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Featured Stories

In Becerra and Hilton’s Only Scheduled Debate, Trump Was the Main Character

In Becerra and Hilton’s Only Scheduled Debate, Trump Was the Main Character

Election 2026 By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

In their only debate, gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra repeatedly linked Steve Hilton to President Donald Trump — while Hilton accused him of dodging California’s real problems.

Help Is Here for Local News; Governor Gavin Newsom Passes Community NEWS Act Securing Funds to Pay Local Journalists Statewide

Help Is Here for Local News; Governor Gavin Newsom Passes Community NEWS Act Securing Funds to Pay Local Journalists Statewide

Politics By Elaine Sanders

AB 2222 passes with a Supermajority in both chambers and was signed by the governor in front of press on Wednesday

Santa Barbara City Council District 4 Candidate Forum

Santa Barbara City Council District 4 Candidate Forum

Video By Indy Staff

The discussion included the candidates Devon Wardlow, Monte Wilson, Jason Dominguez, and Genevieve Taft-Vasquez.

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From Montecito Tragedy to Statewide Change

From Montecito Tragedy to Statewide Change

Health By Sara Bush

Something Rotten at City Hall: How District Elections Skewed Big Vote on Rent Control; Winners & Losers

Something Rotten at City Hall: How District Elections Skewed Big Vote on Rent Control; Winners & Losers

Election 2026 By Jerry Roberts, SB Newsmakers

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 to Rename Calle Cesar Chavez to Limuw Street to Honor Chumash

Santa Barbara to Rename Calle Cesar Chavez to Limuw Street to Honor Chumash

Community By Ryan P. Cruz

New Details in Chase Palm Park Homicide

New Details in Chase Palm Park Homicide

Courts & Crime By Elaine Sanders and Diego Melgoza

Four Running for Two Contested Seats in High-Stakes Race for Santa Barbara Unified School Board

Four Running for Two Contested Seats in High-Stakes Race for Santa Barbara Unified School Board

Election 2026 By Callie Fausey

Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended

Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended

Environment By Callie Fausey

Jim Knell’s Big Move: Santa Barbara Real Estate Mogul Launches Drive to Get Cars Back on State Street

Jim Knell’s Big Move: Santa Barbara Real Estate Mogul Launches Drive to Get Cars Back on State Street

Business By Nick Welsh

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

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Immigration

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

‘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

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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

In Becerra and Hilton’s Only Scheduled Debate, Trump Was the Main Character

In Becerra and Hilton’s Only Scheduled Debate, Trump Was the Main Character

Election 2026 By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

Santa Barbara City Council District 4 Candidate Forum

Santa Barbara City Council District 4 Candidate Forum

Video By Indy Staff

Something Rotten at City Hall: How District Elections Skewed Big Vote on Rent Control; Winners & Losers

Something Rotten at City Hall: How District Elections Skewed Big Vote on Rent Control; Winners & Losers

Election 2026 By Jerry Roberts, SB Newsmakers

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

Santa Barbara to Rename Calle Cesar Chavez to Limuw Street to Honor Chumash

Santa Barbara to Rename Calle Cesar Chavez to Limuw Street to Honor Chumash

Community By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara County First Responders Mark 25th Anniversary of September 11

Santa Barbara County First Responders Mark 25th Anniversary of September 11

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

Santa Barbara Zoo’s White-Handed Gibbon Gives Birth in Front of Visitors

Santa Barbara Zoo’s White-Handed Gibbon Gives Birth in Front of Visitors

Animals By Callie Fausey

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Public Safety

Prepare, Don’t Panic: Santa Barbara Leaders Look at Potential El Niño Impacts

Prepare, Don’t Panic: Santa Barbara Leaders Look at Potential El Niño Impacts

Public Safety By Ryan P. Cruz

Santa Barbara County Moves El Niño Webinar to Livestream Due to High Demand

Santa Barbara County Moves El Niño Webinar to Livestream Due to High Demand

Public Safety By Jean Yamamura

Swath of Downtown Santa Barbara Goes Dark During Power Outage

Swath of Downtown Santa Barbara Goes Dark During Power Outage

Public Safety By Christina McDermott

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Courts & Crime

New Details in Chase Palm Park Homicide

New Details in Chase Palm Park Homicide

Courts & Crime By Elaine Sanders and Diego Melgoza

Santa Barbara Police Rule Chase Palm Park Death a Homicide

Santa Barbara Police Rule Chase Palm Park Death a Homicide

Courts & Crime By Elaine Sanders

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Provides Update on In-Custody Death Investigation

Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Provides Update on In-Custody Death Investigation

Announcement By Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office

View More Courts & Crime

Politics

In Becerra and Hilton’s Only Scheduled Debate, Trump Was the Main Character

In Becerra and Hilton’s Only Scheduled Debate, Trump Was the Main Character

Election 2026 By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

Help Is Here for Local News; Governor Gavin Newsom Passes Community NEWS Act Securing Funds to Pay Local Journalists Statewide

Help Is Here for Local News; Governor Gavin Newsom Passes Community NEWS Act Securing Funds to Pay Local Journalists Statewide

Politics By Elaine Sanders

Santa Barbara City Council District 4 Candidate Forum

Santa Barbara City Council District 4 Candidate Forum

Video By Indy Staff

View More Politics

Environment

Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended

Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended

Environment By Callie Fausey

Alumni Gift, Vision Powers Plans for a Multifaceted Climate Solutions Hub at UC Santa Barbara

Alumni Gift, Vision Powers Plans for a Multifaceted Climate Solutions Hub at UC Santa Barbara

Environment By Shelly Leachman, UCSB's 'The Current'

Santa Barbara Environmentalists Join ‘Hands Across the Sand’ to Oppose New Offshore Oil Drilling

Santa Barbara Environmentalists Join ‘Hands Across the Sand’ to Oppose New Offshore Oil Drilling

Environment By Ingrid Bostrom

View More Environment

Education

Four Running for Two Contested Seats in High-Stakes Race for Santa Barbara Unified School Board

Four Running for Two Contested Seats in High-Stakes Race for Santa Barbara Unified School Board

Election 2026 By Callie Fausey

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

Blackface Incident Roils San Marcos High School

Blackface Incident Roils San Marcos High School

Education By Tyler Hayden

View More Education

Business

Jim Knell’s Big Move: Santa Barbara Real Estate Mogul Launches Drive to Get Cars Back on State Street

Jim Knell’s Big Move: Santa Barbara Real Estate Mogul Launches Drive to Get Cars Back on State Street

Business By Nick Welsh

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Grand Opening of Jess Conti Leather Goods with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Grand Opening of Jess Conti Leather Goods with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Announcement By Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Music Academy of the West Groundbreaking Ceremony

Downtown Santa Barbara to Celebrate Music Academy of the West Groundbreaking Ceremony

Announcement By Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association

View More Business

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

Full Day and Night Closure of Highway 192 Near Carpinteria Wednesday, September 30

Full Day and Night Closure of Highway 192 Near Carpinteria Wednesday, September 30

Announcement By Caltrans

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 through Buellton Shift September 30

Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 through Buellton Shift September 30

Announcement By Caltrans

Two Semi-Trucks and a Lexus Crash on Hwy. 101 in Montecito, Causing Complete Closure of Southbound Traffic

Two Semi-Trucks and a Lexus Crash on Hwy. 101 in Montecito, Causing Complete Closure of Southbound Traffic

Transportation By Elaine Sanders

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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

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

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

KEYT Workers Strike as Fiesta Kicks Off in Santa Barbara

KEYT Workers Strike as Fiesta Kicks Off in Santa Barbara

Labor By Christina McDermott

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