On Easter Sunday morning, Vassie Lee Jackson, believed to be Bakersfield’s oldest living resident, took her leave. She was 105 years old, just three months shy of 106.
By her pastor’s account, she had been ready for some time.
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.
Federal and state policy changes will roll out over the next few months that may impact some people in San Diego County who receive CalFresh or Medi-Cal benefits. The first of these changes starts April 1.
It’s true that DUI checkpoints can reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road if they’re used in a consistent manner that supports larger enforcement efforts, such as public education campaigns. Local data shows that DUI checkpoints have resulted in a decline in alcohol-related crashes in areas where such checkpoints occur on a regular basis.
Eight Kern County high school students were honored for leadership, academic achievement and community service during the 2026 Miss Fashionetta and Gents Program in Bakersfield, where Madisynn Brown and Abdur Clark were crowned this year’s top honorees. The longstanding initiative continues to invest in youth through mentorship, scholarships and personal development.
faThis popular event, the Spring Event, Earth Day, and Service Provider Fair, was a fun-filled day for families in the “City of Good Neighbors.” Today’s community gathering of people from all walks of life produced priceless smiles of kids playing and the sounds of laughter that reverberated throughout the park.
In the aftermath of mass layoffs in 2025, many Black women are turning uncertainty into opportunity by launching businesses, strengthening professional networks and being innovative. Through resilience, creativity and community support, they are carving paths to stability and success in a shifting economy.
On March 25, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), in collaboration with the California Legislative Women’s Caucus (LWC), stood in unity to present a 2026 legislative package aimed at advancing family-centered economic and social equity.
Free health screenings and vendor exhibits draw a broad cross-section of residents; Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, Rep. 35th District, warns Kern County has been a designated health care shortage area “for decades” with no remedy in sight.
It’s that time of the year again! Days are longer, and the weather is cooler. Don’t try to explain this to Mother Nature. No one could ever imagine ushering in spring with sizzling weather.
Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County fell sharply last year, offering a rare sign of progress in a crisis that has devastated communities across the region. But health officials say the improvement has not reached everyone equally.
“Today is not just a reveal. Today is a restoration of stories and names of impact that deserve to be seen, honored, and remembered in a way that lives beyond this moment.”
-Dr. Arleana Waller, Founder & CEO, ShePower Leadership Academy
The morning of Feb. 24 felt more like a festival than a school day. Curran Middle School threw open its doors to celebrate Black History Month with a program that was part showcase, part history lesson, and entirely community-built. Under the theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Black History,” students, teachers, and local organizations filled the campus with performances, cultural activities, and a shared sense of purpose that extended well beyond the classroom.
Every day, we depend on our cars to get us places: to and from work, taking our kids to school, and more. But what many don’t realize is that millions of cars on U.S. roads have open safety recalls. These risks increase in the Black community because of higher rates of commonly held myths about open vehicle safety recalls among Black vehicle owners.
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.
The rhythm of West African drums echoed through Bakersfield College’s Renegade Event Center as students, faculty, and community members gathered for the eighth annual Black History Month celebration hosted by Umoja Community.
By Anne To | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow Tiffany Duvernay-Smith went from “homelessness to homeowner” after she became a recipient of the
NBA All-Star Weekend cast a gigantic basketball net across Los Angeles and Inglewood from February 12 to 15, 2026.
To stabilize and strengthen local journalism across California, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced on Feb. 10 that it has launched an initiative called the Civic Media Program and appointed a diverse advisory board to steer the effort.
From the HBCU Classic and Rising Stars to a competitive All-Star Game and citywide events, Inglewood’s first time hosting NBA All-Star Weekend showcased Black culture, community pride, and the city’s growing national presence.
