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Legal fight: National lawsuits over Trump’s executive orders impacting trans students, reproductive health involve Central Coast plaintiffs
The White House invited Atascadero Unified School District board member Rebekah Koznek to an executive order signing ceremony on March 31 because she’s named in a 2024 complaint filed by Moms for Liberty and Young America’s Foundation to stop changes to Title IX ordered by President Joe Biden. President Donald Trump’s order was aimed at…
Trickledown Trumpy-nomics
This little office appliance tries to keep its rants local, but sometimes national politics come lurching at us, and thanks to Prez. tRump and his barrage of executive orders, that’s happening more often. One ongoing panic at our disco is about female trans athletes (or, locally, maybe a single female trans athlete) competing alongside cisgendered…
SLO County senior citizens ask to support Healthy Aging at budget hearing
Taking the largest financial hit to help balance San Luis Obispo County’s $38 million budget deficit, the health and human services sector was the only segment that received public comments at the Board of Supervisors’ budget hearing. “I come before … this group to urge you to continue support for the Healthy Aging program,” county…
Fourth-graders Jackson Houser and Jackson Judge unite sporty fashion and philanthropy with the Drip Bros
Teach Elementary School fourth-graders Jackson Houser and Jackson Judge needed a product for their mini mall project. Their idea: drip necklaces that string together style, sports, and philanthropy. “We’re best friends and love having fun and being silly; we are always on the same team and get to feel proud spreading team spirit,” Judge said.…
SLO County libraries are funded by county and city funds, safe from federal cuts—but some of their programs may not be
In its efforts to reduce the federal government, the Trump administration put public libraries on the chopping block by cutting the department that provides nearly $295 million in grants to libraries and museums across the country. San Luis Obispo County libraries don’t face the threat of closing, as they’re primarily operated through county, city, or…
Cal Poly was vandalized again by pro-Palestinian activists
Cal Poly was vandalized last week after five activists spray-painted the financial aid office walls with pro-Palestinian tags, just a month after President Jeffrey Armstrong spoke before Congress about the school’s handling of antisemitism on campus. Armstrong sent a communication after the vandalism occurred on June 4, explaining that the five activists had “stormed” the…
Grover Beach votes to increase wastewater rates
The average single family in Grover Beach can expect their city wastewater bill to more than double by 2030—increasing from roughly $25 bi-monthly to about $58. Starting in July, rates will start ticking up at 17.8 percent a year for the next five years to help the city pay for an estimated $11 million in…
SLO County warns residents of rabies after seeing three cases this year and provide tips for prevention
Rabies is not a disease of the past—at least that’s what SLO County Animal Services Manager Dr. Eric Anderson said now that the county’s seen at least three cases this year. “In the last year or so, we’ve seen a noticeable bump in the number of cases that are diagnosed, and so that significant increase…
Opolo Vineyards in Paso releases America’s first official vranac wine
Saddle upPurchase Opolo Vineyards’ inaugural vranac, Slavic for “black stallion,” at its estate tasting room at 7110 Vineyard Drive in Paso Robles or by calling (805) 238-9593. Guests may purchase two bottles per person of the 2021 vintage, priced at $60. The winery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended.…
Grateful Dead tribute act Grateful Shred headlines the final day of the Live Oak Music Festival on June 15
I don’t know how many Grateful Dead tribute bands are out there, but I’m guessing a lot. However, I bet very few of them have a Deadhead street-cred story as cool as Grateful Shred’s, who cemented their rep as an authentic Dead tribute when in 2017 they played in the parking lot of the Hollywood…
Talent, investments, and hot dogs keep the 50-year-old Melodrama healthy as a horse
Celebrate good times The Great American Melodrama is staging Less Miserable through June 14. Its next show, How the West Was Really Won, opens June 20 and runs through Aug. 2. The theater’s 50th anniversary celebration kicks off on Aug. 8 and runs through Sept. 20. Visit americanmelodrama.com or call (805) 489-2499 for ticket information…
Experience art, music, and community at A-Town Art Hop on June 13 and 14
The A-Town Art Hop Returns to downtown Atascadero for a two-day celebration on Friday, June 13 (6 to 9 p.m.), and Saturday, June 14 (noon to 5 p.m.). “Same funky vibe, twice the time,” organizers announced. “Back by popular demand, the A-Town Art Hop returns in 2025 with an expanded two-day celebration of art, music,…
Trish Andersen’s artist talk about her SLOMA exhibit is on June 25, at The Penny
On Wednesday, June 25, fiber artist Trish Andersen and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) Chief Curator Emma Saperstein will discuss Andersen’s upcoming installation, Little by Little, coming to the museum on Saturday, June 28 (through Oct. 4), at The Penny (664 Marsh St., SLO), from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. A wine reception…
The Phoenician Scheme is classic Wes Anderson
THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME What’s it rated? PG-13What’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhere’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Palm, Park, Stadium 10 Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) directs his script co-written with Roman Coppola about shady international businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio Del Toro), whose…
The 1986 coming-of-age classic Stand by Me screens in the Bay Theatre on June 16
What’s it rated? R When? 1986 Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre of Morro Bay on June 13 at 7 p.m. You’ve likely seen this 1986 coming-of-age drama, and if you’re like me, you’ve seen it more than a dozen times. Still, it’s a film that—back when you used to flip through channels—I would always…
The 1967 prison drama Cool Hand Luke screens in the Palm Theatre on June 13
What’s it rated? PG When? 1967 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on June 13 at 7 p.m. “Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” Directed by Stuart Rosenberg, this 1967 anti-establishment film encapsulates the anti-authoritarianism of the ’60s. Set in the early 1950s, the film follows decorated World War…
The Tribune’s lawsuit against Paso City Councilmember Chris Bausch isn’t going to turn up anything
A common sentiment I’ve heard from Paso Robles residents lately is, “I’m completely lost on the ex-city manager story. I gave up trying to understand or care.” We just passed the one-year mark since the demise of that ill-conceived paid parking program. Remember that? The brainchild of our former city manager. That whole mess is…
Language is an evolution and always has been
John Donegan appeared to have some trouble grasping the concept of a humane society’s use of language, as evident in his opinion piece last week (“Cancel culture and forbidden words,” June 5). Language is a powerful tool. Language helps shape our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, and it also has the power to affect other people…
Our state—and our nation—are being tested
I’ve always been a great fan of Bruce Springsteen—both the musician and the activist. For 50 years now, The Boss has been singing the anthems of the working class in America. Last month, Springsteen kicked off the European leg of his Land of Hope and Dreams Tour in England with this: “The mighty E Street…






