KCLU Radio

12/24/2025

The first wave of the atmospheric river is expected Tuesday night and Wednesday, with a second wave on Christmas Day. A flood watch is in effect for the entire region.

Storm set the stage for potential street flooding, debris flows in wildfire burn zones.

12/24/2025

Low and middle-income Tri-Counties residents could face higher health care costs due to what could be the end of federal tax credits. Altman is urging people using Covered California to do some research to determine how to cope with the situation. She says they are also working to increase enrollment.

We hear from Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman about the impacts of at least the temporary end of federal tax credits.

12/23/2025

The show also features high-flying cirque performers, plenty of jokes, and a modern soundtrack of Christmas classics. ‘A Magical Cirque Christmas’ is at the Fred Kavli Theater in Thousand Oaks on December 29.

'A Magical Cirque Christmas' is a holiday variety show suitable for all ages, featuring everything from gravity-defying acrobatics to heartwarming magic.

12/23/2025

The bill adds cancer-related disability and death benefits for firefighters. It also covers specific types of work-related cancer deaths. The law is also retroactive.

The legislation expands aid for firefighters who have work-related cancers.

12/22/2025

A Joro Spider was spotted lurking in the landscaping at a local Santa Barbara business. It’s now in a specimen jar at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. It’s usually found throughout southeastern Asia, Indonesia, and parts of China and is harmless to humans.

It's the first time a Joro spider has been sighted west of the Great Plains.

12/19/2025

Here's one of the top stories KCLU covered this week:

More than a dozen giant, painted fiberglass rabbits have popped up all over the Conejo Valley, in front of public places and businesses. They serve as the centerpiece of an unusual, ongoing art project.

"It's a public art project that started in 2014. They're just a whimsical sculpture to enjoy, and proceeds from the rabbits go to support people with arts programming," said Janis Wise of Art Trek, which sponsors the Conejo Cottontail project along with the valley’s Arts Council.

The rabbits stand 5 feet 6 inches tall, and each has a different look, thanks to the artists commissioned to create them.

We recently visited Racer Rabbit, located outside the Conejo Valley Auto Center in Newbury Park.

For this story and more visit kclu.org

12/19/2025

The first of two systems is expected to arrive on Tuesday and could bring up to an inch of rain to the Central Coast and a half-inch to the South Coast. A second, larger storm arrives on Christmas Eve.

Meteorologists say the Tri-Counties could have 2-4" of rain in coastal and inland areas, with up to 6" in the mountains.

12/19/2025

The new training facility features booths where students can gain hands-on experience under the guidance of welding instructors. The nationally recognized certifications gained at the center will create opportunities for potentially lucrative careers in welding.

A new state-of-the-art facility has opened, which will instruct and certify upcoming welders.

12/18/2025

The U.S. Department of Transportation notified Sable that it recognizes the pipeline as something it would regulate. It remains unclear whether the federal action clears the way for the pipeline to resume operations.

It's the latest twist in efforts by Sable Offshore Corporation to restart the oil pipeline, which ruptured on the Gaviota Coast in 2015.

12/18/2025

Supervisors voted 3 to 1 against the transfer. The issue was up for a final vote earlier this week.

One of the no votes was a supervisor who has traditionally supported oil projects. "There's just too much evidence in the record that shows a pattern of non-compliance, and either ignorance of our rules, or just blatant disregard," said Steve Lavagnino.

Santa Barbara County Supervisors rejected an ownership transfer of oil facilities to Sable Offshore Corporation, a decision that affects their operating permits.

12/18/2025

Over the years, the number of rabbit artworks in the Conejo Valley has multiplied like...well, rabbits. The fiberglass rabbits stand 5 feet 6 inches tall, and each one of the more than two dozen in the community has a different look, thanks to the artists commissioned to create them.

More than two dozen giant fiberglass rabbits are on display in the community, and each one is unique thanks to the artists who created them.

12/18/2025

Hillside’s annual display of more than 50,000 holiday lights focuses on illuminating residents’ abilities and sharing who they are and what they can do. The family-friendly event is on Veronica Springs Road in Santa Barbara, daily after sunset until December 31.

More than 50,000 holiday lights are on display at a nonprofit organization that provides a supportive living environment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Santa Barbara.