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Santa Barbara City Council votes to increase retail cannabis taxes

Santa Barbara City Council votes to increase retail cannabis taxes

The tax wil rise from 6% to 8%. Councilmembers Eric Friedman and Wendy Santamaria opposed, raising concerns about the financial impact on the cannabis retailers

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

Latest news

Accusations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez detailed in newspaper investigation

Accusations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez detailed in newspaper investigation

Dolores Huerta, labor movement leader, details sexual assault by Cesar Chavez

Dolores Huerta, labor movement leader, details sexual assault by Cesar Chavez

Santa Ynez Valley’s Sunstone Winery opens tasting room on Coast Village Road

Economy

Santa Ynez Valley’s Sunstone Winery opens tasting room on Coast Village Road

Harbor Restaurant, city of Santa Barbara settle contract dispute

Community

Harbor Restaurant, city of Santa Barbara settle contract dispute

In-depth

Santa Barbara County Supervisors to greenhouse pot growers: ‘Enough is enough’

Santa Barbara County Supervisors to greenhouse pot growers: ‘Enough is enough’

by Melinda Burns • Special for the Santa Barbara News-Press March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Feel the boom: More and bigger SpaceX launches are coming to Santa Barbara County

Feel the boom: More and bigger SpaceX launches are coming to Santa Barbara County

by Tom Schultz • Special for the Santa Barbara News-Press February 8, 2026February 9, 2026

Immigration crackdown pushes some into hiding, others into the streets

Immigration crackdown pushes some into hiding, others into the streets

by Lillian Perlmutter • Santa Barbara News-Press February 11, 2026February 20, 2026

New Santa Barbara County commuter train service on track for early May start

New Santa Barbara County commuter train service on track for early May start

by Tom Schultz • Special for the Santa Barbara News-Press February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

News

Felled ornamental sycamores mark start of next Mission Creek widening project

Felled ornamental sycamores mark start of next Mission Creek widening project

by Patricia Stark • Special for the News-Press February 16, 2026February 19, 2026

San Marcos High School health careers academy expands through Cottage Health partnership

San Marcos High School health careers academy expands through Cottage Health partnership

by Joy Martin • Special for the News-Press March 4, 2026March 4, 2026

Video: Gas prices expected to rise further in Santa Barbara County

Video: Gas prices expected to rise further in Santa Barbara County

by Aston Smith • Special for the News-Press March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

The Dish: Rincon Brewery exits Funk Zone, Home Plate Grill to close, chefs headline upcoming events

The Dish: Rincon Brewery exits Funk Zone, Home Plate Grill to close, chefs headline upcoming events

by Joy Martin • Special for the News-Press March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

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Environment

President Trump orders Sable Offshore to restart transporting oil in Santa Barbara County

President Trump orders Sable Offshore to restart transporting oil in Santa Barbara County

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press March 14, 2026March 14, 2026

Heat wave headed to Santa Barbara County

Heat wave headed to Santa Barbara County

by Aston Smith • Special for the News-Press March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Amid climate crisis, insurers’ increased use of AI raises concern for policyholders

Amid climate crisis, insurers’ increased use of AI raises concern for policyholders

by Marcus Baram • Capital & Main March 10, 2026

VOICES

On the trail: Inside the Playground

On the trail: Inside the Playground

by Ray Ford March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Bob Sulnick: Sable adopts Trumpism in effort to secure Santa Barbara oil

Bob Sulnick: Sable adopts Trumpism in effort to secure Santa Barbara oil

by Robert Sulnick March 15, 2026March 16, 2026

Lynn Montgomery: ‘women, life, freedom!’ — Iran

Lynn Montgomery: ‘women, life, freedom!’ — Iran

by Lynn Montgomery March 15, 2026March 16, 2026

News & Features

Cats, wildlife and more: Charities reap $1-million windfall from Santa Barbara woman’s legacy

Cats, wildlife and more: Charities reap $1-million windfall from Santa Barbara woman’s legacy

by Chris Woodyard • Santa Barbara News-Press March 10, 2026March 12, 2026

Pizza bursts with flavor, natural ingredients at Montecito’s Bettina

Pizza bursts with flavor, natural ingredients at Montecito’s Bettina

by Joy Martin • Special for the News-Press March 5, 2026

Dog walkers growl over foxtail management at Douglas Family Preserve in Santa Barbara

Dog walkers growl over foxtail management at Douglas Family Preserve in Santa Barbara

by Patricia Stark • Special for the News-Press March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Community announcements

Youthclusive presents Disney’s High School Musical at Center Stage Theater March 20-22

Youthclusive presents Disney’s High School Musical at Center Stage Theater March 20-22

by Youthclusive Inc. March 7, 2026March 7, 2026

Montecito Fire Chief announces retirement

Montecito Fire Chief announces retirement

by Montecito Fire Protection District March 5, 2026March 7, 2026

Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara honors 20 student artists

Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara honors 20 student artists

by Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara March 5, 2026March 7, 2026

MORE stories

Santa Barbara property owners, attorney Barry Cappello plan lawsuit to block rent freeze

Housing

Santa Barbara property owners, attorney Barry Cappello plan lawsuit to block rent freeze

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press March 3, 2026March 4, 2026

Man watched UCSB student Liz Hamel climb over railing, fall to her death, report shows

Man watched UCSB student Liz Hamel climb over railing, fall to her death, report shows

by Chris Woodyard • Santa Barbara News-Press February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Santa Barbara Unified to send layoff notices to 66 employees

Education

Santa Barbara Unified to send layoff notices to 66 employees

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press February 25, 2026February 26, 2026

Santa Barbara school district approves seven-period day at all junior high schools beginning in 2027

Education

Santa Barbara school district approves seven-period day at all junior high schools beginning in 2027

by Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

Santa Barbara tensions inspire proposal to weaken jail authority of sheriffs across California

Santa Barbara tensions inspire proposal to weaken jail authority of sheriffs across California

by Tom Schultz • Special for the Santa Barbara News-Press February 28, 2026February 28, 2026