Category: Valleys

Health

CalAIM Helped Alfred Flores Rebuild His Life. Why Can’t More Californians Access Its Benefits?

California’s largest Medi-Cal transformation—California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal, or CalAIM—was designed to connect residents experiencing homelessness, trauma, and chronic illness directly to health care and social services. The statewide initiative allows healthcare providers to bill Medi-Cal for intensive, field-based care coordination, bringing doctors, social workers, and housing navigators directly to unsheltered residents where they live.

Marion Apio September 23, 2026

African Americans

Lisa Leslie Honored Where She Should Be

The first woman to dunk in a WNBA game, the first WNBA player to sign with a modeling agency and one of the most accomplished players in league history, Leslie has now become the first Los Angeles Sparks player to be immortalized with a bronze statue outside Crypto.com Arena.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Los Angeles

Aaron Donald Makes Big Return for Rams

When Aaron Donald took the field at SoFi Stadium for the first time since the end of the 2023 season, the crowd erupted with an ovation that seemed to shake the building.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

REPORT: Community Level Policy Is Impacting Homelessness and Drug Abuse in California

Local housing capacity, behavioral health services and criminal justice policies are playing a role in California’s homelessness and drug crises, according to a new report examining how policy decisions have affected outcomes across the state.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

Port of Oakland, Army Corps Sign Historic Harbor Design Agreement

A $642 million project designed to accommodate larger cargo ships and strengthen the Port of Oakland’s position as a major Pacific trade gateway moved a significant step closer to construction on Aug. 27.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

Newsom Orders Oversight of AI Companies; Sen. Weber Pierson’s AI Health Care Bias Bill Awaits His Action

As artificial intelligence rapidly expands into health care and other high-stakes fields, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Sept. 18 accelerating California’s efforts to independently oversee AI companies and strengthen safety guardrails.

News Observer September 22, 2026

African Americans

Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed

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News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

Keeping Children Safe One Ride at a Time

This Child Passenger Safety Week (September 20 to 26), I am proud to partner with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Caltrans to encourage families to take simple steps to protect children on every trip. Keeping children safe in a vehicle starts before the engine is turned on. It begins with making sure a child is riding in the right car seat and that the seat is being used correctly.

News Observer September 22, 2026

African Americans

Doulas Are Helping Black California Moms Navigate Pregnancy–Even as High Mortality Rates Persist

After losing twins, Long Beach resident Cassandra Carter approached the birth of her daughter, Nyomi, last November with anxiety. She wanted support for herself and her husband, Adewole, that extended beyond routine medical care.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Crime

Don’t Let scammers Crash Your School Year

Today’s students and young adults are true digital natives, having grown up online, learning to navigate digital spaces as a normal part of daily life. As they transition to college, they turn to digital platforms and social media for everything from apartment hunting and job searches to shopping, banking and talking with friends.

News Observer September 22, 2026

African Americans

Washington: At CBC Week, California Leaders Center Economic Power and Investment in Black Institutions

“We have to lean into talking about money and economics, economic development.”

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

Asm. Tina McKinnor’s Pension Bill Rallies First Responders, Raises Cost Concerns

About 500 California public safety workers gathered at the State Capitol on Sept. 14 to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign legislation that would allow enhanced retirement benefits for certain first responders.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

OPINION: AI Needs to Know Who Is the Boss

I hope on Labor Day you honored the value of a good day’s work–and reflected on the thing that could eliminate a lot of jobs.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

OP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?

Georgia’s state-funded pre-k program for 4-year-olds was recently recognized as the largest state-funded preschool program in the nation to meet all 10 quality benchmarks, and the first universal program to do so. Georgia’s recognition is the top finding in the National Institute for Early Education Research’s new 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook. The yearbook provides an annual snapshot of state-funded preschool across the country. Forty-four states and the District of Columbia fund preschool programs.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

D.A. Ursula Jones Dickson: Terminix to Pay $3.15 Million Over Illegal Disposal of Pesticides, Customer Records

Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced a $3.15 million settlement with Terminix International Inc. and Rentokil North America Inc. over allegations that the pest control companies illegally disposed of pesticides and hazardous waste and mishandled confidential customer records.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Bakersfield

California’s Legal Cannabis Market Hits $8 Billion as State Touts Progress on Fighting Drugs, Crime

“We are building a legal cannabis market that generates billions for Californians, and going after the illicit operators who undermine it,” said Newsom. “That’s public safety: protect consumers, support the businesses playing by the rules, and put the revenue to work in our communities.”

News Observer September 22, 2026

Los Angeles

Trojans Outlast Rutgers in Big Ten Opener

It was a wild shootout, but No. 12 USC remained unbeaten as quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns and King Miller rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in a 42-35 victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten opener for both teams before 43,045 fans.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Los Angeles

Rams Get Fired Up at Home Opener

The Los Angeles Rams came out fired up for their true home opener and rolled to a 28-6 victory over the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium.

News Observer September 22, 2026

Los Angeles

DoorDash Owes 260,000 NYC Delivery Workers $115 Million — No Claim Needed

New York City says the money will find the workers: settlement notices go out by email in late October, and the one thing workers should do now is make sure DoorDash has their current email and mailing address.

News Observer September 22, 2026

African Americans

How Inglewood’s Homeless Seniors Are Finding Relief Through Housing and Trauma-Informed Care

For some older adults, homelessness comes after decades of low-wage, physically demanding work, while others carry years of trauma that can complicate their path back to stable housing.

Marion Apio September 15, 2026