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Election Notebook: Chamber, Police Officers Association make endorsements

Politics

Election Notebook: Chamber, Police Officers Association make endorsements

Eric Friedman, Cevin Cathell, Alexander Stoeber and Monte Wilson win key endorsements in Santa Barbara City Council, mayor’s contest

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press September 20, 2026September 20, 2026

Latest News

Arts and Culture

Tradition takes over Solvang for 89th Danish Days

by Kaitlin Sweeney • Santa Barbara News-Press September 19, 2026September 19, 2026

Politics

Watch Video: Candidates for Santa Barbara City Council in District 4 mix it up at forum

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

Education

Goleta Union School Board Member Emily Zacarias appointed to key state board

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press September 18, 2026September 19, 2026

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Government

Solvang strike on third day complicates Danish Days prep, shuts down city hearing

Solvang strike on third day complicates Danish Days prep, shuts down city hearing

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Candidates for District 5 Santa Barbara City Council seat talk finances, State Street at forum focused on issues

Candidates for District 5 Santa Barbara City Council seat talk finances, State Street at forum focused on issues

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press September 17, 2026September 18, 2026

Santa Barbara City Council pumps brakes on AI-powered surveillance cameras amid tense, emotional meeting

Santa Barbara City Council pumps brakes on AI-powered surveillance cameras amid tense, emotional meeting

by Aston Smith • Santa Barbara News-Press September 15, 2026September 16, 2026

Education

Goleta Union School Board Member Emily Zacarias appointed to key state board

Goleta Union School Board Member Emily Zacarias appointed to key state board

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press September 18, 2026September 19, 2026

UCSB welcomes the class of 2030 during move-in week as the fall quarter approaches

UCSB welcomes the class of 2030 during move-in week as the fall quarter approaches

by Angel Corzo • Santa Barbara News-Press September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

Santa Barbara Unified students blast YouTube ban and other district tech restrictions in new student-led survey

Santa Barbara Unified students blast YouTube ban and other district tech restrictions in new student-led survey

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Business

Real estate firm Goodwin & Thyne Properties closing business after 22 years

Real estate firm Goodwin & Thyne Properties closing business after 22 years

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press September 16, 2026September 19, 2026

Goleta City Council inches closer to placing regulations on firearm, ammunition sales

Goleta City Council inches closer to placing regulations on firearm, ammunition sales

by Amanda Velasco • Santa Barbara News-Press September 2, 2026September 3, 2026

When will West Marine actually close? Even the Harbor Commission isn’t sure

When will West Marine actually close? Even the Harbor Commission isn’t sure

by Aston Smith • Santa Barbara News-Press August 30, 2026August 30, 2026

Environment

Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors quells fears of waterfront data center

Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors quells fears of waterfront data center

by Aston Smith • Santa Barbara News-Press September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Santa Barbara County bans new onshore oil and gas wells

Santa Barbara County bans new onshore oil and gas wells

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 15, 2026September 16, 2026

Santa Barbara County set to ban new onshore oil and gas drilling, and block abandoned wells from restarting

Santa Barbara County set to ban new onshore oil and gas drilling, and block abandoned wells from restarting

by Tom Schultz • Santa Barbara News-Press September 13, 2026September 16, 2026

See the story

Santa Barbara County, in focus.

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Sep 19

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Did you know California ran out of license plate numbers? The current license plate combination has been in place in the 1980s but recently reached its last possible combination. Now the DMV is reversing the order and a new license plate combination is being distributed. This new sequence will last for about 40 years.

California drivers do not need to make any changes and all old license plates are completely valid. The new sequence has been rolled out and you may start to see them on the road.

There are still about 100,000 license plates in the current sequence to be distributed.

Video by Aston Smith

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Sep 17

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WATCH: Elected official mutters expletive during Santa Barbara City Council meeting discussing ALPR’s

Read more about the meeting at the link in bio.

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Sep 16

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The South Coast Business Action Fund and Santa Barbara Police Officers Association announce their endorsements for Santa Barbara elections.

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Sep 15

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In the weeks before REACH 38 began carrying blood aboard its Santa Maria-based medical helicopter, crews responded to at least four patients who could have used it.

One was trapped for hours inside an auger near Guadalupe.

The patient became snagged inside the agricultural machinery and remained stuck for roughly three hours as rescuers worked to free them, according to Dennis Rowley, program director for REACH 38.

The patient ultimately survived. But at the time, blood wasn’t routinely carried aboard the Santa Maria-based helicopter.

Now it is.

In late August, REACH 38, an air ambulance service based out of Santa Maria, launched a new blood program that lets its flight crews begin blood transfusions right at the scene of an emergency. For patients in rural and remote areas, the new capability could mean receiving blood 20 to 30 minutes sooner.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Kaitlin Sweeney

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Sep 14

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News-Press reporter Sofia Wallace interviews Ian Baucke, candidate for the Santa Barbara City Council District 5 seat.

#santabarbara

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Sep 14

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News-Press reporter Julianna Lozada interviews Gabe Escobedo, candidate for the Santa Barbara City Council District 6 seat.

#santabarbara

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Sep 11

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After the attacks of September 11th, 2001, there was a community event in which locals formed an enormous American flag at SBCC’s La Playa stadium.

Over 6,000 people came together on Sunday, September 23, 2001 to create the flag and a copy of the photo was included in the print edition of the News-Press the following Sunday, September 30th

Video courtesy of Ed Morris

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Sep 11

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Helicopters from the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit flew over the Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens on Friday to conclude the 25th anniversary ceremony of Sept. 11, 2001.

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Sep 10

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News-Press reporter Julianna Lozada interviews candidate for the Santa Barbara City Council District 4 seat, Devon Wardlow.

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Sep 9

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Congressman Salud Carbajal explains why he endorsed Eric Friedman for Santa Barbara Mayor.

Reporter: Julianna Lozada
Video: Aston Smith

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Sep 8

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The Santa Barbara County Democratic Party hosted its annual Labor Day picnic at Goleta Beach.

All candidates that spoke at the event were endorsed by the SBC Democratic Party. This event comes at the start of a highly decisive election season at federal, state, county and city levels.

Stay tuned for more coverage of this event by Joshua Molina, Sofia Wallace and Julianna Lozada.

Video by Aston Smith

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Sep 7

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A large wave slams into backwash at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Sunday, Sept. 6.

The large swell was generated by Hurricane Marie. The impacts of storm are expected to continue through tomorrow. The rainfall around Santa Barbara and Ventura today is also a part of weather impacts from the hurricane.

Video sent to the News-Press from Belen Rodriguez

#santabarbara #hurricanemarie

Voices

Opinion: Parsing Kristen Sneddon’s words on the rent stabilization ordinance

Opinion: Parsing Kristen Sneddon’s words on the rent stabilization ordinance

by Loy Beardsmore September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

Letter: In support of Eric Friedman For Mayor

Letter: In support of Eric Friedman For Mayor

by Hadley Johnson September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

Opinion: The promise of Measure C

Opinion: The promise of Measure C

by Pat McElroy September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

Randy Rowse: Save the $100 million, and open State Street to cars, add lighting

Randy Rowse: Save the $100 million, and open State Street to cars, add lighting

by Randy Rowse, Santa Barbara Mayor September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

Letter: On Constitution Day, let’s honor the Constitution by using it

Letter: On Constitution Day, let’s honor the Constitution by using it

by Ronald S. Kemalyan September 13, 2026

Letters: 9/11 remembrance — In the shadow of Ground Zero

Letters: 9/11 remembrance — In the shadow of Ground Zero

by Bruce Belfiore September 11, 2026September 11, 2026

Announcements

Music Academy of the West groundbreaking ceremony celebrated by DSBIA

Music Academy of the West groundbreaking ceremony celebrated by DSBIA

by Maria Molina, Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Tiny beach-dwelling sand hoppers are big-time sand movers, shaping the California coast

Tiny beach-dwelling sand hoppers are big-time sand movers, shaping the California coast

by Sonia Fernandez, UCSB September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

What’s happening downtown Sept. 16

What’s happening downtown Sept. 16

by Maria Molina, Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

Breast Cancer Resource Center hosts 28th annual Pink Lounge Gala at Rosewood Miramar

Breast Cancer Resource Center hosts 28th annual Pink Lounge Gala at Rosewood Miramar

by Armando Martinez, Breast Cancer Resource Center September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

New SBCC gym named for Michael A. Goldberg and Kathleen “Kathy” O’Connor by Board of Trustees

New SBCC gym named for Michael A. Goldberg and Kathleen “Kathy” O’Connor by Board of Trustees

by Jordan Killebrew, SBCC September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

Today is National Voter Registration Day

Today is National Voter Registration Day

by Kelsey Gerckens Buttitta, County of Santa Barbara September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

Obituaries

Obituary: Clifford A. Hopson

Obituary: Clifford A. Hopson

by Erin Johnson September 14, 2026September 14, 2026

Obituary: Sara Rudeen

Obituary: Sara Rudeen

by Anna Rudeen September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

Obituary: Harold Thomas Hamm

Obituary: Harold Thomas Hamm

by Kris Kristen September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Obituary: Carol Anderson

Obituary: Carol Anderson

by Leslie Cornejo August 31, 2026September 1, 2026

Obituary: Bradley “Brad” Reed Lawrence

Obituary: Bradley “Brad” Reed Lawrence

by Ashley V. Wood August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

Obituary: Robert “Tully” Ramsaur Jr.

Obituary: Robert “Tully” Ramsaur Jr.

by Family of Robert “Tully” Ramsaur Jr. August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

Obituary: Carmine Santandrea

Obituary: Carmine Santandrea

by Edward Santandrea July 27, 2026August 1, 2026

Obituary: Kenneth Duane Heimbaugh

Obituary: Kenneth Duane Heimbaugh

by Charles Heimbaugh July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

Obituary: Charles M. Hornick

Obituary: Charles M. Hornick

by Tracy Hornick Freeman July 24, 2026July 27, 2026

More News

SB City Council District 5 candidates dive into details of their neighborhood at forum

Politics

SB City Council District 5 candidates dive into details of their neighborhood at forum

by Sofia Wallace • Santa Barbara News-Press September 18, 2026September 19, 2026

From ‘Twilight’ to ‘Tequila Mockingbird,’ Planned Parenthood book sale has a shelf for everything

Arts and Culture

From ‘Twilight’ to ‘Tequila Mockingbird,’ Planned Parenthood book sale has a shelf for everything

by Kaitlin Sweeney • Santa Barbara News-Press September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors quells fears of waterfront data center

Ventura

Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors quells fears of waterfront data center

by Aston Smith • Santa Barbara News-Press September 17, 2026September 17, 2026

Candidates for District 5 Santa Barbara City Council seat talk finances, State Street at forum focused on issues

Government

Candidates for District 5 Santa Barbara City Council seat talk finances, State Street at forum focused on issues

by Julianna Lozada • Santa Barbara News-Press September 17, 2026September 18, 2026

Santa Barbara City Councilmembers spotlight Propositions 1, 43 and 45 ahead of California general election

Politics

Santa Barbara City Councilmembers spotlight Propositions 1, 43 and 45 ahead of California general election

by Sofia Wallace • Santa Barbara News-Press September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

Residents evacuate after gas line ruptures near homes on the Mesa

Residents evacuate after gas line ruptures near homes on the Mesa

by Angel Corzo • Santa Barbara News-Press September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

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