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John Castillo

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Raised in Bakersfield, California, John Castillo is the San Luis Obispo reporter for Times Media Service. Castillo covers local news in San Luis Obispo, including city government, schools, public safety, development and community life, from local history to culture. Castillo holds a master's degree in mass communication.

Stories by John Castillo

18 stories

  1. August 2026

    1 story: 1 explainer

  2. Sun

    Explainer · Education · California

    Why California schools are returning some of the $1 billion in arts funding

    Students may miss out on new music and arts classes as California schools return unspent Proposition 28 funding due to hiring and spending rules.

  3. July 2026

    3 stories: 2 explainers, 1 news story

  4. Thu

    Explainer · Food and Dining · Florida

    Burger King is changing how it handles Whoppers — and why that matters in Florida

  5. Sun

    Explainer · Education · California

    UC reopens SAT and ACT debate: what a return could mean for California students

  6. Fri

    News: Business and Finance · United States

    Panasonic recalls more than 13,000 toaster ovens sold through Amazon and Costco over shock, fire risk

  7. June 2026

    11 stories: 3 investigations, 1 explainer, 7 news stories

  8. Sun

    News: Travel · California

    Disneyland’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure reopens after teen exits ride vehicle and slides down final drop

  9. Sun

    News: Travel · United States

    Duck boat overturns near Charles River entrance in Cambridge, injuring at least 6

  10. Sat

    News: Travel · United States

    Viral Alberta bear encounter underscores safety rules for hikers in grizzly country

    A viral video near Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis Country highlights essential grizzly bear safety rules for hikers this season.

  11. Thu

    News: Sports · California

    Türkiye edges U.S. 3-2 in Los Angeles, but Americans still move on to round of 32

  12. Thu

    Explainer · Travel · United States

    How a Lancaster teen’s 50-star flag became a piece of U.S. history in state capitols from Texas to Alaska

  13. Thu

    News: Travel · United States

    Lincoln Memorial’s hidden undercroft opens to visitors June 25 with timed-entry tickets

  14. Sat

    News: Travel · World

    Fire at Dominican Republic resort kills tourist, forces evacuation of 1,690 guests

  15. Sun

    Investigation · Business and Finance · United States

    Review of records shows BlackRock’s SOXX is a concentrated chip bet at the center of the 2026 AI rally

    BlackRock's SOXX ETF offers a concentrated bet on the chip industry as IDC forecasts global semiconductor revenue will top $1 trillion by 2026.

  16. Sun

    Investigation · Business and Finance · United States

    Obama Center’s $470 million endowment plan faces scrutiny as subcontractors allege unpaid bills

  17. Sat

    Investigation · Business and Finance · United States

    SpaceX Nasdaq debut lifts company above $2 trillion and puts Musk’s paper wealth past $1 trillion

  18. Mon

    News: Sports · United States

    Trump draws mixed reaction at Madison Square Garden during NBA Finals

  19. December 2025

    1 story: 1 news story

  20. Tue

    News: Energy · San Luis Obispo, California

    Diablo Canyon: CA Extends Nuclear Plant Operations to 2030

  21. October 2025

    1 story: 1 news story

  22. Wed

    News: Transportation · California

    Cayucos Pier Emergency Repairs Start: What to Know About Closures

  23. August 2025

    1 story: 1 news story

  24. Sun

    News: Environment · California

    Emergency siren test echoes across San Luis Obispo County

    San Luis Obispo County’s annual emergency siren test sounded twice Saturday. All 130 sirens worked as planned, and officials urged residents to rely on TV/radio in…