Guest commentary: Santa Barbara’s Coastal Intelligence is redefining tech community
By Starr Hall In a world where most AI conversations occur behind screens, in data centers, or on Zoom calls, a new wave of collaboration is quietly unfolding in Santa Barbara, marked by handshakes, laughter, and genuine eye contact. Coastal Intelligence, founded by longtime community builders Jim Sterne, Mark Sylvester, and Mike Wald, is creating Read More →
Guest commentary: Changes in estate laws mean it’s time to streamline your trust
By F.T. “Ted” Muegenburg Less than 1% of estates are subject to estate tax – sometimes called “death tax” — under the current exemption limit of $13,990,00, but come January 1, 2026, the Estate, Gift Tax and Generation Skipping Tax Exemptions will bump up further to $15 million. This means even more people will take Read More →
Guest commentary: Debt is reaching new highs throughout the U.S.
By John Grace Do you remember the good old days when a road trip meant questionable snacks, blaring mixtapes, and kids bouncing around the back seat like ping pong balls? Then, one day, the seatbelt law hit, and the family rebellion began. You had to threaten, “Put that seatbelt on, or we’re not going anywhere!” Read More →
Guest commentary: Tips to help active duty military navigate finances as civilians
By Darrin Gauvin Bank of America / United States Air Force Staff Sergeant The Tri-counties are home to major military bases — land, sea, and air — that bring a significant number of active-duty military to reside here. Having banked both the U.S. Military and the Central Coast for over a century, Bank of America Read More →
Guest commentary: Population trends threatening U.S. prosperity
By Vlad Vaiman In recent years, birth rates dropping well below replacement levels has caused a worldwide seismic demographic change. Despite increased life expectancy, many nations — including the United States — are currently seeing a fast demographic transition toward “youth scarcity,” where fewer young people must sustain a fast-growing retiree population. Historically, global social and economic systems have relied on a steadily rising Read More →
Guest commentary: Santa Barbara is quietly building the future of Artificial Intelligence
By Starr Hall While Silicon Valley often dominates the headlines, the real story of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation is quietly taking root on the Central Coast, from Ventura to San Luis Obispo. Local startups are using AI to tackle real-world business challenges, ranging from marketing and customer feedback tocybersecurity, and even sustainability efforts. These diverse applications of AI are reshaping industries and Read More →
Guest commentary: The housing bubble is losing air
By John Grace We all know no one can predict the future. If we could, we’d all be sipping piña coladas in our beachside mansions bought with Bitcoin in 2012. Instead, we’re squinting at the horizon like financially anxious meerkats, trying to guess how the economic wind is blowing. It’s a lot like driving while Read More →
