Daily
Santa Barbara
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 2nd of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tiger is a calm, seven-year-old cat at the local campus who enjoys gentle affection and quiet spaces. Adoption hours are 12 to 4:30 PM every day except Wednesdays for those who want to meet him. Edhat
- ➤ SpaceX will launch its Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base today between 7:17 a.m. and 11:17 a.m. to deploy 25 Starlink satellites. Backup opportunities are scheduled Tuesday if weather delays occur, with the booster planned to land on its droneship in the Pacific Ocean. Noozhawk
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Retail experts discussed strategies to revitalize downtown shopping at the City Council symposium held Thursday at the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Library. They suggested streamlining regulations & adding housing to State Street builds to enhance safety and boost in-person business. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Downtown storefronts are getting artistic window coverings in a collaboration among the Downtown Business Improvement District, Arts Collaborative and Department of Arts and Culture — local artists will decorate vacancies; one storefront is already adorned near Haley and more updates come this week. KEYT
- ➤ The renovated McHurly theatres in downtown open this week ahead of the International Film Festival, featuring five screens with new seats, sound systems (and ADA approved entrance) to welcome thousands of film lovers. KEYT
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum announced today that Dean Noble, with extensive nonprofit and zoo leadership experience (including his role at the Elings Park Foundation), has been named executive director and will succeed Greg Gorga after his 19-year tenure to lead its next chapter on the waterfront. Noozhawk
- ➤ A free, three-day Cultural Resiliency Workshop held Jan. 9-11 taught local community members basket weaving with guided smudge ceremonies and a trip to the Santa Ynez Chumash Museum, helping preserve indigenous Chumash traditions * an important regional art form. Noozhawk
- ➤ With overwhelming commission support from Wednesday, Lobero Theatre plans a new three-story 10,893 sqft building that replaces its courtyard and rehearsal hall — featuring a rooftop deck, bar, and office space. The design team trimmed the size after addressing window concerns and will launch a summer fundraising campaign. Noozhawk
- ➤ Jenni Sorkin, chair of UCSB's Department of History of Art and Architecture, has been awarded an Arts Writers Grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation — she will use the support to work on her upcoming book about 1990s textile art. Edhat
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Before most residents wake, migrant workers pick fields and wash linens to keep local farms and hotels running despite unresolved legal status. Business leaders urge officials to support reforms for clear work channels (including proposals like the Farm Workforce Modernization Act) to sustain essential services. Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Over 400 Title I fifth graders in Goleta and Santa Barbara Unified are taking part in Explore Ecology’s Flows to the Ocean Program—funded by a two-year WHALE TAIL Grant from the California Coastal Commission and featuring whale watching trips on the Condor Express and student-led environmental projects at select schools. Edhat
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency requires well owners overlaying the basin to register wells and install approved flowmeters by March 31—residents and ranchers in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties must act to ensure water fees reflect actual usage, while domestic users must register for exemption. Edhat
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Westmont Men's Basketball won a home game at Murchison Gym on Saturday night, beating the Hawaii Hilo Vulcans 76-60. The Warriors improved their season record with a strong second half and will host Jessup at 7:30 p.m. today. Noozhawk
- ➤ The UCSB Gauchos defeated Cal State Fullerton 83-69 at home to extend their winning streak to six games and improve to 8-3 in Big West play. Freshman CJ Shaw led the scoring & the team capitalized on 15 turnovers with solid play from Miro Little and Zion Sensley. KEYT
- ➤ Westmont Women’s Basketball defeated Hawai’i Hilo 79-43 and celebrated the return of injured player Madi Bogan, who played six minutes, as the Warriors built momentum ahead of their Monday night game against Jessup in Murchison Gymnasium. Noozhawk
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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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Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
7-10 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — $26 General Public / $18 Youth / $15 UCSB students — Experience thrilling outdoor adventure films at a larger-than-life scale, showcasing the best mountain adventures.
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Bored Teachers Comedy Tour
11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Check venue for pricing — Enjoy an uproarious comedy night with the 'Teachers Off Duty' Podcast stars.
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La Chupitos Comedy and Mariachi Show
7-9 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a vibrant fusion of Mexican comedy and mariachi music featuring La Chupitos and the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Santa Barbara
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