SLO outspent last year on St. Fratty's law enforcement

Author

Carly Heltzel
April 03, 2026

Good morning. It’s Friday, and I’m reading about Jonathan, the 193-year-old tortoise who is very much alive. Onto the five Cal Poly, SLO and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

San Luis Obispo spent more money on St. Fratty’s law enforcement than last year. The city totaled $136,305 for enforcement on March 14, divided into $72,361 to pay staff and $63,944 for other expenses like equipment rentals, advertising, food, coffee and hotel rooms. The city brought in 21 agencies from across the state to supplement local police. Last year, the city spent about $13,000 less.

2.

The former Cal Poly administrator charged with a lewd and lascivious act with a minor under 14 allegedly exposed himself to his 6-year-old step granddaughter in a hot tub while she and her mother visited his home. The victim had allegedly asked him to show her his private parts and the victim’s father later said she later told him she had touched his penis. When her mother confronted him about it, he shrugged it off but later wrote a letter vaguely apologizing.

3.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 20-year license renewal for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. This federal approval has now cleared the way for California’s state legislature to pass a bill extending operations until 2045. Diablo Canyon is the California’s only source of nuclear power and produces almost 10% of the state’s electricity, but opponents say the risk of operating near two fault lines is too great. 

4.

Kids on Medi-Cal are seeing eye doctors at alarmingly low rates. In a two-year span, only 16% of school-age children went to the eye doctor for any sort of exam or check up. That’s down from 19% eight years prior. And 47 out of 58 counties saw a decrease in visits to the eye doctor, with the largest dips in rural, lower income counties. One county dropped from 20% to 2%. One former Medi-Cal director said the problem is “so widespread that something really needs to happen.”

5.

Medieval Times may not be so far in the past. An immersive experience of that name at an arena in Buena Park is experiencing a surge in popularity after videos of the horses, knights, armor, jousting and meal presided over by a king and queen went viral. It has gotten praise as the “best theme restaurant” and “currently the hottest destination in town,” even after being a punchline for most of its 43-year history.