect.

Trump’s Medicaid Work Mandate Could Kick Thousands of Homeless Californians off Coverage

Trump’s Medicaid Work Mandate Could Kick Thousands of Homeless Californians off Coverage

Health By Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

A majority of California’s roughly 180,000 people experiencing homelessness have health insurance through Medi-Cal. Providers predict that many will lose insurance under President Donald Trump’s upcoming work mandates even if they qualify for exemptions.

Latest Stories | See More Stories

Driver Arrested After Police Pursuit Ends in Crash on Santa Barbara’s Eastside

Driver Arrested After Police Pursuit Ends in Crash on Santa Barbara’s Eastside

Courts & Crime By Ella Heydenfeldt

‘Conception’ Captain Loses Appeal of ‘Seaman’s Manslaughter’ Conviction

‘Conception’ Captain Loses Appeal of ‘Seaman’s Manslaughter’ Conviction

Courts & Crime By Jean Yamamura

Victim Hospitalized After Downtown Santa Barbara Stabbing

Victim Hospitalized After Downtown Santa Barbara Stabbing

Courts & Crime By Ella Heydenfeldt

CDPH Urges Vaccination as New Measles Cases Reported in Sacramento Region

CDPH Urges Vaccination as New Measles Cases Reported in Sacramento Region

Announcement By California Department of Public Health

San Marcos High School Students Get Guaranteed Pathway to Westmont

San Marcos High School Students Get Guaranteed Pathway to Westmont

Education By Callie Fausey

Trump Poised to Preempt State Authority to Allow Sable to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

Trump Poised to Preempt State Authority to Allow Sable to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

Energy By Nick Welsh

Montecito Fire Chief Announces Retirement

Montecito Fire Chief Announces Retirement

Announcement By Montecito Fire Department

Santa Barbara Supervisors Grant License for Sanctioned Deltopia Alternative ‘Soltopia’

Santa Barbara Supervisors Grant License for Sanctioned Deltopia Alternative ‘Soltopia’

Community By Christina McDermott

California, 23 Other States Sue Trump over New Tariffs

California, 23 Other States Sue Trump over New Tariffs

Courts & Crime By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

More Stories

Immigration

We Keep Us Safe: The People Fighting to Keep ICE Out of Santa Barbara

We Keep Us Safe: The People Fighting to Keep ICE Out of Santa Barbara

Cover Story By Ryan P. Cruz

Goleta Punk Show Raises Money for Undocumented Families

Goleta Punk Show Raises Money for Undocumented Families

Video By Larry Nimmer

Shaping S.B. Response to Regime’s Deportation Raids: ‘Fear by Design: ICE Tactics, Impact, and What We Can Do About It”

Shaping S.B. Response to Regime’s Deportation Raids: ‘Fear by Design: ICE Tactics, Impact, and What We Can Do About It”

Video By Jerry Roberts, S.B. Newsmakers

View More Immigration

Energy

Trump Poised to Preempt State Authority to Allow Sable to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

Trump Poised to Preempt State Authority to Allow Sable to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

Energy By Nick Welsh

California Judge Rejects Sable’s Motion to Lift Injunction

California Judge Rejects Sable’s Motion to Lift Injunction

Energy By Nick Welsh

The Cloud Has a Power Bill — and State Officials Say Ratepayers Shouldn’t Foot It

The Cloud Has a Power Bill — and State Officials Say Ratepayers Shouldn’t Foot It

Energy By Ella Heydenfeldt

View More Energy

Science & Tech

Blood Moon Rising: Total Lunar Eclipse Visible in Santa Barbara

Blood Moon Rising: Total Lunar Eclipse Visible in Santa Barbara

Science & Tech By Christina McDermott

UC Santa Barbara Startup Builds Software to Speed Drug Discovery

UC Santa Barbara Startup Builds Software to Speed Drug Discovery

Science & Tech By Cameron Walker, UCSB's 'The Current'

UC Santa Barbara Scientists Bottle the Sun with Liquid Battery

UC Santa Barbara Scientists Bottle the Sun with Liquid Battery

Science & Tech By Seren Snow, UCSB's 'The Current'

View More Science & Tech

Election 2026

Republican Steve Hilton Campaigns for Governor in Santa Barbara, Promotes ‘Califordable’ Agenda

Republican Steve Hilton Campaigns for Governor in Santa Barbara, Promotes ‘Califordable’ Agenda

Election 2026 By Nestor Manzanares

Santa Barbara City Council Considers Tax Measures for November Ballot

Santa Barbara City Council Considers Tax Measures for November Ballot

Election 2026 By Ryan P. Cruz

Showdown Brewing for Santa Barbara County Clerk, Recorder, Assessor’s Post?

Showdown Brewing for Santa Barbara County Clerk, Recorder, Assessor’s Post?

Election 2026 By Nick Welsh

View More Election 2026

Housing

Santa Barbara’s Temporary Rent Increase Moratorium Sparks Confusion

Santa Barbara’s Temporary Rent Increase Moratorium Sparks Confusion

Housing By Ryan P. Cruz

Shelby Builder’s Remedy Project Clears Goleta Planning Commission

Shelby Builder’s Remedy Project Clears Goleta Planning Commission

Housing By Jean Yamamura

Santa Barbara Rental Property Association to Legally Challenge Rent Freeze

Santa Barbara Rental Property Association to Legally Challenge Rent Freeze

Courts & Crime By Ryan P. Cruz

View More Housing

Community

Santa Barbara Supervisors Grant License for Sanctioned Deltopia Alternative ‘Soltopia’

Santa Barbara Supervisors Grant License for Sanctioned Deltopia Alternative ‘Soltopia’

Community By Christina McDermott

‘Forward Ever, Backward Never’ Honors Elroy Pinks and Celebrates Black Culture in Isla Vista

‘Forward Ever, Backward Never’ Honors Elroy Pinks and Celebrates Black Culture in Isla Vista

Community By Nestor Manzanares

After Decades, Isla Vista Gets a New Welcome Sign

After Decades, Isla Vista Gets a New Welcome Sign

Community By Christina McDermott

View More Community

Public Safety

Montecito Fire Chief Announces Retirement

Montecito Fire Chief Announces Retirement

Announcement By Montecito Fire Department

California Highway Patrol to Distribute Free Bike Lights in Isla Vista

California Highway Patrol to Distribute Free Bike Lights in Isla Vista

Transportation By Nestor Manzanares

Body Recovered from Beach Below Santa Barbara’s Mesa Cliffs Identified as Isla Vista Man

Body Recovered from Beach Below Santa Barbara’s Mesa Cliffs Identified as Isla Vista Man

Public Safety By Ella Heydenfeldt

View More Public Safety

Courts & Crime

Santa Barbara County Animal Control Seizes 58 Birds in Lompoc Cockfighting Investigation

Santa Barbara County Animal Control Seizes 58 Birds in Lompoc Cockfighting Investigation

Courts & Crime By Ella Heydenfeldt

Driver Arrested After Police Pursuit Ends in Crash on Santa Barbara’s Eastside

Driver Arrested After Police Pursuit Ends in Crash on Santa Barbara’s Eastside

Courts & Crime By Ella Heydenfeldt

‘Conception’ Captain Loses Appeal of ‘Seaman’s Manslaughter’ Conviction

‘Conception’ Captain Loses Appeal of ‘Seaman’s Manslaughter’ Conviction

Courts & Crime By Jean Yamamura

View More Courts & Crime

Politics

Santa Barbara County Supes Face Budget Bloodbath

Santa Barbara County Supes Face Budget Bloodbath

Politics By Nick Welsh

Carbajal Statement on Trump Administration Strikes in Iran

Carbajal Statement on Trump Administration Strikes in Iran

Announcement By Office of Congressmember Salud Carbajal

Santa Ynez Ranch Owner and Trump Insider Called Jeffrey Epstein a ‘First Class Human Being’

Santa Ynez Ranch Owner and Trump Insider Called Jeffrey Epstein a ‘First Class Human Being’

Politics By Tyler Hayden

View More Politics

Environment

Million-Dollar Penalty Finalized for Million-Gallon Sewage Spill in Goleta Slough

Million-Dollar Penalty Finalized for Million-Gallon Sewage Spill in Goleta Slough

Environment By Jean Yamamura

Carrizo Plain in Superbloom as BLM Leadership Change Looms

Carrizo Plain in Superbloom as BLM Leadership Change Looms

Environment By Ella Heydenfeldt

Can Santa Barbara Researchers Bring Rockweed Back from the Brink?

Can Santa Barbara Researchers Bring Rockweed Back from the Brink?

Environment By Callie Fausey

View More Environment

Education

San Marcos High School Students Get Guaranteed Pathway to Westmont

San Marcos High School Students Get Guaranteed Pathway to Westmont

Education By Callie Fausey

A $1.5 Million Gift Helps Launch Cottage Health Careers Academy at San Marcos High

A $1.5 Million Gift Helps Launch Cottage Health Careers Academy at San Marcos High

Education By Ella Heydenfeldt

Santa Barbara City College Makes Plans for Remaining $13M of MacKenzie Scott Gift

Santa Barbara City College Makes Plans for Remaining $13M of MacKenzie Scott Gift

Education By Emily Vesper

View More Education

Business

Report Shows Big Bucks in Santa Barbara Arts and Culture

Report Shows Big Bucks in Santa Barbara Arts and Culture

Business By Nick Welsh

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore Reopening in Downtown Santa Barbara

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore Reopening in Downtown Santa Barbara

Business By Jean Yamamura

Goldwater Institute Attacks Santa Barbara County’s One Percent Wine Fee

Goldwater Institute Attacks Santa Barbara County’s One Percent Wine Fee

Drink By Matt Kettmann

View More Business

Health

Trump’s Medicaid Work Mandate Could Kick Thousands of Homeless Californians off Coverage

Trump’s Medicaid Work Mandate Could Kick Thousands of Homeless Californians off Coverage

Health By Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

CDPH Urges Vaccination as New Measles Cases Reported in Sacramento Region

CDPH Urges Vaccination as New Measles Cases Reported in Sacramento Region

Announcement By California Department of Public Health

Some Health Care Improvements at the Santa Barbara County Jails

Some Health Care Improvements at the Santa Barbara County Jails

Health By Nick Welsh

View More Health

Homeless

Housing Authority of City of Santa Barbara Asks If You’ll Help ‘Adopt a Home’

Housing Authority of City of Santa Barbara Asks If You’ll Help ‘Adopt a Home’

Housing By Christina McDermott

Goleta Officials Address Rise in People Living in Vehicles at Public Meeting

Goleta Officials Address Rise in People Living in Vehicles at Public Meeting

Homeless By Ella Heydenfeldt

City of Santa Barbara Welcomes New Housing and Homeless Services Manager

City of Santa Barbara Welcomes New Housing and Homeless Services Manager

Announcement By City of Santa Barbara

View More Homeless

Transportation

Pacific Surfliner Service Suspended Through Santa Barbara March 7-8 for Corridorwide Track Work

Pacific Surfliner Service Suspended Through Santa Barbara March 7-8 for Corridorwide Track Work

Transportation By Ella Heydenfeldt

State Route 192 Full Closure this Monday Night for Power Pole Repairs

State Route 192 Full Closure this Monday Night for Power Pole Repairs

Announcement By Caltrans

Hollister Avenue & HWY 217 Roundabouts Are Now Open

Hollister Avenue & HWY 217 Roundabouts Are Now Open

Announcement By City of Goleta

View More Transportation

Infrastructure

Can Santa Barbara Airport Weather Its Flood-Prone Future?

Can Santa Barbara Airport Weather Its Flood-Prone Future?

Infrastructure By Callie Fausey

Upgrading Santa Barbara’s Electric Infrastructure by Helicopter

Upgrading Santa Barbara’s Electric Infrastructure by Helicopter

Infrastructure By Ryan P. Cruz

Proposed Additions to Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara Will Go Forward

Proposed Additions to Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara Will Go Forward

Infrastructure By Ryan P. Cruz

View More Infrastructure

Cannabis

Santa Barbara Finance Committee Considers Increase on Cannabis Tax

Santa Barbara Finance Committee Considers Increase on Cannabis Tax

Cannabis By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara County’s Cannabis Revenues Continue Long, Slow Slide

Santa Barbara County’s Cannabis Revenues Continue Long, Slow Slide

Cannabis By Nick Welsh

California’s Marijuana Industry Gets a Break Under New Law Suspending Tax Hike

Cannabis By Nadia Lathan, CalMatters

View More Cannabis

News Commentary

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

As L.A. Fires Destroy Homes, California’s Housing Crisis Is About to Get Worse

As L.A. Fires Destroy Homes, California’s Housing Crisis Is About to Get Worse

News Commentary By Dan Walters, CalMatters

Dem Convention Day 1: Speakers Sound Themes of Patriotism and Hope

Dem Convention Day 1: Speakers Sound Themes of Patriotism and Hope

News Commentary By Jerry Roberts

View More News Commentary

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.