GOLETA, Calif. — A film festival celebrating wildlife, conservation and the natural world is bringing nearly 40 films from 11 countries to the Central Coast this weekend. The 2026 Wild & Free Film Festival kicked off Friday at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara before moving to Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta for weekend screenings. The festival features
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LOS OLIVOS, Calif. — A local nonprofit is using the power of film to bring audiences closer to nature and inspire greater awareness of wildlife conservation and environmental issues. The NatureTrack Film Festival is showcasing wildlife documentaries and environmental stories in the Santa Ynez Valley, with a mission to encourage people to connect with and
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara city leaders are looking to strengthen partnerships with faith-based organizations and community groups as they work to address homelessness. The 2026 City and Faith Leader Summit brought together community partners to discuss updated strategies, recognize progress and explore ways to expand the community’s response to homelessness. Santa Barbara City
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Democrats are celebrating major victories across the country following Election Day, with several historic firsts and a political shift that some are calling a “blue tsunami.” For many voters, the results reflect a growing demand for change. “People have spoken. People want things to be cheaper. People want things to be
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Four candidates are competing for an open Santa Barbara City Council seat, with housing affordability, public safety and the future of downtown among the key issues. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Voters are deciding who will represent Santa Barbara City Council District 4, with four candidates competing for a seat on the city council. The
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Halloween is bringing more than just tricks and treats this year. As costumes and decorations become more expensive, some Santa Barbara shoppers are finding creative ways to celebrate while keeping costs down. At World of Magic in Santa Barbara, the final days before Halloween are bringing a mix of classic characters,
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About 2,000 people attended the free Halloween celebration, featuring decorated vehicles, candy and first responders. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Local families got a head start on Halloween festivities Thursday night at the annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration in Santa Barbara. Hosted by the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (SBPAL), the free community event brought together children, families
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The sixth annual event transformed Anisq’Oyo’ Park into an immersive Halloween experience, featuring costumed performers, a costume contest and free pumpkins. ISLA VISTA, Calif. – Halloween festivities brought an extra dose of spooky fun to Isla Vista as the community celebrated the sixth annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Anisq’Oyo’ Park. Hosted by the Isla Vista
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Dolores Huerta, the pioneering labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers and helped lead the fight for farmworkers’ rights, has died at the age of 96. Huerta, known for popularizing the rallying cry “Sí, se puede,” leaves behind a legacy of activism, social justice and a
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara city leaders are considering changes to the city’s residential eviction protections that could affect both renters and landlords. The proposed ordinance would expand the types of rental properties covered by the city’s just-cause eviction rules. The changes would also establish additional requirements for landlords seeking to move into their
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Congressman Salud Carbajal is calling for greater transparency and accountability from federal immigration authorities as concerns grow over ICE enforcement operations across California. His challenger, Bob Smith, also supports greater transparency but disagrees with Carbajal’s claim that the operations are intended to intimidate communities and suppress voter participation. Carbajal joined Congressman
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Tecolote House and the 14-bed Sobering Center expand behavioral health services, offering supportive housing and stabilization for people facing mental health and substance use challenges. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County is expanding its behavioral health services with two new facilities designed to help people experiencing mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Santa
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Scientists have access to vast amounts of ocean data, but finding and organizing that information can be a challenge. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a free software tool designed to make the process easier. The tool, called Oceandatr, helps scientists bring together ocean data from multiple sources, making it
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The project will replace aging portable classrooms, expand hands-on health care training and modernize a student wellness center. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara Unified School District celebrated the groundbreaking Monday for an approximately $11 million project at San Marcos High School aimed at expanding health care career education and improving access to student wellness
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The film follows two filmmakers across 22 countries to examine how cows affect nutrition, agriculture, soil health and the future of the planet. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — What would the world look like without cows? A new documentary, World Without Cows, explores that question, examining the role cattle play in feeding a growing global population
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The film follows Terry Kennedy’s decades-long bond with a giant manta ray and his journey toward healing and ocean conservation. SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — For one veteran, the ocean became more than a place to dive. It became a source of peace, healing and an unexpected friendship that would change the course of his life.
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) — Santa Barbara Unified School District is facing renewed calls for accountability following a blackface social media post involving four San Marcos High School students. Students from San Marcos and Dos Pueblos high schools walked out of class Tuesday, October 13, while community members addressed the school board that evening, demanding
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — With the Great California ShakeOut approaching, emergency officials are reminding Californians how to protect themselves during an earthquake and prepare for potential emergencies. The annual statewide earthquake drill is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m. Participants are encouraged to practice safety procedures at home, at school and at work.
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Leaders gather on the Central Coast to discuss technological change, women’s representation in business and solutions to community challenges. GOLETA, Calif. — Some of the most influential women in business gathered in Goleta for the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, discussing how artificial intelligence, changing economic conditions and technological innovation are reshaping leadership. This year’s
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VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) — A new California law aims to reduce the risk of wildfires during vegetation-clearing operations by requiring workers to have fire-suppression equipment readily available. Assembly Bill 2075 follows the 2024 Mountain Fire in Ventura County, which investigators traced to hot debris from a tractor tire involved in an earlier fire near
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