Independent Review Recommends Reforms to Kern County Child Welfare System

The independent review commissioned by Kern County following the death of eight-year-old Genesis Mata found no substantial systemic failures within the County’s child welfare services, but concluded that the department must make improvements to staffing, casework, family engagement, and organizational practices to better protect children.

Advocates Discuss Data Center Proposals in the Central Valley

As data centers are on the rise, the Central Valley is facing several proposals, including the two for Inyokern and Taft, along with two centers being proposed in Kings and Tulare Counties. 

Arvin, Lamont Community Meeting Discusses Major City Updates

During the July 22 community Steering Meeting with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control  District (SJVAPCD), residents, organizations, and the public discussed updates from Caltrans, vegetative barriers, Community Emissions Reduction Program (CERP) measure implementation, and the upcoming city’s plans. 

Ridgecrest Petitions to Intervene in Review of Inyokern Data Center

The City of Ridgecrest has formally petitioned to become an intervenor in the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) review of the proposed RB Inyokern Data Center, seeking a direct role in evaluating the project’s potential impacts on the Indian Wells Valley.

Op-ed: Empathy Is NOT Enough, We Need Our County Board of Supervisors to Act

Three of the five districts that make up Kern County are home to large Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers, both privately and publicly owned.

City Council to Discuss Possible Sanctuary City Policy

Community members gathered at the city council meeting this week to ask the council members to make Bakersfield a sanctuary city.