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Mee Heng Low to reopen as social club and pop-up space
The historic Mee Heng Low restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo will reopen as a social club featuring pop-up dining…
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Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market closed tonight due to gas leak
An emergency gas leak at Mission Mall forced the cancellation of tonight’s Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market and prompted police to…
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League of Women Voters San Luis Obispo launches new Student Vote SLO initiative
The League of Women Voters in San Luis Obispo launched its Student Vote Initiative to educate Cal Poly and Cuesta…
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Department of Education removes Title IX amendments made by Biden administration
The U.S. Department of Education reinstated the 2020 Title IX regulations, effectively removing the Biden administration’s expanded protections regarding gender…
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Campus Dining chef wins national baking challenge
Executive Chef Darrell Janes won first place in the Pacific Northwest Canned Pear Service’s CAN DO Challenge for his submission…
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The Haven opens second location in former Fred and Betty’s storefront
Arroyo Grande-based thrift store The Haven held a soft opening for its second location in downtown San Luis Obispo on…
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Cal Poly Athletics launches new philanthropy program
Cal Poly Athletics launched The Stampede, a new philanthropy program designed to provide direct funding for various sports through tiered…
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New partnership to provide up to 15 scholarships to first-generation students
Cal Poly will partner with College Track starting in the 2026-2027 academic year to provide ten to 15 first-generation scholars…
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BETWEEN FRIENDS to perform at free ASI concert
The musical duo BETWEEN FRIENDS is scheduled to perform a DJ set at the Cal Poly Recreation Center on Oct.…
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Watch: Students and professors describe how they adapted to semester transition
Cal Poly’s transition from a quarter to a semester system has created mixed outcomes for students and faculty, ranging from…
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Cal Poly named Best in the West for fourth year in a row
Cal Poly was ranked as the best overall public and private master’s-level university in the West by U.S. News and…
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Students relocated to Poly Canyon Village apartments after delays in new housing construction
Cal Poly relocated several transfer and continuing students to overcrowded Poly Canyon Village apartments due to construction delays at the…
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After stepping down as head of Trump Media, former CEO Devin Nunes opens a wine bar in Pismo
Former Republican congressman Devin Nunes launched a wine tasting business in Pismo Beach following his resignation as CEO of Trump…
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State Coastal Conservancy approves $5 million grant for Northern Chumash land acquisition
The California State Coastal Conservancy approved a $5 million grant to assist the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini nonprofit in…
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New food-delivery robots come to Cal Poly
Audio story by Gabby Gerster Cal Poly is partnering with AV Ride to bring new Grubhub robots to campus. In…
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San Luis Obispo opens ballot drop boxes early for November election
San Luis Obispo County will open ballot drop boxes on Oct. 1 and begin mailing ballot packets ahead of schedule…
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Back2Bass comeback event fosters connection between Cal Poly clubs and progressive EDM
Cal Poly alumnus Bryan Lai hosted the Back2Bass Comeback event on September 12, featuring local DJs and Cal Poly’s United…
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PG&E is set to pay San Luis Obispo County $16 million to offset the effects of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant
PG&E has voluntarily agreed to pay San Luis Obispo County $16 million through 2027 to compensate for discontinued unitary taxes…
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107 degrees, no air conditioning: Cal Poly struggles through heat wave
A recent record-breaking heat wave at Cal Poly highlighted critical gaps in campus air conditioning, prompting discussions among students and…
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Students manage early grape harvest for Cal Poly wine production
Cal Poly students are gaining hands-on experience in the meticulous process of making wine following an early grape harvest at…
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Newsom explores an AI ‘kill switch’ through executive order
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Sept. 18 to increase oversight of powerful artificial intelligence systems and…
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West Campus development decision postponed by Cal Poly President Armstrong
Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong announced he will postpone a decision regarding the proposed West Campus development plan, which includes…
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San Luis Obispo adopts new confidentiality policies for elected officials
San Luis Obispo City Council members unanimously decided to adapt confidentiality policies for elected officials on Sept. 15. Elected officials…
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Cal Poly football’s live mascot tradition continues with Chase II
Cal Poly retired Chase, the university’s live mascot who ran onto the field before home football games for a decade.…
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Kennedy Library remodel featured in American Library Association’s 2026 Library Design Showcase
Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library was featured in the 2026 American Libraries Magazine Library Design Showcase following a $78 million renovation…
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Cal Poly Rose Float team announces 2027 theme, “Soaring as One”
The Cal Poly Rose Float team revealed “Soaring as One” as their 78th Rose Parade float theme. The Tournament of…
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Paint the Plaza brings chalk art and community back to Mission Plaza
The Paint the Plaza community chalk-art festival recently took place at Mission Plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo, reviving a…
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City Council unanimously endorses plan that could replace local ambulance company with a national private business
The San Luis Obispo City Council unanimously endorsed a proposal that would allow the City of Paso Robles to have…
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Second annual San Luis Obispo County high school voter registration competition begins
San Luis Obispo County has launched its second high school voter registration competition, extending the contest to five weeks to…
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Cal Poly meal plan recalculation changes CalFresh eligibility
An annual analysis by Cal Poly found that several meal plans provide enough weekly meals to disqualify students from receiving…
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Local News
Mark S. Reuling Volleyball Tournament honors alumnus, promotes mental health awareness
The annual tournament honors Cal Poly alumnus Mark S. Reuling while connecting students with mental health resources and conversations on campus.
San Luis Obispo Gem and Mineral Club hosts annual gem showcase
The San Luis Obispo Gem and Mineral Club held its annual Gems by the Sea show from September 26 to 27 at the Alex Madonna Expo Center.
Drink lids and drug tests: A new California act aims to keep bars safer
Gov. Newsom signed a law removing the expiration date for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, requiring bars and nightclubs to provide drink lids and drug-testing kits at little to no cost while posting product stock online.
Taqueria San Miguel hosts a weekly rush of students during Taco Tuesday
Every Tuesday, students line up by the dozens, chattering, laughing and preparing their selections for the evening. “It’s close to campus, everybody loves it,” third-year architecture major Tyler Craven said, alongside his roommate and friend. Taqueria San Miguel is a staple in the Cal Poly community, serving as a local hotspot for the beloved Taco…
What the Protect College Sports Act could mean for Cal Poly
The Senate-approved bill could expand athlete compensation while creating national rules for NIL, transfers and eligibility across college sports.
California’s Community News Act could financially support local newsrooms
Governor Newsom is scheduled to sign the Community News Act by today’s deadline, a bill designed to provide refundable tax credits to California newsrooms to combat declining local journalism employment.
Intense heat creates challenges in Cal Poly classrooms without air conditioning
Students and faculty at Cal Poly reported difficulties attending classes due to extreme heat and inadequate air conditioning during a recent weather warning.
California’s Get The Feds Out Act would create stricter hiring processes for former ICE employees
Governor Newsom has two days remaining to decide whether to sign the Get The Feds Out Act, a bill that would implement stricter hiring suitability reviews for former ICE officers seeking public employment in California.
Former Arroyo Grande mayoral candidate found guilty of voter fraud
Former local mayoral and county clerk-recorder candidate, Gaea Powell, was found guilty of eight felonies and one misdemeanor, following a trial that ended Sept. 18. The former business consultant was charged with several counts of election and voter fraud from the 2022 and 2024 Arroyo Grande mayoral elections. She ran for the 2026 San Luis…
Fast-moving fire five miles north of Cal Poly reaches 33 acres
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…
Activists Protest Chevron over Its Role in Israel’s Natural Gas Industry
Protesters in San Luis Obispo joined a global boycott of Chevron to demonstrate against the company’s involvement in Israel’s natural gas industry and express solidarity with Palestine.
Downtown San Luis Obispo movie theater closed temporarily amid renovations
Audio story by Gabby Gerster. The Movie Experience SLO announced they will be temporarily closed until further notice due to its snack bar renovations, according to their Instagram. The theater will reopen in time for the holiday season, according to their Instagram. The only showtimes available on the theater’s website are Oct. 3 for a…
Supreme Court blocks Trump executive order on mail-in voting restrictions
The Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s emergency request to implement mail-in ballot restrictions, leaving the existing vote-by-mail process unchanged for the upcoming election.
Kennedy Library renovation recognized for new resources and expansion of community spaces
Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library received the Merit Award at the 2026 AIA San Diego Design Awards following a $78 million renovation that transformed the facility into a sustainable student hub.
Baby Rose to perform at free ASI concert
ASI will bring Baby Rose to perform a free concert for students on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The concert will take place in the Performing Arts Center from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be free for students, according to ASI. Students interested in attending Rose’s performance can register for tickets on the PAC Ticket…
San Luis Obispo County approved $167,000 of opioid settlement money to address kratom addiction. Here’s why.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Advisors approved spending $167,000 of opioid settlement money to address kratom addiction during its meeting on Sept. 1. The money will fund the salary of an additional program coordinator for the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department, who is tasked with reducing addiction to kratom, which…
Student reported to have fainted in Cal Poly classroom during heatwave
Extremely high temperatures in San Luis Obispo caused one student to faint in class on Wednesday, Sept. 9. University spokesperson Keegan Koberl confirmed to Mustang News that only one student was reported to have fainted due to the heatwave. However, other students still struggled in the heat, due to many of Cal Poly’s classrooms and…
New bill prevents Artificial Intelligence from taking Cal State jobs
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill into law, preventing Artificial Intelligence from replacing staff and faculty positions within the Cal State system.
San Luis Obispo police arrest man in KKK-style clothing on public intoxication charge
San Luis Obispo police arrested 55-year-old Kristoffer Hans Pfister for public intoxication after he was seen wearing Ku Klux Klan-style clothing, an incident the city categorized as non-criminal hate expression.
Madonna Inn Honors Dolly Parton with Tribute and Steak House Special
Fans and celebrities around the world have been paying tribute to Dolly Parton following her death. Known as the “Queen of Country,” Parton was adored for her music, cultural influence, and philanthropy. What fans in San Luis Obispo may not know, however, is how much Alex Madonna, founder of the iconic Madonna Inn, adored her.…
College of Liberal Arts Advising Center has no in-person appointments until November
College of Liberal Arts students at Cal Poly face advising delays until November due to staffing shortages and challenges stemming from the university’s transition to a semester system.
San Luis Obispo launches survey to shape homelessness response plan
The City of San Luis Obispo has launched a community survey to gather resident input for its upcoming 2027-2031 Homelessness Strategic Response plan.
Woods Humane Society holds their fourth annual Pets of the Year Calendar Contest fundraiser
Woods Humane Society is holding its fourth annual Pets of the Year Calendar Contest to raise funds for animal welfare and give local pets a chance to be featured in the 2027 calendar.
Professors weigh in on Meta’s $17 billion settlement
Meta reached a $17 billion settlement with dozens of U.S. states to address claims regarding the harmful effects of Facebook and Instagram on young users while implementing new safety policies for minors.
San Luis Obispo Fire Department holds ceremony for 25th anniversary of 9/11
The San Luis Obispo Fire Department held a remembrance ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks alongside the San Luis Obispo Police Department and Mayor Erica Stewart this morning. At Station #1, local officials honored the victims and the first responders killed during the attacks. The ceremony began with a presentation…
Suspect arrested for Bob Jones Trail arson incident
Following a fire along Bob Jones Trail on Sept. 8, a suspect has been taken into custody for allegedly purposefully starting the fire. Bob Jones Trail is a bike path located north of Los Osos Valley Road. The fire spread onto city property and damaged vehicles nearby. The San Luis Obispo Police Department was able…
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.
Cal Poly expands campus mental health services through new initiative
Campus Health and Wellbeing joined the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Reimbursement Program. The program is designed to transform mental health for students, allowing state insurance providers to reimburse CH&W for qualifying services provided on campus. California’s Department of Health Care Services and the California Health and Human Service Agency is offering the initiative…
Cal Poly hires Artemis II pilot Victor Glover for full time administrative leadership role
Victor Glover, the astronaut who piloted NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon, is returning to Cal Poly in a full-time leadership role, decades after graduating from the university. Cal Poly announced the hire Wednesday morning in an email and press release and said his position took effect Sept. 1. Glover will work with President…
Extreme heat warning issued for San Luis Obispo County
Temperatures could rise up to 100 degrees in the city of San Luis Obispo, according to the National Weather Service’s extreme heat warning. The heat warning will be in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, with temperatures projected to drop as the weekend approaches. Cal Poly sent a Poly Alert today at 1…