SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - A wildfire burning across Santa Rosa Island is prompting renewed concern for one of the world’s most limited ecosystems — a fragile grove of Torrey pines found almost nowhere else on Earth.

Early assessments indicate the grove remains largely intact as the fire moves more slowly downhill toward the ocean. But conservation scientists say the event is underscoring how quickly these isolated habitats can be put at risk — and why long-term recovery planning has been underway for years.

“What we worry about when the island burns is whether the soil seed bank will be sufficient to bring back those native plants,” said Heather Schneider with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

The fire is burning near areas where scientists previously collected Torrey pine seeds for conservation and restoration work — part of a broader effort to safeguard the species against catastrophic loss.

“We’ve been building resources and knowledge through years of study to help restore an island after a catastrophic event like this,” said Steve Windhager of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

He said decades of work on the Channel Islands have included biological surveys and seed collection to ensure rare populations are not lost entirely.

“We’ve been working on the islands for over 100 years, doing biological inventory and gathering seed to make sure these populations, even if they experience disaster, aren’t going to disappear from the planet,” Windhager said.

Researchers report that preparation is now proving critical. Seeds from the same Torrey pine grove were collected before the fire and are already stored for potential future restoration.

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - A wildfire burning across Santa Rosa Island is prompting renewed concern for one of the world’s most limited ecosystems — a fragile grove of Torrey pines found almost nowhere else on Earth.

Early assessments indicate the grove remains largely intact as the fire moves more slowly downhill toward the ocean. But conservation scientists say the event is underscoring how quickly these isolated habitats can be put at risk — and why long-term recovery planning has been underway for years.

“What we worry about when the island burns is whether the soil seed bank will be sufficient to bring back those native plants,” said Heather Schneider with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

The fire is burning near areas where scientists previously collected Torrey pine seeds for conservation and restoration work — part of a broader effort to safeguard the species against catastrophic loss.

“We’ve been building resources and knowledge through years of study to help restore an island after a catastrophic event like this,” said Steve Windhager of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

He said decades of work on the Channel Islands have included biological surveys and seed collection to ensure rare populations are not lost entirely.

“We’ve been working on the islands for over 100 years, doing biological inventory and gathering seed to make sure these populations, even if they experience disaster, aren’t going to disappear from the planet,” Windhager said.

Researchers report that preparation is now proving critical. Seeds from the same Torrey pine grove were collected before the fire and are already stored for potential future restoration.

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

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Por Holmes Lybrand, CNN

Los cargos penales contra Kilmar Ábrego García —el hombre que el Gobierno de Trump deportó a El Salvador el año pasado pese a una orden judicial que prohibía su expulsión al país— fueron desestimados por un juez federal en Tennessee, quien citó una “investigación viciada” por parte del ahora secretario de Justicia interino, Todd Blanche.

Cuando fue trasladado de regreso a Estados Unidos el año pasado, Ábrego García fue acusado de inmediato de dos cargos por presuntamente transportar a inmigrantes indocumentados en 2022. Sus abogados impugnaron los cargos, afirmando que debían desestimarse porque eran selectivos y vengativos debido a los errores públicos de la administración al deportar a Ábrego García.

“La evidencia objetiva aquí muestra que, de no ser por la demanda exitosa de Ábrego impugnando su expulsión a El Salvador, el Gobierno no habría presentado esta acusación”, escribió el juez Waverly Crenshaw en su opinión al desestimar los cargos este viernes.

El juez agregó que la investigación sobre la detención de tráfico de 2022 fue cerrada y que “solo después de que Ábrego lograra hacer valer sus derechos, el Poder Ejecutivo reabrió esa investigación”.

“La evidencia ante este Tribunal tristemente refleja un abuso del poder de la fiscalía”, escribió Crenshaw.

Después de que los funcionarios anunciaran el regreso de Ábrego García a Estados Unidos, Blanche dijo en Fox News ese mismo día que el Departamento de Justicia comenzó a investigarlo después de que un juez federal determinara, a principios de ese año, que había sido deportado indebidamente.

Los abogados de Ábrego García intentaron sin éxito que Blanche testificara en una audiencia probatoria del caso, y en su lugar se basaron en comentarios públicos hechos por él para demostrar que el Departamento de Justicia solo presentó el caso debido al error del Gobierno.

“Las palabras de Blanche confirman directamente que el Poder Ejecutivo reabrió la investigación penal porque el Poder Judicial exigió al Poder Ejecutivo facilitar el regreso de Ábrego desde El Salvador”, escribió el juez en su opinión de este viernes al desestimar los cargos.

Noticia en desarrollo…

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The post Juez desestima los cargos contra Kilmar Ábrego García y dice que Todd Blanche impulsó una “investigación viciada” appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The newest way to commute along the South Coast is getting rave reviews from riders on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner morning service.

“First of all, it’s the green initiative, we’re saving the planet. Second, it’s great for my pocketbook. And third, everyone I met was fantastic. It’s just a beautiful way to get to work,” said Rachel Gomez, a Cottage Hospital employee who told Your News Channel she paid just five dollars for her ride from Ventura.

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Executive Director Marjie Kirn joined Your Morning News to talk all things travel.

Passenger rail service between Ventura and Goleta is funded in part by Measure A, aimed at reducing congestion on Highway 101 and providing alternatives to driving. The program is administered by SBCAG.

“With Measure A support, we’re delivering on what voters asked for, more options for commuting, school, and everyday travel,” said Kirn.

The expanded morning service gives commuters more peak-hour options and added flexibility in their daily schedules. Whether you’re heading to work, going to class, or planning a day trip, the line is making train travel a more convenient part of the day.

And once you arrive, getting to your final destination is easy. Free shuttles connect riders to key spots in Goleta and Santa Barbara, you just need your train ticket to board.

For some passengers, the ride is more than just a commute, it’s productive time. One Ventura rider was already on the clock, getting a head start on her workday while taking in the coastal views.

“I can start my workday on the train, open my laptop and go through emails right away,” said Santa Barbara city worker Ashley Lopez.

Lopez says the experience has also made a difference in her well-being.

“This was good for my mental health. I didn’t have to sit in traffic, it made coming to work way more enjoyable. And I’ll take the train back home to Ventura.”

So if you’re tired of sitting in traffic on Highway 101 and looking to save money, and reduce your carbon footprint, the new Pacific Surfliner morning service might be worth a try.

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