Protests across Iran that began over rising prices have grown into a direct challenge to the country’s clerical leadership, prompting a violent crackdown, an internet blackout, and international concern. KCSB's Emerson Good sat down with Juan Campo, the chair of the Religious Studies department at UC Santa Barbara who specializes in the Middle East and Islamic studies, to learn more.

Roughly 100 candidates have shown interest in running for California Governor but only a few candidates have been declared. Who are these aspiring politicians hoping to replace Governor Newsom? KCSB's Kimberly Lucia has the story.

As the anniversary of the Palisades fire nears, many California residents continue to question the most effective ways to protect their homes against continuous wildfires. KCSB's Emerson Good spoke with Nicholai Allen, a wildland firefighter who worked in the Palisades Fire who is developing technology to further protect homes from wildfires.

On January 3rd, the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela, taking President Nicolás Maduro into custody. The move has triggered international reaction and raised new questions about U.S. involvement in the region and Venezuela’s political future. KCSB's Emerson Good spoke with UCSB Associate Professor Juan Pablo Lupi to break down the conflict.

Following the loss of his van, a means of transportation and housing for Santa Barbara blues artist Morganfield Burnett, community members came together to support his continued music endeavors. KCSB’s Tatiana Jacquez sat down with Burnett to discuss his life and journey to Santa Barbara, the career he’s built here, and his response to the community’s fundraising following the unexpected tragedy.

After a tropical storm killed over 700 people on the island of Sumatra, survivors aren't just blaming the rain, they're blaming decades of deforestation by palm oil and mining companies for the catastrophic landslides. KCSB’s Manny Rodriguez has the latest.

Several states changed their congressional maps after November's special elections. Both Democratic and Republican leaders are pushing to secure power in the House of Representatives. KCSB's Nico Brown-Corrada sat down with UCSB Political Science professor Heather Stoll to learn more about the impacts of redistricting on the 2026 midterms.

Diablo Canyon was headed for retirement, renewable sources propped to take its place. Until the plan suddenly changed. Now one state commission could make the call on whether it runs for 20 more years. KCSB’s Juliana Chandler has the update.

The Santa Barbara Symphony is once again ringing in the new year with a high-energy celebration at The Granada Theatre, where guests will be able to delight in champagne as they are dazzled by music. Guest conductor, Stuart Malina, and Symphony President, Kathryn R. Martin, say this year’s event promises not just beautiful music, but real joy and a shared sense of deep connection. KCSB's Juliana Chandler sat down with them to find out what makes this night so special and why it’s quickly becoming one of the city’s most beloved year-end traditions.

Choosing the right roommate - or housemates - is an important decision for Isla Vista student residents. KCSB’s Clarissa Hom speaks with Robin Unander, lead attorney at the Associated Students Legal Resource Center about this – and another important topic - what to do if you’re injured in a bike accident.

Cynthia Erivo was honored at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, recognizing her impact on the industry. On the red carpet, KCSB's Emerson Good spoke with both Erivo and the director of Wicked, Jon M. Chu.

When the Olympic Games come to Los Angeles in the Summer of 2028, some PARAlympic athletes will be using UCSB as their home base for training and preparing for the LA28 Paralympics. KCSB's Inesha Ranasinghe-Denish brings us this story.

On Monday, December 1st, the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) held a special meeting to address a proposed festival ordinance before it goes to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on December 9th. To continue our coverage on the proposed Festival Ordinance by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, KCSB's Tatiana Jacquez attended the meeting to learn more.

For people in prison, books can be more than a pastime - they can be a lifeline to the outside world. However, new restrictions all across the country are cutting off that necessary connection. KCSB’s Juliana Chandler has the story.

UCSB students and marine biology researchers gathered to collect organisms in the Santa Barbara Channel. After classifying the species, further analyses were made as each organism was examined in labs. KCSB’s Abbey Santellanes spoke with Skylah Reis, a Ph.D. student at UCSB, to uncover the steps that were taken and the importance of this oceanic research.

A judge has decided that the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, Meta, is not a monopoly. KCSB’s Inesha Ranasinghe-Denish explains more.

Grocery workers at Santa Cruz Markets in Goleta and Santa Barbara have unanimously voted to authorize an Unfair Labor Practice strike, setting the stage for a possible walkout just days before the busy Thanksgiving holiday. Union leaders say the vote is a response to what they describe as ongoing labor violations by the company, and workers are now prepared to strike if negotiations don’t resume in good faith. KCSB's Emerson Good spoke with Erik Mendez, a grocery worker and member of the UFCW union about his experiences. NOTE: Since the original interview aired on November 20th, 2025, the Santa Cruz Markets reached a tentative agreement on a contract just before the Thanksgiving holiday, avoiding the strike altogether.

In Brazil, tensions escalated as Indigenous activists pushed past security at a UN Climate Conference. Tired of being excluded from summits which affect their rainforest, the activists raised concerns regarding the protection of their climate authority. KCSB’s Juliana Chandler has the story.

The Trump administration recently announced plans to dramatically expand deep-sea mining in the western Pacific. Indigenous and local leaders are pushing back hard. KCSB’s Juliana Chandler has the story.

Air quality monitors deployed by New York Times researchers have detected that firefighters in California are frequently exposed to high levels of hazardous microscopic particles. What health risks do these firefighters face? KCSB's Olivia Zou has this story.