On Monday, Skywatchers across the nation - from Salem Oregon to Charleston South Carolina will experience a total eclipse of the sun. KCSB’s Lisa Osborn spoke with UCSB Astrophysicist Andy Howell, who is also an astronomer with Las Cumbres Observatory. He calls the celestial wonder a ‘once in a lifetime event.’

Howell plans to be in the Portland area for Monday’s eclipse. You can view Howell’s “Astronomy on Tap” presentation on the eclipse at his you tube channel ‘science versus cinema.’

On Saturday August 12th, Charlottesville, Virginia became the site of an act of domestic terrorism, an incident that has shaken the small town and millions across the United States. A driver, who attended the white nationalist rally, plowed into a crowd of protesters demonstrating against the rally, killing one woman and injuring many others.

KCSB’s Amarica Rafanelli spoke with John J. Pitney, a professor of American Politics at Claremont McKenna College about President Trump’s response to the tragedy. And then to Nathan Moore, the general manager of the community radio station WTJU in Charlottesville, who was on the ground the day of the event, providing live coverage to his listeners and comfort to victims.

The world’s smallest porpoise is in danger of becoming extinct. The Vaquita Marina is only found in the Gulf of California, and its numbers are decreasing due to local fishing economies. Despite an unprecedented attempt by the Mexican Federal Government to save the species, the vaquita marina’s future is in doubt. KCSB’s Hector Sanchez Castaneda has more on the story.

A common perception is that the environment and the economy are in opposition to each other. This idea is one of numerous reasons why climate policies face the opposition they do. However, a new study in California proves that we can actually grow our economy by implementing climate policies. KCSB's Kendra Lee has more on the story.

Fans of live stage performances are in Ojai this week, to take in a series of shows at the Ojai Playwright conference. For twenty years the event has featured and given voice to artists who choose to challenge social and political mores. This year has been no exception.

KCSB's Alex Casavant spoke with one of the artists participating in the event, Sandra Tsing Loh, whose one woman show deals strongly with her post-election grief. But -first - you’ll hear from artistic director Robert Egan to find out more about the mission of the conference.

Isla Vista has a reputation as a party town, so KCSB reporter Soobin Lee spoke with John Doyel, with the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness to find out more about the local drugs scene, and now to avoid becoming a victim.

Then, a spotlight on one of Isla Vista's longest-running non profits. The Isla Vista Youth Projects has been caring for IV's youngest residents for over 40 years. KCSB reporter Erin Wetherley spoke with IVYP executive director LuAnn Miller.

Although Isla Vista has a reputation as a party town, those who live here – will also tell you that there’s a strong sense of community. The Isla Vista Youth Projects has been serving Isla Vista families for over 40 years. KCSB reporter Erin Wetherley spoke with executive director LuAnn Miller about how it has grown and what is in store for its future.

Reflecting on what is now a nationwide opioid epidemic, it has recently come to light that Santa Barbara’s opioid death rate is almost twice that of the state average. For a closer look at this alarming statistic, KCSB’s Soobin Lee speaks with John Doyel, the Program Manager for the Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness Alcohol and Drug Program, about opioid abuse and how it’s affected our county.

The Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary is home to a remarkably diverse population of sea life. However, the sanctuary is in danger of closure if a Trump executive order passes. The executive order would rollback or eliminate 11 marine sanctuaries and monuments, including the Channel Islands and Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuaries, and open these protected areas to oil and gas exploration. The public comment period to voice concerns about Trump’s review of marine sanctuaries ends August 14th. KCSB’s Amarica Rafanelli spoke with Representative Salud Carbajal about his efforts to protect these marine sanctuaries and what local residents can do.

SB 54, also known as the sanctuary city bill, has drawn attention from local law enforcement and activists within Santa Barbara County. KCSB’s Amarica Rafanelli spoke with Sheriff Bill Brown from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, an opponent of the legislation, and Lucas Zucker from CAUSE, a local activist group working to protect immigrant rights.