Jun 12-22, 2025

Jun 12-22, 2025 / Vol. 39 / No. 48
San Luis Obispo County’s News and Entertainment Weekly

Cover Story

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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.…

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…


Recent

Gift this article