For the first time in three years, Earth Day festivities return to Alameda Park. KCSB's Siddharth Chattoraj spoke with Kathi King from the Community Environmental Council about the events planned for this year and Santa Barbara’s historical connection to Earth Day.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a new plan for cleaner air, which better meets the demands of environmental groups yet worries those that support the use of controlled fires as wildfire prevention. KCSB’s Cindy Zhao discusses the details below.

The Wright Family is a local group in Santa Barbara currently facing scrutiny from the Santa Barbara Housing Commission for their proposal to build a nearly-175,000 square foot hotel. This project would effectively remove all existing structures across six lots. The Santa Barbara Housing Commission discussed the project with stakeholders at their meeting on April 6. KCSB’s Ashton Hester recaps this story.

Senator Dianne Feinstein has announced her decision to remain in the Senate, despite demands for her resignation and ongoing medical problems. KCSB’s Schuyler Rebbun has more on the story.

In the aftermath of a congressional hearing with TikTok's CEO, there are two proposed bills in Congress. One proposed Republican bill seeks to outright ban TikTok, while the bi-partisan Restrict Act does not explicitly address TikTok, though it has garnered concerns about infringing upon civil liberties. KCSB's Robert Stark speaks with Cal State Channel Islands adjunct professor, Tim Allison, about the two proposed bills and the ramifications for free speech and civil liberties.

An important historical landmark in Santa Barbara is slated to look as good as new. KCSB’s Max Tu has the story.

April 17th is International Haiku Poetry Day! Haiku is a type of short poetry originally from Japan. KCSB’s reporter Sandy Ganesh sat down with Co-President of UCSB's Poets’ Club Jason Cathcart to talk about Haiku, its history, and other forms of poetry.

On April 13, workers across many UC campuses and several medical centers participated in a day of action for wage increases. The demonstrations were organized by AFSCME (ahfs-me) Local 3299, UC's largest employee union representing over 30,000 UC workers. The organization's latest fight is "$25/5%" which refers to demands that the UC raise the minimum wage to $25 per hour across the entire system, or increase pay rates by at least 5% for those who already make $25 or more. KCSB's Jackie Sedley sat down with Nelson Mu and Pradeep Kundu, two second year student interns with AFSCME Local 3299, to talk about yesterday's show of student solidarity on UCSB's campus and the union's planned actions moving forward.

Hundreds of Isla Vista residents have received notices to vacate their homes, in a climate where it's already a challenge to find affordable housing. KCSB's Clarissa Hom speaks with SB County Supervisor Laura Capps about what she and her colleagues are doing to help keep these residents in their homes. Capps also explains what she is doing to help make eroding IV bluffs more safe.

Since 2004, Isla Vista residents have come together to take part in Deltopia – the block party historically held the weekend after UC Santa Barbara students return from spring break. The annual party was initially called “Floatopia” and was held on the beach, but a mix of health and environmental concerns led to its shutdown in 2009. Deltopia was born the following year, with thousands upon thousands flooding onto the streets, rather than the sand, of Isla Vista. To this day, the beaches in Isla Vista close for the weekend of Deltopia – which is this weekend! This celebration-by-land as opposed to sea still presents threats to the well-being of individuals and the surrounding environment. Isla Vista Community Services District’s Board President Marcos Aguilar sat down with KCSB's Jackie Sedley to talk about Deltopia.