Victoria Rodgers
Victoria Rodgers is an editor and reporter for Kern Sol News. Born in Bakersfield, CA, she received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Rockford University in Illinois. She can be reached at victoria@southkernsol.org. Posts by Victoria Rodgers:
ICE Launches 45-Day California Operation
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a 45-day operation across California targeting immigrants with and without criminal records, according to an October 7 report from the Washington Examiner.
The Hidden Costs Of Seeking Medical Care
When Rosalyn Hicks became sick enough to consider going to urgent care, the first thing she thought about was money.
Kern County Binational Health Initiative Addresses Language and Access Barriers
Free health screenings, flu vaccines, and help accessing health coverage are among the resources Kern County families can get through this year’s Binational Health initiative, which focuses on bringing care directly to Latino and immigrant communities.
Kern County Symposium Highlights Future of Promotora Work
A Kern County symposium hosted as part of the Kern Coalition and California Jobs First efforts on Tuesday brought community organizations and workforce representatives together to discuss expanding the role of promotoras beyond health care and creating more sustainable, paid opportunities for the community health workers (CHWs) doing the work.
Athal Water Transition Begins As Lamont Prepares To Take Over
For residents of the Athal community, the State’s mandatory consolidation order was only the beginning. During a community meeting hosted on Wednesday, representatives from the State Water Resources Control Board and Lamont Public Utilities District (LPUD) began answering the questions residents now have about what happens next: when they will begin paying LPUD, who will operate their water system in the meantime, what will happen to the existing well, and how long it will take before the community is connected to a new system.
Residents Raise Concerns Over Water, Energy and Accountability Amid Data Center Proposals
As artificial intelligence continues to expand, so does the infrastructure needed to power it. In Kern County, proposed AI data centers are raising questions among residents and community organizers about how much water and electricity the facilities will use, what benefits they will bring, and how much say residents will have in the projects.
Bakersfield Rally Questions Handling of Scrivner Case, Calls for Equal Justice
Community advocates gathered at the Liberty Bell in downtown Bakersfield Thursday morning, asking whether former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner’s political connections played a role in how his criminal case was handled.
California Water Assistance Bill Heads To Governor Newsom
California lawmakers have approved legislation that would establish a statewide water rate assistance program for low-income households, potentially giving eligible residents a new way to reduce their monthly water bills.
CAPK Launches Hunger Action Month
Community Action Partnership of Kern’s (CAPK) Food Bank is launching a countywide food-finder platform, Vivery, and expanding its use of client-level data as it prepares for added pressure on Kern County’s charitable food network.
California City Council Upholds CoreCivic Approvals After Hours of Public Testimony
Following hours of legal arguments and public testimony, the California City Council voted Tuesday to reject two appeals challenging CoreCivic’s 2026 business license and Minor Site Plan Review 25-09.