Cal Poly student's visa revoked, joining hundreds nationwide

Author

Carly Heltzel
April 09, 2025

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, and I’m reading the confessions of a corporate spy. Onto the five Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

A Cal Poly international student had their student visa revoked, joining hundreds of other students across the nation during a Trump administration crackdown at universities. Across the CSU, a total of 36 students have had their visas revoked, with the reason being largely unclear and varying greatly between students. The university could not give details for privacy reasons. Nationwide, 300 students have had their visas taken away in recent weeks.

2.

Preventative funding for veterans’ mental health is being reallocated to provide rehab treatment beds and supportive housing for homeless people. The outreach program was founded 13 years ago and provides a way for veterans to see mental health professionals outside of a clinic setting. Now, resources go towards the people already in the throws of mental health issues and substance abuse rather than preventing the downward spiral. SLO County has over 14,000 veterans, with two-thirds being age 65 or older. 

3.

Valley fever cases nearly doubled in the county last year to reach an all-time high of 482 confirmed cases, compared to the 244 the year prior. The second highest case count ever was in 2017 with 455 cases. Infection occurs when people breathe in a specific fungus and it begins growing in their body. Symptoms are something like a flu, with the infected experiencing a fever and cough for a few weeks. “This increase is not unexpected,” a county health officer said, since the fungus tends to thrive when it heavily rains after a drought period.

4.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is pleading with other countries to exempt California-made goods from retaliatory tariffs. The state’s biggest customers are Mexico, Canada and China who collectively buy $67 billion from California manufacturers. Newsom announced his plans in a video where he said that Trump’s tariffs don’t “represent all Americans.” But it’s not looking likely to change things. “Tariffs are tariffs,” one economic expert said. “If he can convince countries to not tax California imports, more power to him, but I don’t believe that’s going to happen.” Worth a shot, I guess.

5.

High school seniors affected by the LA fires in January are getting free prom attire. A non-profit has collected thousands of dresses, suits, jewelry, shoes and more for the over 1,100 seniors left devastated by the burn. Donations varied from a boutique’s selection and your neighbors old prom jacket to glam from Hollywood’s costume closet — including a dress worn in “Great Gatsby.” And professional tailors are coming in to help sync everything up. The owner of the boutique that helped put it on said the garments are just an introduction to their new beginning.