The post-Hilda Maldonado era - Santa Barbara News-Press

Good morning, Santa Barbara ☀️

Here’s what we have for you today:

Entering the post-Maldonado era: What’s at stake for the 2026 Santa Barbara Unified school board election
Family of 3-year-old struck on State Street shares update, calls for change
Santa Ynez Chumash seek to move prominent open space into federal trust
How social media became a campaign tool for Santa Barbara City Hall candidates

Get your election results here Tuesday

Be sure to check newspress.com and our social media channels all day Tuesday for ongoing breaking news election coverage. Our team will be bringing you all the stories, photos and videos to be your one-stop-shop for election coverage.

If you like what you’re reading, send this newsletter to someone who doesn’t subscribe and tell them to sign up for all the election coverage Tuesday and beyond. And, be sure to check out our Santa Barbara County Voter Guide for all elections coverage over the past several months.

Joshua Molina

News-Press Editor

Stories you should know about

From an LGBTQ+ rally to Trunk or Treat, Becerra and Hilton barnstorm California hoping to be next governor (Los Angeles Times)

A potential Democratic wave looms over Trump. Where does MAGA go after the midterms? (Los Angeles Times)

Democrats show strength in final days of race for the senate, new polls find (New York Times)

News-Press opinion letters

Check out some recent opinion letters sent in by candidates or in support of them for Tuesday’s election.

Opinion: Santa Barbara’s future belongs to all of us (Eric Friedman)

Opinion: Santa Barbara is not for sale (Kristen Sneddon)

Opinion: In local government, the facts matter (Mike Jordan)

Looking back

Back in 2005, City Councilmembers Das Williams and Iya Falcone were feuding (they did a lot of that publicly and privately) over a resolution Williams brought forward in opposition to Prop. 75, which would have required union leaders to get permission from employees before spending their dues for political purposes.

Councilmembers Falcone and Brian Barnwell bashed Williams at the meeting. They felt Williams was grandstanding and only submitting the resolution to earn favor with unions in service of his own future political aspirations. Sound familiar? I was there in the back row of City Hall to cover it all. Spoiler: The proposition failed by 7 percent.

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