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‘Every day is a bonus day’: Second chance at life powers Eric Friedman’s bid for Santa Barbara mayor

Politics

‘Every day is a bonus day’: Second chance at life powers Eric Friedman’s bid for Santa Barbara mayor

Friedman in recent weeks has experienced a sudden surge in popularity after winning influential endorsements and staying steady in focus and message as a candidate who will listen and compromise

by Kaitlin Sweeney Oct. 18October 19, 2026

Latest Stories

From Santa Barbara to the White House and back, Devon Wardlow now sets eyes on the City Council

From Santa Barbara to the White House and back, Devon Wardlow now sets eyes on the City Council

by Kaitlin Sweeney Oct. 19October 19, 2026

3-year-old seriously injured after being hit by car on Santa Barbara’s State Street

3-year-old seriously injured after being hit by car on Santa Barbara’s State Street

by Angel Corzo Oct. 19October 19, 2026

With about two weeks to go, candidates make final arguments for mayor at Rotary Club of Santa Barbara forum

With about two weeks to go, candidates make final arguments for mayor at Rotary Club of Santa Barbara forum

by Joshua Molina Oct. 18October 19, 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. 17October 18, 2026

Santa Barbara shows up for No Kings Day

Santa Barbara shows up for No Kings Day

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 17October 17, 2026

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The Santa Barbara County stories you need to know, curated and delivered to your inbox Monday – Friday.

Government

Santa Barbara mayoral, District 5 candidates battle over rents, artificial intelligence, money

Santa Barbara mayoral, District 5 candidates battle over rents, artificial intelligence, money

by Anika Brodnansky Oct. 15October 16, 2026

Updated: Details emerge as month-long Solvang strike ends with agreement between city and employees

Updated: Details emerge as month-long Solvang strike ends with agreement between city and employees

by Tom Schultz Oct. 14October 15, 2026

Genevieve Taft-Vazquez, the candidate next door, seeks to represent home district on Santa Barbara City Council

Genevieve Taft-Vazquez, the candidate next door, seeks to represent home district on Santa Barbara City Council

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 14October 18, 2026

Education

Public decries pattern of racism at Santa Barbara Unified following ‘blackface’ incident

Public decries pattern of racism at Santa Barbara Unified following ‘blackface’ incident

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 14October 14, 2026

Immigrant rights activist Jacqueline Inda Karlsen makes second bid for Santa Barbara Unified school board

Immigrant rights activist Jacqueline Inda Karlsen makes second bid for Santa Barbara Unified school board

by Julianna Lozada Oct. 12October 12, 2026

‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Valerie Amparan looks to unseat Rose Muñoz on school board

‘Santa Barbara Talks’ podcast: Valerie Amparan looks to unseat Rose Muñoz on school board

by Joshua Molina Oct. 12October 13, 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 13, 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 8, 2026

Affordable housing law expected to prevent foreclosures

Affordable housing law expected to prevent foreclosures

by Madeline Shannon • The Center Square Oct. 11

Environment

Montecito Sanitary directors cut their own pay, raise questions about shipping wastewater to Santa Barbara

Montecito Sanitary directors cut their own pay, raise questions about shipping wastewater to Santa Barbara

by Melinda Burns Oct. 16October 18, 2026

Coastal flooding risks possible this weekend, ending long heat wave

Coastal flooding risks possible this weekend, ending long heat wave

by Aston Smith Oct. 8October 8, 2026

Deja Vu: Another takeover bid at Montecito Sanitary

Deja Vu: Another takeover bid at Montecito Sanitary

by Melinda Burns Oct. 7October 7, 2026

See the story

Santa Barbara County, in focus.

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Oct 18

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Over 1,000 protestors flooded the streets of downtown Santa Barbara at noon on Saturday, marching from Alameda Park to City Hall in a bold display of opposition to President Trump and and his federal policies.

“We got to throw these bums out,” Former State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson said in a speech. “He’s been a lunatic, an incompetent, lying felon since the time he was born.”

The demonstration was one of hundreds across the nation Saturday, a part of the “No Kings” network in opposition to President Trump and his administration’s actions. In Santa Barbara, the event was put on by Indivisible Santa Barbara. Organizers said the event was non-partisan and avoided promoting any specific campaign.

With midterm elections only a few weeks away, protestors urged early voting. Ballot boxes lined the march, with people sending in their votes along the way. At the starting point in Alameda Park, Indivisible Santa Barbara leaders Myra and Ian Paige spoke on the importance of voting.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Sofia Wallace
Video by Aston Smith

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Oct 18

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The slaughter of wild horses mostly ended in the United States in the early 2000s, but the auction of wild horses can quickly muddy their fate.

Over the past few years, tens of thousands of wild horses have been shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter—often for human consumption. Most of those horses were legally bought at auctions hosted by the Bureau of Land Management, and many were roaming free just months before their slaughter.

But Neda DeMayo—president of the Lompoc-based nonprofit Return To Freedom—is trying to fight this deadly export process.

“The biggest threat to wild horses is by far politics,” DeMayo said.

DeMayo is fighting to have Congress pass a bill that would hold the buyer of the horse responsible for selling the horse to slaughter. She recently returned from Washington D.C., and the bill now has 239 co-sponsors with bipartisan support—the most ever for a horse protection bill.

The bill is the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. It would permanently ban the slaughter of wild horses for human consumption in the United States and ban the shipment of wild horses for slaughter in neighboring countries.

The hurdle is getting it on the House floor.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story and video by Aston Smith

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Oct 17

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🗳️ Exciting news, Santa Barbara County! Explore the most comprehensive 2026 voter guide brought to you by Santa Barbara News-Press. Stay informed about candidates and read all the News-Press coverage of them ahead of the upcoming election!

Check it out at the link in bio!

Video: Julianna Lozada, Sofia Wallace, Aston Smith
#SantaBarbara #VoterGuide #Election2026

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Oct 13

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🎹 Pianos are back on State Street for the 17th annual Pianos on State project, presented by the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative. Each uniquely painted piano is free for anyone to play.

News-Press reporter Julianna Lozada has more.
#StateStreet #SantaBarbara

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Oct 13

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Graphic content warning: This video contains a graphic depiction of murder

Raising Cane’s, a rapidly growing fast-food chain founded in 1996, opened its first location in the South Coast along 7000 Hollister Ave. in Goleta on Monday.

Dos Pueblos High School junior Rex Blevins arrived at 9 p.m. on Sunday in anticipation of the opening of the new Raising Cane’s in Goleta. He was first in line for the fast food and the restaurant’s grand opening.

Read more at the link in bio.

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Oct 12

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Raising Cane's opened in Goleta Monday morning. The popular restaurant is at the former site of Kyle's Kitchen in the Hollister Village Plaza. Check out story later at newspress.com and linkin.bio

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Oct 12

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Valerie Amparan, candidate for Santa Barbara Unified School Board District 4 talks about Hilda Maldonado, the district budget, tech policy and much more! Check out her conversation at Santa Barbara Talks with Josh Molina on YouTube and Monday at newspress.com

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Oct 10

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Candidates agree Santa Barbara runs on art, but split on the price tag.

On Wednesday night, candidates for Santa Barbara mayor and City Council discussed the State Street Master Plan, local artists and how much money should be allocated to fund the arts.

But on one point, the candidates never wavered: Santa Barbara needs its artists.

“I always say that we are our best selves when we come together, and especially when it’s around the arts,” said District 4 candidate Genevieve Taft-Vasquez.

Taft Vasquez joined candidates from Districts 4, 5 and 6 and the mayoral race at a forum at the
Community Arts Workshop to discuss how they would support the arts if elected. About 30 people audience members were in attendance.

The candidates agreed on the value of art but differed on how to pay for it and how best to
support local artists.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Anika Brodnansky
Video by Aston Smith

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Oct 2

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Santa Barbara City Council voted to rename Calle Cesar Chavez to Limuw Street, honoring the Chumash Native American territory the coastal street sits on with a word that means “in the sea.”

The name changes comes after sexual assault allegations against historic farmworker organizer Cesar Chavez surfaced in March, followed by state-wide calls to erase his name from public works. On May 11, the city held a public meeting and came out with three name suggestions: Calle Si Se Puede, Calle Dolores Huerta and Limuw street. Some also wanted the name Calle Salsipuedes, a call back to the street’s original name from 1851.

City Council member Kristen Sneddon eventually led the motion to move forward with the name Limuw. It was a 6-1 vote, with Mayor Randy Rowse dissenting, offering his support for the name Calle Salsipuedes.

Limuw is also the Chumash name for Santa Cruz Island, the birthplace of the Chumash people in traditional storytelling.

“To look out to the ocean and remind people that as you look straight from across the street, this is Limuw,” said Mia Lopez, founding director at Su’nan Protection, Art & Cultural Education. “This is our island of origin. This is the birthplace of the Chumash people who are still here today.”

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Sofia Wallace

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Sep 30

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Councilmember Kristen Sneddon calls for rent stabilization to be passed today. She says she's been "played" by the goal posts moving.

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Sep 28

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A white Toyota Corolla hybrid rolled on Highway 101 Monday, after the vehicle veered onto the median five miles south of the Gaviota Tunnel.

A reporter witnessed the northbound car signal briefly for a left turn before entering a left hand turn lane along the coastal stretch. Instead of turning, the vehicle continued straight, careening into the center divider and landing upside down minutes before 1 p.m.

Passersby quickly responded, and a man who appeared to be a first responder wearing an Alan Hancock Fire Academy T-shirt led an effort to pull the single occupant, a woman, from the driver’s side front window after reportedly kicking it in.

Read more at the link in bio.
Story by Tom Schultz

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Sep 26

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The annual Goleta Lemon Festival pie eating contest took place at Girsh Park on Saturday.

Dozens watched as ten contestants sank their teeth into the lemon meringue pies.

Stay tuned for more Goleta Lemon Festival coverage at newspress.com

Voices

Opinion: The ‘Santa Barbara Way’ is to consider all voices prior to making community-altering decisions

Opinion: The ‘Santa Barbara Way’ is to consider all voices prior to making community-altering decisions

by Cass Ensberg Oct. 8October 9, 2026

Opinion: Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon is on a mission – to make housing affordable

Opinion: Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon is on a mission – to make housing affordable

by Richard Appelbaum Oct. 7October 7, 2026

Marty Blum: Vote Andi Varon for SBCC Board of Trustees

Marty Blum: Vote Andi Varon for SBCC Board of Trustees

by Marty Blum Oct. 7October 7, 2026

Opinion: Social media comments miss the mark in understanding testing gap between Latino and white students

Opinion: Social media comments miss the mark in understanding testing gap between Latino and white students

by Joshua Molina Oct. 5October 5, 2026

Randy Rowse: This election, put Santa Barbara’s financial health first

Randy Rowse: This election, put Santa Barbara’s financial health first

by Randy Rowse, Santa Barbara Mayor Oct. 4October 4, 2026

Dr. Hilda Maldonado: San Marcos blackface incident demands accountability and a community response

Dr. Hilda Maldonado: San Marcos blackface incident demands accountability and a community response

by Dr. Hilda Maldonado Sept. 30September 30, 2026

Announcements

Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association to Induct Five Dons into the 2026 Wall of Fame

Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association to Induct Five Dons into the 2026 Wall of Fame

by Gloria Cavallero Oct. 15October 15, 2026

Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade returns to State Street Friday, Dec. 4

Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade returns to State Street Friday, Dec. 4

by Christy Jacobs, Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association Oct. 7October 9, 2026

The Theatre Group at SBCC presents CLUE, to run Oct. 7-24 at the Garvin Theatre

The Theatre Group at SBCC presents CLUE, to run Oct. 7-24 at the Garvin Theatre

by Pamela Lasker Sept. 28October 9, 2026

California Nature Art Museum presents ‘Terra Firma,’ works from the permanent collection

California Nature Art Museum presents ‘Terra Firma,’ works from the permanent collection

by Jessica Tade Sept. 28October 9, 2026

Lompoc Chalks returns Oct. 2-4 with 40 artists, live entertainment, and new ‘Meet the Artists’ kick-off

Lompoc Chalks returns Oct. 2-4 with 40 artists, live entertainment, and new ‘Meet the Artists’ kick-off

by Megan DeCicco, Lompoc Theatre Project Sept. 26October 9, 2026

Downtown Santa Barbara Assn. to host ribbon cutting for grand opening of Jess Conti Leather Goods

Downtown Santa Barbara Assn. to host ribbon cutting for grand opening of Jess Conti Leather Goods

by Maria Molina Sept. 25September 27, 2026

Obituaries

Obituary: Martha J. Osborne

Obituary: Martha J. Osborne

by Jennifer Osborne Oct. 15

Obituary: Laurence R. “Larry” Pearson

Obituary: Laurence R. “Larry” Pearson

by Scott Pearson Oct. 15October 15, 2026

Obituary: Rubin “Rube” Boxer

Obituary: Rubin “Rube” Boxer

by Ken Boxer Sept. 27September 27, 2026

Obituary: Carlie Ruthana Cosentino

Obituary: Carlie Ruthana Cosentino

by Jennifer Parks, McDermott-Crockett Mortuary Sept. 22September 23, 2026

Obituary: Clifford A. Hopson

Obituary: Clifford A. Hopson

by Erin Johnson Sept. 14September 14, 2026

Obituary: Sara Rudeen

Obituary: Sara Rudeen

by Anna Rudeen Sept. 10September 10, 2026

Obituary: Harold Thomas Hamm

Obituary: Harold Thomas Hamm

by Kris Kristen Sept. 1September 1, 2026

Obituary: Carol Anderson

Obituary: Carol Anderson

by Leslie Cornejo Aug. 31September 1, 2026

Obituary: Bradley “Brad” Reed Lawrence

Obituary: Bradley “Brad” Reed Lawrence

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

More News

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Ridley-Tree Cancer Center invites local doctors to speak on panel

Health

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Ridley-Tree Cancer Center invites local doctors to speak on panel

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 17October 18, 2026

Chumash call for cultural center in harbor in place of West Beach Wading Pool, Harbor Commission supports

Community

Chumash call for cultural center in harbor in place of West Beach Wading Pool, Harbor Commission supports

by Sofia Wallace Oct. 15October 16, 2026

805 UndocuFund volunteer detained during heightened ICE activity in Santa Maria

805 UndocuFund volunteer detained during heightened ICE activity in Santa Maria

by Angel Corzo Oct. 15October 16, 2026

Earl Warren CEO calms fears of data center at showgrounds

Community

Earl Warren CEO calms fears of data center at showgrounds

by Aston Smith Oct. 15October 16, 2026

New investigative team to bring more reporting to Santa Barbara News-Press

New investigative team to bring more reporting to Santa Barbara News-Press

by Santa Barbara News-Press Staff Reports Oct. 14October 15, 2026

Two people injured after car crash on Highway 154, prompting road closure

Two people injured after car crash on Highway 154, prompting road closure

by Angel Corzo Oct. 14October 14, 2026

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