Good morning, San Luis Obispo.

The PG&E Foundation has pledged $1.12 million to local foodbanks statewide – nearly $122,000 is set aside for Central Coast groups, including a $20,400 grant to the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County to help provide over 3 million meals as SNAP cuts reduce federal aid.

Many local events offer something for everyone this weekend across the Central Coast—family fun is set at SLO Ranch Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., food and music feature at the California Avocado Festival from Friday through Sunday in Carpinteria, and additional attractions include Lumina Days, Orcutt Oktoberfest, Art in the Park, and the SLO Pickle Festival along with ongoing community favorites like the Solvang Pumpkin Patch and Barefoot Concerts on the Green.

The Paso Robles City Library in partnership with the Women’s Business Center will host a new business workshop on Oct 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.—the session Home-Based Businesses: Your Guide to a Successful Start will help local entrepreneurs start or grow a business.

Registration for the workshop will open on Oct 17.

On Saturday, October 4, Alaska Airlines will return nonstop seasonal flights from San Luis Obispo County Airport to Las Vegas — airport officials expect the route to boost tourism and business for the region.

By The People — known locally as Family Paralegal Associates — opened a new office in downtown Paso Robles at 945 Spring Street, Suite 7A in Bates Plaza to offer affordable legal document services such as wills, trusts, divorce filings and business formation by appointment only.

A San Luis Obispo moving company, Meathead Movers, settled a long-running age discrimination lawsuit by agreeing to pay up to $6 million—$4 million for hiring initiatives and $2 million for claimant relief—in a consent decree filed with federal court; the agreement did not require an admission of wrongdoing and will require the company to send its applicant lists to the EEOC for review.

The San Luis Obispo Film Center hosted its second annual Haunting Party at the Palm Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo—featuring a wine pull, giveaways, food, live music by the Ghost/Monster Duo, and a costume contest with a grand prize.

The theater will show Halloween-themed films such as The Mummy and Scream later.

San Luis Obispo was named a Clean California Community by the state and is one of 32 cities recognized for reducing litter and improving public spaces—efforts that continue under the Sustainable SLO initiative.

Ahead of the November 4 special election, the County Clerk-Recorder ran a Logic and Accuracy test with over 4,000 ballots on Thursday to ensure the ballot tabulators work correctly.

Community members including Darcia Stebbens observed the process and asked questions—helping confirm the system meets election standards.

A government shutdown has raised local concerns as officials report 600 federal employees in town, and some worry that a long shutdown may halt VA tuition payments and lead to furloughs for forest workers+others support reducing federal staffing.

San Luis Obispo County Airport remains open, Vandenberg Space Force Base will continue critical launches, and the Morro Bay Coast Guard focuses on search and rescue efforts.

San Luis Obispo Regional Rideshare launched its annual Walktober challenge today to encourage residents to replace short driving trips with walking + other alternative transportation throughout October.

The challenge will feature pop-up breakfasts on Oct. 15, Oct. 22, and Oct. 29, Walk to School Day on Oct. 8 at 39 schools, and free transit passes for logging alternative trips.

The California Residential Mitigation Program has extended its registration period for its Earthquake Brace + Bolt program until October 17, adding two weeks to the original October 1 deadline.

The extension will allow more Californians including landlords with non-owner-occupied homes to apply for grants that retrofit homes as the closing date now coincides with the Great ShakeOut drill on October 16.

Brookshire Farms on Los Osos Valley Road has opened a pumpkin patch selling over 75 pumpkins and a 4.5 acre Sesame Street-themed corn maze selected as one of 35 across the U.S. The farm raised prices by 4% due to rising costs and the maze is two weeks behind schedule due to weather — farm workers will donate the corn to Cal Poly after fall ends.

Cal Poly men's soccer came back from a goal down to win 2-1 over UC Davis in a Big West season opener shown on national TV today.

The Mustangs kept a 13-game home winning streak and will face UC Irvine on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN—adding fresh hope to their conference run.

Central Coast Roller Derby and SLOCO Junior Roller Derby will host the Fall Brawl doubleheader at San Luis Obispo Skate Park this Saturday, Oct 4, with family-friendly bouts and activities to benefit Parents Helping Parents.

VIP gates open at 3 p.m. + children and military members receive free entry.