KCSB News

Santa Barbara County is asking for public input to outline the county's top priorities for advocacy this year. Through a legislative survey, anyone is able to participate in a ranking of their top legislative priorities. This survey will be taken into consideration by the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors in their legislative decisions for 2027. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke to Legislative Analyst fo...

With midterm elections upon us, UCSB students and Isla Vista Community members have many opportunities to get involved with elections at a local and national level. There are resources on how to vote, submit a ballot, and different initiatives for getting involved with local politics. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke to the UCSB Assistant Dean of Civic & Community Engagement, Viviana Marsano to learn mor...

This story was originally aired on September 21st 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 713, which would have allowed undocumented university students in California to work campus jobs, on September 20th. Undocumented students are legally allowed to attend university, but barriers surrounding the cost of living and tuition make it difficult for them to receive equal access. AB 713 aims...

In Northern Ireland large protests surrounding a march by Loyalist group the Orange Order led to a two week standoff with residents of the town. The march has historically been met with violence, prompting Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State to ban it. KCSB’s Tyler Andell breaks down the history and ongoing situation.

A “Super El Nino” isn’t the only weather phenomenon that could bring destruction to California’s coastline this winter. KCSB’s Arlene Ramos explains more on the matter.

Three of UC Santa Barbara’s faculty members were recognized and honored this year for their earth sciences advancements by the professional organization, the American Geophysical Union. KCSB’s Alyssa Tarango has more.

The number of "MIP" (minor in possession of alcohol) and other alcohol-related violations increases in the fall when students arrive or return to Isla Vista and UC Santa Barbara. AS-UCSB Legal Resources Center Attorney Robin Unander explains how to avoid the most common violations in this KCSB News feature, "From Where I Sit." Produced and created with KCSB News reporter Clarissa Hom.

KCSB’ Sports Director Hiral Panchal speaks with Oskar Garcia, sports journalist with The Athletic, to learn more about his time at KCSB where he once served as the station's news director and general manager, and how his college media experience helped him become the journalist he is today.

As the UCSB academic year begins, Associated Students Executive Officers and Senators are starting up projects and plans to serve the student body. One executive officer has also joined Isla Vista’s local governing body to bridge the information gap between Associated Students and Isla Vista’s Community Services District. KCSB’s Tatiana Jacquez sat down with External Vice President for Local Affai...

At the beginning of the K-12 academic year in the city of Santa Barbara, multiple instances of ICE presence were reported in the early hours of August 26th through August 29th. What are the patterns of ICE Raids in the city of Santa Barbara, and how do they conduct raids in the 805 area? KCSB's Tatiana Jacquez spoke with 805UndocuFund's Programs Manager, Beatriz Basurto, to learn more about the da...

This news story was originally aired on September 21st 2026. Just 6 months after Sable Offshore Corp began pumping oil along the Gaviota Coast, the company has plans to dig up the pipeline in 12 locations to check for corrosion. These validation digs along the Santa Barbara County pipeline route will determine for the company and federal regulators if there are anomalies. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke...

This Saturday (September 19th), the 42nd annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will be underway. It’s an opportunity for community members to help clean up trash and make a difference in their local ecosystems. Learn how you can get involved. KCSB's Mavis Holley has the story.

El Niño activity has grown exponentially stronger over the past 40 years than any events over the past 1,000 years. 1850 marks the year when humans began impacting the climate with greenhouse gases, a possible explanation for the rising intensity. The phenomenon is natural, coming every couple of years, and causing the tropical Pacific to become warmer than usual and affecting weather patterns acr...

A Trump administration rule attempting to rescind the federal regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act is going into effect today (September 14th 2026). The removal of the word means damaging or destroying habitat may no longer violate the law when it injures or kills protected wildlife. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke to a UCSB professor to break down recent developments.

Earlier this month (August 2026), the California Coastal Commission unanimously voted against an offshore fracking proposal for 16 oil wells at Platform Gilda in the Santa Barbara Channel. The commission cited risk of oil spill and aging infrastructure as the grounds for its objection against the project. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke to Deputy Chief Counsel at the Environmental Defence Center, Maggie...

The Associated Students Legal Resource Center is a student initiative helping students respond to legal problems affecting their academic studies or well-being. Student Legal Advisors are available to help students navigate different categories of legal issues, including tenant disputes, employment, and immigration. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke to Student Legal Advisor Jessica Anticoni about how stud...

This week motorists waited in line for hours in Goleta to buy gas at $3 a gallon. It was all to draw attention to Republican Steve Hilton’s campaign for governor. KCSB’s Ray Briare brings us this report:

Volunteers from SBResiste show up in the lobby of the Santa Barbara County Jail, whenever ICE agents are present, to observe and document the activity. This week ICE blasted volunteers with pepper spray. KCSB’s Ray Briare brings us this report. Photo Credit: SBResiste, used with permission

Have a beef with your landlord or roommates or finding yourself in a conflict with campus administration? Learn more about these no-cost resources available to UCSB students and IV residents. KCSB's Mavis Holley anchors this episode, speaking with Jessica Anticouni, an attorney in the AS Legal Resource Center, and advisor to the Isla Vista Tenants Union. Plus, learn more about how the AS-UCSB Offi...

KCSB FM has a new executive committee team for the upcoming school year. In this episode, you'll hear from KCSB's incoming Sports Director, Hiral Panchal, in conversation with Annabelle Persaud, a recent UCSB graduate, to find out how she’s using the skills she learned in student media in her professional career.

UC Santa Barbara hosts the UCSB Reads Program, an opportunity for students and community members to engage in multiple activities and programs surrounding one book for the duration of the school year, including a talk with the author. Voting ends August 26th, so head over to library.ucsb.edu to cast your vote for the 2027 book. KCSB’s Mavis Holley spoke to UCSB Exhibitions and Events Manager Sara...

Free National Parks and Public Land access days are right around the corner. Next Tuesday is the 110th birthday of the National Park Service and an opportunity for parkgoers to access national parks for free. Also upcoming on Saturday, September 26th, is National Public Lands Day, a volunteer event offering free admission to many sites. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke with UCSB Environmental Studies lec...

A case of measles was reported in Santa Barbara county last week, contracted while the individual was out of the county. Health officials say the case is no longer a community threat, according to KSBY news. On a national scale, Measles cases have been on the rise over the past two years, says UC Health. Previously, it was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but has since returned. KCSB’s Mav...

UC Santa Barbara is looking to extend and establish more Artificial Intelligence Guidelines for academia across campus. There are still several questions about the appropriate use of AI, and debate about how to apply the technology throughout the wide range of disciplines the university offers. KCSB's Mavis Holley spoke to UCSB Psychology and Brain Science Professor Miguel Eckstein to learn more.

Santa Barbara’s East Beach is found to have consistently high levels of bacteria such as E. Coli and other pollutants. The Sierra Club found significant pollution in the beach's water during rainy winters, prompting the organization to enact the Clean Water Act. To stop the pollution, they’ve negotiated a settlement agreement with three responsible companies. KCSB’s Mavis Holley spoke to Sycamore...