CalMatters Live

The nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization CalMatters will present a topical film screening followed by a reception at the Palm Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo on Thursday evening, Oct. 26.

Then on Friday, Oct. 27, CalMatters will host a conversation on how San Luis Obispo can tackle the dual housing crises of a high-cost coastal-adjacent city and a California college town. This discussion will explore underlying causes and workable solutions.

Breaking the News

Film Screening and Networking Event

Frustrated by the dearth of women and people of color in the media, Emily Ramshaw wanted to do something radical about the white men dominating newsrooms. So, in 2020, she and a motivated group of women and LGBTQ+ journalists banded together to buck the status quo and launch The 19th* News, a digital news start-up based in Austin, Texas. Named after the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote, but with an asterisk to acknowledge the Black women and women of color who were omitted, The 19th*’s work is guided by the asterisk—asking who is overlooked in the story and how they can be included. With reporters spread across the country, they cover national news on politics and policy from the lens of marginalized communities historically ignored by legacy newsrooms.

Philadelphia-based editor-at-large Errin Haines covers politics and often breaks major stories including the first national story on the killing of Breonna Taylor. Emerging Latina reporter Chabeli Carrazana is based in Florida and reports on gender and the economy. LA-based Kate Sosin, a nonbinary reporter, covers LGBTQ+ stories, including the increase of anti-trans bills being passed by states. The film documents the honest discussions at The 19th* around race and gender equity, revealing that change doesn’t come easy, and showcases how one newsroom confronts these challenges both as a workplace and in their journalism. But this film is about more than a newsroom. It’s about America in flux, and the voices that are often left out of the American story.

Attendees will have a chance to network with Kate Sosin and Neil Chase, CEO of CalMatters, following the screening.

CalMatters Live Panel

The San Luis Obispo area is one of the least affordable metro areas in the country, where housing production has historically not kept up with job and college student population growth. Add to that a large and vibrant public university. Across the state, California’s premier higher education institutions have faced significant backlash in their efforts to build for their growing populations. In this panel, we explore how SLO can tackle the dual housing crises of a high-cost coastal-adjacent city and a California college town, and talk about solutions.

Jeanne Kuang

(Moderator)

Reporter, CalMatters

Scott Collins

Executive Director, Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo

Keith Humphrey

Vice President for Student Affairs, Cal Poly

Andy Pease

Council Member, City of San Luis Obispo

CalMatters Live Panelists

Jeanne Kuang

(Moderator)

Economic Divide Reporter, CalMatters

Jeanne returned home to California to cover the state's economic divide for CalMatters. She previously covered Missouri government and politics for The Kansas City Star, local and state government for The News Journal in Delaware, and criminal justice issues in Illinois. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Scott Collins

Executive Director, Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo

Scott Collins is the Executive Director for the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO), beginning his tenure there in March 2023. HASLO provides nearly 3,000 vouchers to low income residents in SLO County, and has built nearly 900 affordable housing units, with over 500 more units in the pipeline. Prior to joining HASLO, Mr. Collins spent his career in local government management, most recently as the City Manager for Morro Bay. Mr. Collins switched career paths given his interest in tackling the biggest challenge on the Central Coast – affordable housing. Mr. Collins received his undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz and Master of Public Administration from the George Washington University. He lives in Morro Bay with his wife Kasey, kids (Eli and Lily) and too many pets.

Keith Humphrey

Vice President for Student Affairs, Cal Poly

Dr. Humphrey joined Cal Poly in December 2012 as Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA). He leads one of the largest divisions on campus by delivering high-impact programs and services that advance student learning, development and success. This senior executive role is responsible for securing necessary funding, staffing, facilities and planning in order to successfully operate a division with more than 30 departments and 500 staff. The VPSA is an officer of the university and responsible for the care and well-being for more than 20,000 students, 42,000 parents and supporters, and 185,000 alumni.

The VPSA brings a strong sense of leadership, strategic planning and fiscal viability to the division and university. He leads a senior executive team to develop and implement year-round Student Affairs programming, services, and events that, research shows, will directly impact the progression, retention, and graduation rates of students. He is part of the university leadership that advocates to our community, policy makers, and Chancellor’s Office for all student engagement and campuswide programming that occurs outside of the classroom at Cal Poly.

Andrea "Andy" Pease

Principal, In Balance Green Consulting and Council Member, City of San Luis Obispo

Andy is an architect and Principal at In Balance Green Consulting. The firm offers energy analysis and optimization, LEED and other green certification services, and building performance verification. She was elected to the San Luis Obispo City Council in 2016 and again in 2020, with a focus on environmental stewardship, supporting a thriving and equitable local economy and increasing housing affordability for all.