January 10, 2026

		

Jorge Mercado

Jorge Mercado is a staff writer with the Business Times. His beats include technology, agriculture, cannabis, energy and the environment, and higher education.


| Wednesday, November 19th, 2025

Hardy Diagnostics founder retires after 45 years

Latest news, Santa Barbara County, Technology, Top Stories, Top Story

It has been more than four decades since Jay Hardy first founded his manufacturing company, Hardy Diagnostics, in Santa Maria, and along the way, there have been a slew of victories. But after 45 years, Hardy decided to take a step back.  Announced Nov. 19, Hardy officially announced he has stepped down as founder and Read More →

| Monday, November 17th, 2025

Calavo announces CEO succession plans

Agribusiness, Latest news, Subscriber content, Tri-County Public Companies

Santa Paula-based Calavo Growers announced that Lee Cole will retire as president and CEO on Dec. 8, and has appointed John Lindeman, a member of Calavo’s Board of Directors and former Calavo CFO, to succeed him. This was Cole’s second stint as CEO, as his first go-round was from 1999 until 2020, and he also Read More →

| Saturday, November 15th, 2025

Earnings roundup

Central Coast, Earnings, Latest news, Subscriber content, Technology, Tri-County Public Companies

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| Saturday, November 15th, 2025

UCSB joins NSF’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory

Higher Education, Latest news, Santa Barbara County, Subscriber content, Technology

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| Friday, November 14th, 2025

TTD reports strong Q3 to stabilize stock

Earnings, Latest news, Subscriber content, Technology, Tri-County Public Companies, Ventura County

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| Sunday, November 9th, 2025

Kate Farms expands selection at Walmart

Columns, Latest news, Retailing, Santa Barbara County

Goleta-based Kate Farms, a plant-based brand, has expanded its retail footprint for its newest High Protein Nutrition Shake, now available on shelves in select Walmart stores and on Walmart.com, according to a Nov. 10 press release.  “We’re excited to bring our High Protein Nutrition Shakes to Walmart and make high-quality, plant-based nutrition even more accessible,” Read More →

| Friday, November 7th, 2025

Street smarts: Santa Maria Regional Transit achieves fully electric fleet

Central Coast, Columns, Latest news, Nonprofits, Subscriber content, Tourism

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