Major CASA cuts, Cal Poly librarian claims guide censored. Today’s top stories
San Luis Obispo County saw a mix of news Friday, from a Cal Poly censorship controversy to local elections, budget cuts and a new coffee shop. Here’s a rundown of what readers were following.
Here are key takeaways:
- Cal Poly research guide pulled: Librarian Kyle Tanaka says his research guide cataloguing student protests was censored after the Anti-Defamation League criticized it as containing antisemitic materials, though he denies that characterization, according to a Tribune report. Cal Poly says the guide was removed because it was incorrectly labeled and required institutional review.
- SLO mayor, council members seek reelection: Mayor Erica A. Stewart and councilmembers Michelle Shoresman and Emily Francis have all announced reelection campaigns for the November election. Voters will use a new citywide single-vote system, casting just one vote for City Council regardless of how many seats are open. The change doesn’t impact how you vote for mayor.
- CASA faces major budget cut: The Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children in San Luis Obispo County is bracing for a roughly 25% budget cut starting June 30 due to expiring state funding, federal reductions and a county grant elimination, jeopardizing services for foster youth. The nonprofit currently serves over 200 children with 174 volunteers and has 35 more on its wait list.
- Big Sur park named best for camping: The California State Parks Foundation has named Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park the best park for camping in 2026. Standard campsites cost $50 per night, with premium riverfront sites at $60, while Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Calaveras Big Trees State Park received honorable mentions.
- Where SLO County’s notorious killers are now: A Tribune review tracks four high-profile murder cases from the past three decades, detailing where the convicted killers are today. Among them, Paul Flores is serving 25 years to life at Corcoran for Kristin Smart’s murder, and Rex Allen Krebs remains incarcerated despite his death sentence due to California’s moratorium.
- New coffee shop opens in shipping container: Binx Coffee celebrated its soft opening May 6 in downtown Atascadero, operating as a window service inside a reused shipping container. Co-owners Cambria and Tyler Lara serve specialty lattes with house-made syrups and pastries from nearby Wendy White’s Bakery.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.