Author: KEYT

Jarrod Zinn

LOS ALAMOS, Calif. (KEYT) – People are helping raise funds for a Los Alamos couple adopting fraternal twins due for birth in about a month.

There are some incredible parallels in this story.

A Spotfund page was put together by a friend of Nick and Cassie Conforti of Los Alamos.

“She wanted us to share our story and give us this amazing opportunity,” says Cassie.

Nick and Cassie had been unsuccessful at having children and were thinking about adopting when Cassie’s sister got in touch.

“We have always kind of had a heart for adoption, but it wasn’t something that we were actively looking into,” says Nick Conforti. “Cassie’s sister is in a tough position and found out she was pregnant with fraternal twins. Boy and girl.”

Cassie says her sister told her she considered an abortion in the very early stages, but decided to reach out for help instead.

The twins have an estimated due date of June 4th.

Nick and Cassie will adopt them at birth.

“We weren’t necessarily prepared for something like this,” says Nick. “And it’s a life changing situation, but we believe we are called to do this and, to give these kids a good life as best we can.”

The twist: Nick’s mother Lynne was adopted when she was young and in her thirties was re-united with her siblings, including a fraternal twin brother.

Lynne died June 4th, 2025 of cancer.

“We got some great time with my mom, and we know she would be fully on board with this,” says Nick.

Cassie’s sister’s twins are expected one year to the day after lynne’s passing.

“It doesn’t seem like a coincidence,” says Cassie.

Anyone is welcome to donate, and their SpotFund page can be found by clicking this link.

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Dave Alley

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – The 32nd Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival begins Thursday night with a pair of shows inside the recently reopened Fremont Theater.

The popular event will run for six days through Tuesday, April 28 and include more than 100 narrative features, short films, documentary features and shorts, music videos and festival favorites from over 25 countries.

As in the past, the historic Fremont Theater on Monterey Street in downtown San Luis Obispo will be the showcase venue.

After sustaining major damage to its iconic tower sign during a storm in mid-February, the theater was closed for several weeks, casting doubt on its availability for the film festival.

However, the theater was allowed to reopen on April 8 after the City of San Luis Obispo reinstated the building’s Certificate of Occupancy.

“It was it was very timely to get it reopened for the film festival,” said Fremont Theater owner Rob Rossi. “I think everyone was working hard to achieve that and we’re pleased. We look forward to a very, beneficial film festival this year.”

In addition to the Fremont Theater, the Palm Theatre, Downtown Downtown Centre Cinemas and SLO Masonic Lodge will also serve as venues for the event.

This year’s film lineup, is led by the Opening Night selection of the documentary about tennis legend Billy Jean King, Give Me The Ball!, and Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, as the Closing Night selection.

Also showing at the festival includes the annual Surf Nite, the popular Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase, Cal Poly Short Cuts, Music Video Showcase, Community of Skate, as well as many other short films.

For more information about the 32nd Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, click here to visit the official SLOIFF website.

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Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

Citrus Coast League Baseball:

Carpinteria 3, Malibu 0: Dallas Bartholic pitched a complete game 4-hit shutout as the Warriors moved into third place in league with a 5-4 record. Brayden Real delivered a 2-run first inning single as Carp improved to 13-5 overall.

Santa Paula 9, Fillmore 0: Isaac Medina pitches a complete game shutout for the Cardinals who move to 9-2 in the league standings.

Channel League Baseball:

San Marcos 9, Pacifica 3: Quinn Melton slugged a home run for the third straight game as the Royals have opened up a 2-game lead in league. San Marcos has won 5 straight league games to move to 9-2 in league and 15-9 overall.

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Mike Klan

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) – Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos are about as even as it gets in boys tennis.

The two teams were tied on sets 9-9 but the visiting Dons prevailed on games won 78-67 and the victory gives Santa Barbara a share of the Channel League title with DP. Earlier in the season the Chargers won at Santa Barbara 10-8.

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) The Santa Barbara Fair & Expo has a new theme this year.

“Your Beach Town Fair” is the theme.

A preview night took place on Wednesday for local leaders and supporters of the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Some of the big rides are visible from the 101 freeway.

Going to the fair the evening before it officially opens is a thrill.

“I’d rather be here than stay home, it is such an opportunity for me and I like all the ride they inspire me,” said Grace McCann, ” I like the swing right here they are really fun and I also like Turbo.”

Fairgoer and teacher Summer Calvert soaked it all in with some students.

“I think it is fun for the whole family, there is face painting, food and rides and games and this year they are having the events inside with all of the crocheting and pies, all of the things that people can compete in, it is really fun,” said Calvert.

For 7 days, over two long weekends, fairgoers are encouraged to try their luck at the carnival games, taste fair food or enjoy the ups and downs of rides.

Fairgoers can save money by buying wristbands in advance that are good for unlimited rides.

During the preview night guests had a chance to check out posters showing Earl Warren vision plan options.

Earl Warren Showgrounds CEO Ben Sprague said the vision includes multi-use sports fields, and a convention-style center for affordable event and meeting space .

“The fair only comes once a year, two weekends a year, but what else can we do throughout the year, we just want to do the best job of bringing Santa Barbara together that we can,” said Sprague.

Butler Amusements has placed photos opportunities throughout the fairgrounds to allow fairgoers to capture their memories with friends, family and even coworkers.

For ticket information visit: http://earlwarren.com

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Tracy Lehr

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Santa Barbara Airport and Alaska Airlines have teamed up to offer two flights a day to and from San Diego.

The first flight landed on April 22.

They surprised the first passengers with a celebration that included Three Cubs Cookies and Rori’s Artisanal ice cream.

They also received airport souvenirs.

Roller Skaters from Skate 05 welcomed them, too.

“I was very surprised, absolutely, it is a very short flight, it was wonderful but not until we landed were we told we were on the first flight,” said Jay Minert of San Diego.

Airport Director Chis Hastert said business is good.

“Today one of our partners Alaska Airlines that flies to Seattle and Portland has added San Diego service two times a day and what you might not know about Alaska, there’s a ton of connections out of there and they are One World partners so we are super exited for our tourism Industry and our business travelers or just a weekend away in Santa Diego.”

One business traveler who owns CalPrivate Bank told his colleagues there to greet him that they were in the air for only 36 minutes.

The airport recently added nonstop flights to Chicago.

More flights will be added in August.

For more information visit https://www.sba.gov

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Alissa Orozco

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – LIVE from TV Hill, Old Spanish Days will be revealed their “Fiesta Forever!” poster for the 2026 Fiesta celebrations.

News Channel’s John Palminteri was joined by El Presidente Colin Hayward, El Tesorero David Bolton, and poster artist Pedro De La Cruz to do the grand reveal.

The upcoming warmer months are jam-packed with Fiesta traditions, events, and celebrations ahead of the official week. On May 2nd, Jenna Ramirez and Penelope Hernandez will perform their first dance as Spirits of Fiesta at La Primavera.

2026 Old Spanish Days Poster by artist Pedro De Le Cruz

The poster will have a special metal plate version that will be a one-of-a kind collectors item available through a live auction at the event in the El Paseo Restaurant.

Posters and pins will be available citywide starting in May.

Old Spanish Days will also host the first ever dog parade, taking place Saturday, May 18th at De La Guerra Plaza. Reservations are being taken now. The route will be from De la Guerra Plaza to Canon Perdido Street and down to the Paseo Nuevo Mall. There will also be a photo and poetry contest. You can find a complete list of events here.

June comes with Fiesta Ranchera at Rancho La Patera and Stow House in Goleta. It will feature live performances, food, music and special announcements about Fiesta 2026.

Old Spanish Days Fiesta 2026 takes place August 5 – 9.

Opening night ceremonies will take place in the traditional historic location on the steps of the Old Mission and televised on News Channel 3-12.

El Desfile Historico, the Fiesta Parade, will take place on Cabrillo Blvd. at noon on August 8. About 500 horses are expected to be in the event.

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Allison Winslow

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – A local robotics team, “Team Octobots” – comprised of Santa Barbara County high school students – took home second place at the FIRST Robotics Southern California State Championship in Anaheim earlier this month.

Over 30 high school students battled their way to the finals, beating out higher seated teams. They lost only to the third globally ranked “Team High Tide.”

In a press release, team captain and Dos Pueblos High School senior, Zeo Pereira, shared what this win means to him.

“That moment meant a lot to me, especially after a season of early mornings on school nights, up until 3:00am at robotics, and then back to school at 9:00am for several days at a time. It was a big mental battle. I’m proud of the growth our team has shown.”

Now, the team is turning its sights to the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas, set for April 28-May 2. The call has gone out for community help in getting all team members to the competition. The team hopes to raise $50,000 dollars to cover the travel costs.

If you would like to support the team, visit their Give Butter page to make a donation.

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Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Light is getting smaller, and far more powerful.

Researchers are developing LEDs so tiny they’re nearly invisible, yet capable of doing work once reserved for lasers.

“The fundamental idea is to take an LED … replace things like lasers, but also try to make displays better. Make AR displays more efficient make your lighting more efficient,” said doctoral student Roark Chao of UC Santa Barbara.

This breakthrough could change how massive amounts of information move through servers powering AI and cloud systems.

The technology is still evolving, but the impact is already coming into focus.

Unlike traditional systems, these devices push out more usable light while wasting less energy.

Researchers also found stronger performance, improved direction, and a sharper beam — all from something barely visible to the eye.

“It’ll be a huge improvement for everybody in lighting in the future of energy conception everything,” said analyst Yukina Warner of UC Santa Barbara.

The same technology could soon power faster data, thinner screens, and entirely new digital experiences.

From lab concept to real-world impact, the pace of progress is accelerating.

And in a world demanding more speed and less energy, the smallest innovations may carry the biggest weight.

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John Palminteri

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The newest commuter train service between Ventura County and Goleta is set to roll on May 4th.

It’s been years in the planning by local leaders and transportation agencies before this latest concept picked up enough steam to create a workable schedule to and from locations where thousands of employees travel on weekdays.

The plan had to fit the most common shifts and currently workers can make it in from, for example, Oxnard to Santa Barbara and Goleta jobs by about 8 a.m.

The goal is to reduce peak hour congestion which has been frustrating for thousands of commuters for years. On many weekdays the freeway speeds through Carpinteria to Santa Barbara go down to 10-20 miles per hour.

A special meeting was held with agencies including the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), Metropolitan Transit District (MTD), The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency and BCycle. About 200 participants registered for the event at the Hilton Garden Inn in Goleta.

During the session, they broke out into groups to go deeper into their concerns and challenges to get employees out of their cars and on to a train.

Incentives suggested included free or reduced transportation from the train stops to their work places. They also wanted to see if employers would pay employees to work on the train via the online web resources. Essentially that would have them on the clock.

Offering free coffee and meals was also a perk.

The commuter route would originate in Simi Valley at 6:15 a.m. with stops in Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta ending at 8:11 a.m.

Those who need bus service from Santa Barbara would get it for free with their train ticket. Large buses will make stops by the County Administration Building, the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Cottage Hospitals. There would also be buses for the Hollister Ave. corridor in Goleta which has thousands of employees many in the tech industry.

Adding a commuter train to the travel options for workers in Ventura County who commute to Santa Barbara and Goleta has been a lengthy process which almost included Metrolink extending up to Santa Barbara for the first time. That option started and stopped but the time slot on the tracks was still available from Union Pacific which owns and maintains the tracks. It provides access for passenger rail service such as the Pacific Surfliner and with that additional train

As the owner, Union Pacific controls freight traffic as a priority and manages access for passenger rail services like Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner.

For more information go to: SBCAG

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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