Julian Lozada joins the gang for a new episode of Newsmakers TV, reprising her reporting on back-to-school week for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, which faces big challenges in dealing with declining enrollment and the proliferation of brain-rot tech devices, as Nick Welsh reports some surprising new data about local success in expanding publicly-funded child care, and Josh Molina recounts the latest from the campaign trail on the races for city council and mayor. Plus: as County Executive Mona Miyasato departs after 11 years on the job, there’s a simultaneous significant brain drain in leadership throughout county government that could portend big changes.

In first campaign interview, mayoral front-runner talks politics and policy of rent control, State Street and budget, jabbing at chief rival Eric Friedman for consistently siding with incumbent mayor.

Shirley Lim delves into the world of poetry, discussing its accessibility and impact on everyday life. The poet shares her journey, influences, and writing process, highlighting poetry's role in addressing societal issues like climate change and political themes. She also reflects on teaching poetry to children and reads several of her poems, showcasing the connection between poetry and both personal and collective experiences. Shirley reads poems from her In Praise of Limes collection, including 'Santa Barbara Rain' and 'April Heat Wave'. She also shares political and climate change poems. The conversation concludes with a discussion of American identity and the evolving genius of the country.

The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Our All-Star Panel of Top Local Journalists is back with a new episode of Newsmakers TV, breaking down Santa Barbara's most consequential and entertaining news stories.

Cynthia Carbone Ward shares her writing journey, focusing on personal storytelling and community engagement. She reflects on her experiences as a writer and teacher, discussing the emotional aspects of caregiving and the power of writing. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of oral history and shared narratives, encouraging aspiring writers to find their unique voices and write from personal experiences while offering practical writing advice.

The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

It’s deadline day for candidates running for mayor and city council in Santa Barbara, and with a majority of seats at City Hall up for grabs, Josh Molina joins the genial host to handicap the races – and break down why they’re important in shaping crucial policies about the city’s future that hang in the balance.

David Starkey hosts Alden Nielsen to discuss his poetry career and influences. They explore how music impacts poetry and the importance of diverse literature. Nielsen shares insights on political themes in his work and his teaching experiences in China. He emphasizes introducing students to lesser-known works and addresses challenges in contemporary education. The conversation wraps up with advice for aspiring poets, stressing the value of persistence in writing.

The Mission of TV Santa Barbara (TVSB) is to empower people to make media that matters. TVSB provides open access to media technology for companies and individuals who want to tell stories, share ideas, and create television shows, independent films, web videos, and documentaries. http://www.tvsb.tv

Trump's congressional allies this week passed legislation to hand complete control of Sable oil company's offshore operations in Santa Barbara to the U.S. Defense Department, a stunning development that Nick Welsh explains on this week's episode, joined by Callie Fausey who breaks down the Administration's aggressive effort to dismantle the Endangered Species Act, and by Josh Molina, who has the latest on the increasingly raucous conflict over rent control at City Hall. Plus: Josh's breakthrough moment as a social media star.