Special Reports Archives

Update: Madre Fire fully contained along Highway 166 and east into the Carrizo Plain

July 2, 2025 2:10 pm Andrew Gillies, Alissa Orozco, Nate Loop

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are responding to a wildfire named the Madre Fire, which has burned 80,779 acres in rural San Luis… Continue Reading

CSU Channel Islands Dancer Defies Vision and Hearing Loss to Inspire Others

July 23, 2025 8:44 pm Tracy Lehr

CAMARILLO, Calif. — A member of the Class of 2025 remembers dancing along to her favorite artists as a kid. Sarah Ysordia still requests their… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara Radio Host Reminisces on Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne

July 23, 2025 4:40 pm Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The family of heavy metal legend and former Black Sabbath singer, Ozzy Osbourne, announced his passing on Tuesday after a… Continue Reading

What NPR Cuts Mean for KCLU and Public Radio on the Central Coast

July 18, 2025 12:19 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Congress has voted to rescind nearly $1.1 billion in funding for public media — a move that eliminates all federal support… Continue Reading

Elderly Woman Loses $450K in Online Romance Scam

July 14, 2025 6:32 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A Massachusetts woman is warning others after her 74-year-old mother was conned out of nearly her entire retirement savings… Continue Reading

Federal Raids at Glass House Farms Spark Chaos in Carpinteria and Ventura County

July 10, 2025 11:48 am Andrew Gillies, Alissa Orozco, John Palminteri

EDITOR NOTE: This article has been updated to include details about juveniles found at the marijuana facility in Camarillo, the Carpinteria City… Continue Reading

13 Million-Year-Old Whale Fossil Unearthed near Santa Barbara

July 7, 2025 3:20 pm Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif – While the newly-released Jurassic World movie roared to the top of the box office, a real life discovery of a giant fossil… Continue Reading

Big Tax Cuts, Big Cuts to Benefits: Local Reaction to ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

July 3, 2025 6:50 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The U.S. Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Thursday, prompting sharply divided reactions over its sweeping… Continue Reading

Trump’s First 100 Days: Deportations, Food Aid Cuts, and Tariff Impacts Hit Central & South Coast

May 2, 2025 12:36 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — From immigration raids and soaring tariffs to school board battles and sweeping federal job cuts, President Donald Trump’s… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara Equestrian Group Feels Shut Out of Earl Warren Showgrounds Master Plan

June 27, 2025 4:13 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The future of the Earl Warren Showgrounds is coming into focus with a 30-year Master Plan in development — but members of the… Continue Reading

Risen from Rubble: How the 1925 Earthquake Changed Santa Barbara Forever

June 26, 2025 7:26 pm Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Old Mission Santa Barbara is a world class destination. "Throughout the world we are known as the Queen of the missions… Continue Reading

Preparing for La Niña: How It Could Impact the Coast, Crops, and Communities in Southern California

June 16, 2025 4:16 pm Ryder Christ, Andie Lopez Bornet, Christa Kurkjian, Evan Vega, Mackenzie Lake, Shawn Quien

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — From worsening wildfires to eroding coastlines and crop losses, changing climate patterns are reshaping life along the… Continue Reading

Tragedy to Triumph: Santa Barbara Mother Speaks Out Years after Losing Fiancé in Triple Fatal Crash

June 12, 2025 11:49 am Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It was a tragedy that changed a Santa Barbara woman’s life forever. A traffic accident killed her fiance and landed her… Continue Reading

Could Old Spanish Days Come Back to Earl Warren Showgrounds in the Future?

June 11, 2025 5:41 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — As the Earl Warren Showgrounds looks ahead to a 30-year master plan, it remains unclear whether that future includes the… Continue Reading

Buzzing with Purpose: Santa Barbara Hives Protects Pollinators & Educates Locals

June 3, 2025 12:28 pm Ivania Montes

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – In Carpinteria, one small shop is creating a big buzz — protecting pollinators and teaching the community to do the… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara Man calls the Behavioral Wellness Access Line to Save Loved One Suffering from Schizophrenia

May 29, 2025 1:02 pm Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - If you’re strolling along the streets of Santa Barbara, you may notice some of the city's most iconic buildings lit up green… Continue Reading

“Every Pallet Is a Lifeline”: Amy Weaver on Leading Direct Relief as CEO

May 22, 2025 7:09 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Amy Weaver has taken the helm as CEO of Direct Relief, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit known for delivering lifesaving… Continue Reading

Arabian Horses Show Strength as The Horse Industry Struggles in Santa Ynez Valley

May 15, 2025 12:23 pm Patricia Martellotti

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif. – The Santa Ynez Valley has long been known for its equestrian roots. But today, local… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara County Warns of Sophisticated Jury Duty Scam

May 9, 2025 6:42 pm Ryder Christ

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including spoofed phone numbers and impersonations of law… Continue Reading

“Red Heel Heist” perplexes Locals, causes Social Media Stir

April 22, 2025 6:49 pm Mina Wahab

VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Alongside of Highway 101, locals spotted a giant red stiletto that has sparked curiosity and brought joy… Continue Reading