top of page


Breaking: HBJ Backs Feinstein Foe in Primary
Hannah Beth Jackson, Santa Barbara's state senator, told Newsmakers Sunday that she supports state Senate President Kevin de Leon in his...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 15, 2017


Why Marge C. Called the Cops on Scafide
At 6:10 p.m. last Friday evening, a SBPD dispatcher sent two officers to 18 W. Victoria Street, responding to a telephone complaint about...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 13, 2017


Most Viewed: Angel, Bendy, Cathy Rank 1,2,3
Less than a month before the Nov, 7 election, Angel Martinez draws the most interest among mayoral contenders from the “Newsmakers”...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 12, 2017


Angel: Key Bendy Backer Told Me to Stay Out
Angel Martinez says his final decision to run for mayor of Santa Barbara followed a contentious private meeting with political consultant...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 10, 2017


Snarky Monday: In the 4th, It's All About Das
Not since Clint Eastwood famously spoke to an empty chair in backing Mitt Romney at the 2012 Republican National Convention has there...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 9, 2017


New Video: Marianne Williamson Introduces Capps Non-Profit at Private Reception
Author, lecturer and spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson keynoted first night for the Lois & Walter Capps Project, a new Santa Barbara...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 9, 2017


First Look at Cathy Murillo's New Ad
Cathy Murillo began her first TV advertising push on Saturday, with a straightforward 30-second spot titled "Difference," which seems...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 8, 2017


McGrew vs. Friedman: Bromance in 5th District
Just posted: the Newsmakers' conversation with Warner McGrew and Eric Friedman, the two candidates running for Santa Barbara City Council...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 8, 2017


New Show Posted: Josh, Kelsey, Laura & Nick
Our Hacks and Flacks panel returns to the airwaves and internets this week with analysis, behind-the-scenes and inside stuff: Noozhawk...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 7, 2017

Round 2.6: Campaign Winners and Losers
On Wednesday night, the moderator at the big environmental mayoral forum framed one query to the candidates this way: “I’d like to move...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 5, 2017


Harvest Moon Looms, as Earthly Tribulation and Political Weirdness Shadow Campaign
It was another SRO crowd on the mayor’s race campaign trail Wednesday night, but more than 200 tree huggers, energy geeks, birders and...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 5, 2017


Round 2: Campaign Winners and Losers
Off-year city elections can be desultory affairs, with little fervent debate, a shortage of intriguing characters and low-wattage media...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 3, 2017


The Key Moment in Round 2 Mayoral Debate
More than 250 people packed the First United Methodist Church up to the nosebleed seats on Monday night, as the five candidates for mayor...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 3, 2017


3 Big Keys to Monday's Mayor's Race Forum
On Monday night, you can catch the five candidates for mayor of Santa Barbara on the same stage, at the campaign’s second major public...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 2, 2017


Frank Smokes Out Angel's Measure C Stance
On Saturday, conservative council member Frank Hotchkiss won big props at a Republican anti-tax rally - and also managed to obtain...
Newsmakers with JR
Oct 1, 2017


Murillo and Martinez Dominate Fundraising
Less than two weeks before ballots go out, Cathy Murillo and Angel Martinez are winning the critical race for cash in the campaign for...
Newsmakers with JR
Sep 29, 2017


City Attorney Fumes at Angel Sign on Balcony
City Attorney Ariel Calonne, the straightest arrow at City Hall, came into the office to catch up on Sunday and was shocked – not to...
Newsmakers with JR
Sep 28, 2017


Eyewitness to History: The Measure C Debate
Not since Abe Lincoln went nose-to-nose with Stephen Douglas has there been a political debate as dramatic and momentous as Tuesday’s...
Newsmakers with JR
Sep 27, 2017


Fab Five on the Issues: Does Santa Barbara Really Have a "Housing Crisis"?
On Sept. 14, four candidates for mayor were asked at a public forum to raise their hands if they thought there is a “housing crisis” in...
Newsmakers with JR
Sep 26, 2017


Lois and Laura Capps Endorse Conklin
To the surprise of no one, ex-congress member Lois Capps, joined by daughter Laura, formally endorsed Hal Conklin for mayor Sunday,...
Newsmakers with JR
Sep 25, 2017
Covering Politics & Media In Santa Barbara & Beyond...
bottom of page