Stories from Mustang News on KCPR

A shop on El Camino Real in Atascadero didn’t always smell like honey and lavender. Life Elements is a business now dedicated to skincare, muscle recovery and holistic well-being.  The storefront has been transformed into a mini production space and retail shop, with shelves lined with all-natural products made from beeswax, honey, cannabidiol (CBD) and plant-based ingredients. Reporter Alyssa Par...

The Thrifty Beaches Vintage Market took place Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. Featuring over 60 vendors ranging from vintage clothing, mid-century modern furniture, jewelry and books. Reporter Katy Clark talked to market-goers and the Thrifty Beaches owner to learn more about the re-selling scene in San Luis Obispo.

Tucked away in Studio 3 of the Cal Poly Rec Center, a soft lull of Hawaiian music and the patter of bare feet can be heard — a staple of the Pacific Islander community at Cal Poly, the hula team of Hui O’ Hawai’i practices. Reporter Makena Locsin gives us an inside look at the team.

ASI and Campus Health & Wellbeing launched a free grocery shuttle service earlier this month to transport students between campus and local grocery stores. Reporter Giselle Espinoza takes us on the bus route and speaks with students using the new service.

Over 500 gifts were given back to those in need in the community through the Mustang Holiday Gift Drive from Nov 4. to Dec. 5. Reporter Katy Clark tells us the details on the event's turnout. 

Project Rattle Cam, founded in 2021 by Cal Poly professor Emily Taylor and Scott Boback of Dickinson College, provides YouTube live streams of rattlesnake dens in both Colorado and California. Reporter Alyssa Parikh takes us behind the cameras to the relationships between these reptiles and humans.

With an evolving sound that blends psychedelic and rock textures with story-driven lyrics, Marlon Funaki has carried the musical world in his mind from small rooms to sold-out venues across the country. Now, as his tour winds down, Funaki brings that momentum to SLO Brew Rock on Friday, Dec. 12. Reporter Delaney Ridder spoke with the artist about his journey through music and sound.

Led by a team of fierce women, the Diva Cup was founded to provide female surfers in the Central Coast with their own surf invitational, as a growing number of women compete in local lineups. Reporter Aneka Edwards talked to some of the competitors, viewers and founder about the competition, taking us directly to the shore. 

The sounds of clattering pans, opening oven doors and students weaving around one another filled the communal spaces of Sequoia Hall on Nov. 9. What started as a simple idea between roommates quickly evolved into a full dorm-wide Friendsgiving — one that brought together over 70 students. Reporter Dylan White brings us to the event.

For more than 40 years, Cal Poly’s Poly Reps have volunteered their time to represent the university, leading campus tours, assisting with admissions events and welcoming prospective students to campus.  Now, for the first time, Poly Reps are getting paid for their work. Reporter Lauren Quijano talked to existing Reps to tell us about this process and the future of the program. 

The student-run nonprofit, the Cal Poly Cat Program, has been helping campus and community cats for more than 30 years. As the number of cats coming through the program continues to rise, students say they need more fosters, especially with the upcoming Thanksgiving break. Reporter Alyssa Parikh has more on how this is affecting the friendly felines and student volunteers. 

On the fourth Tuesday of every month, Cal Poly students get in line on the Health Center lawn to pick up bags of free groceries from the SLO Food Bank. Reporter Randi Ingoglia tells us about the relationship between students and these resources, as the cost of food rises and students are impacted by delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding.

After a summer tour that stretched from California to Texas, indie-rock band Margot Sinclair is returning to where it all started — San Luis Obispo, on November 20th at SLO Brew Rock. For the group of college friends, the experience was more than a milestone — it was a turning point. Reporter Delaney Ridder talked to the band about their new era and sound.

Far from his hometown of London, fakemink — your favorite rapper, artist and teacher — made the Central Coast a stop for one of his first-ever headlining performances with a sold-out show at The Hub at UC Santa Barbara. Reporter Rosemary Cromwell takes us back to an eclectic show and venue. 

Listen to the November 4, 2025, KCPR newscast with their statewide special election show, featuring Reporters Fiona Hastings, Dylan White, Delaney Ridder, Rosemary Cromwell and Evelyn Santa Rosa. 

At the University Union, voter turnout is starting to pick up with students coming in between classes or after class. The rate of individuals casting votes and dropping off their ballots is keeping a steady rate, with about five voters coming in every 15 minutes at the UU. Reporter Makena Locsin spoke to students about their voting experiences and their thoughts on the election. 

The Cal Poly Democrats club has seven student representatives on Dexter Lawn discussing Proposition 50 with voters. They are explaining why they believe voters should vote yes. Reporter Diego Puga Escobar spoke with members and non-members about today's election. 

Computer engineering sophomore Bowman Edebohls created a website to allow students to mark places in and around San Luis Obispo on a map and see what other people in the community are up to. Reporter Katy Clark talked to Edebohls about the website's purpose and functions.

BREAKING NEWS: Richard Ellison pleaded not guilty to a felony charge for a lewd act with a child under 14 years old, according to San Luis Obispo court records. Reporter Diego Puga Escobar has the story. 

Engines roared and coffee steamed Sept. 27 as Cal Poly Racing Team rolled into the Porsche dealership in San Luis Obispo for the Cars & Coffee showcase. The event, which is held on the last Saturday of each month, gave the student-run racing team a chance to show their creations beyond campus. Reporter Alyssa Parikh takes show you the inner workings of the club. 

The San Luis Obispo Public Library transformed into a hub of creativity for its fifth annual Comic Fair on Oct. 11, an event celebrating comic book culture and connecting local artists with the community. Reporter Lauren Quijano spoke with local artists, cartoonists and attendees to give an inside look at what brings these groups to the fair.

The Cal Poly Transfer Center previewed the celebration of National Transfer Week, running from Oct. 20-24, with Transfer Career Day, an event aimed at helping students sharpen their career skills and feel more confident navigating university life on Oct. 3. Reporter Aneka Edwards spoke with Cal Poly transfer students about their experiences navigating the transition to a four-year university. 

At the second "No Kings" protest of the year, thousands of people demonstrated against the Trump administration and in favor of Proposition 50 in downtown San Luis Obispo Saturday morning. Reporter Delaney Ridder spoke to protestors and organizers, capturing the event on the streets of San Luis Obispo. 

Every Sunday afternoon, BA Start Taproom and Eatery hosts the Sunshine Poker League, a community-focused group that swaps high-stakes gambling for friendly competition and local camaraderie. Reporter Dylan White takes us inside the bar to explore how a shared love of poker brings San Luis Obispo locals together.

Student ticket reservations for comedian Sal Vulcano’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) stand-up comedy show sold out in approximately one minute. Reporter Giselle Espizona asked students and ASI how they responded to the ticket sales.