Daily
Santa Barbara
Saturday, January 24th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 24th of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ FestForums returns to Santa Barbara from Feb. 11–13 at the Mar Monte Hotel — featuring more than 125 speakers, live performances, industry awards, and PuppiesPalooza with adoptable puppies — as the three-day event re-emerges after a three-year pause. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ A rich week awaits Santa Barbara music fans as Nicola Benedetti returns to Campbell Hall on Wed. Jan. 28 with an innovative violin-accordion quartet (part of the UCSB Arts and Lectures season), while Billy F. Gibbons, Terence Blanchard and the Chicago Symphony highlight additional local events. Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Public Library will hold an orientation for teens in grades 7-12 from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Central Library’s Island Room at 40 E. Anapamu St, where attendees can obtain library cards (and learn about applying for the Teen Advisory Board). Noozhawk
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Bureau of Land Management is moving ahead with a decades-old plan to open 850,000 acres in Central California to new oil drilling & fracking near sensitive sites in Santa Barbara County. Public comments are open until March 6, and a hearing is scheduled on February 3. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Santa Barbara's East Beach has reopened after a nearly monthlong closure caused by a Christmas Eve sewage spill that released 4,500 gallons of untreated waste (recent tests show bacteria levels now meet state standards) and county officials lifted ocean water contact restrictions near Mission Creek Friday. Santa Barbara Independent
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Frank J. Frost Jr., a longtime public servant and former County Supervisor known for his work as a jazz pianist and educator, died Jan. 9 at 96—his memorial service is set for Friday, Jan. 30 at Santa Barbara Cemetery with a reception requiring RSVP. Noozhawk
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The UC Santa Barbara men’s volleyball team lost to Stanford in a five set overtime match at Maples Pavilion on Thursday night, falling three to two after Stanford secured a final ace. A rematch was held Friday at 6:00 p.m., with several players posting season-best numbers. Noozhawk
- ➤ UCSB women’s basketball secured a 61-51 win over Cal Poly on Thursday at the Mott Athletics Center with Zoe Borter scoring 24 points to lead the injured team. The victory ties the Gauchos with UC Davis for third in the Big West. Noozhawk
- ➤ The UCSB men’s basketball team routed Cal Poly 107-67 on Thursday night at the Thunderdome, extending its win streak to 17 games — it will travel to Long Beach State today at 4 p.m. Santa Barbara Independent
- ➤ Westmont Men's Basketball won their fourth straight game with an 88-69 victory over Hawaii Pacific on Thursday night in Honolulu—snapping HPU's five-game winning streak. The Warriors are set to face the Chaminade Silverswords today in their final island contest. Noozhawk
- ➤ Newport Beach promoter Roy Englebrecht announced that Santa Barbara County will field a team in the inaugural professional women’s flag football league this summer, with tryouts set in March and games starting in June. Noozhawk
- ➤ UCSB's women's volleyball coach Matt Jones left for an associate role at USC after three seasons in which he won Big West Coach of the Year, and standout Eva Travis transferred to Wisconsin after earning Freshman of the Year honors; the school is now searching for a new head coach. KEYT
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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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Sunday Yin Chill
7-8 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Entry fee not specified — Experience a restorative yoga class focused on connecting breath and body in a slow-paced environment.
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Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
6:15-7:14 p.m. — Music Academy of the West — Ticketed event — Experience Taylor Swift's hits performed by Vapour String Quartet in a magical candlelight setting.
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Open Season Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling
7 PM — Franklin Elementary School — Tickets available — Experience high-energy lucha libre with renowned luchadores from Tijuana.
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Sunday Yin Chill
7-8 p.m. — Yoga Soup — Cost not specified — Unwind with a restorative Yin class focused on breath and relaxation.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
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