Watch: Anti-Semitism at UCSB, World Cup in Goleta, Butterfly Shortage at Elwood, Hubbub at SB Harbor
On this week's episode of Newsmakers TV, Our All-Star Panel of Top Local Journalists breaks down a lively mash-up of colorful stories that illustrate the unique character of Santa Barbara.
In 2024, then-Associated Students President Tessa Veksler was harassed, bullied, doxed, browbeat and threatened on the UCSB campus because of her public support of Israel in the Gaza War.
Now she’s seeking redress for the torment and trauma she says she endured.
On this week’s episode of Newsmakers TV, Independent staff writer Callie Fausey reprises her reporting on a federal lawsuit filed by Veksler against UCSB and the UC Regents, in which she seeks a jury trial and monetary damages for an alleged campaign of anti-Semitism orchestrated on campus that she claims violated her constitutional rights and caused personal pain and suffering.
The Indy’s Ryan P. Cruz returns to explain the city of Goleta’s surprise civic victory in winning the right to house one of the 32 international teams coming to California to participate in the World Cup soccer tournament - and also discusses Indigenous rights advocate Spenser Jaimes, the first member of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation to win appointment to Santa Barbara’s Harbor Commission.
And Santa Barbara News-Press Editor Josh Molina joins the gang to break down an unexpected controversy that erupted over the city’s non-transparent cancellation of an agreement with Lobster Jo’s, a popular summer skating and surf camp, the latest in a series of embarrassing disputes that have surfaced under the purview of Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary.
Plus: the sad tale of two lonely monarch butterflies spotted at Elwood Beach, stark evidence of the impending end of civilization and collapse of planet Earth.
All this and more, right here, right now on Newsmakers TV.
Check out our new episode via YouTube below or by clicking through this link. Our podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, or on Soundcloud here. TVSB, Channel 17, airs the show every weeknight at 5 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on weekends. KCSB, 91.9 FM, broadcasts the program at 5:30 p.m. on weekends.
Exceptional journalism here—bringing Tessa Veksler's torment to light is critically important for our times! The sheer courage it takes to confront these institutional failures after such harrasment is truly remarkable. These stories absolutely need to be told, espescially when universities systematically fail to protect students speaking their conscience. Your panel's deep analysis adds crucial context to understanding her ongoing struggle for justice. Keep up this vital and necessary work in our community!
JR, good stuff. Suggestion from the peanut gallery would be to have Tessa Veksler and her attorney on the show. Frankly, the allegations in her complaint deserve to get as much local media oxygen because they are much more troubling and salacious then what has been reported. Under the heading of Parks & Recs, we were thinking of using one of the great beachside city facilities for a cocktail party. We were told the minimum rental was 8 hours and while I have never been known to turn down a cocktail, I said that 8 hours was too long even for me and that 2 hours was more cocktail usual. “Sorry that’s our policy” was the response. IS it any wonder that the city is broke/you can’t make it up!