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This week, the city held a ceremony to celebrate a key step in constructing a new multimodal train station– placing the final steel beam for the building’s frame.
This week, multiple residents reported getting phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer or lieutenant.
In a post on X, Assemblymember Dawn Addis encouraged people to call Rapid Response hotlines if they find themselves facing immigration enforcement.
The Grover Beach City Council unanimously voted to adopt a new ordinance regulating illegal fireworks, and will now hold property owners and tenants liable for any illegal firework activity on their property.
The new rules include banning camping in tents or sleeping bags overnight, vehicle camping at night, and a time, place and manner restriction for camping during the daytime.
The board is working to fill the county’s forecasted $35.8 million budget gap for the next fiscal year, according to county documents.
Every two years, United Ways of California conducts a Real Cost Measure Report by using census bureau information to tell the true cost of living in California.
The San Luis Obispo Whale Rock Commission held its annual meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of the county’s aging water pipeline system.
Less than a month away from Pride month in June, Morro Bay’s local flag ordinance will no longer allow other flags to be flown on city property, starting on July 1st.
The wastewater problem in Los Olivos has a history that dates back to the 1970’s, making it a designated Special Problems Area. According to a report by the Los Olivos Community Services District, septic systems in the area polluted the local groundwater with nitrates.
Salinas City Council is considering rolling back four tenant protection ordinances—including rules on rent control, just-cause evictions and tenant harassment.
In a 4-1 vote, Santa Maria city council this week approved a new pay and benefits package for local firefighters.
Local residents requested that supervisors prioritize two SLO County bridges before other pavement and bridge projects.
The South County Democratic Club rallied this week in support of transgender students outside a Lucia Mar School Board meeting. They were pushing back against recent opposition to a transgender student athlete using school locker rooms at Arroyo Grande High.
Residents in the Five Cities area are being told to boil their tap water before drinking it, after bacteria was found in the system. The boil notice affects Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Avila and Oceano.
The Santa Maria Strawberry Festival wrapped up another celebration of the annual harvest over the weekend. But for some in the community, it was a time to unite and advocate for a living wage for people who work the fields and pick the strawberries.
The Sustainability and Decarbonization Plan is set to make some changes to air travel, but SLO County Airport officials say the changes will mostly take place on the ground.
In a new study, UC Santa Barbara researchers test safer, more efficient alternatives to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
A $2.3 million storm drain project in Grover Beach has been put on hold due to aging sewer infrastructure that city officials say must be addressed before construction can move forward. City council members this week discussed a proposed sewage rate increase that would help fund the necessary upgrades.
A Downtown SLO liquor store is claiming to have sold a lucky lottery ticket to a local unhoused person. The store manager said the loyal customer won a million dollars from a triple red 7 ticket.
It’s a new tactic in the city’s effort to stop a proposed battery facility on the site of a shuttered power plant.
Garbage bills in many Central Coast communities could soon be going up. The rate increases proposed by local trash collection agencies and waste districts are attributed to rising costs for labor, fuel, and landfill use.
A federal judge has sentenced a San Luis Obispo real estate executive to five years in prison for bribing a County Supervisor. Ryan Wright pleaded guilty in September to bribing the late supervisor Adam Hill with over $95,000 in gifts and cash.
As updated numbers trickle in for Central Coast races, it appears the era of an all-women city council is coming to a close in the city of San Luis Obispo.
Founded in 1924, the Monday Club of San Luis Obispo is celebrating 100 years of history, service, and community impact. Since its inception, this civic organization has been dedicated to promoting civic engagement, education, and the arts—all centered within its iconic building designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan.
The company responsible for the 2015 Refugio spill has agreed to a settlement that will pay the state tens-of-millions of dollars for cleanup costs.
A week after the election, the fate of three San Luis Obispo County school district bond measures remain up in the air. One is narrowly ahead, and two others are losing by slim margins.
San Luis Obispo County voters supported new sales tax measures in four different cities, according to election results.
Donald Trump’s election triumph is being met with mixed emotions in San Luis Obispo County, where a majority of voters picked his opponent.
A land use measure designed to block a proposed battery storage plant in Morro Bay looks like it will pass. Nearly 60% of Morro Bay voters supported Measure A24, according to the latest ballot count.
Unproven charges of fraud in the 2020 presidential election have led to growing doubts among some U.S. voters about election integrity. San Luis Obispo County said its working to make sure voters feel secure submitting their ballots.
At some museums and universities, the remains of indigenous people are sitting in boxes for researchers to study or to be viewed by the public. Indigenous tribes across the nation, including Chumash tribes on the Central Coast, have been advocating for decades to get the remains back. Some feel the process is taking too long.
Elizabeth Wilson sued Cal Poly in April, alleging that the university withheld records required under California law.
San Luis Obispo is offering a way to recycle your pumpkins the Friday after Halloween. The city will host their first ever Pumpkin Smash event to compost old Halloween pumpkins.
San Luis Obispo Supervisors have elected a new County Poet Laureate. Local writer and musician Caleb Nichols now holds the title, tasked with promoting poetry in the community.
Updates to the Santa Barbara Public Library are now complete. Visitors can check out the updates at a grand-opening event Sunday.
The Lompoc School District is asking voters to approve a $160 million bond measure to repair aging school buildings. If voters approve Measure M, the funds will go toward safety upgrades and the removal of hazardous materials, such as asbestos.
As society grows more reliant on digital communication, some people might find it hard to keep up. The Santa Maria Public Library is holding one-on-one sessions to help community members learn basic tech skills, like setting up devices or communicating online.
In the November election, San Luis Obispo’s North County voters will choose a congressional representative for California’s 19th district. This year incumbent Democrat Jimmy Panetta is running against Republican Jason Anderson. The district includes parts of Santa Clara, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties.
The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office has upgraded to a high-speed ballot-counting machine that could quicken election results. The machine, called the Dominion Hipro, counts ballots about three times faster than the office’s older models.
Latinos are less likely to vote than white people according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Locally there’s an effort to get more Spanish-speaking voters to the polls.
The U.S. District Attorney’s Office has announced new charges against a man accused of bombing the Santa Maria courthouse. The new charges against 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire include using a weapon of mass destruction and having an unregistered explosive.
This Friday the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees will battle it out in Game One of the World Series. It's a historic moment for many baseball fans—the last time the two teams faced each other in the World Series was in 1981.
The Morro Bay Police Department is responding to community complaints about dogs being off-leash in public areas. Throughout the month of October, officers are increasing patrols in parks and on sidewalks to enforce leash laws more strictly.
City officials report that costs are outpacing revenues. They plan to use reserve funds and make cuts across several departments, but they're also looking at other options.
The first documented rugby game in the U.S. took place in 1874, in Boston, between McGill and Harvard universities. Fast forward to today, and American rugby is growing at an impressive rate. KCBX’s Alyssa Toledo took a look at one local club that’s been at the forefront.
The first documented rugby game in the U.S. took place in 1874, in Boston, between McGill and Harvard universities. Fast forward to today, and American rugby is growing at an impressive rate. KCBX’s Alyssa Toledo took a look at one local club that’s been at the forefront.
The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office is accusing the Santa Maria courthouse bombing suspect of a series of arson fires before the attack. 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire, already in federal custody, now faces 10 additional state charges.
A collection of eight ceramic sculptures of musicians is on display in the front window of Full Moon Studio and Gallery in Morro Bay, owned by Ross Hale and his wife Hedy.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is investigating nine social media threats aimed at local schools.
Cal Poly students are gearing up for the 136th annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st. Students took the parade theme of “Best Day Ever” and swam with it.
Federal firefighters who battle blazes and work to prevent them in California are staring down a looming pay cut. A local representative is among those urging Congress to act before that happens.
Repairs on the San Simeon Pier began this week. The nearly 70-year-old pier at Hearst San Simeon State Park was closed last year after winter storms severely damaged its support structure.
Thousands of Cal Poly students, along with their parents and guardians, are arriving for move-in week.
Central Coast advocates are pushing a plan to raise the minimum wage for farm workers in Santa Barbara County by $10 dollars an hour.
San Luis Obispo County Public Health is offering free car seat checks on Tuesday to make sure children's car seats are installed correctly. Its to highlight National Child Passenger Safety Week.
San Luis Obispo County high schools are competing to see which can register, or pre-register the most students to vote. It’s to prepare for the upcoming general election.
San Luis Obispo County high schools are competing to see which can register, or pre-register the most students to vote. It’s to prepare for the upcoming general election.
The San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office has opened a new center to provide specialized care for victims of child abuse. At the Child Advocacy Center, law enforcement, family advocates and medical professionals work together to help children who have been physically or sexually abused.
San Luis Obispo County is asking for input on how to spend $15 million in federal funding. The County will hold several in-person and virtual workshops to gather community feedback.
Local government officials this week approved a pair of studies to consider the best place to build a port to support off-shore wind farms. The three sites currently under consideration are Port San Luis, the Cal Poly Pier and Morro Bay.
Cal Poly SLO democrats are feeling encouraged by this week’s presidential debate. It could be the only time Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump appear on the same stage.
San Luis Obispo County is leaning blue. New data from California Secretary of State’s office said Democrats have maintained their voter registration advantage in the county. The trend started more than a decade ago.
Valley Fever is caused by inhaling a soil fungus called Coccidioides. It can lead to symptoms like cough and fever.
National Preparedness Month and wildfire season are here, and San Luis Obispo emergency officials are urging residents to be ready.
San Luis Obispo cannabis retailers can now deliver its products to customers. This comes after a unanimous vote from the city council this week.
The City of Pismo Beach is ramping up efforts to prevent people from illegally harvesting the Pismo clam. It’s to protect the species and sustain its population.
Five years after a deadly boat fire off Santa Barbara's coast, the National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for new safety measures.
The Dana Reserve Project, which would bring about 1400 units to the unincorporated area of Nipomo, is one step closer to being built.
The Bob Jones Trail extension project, which would connect San Luis Obispo to Avila Beach, is unlikely to move forward after a crucial San Luis Obispo County board of supervisors vote on Tuesday.
Environmental groups are accusing San Luis Obispo County of violating the Endangered Species Act in a lawsuit filed this week. The organizations claimed the county does not release enough water from the Lopez Dam to sustain fish in the Arroyo Grande Creek.
A hillside fire called the Bishop Fire went ablaze near San Luis Obispo High School at about 4:30 Tuesday morning. It caused evacuations and left about 3,000 local residents without power until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Local fire officials said the Bishop Fire burned about 12-acres and should be fully contained by Wednesday morning.
The presidential plane, Air Force One, landed at the Santa Barbara Airport Tuesday. Rumors about the President and First Lady coming to the Central Coast started when the FAA issued temporary flight restrictions for some local airports early on Tuesday.
A highly invasive bamboo-like plant is growing at the bottom of San Luis Creek, near the Los Osos Valley Road bridge. The Land Conservancy of SLO County is working with the city and a local property owner to chop it down.
An oil company trying to restart the pipeline that caused the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill is filing a restraining order against the State of California. According to the restraining order application, its to prevent the state from releasing an unredacted document that outlines the pipeline’s safety conditions and potential spill risks.
San Luis Obispo County officials are warning its residents about the effects of a fungal infection called Valley fever. This comes after California recently reported record-breaking cases during 2023.
Public commenters will no longer be able to broadcast videos, audio and images during San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meetings. This comes after a 3-2 vote by the board on Tuesday.
A Cal Poly student group is applauding a new California law that makes it easier to fix electronics and appliances.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, is urging boaters to slow down near shore. It's to prevent whale-boat collisions that could harm or kill the mammals.
San Luis Obispo County election officials said they are facing a shortage of poll workers for the upcoming general election. According to the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, many volunteers canceled their shifts.
An art exhibit showcasing paintings of beautiful local landscapes will also provide an opportunity for people to support land conservation throughout San Luis Obispo County. It will be at the Octagon Barn, a historic building in SLO, on August 9 and 10.
Port San Luis Harbor in Avila Beach may support future offshore wind projects off the coast of Morro Bay. The Harbor District proposed to build a three to five acre port to help transport crews and equipment to offshore wind sites.
A new UC Santa Barbara study says shark populations are threatened by overfishing. The report highlights the importance of the fish to ecosystems and calls for its protections.
The exhibit combines photography, painting, filmmaking, and more to tell stories about how surf culture affects people of color.
A San Luis Obispo nonprofit providing free hot showers to unhoused people needs more volunteers.
The captain responsible for a 2019 deadly boat fire off the coast of Santa Barbara must pay more than $32,000 to the families of three victims. The money will cover funeral expenses.
Cal Poly alumnus, Christopher Blevins, competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics in its cross country mountain biking event Monday. He placed 13th out of 36 competitors in the men's field.
A Salinas artist is connecting youth to art, healing and community through a grassroots gallery and workshop space.
San Luis Obispo police are investigating a series of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes that targeted downtown businesses this week.
An Indigenous women's group, Medicine Wheel Ride, is coming to the Central Coast on Thursday to raise awareness about missing and murdered Native American women nationwide.
After extreme heat temperatures recently hit parts of the Central Coast, the San Luis Obispo County Agriculture Department is saying most farmers were able to protect their crops.
A program called Environmental Science Through Art, or ESTA, is creating a space for Latinx high school students in the Salinas Valley to learn science by doing art.
The Central Coast is known for its scenic views, but it’s also known for its high cost of living. Two students describe their difficulties finding affordable and safe housing in San Luis Obispo County.
A Chicano-band based in the Salinas Valley, called Flaco El Jandro, recently released recordings in hopes of winning National Public Radio’s 2024 Tiny Desk Contest. Winners of the contest have a chance to highlight their talent by going on a national tour. Flaco El Jandro didn’t win this year’s competition, but that isn’t stopping front-man Alejandro ‘Flaco’ Gomez from releasing more music.
Girls Inc. in Carpinteria is a girls’ leadership program and a place for after-school care. Now, it’s a climate resilience hub for the neighborhood, too. The non-profit is prepared to serve as a community gathering space during extreme heat events.
It's the 10th anniversary of the mass shooting in Isla Vista where gunman Elliot Rodger killed six people, injured 14 others and later killed himself. In a recent Mother Jones article titled, “Lessons From a Mass Shooter’s Mother,” reporter Mark Follman interviewed Chin Rodger, whose son perpetrated the 2014 attacks. KCBX’s Alyssa Toledo spoke with Follman to hear more about his reporting.
Climate scientists expect more heat waves to hit the Central Coast in the coming years, which could put people’s health at risk. Medical experts say taking precautions can minimize visits to the ER.
In the coming decades, the Central Coast is projected to have more days of extreme heat. Our weekly series, The Heat Beat, examines how the region is preparing for higher temperatures.
In the series "Breaking the Cycle," KCBX’s Amanda Wernik tackles how PTSD and homelessness can create a reinforcing cycle. This final episode explores how a local organization is helping unhoused people in San Luis Obispo County break the cycle.
In the second part of her series, "Breaking the Cycle," KCBX’s Amanda Wernik explores how complex PTSD, or C-PTSD, and homelessness can create a reinforcing cycle that makes it harder for people to get help.
KCBX host Kim Foster spoke with NPR environment correspondent Nathan Rott to discuss California's changing environment and his reporting in Ukraine.
In the first part of her series "Breaking the Cycle," KCBX's Amanda Wernik explains what the mental disorder PTSD is and how it can lead to a cycle of homelessness.
A pro surfing competition is making waves in Pismo through the week. Among the competitors is the first surfer in the US to qualify for the Olympics.
An international team of audio producers wants to tell the story of Ella Young, the "godmother of the Dunites."
After last month’s winter storms, the Small Business Administration is traveling across the Central Coast to make sure residents who faced damage are filing for assistance.
40 Prado's Jack Lahey says the homeless services center urgently needs volunteers — especially regular, consistent volunteers who stay in the long-term.
The FDA granted accelerated approval for Leqembi, a new treatment option for patients in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease that is not currently covered by insurance.
Nate Abate is accused of sexual assault along with fellow SLO County business owner Julian Contreras. KCBX's Amanda Wernik spoke with SLO County's Assistant District Attorney, as well as the first woman to come forward with allegations.
A local non-profit in Santa Barbara County has enlisted a robotic arm to help build affordable housing in Santa Barbara County.
Bach Week is an annual event put on in San Luis Obispo every January. KCBX’s Melanie Senn attended Bach Week to learn more about Bach himself, his influence, and his continued relevance in a diversifying world.
A Santa Barbara-based nonprofit called ShelterBox is distributing humanitarian aid in Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
The federal government has announced the five companies who won leases today for offshore wind development in California, including three in the waters off of Morro Bay.
Nearly 50,000 academic workers employed by the University of California system are striking this week, demanding better pay and benefits. About 3,000 of them are picketing at UC Santa Barbara.
The District 2 race is a run-off from this year’s primary, and it’s between two Bruces: incumbent Bruce Gibson and challenger Bruce Jones, who finished second in the primary.
Stolen art was recently returned to a contemporary art gallery in San Luis Obispo. The paintings were stolen last year just before their local premiere.
After two years of construction, San Luis Obispo County has finished building a new animal services facility. The county says the new building looks to improve quality of life for local animals.
Updated Omicron Covid-19 booster vaccines are now available in San Luis Obispo county. The vaccines provide protection against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains of Covid-19, as well as the original strain.
The City of Guadalupe secured a 4.9 million dollar grant from the federal government to reconstruct the historic Royal Theater.
Santa Barbara County says UCSB has not kept its agreement for providing on-campus housing
The Biden Administration this month filed to overturn a lower court decision that halts offshore fracking in California federal waters, including the Santa Barbara Channel.
In the heart of the Salinas Valley, there’s an arts and cultural enrichment center called Sol Treasures. Every summer, they host a children's art camp to inspire kids of South Monterey County to learn and grow in the world of art.
The high cost of housing is forcing residents to reconsider living in Santa Barbara County.
The San Luis Obispo Tribune has formed a coalition with the LA Times, ABC News, and the Associated Press to try to unseal court records related to the Kristin Smart case.
PG&E's equipment has started or been involved in many massive California wildfires like the 2018 Camp Fire, the 2019 Kincade Fire and last year’s Dixie Fire.
Low-income housing is desperately needed in Santa Barbara County, but the building process can take three or more years.
The Ventana Wildlife Society is aiming to build a space in Big Sur for local families who aren’t very able to access the Central Coast’s outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Santa Maria Public Library is kicking off an educational summer series this weekend filled with different sounds and instruments from North, Central, and South America.
Today has been a huge day for national news, as the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. That will have major effects locally and nationally, but there’s also another potential game-changer at the federal level in the form of a “red flag” gun law headed to the President’s desk.
A spaceport designation would mean the municipal airport would be able to conduct horizontal launches.
The bill, H.R. 2377, would create a nationwide grant program to incentivize states to adopt Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO), which would encourage more regulations on gun ownership.
KCBX Reporter Gabriela Fernandez talked to people in Downtown SLO about their thoughts on this year’s primary. Meanwhile, voter turnout may be at a historical low.
The June 7 primary is tomorrow. One major source of candidate endorsements is from newspaper editorial boards, and the San Luis Obispo Tribune has released their own list of chosen candidates.
The City of Santa Maria has been awarded over half a million dollars from California State Park’s new Outdoor Equity Grant Program.
The California Groundwater Association encourages yearly well inspections for every well owner. But those in areas impacted by ongoing drought conditions should also test for things like water quality and levels.
Recent investigations from the US Department of Labor found that five farms in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties have neglected to pay and provide the proper benefits to their workers.
Local leaders on Thursday helped hammer nails into a new wall on a house under construction at HASLO’s site on Lucca Lane. The wall displayed hand-written notes and well-wishes to future residents.
Cannabis dispensaries in Grover Beach can now move forward with development plans for onsite consumption areas after the city council voted 3 -1 this week to approve them.
The ordinance would enforce businesses to be held responsible for the management and distribution of their carts.
The proposed ordinance would require building developers to set aside five percent of new housing infrastructure for low income residents.
If approved, the charter would be on the ballot in November and could give the county more control over vacancies in positions like county clerk-recorder in the future.