The Five-Spot: Latest on How Trump Policies Are Bedeviling Santa Barbara, Right Now
From anxieties over retail and reproductive rights to new worries over public broadcasting and immigration policies, SB keeps a wary eye on the reality TV presidency. Plus: how to protest Elon.
(Editor’s note: Newsmakers intern Shelby Appice, who will graduate from UCSB in June with a major in Communication and minor in Professional Writing, is tracking the local effects of the Trump Administration in her “Five Spot” column).
By Shelby Appice
Five ways that Santa Barbara is plagued by Trump policies, right now:
Public Media Faces Defunding
KCLU produces award-winning local programming, along with popular national NPR shows, stands at risk to lose funding amid Donald Trump’s executive order to cut all federal funding to public broadcasting, amid accusations that producers present “radical, woke propaganda” —content that does not align with MAGA viewpoints.
Part of a broader effort by the Administration to defund arts, culture, and education, the order targets both direct subsidies an indirect funding sources, jeopardizing nearly $500 million in annual support for public media nationwide. It also would impact PBS SoCal, shown in Santa Barbara on Cox 50-1 to 50-4
Local stations rely on federal grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to deliver news, educational programs, and children's shows like Sesame Street, The Magic School Bus, Sid the Kid, Cyberchase and Arthur to thousands of residents, including underserved and rural communities.
Paula Kerger, the CEO PBS, recently warned that these cuts would “disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide.” In Santa Barbara, that not only would include educational programs for kids in households, but also emergency broadcasts during wildfires and power outages.
Reproductive Rights Suffer Attacks
Planned Parenthood California Central Coast reports that more than 40 percent of clients at their local centers live at or below the federal poverty line. They could be especially hurt by a series of cuts and policy changes the Administration carried out in its first 100 days that have received little attention.
In a new study, “Trump’s First 100 Days: 5 Attacks on Reproductive Rights You Might Have Missed,” the Center for Reproductive Rights warns that a coordinated strategy is weakening public health and the rule of law nationwide.
For starters, the Trump administration has moved to weaken federal laws like the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which ensures emergency abortion care in life-threatening situations. A decrease in the national standard of emergency care that may result, could threaten lives and straing local healthcare systems — even in blue states like California.
Trump’s freeze on Title X funding—a federal program supporting affordable birth control, STI testing, and cancer screenings—has already caused clinic closures across the U.S., disproportionately affecting low-income residents. The administration also is dismantling public health resources, removing abortion information from government sites, and scaling back enforcement of laws that protect clinics from violence. Such changes not only undermine reproductive rights nationally — but also threaten the health, safety, and legal protections of people in our own community.
Retail Industry Confronts Tariffs
Higher expenses, tighter inventory, and declining sales loom for South Coast shoe retailers like SeaVees, Foot Locker and Sketchers amid Trump’s trade war, signaling potential cost of living increases for Santa Barbara families.
More than 75 shoe brands, including Nike, Adidas and Skechers have urged the Trump administration to lift new tariffs that could raise sneaker prices by over 40 percent, warning that his policy is an "existential threat" to their industry. For a city like Santa Barbara, where tourism, small business and season retail traffic is critical to the economy, it also may mean job losses, store closures, and price hikes, especially heading into summer.
Because almost all U.S. sneakers are imported from Asia, the tariffs could drastically shrink inventory and increase prices nationwide. The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America association reports that tariffs could climb as high as 220% for some shoes, hitting low and middle-income consumers hardest. Despite promises to bring manufacturing back home, these industry leaders said the tariffs only create uncertainty and instability — not jobs.
New Immigration Worries after Trump Legal Attack on Colorado
Like communities throughout California, Santa Barbara County adheres to the state’s SB 54 (California Values Act), which limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In its bid to compel local governments to assist with its deportations, however, the Trump administration is targeting state laws that restrict joint action on immigration authorities. They escalated the campaign last week with lawsuits against immigration laws in Colorado and Denver that set boundaries for state and local employees in aiding federal authorities, which Administration officials call “sanctuary” laws.
Sheriff Bill Brown has said his department adheres closely to the California Values Act, which California successfully defended during the first Trump Administration. But immigration advocates worry that the Colorado case, along with similar litigation in Illinois, eventually could force local governments here to resume practices like holding detainees for ICE - or risk losing critical federal funding - while eroding public safety, health and trust for immigrant communities over fears of deportation.
Tesla Dealership Still Facing Backlash
Elon Musk just announced he is stepping back from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to focus more on Tesla, but that hasn’t stopped protests against Trump’s oligarch crony and dismantler of government: The weekly Tesla Takedown Protest is set for the Santa Barbara Tesla Dealership on 400 Hitchcock Way from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday (May 10).
Amid widepsread controversy and outrage over DOGE, polling shows that Musk’s wild man act during the first 100 days of the Administration tanked his reputation, while Tesla’s income plunged 71 percent year over year and global sales fell sharply — including a 31 percent drop in California, the company’s primary U.S. market.
In Santa Barbara, there also are more anecdotal signs of unhappiness with Musk:
Five-Spot: In Other News…
Women Leaders: From Pipeline to Power.
The Women’s Legacy and Leadership (WLL) Collective will hold its second event on Thursday, May 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., aiming to strengthen the pipeline of women entering politics during a pivotal moment in history. Centering on the impact of women commissioners and civic leaders, the gathering will spotlight the historic and ongoing role of the Santa Barbara County Commission for Women in advancing gender equity in government. Attendees will hear from past and present women leaders across Santa Barbara County, who will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in public service — and how to drive meaningful change. Register here.
Annual SB Live Wine and Art Tour.
The 2025 Downtown Santa Barbara LIVE Art & Wine Tour is set to make a vibrant return on Thursday, May 15, offering attendees fine food, local wine, brew and art. Running from 5:30-9:30 p.m., the event begins with a walking tour of downtown venues featuring over 30 participating restaurants, wineries, and art galleries. Organized by the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association, the annual event is the group’s primary fundraiser, supporting local cultural programs through the Downtown Public Art, Activations, and Events Fund including the 1st Thursday ArtWalk and Downtown Dance Nights. Guests receive a tasting kit and self-guided tour map, with the main event running from 5:30-8:00 p.m., followed by the After Party from 7:30-9:30 p.m at the Arlington Theater, featuring additional tastings, live music by The Groove Collective and a silent auction. The event is 21+ and all-inclusive.
Play Ball: UCSB Gauchos vs. USC Trojans.
The No. 5 Big West-ranked UC Santa Barbara Gauchos beat the No. 4 Big Ten-ranked USC Trojans on Tuesday, May 6, in a beach-town versus metro NCAA regular-season baseball matchup at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. The win gave the Gauchos bragging rights for the season, as they swept both games on the schedule against USC, stomping their rivals 8-1 on March 5 in Los Angeles. Tuesday’s win in a tight and taut contest dominated by good pitching and defense gives the Gauchos a bump as they head towards the post-season.
Santa Barbara Culinary Experience
The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience returns May 12–18 for a weeklong series of events that showcase the region’s rich culinary culture through more than 50 events. Held across multiple locations throughout Santa Barbara County, the festival blends immersive classes, chef-led dinners, curated tastings, and behind-the-scenes farm and vineyard tours. Anchored by the Grand Wine Tasting on May 17 at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara, the event will feature more than 40 local wineries and top culinary artisans. Inspired by Julia Child’s deep affection for the region and produced in partnership with the Julia Child Foundation, the festival is designed to highlight Santa Barbara’s unique farm-to-table ecosystem — from its coastline and ranches to vineyards and small farms. This year’s lineup includes standout events like wine blending sessions at Margerum Wine Co., oyster shucking at Clark’s Oyster Bar, caviar pairings at Hotel Californian, and ranch dinners at Mattei’s Tavern. The schedule also offers hands-on classes in bread baking, olive oil cooking, seafood preparation, mixology and coffee tastings.
Mother’s Day Festivities
Santa Barbara offers a variety of events and dining options to celebrate Mother's Day this Sunday. With the Weather Channel forecasting sunny skies and temperatures averaging 77°F, it's an ideal weekend to honor the mothers and mother figures in our lives. Restaurants are rolling out special menus, ranging from elegant champagne brunches to full-spread buffets — and even heart-shaped pizzas. Whether it be a scenic waterfront venue or a cozy neighborhood favorite, the city's many offerings provide the perfect, festive backdrop.
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Your co-founders collectively are 157 years old — not that much younger than the USA, which is 249. We somehow always assumed we’d be gone long before the nation.
Now we’re not so sure. JR/HF.