Daily
Santa Barbara
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Westmont College’s student opera production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance will be presented on January 23 & 25 at Porter Theater, set on a 1930s cruise ship deck with live music, colorful costumes, and intensive boot camp rehearsals under Christina Jensen’s direction. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will start on Feb. 4 with 46 world premieres and run for 11 days, while its new five-screen McHurley Film Center opens on Feb. 5 at 916 State Street. The event will feature special tributes & live Q&A sessions. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ UC Santa Barbara is hosting MLK Day events starting today at noon at the Eternal Flame — on the lawn between Buchanan Hall and the library — with speeches by Nebiyu Alemnew and a march to North Hall, while weekend activities include poetry, a screening, and a keynote address. Edhat
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Community Environmental Council has opened enrollment for its eight-week Climate Stewards certification course, which runs from Jan. 27 to March 17 on Zoom (6:30-8:30 p.m.) with Saturday field trips including one at the Elings Park Humanitarian garden. Noozhawk
- ➤ The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians earned Clean California Community status when tribal members joined the Adopt-a-Highway program by cleaning Highways 246 & 154 and local beaches as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s state environmental initiative. The recognition brings Clean California Community signage and educational resources to the tribe. Noozhawk
- ➤ The U.S. Forest Service scheduled prescribed burning for January in the Camino Cielo Ridge area near Painted Cave Road and Highway as part of routine forest management. Noozhawk
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Amtrak restarted Pacific Surfliner trains north of Goleta Tuesday after heavy rain damaged tracks along the Gaviota Coast, now allowing rides to San Luis Obispo. SBCAG will discuss expanding commuter rail service at a board meeting today at 10 a.m. in the County Administration Building + plans include added stops. Noozhawk
- ➤ County supervisors approved a 72-hour ban on unsanctioned events for UCSB’s Deltopia weekend on Jan. 13; a government-run event (via IVCSD) will proceed to boost safety. A final vote on the ordinance is set for Jan. 27. Santa Barbara Independent
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ CALM has launched its 2026 Teen Council for high school students to lead mental health advocacy in Santa Barbara. Council members will work with CALM staff on community initiatives, and applications are open through January’s end (the program may expand countywide soon). Santa Barbara Independent
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Carpinteria High surf team beat Santa Barbara High 46-42 last weekend in a Scholastic Surf Series matchup and remains undefeated at 4-0; both teams will wrap up their season on Sunday, Jan. 25 at C-Street in Ventura. Noozhawk
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Reading Skills 101 Workshop
2-4 p.m. — Santa Barbara Public Library — Free entry — A community workshop designed to empower families with essential reading skills and understanding for children across all grades.
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Outstanding Performer of the Year Award for Michael B. Jordan
8 PM – 2 AM — Arlington Theatre — $35 General Admission, $100 Priority Seating — Celebrate the incredible achievements of Michael B. Jordan at this prestigious film festival event.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
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