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Category: Local

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Epstein Files Battle Explodes as Redactions Shield Trump and Other Powerful Figures

The fight over the Epstein files reached a boiling point today as Congress moves to force their release, but the real story has already unfolded behind closed doors. The documents were scrubbed long before lawmakers ever approached the floor. What should have been a moment of transparency has become a demonstration of how political power shields itself while the public is told to wait.

Stefi Mar November 24, 2025
African Americans
Stefi Mar

Medi-Cal Is Changing—What Black Californians Need to Know in 2025 and Beyond

Medi-Cal is undergoing major changes. For Black Californians, these shifts bring both opportunities and challenges. As California continues to reshape its health care system through initiatives like California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), the state is working to close long-standing racial disparities in care, especially in areas like maternal health, mental health, and preventive services.

Stefi Mar November 11, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

More Than a Hair Salon: How Darwin Young Built a Community at Who’s Bad

If a man’s true wealth is measured by the community he builds, then Darwin Young is a king. After four decades perfecting the look and boosting the confidence of countless clients, Young recently received the ultimate tribute: a profound act of love organized by the very people whose lives he touched.

Stefi Mar November 5, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

12th Annual Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival held in Inglewood

The morning fog and chill gave way to a beautiful day in the City of Inglewood, aka, “City of Champions,” and “City Where Champions Are Made.”
     The Día de los Muertos event was hosted by Inglewood Park Cemetery and Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. This solemn and celebratory day paid tribute to life, love, and the enduring bonds shared with loved ones who have transitioned.

Stefi Mar November 4, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Judges: SNAP Payments Must Resume — But California Families Still Face Uncertainty

Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to release emergency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) afloat — but only temporarily. The rulings, issued Friday, October 31, require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to tap into $5.3 billion in contingency reserves to partially cover food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans in November.

Stefi Mar November 4, 2025
African Americans
Stefi Mar

New Social Security Rules Could Leave Black Retirees Further Behind

The country’s most dependable safety net is changing again, and this time, many fear it will fall hardest on the people who have always leaned on it the most. Across the nation, millions are bracing for the next wave of Social Security changes taking effect this fall and into 2026. What Washington calls modernization and reform, others see as a tightening noose around the necks of working people, especially Black Americans, who for generations have been shut out, shortchanged, and forced to survive on the margins of a promise that was never fully kept.

Stefi Mar October 27, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

California Teachers Association Rallies Behind Prop. 50: A Stand for Education and Democracy

In a bold move reflecting the urgency of the times, the California Teachers Association (CTA) has thrown its weight behind Proposition 50, an initiative spearheaded by Governor Gavin Newsom aimed at redistricting. CTA is reaching out to California’s Black voters by activating a campaign utilizing some of the state’s legacy Black newspapers.

Stefi Mar October 27, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Los Angeles Urban League State of Black LA 2025

There was an adrenaline rush, or buzz, around the campus of USC on Thursday, October 16, 2025. This wasn’t the typical energy associated with a sporting event. Fight On!

Stefi Mar October 21, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Head Start Gave the Author an Early Inspiration to Share Her Story

It did not come as a surprise to Atiya Henley’s parents, alumni of Head Start, that she would become a published author before the age of 10. “Atiya has a BIG imagination,” said her mother, Amy Deanes. “This isn’t her first book, but it’s the first one that we published. She wrote this book because of no experience of her own, but because of her passion to help others.”

Stefi Mar October 20, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Gracias Gustavo Community Block Party

A steady flow of music aficionados, foodies, and art patrons gathered on the backlot of Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen YOLA Center, 101 South La Brea Avenue. Guests were in attendance for the Gracias Gustavo Community Block Party. This festive celebration featured music performances, dance, interactive activities, food trucks, and more. The event was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Stefi Mar October 14, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Essay: Intentional Self Care and Community Connections Can Improve Our Wellbeing

I went to a medical school that was steeped in the principles of classical western medicine. However, I also learned mindfulness meditation during that time, which opened me to the multifaceted relationship between illnesses and the interconnecting environmental, mental and emotional realities that can impact an individual’s health. 

Stefi Mar October 13, 2025
Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

The Isley Brothers Bring Black Joy to the Kern County Fair

The Ferris wheel glowed against the Bakersfield night sky. The scent of kettle corn, barbecue, fries, and other fair treats drifted through the air as children’s laughter and screams mingled with the sounds of carnival rides. Beyond the games and food stalls, Kern County showcased its agricultural pride through livestock displays and farm produce exhibits. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, all eyes turned toward the main stage, where living legends were about to perform, the Isley Brothers.

Stefi Mar October 7, 2025
Entertainment
Stefi Mar

Carson Jazz Festival – Party in the Park

You are keenly aware that the season has changed to autumn/fall. What you may not know is that the outdoor concert season is still in full bloom. My social calendar has several upcoming events lined up in the month of October.

Stefi Mar October 7, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Witnessing The Destruction Of America: It’s Not Too Late

What happened to Rome and its destruction from within is now being
experienced by Americans in Real Time. The meeting that the Secretary of
Defense held with all the senior military leaders is a prime example of the
effort to not only force all senior military leaders to resign or quit out of
protest and frustration, but to also undermine the position of women in the
military, many of whom have earned their way to some of the highest ranks
in our armed forces.

Stefi Mar September 30, 2025
Local
Stefi Mar

Jazz on the Grass – Groove to the Music

Compton residents and visitors from surrounding communities gathered once again on the beautiful, manicured lawn of Compton College. This was an overcast, gray day. Fortunately, the sun came out in the afternoon.

Stefi Mar September 30, 2025