The Indy

Younger generations are showing up in the voting booths less and less. In Santa Barbara, local politics are often bogged down by marathon city council meetings and debates over hot-button issues like the future of cars on State Street. If we want younger generations to get involved in politics, we need to know that the issues we care about are being discussed.This is ‘Behind the Desk’, a very special ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ podcast that takes a different look at the coming Santa Barbara City elections and how it affects the residents of Santa Barbara.Ryan Cruz is a reporter at the ‘Santa Barbara Independent’ who covers everything from politics to sports to immigration. His most recent cover story, “Written Off,” details his personal experience going into the Santa Barbara County Jail to lead a men’s creative writing group. He will now be moderating four political forums hosted by the Santa Barbara independent from September 17 to September 30, discussing important city issues with candidates running for mayor and three city council seats.

An April 18 you can eat delicious brunch food and support the journalism fellowship that made Welcome to Isla Vista possible! Gather at the historic Rancho La Patera and Stow House in Goleta from 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM on April 18. Don't forget to buy your tickets online on the Indy's website.

Introducing Breaking Tunes. The Bad Neighbors visited the Independent's news room for a live concert - check out the recording from that concert! The Bad Neighbors are featured in Episode 6 of Welcome to Isla Vista. The Set List:Seasons (0:00)King of Nothing (4:33)Landlord (9:25)Overdose (12:37)

Development has started again in I.V., as new housing laws make it easier to build. At the same time, property owners are cutting back parts of homes on Del Playa as the cliff erodes and parking is even more tightly impacted. Where is I.V. headed? And what are some ways we can make it a better place to live?

This episode takes us into the quiet community garden, as well as the homes of long-term homeowners. How has Isla Vista changed from the eyes of people who see crops of students graduate each year? What was the impact of a major renovation that displaced dozens of long-term families? How can we look at I.V. from an artist’s perspective? And what’s with that uniquely shaped dome house?

One night in 1970, a fire broke out at the Bank of America. No one yet knows who set it. But it brought both police brutality and political engagement to Isla Vista. Why does I.V. have such a vast network of parks? Why isn’t I.V. a city? And decades later how did tragedy bolster support for the Community Services District, according to its founders? Note: This episode contains discussion of a bomb incident (4:40 - 5:00) police brutality (5:54 - 8:20), rioting (5:54 - 8:20, 23:44 - 24:00), and mass murder (24:20 - 26:13). If you do not want to hear these parts, skip them.

Post-COVID, Isla Vista grew even more expensive, all while housing stayed pretty much the same. What is like living in I.V. now? There’s good, bad, and ugly here. Note, there is discussion of sexual assault, harassment and rape from 17:50 to 18:55. If you do not want to hear this discussion, please skip this part.

 In 1954, Santa Barbara College students traded “the campus with a view” for the “campus in the slough.” Developers built more than 4,000 structures in 10 years, receiving variances and helping pass zoning codes to increase density. What was it like to live there? Student stories start in 1954 and finish in 2016, as that housing stock ages.

From the Santa Barbara Independent, a podcast that delves into the history and development of Isla Vista, CA. Written, voiced and produced by Mickey Flacks Fellow Christina McDermott.

Ep. 93 - INSIDE AI: How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping our LivesIn this episode, The Indy host, Rebecca Fairweather, sits down with Assistant Professor of Computer Science and head of the Artificial Intelligence Integration Lab at UC Santa Barbara, Misha Sra. The two discuss the significance of AI and how it will impact our everyday lives. Chat GPT has taken the world by storm with the site having up to 200 million visitors daily. While this is one example of AI, new software and formats of intelligence are evolving quickly. Ever wanted to train for a marathon without a physical coach? Ever needed physical therapy but wanted it in the comfort of your home? These are possibilities AI could potentially work on addressing. Learn more about this and other cool AI features in the episode. Hosted by Rebecca Fairweather.Image Credit: Canva (Ryan King)The Indy: A Podcast was co-created by Molly McAnany and the Santa Barbara Independent.Theme music was written by Molly McAnany.Follow ‘The Indy’ on social media @theindypod to support and contact [email protected] for advertisements.