KCSB News
1,557 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 7 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsNon-commercial, educational, and community-led. KCSB News is dedicated to covering underreported stories of local, national, and international importance. Our team of student and community journalists here in Santa Barbara County produces content encompassing a variety of topics, ranging from politics and public health to environmental affairs and the arts.
You can listen to our newscasts on-air Monday and Thursday at 5:00 pm and new episodes of Inside Isla Vista on Wednesday at 5:00 pm, all on KCSB-FM 91.9 or at kcsb.org.
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Episodes
Speaking with Former KCSB News Director Daniel Alvarenga
February 22, 2021 18:16 - 16 minutes - 10.7 MBIn honor of this year’s Fund Drive, we’re celebrating all aspects of the station – including those hard at work at KCSB News keeping the community informed about COVID-19. KCSB News Directors Ashley Rusch and Aubrey Valerio sit down with journalist Daniel Alvarenga, former KCSB news director and program director, to hear how the station laid the groundwork for his career in journalism.
Inside IV: Tiny Homes & Houseless Scene
February 18, 2021 22:19 - 28 minutes - 14.8 MBKCSB's Jennifer Yoshikoshi and Lisa Osborn spoke with some members of Isla Vista's houseless community to find out what is happening at a local houseless encampment in People's Park in the months since a tiny homes transitional housing program opened in a nearby parking lot. Also this week, it's KCSB"s annual fund drive - we encourage you to pledge your support of independent, community, student-run radio on the Central Coast by making a donation to KCSB. When you donate, we're offering you...
Making STEM More Accessible to Black & Latinx Students
February 16, 2021 08:57 - 15 minutes - 9.99 MBWith the majority of developers in the STEM field being white males, much of the resulting code tends towards serving white males and under-serving communities of color. KCSB’s Aubrey Valerio spoke with Dr. Sharon Tettegah, the director of the Center for Black Studies Research at UCSB, about the different programs she is working on to make the STEM field more accessible to Black and Latinx students. Also, KCSB’s Mylee Sumogee spoke with Dr. Kenneth Kosik, a neuroscience professor at UCSB, abo...
Biden Admin Halts Federal Leasing of California Land. What Does this Mean for Santa Barbara?
February 16, 2021 08:52 - 8 minutes - 5.55 MBUnder the Trump administration, the Bureau of Land Management opened up 1.2 million acres California land for oil and gas leasing. The new Biden administration, however, halted federal leasing until further assessment is done. KCSB's Kathryn Foster sits down with Rebecca August, Director of Advocacy at Los Padres ForestWatch, to talk about the effects of this action by Biden and what it means for open spaces in Santa Barbara and the Central Coast.
Inside IV: Containing Large Gatherings & COVID Case Numbers
February 12, 2021 00:44 - 28 minutes - 14.1 MBJonathan Abboud, general manager of the Isla Vista Community Services District, joins KCSB's Dick Flacks to share the latest news and information about the community. Abboud said that the number of large house parties seems to be on the decline now that fines and other penalties can be issued to party hosts who ignore public health orders to not gather in groups.
The Effort to Recall Governor Gavin Newsom
February 12, 2021 00:29 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBRecall elections are special elections permitted under California state law. KCSB’s Robert Stark speaks with podcaster and seasoned journalist Jerry Roberts about the recall’s legal process and backers behind the petition to recall Governor Newsom.
Pushing for an American Indian and Indigenous Studies Department at UCSB
February 12, 2021 00:22 - 7 minutes - 4.39 MBNative and Indigenous Students at UC Santa Barbara have been working towards establishing an American Indian and Indigenous Studies Department for upwards of six years. Recently, a petition was created to bring visibility to this topic and show support for the initiative. KCSB's Kathryn Foster sits down with Esme Quintero to talk about the demands of students as well as their experience surrounding this topic.
Extreme Fire Weather
February 12, 2021 00:18 - 2 minutes - 2.23 MBIncreasing wildfire fires due to extreme fire weather are unfortunately becoming the norm for several Californians. KCSB’s Yulene Teagle takes a closer look at the study conducted by researchers Danielle Touma and Samantha Stevenson as they take into account the anthropogenic factors that have increased the risk of extreme fire weather.
UC Considers Suspending Standardized Testing
February 12, 2021 00:12 - 2 minutes - 1.6 MBThe UC Board of Regents discussed the possible suspension of standardized testing for admissions on January 21, according to the Daily Nexus. Alternative tests are being proposed in replacement of the SAT and ACT. KCSB’s Jennifer Yoshikoshi has more on the story.
Majority of Vaccine Recipients are Women
February 12, 2021 00:08 - 1 minute - 2.1 MBThe CDC reports that ⅔ of all people that have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are women. KCSB’s Sherry Zeng has the story.
The Pre-Existing Conditions and Long Term Consequences of COVID-19
February 09, 2021 23:20 - 3 minutes - 2.4 MBBlack and Hispanic individuals in the U.S. are more susceptible to the effects of COVID-19. KCSB’s Yulene Teagle takes a closer look on how the lasting effects impact these survivors.
A Burmese Family's Perspective of the Coup in Myanmar
February 09, 2021 23:19 - 10 minutes - 6.55 MBOn February 1st, Burma declared a state of emergency when the military seized control of the government. KCSB’s Giulia Setola spoke to Wint Myint, a daughter of Burmese immigrants, about her perspective of the coup and how it has affected her family.
The American Radio Archives Moves to UCSB
February 09, 2021 23:17 - 8 minutes - 4.7 MBThe American Radio Archives will be moving to UCSB. The collection, one of the largest in the world, was previously housed in Thousand Oaks. KCSB’s Sierra van der Brug speaks with David Seubert with the UCSB Library Special Collections to find out more.
Re-Entering the Paris Agreement
February 05, 2021 23:12 - 2 minutes - 2.26 MBPresident Biden has recommitted the U.S. to the Paris Agreement Act. KCSB’s Kylie McCreary has more.
Santa Barbara MTD's Pandemic Policies
February 05, 2021 23:10 - 6 minutes - 3.05 MBPassengers are now required to wear face coverings when riding on airplanes, trains and buses across the USA. It's a new federal law. Masks have been required on our local buses since last year. KCSB’s Lisa Osborn spoke with Hillary Blackerby, planning and marketing manager with the Santa Barbara MTD to see if the new law will change the way they operate, as well as what's being done to keep their MTD drivers safe.
Local Activists Organize Car Caravan For Guaranteed Health Care For All
February 05, 2021 23:03 - 3 minutes - 2.36 MBThe California Nurses Association has called for a day of action this Saturday with car caravans in 22 cities across the state to promote single-payer health care. KCSB’s Ray Briare has details on the event in Santa Barbara.
Latinx Students Being Overly Diagnosed with Learning Disabilities
February 05, 2021 22:59 - 8 minutes - 5.45 MBThe Santa Barbara Unified School District works to address issues on academic equity, one of these being why LatinX students are more likely to be diagnosed with learning disabilities. Reporter Kali Acquaah speaks with the Vice President of the Santa Barbara School Board.
Inside IV: UCSB Peers Offer Support via Lean on Me
February 04, 2021 01:20 - 30 minutes - 15.7 MBKCSB's Kali Acquaah speaks with reps from UCSB's Lean on Me, a platform that offers emotional support to other Gauchos via an innovative texting service.
Dangerous Heat, Unequal Consequences
February 02, 2021 06:10 - 3 minutes - 6.81 MBBoth Florida and Arizona are seeing some of the nation’s highest summertime temperatures, deeply and disproportionately affecting minority communities. KCSB’s Lekha Sapers delves into the root causes of this disparity.
Enforcing SBC's Public Health Order in Isla Vista
February 02, 2021 06:06 - 20 minutes - 13.7 MBDespite the rise in cases in the community, Isla Vista continues to be home to many large gatherings, in direct violation of Santa Barbara County’s revised public health order. The current order limits gatherings to outdoors only, with members of no more than three households, with masks and physical distancing required. Still, parties continue to persist - with many of them attributed to repeat offenders. To hear more about IV Foot Patrol’s response and recent developments, KCSB joins Deputy...
Inside IV: UCSB Life of the Party Just Call 911 Campaign
February 01, 2021 17:49 - 5 minutes - 2.85 MBKCSB's Mylee Sumoge speaks with Natalie Herriott with UCSB’s student organization “Life of the Party,” about LOTP's "Just Call 911" educational campaign, which raises awareness for calling 911 when a person is at risk of alcohol poisoning or overdose.
The Rising Global Temperatures of 2020
January 29, 2021 22:30 - 1 minute - 1.03 MBWith a cold front moving through Santa Barbara this week - it might be hard for some of us to recall just how hot it was last summer. KCSB’s Sherry Zeng has the story.
The Racial Disparities of COVID-19 Vaccinations
January 29, 2021 22:22 - 2 minutes - 1.48 MBDespite the fact that COVID-19 affects Black people disproportionately, the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed to white people at significantly higher rates than to Black people. KCSB’s Kiely Chang looks more into this racial disparity.
A Recap of Biden's First Week in Office from Washington, D.C.
January 29, 2021 22:20 - 1 minute - 981 KBPresident Biden has been in office for a full week now, during which he has signed a series of executive orders largely meant to reverse the actions of his predecessor Donald Trump. In the last week alone, the 46th president has established a coronavirus response team, unveiled a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, signed executive orders to strengthen DACA and end the so-called Mulsim travel ban, rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, and much more. Now, with a look at how we got here: ...
The 100-Day Challenge to Reduce Homelessness
January 29, 2021 22:14 - 6 minutes - 3.27 MBThe second part of the 100-Day Challenge to Reduce Homelessness is nearing the end. Lucille Boss, housing program specialist with the county of Santa Barbara talks with KCSB’s Pia Ramos about the goals and current standings of both the Youth Challenge and Veterans Challenge to reduce homelessness.
A Santa Barbara County Resident's Experience with the COVID-19 Vaccine
January 29, 2021 20:32 - 12 minutes - 6.5 MBThe COVID vaccine is considered a ray of hope for a lot of residents who think the two shots could help life get back to normal. For now, only healthcare workers and senior citizens in SB county are eligible to get vaccinated. KCSB's Marion Suchowiecky speaks with a local Santa Barbara senior citizen who got vaccinated at a county walk-in clinic, to find out about his vaccination experience.
Inside IV: Housing - MLK Jr. Poet - 'Just Call 911' Campaign
January 28, 2021 20:26 - 29 minutes - 15.3 MBOn this episode, KCSB's Ashley Rusch speaks with the president of Sierra Property Management about what it's been like for her firm and landlords during the pandemic, as more tenants are unable to pay full rent. You'll also hear from a rep from UCSB’s student organization “Life of the Party” who shares some life-saving advice, and raising awareness of their "Just Call 911" campaign. Then, a teenage IV resident took top honors in this year’s Martin Luther King Junior Day Poetry contest. Sh...
Electric Eeels Discovered in the Amazon
January 27, 2021 07:55 - 1 minute - 1.44 MBResearchers make a shocking discovery deep within the Amazon. KCSB’s Kylie McCreary has the story.
SB County Gets its First DOJ Rep for Immigrants
January 27, 2021 07:45 - 9 minutes - 4.83 MBKarla Can is Santa Barbara County's first Department of Justice representative for immigrants. In an interview with KCSB's Pia Ramos, Can speaks about her position, what this means for the county, and the goals she has of working with undocumented individuals. She works at Immigrant Hope, a non-profit organization here in Santa Barbara. Their vision is to "offer honest, low-cost legal advice and services regarding the U.S. immigration processes in a safe and caring environment." For more info...
Inside IV: Tenant Rights & Students Study IV
January 25, 2021 17:23 - 28 minutes - 13.6 MBKCSB's Alexandra Goldberg Speaks with Sabina Menzhausen with the IV Tenants Union about the rental climate in IV, are student tenants taking advantage of pandemic rent relief measures? Then, a UCSB anthropology class studies COVID-19 in Isla Vista. You'll hear from the course's professor Jeffrey Hoelle.
Gorillas and COVID-19
January 22, 2021 22:17 - 1 minute - 1.05 MBTwo gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for coronavirus. KCSB’s Jennifer Yoshikoshi has the story.
New Methods for a More Sustainable Seafood Industry
January 22, 2021 22:16 - 1 minute - 797 KBPresident Joe Biden has promised to reverse some of Trump’s executive orders on his first day in office. While it is not clear if an executive order regulating the US seafood industry is on Biden's radar yet, KCSB’s Kathryn Foster explains that UCSB researchers are offering approaches for a more sustainable expansion of the industry.
The Impact of the Biden-Harris Inauguration Day
January 22, 2021 22:14 - 11 minutes - 7.49 MBPresident Biden is beginning to work on reversing much of the Trump presidency. Much of this work has to do with his call for unity during his Inauguration Day speech. KCSB’s Aubrey Valerio spoke to UCSB history professor Paul Spickard about what we can expect moving forward.
A Recap of the 2021 Presidential Inauguration Day
January 22, 2021 22:12 - 2 minutes - 1.82 MBPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on January 20, officially declaring their service for the country. KCSB's Pia Ramos gives a recap of the Inauguration Day ceremony.
Move-In Day During a Pandemic
January 22, 2021 22:10 - 2 minutes - 1.94 MB“Chaotic..excitingly chaotic" and "rushed" were the words used to describe the weekend of Jan. 15-18th. In a span of four days, 1,000 undergraduate students moved into university-owned apartments for the Winter and Spring quarter. KCSB’s Pricila Flores has more on the story.
Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy in Santa Barbara
January 19, 2021 00:18 - 10 minutes - 4.15 MBIn honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, KCSB's Ashley Rusch joins Anna Everett, emeritus professor of Film and Media at UC Santa Barbara, to speak on her experience as the featured speaker at today’s 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara event. Due to state and local health orders that restrict public gatherings during COVID-19, the committee held its first virtual program in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, featuring civil presentations and messages from memb...
Does the First Amendment Protect Capitol Insurrectionists?
January 19, 2021 00:12 - 3 minutes - 2.71 MBWith the storming of the U.S. Capitol followed by President Trump being locked out of his social media accounts, it was inevitable for some to question the powers and protections of the First Amendment. KCSB’s Yulene Teagle takes a closer look at the First Amendment and how, at times, it may not protect all forms of speech.
Partners in Education: Assisting Students Through a Pandemic
January 19, 2021 00:08 - 3 minutes - 2.53 MBPartners in Education is a local non-profit organization that has expanded their services to meet the needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. KCSB's Mylee Sumoge has the story. More information: http://partners.sbceo.org
COVID-19 Spread in Santa Barbara County Highest in the State
January 19, 2021 00:03 - 2 minutes - 1.42 MBSanta Barbara COVID-19 rates have reached pandemic-long peaks, endangering further the health and wellbeing of local citizens. KCSB’s Lekha Sapers takes a deeper look into these stats.
Santa Barbara's COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
January 15, 2021 20:50 - 1 minute - 965 KBSome Santa Barbara Residents could start receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as next week. KCSB’s Cassandra Chow has the story.
Trump's Nuclear Legacy
January 15, 2021 17:53 - 16 minutes - 10.7 MBJournalist Jeffrey Smith, a fellow at the Public Integrity Institute in Washington DC, recently published an article in the LA Times, detailing the Trump Administration's plan to spend many billions of dollars on revamping the US military nuclear arsenal. KCSB's Harry Lawton talked to the author about the extent of this project, and the possible reaction to it from the incoming Biden administration.
Removing Parler from the App Store
January 15, 2021 17:51 - 1 minute - 1.94 MBThe social media app that insurgents who stormed the US Capitol reportedly used to plan has been removed from app stores, but the data trail it left behind could be used by law enforcement to track down the individuals responsible for the deadly attack. KCSB’s Marion Suchowiecky explains.
Analyzing the Hate and Extremism of the Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol
January 15, 2021 17:44 - 14 minutes - 7.94 MBKCSB News joins Professor Brian Levin-- director at the center for the study of hate and extremism at Cal State University San Bernardino-- in a conversation about domestic terrorism at the U.S. Capitol. KCSB’s Alexandra Goldberg has the story.
UCSB Reads 2021: "When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir"
January 12, 2021 05:27 - 5 minutes - 2.71 MBKCSB’s Pia Ramos speaks with Hannah Rael, Communications and Marketing Manager and Alex Regan, Events and Exhibitions Librarian at UCSB Library to learn more about this year's 2021 UCSB Reads selection: "When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir."
How Will the Biden Administration Handle Guantanamo?
January 12, 2021 05:24 - 17 minutes - 10.7 MBJanuary 11, 2021 marks the 19th anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. Created under the administration of President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Guantanamo continues to hold 40 detainees today, most without charge and inadequate access to medical care. The five men accused of planning the September 11 attacks have still yet to receive a trial after a series of delays. Over the years, many have pointed to Guantanamo as a symbol...
The Importance of the Biden Administration's First 100 Days
January 08, 2021 03:15 - 10 minutes - 6.04 MBIt is often said that a president’s first 100 days in office is the most crucial for reversing damage done in prior office. With Biden’s inauguration coming up quickly and the storming of the US Capitol on Jan 6th, how should he approach his first 100 days in response to the Trump administration? KCSB’s Alexandra Goldberg spoke with UCSB history professor Steve Zipperstein on the impact the events at the Capitol may have for the Biden administration.
Where the Capitol Hill Insurrection Leaves American Democracy
January 08, 2021 03:11 - 11 minutes - 7.71 MBFollowing the pro-Trump insurrection of the Capitol, many are questioning the security of our nation and calling for Trump’s removal from office. KCSB's Aubrey Valerio spoke to John Woolley, a political science professor at UCSB and a Co-Director of the American Presidency Project website, about any historical precedents for the unsuccessful takeover, whether there was any real threat to Biden’s presidency, the 25th Amendment, and what this may mean for democracy moving forward.
Inside IV: Houseless in IV Move Out Day at Anisq'Oyo' Park
December 23, 2020 23:41 - 57 minutes - 29.2 MBResidents of a houseless encampment at Anisq'Oyo' Park informed that the park would be cleared last Monday. Some residents are moving into tiny pallet homes set up nearby at the parking lot of the IV Community Center. Other residents moved their tents across the lawn to People's Park. KCSB's Lisa Osborn spoke with some of the houseless residents about their plans. Reps from the IV Park & Recreation District, Good Samaritan Shelter, SB Sheriff's Office and Food Not Bombs also provided their p...
The UCSB Graduate Division's Racial Justice Fellowship
December 23, 2020 02:38 - 7 minutes - 4.68 MBThe Racial Justice Fellowship Program at UCSB is offering graduate students committed to racial justice the opportunity to furthering research on issues like systemic racism and how it affects their communities. KCSB's Aubrey Valerio spoke with Interim Graduate Dean Leila Rupp.
The Economic Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic
December 23, 2020 02:30 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBLooking at the economic aftermath of the pandemic, corporate profits are rising, and income inequality has been exacerbated as small businesses continue to close. KCSB’s Robert Stark speaks with Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project about our economic crisis.