October 28th, 2021, marked the 6th annual “I Stand with Immigrants” Day of Action. Here at UC Santa Barbara, the office of the External Vice President of Statewide Affairs and the Office of the President joined in support, observing the day. KCSB’s Marshall Mueller has the story with production by Andrew Burton.

A plan to build an eleven-story mostly-windowless residence hall at UC Santa Barbara that 4,500 students would call home continues to generate controversy both locally and across the country.

“It just seems wrong on almost every level.” Two Santa Barbara architects expressed their shock and concern over UCSB’s proposed Munger Hall mega-dorm on this week’s Inside Isla Vista radio program. Detlev “Detty” Peikert explained how considered the project dubbed “Dormzilla,” from the perspective of his work on affordable housing. “We would never design a building like that for poor people. Even homeless shelters are not designed in that manner for the poorest of the poor, even living on the streets.” Peikert and architect Cassandra Ensberg spoke with KCSB News Reporter Robert Stark about their concerns about Munger Hall. “It really is some kind of social experiment that hasn’t been researched in any way… as a way to treat students.” Many of the architects’ concerns were included in a letter sent to Chancellor Henry Yang from the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Drag Queen Story Hour is an inclusive storytime event, highlighting diverse voices and authors, focusing on themes such as empathy and kindness. KCSB’s Susana Nuñez opens the book on the story, interviewing author, educator, and queen Miss Angel.

Isla Vista's many student residents make up a powerful voting block in Santa Barbara politics. The county is in the process of seeking suggestions for new county district lines, based on the new data from the 2020 US Censes. In this episode, you'll hear from Megan Turley with the SB County Independent Redistricting Commission about why community input is important. Later, County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who represents Isla Vista, speaks with KCSB's Jennifer Yoshikoshi about the housing crisis in Isla Vista. This show is anchored by KCSB's Terrie Jeon,

A new restaurant is being developed in Goleta Beach, following a competitive bidding process by the county for the popular oceanside location. KCSB’s Frankie Newton sits down with one of the co-owners of the project.

In recent years, every Halloween, the University has brought into Isla Vista extra police from every other UC campus. Cops mounted on horseback have patrolled IV’s streets. On Saturday, October 30th, a coalition of UCSB student groups held a festival to say it doesn’t have to be like this. KCSB’s Ray Briare tells us more.

Hundreds of students and community members gathered outside the steps of Davidson library on Friday, November 5th, to protest the construction of Munger Hall – UCSB’s proposed mega-dorm to be funded by billionaire Charles Munger and open in 2025. KCSB’s Daniel Huecias and Ashley Rusch recap the controversy and speak with organizers and protestors on the scene.

KCSB News reporters Jennifer Yoshikoshi and Cecilia Aden contributed to this report.

Our theme music for this cast is Algorithms by Chad Crouch.

Magic Lantern Films returns to its Isla Vista home after a year-and-a-half with the film society’s screenings not as packed as they were pre-pandemic. KCSB’s Jackie Sedley sits down with the Director of Magic Lantern Films, D.J. Palladino, to discuss Magic Lantern’s past, present, and future.

Ventura parents protest outside schools, as well as organize a student walkout, in response to the vaccine requirement for in-person students. They are a part of a wider nation-wide effort to resist recent COVID-19 protocols in schools. KCSB's Cecilia Aden is here with the story.

Early Tuesday morning, firefighters were dispatched to an abandoned and poorly-secured Isla Vista house fully engulfed in flames. KCSB’s Joyce Chi brings you the developing story.