Santa Barbara News-Press Trial Will Begin April 2027
A bankruptcy judge set the trial date for April 14, 2027, to resolve ownership claims over the newspaper's facilities.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Debt Relief
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Bankruptcy Judge Ronald A. Clifford III has set a trial date for April 14, 2027, in the ongoing Santa Barbara News-Press bankruptcy case. The proceeding will determine whether the publication's printing plant and building remain part of the bankruptcy estate.
Why it matters
The trial is critical to settling a $3.6 million creditor claim filed by the National Labor Relations Board. It will resolve the legal standing of property assets transferred by Wendy McCaw from Ampersand to herself in 2014.
Judge Clifford ordered Wendy McCaw to pay $8,500 in attorney fees, a reduction from the $25,000 requested by the trustee. The National Labor Relations Board previously established a $3.6 million liability for debts owed to former employees.
The players
Ronald A. Clifford III
He is the bankruptcy judge presiding over the Santa Barbara News-Press case.
Wendy McCaw
She is the former owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press who faces personal liability claims.
National Labor Relations Board
This federal agency filed a $3.6 million creditor claim against the newspaper's bankruptcy estate.
The details
The court also mandated that any future depositions of Wendy McCaw must take place in Los Angeles rather than Santa Barbara. Motions for summary judgment in the case are scheduled for January 27, 2027.
Timeline
2014: Wendy McCaw transferred ownership of the newspaper buildings to herself.
April 2026: A deposition of Wendy McCaw took place in Santa Barbara.
June 2026: The NLRB found Wendy McCaw personally liable for debts to former employees.
October 7, 2026: Judge Clifford heard motions regarding attorney fees.
April 14, 2027: The court scheduled the bankruptcy trial to commence.
Market Dynamics
The bankruptcy proceedings underscore the complex intersection of corporate asset transfers and labor liabilities. This case reflects a broader trend where bankruptcy courts must untangle past ownership shifts when significant regulatory creditor claims are involved.
The trial will dictate how the $3.6 million claim is settled, which directly impacts the recovery prospects for creditors involved in the estate. Stakeholders are monitoring the outcome to see if the property assets are returned to the estate for distribution.
The takeaway
The upcoming trial marks a pivotal moment in the legal dissolution of the publication, as it seeks to clarify the ownership of remaining real estate assets. Creditors and former employees will look to these proceedings to determine the scope of funds available for potential repayment.
What happens next
The court will hear motions for summary judgment on January 27, 2027, ahead of the scheduled trial date.
Further reading
For additional context, see the latest updates on Debt Relief.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Santa Barbara Independent.
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