Category: Valleys

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

FBI Report Warns of Fear, Paralysis, And Political Turmoil Under Director Kash Patel

Six months into Kash Patel’s tenure as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a newly compiled internal report from a national alliance of retired and active-duty FBI agents and analysts delivers a stark warning about what the Bureau has become under his leadership. The 115-page document, submitted to Congress this month, is built entirely on verified reporting from inside field offices across the country and paints a picture of an agency gripped by fear, divided by ideology, and drifting without direction.

African Americans
Stefi Mar

Congressional Black Caucus Comes Out Hard Against NCAA-Friendly Bill on College Athlete NIL Money

“It is a shame that organizations like the NCAA, who last year touted $1.4 billion in revenue — a $91 million increase from the prior year — have for so long been able to benefit from college athletes’ hard work and sacrifice while the athletes themselves are often exploited and mistreated,” a blunt Dec. 3 statement by the Congressional Black Caucus, in part, asserted. 

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

The Numbers Behind the Myth of the Hundred Million Dollar Contract

Odell Beckham Jr. did not spark controversy on purpose. He sat on The Pivot Podcast and tried to explain the math behind a deal that looks limitless from the outside but shrinks fast once the system takes its cut. He looked into the camera and tried to offer a truth most fans never hear. “You give somebody a five-year $100 million contract, right? What is it really? It is five years for sixty. You are getting taxed. Do the math. That is twelve million a year that you have to spend, use, save, invest, flaunt,” said Beckham. He added that buying a car, buying his mother a house, and covering the costs of life all chip away at what people assume lasts forever.

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

Teens Reject Today’s News as Trump Intensifies His Assault on the Press

The American press is facing a crisis deeper than shrinking newsrooms or digital disruption. A new study from the News Literacy Project finds that teenagers overwhelmingly believe the nation’s news media is fake, chaotic, and dishonest, a view that threatens the foundation of an informed society at the same time a sitting president intensifies his attacks on journalism. The findings land in an era where corporate consolidation, political pressure, and presidential intimidation collide with the public’s fading confidence in the institutions meant to hold power accountable.

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

ACA Deadline Nears as 20 million Brace for Higher Health Costs

The Affordable Care Act subsidies that help more than 20 million people pay for health insurance are set to expire at the end of the month. Congress is running out of time to prevent steep premium hikes across the country, and families who rely on marketplace coverage face growing uncertainty while political leaders argue over what to do next.

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

5 Tips for Strengthening Social Bonds During the Holidays

For many, the holiday season provides a unique opportunity to pause from daily responsibilities and focus on the people who matter most. While gift-giving and festivities are often the center of celebrations, the true value of the season lies in nurturing meaningful connections with friends, family, and community. Research shows that strong social ties are associated with improved mental and physical health, making connection powerful and lasting gifts we can share.

Featured
Kathleen Untalan

BRUINS Have Their Guy

facebooktwitterinstagram UCLA has officially named Bob Chesney the 20th head coach in the history of its football program, bringing in a proven program-builder with a

Featured
Kathleen Untalan

Chargers Win Thriller at SoFi

facebooktwitterinstagram The Los Angeles Chargers won their second straight game Sunday, outlasting the Philadelphia Eagles 22–19 in overtime before 72,000-plus roaring fans at SoFi Stadium.

Los Angeles
Kathleen Untalan

Rams Throw “Power Punch” in Arizona

facebooktwitterinstagram The Los Angeles Rams came out swinging in Glendale, unleashing a dominant offensive performance in a 45–17 win over the Arizona Cardinals before 61,970

Local
Stefi Mar

Swingin’, Singin’ & Givin’: Winterfest ’25- A HOPE ACADEMY Winter Fundraiser

et ready to experience the magic of the season at “Swingin’, Singin’ & Givin’: Winterfest ’25”, a vibrant winter fundraiser hosted by HOPE ACADEMY for Scholarship and Innovation in partnership with the Center of Hope Community Development corporation. This joyful outdoor holiday festival brings together live music, art, food, and giving— all in support of building an innovative educational and learning community for HOPE ACADEMY Scholars.

Local
Stefi Mar

Santa’s Special Visit to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw

The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw team-up once again with Project Pit for a special community event. The special occasion included a meet-and-greet with Santa, Photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and story time. The event was held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm.

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

Bakersfield
Stefi Mar

From Tulsa to Ghana, Mother Fletcher’s Long Journey Comes to a Close at 111

Mother Viola Fletcher, who carried the memory of Tulsa’s shame and the nation’s unfinished business longer than any other living soul, died on November 24 at age 111. She stood as the oldest known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the burning of Greenwood, and the attempted erasure of Black prosperity that white mobs tried to silence forever.