Sustainable University Now, a coalition of local activists, is demanding that UC Santa Barbara leaders live up to a pledge to provide more student housing. As UCSB has grown enrollment over the past decade, student housing has not kept up. The University recently renewed plans to consider consider building a massive residence hall, which could house over 4,300 students. The proposed building, to be financed by local billionaire Charles Munger, was dubbed 'Dormzilla' in a recent SB Independent story. The residence hall would be three times larger than the current largest dorm complex, and become the tallest building on campus (besides Storke Tower). KCSB's Pia Ramos speaks with Dick Flacks, representing SUN, about why they are calling on UCSB leaders to fulfill the pledge to build more housing.

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Inside IV: Activists Call for more UCSB Housing

Around 50 individuals who had been experiencing homelessness have found a temporary place to live at a former sorority house on El Colegio Road in Isla Vista. KCSB's Lisa Osborn speaks with Emily Allen, with the County of Santa Barbara Housing and Community Development Division, about the new South County Navigation Center, and "Hedges House of Hope" program, named in honor of the late Isla Vista resident and housing advocate, Father Jon-Stephen Hedges. Allen also provides information on a new emergency housing vouchers program aimed at supporting residents in achieving a more stable place to live.

Inside IV: Transitional Housing Site Opens in IV

On Saturday morning, Santa Barbara County Fire Department personnel responded to a small vegetation fire ignited by the odd but natural phenomenon locally referred to as the Hope Ranch Volcano. The fire caused no threat to life or property. The explanation? The site, which is called a solfatara, flares up periodically due to a natural geologic phenomenon that causes oil shale to heat up and combust spontaneously. KCSB’s Ashley Rusch is joined by county fire spokesman Mike Eliason with more on the story.

The Hope Ranch "Volcano"

In the galaxy NGC 2146, 31 million light-years away, a stellar explosion has been identified as an electron-capture supernova – marking the first convincing evidence for this new type of explosion. The groundbreaking study is led by Daichi Hiramatsu, a graduate student at UCSB and Las Cumbres Observatory. KCSB’s Ashley Rusch speaks with Andy Howell, a staff scientist at Las Cumbres Observatory and adjunct faculty at UCSB to learn more about the importance of the discovery and implications for the astrophysics community.

UCSB Grad Student Discovers the "Goldilocks Supernova"

Headed by Dr. Kari Nadeau of Stanford, a recent study on the evolution of pollen spreading throughout Northern California is shedding light on why our allergies seem to be getting worse and worse every year. These findings in conjunction with other research done in this field provide the public with a grim answer as to why we’re feeling so bad. KCSB’s Ben Kersh has the story.

The Link Between Allergies and Climate Change

California law requires two gas-fired power plants in Oxnard be shut down because they use ocean water for cooling. The citizens of Oxnard refused to have another natural gas power plant built to replace them. Instead, a new battery storage facility has now come on line. KCSB’s Ray Briare has the details.

The Saticoy Energy Storage Site

Food Not Bombs operates under the philosophy that mutual aid and meal sharing serve as powerful tools for resistance within a capitalistic, exploitative system. With autonomous chapters spread out across the globe, they each share three central tenants: meals are free to anyone stoned or sober, each chapter is independent and relies on consensus decision-making, and people involved are dedicated to solidarity, not charity. To learn more about the movement, KCSB’s Ashley Rusch sat down with co-founder and activist/author/artist Keith McHenry.

Food Not Bombs: Fighting Poverty and Oppression One Meal at a Time

KCSB's Jennifer Yoshikoshi takes a look at the local Isla Vista music scene in this interview with the band The Framers.

Inside IV: Local Music Scene with The Framers

Early this June, a sea lion pup was born on the Santa Barbara Harbor and staff and volunteers from the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute stepped in to relocate the mother and pup. The nonprofit organization rescues, rehabilitates, and educates the public on marine life and conservation. We had the opportunity to visit their site and learn more about their organization. KCSB's Jennifer Yoshikoshi has more on the story.

KCSB Visits the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI)

Wednesday, June 23rd marked the 6-month anniversary of 30-year old Angelo Quinto being killed after police knelt on his neck. KCSB’s Ashley Rusch speaks with Diana Collins Puente, Angelo’s aunt, about the conditions of his tragic death and the family’s push for police reform. Photo Credit: Gloria Galang Freemonde / Justice for Angelo Quinto Facebook Page

Family of Angelo Quinto Pushes for Police Reform

A study conducted by Santa Barbara County’s Probation Department revealed racial disparities in the county’s criminal justice system. KCSB's Daniel Huecias has the story.

Racial Disparities in Santa Barbara's Criminal Justice System

Isla Vista community leaders are expanding their staff to be able to coordinate more events of interest to the greater community. And, the County Supervisors plan to purchase a former sorority house on El Colegio Road for an emergency shelter project. Isla Vista Community Services District General Manager Jonathan Abboud tells KCSB's Dick Flacks on Inside Isla Vista the new property, called the "Hedges House of Hope," in honor of the late longtime IV resident and houseless supporter Father Jon-Stephen Hedges, will be similar to the Pescadero Lofts building which many former houseless individuals now call home.

Inside IV: Community Events Planning + New Home for the Houseless

A large patch of Santa Barbara open space will remain undeveloped thanks to the dedicated efforts of volunteers and community organizers. Save the San Marcos Foothills has reached its $18.6 million goal to purchase the 101-acre site west of Highway 154. To learn more about efforts to buy back the West Mesa, KCSB’s Ashley Rusch sat down with Ken Owen, Executive Director of conservation nonprofit Channel Island Restoration and Dani Lynch, one of the four founders of Save the San Marcos Foothills.

Save the San Marcos Foothills Reaches Fundraising Goal of $18.6 Million

President Biden has signed a bill to establish Juneteenth (June 19th) as a federal holiday, making it the first new holiday since MLK Jr. Day in 1983. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas were notified of their emancipation two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. KCSB’s Ashley Rusch speaks with Jordan Killebrew, one of the founders of Juneteenth Santa Barbara, about this weekend’s celebration in Santa Barbara and what festivities are in store. Art Credit: Chanté Glover(https://juneteenthsb.org/new-page, https://hdpc.printavo.com/merch/juneteenth-sb/), Krystle Seighart Farmer Photos of Melanin Gallery: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fxovts4qbq829kk/AABOp8A_zWwszt87Ugpq2TBVa?dl=0 Juneteenth SB Roots page: https://juneteenthsb.org/roots Events: https://juneteenthsb.org/juneteenth-2021 Shop: https://hdpc.printavo.com/merch/juneteenth-sb/ Donate: https://www.sbfoundation.org/give-now/juneteenthsb/

Juneteenth SB: Celebrating Black Joy & Liberation in Santa Barbara

Finals week at UCSB is over, and a lot of Isla Vista residents are moving out to go home for summer, or just moving in. KSCB's Jennifer Yoshikoshi speaks with AS/IV Tenants Union attorney Ron Perry who shares information on renters rights, including what is expected in a tenant as well as landlords during move in and move out.

Inside IV: Move Out Week in IV

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