Extreme heat is considered one of the deadliest climate-related hazards. Even though the Central Coast is known for its moderate climate, projections for the region show an increase in frequency and severity of heat waves in the coming decades. In this four-part series about extreme heat on the Central Coast, KCBX reporter Beth Thornton speaks with scientists, health experts and local nonprofit organizations about the different ways people can stay safe during high temperatures. This series is made possible by a grant from the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

For the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 Data Fellowship, KCBX's Amanda Wernik delves into the connection between PTSD and homelessness in San Luis Obispo County.

Domestic Violence can be invisible since it often happens behind closed doors, and it can take a long time for a survivor to leave.In this three-part series about domestic violence in San Luis Obispo County, KCBX reporter Melanie Senn speaks with local advocates, survivors and law enforcement about ways people can find help.The series was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 Domestic Violence Impact Fund.

Polling the People is a five-part series on voting rights, access and engagement in Santa Barbara County. Through in-depth feature storytelling, the series examines issues including Latino voting access, voter turnout across the county and ways to get undocumented people involved in the political process. Polling the People is made possible by a grant from the Sunflower Foundation.

Protests are continuing in Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement operation and community leaders along the Central Coast are paying attention. Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse talks about how local families can prepare.

In a post on X, Assemblymember Dawn Addis encouraged people to call Rapid Response hotlines if they find themselves facing immigration enforcement.

The Los Osos Groundwater Basin—the sole source of water for the community—has been under pressure for decades, challenged by overuse, seawater intrusion, and California’s persistent droughts. This week, local officials took stock of the situation as the District released its annual water report.

A UC Santa Barbara professor helped create the largest map of the universe ever made. The interactive map, spanning almost the entire history of the universe, was released to the public on Thursday.

This week the board voted to reduce the amount of funding going toward cannabis-related programs for the next fiscal year, such as the sheriff’s cannabis enforcement team and public health education, to close a $1.2 million dollar overall budget deficit.

Five pro-Palestinian activists vandalized parts of the Cal Poly campus this week—that’s according university officials. It’s the latest incident as tensions rise on campus over Israel’s war in Gaza.

The City of Goleta is moving forward with a new tool to help manage emergency evacuations. This comes after the City Council unanimously approved a partnership with Santa Barbara County on Tuesday.

Public transit in Northern Santa Barbara County is getting a major boost. Guadalupe’s bus service will soon merge with the Santa Maria Regional Transit system (SMRT).

Santa Barbara County Superior Court has approved a temporary restraining order blocking efforts to restart the Refugio Oil Spill pipeline.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department, along with CAL FIRE and other agencies, have declared the start of this year’s High Fire Season.