I love being a journalist. From the first day I took a journalism course at Santa Barbara City College, it was all I ever really wanted to do.
Last Friday was another reminder of why the work that journalists do is so important.
I reported, took photos and shot video of the community demonstrations led by activists who protested against the tactics of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Right now, we are a small newsroom of just one full-time employee — me — and part-timer Chris Woodyard. Still, we covered Friday’s protests comprehensively. I captured video of students arriving at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse amid a press conference organized by elected officials.
News-Press freelance videographer Aston Smith spotlighted the mood and energy at the courthouse as well as a demonstration on Cabrillo Boulevard, both with amazing clarity.
We attempted to chronicle the most important news of the day. Some of that coverage is contained in this newsletter, and you’ll find much more on our website.
Our team is growing, and we are in the process of hiring full-time reporters, too. We’re doing all of this from our downtown Santa Barbara offices inside the CEC Hub at 1219 State St.
News-Press General Manager Will Belfiore and I are currently building out the physical newsroom. True to form, we’re putting the call out that we’re on the lookout for furnishings. If you’re angling to get rid of some old office furniture, feel free to let me know and respond to this email.
I like to think that’s crowd-sourced nonprofit community journalism after all.
And if you’re on the block, give us a knock and say hello.
Joshua Molina
News-Press Editor
Top read of the day
Lake Cachuma trots out the trout — 5,000 pounds of them
By Chris Woodyard • Santa Barbara News-Press
Summer is still far off, but the trout are biting at Lake Cachuma, officials say. For those who love to fish, Santa Barbara County says the lake doesn’t get much better […]
3 stories sparking buzz
Lights, camera, action! SBIFF debuts McHurley Film Center on State Street
The $21 million renovation was completed just days before the 11-day festival, which runs Feb. 4-14, 2026. During the event, the center will screen more than 200 films.
Randy Rowse: Santa Barbara police cannot aid or interfere with federal law enforcement
The confusion and fear that has been prompted by the recent activities of ICE has led a number of our Santa Barbara residents to ask for a response. While a number of […]
Sandpiper Golf Club and Barnsdall tower renovation plans ‘wow’ Goleta design review board
A plan to renovate the Sandpiper Golf Club and restore the landmark Barnsdall Rio Grande filling station to create a western “gateway” into Goleta has received preliminary approval from the city’s […]
Local voices
“What we are seeing in our nation is not distant or abstract. It is deeply personal and deeply painful for our families here on the Central Coast and beyond.”
— Santa Maria City Councilwoman Gloria Soto
Must watch
Students march into press conference at Santa Barbara County Courthouse
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