10+ hour, 57+ min ago   (1077+ words) Elected officials are poised to pass sweeping restrictions that would dramatically curb onshore oil and gas production across unincorporated Santa Barbara County. An ordinance years in the making, the new rules would ban new wells along the coastal and inland…...

20+ hour, 55+ min ago   (784+ words) This story originally appeared in The Center Square. California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has announced $34.9 million in grants to nonprofits and labor unions that will help “at-risk” or undocumented workers understand their rights, including hundreds of thousands of dollars…...

1+ day, 14+ hour ago   (309+ words) Nine bills authored by 37th District Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) — on issues including offshore drilling, mental health, domestic violence and nonprofits — are heading to the Governor’s desk. “The legislative package we advanced on behalf of the 37th District addresses challenges facing…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago   (185+ words) Letters: 9/11 remembrance — The day that defined a generation Santa Barbara News-Press Start your morning with DAYBREAK, our email newsletter bringing you the essential local stories you need to start your day. I was living in a Boston suburb with my…...

3+ day, 14+ hour ago   (323+ words) The California Senate Rules Committee has appointed Gabriella Garcia, executive director of Storyteller, to serve as a commissioner for First 5 California. She was appointed at the recommendation of California Senator Pro Tempore Monique Limon, who represents Santa Barbara in the…...

3+ day, 15+ hour ago   (229+ words) Letters: 9/11 remembrance — What I saw as Pasadena police chief Santa Barbara News-Press Start your morning with DAYBREAK, our email newsletter bringing you the essential local stories you need to start your day. On 9/11/2001, I was the police chief in Pasadena....

4+ day, 6+ hour ago   (189+ words) Note: This opinion essay is in response to “Opinion: Unless you dig, you really won’t know your city council candidates,” published Sept. 9. Read it here. The piece repeatedly emphasizes Devon’s age, compares her to the author’s own daughters, questions whether…...

4+ day, 8+ hour ago   (154+ words) The first mayoral debate featuring top candidates Eric Friedman, Wendy Sims-Moten and Kristen Sneddon is now available for view on multiple platforms. The Santa Barbara News-Press and Newsmakers with JR hosted the debate at The New Vic Theatre on Sept....

4+ day, 20+ hour ago   (475+ words) This story was originally reported by Mariel Padilla of The 19th. Meet Mariel and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. California is set to end child marriage – years after more than a third of the nation had…...

4+ day, 22+ hour ago   (476+ words) As a resident of Santa Barbara’s District Four — comprising the Upper East Side, Riviera, and Eucalyptus Hill neighborhoods — I ran smack into this conundrum two months ago, when a candidate for my district’s seat asked me for a monetary contribution…...