Politics
Santa Barbara City Council Wrestles with Budget Challenges
The City Council called for a special emergency hearing on June 23 to allow for final budget deliberations.
Community
Paseo Nuevo Rehaul Earns Blessing of Santa Barbara City Council
Yardi Systems will move its corporate headquarters downtown, while the former Nordstrom building will be converted to 80-plus residential units.
Community
Paseo Nuevo Earns Blessing of Santa Barbara City Council
Yardi Systems will move its corporate headquarters downtown, while the former Nordstrom building will be converted to 80-plus residential units.
Housing
Santa Barbara City Council Works Out Details of Rent Stabilization Ordinance
The city opened up a 30-day public review period, with plans to finalize the ordinance by July 28.
Business
New Paseo Nuevo Plan a Slam Dunk at Santa Barbara City Council
The City Council unanimously supported the newest plan for the long-vacant Macy’s and Nordstrom buildings in the heart of downtown.
Immigration
More Than 2,050 Immigration-Related Arrests on Central Coast Since January 2025
Immigrant rights organizations reported a shift in enforcement tactics and a surge of arrests in the tri-county area over the past six months.
Courts & Crime
State Attorney General Wins Settlement in ‘Predatory’ Realty Scheme
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office joined in the legal battle against the Florida-based real estate company MV Realty.
Community
Pitchers’ Paradise: How UC Santa Barbara Became a College Baseball Powerhouse
Gauchos ace Jackson Flora keeps up the legacy of big-league hurlers coming through Santa Barbara.
Housing
Santa Barbara City Council Checks Progress of Rent Stabilization Ordinance
Councilmembers weighed in as the city moves forward with plans for a finalized draft in June.
Business
Yardi Systems, City of Santa Barbara Negotiate Deal for Vacant Macy’s Building in Paseo Nuevo Mall
The move could bring hundreds of employees downtown, and is being considered alongside a housing proposal for the former Nordstrom building.
Immigration
Central Coast Immigrant Rights Orgs Respond to Federal Raids
The Department of Homeland Security conducted search warrants at the homes and businesses of VC Defensa volunteers on May 3.
Immigration
Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre Welcomes Mexican Stars for Concert Supporting Immigrants
A portion of the proceeds from the Freedom Music Fest on May 17 will help support immigrant families through 805 UndocuFund’s Emergency Assistance Fund.
Courts & Crime
City of Santa Barbara Sets Aside Funds for Rent Stabilization Lawsuit
City Council voted 4-3 to appropriate $400,000 to defend lawsuit filed by landlords.
Business
Depleted Reserves Cast Shadow over Santa Barbara City Budget Talks
The city works to mitigate the expected deficit and craft a balanced budget despite concerns about reserves.
Community
‘Swing for a Million’ Fundraiser Unlocks $1 Million Toward Softball Upgrades at Santa Barbara’s Elings Park
The community reached the $200,000 goal necessary to release a million-dollar pledge for renovations.
Housing
Santa Barbara City Council Reshapes Inclusionary Housing, In-Lieu Fees
City officials are working to update the requirement for affordable housing and alternative fees for housing developers.
Community
Santa Barbara County Jail Celebrates Sheriff’s Treatment Program Graduates
The students completed college-level personal development and gang prevention courses.
Immigration
May Day Rallies Celebrate Workers, Immigrants on Central Coast
Community rallies were hosted across Santa Barbara County as part of a nationwide "Workers Over Billionaires” day of action.
Infrastructure
Santa Barbara’s State Street Master Plan Comes into Focus, Without Return of Cars
The City Council supports the latest proposed plan, while removing the proposed hours for late-night vehicle access.
Immigration
Immigration Enforcement Increases Presence at Santa Barbara County Jail
ICE officers have continued to conduct arrests at the Main Jail, often occupying the parking lots, main entrance, and lobby areas.
Business
A Balancing Act: City of Santa Barbara Begins Budget Season
The city is reducing the projected deficit from $14 million to $3.4 million without major cuts.
Immigration
Santa Barbara City Council Reaffirms Stance on Federal Immigration Enforcement
The resolution in support of immigrants passed 6-1, with Mayor Randy Rowse opposed.
Infrastructure
City of Santa Barbara Releases Latest Version of State Street Master Plan
The new draft and related documents are available for public review and comment in preparation for an upcoming presentation to city council on April 28.
Community
Santa Barbara Grants $1.64 Million in Funds for Community Benefit Programs
The City Council approved the plan to fund dozens of programs and four capital projects.
Housing
Santa Barbara’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance Not Ready Yet
Ordinance Committee continued the hearing to next week after receiving a flood of comments and questions.
Housing
Santa Barbara City Council Shapes Permanent Rent Stabilization Ordinance
City Council made policy recommendations for a citywide rent cap during a marathon meeting on April 8.
Community
City of Santa Barbara to Pursue Renaming Calle Cesar Chavez and Holiday
The process will involve input from community members, historians, and farmworker groups.
Immigration
Central Coast Mother and 2-Year-Old Back Home After Immigration Detention
It was an “intense and miraculous” journey for a toddler and mother who were detained for nearly two weeks in Texas before securing release.
Courts & Crime
Property Owners File Legal Challenge Against Santa Barbara’s Temporary Rent Freeze
The Santa Barbara Rental Property Association calls the ordinance “unconstitutional” in a lawsuit filed in federal courts on April 3.
Books
UC Santa Barbara Brings Ibram X. Kendi to Talk About Race, Great Replacement Theory
The renowned author will speak about his new book, 'Chain of Ideas,' at Campbell Hall on April 7.
Infrastructure
Planning for the Future of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront
The city has begun shaping its 30-year Waterfront Adaptation Plan, outlining short-term fixes and long-term goals.
Community
Santa Barbara’s Elings Park Has Million-Dollar Opportunity to Renovate Softball Complex
An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million for upgrades if the park can raise $200,000 by May 1, 2026.
Immigration
ICE Agent Crashes Vehicle, Leaking Fluids into Drain Near Santa Barbara Jail
The incident occurred near the jail entrance on March 27; One man was reportedly injured during a pursuit.
Politics
California Senate Approves Farmworkers Day as Official Holiday
Farmworkers Day will replace César Chávez Day as state leaders shift focus of the celebration.
Courts & Crime
Santa Barbara Activist Among Victims of Reported Attack in West Bank
A Palestinian man was reportedly sexually assaulted, and two international activists were allegedly tied and beaten by Israeli settlers on March 13.
Community
Unraveling the Legacy of César Chávez on the Central Coast
Leaders spoke out after revelations of sexual abuse allegations; the City of Santa Barbara will consider changing the name of Calle César Chávez.
Cannabis
Santa Barbara Increases Cannabis Sales Tax Rate by 2 Percent
The City Council voted 5-2 to bump the cannabis retail tax rate from 6 to 8 percent, despite concerns over a potential decline in sales.
Housing
Santa Barbara Reckons with Shortfall in Affordable Housing Goals
Market-rate production far outpaces affordable housing; the city is at 10 percent of its eight-year goal of 8,001 units.
Housing
City of Santa Barbara to Hire Consultant for Rent Stabilization Ordinance
The city approved a $65,105 contract to conduct research and guide planning of a citywide rent cap ordinance.
Community
Santa Barbara Soccer Fans Win World Cup Tickets on ‘Golden Call’
Jacob Lauderdale, a soccer fan born and raised in Santa Barbara, was surprised with free pitchside access tickets in a Verizon video chat giveaway with U.S. soccer star Gisele Thompson.