Bakersfield
OP-ED: The Government Shutdown Proves We Need Skilled Trades
Our current moment is a powerful case study in where economic value and job stability lie.
Stefi Mar November 19, 2025
Our current moment is a powerful case study in where economic value and job stability lie.
The people of Galveston, Texas, have been commemorating Juneteenth since the Civil War ended. Yesterday, in honor of the 160th anniversary, I went there to join them.
This is the reality of an unregulated black market. People think they are injecting medicine into their bodies that will improve their health, but they
The climate crisis is costing all of us a lot of money in our everyday lives. Higher utility bills. Higher healthcare costs. Housing prices skyrocketing in some areas and home property values nosediving in others. Climate change – as well as the pollution that causes it and the natural disasters caused by it – is exacting a steeper and steeper financial toll on American households.
We are standing at a crossroads –where our history meets our future. And in this moment, we have to ask ourselves: What would our ancestors do?
“As we address the aftermath of the wildfires, let us resolve not just to build back better but also smarter, with a commitment to the environment and future generations. As a pastor, I am guided by the principle that caring for creation is an integral part of our faith. Let us take inspiration from the teachings of love and stewardship, embracing the role of being good caretakers of God’s earth. Without a shadow of a doubt, community solidarity is crucial in the fight against climate change.”
President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address outlined his vision for a “golden age” in America. Delivered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the speech acknowledged Black voters for their record turnout and pledged to honor King’s dream. While Trump’s words struck a hopeful tone, promising national unity, prosperity, and restoration, his lack of specifics on systemic inequities — particularly those impacting Black Californians –raises concerns about the direction of his administration’s policies.
Once upon a time a long time ago in a land not that far away, hip-hop was the voice of the streets. It was a movement, a message, and a megaphone for Black empowerment and communal struggle. Born from block parties and sound systems in the Bronx, N.Y., it was raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically Black. It wasn’t just music. It was a blueprint for survival. But somewhere along the way, the cipher got hijacked by the almighty dollar, and now we’re left wondering: when did hip-hop trade its soul for a stack?
Richard Dean Parsons, a distinguished leader in corporate America renowned for his roles at Time Warner and Citigroup, died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was 76.
America’s financial system is quietly reinforcing old inequities. Black American communities — historically denied access to wealth-building tools due to practices like redlining and restrictive banking — now face a new predatory financial hurdle: credit card swipe fees.
I refuse to utter his name. Since the announcement of his Presidential re-election, I’ve tried to stay calm, to remain, as they say, “very demure.” But after what unfolded this past Saturday, when a group of masked white nationalists stormed the Short North Arts District area in Columbus, Ohio, waving swastika flags and shouting racial slurs, a ratchet display of pure hate—I just can’t. I am annoyed, but we knew this was coming. Classic American terrorism, live and in color. And make no mistake: as “that man” ascends to his concocted throne, these events will only intensify.
Voting is one of our most fundamental rights. It’s not just about having a say in the future of our country, it’s about honoring the legacy of those who fought and sacrificed so that we could have a voice. As a voting rights lawyer, I’ve seen the impacts of voter suppression firsthand, and how deeply un-American it is when folks cannot vote because of arbitrary barriers put in place to make it harder.
John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor and pioneering television star who brought to life some of the most beloved characters in entertainment history, has died. He was 84. His son, K.C. Amos, confirmed in a statement that Amos passed away more than a month ago, on August 21, in Los Angeles of natural causes. The younger Amos didn’t say why he kept his father’s death under wraps for more than a month.
August marked the start of a new academic year as California’s K-12 students headed back to freshly decorated classrooms.
“If you see something, Say Something!” Better yet, “ If you see something Do something!” These are words from the honorable, beloved, and late Congressmen John Lewis.
Access to reliable cars is a fundamental need for consumers, small business owners, and their hard-working employees.
In November, voters have a crucial opportunity to reject Proposition 36, a misguided effort backed by major law enforcement associations and some players in the corporate retail lobby that will make our communities less safe.
Last week, California arrived at a turning point in the decades-long quest to find a solution to the news crisis in our state. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) brokered a deal that promises to change the future of news in our state. This isn’t just another plan — it’s a unique collaboration that brings together the State of California, news publishers and tech companies, to give our newsrooms the financial support they desperately need.
This November, in addition to the Presidential election, there are thousands of political campaigns in motion. Those running for office will vary from local school boards and city council races to county, state and national offices such as Congressional seats and the U.S. Senate.
Since Pres. Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election, Donald Trump has struggled to find his footing in a campaign that was previously geared toward attacking Biden’s age and fitness.