A vehicle caught fire on Highway 101, just five miles north of Cal Poly’s campus at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, sparking a fire. It grew to 33 acres and is 20% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire is no longer actively burning. Cal Fire issued a mandatory evacuation order for areas in the northern Los […]
Author Archives: Sam Fickett
Sam Fickett is the ASI beat reporter and general assignment reporter with Mustang News. She is also a third-year Journalism student with a Global Politics minor at Cal Poly. She strives to produce trustworthy political journalism that unites audiences across the world. She is from the Los Angeles area and focuses her writing on politics, campus life, the environment, and more. In her free time, Sam enjoys exploring the Central Coast, reading, and watching Studio Ghibli movies.
Posted inNews
Cal Poly ranks No. 1 for student outcomes and No. 10 overall among public universities in TIME list
Cal Poly was ranked No. 10 among public universities and No. 38 overall in TIME magazine’s inaugural “America’s Best Colleges of 2026-2027” rankings.
Posted inNews
Dolly Parton, frequent Madonna Inn visitor, dies at 80
Country music icon Dolly Parton died at age 80, prompting several San Luis Obispo businesses to honor her legacy through tributes and charitable acts.
Posted inNews
One year since Armstrong appeared in Congress: How has Cal Poly’s response to antisemitism changed?
Cal Poly has updated its policies and training to combat antisemitism, but the Anti-Defamation League has given the university a “D” grade due to several incidents, including an assault on a Jewish fraternity member, and the administration’s response to pro-Palestinian vandalism.
Posted inFeatures
United by food: Cal Poly’s students of color build community through cuisine
The SLO Asian Market has been a staple for Cal Poly’s Asian students and cultural events for 36 years, providing a hub for students to find ingredients and advice for their cultural dishes and events.
Posted inFeatures
A behind-the-scenes look at Tanner Schinderle’s campaign for ASI president
Tanner Schinderle won the ASI presidential election at Cal Poly with 4,103 votes, promising to continue the work of affordability, resources, community action and student voices.
Posted inNews
Cal Poly’s Green Campus launches free thrift pop-up to meet basic needs
Cal Poly’s Green Campus team has opened an on-campus thrift store, “The Loop,” offering free clothing, kitchenware, household items, school supplies and more to students, faculty and staff, in an effort to make sustainable shopping more accessible and affordable.
Posted inen Español
Misma alma, nueva energĂa: El segundo anual SLO EarthFest habla de soluciones comunitarias climáticas
Find the English version here. Traducido por Alexa Soto-Rios. El parque de Santa Rosa estaba vivo con los sonidos de mĂşsica funk-rock, las risas de los niños y la carne chisporroteante de los vengadores locales durante la celebraciĂłn anual de San Luis Obispo EarthFest el sábado. Familias giraron y bailaron descalzadas en el pasto a […]
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Tanner Schinderle elected ASI president for 2026-27
Tanner Schinderle was elected as the ASI President for the 2026-27 academic year, running on a platform of affordability, resources, community, and action, and promising to lower the cost of student life and expand campus resources.
Posted inNews
Same soul, new energy: 2nd annual SLO EarthFest talks community climate solutions
San Luis Obispo’s annual EarthFest celebration featured live music, educational booths, and activities promoting climate solutions, with the SLO Climate Coalition encouraging community members to take action for climate initiatives.
Posted inNews
GUIDE: Here are this year’s candidates for ASI Board of Directors
Cal Poly students are voting for their Board of Directors and ASI President, with candidates focusing on increasing diversity, transparency, mental health and access to resources.