2018

Investigation concludes 'line slap' caused Thomas Fire

By • Mar 13, 2019
VCFD

Southern California Edison power lines touching each other in strong winds definitely started the Thomas Fire, according to a report released Wednesday by the Ventura County Fire Department.

UCSB research collaboration focuses on Montecito debris flow survivors

By & Amarica Rafanelli • Oct 4, 2018
Greta Mart/KCBX

It’s been just about nine months since the Montecito Debris Flow killed 23 people and destroyed homes, bridges and roadways. Now that the immediate pain of the disaster has abated a bit, but before too much time passes that people start forgetting, a group of researchers at UC Santa Barbara are studying the disaster in a coordinated effort.

Should Baby Boomers get a property tax break to move?

By Matt Levin/CALmatters • Aug 14, 2018
Courtesy of CALmatters

Proposition 5, which California voters will decide on this November, allows homeowners age 55 and up to receive a major break on their property taxes when they move homes. Sponsored by the California Association of Realtors, the initiative attempts to address a problem familiar to many Californians of a certain age: You want to move from your empty nest, but you’re scared of the new taxes you’d have to pay on a downsized property.

Central Coast congressman named 'Great Immigrant,' visits border detention camp

By Tyler Pratt • Jul 6, 2018
Congressman Salud Carbajal/Facebook

Every Fourth of July, the Carnegie Corporation of New York releases a list of "Great Immigrants," people the philanthropic organization says have made notable contributions to the "progress of American society." This year’s list includes singer Regina Spektor, actor Kumail Nanjiani, the CEO of Uber, a UC Santa Barbara Nobel Prize winner in physics, and U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal. 

2018 PRIMARY UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

By Greta Mart • Jun 11, 2018
Randol White/KCBX News

California's June 5, 2018 Consolidated Primary Election is behind us, and the Secretary of State has published semi-official elections results; click here to see statewide race results.

On the Central Coast, the San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Monterey County county elections offices continue to update results as ballot counting continues. 

Hundreds of Cal Poly students protest during 2018 Open House

By • Apr 13, 2018
Tyler Pratt/KCBX

Hundreds of Cal Poly University students are protesting at this hour, frustrated at what they say is a lack of action on the part of university officials to deal with perceived racism on the campus. 

New legislation aims to compel insurance coverage for fire-caused mudslides

By & Rachel Showalter • Jan 24, 2018
Greta Mart

Besides having to rebuild their homes and community, survivors of the January 9 Montecito debris flows are now wrangling with their insurance companies.