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Category: Front Page

African Americans
Stefi Mar

NaTesha “T” Johnson Breaks 110-Year Barrier as First Black Chair of the Kern County Fair Board

There was a time when NaTesha T. Johnson knew the Kern County Fair the way a lot of Black kids from Bakersfield knew it, as a rare treat carved out of a tight budget. Her mother, a single woman raising four daughters while putting herself through school, would gather just enough to give each girl about $20 in ride tickets. When the money ran out, they found other ways to stretch the day: the free stages, the livestock pens, the gospel celebration that drew the African American faith community together.

Stefi Mar April 14, 2026
Front Page
Stefi Mar

“Senior-itis” Carries UCLA to Title

UCLA delivered a commanding performance in the 2026 women’s national championship game, overpowering South Carolina 79-51 with a dominant showing on both ends of the floor. From the opening tip, the Bruins set the tone—building an early lead and never allowing the Gamecocks to find their rhythm.

Stefi Mar April 7, 2026
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

A New Home, A New Chapter: Bakersfield Opens Senior Affordable Housing in the Southeast

For Rita McArn, moving to Bakersfield from Kansas City was an act of faith. She came to be close to her family and for the weather. Today, she is one of the first residents of the newly opened 610 4th Street Apartments, a 16‑unit senior affordable housing development quietly transforming a corner of southeast Bakersfield.

Stefi Mar April 7, 2026
African Americans
Stefi Mar

Black Student Loan Default Rate Five Times Higher than Whites

On behalf of the nearly 9 million people who are now in default on their student loans, a coalition of advocates from consumer, civil rights, and education organizations is appealing to the federal Education Department to halt its plans to begin garnishing borrowers’ wages this month. Default status connotes borrowers are 270 days or more behind on their payments.

Stefi Mar March 24, 2026
African Americans
Stefi Mar

Ed. Dept. Dismissed 90% of Discrimination Cases, Report Says

The Education Department office responsible for protecting the rights of marginalized and minority students in the nation’s K-12 public schools dismissed nearly every discrimination complaint it received last year, due to the Trump administration’s massive reduction in force, according to a new government watchdog report.

Stefi Mar March 17, 2026
African Americans
Stefi Mar

Civil Rights Leaders and Congressional Black Caucus Unite to Challenge Trump Administration Policies

During a recent gathering on Capitol Hill, lawmakers and advocacy leaders sharply criticized a series of policy decisions implemented since Trump’s return to the White House, as well as the president’s rhetoric and governing approach. While participants outlined broad areas of concern, they provided limited specifics regarding immediate tactical responses.

Stefi Mar March 10, 2026
Front Page
Stefi Mar

Inouye-Perez Now Tops Bruins’ Coaching List

Last weekend, Kelly Inouye-Perez surpassed Sue Enquist as the winningest softball coach in UCLA history — a milestone that cements her place among the legends of Westwood.

Stefi Mar March 3, 2026
Bakersfield
James Luckey

Clinica Sierra Vista- A Safety Net For The Uninsured

When California froze new Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented adults, thousands of Kern County families were left in limbo. At Clinica Sierra Vista, staff members are racing to keep patients covered — and fighting fear with trust.

James Luckey March 3, 2026
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

It’s 2026 and You’re Uninsured. Now What?

Health policy changes in Washington will ripple through the country, resulting in millions of Americans losing their Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage. But there are still ways to find care.

Stefi Mar February 10, 2026