UCSB's big plans to build the world's biggest dormitory died quietly in 2023. Earlier in the year, hundreds of longtime IV residents, many on lower fixed-incomes, were handed 'renoviction' eviction notices. Finding an affordable place to live in IV and the greater Santa Barbara South Coast area did not get any easier in 2023. KCSB's Dick Flacks speaks with housing advocate Stanley Tzankov with CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) to recap the year in housing, and discuss efforts being made to help keep rents within the means of longtime residents and students.

Find out what's on the minds of some of IV's younger residents. KCSB's Elle Viefhaus speaks with Megan Molina and her peers at IV Elementary.

KCSB's Zoha Malik spoke with Clarence Thomas and Michael Letwin, two representatives of Labor for Palestine (LFP), a union-led campaign which endorses the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) picket line against Israeli occupation and apartheid in Palestine, to learn more about anti-war organizing in wake of the increasingly deadly War on Gaza. This interview was conducted on November 13, 2023.

The music used in this story is Insatiable Toad by Blue Dot Sessions.

KCSB's Zoha Malik spoke with Clarence Thomas and Michael Letwin, two representatives of Labor for Palestine (LFP), a union-led campaign which endorses the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) picket line against Israeli occupation and apartheid in Palestine, to learn more about anti-war organizing in wake of the increasingly deadly War on Gaza. This interview was conducted on November 13, 2023.

The music used in this story is Insatiable Toad by Blue Dot Sessions.

With historic writers, actors, and auto workers strikes in 2023, labor is having its moment this year. That includes local educators as well. KCSB’s Joyce Chi spoke with Hozby Galindo, president of the Santa Barbara Teachers Association, to learn more about the SBTA’s demands.

Music used: Rate Sheet by Blue Dot Sessions, Bon Journee by Chad Crouch

Santa Barbara's current Poet Laureate, Melinda Palacio, joins KCSB for a conversation around poetry and its significance alongside Brandon Yi with KCSB News.

Every year, Monarch butterflies migrate to the Goleta’s Ellwood butterfly grove. Annabelle Hurst speaks with Charis Van der Heide, monarch expert and monarch count coordinator.

Music used: Woods by Hawkin

Trevor Jacob, a Lompoc Youtube click-baiter who crashed plane for views, is headed to federal prison. KCSB's Devon Szalva explains.

Henry Kissinger’s death in November renewed attention to his foreign policies as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State. KCSB’s Joyce Chi talked to Dr. Salim Yaqub, a professor of history at UCSB, to try to answer the question: what will Henry Kissinger's legacy be?

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TIMESTAMPS

00:01:45 - beginnings

00:18:36 - détente & Cold War strategy

00:25:30 - relationship with China

00:31:00 - Paris Peace Accords & the end of the Vietnam War

00:39:15 - domino theory

00:45:18 - Cambodia, Operation Menu, & the rise of the Khmer Rouge

00:52:25 - Bangladesh genocide

00:59:35 - 1973 Arab-Israeli War

01:12:42 - ingenious ideas, a terrible paradox, & popularity with the powerful

01:23:42 - what will Kissinger's legacy be?

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Music used: Rate Sheet, 3rd Chair, Locker 08, Delmendra, Soothe by Blue Dot Sessions; Hot Pink, Edgeworthia, Pilgrim’s Progress by Chad Crouch

Additional audio courtesy of PBS NewsHour

Artwork based on Kissinger's official portrait as Secretary of State

Henry Kissinger’s death in November renewed attention to his foreign policies as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State. KCSB’s Joyce Chi talked to Dr. Salim Yaqub, a professor of history at UCSB, to try to answer the question: what will Henry Kissinger's legacy be?

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Music used: Rate Sheet and Tower of Mirrors by Blue Dot Sessions; Hot Pink by Chad Crouch

Artwork based on Kissinger's official portrait as Secretary of State