Daily
Santa Barbara
Tuesday, March 24th, 2026
Good morning, Santa Barbara. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 24th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Agave growers will gather at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort to hold all-day seminars on advanced agave cultivation, distilling, & medicinal uses. The event follows Sunday property tours and tequila tastings and aims to boost local agricultural opportunities along the coast. KEYT
- ➤ Tara Amanda Finley died unexpectedly in Santa Barbara on March 7 at age 36. She was a devoted wife and mother who worked as a writer and is survived by her husband John, three children, and many close family members. Noozhawk
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Fair and Expo returns to Earl Warren Showgrounds for two weekends of carnival rides, games and live entertainment from April 23-26 and May 1-3. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available April 1-22 along with free off-site parking and special days for seniors. Noozhawk
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Tony-nominated Mary Bridget Davies stars as Janis Joplin in ETC’s 'A Night with Janis Joplin,' a musical show that explores the rock star's evolution from a Texas teen to a counterculture icon. The production will run April 1-26 at the New Vic Theatre (33 W. Victoria St.). Santa Barbara Independent
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Santa Barbara Unified received the 2026 Excellence in Communication Award from the California School Public Relations Association for its Culture of Care campaign that revamped mental health support through a student-led approach across digital and on-campus initiatives. The district’s efforts now set a new standard for student wellness. Edhat
- ➤ A new state law will let students opt for rehab services before facing campus discipline if they overdose, starting in July. The bill—drafted by students at top campuses—will apply to all California public universities. Edhat
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ UCSB leads the Big Bee Project to digitize over one million bee images and trait data in partnership with 13 institutions thanks to a 3 million NSF grant. The initiative uses machine learning and computer vision (relying on over 5,000 volunteers) to modernize natural history collections for scientific research. Noozhawk
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Planning Commission voted March 19 to allow wedding venues in the Funk Zone and across HRC2 zones. The decision lets spaces like the Beacon building at 25 East Mason Street host receptions mainly during evenings and weekends. Edhat
- ➤ Drivers on Highway 101 in Santa Barbara and Montecito face lane closures and detours through April 4 as crews widen the highway. The Olive Mill Road off-ramp closes Tuesday, March 31 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Hermosillo Road at Coast Village shuts starting Sunday, March 29 for about 1.5 weeks. Edhat
- ➤ The Santa Barbara Airport Commission approved an exclusive agreement with Costco to study a possible gas station at the airport business park north of Hollister Avenue. Costco has 12 months to complete traffic, environmental and feasibility studies, and either party can cancel with 30 days notice. Edhat
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Riders will begin the 96-year-old Rancheros Visitadores ride with a parade through Solvang at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2 & then gather at Mission Santa Inés for a blessing and check presentation to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, with $1.9 million already raised. Noozhawk
- ➤ A team of UCSB graduate students have launched ProFoldBio, a startup helping researchers design and test antibodies digitally to speed up new drug discovery. Their new AI platform aims to allow smaller labs to join the search for Alzheimer’s treatments by avoiding rare human tissue samples. KEYT
- ➤ MVMD confirmed the first detection of the Australian backyard mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus) on the Westside on Mar. 13 and is expanding traps and door-to-door checks to control its spread. Residents are urged to report daytime bites at 805-969-5050. Edhat
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ San Marcos golf’s Andy Keenan & San Marcos softball’s Lucy Dessert are named Athletes of the Week after strong performances that led their teams to wins. Their honors were announced at Monday’s SBART Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe. Noozhawk
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Live Concert by Booker T. Jones
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets required — Enjoy an evening of soulful music by the legendary Booker T. Jones.
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Los Inquietos Del Norte Concert
11 PM - 3 AM — Earl Warren Showgrounds — Ticket prices vary — Experience an unforgettable night with Los Inquietos Del Norte and Los Caimanes de Sinaloa.
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Richard Thompson Concert with Zara Phillips
7-9 p.m. — Lobero Theatre — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of captivating music with the legendary Richard Thompson and the talented Zara Phillips.
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Disclosure Live in Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Santa Barbara Bowl — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electronic duo Disclosure as they bring their acclaimed sound to the stage.
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Invasion Latina Live at SOhO
8:30 PM - 1:30 AM — SOhO Restaurant & Music Club — Pre-sale tickets $20 — Enjoy an exciting night with Invasion Latina and dance to Latin beats!
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April Area Meeting
6-8 p.m. — The Community Arts Workshop — Free entry — Engage in insightful discussions with artists and share creative struggles in a nurturing environment.
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John Milton's Hypnosis Show
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Arlington Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the captivating performance of world-renowned hypnotist John Milton at the Arlington Theatre.
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How to Utilize the Services at Your Library
4-6 p.m. — Goleta Valley Library Express — Free assistance — Bilingual staff available to guide the community on using library services effectively.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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