Armstrong to testify in Congress on antisemitism

Author

Carly Heltzel
April 14, 2025

Good morning. It’s Monday, and I’m watching a preview of Paso Robles’ newest art exhibit, a sensory experience of immersive light and music. Onto the five Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong will testify before a congressional committee to “answer for mishandling of antisemitic, violent protests” at Cal Poly. On May 7, Armstrong and the presidents of DePaul University and Haverford College will sit in front of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It is not clear what the committee identified as problematic in Cal Poly’s response to antisemitism, or which incidents have been categorized as such. Only two protests have resulted in arrests, one of which turned violent. Armstrong said he is looking forward to testifying. 

2.

The Poly Royal Rodeo was a resounding success this weekend, with talent from the rodeo team growing each year. With respected coaches and an established name in rodeo, Cal Poly attracts better and brighter talent every year — though they all get into the school on their own merit. Cal Poly’s rodeo coach remembers when he was a student here, with Poly Royal being the biggest rodeo he had seen. “It’s neat to be that stepping stone for young men and women,” he said.

3.

The California Coastal Commission approved an over $18 million fine for an oil company whos began illegal construction and repairs last fall. The pipeline has been out of commission since it burst in 2015 and spilled 123,000 gallons of oil onto the coast. Despite multiple warnings to stop work, the company blatantly ignored authorities and displayed an “absolute failure to follow the law.” Over 115 people signed up to give public comment on the fine, which can be reduced if the oil company applies for a permit.

4.

Scientists say they’ve “de-extincted” the ancient dire wolves after three genetically engineered pups were successfully birthed, but this might be a bit misleading. Over 18 months, the scientists extracted DNA from fossils, determined which sections lead to morphological differences and spliced it together with the DNA of a gray wolf, the dire wolf’s closest living relative. Californian experts who study dire wolf skulls in La Brea’s tar pits are skeptical of the claims that the species is back. Asking, are they really dire wolves at all? One thing’s for sure: they’re really cute.

5.

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, it’s technically illegal to wear stilettos. The town has one of many outdated and often repealed attire laws in California, this one banning high heels written in 1963. While a citation hasn’t been given out in over 40 years, no one can quite garner enough support to get rid of the law. What started as a safety risk and attempt to preserve an “urban forest character” to the city is now a somewhat humorous trip to the city clerk’s office to get a high-heel permit. “I like to say that I am ‘Licensed to Heel,’” one resident said.