L.A. Times political columnist Mark Z. Barabak joins the genial host of Newsmakers TV for some robust punditry about the state of America on the eve of the nation’s 249th birthday, and how his naturally sunny disposition is being affected by Trump’s provocations, Gavin Newsom’s chameleon act, the disappearance of civility, people making positive change, and his abiding faith in voters.

Chris Meagher made his bones in Santa Barbara, as both a newspaper hack and a political flack, and over the past two decades built a successful career and a splendid reputation as a national communications strategist and political consultant. In an interview with the genial host, he offers an insider’s perspective on the Biden White House and provides clear-eyed perspective on where the government – and the nation – is going under Trump.

Digital news producer Lily Dallow returns to Newsmakers TV for an inside look at how she threw a spotlight on the brutal actions of federal immigration agents in the beating of an Orange County gardener, as she rejoins Nick Welsh, Josh Molina, Ryan P. Cruz and the genial host for a panel discussion of the perils of reporting in the Age of Trump. Plus: all the latest on two of SB’s more controversial housing developments, a slashing Grand Jury report on the county jail and some early prognostication on the issues in the mayor’s race.

It’s a special Three Amigos edition, as Nick Welsh and Josh Molina join the genial host to mark the 501st episode of Newsmakers TV, with a wide-roaming conversation about Santa Barbara connections to the extraordinary events still unfolding in L.A. as well as the latest on the breakthrough achievements of Monique Limón and Meagan Harmon, the nexus of housing and homelessness, and the heartbreaking, still-unsolved death of UCSB first-year student Liz Hamel. Plus: we were talking about the Refugio pipeline on the first shows 10 years ago and we’re still talking about it today.

On the eve of the “No Kings Here” nationwide mass demonstrations against the rogue Trump Administration, four leaders of Indivisible Santa Barbara discuss the plans and politics behind the local protest set for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on Cabrillo Blvd. near Chase Palm Park, where rally-goers will form a human chain along the waterfront in opposition to the cruelty, corruption and incompetence of the game show host president.

In a special, extra edition of Newsmakers TV, a dozen former colleagues and friends of Barney Brantingham meet online to offer memories, reflections and funny stories about the great Santa Barbara city columnist, who recently died at 93. Drawn from the SB News-Press diaspora, the group represents a gathering of the local journalism tribe, as they remember Barney as “the heart of the newsroom” who “loved Santa Barbara more than anybody I know.”

Board of Supervisors Laura Capps returns to Newsmakers TV with a warning that the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts in Medicaid and food programs not only threaten Santa Barbara’s most economically vulnerable citizens but also augur fiscal austerity, as county government begins its budget season. In a conversation with the genial host, she also breaks down the raging political and policy conflicts over oil drilling, both offshore and onshore, and talks about “setting a new course” on the cannabis industry.

Community Conversations | Dr Gaylee Beebe | President Westmont College

805 Focus | Storytellers Children Center | Dr Gabriella Garcia

Community Conversations | Kelly McAdoo | City Administrator