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

Business

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

Developer Matthew Taylor said at Monday’s seven-hour hearing that he plans to construct a “transformative” project that would reshape La Cumbre Plaza for decades.

by Joshua Molina Nov. 10November 10, 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

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

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

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

by Sofia Wallace Nov. 9November 9, 2026

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

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

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

Daybreak from the News-Press

Santa Barbara County news, every weekday morning.

Your free, essential local briefing.

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Read Latest Edition Nov. 10 Goodbye, Macy’s, hello housing

Government

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

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

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 5November 5, 2026

Santa Barbara elects three progressives to City Council amid massive rebuke of Trump nationwide

Santa Barbara elects three progressives to City Council amid massive rebuke of Trump nationwide

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 4November 5, 2026

Santa Barbara County counting ballots as candidates in tight races watch and wait

Santa Barbara County counting ballots as candidates in tight races watch and wait

by Tom Schultz Nov. 4November 5, 2026

Education

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

Valerie Amparan leading incumbent Rose Muñoz in close race for Santa Barbara Unified School Board

Valerie Amparan leading incumbent Rose Muñoz in close race for Santa Barbara Unified School Board

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 3November 4, 2026

Immigration activist Jacqueline Inda Karlsen elected to the Santa Barbara Unified School Board

Immigration activist Jacqueline Inda Karlsen elected to the Santa Barbara Unified School Board

by Julianna Lozada Nov. 3November 4, 2026

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 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

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Nov 1

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Our reporters took on the corn maze at Lane Farms!

Victory went to Angel Corzo
Video: Aston Smith

More news

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

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

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

by Tom Schultz Nov. 6November 7, 2026

Stabbing at Coal Oil Point Reserve near Isla Vista

Stabbing at Coal Oil Point Reserve near Isla Vista

by Angel Corzo Nov. 5November 5, 2026

Luz Reyes-Martín and James Kyriaco to continue serving on Goleta City Council

Luz Reyes-Martín and James Kyriaco to continue serving on Goleta City Council

by Sofia Wallace Nov. 4November 5, 2026

More elections coverage

Rep. Carbajal and Assemblymember Hart re-elected to office at federal and state levels

Rep. Carbajal and Assemblymember Hart re-elected to office at federal and state levels

by Sofia Wallace Nov. 4November 5, 2026

PHOTOS: News-Press journalists capture the moments of Santa Barbara election night

PHOTOS: News-Press journalists capture the moments of Santa Barbara election night

by Santa Barbara News-Press Staff Nov. 4November 5, 2026

California housing bonds: What passage of Prop. 37, Prop. 1 means for state

California housing bonds: What passage of Prop. 37, Prop. 1 means for state

by Ben Christoper • CalMatters Nov. 4November 5, 2026

What we know about results in all 14 California ballot propositions

What we know about results in all 14 California ballot propositions

by Adam Echelman • CalMatters Nov. 3November 4, 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

Santa Ynez High School celebrates the retirement of head football coach Josh McClurg

Santa Ynez High School celebrates the retirement of head football coach Josh McClurg

by Kimberly Sheehan Nov. 10

Pearl Chase’s birthday celebration

Pearl Chase’s birthday celebration

by Cheri McKinney, Pearl Chase Society Nov. 10November 10, 2026

November 15 deadline to apply for 2027–28 art and honors scholarships

by Tim Dougherty, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara Nov. 9November 10, 2026

Carbajal hosts dedication ceremony for World War I Memorial Oaks Display in Carpinteria

Carbajal hosts dedication ceremony for World War I Memorial Oaks Display in Carpinteria

by Chris Davis Nov. 9November 9, 2026

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awards $100,000 to seven local nonprofits through new Small Grants Pilot Program

Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awards $100,000 to seven local nonprofits through new Small Grants Pilot Program

by Casey McAdams, Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara Nov. 9November 9, 2026

Evento gratuito de recolección de residuos domésticos peligrosos para residentes de la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara

Evento gratuito de recolección de residuos domésticos peligrosos para residentes de la Ciudad de Santa Bárbara

by Christopher Clark, City of Santa Barbara Nov. 9November 9, 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

California rejects conservative voter ID proposal

Politics

California rejects conservative voter ID proposal

by Nadia Lathan • CalMatters Nov. 3November 4, 2026

David Silva elected to second term as Buellton mayor

Government

David Silva elected to second term as Buellton mayor

by Kaitlin Sweeney Nov. 3November 4, 2026

Who’s winning California’s statewide races?

Politics

Who’s winning California’s statewide races?

by Jocelyn Wiener • CalMatters Nov. 3November 4, 2026

California billionaire tax trailing in early returns

Politics

California billionaire tax trailing in early returns

by Kristen Hwang • CalMatters Nov. 3November 8, 2026

Dominique Lujan wins seat on SBCC board; Andrea Varon also out in front

Government

Dominique Lujan wins seat on SBCC board; Andrea Varon also out in front

by Patricia Stark Nov. 3November 4, 2026

Gabe Escobedo wins Santa Barbara City Council District 6 seat

Government

Gabe Escobedo wins Santa Barbara City Council District 6 seat

by Kaitlin Sweeney and Angel Corzo Nov. 3November 4, 2026

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