Santa Barbara News-Press — Local News for Santa Barbara County

Kristen Sneddon poised to become Santa Barbara’s next mayor

Government

Kristen Sneddon poised to become Santa Barbara’s next mayor

Sneddon had won 46.23% and Eric Friedman 44.58% in the latest vote tally Thursday, two days after she pushed ahead for the first time since Election Night.

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 12November 12, 2026

Santa Barbara County · Election 2026

The count

Live election results for local races, statewide offices and ballot measures.

Live updates

Election night coverage and analysis

The context

Reporting, interviews and key moments from election night across Santa Barbara County.

Latest Stories

Veterans, community members honor military personnel at Veterans Day Ceremony in Santa Barbara

Veterans, community members honor military personnel at Veterans Day Ceremony in Santa Barbara

by Angel Corzo Nov. 11November 11, 2026

Cannabis lawsuits, odor complaints drag on in the Carpinteria Valley

Cannabis lawsuits, odor complaints drag on in the Carpinteria Valley

by Melinda Burns Nov. 11November 12, 2026

Santa Barbara approves new permitting rules for local massage therapists

Santa Barbara approves new permitting rules for local massage therapists

by Sofia Wallace Nov. 11November 11, 2026

In the face of litigation, Santa Barbara City Council still opts to keep State Street closed to cars

In the face of litigation, Santa Barbara City Council still opts to keep State Street closed to cars

by Joshua Molina Nov. 11November 11, 2026

Exclusive: Santa Barbara Half Marathon runner: ‘am I going to be stuck like this forever?’

Exclusive: Santa Barbara Half Marathon runner: ‘am I going to be stuck like this forever?’

by Angel Corzo and Kaitlin Sweeney Nov. 10November 11, 2026

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Read Latest Edition Nov. 12 SNEDDON WINS

Government

Santa Barbara County Notebook: Fees, retirees and honorees

Santa Barbara County Notebook: Fees, retirees and honorees

by Tom Schultz Nov. 10November 11, 2026

Santa Barbara County supervisors choose to not fight Santa Ynez Chumash land transfer

Santa Barbara County supervisors choose to not fight Santa Ynez Chumash land transfer

by Tom Schultz Nov. 10November 10, 2026

Valencia appears headed to victory in Fifth District race for Santa Barbara County supervisor

Valencia appears headed to victory in Fifth District race for Santa Barbara County supervisor

by Tom Schultz Nov. 10November 12, 2026

Education

Santa Barbara Education Foundation raises funds for local reading initiatives at annual ‘Love of Literacy’ luncheon

Santa Barbara Education Foundation raises funds for local reading initiatives at annual ‘Love of Literacy’ luncheon

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 9November 9, 2026

Santa Barbara City College loses millions of dollars from the decline of international student enrollment

Santa Barbara City College loses millions of dollars from the decline of international student enrollment

by Angel Corzo Nov. 8November 8, 2026

New book wrestles with University of California’s role in making college accessible

New book wrestles with University of California’s role in making college accessible

by Emma Gallegos • EdSource Nov. 8

Housing

Friendship Manor senior community approved to move from Isla Vista to downtown Santa Barbara

Friendship Manor senior community approved to move from Isla Vista to downtown Santa Barbara

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 13October 26, 2026

Housing Notebook: Rent stabilization, vacation rental ordinances to go into effect Jan 2027, and more housing news

Housing Notebook: Rent stabilization, vacation rental ordinances to go into effect Jan 2027, and more housing news

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 8October 26, 2026

Santa Barbara officials, church leaders talk homelessness before winter cold season

Santa Barbara officials, church leaders talk homelessness before winter cold season

by Angel Corzo Nov. 7November 7, 2026

Environment

Regime change, again, at Montecito Sanitary District

Regime change, again, at Montecito Sanitary District

by Melinda Burns Nov. 7November 7, 2026

Los Padres Forest approves large scale Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

Los Padres Forest approves large scale Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

by Aston Smith Oct. 27October 31, 2026

They fight wildfires. Housing is another battle

They fight wildfires. Housing is another battle

by Lauren Pruett • News21 Oct. 24October 26, 2026

See the story

Santa Barbara County, in focus.

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Nov 11

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T-34 planes from the San Diego Salute flyover the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Santa Barbara Cemetery on Wednesday. Later, The Santa Barbara Choral Society sing, “America the Beautiful,” during the Veterans Day Ceremony. A large gathering of community members and veterans came out for the event on Wednesday presented by the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation. Check newspress.com later today for story.

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Nov 10

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News-Press reporter Angel Corzo was featured on NBC News Now to discuss mysterious hospitalizations following Santa Barbara Half Marathon.

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Nov 10

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Nearly a week after election night, the Santa Barbara mayoral race still hasn't been called. News-Press editor Joshua Molina explains why.

The signature verification process can take a while as if a signature doesn't match records the county elections office has on file, the office will send a letter to the individual asking for an identity verification. The county has to the certify the election within 30-days of the election day—meaning that individuals have to respond to the identity verification within that window for their ballot to be counted.

Video: Aston Smith & News-Press editor Joshua Molina

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Nov 9

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Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol is actively responding to a vessel fire off Butterfly Beach. More details to come.

[Update 1:48 p.m.] Montecito City Fire, Carpinteria and Summerland Fire, and AMR all also assisted in responding to the incident.

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Nov 4

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Take a look at the two biggest election night watch parties at SB Biergarten and Validation Ale in the Santa Barbara Funk Zone.

You can read more about election night at the link in bio.

Video: Aston Smith

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Nov 4

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Ricardo Valencia was optimistic about the results to Tuesday night's election, in an interview with News-Press reporter Tom Schultz. Valencia was leading Maribel Aguilera, according to early election results.

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Nov 4

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Maribel Aguilera, candidate for 5th District Santa Barbara County Supervisor, talks about her "journey" to News-Press reporter Tom Schultz. Aguilera was trailing Ricardo Valencia, according to early election results.

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Nov 4

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Devon Wardlow speaks with the News-Press after initial results show she leads City Council District 4 with 51.9% of the vote.

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Nov 4

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Watch: Gabe Escobedo speaks with the News-Press after winning 70% of the vote in City Council District 6.

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Nov 4

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Watch: Eric Friedman learns that he leads Santa Barbara Mayoral Race.

Reporter: Kaitlin Sweeney
Video: Aston Smith

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Nov 2

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Nov 2

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Sea lion finds its way back into the ocean in Santa Barbara on Sunday afternoon. Video by Joshua Molina

More news

Macy’s set for demolition as 680-unit housing project in La Cumbre Plaza moves forward

Macy’s set for demolition as 680-unit housing project in La Cumbre Plaza moves forward

by Joshua Molina Nov. 10November 10, 2026

Santa Ynez Chumash seek to move prominent open space into federal trust

Santa Ynez Chumash seek to move prominent open space into federal trust

by Tom Schultz Nov. 1November 2, 2026

Family of 3-year-old struck on State Street shares update, calls for change

Family of 3-year-old struck on State Street shares update, calls for change

by Kaitlin Sweeney Nov. 1November 1, 2026

Santa Barbara Unified tightens consequences for racism, hate-motivated conduct following ‘blackface’ TikTok post

Santa Barbara Unified tightens consequences for racism, hate-motivated conduct following ‘blackface’ TikTok post

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 29October 29, 2026

Features

How social media became a campaign tool for Santa Barbara City Hall candidates

How social media became a campaign tool for Santa Barbara City Hall candidates

by Julianna Lozada and Sofia Wallace Nov. 1November 1, 2026

93-year-old beloved Vieja Valley crossing guard retires after more than 20 years

93-year-old beloved Vieja Valley crossing guard retires after more than 20 years

by Kaitlin Sweeney Nov. 2November 2, 2026

From house parties to festival stages, Don Jamal returns to Santa Barbara

From house parties to festival stages, Don Jamal returns to Santa Barbara

by Kaitlin Sweeney Nov. 7November 7, 2026

Karma is a cat that is rescued by a CHP officer

Karma is a cat that is rescued by a CHP officer

by Joshua Molina Oct. 17November 11, 2026

Voices

Should Santa Barbara’s golf courses give way to housing? Glen Annie tests that question

Should Santa Barbara’s golf courses give way to housing? Glen Annie tests that question

by Sean Petersen Nov. 10

Letter: Santa Barbara’s technology economy is a rerun from 1969

Letter: Santa Barbara’s technology economy is a rerun from 1969

by David Woodard Nov. 9

Letter: Santa Barbara Unified’s progress deserves recognition

Letter: Santa Barbara Unified’s progress deserves recognition

by William Banning Nov. 8November 8, 2026

Opinion: True leaders wanted

Opinion: True leaders wanted

By Cassandra Ensberg Nov. 2November 2, 2026

Eric Friedman: Santa Barbara’s future belongs to all of us

Eric Friedman: Santa Barbara’s future belongs to all of us

by Eric Friedman • Santa Barbara City Councilman Nov. 1November 1, 2026

Letter: Santa Barbara deserves better than tear-down politics

Letter: Santa Barbara deserves better than tear-down politics

by Barry Schoer Nov. 1November 2, 2026

Announcements

American Cancer Society’s Voices of Impact event to explore cancer care in Santa Barbara, Nov. 19

American Cancer Society’s Voices of Impact event to explore cancer care in Santa Barbara, Nov. 19

by Dr. Leonie H. Mattison Nov. 11

Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors fallen Air Force hero by paying off Santa Barbara Gold Star family’s mortgage on Veterans Day

Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors fallen Air Force hero by paying off Santa Barbara Gold Star family’s mortgage on Veterans Day

by Trevor Tamsen, Tunnel to Towers Foundation Nov. 11November 11, 2026

St. Vincent’s 16th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon

St. Vincent’s 16th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon

by Martha Santos Nov. 10November 11, 2026

Chumash Charity Golf Classic raises $240K for two nonprofits and school program

Chumash Charity Golf Classic raises $240K for two nonprofits and school program

by Sean Larsen Nov. 10November 11, 2026

Hospice of Santa Barbara: Understanding grief when a loved one dies by suicide

Hospice of Santa Barbara: Understanding grief when a loved one dies by suicide

by Jake Wong, Hospice of Santa Barbara Nov. 10November 11, 2026

Natural history books on sale to benefit Museum’s Library

Natural history books on sale to benefit Museum’s Library

by Jonah Gabriel Haas, Museum of Natural History Nov. 10November 11, 2026

Obituaries

Obituary: Merlyn Claude Snavely

Obituary: Merlyn Claude Snavely

Elizabeth Bartz, The Lake Funeral Home & Crematory Nov. 2November 8, 2026

Obituary: Raymond L. Janssen

Obituary: Raymond L. Janssen

Linda Janssen Oct. 29November 1, 2026

Obituary: Paula Pappas Myers

Obituary: Paula Pappas Myers

Demie Myers Oct. 26October 26, 2026

Obituary: Barbara A. (Casso) Sanchez

Obituary: Barbara A. (Casso) Sanchez

Jamie Casso Oct. 25October 26, 2026

Obituary: Dr. Karl N. Haws, Jr.

Obituary: Dr. Karl N. Haws, Jr.

by Jordan Webb Oct. 21October 26, 2026

Obituary: Scott Habermann

Obituary: Scott Habermann

Brett Habermann Oct. 19November 1, 2026

Obituary: Martha J. Osborne

Obituary: Martha J. Osborne

by Jennifer Osborne Oct. 15October 26, 2026

Obituary: Laurence R. “Larry” Pearson

Obituary: Laurence R. “Larry” Pearson

by Scott Pearson Oct. 15October 26, 2026

Obituary: Brian “Hawaiian Brian” Nelson

Obituary: Brian “Hawaiian Brian” Nelson

Marcia Nelson Oct. 9November 2, 2026

More News

Kristen Sneddon overtakes Eric Friedman’s lead in Santa Barbara mayoral race

Government

Kristen Sneddon overtakes Eric Friedman’s lead in Santa Barbara mayoral race

by Julianna Lozada and Sofia Wallace Nov. 10November 10, 2026

Denise Alvarado resigns as Santa Barbara Unified Executive Director of Elementary Education

Community

Denise Alvarado resigns as Santa Barbara Unified Executive Director of Elementary Education

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 9November 10, 2026

Santa Barbara proposes new rules on massage businesses, aims to combat human trafficking

Government

Santa Barbara proposes new rules on massage businesses, aims to combat human trafficking

by Sofia Wallace Nov. 9November 9, 2026

27 runners fall ill, hospitalized, after running in Santa Barbara Half-Marathon

27 runners fall ill, hospitalized, after running in Santa Barbara Half-Marathon

by Angel Corzo Nov. 8November 9, 2026

Business, nonprofit and government leaders reflect on the economy at annual State of the County summit

Business

Business, nonprofit and government leaders reflect on the economy at annual State of the County summit

by Tom Schultz Nov. 6November 7, 2026

Kristen Sneddon gains votes in new election results, tightening gap with Eric Friedman

Government

Kristen Sneddon gains votes in new election results, tightening gap with Eric Friedman

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 5November 5, 2026

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