Today’s newsletter is presented by Esparza Law Group.
Today we welcome two full-time reporters to the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Tom Schultz, a consummate professional and veteran journalist, returns to the News-Press after a 19-year hiatus. Julianna Lozada, a graduate of Columbia University, comes to us from the Los Angeles area, where she has been writing for the Southern California News Group.
These two hires are perfect for the News-Press.
First, a bit about Schultz. We have some history. He and I were both on the Santa Barbara City College newspaper, The Channels, and we both worked at the News-Press when it was owned by the New York Times. I left in 2006; he left in 2007. And now, we are back together — building the new, nonprofit evolution of the newsroom.
Back in the day, we were young hotshots who loved the business. All these years later, we still love what we do. Schultz is a masterhand. He is exactly what the News-Press needs.
It’s a surreal and spectacular feeling. I am very happy that he is joining the team and that we are tackling this adventure together.
Lozada joins the News-Press from the Southern California News Group, where she has written for all of the group’s 11 Los Angeles-area newspapers, including the Los Angeles Daily News and Orange County Register.
Following the Eaton and Palisades fires in January 2025, she wrote an array of in-depth fire-recovery stories, while also covering immigration raids and local politics. She has centered her reporting on underrepresented communities and issues of justice.
She’s a big-league player with serious ambition.
Check out the news story below for more details on this dynamic duo.
The News-Press is a nonprofit news site run by locals for locals, and we’re building an A-team.
We’ve already hired a third full-time reporter, whom we will be announcing soon, and this summer, we’ll be welcoming a group of paid interns to further bolster our newsroom. Check out our staff page to see our full team.
I’ve been in a lot of newsrooms in my career, and I can say we’re creating something truly dynamic and special here. Thank you for your overwhelming support.
Joshua Molina
News-Press Editor
Top read of the day
Women of Achievement Awards honor civic leadership and immigrant advocacy
By Joy Martin • Special for the News-Press
This year’s theme, ‘Powerful Voices, Purposeful Change — Women Leading Through Civic Engagement.’
Santa Barbara News-Press thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
7 stories people are talking about
Local voices
‘Anyone who lives an upright life, who lives in our society, who lives in our communities, who is a beneficial neighbor, is a citizen of my community in my mind, regardless of whether they have had the opportunity to, or made the poor decision to, not pursue American citizenship.’
— Elijah Mack
Santa Barbara News-Press thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
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