The Santa Barbara News-Press, led by General Manager William Belfiore and Editor Joshua Molina, relaunched its website and is loading up on strong local news from the people who know Santa Barbara best.
A deep report by former longtime Santa Barbara News-Press reporter Tom Schultz explores why more and bigger SpaceX launches are coming to Santa Barbara County by way of nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base.
An update from investigative reporting veteran Melinda Burns shows help is on the way for the rural Cuyama Valley’s embattled small farmers.
An in-depth story by statewide immigration reporter Lillian Perlmutter reveals the fear ICE has injected into the community as well as the groundswell of support for local residents.
Plus, a new “Voices” section features letters, op-eds and guest columns. Free obituaries on the site will honor and remember community members. Regular vertical video reporting is published on both the News-Press’ social media and website and captures the important news of the day. Podcasts give people the opportunity to hear from newsmakers.
The News-Press is a masterclass in the power of community. Over a year ago, Santa Barbara County residents united to acquire the archives of the 155-year old daily and donate them to NEWSWELL. The storied newspaper had gone into bankruptcy under a previous owner and was under threat of purchase by an offshore company.
NEWSWELL held listening sessions, conducted a community survey and a landscape analysis. Belfiore and Molina are drawing on that community listening to inform their strategy as they work together to lead the refounding of the News-Press.
The News-Press’ web design updates were led by NEWSWELL’s director of product and innovation, Sapna Satagopan, and countless other NEWSWELL team members helped with newsletters, editorial support, recruitment, finance and marketing materials.
This is how it works.
Local journalists lead their newsrooms. NEWSWELL provides back-end support. Communities win.
This update originally appeared in our Feb. 13, 2026, newsletter. This version has been lightly edited for clarity.